Acheenta Gohain Barua

Analgesic and anti-nociceptive activity of hydroethanolic extract of Drymaria cordata Willd

Objectives: To study the analgesic and anti-nociceptive activity of hydroethanolic extract of Drymaria cordata Willd. Materials and Methods: Wistar rats and Swiss albino mice were used for studying analgesic and anti-nociceptive activity of Drymaria cordata hydroethanolic extract (DCHE) at doses 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg p.o. Various models viz. acetic acid induced writhing model (female mice), Eddys hot plate (mice) and tail flick model (rat) for analgesic study and formalin-induced paw licking model (mice) were used for anti-nociceptive study. Results: In acetic acid induced writhing model, effect of DCHE was better than the standard drug- indomethacin 10 mg/kg (p.o.). In the hot plate model, the maximum effect was observed at 60 min at a dose of 200 mg/kg p.o., which was higher than the standard drug morphine sulfate (1.5 mg/kg i.p.), whereas in the tail flick model, effect was comparable with morphine sulfate. In formalin-induced paw licking model, administration of DCHE completely abolished the early phase at 100 and 200 mg/kg p.o. and in the late phase, the effect of DCHE (200 mg/kg p.o.) was higher than indomethacin (10 mg/kg p.o.). Conclusion: DCHE was effective in both non-narcotic and narcotic models of nociception, suggesting its possible action via peripheral and central mechanism. It also abolished the early phase in formalin-induced paw licking model, suggesting complete inactivation of C-fiber at higher dose. The activity can be attributed to the phyto-constituents viz tannins, diterpenes, triterpenes and steroids present in the DCHE extract. In conclusion, DCHE can be developed as a potent analgesic and anti-nociceptive agent in future.

Studies on the anti-inflammatory properties of Plantago erosa leaf extract in rodents.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Leaves of Plantago erosa ex Roxb are used traditionally in Northeast India in different illnesses which include wounds, cuts, bruises, insect bites, poison-ivy rashes, minor sores and snakebite, etc. AIM OF THE STUDY Plantago erosa is one of the commonly used medicinal plants in various inflammatory conditions in this region; however, due to paucity of scientific literature on its anti-inflammatory property, the present study was aimed at evaluating its anti-inflammatory activity in the leaves using in vivo models of inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Different models like carageenan induced paw edema in rat and mice, formalin induced paw licking in rats and cotton pellet induced granuloma in rats were used for studying the anti-inflammatory activity in methanol extract of Plantago erosa (PEME) leaves. RESULTS The PEME at the oral doses from 300 to 600 mg/kg showed anti-inflammatory activity in various models. The extract (PEME) reduced carageenan induced paw edema in rat and mice, inhibited the formation of granulomatous tissue in cotton pellet induced granuloma after treatment and also decreased the reaction time in both early and late phases in formalin induced paw licking in rats. CONCLUSION The study evidently confirmed anti-inflammatory activity of PEME and thus supported the traditional claim. The anti-inflammatory activity could be attributed to the phytoconstituent (flavonoids, alkaloids and steroid) present in the methanol extract of the plant.

Prevalence of Porcine Cysticercosis in Four States of North East India

Porcine cysticercosis is an important parasitic zoonotic disease in North East India, where pork is consumed by 80-85% of the population as an important form of dietary protein. It is endemic in these areas but minimal data has been reported concerning prevalence of porcine cysticercosis. The present work was undertaken to study the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in the three North Eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. Different pork markets of different districts of the states were selected randomly from these three states. Postmortem inspection was carried out for examining cyst-like nodules. Blood samples were collected and performed ELISA for detection of circulatory taenia spp. antibodies. Overall prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in these states of NE India was recorded 0.92 %. Highest prevalence was recorded in Meghalaya (1.73 %) followed by Arunachal Pradesh (1.39 %) and Assam (0.68 %). Sero-prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in these four states was recorded 2.72 % comprising 2.13 %, 5.37 %, 3.18 % and 1.82 % in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram respectively. Data obtained in this study suggested presence of porcine cysticercosis in these states of North East India. These results indicate urgent necessity to implement appropriate control measures for T. solium in the study areas.

Evaluation of in vivo antimycobacterial activity of some folklore medicinal plants and enumeration of colony forming unit in murine model.

Objectives: The present study was carried out to investigate the in vivo antimycobacterial activity of methanol extract of Alstonia scholaris and Mucuna imbricata in murine model. Materials and Methods: Female BALB/c mice were infected with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv suspension. Extracts were administered orally for 2 weeks from 7th day postinfection at a dose of 200 mg/kg and rifampicin at 20 mg/kg as standard. The synergistic groups were 10 and 100 mg/kg for rifampicin and extract, respectively. Results: The final body weight of mycobacteria-infected group was significantly reduced (15.41 ± 0.42, P < 0.01), but following treatment with the plant extract plus rifampicin could elevate the body weight. Colony forming unit (CFU) count of lung (8.71 ± 0.01) and spleen (8.59 ± 0.01) was significantly higher in infected and untreated group (P < 0.01). It was observed that activity of the synergistic group displayed powerful and maximum response against tuberculosis (TB) infection with lower CFU counts. Histopathology study showed cells such as lymphocytes, epithelioid, Langhans giant cell, and fibrous tissue proliferation in lungs; depletion of lymphocytes in the spleen. Conclusions: The data indicate that methanol extract of A. scholaris has potential antimycobacterial activity, and the synergistic group consisting of rifampicin and A. scholaris could be a rational choice for the treatment of TB.