Ashok Kumar Pattnaik

Evaluation of wound healing and antimicrobial potentials of Ixora coccinea root extract

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the wound healing and antimicrobial activity of root extracts of Ixora coccinea (I. coccinea). METHODS To investigate the wound healing efficacy of root extract of I. coccinea Linn, five groups of animals were divided each containing six animals. Two wound models including incision and excision wound models were used in this study. The parameters studied were tensile strength on incision wound model and in terms of wound contraction for excision wound model were compared with standard Nitrofurazone (NFZ) ointment (0.2% w/w). Six extracts (ethanol, aqueous, petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform and ethyl acetate) of I. coccinea were screened for in vitro growth inhibiting activity against different bacterial strains viz, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilius, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger were compared with the standard drugs ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol for antibacterial and griseofulvin for antifungal screening. The serial dilution and cup (or) well plate methods were used for the antimicrobial study and MIC was determined. RESULTS The ethanolic extract showed significant (P<0.001) wound healing activity when compared to standard drug NFZ with respect to normal control group. Amongst all, ethanolic extract showed highly significant antibacterial activity against all bacterial strains used in this study when compared to standard. The aqueous extract showed moderate significant inhibition against all bacterial strains when compared to standard. All the extracts were shown negligible activity against the fungal strains used in this study. CONCLUSIONS The ethanolic root extract of I. coccinea showed pronounced wound healing and antibacterial activity. The probable reason to heal the wound was that the external application of the extract prevented the microbes to invade through the wound thus the protection of wound occurs against the infection of the various organisms.

Pharmacological studies on Buchanania lanzan Spreng.-A focus on wound healing with particular reference to anti-biofilm properties

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the wound healing activity of the methanolic root extract of Buchanania lanzan Spreng. (B. lanzan), with a focus on antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties. METHODS The extract was evaluated for its wound healing properties (excision and incision models) as evident from the analysis of tensile strength and wound contraction. The extract was also screened for antibacterial properties against different Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains. B. lanzan was also studied for its effect on biofilm formation and disruption of preformed biofilms. The synergistic effect of B. lanzan was determined in combination with gentamicin. RESULTS Topical application of B. lanzan (10% w/w ointment) significantly increased (40.84%) the tensile strength in the incision wound model. B. lanzan also showed significant wound healing activity in excision model and such significant activity was observed from the 9th day. Whereas Soframycin displayed significant wound healing activity from the 6th day. It was found that root extracts of B. lanzan revealed significant inhibition against all tested pathogens. B. lanzan displayed antimicrobial activity against Gram positive (MIC 0.625 mg/mL) and Gram negative (MIC 0.625-1.25 mg/mL). B. lanzan was able to reduce biofilm formation and also caused disruption of preformed biofilms in a manner similar to ciprofloxacin. However, gentamicin was found to be ineffective against biofilms formed by Gram negative organism. According to the fractional inhibitory concentration index, B. lanzan displayed synergistic activity when it was combined with gentamicin. CONCLUSIONS From this study it may be concluded that the root extract of B. lanzan revealed significant wound healing potential, which was supported and well correlated with pronounced antibacterial activity of the tested plant parts.

Stem cells: An overview with respect to cardiovascular and renal disease.

In recent years, there has been a tremendous increase in the understanding of stem cell biology. Stem cells have clonogenic and self-renewing capabilities, and under certain conditions, can differentiate into multiple lineages of mature cells. Recent studies have shown that adult stem cells can be isolated from a wide variety of tissues, including bone marrow, peripheral blood, muscle, and adipose tissue. The potential clinical applications lead to an extended interest in the use of stem cells in many medical disciplines. In this article, we present an overview of stem cells with special reference to cardiovascular and renal diseases treatments by stem cells.

Anticonvulsant activity of Benkara malabarica (Linn.) root extract: In vitro and in vivo investigation

AIM OF THE STUDY To systematically investigate the anticonvulsant activity of methanol extract of Benkara malabarica roots and to provide a biochemical basis elucidating its mode of action. METHODS The median lethal dose (LD(50)) of Benkara malabarica extract was determined. The anticonvulsant activity of the extract was assessed in strychnine-induced and isoniazide-induced convulsion models; phenytoin (20mg/kg) and diazepam (1mg/kg) were used as standards, respectively. Percentage protection provided by the drug was accounted as decrease in the number of convulsions within 8h of observation. Mechanism of action was studied by performing GABA transaminase (GABA-T) assay, isolated from rat brain. Active constituent was isolated and characterized from the plant extract. RESULTS The median lethal dose (LD50) of Benkara malabarica was found to be more than 500 mg/kg. It demonstrated 30% and 35% protection against strychnine-induced convulsions and 60% and 80% protection against isoniazide-induced convulsions, at doses of 25mg/kg and 50mg/kg, respectively. Enzyme assay results revealed that Benkara malabarica extract possesses GABA-T inhibitory activity (IC50=0.721 mg/ml). Scopoletin which was identified as the major constituent of the extract was found to be an inhibitor of GