Anil Kumar Maurya

Experimental Assessment of Moringa oleifera Leaf and Fruit for Its Antistress, Antioxidant, and Scavenging Potential Using In Vitro and In Vivo Assays

We have investigated effect of Moringa oleifera leaf and fruit extracts on markers of oxidative stress, its toxicity evaluation, and correlation with antioxidant properties using in vitro and in vitro assays. The aqueous extract of leaf was able to increase the GSH and reduce MDA level in a concentration-dependent manner. The ethanolic extract of fruit showed highest phenolic content, strong reducing power and free radical scavenging capacity. The antioxidant capacity of ethanolic extract of both fruit and leaf was higher in the in vitro assay compared to aqueous extract which showed higher potential in vivo. Safety evaluation studies showed no toxicity of the extracts up to a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. Our results support the potent antioxidant activity of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera which adds one more positive attribute to its known pharmacological importance.

α-(-)-bisabolol reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production and ameliorates skin inflammation.

α-(-)-bisabolol is a natural monocyclic sesquiterpene present in the essential oil has generated considerable interest in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and currently in use in various formulations, mainly in cosmetics. This study was undertaken to evaluate its therapeutic profile against skin inflammation using in-vitro, in-vivo and in-silico assays. Lipopolysachharide (LPS) and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in macrophage cells as well as in TPA-induced skin inflammation in mice was significantly inhibited by α-(-)-bisabolol. TPA-induced ear thickness, ear weight and lipid peroxidation and histopathological damage in the ear tissue were also significantly inhibited by topical application of α-(-)-bisabolol in a dose dependent manner. In-vitro and in-vivo toxicity profiles indicate that it is safe for topical application on skin. Molecular docking study also revealed its strong binding affinity to the active site of the pro-inflammatory proteins. These findings suggested that α-(-)-bisabolol may be a useful therapeutic candidate for the treatment of skin inflammation.

Molecular Docking and ADME Studies of Natural Compounds of Agarwood Oil for Topical Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Aquilaria agallocha Roxb. family, Thymelaeaceae, is an evergreen plant of South-East Asia, commonly described as aloe wood or agarwood. Traditionally, the bark, root and heartwood are used for their medicinal properties as a folk medicine for hundreds of years. Chemical analyses revealed that the bulk of the oil is constituted by agarospirol (12.5%), jinkoh-eremol (11.8%) and hinesol (8.9%) as major contributor. In the present work, a QSAR model for antiinflammatory activity of 10-epi-γ-Eudesmol, jinkoh-eremol, agarospirol and other compounds has been developed by multiple linear regression method. The r(2) and rCV(2) of a model were 0.89 and 0.81 respectively. In silico molecular docking study suggests that compound 10-epi-γ-Eudesmol, jinkoh-eremol and agarospirol are preferentially more active than other identified compounds with strong binding affinity to major anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory receptors. The oil displayed a significant and dose dependent reduction of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorobol-13 acetate (TPA)- induced ear edema and MDA activity when compared with vehicle treated mice. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) were also reduced significantly in a dose dependent manner in all the TPA treated groups as compared to control. The present study indicates that agarwood oil significantly reduced the skin thickness, ear weight, oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines production in TPA-induced mouse ear inflammation model and contributed towards validation of its traditional use to treat inflammation related ailments.

QSAR, docking and in vitro studies for anti-inflammatory activity of cleomiscosin A methyl ether derivatives

A series of five (6a-8b) novel polyhalogenated derivatives and an interesting ester (9a) derivative have been synthesized from cleomiscosin A methyl ether. All the six derivatives were subjected to in silico QSAR modeling and docking studies and later the predicted results were confirmed through in vitro experiments. QSAR modeling results showed that compounds 6a and 9a possessed anti-inflammatory activity comparable or even higher than diclofenac sodium. Docking results revealed that compounds 9a and 6a showed very good anti-inflammatory activity due to low docking energies of viz., IL6 (-92.45 and -81.993 kcal mol(-1)), TNF-α (-94.992 and -69.235 kcal mol(-1)) and IL1β (-67.462 and -65.985 kcal mol(-1)). Further all the six novel derivatives were subjected for in vitro anti-inflammatory activity using primary macrophages cell culture bioassay system. At the initial doses of 1 μg/ml and 10 μg/ml, the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) were quantified from cell culture supernatant using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The in vitro effect of 6a-9a on cell viability in mouse peritoneal macrophage cells isolated from mice was evaluated using MTT assay. The in silico and in vitro data suggested that all the derivatives might be considered as potential anti-inflammatory drug-like molecules.

Antimalarial and safety evaluation of Pluchea lanceolata (DC.) Oliv. & Hiern: In-vitro and in-vivo study

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Many of the effective therapeutic strategies have been derived from ethnopharmacologically used natural products. Pluchea lanceolata is an herb employed in Indian folk medicine for malaria like fever but it lacks proper pharmacological intervention. AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate antimalarial and safety profile of Pluchea lanceolata: an in-vitro, in-vivo for its ethnopharmacological validation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Methanol, butanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform, hexane extracts and its isolate, taraxasterol acetate (TxAc) were obtained from air dried aerial part of Pluchea lanceolata. These were tested in-vitro against chloroquine-sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum NF54 by measuring the parasite specific lactate dehydrogenase activity. The most potent hexane extract and TxAc were further validated for in-vivo antimalarial and safety evaluation. TxAc, a pentacyclic-triterpene isolated from the most active fraction was further evaluated with special emphasis on inflammatory mediators involved in malaria pathogenesis. Murine malaria was induced by intra-peritoneal injection of Plasmodium berghei infected red blood cells to the male Swiss inbred mice. Mice were orally treated following Peters 4-Day suppression test. In-vivo antimalarial efficacy was examined by evaluating the parasitaemia, percent survival, mean survival time, blood glucose, haemoglobin and pro-inflammatory mediators involved in malaria pathogenesis. RESULTS Hexane extract and TxAc showed promising antimalarial activity in-vitro and in-vivo condition. TxAc attributed in inhibition of the pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as afford to significant increase in the blood glucose and haemoglobin level when compared with vehicle treated infected mice. We have not observed the synergistic action of combinations of chloroquine and TxAc from our experimental results. In-vitro and in-vivo safety evaluation study revealed that hexane extract is non toxic at higher concentration. CONCLUSION Present study further validates the ancient Indian traditional knowledge and use of Pluchea lanceolata as an antimalarial agent. Study confirms the suitability of Pluchea lanceolata as a candidate for further studies to obtain a prototype for antimalarial medicine.

Diarylheptanoids from Alnus nepalensis attenuates LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages and endotoxic shock in mice.

Diarylheptanoids, a group of plant secondary metabolites are increasingly recognized as potential therapeutic agents. The aim of study was to ascertain the anti-inflammatory profile of diarylheptanoids from Alnus nepalensis against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in macrophages and endotoxic shock in mice. Extracts prepared from dried leaves of A. nepalensis using standard solvents were tested against LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages. Among all, butanol extract (ANB) has shown most significant inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines without any cytotoxicity. HPLC analysis of ANB showed the presence of diarylheptanoids. The diarylheptanoids were further isolated and tested in-vitro for anti-inflammatory activity. Treatment of isolated diarylheptanoids (HOG, ORE and PLS) was able to reduce the production and mRNA level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). Furthermore, we demonstrated that it inhibited the expression of NF-kB protein in LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages. In-vivo efficacy and safety profile of ANB revealed that oral treatment of ANB was able to improve the survival rate, and inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum, attenuated vital organ injury in a dose dependent manner without any toxic effect at higher dose in mice. The results suggest that diarylheptanoids from A. nepalensis can be considered as potential therapeutic candidates for the management of inflammation related diseases.

Flavonoids Rich Fraction of Citrus limetta Fruit Peels Reduces Proinflammatory Cytokine Production and Attenuates Malaria Pathogenesis

Exploration of possible pharmacological effects along with characterisation of the bioactive compounds present in peels may have a key role in converting the fruit waste materials into therapeutic value added products. Extracts prepared from the Citrus limetta fruit peels were studied for antioxidant and anti- inflammatory activity using in-vitro bioassays. Among all, ClEt an ethanol extract of Citrus limetta fruit peels has shown promising anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. ClEt was further validated to ensure its safety evaluation at 2000mg/kg and anti-malarial efficacy at 100, 250, 500 mg/kg body weight with special reference to inflammatory mediators involved in malaria pathogenesis. In-vivo study revealed that ClEt was safe at higher dose and showed promising anti-malarial activity by inhibiting the parasitaemia and inflammatory mediators (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6) involved in malaria pathogenesis, able to improve the haemoglobin and glucose level and increase the survival time. Chemical fingerprint of ClEt revealed the presence of flavonoids. Results suggested the suitability of ClEt, a flavonoid rich fraction of Citrus limetta fruit peels as a candidate for further investigation towards the management of malaria pathogenesis.

New anti-inflammatory triterpene from the root of Ricinus communis

Liquid–liquid partitioning of Ricinus communis root methanol extract resulted in enrichment of compounds. Purification of the n-hexane fraction led to the isolation and characterisation of two triterpenes: one known compound lupeol (1) and a new diketone pentacyclic triterpene named as erandone (urs-6-ene-3,16-dione) (2), from the plant. Their structures were determined by various spectroscopic techniques. Crude methanolic, enriched n-hexane fraction and isolates at doses 100 mg/kg p.o. exhibited significant (P < 0.001) anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema model.

Pharmacological and phytochemical evaluation of Ocimum sanctum root extracts for its antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities

Background: Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increases risk of having a range of gastrointestinal problems. Therefore, new anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic drugs having lesser side effects are being searched all overthe world as alternatives to NSAIDs. Aims: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic profile of Ocimum sanctum root extracts. Materials and Methods: Anti-inflammatory profile of hexane (STH), chloroform (STC), ethyl acetate (STE), butanol (STB) and water (STW) extracts of OS was carried out by using carrageenan induced paw edema. STE a most active extract was further validated in dose dependent manner for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity as well as oral toxicity profile in small laboratory animals. Identification of bioactives flux and chemical signature of most active fraction STE was developed by using the high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprinting. Results: An ethyl acetate fraction (STE) exhibit most potent anti-inflammatory activity followed by STB, STW, STC and STH. Dose response study of STE showed anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic potential in dose-dependent manner without any toxic effect at dose 2000 mg/kg. Chemical fingerprint revealed the presence of flavanoids. Conclusions: The present research revealed that STE possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic properties. However, future research is advocated to evaluate the pharmacological properties of isolated bioactive compounds.

Protective Mechanism of Lignans from Phyllanthus amarus Against Galactosamine/ Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Hepatitis: An In-Vivo and In-Silico Studies

Phyllanthus amarus is a medicinal herb used in traditional Indian medicine for liver disorders. Several researches also show that it acts primarily in the liver, but the molecules were unidentified for liver protective activity. This study was to determine whether the lignans isolated from P. amarus attenuates the D-galactosamine (GalN) / Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- induced acute hepatitis in mice. Standardize mixture of lignans (slPA) isolated from leaves of P. amarus using automated chromatographic technique was used for experiments. Experimental mice were orally pre-treated with slPA (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) for 7 days before intra-peritoneal injection of GalN/LPS. Acute hepatitis in mice was confirmed by significant increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and hepatotoxic markers. Pre-treatment of slPA exhibit significant liver protection in dose dependant mannaer. In-silico molecular docking studies also suggests that lignans are preferentially more active due to strong binding affinity against pro-inflammatory cytokines; IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. The electronic parameters of lignans for bioavailability, drug likeness and toxicity were within the acceptable limit. In-vivo and in-silico results suggest that pretreatment of slPA exhibit potent hepatoprotection against GalN/LPS-induced hepatitis in mice and the liver protective effects may be due to the inhibition of inflammatory mediators.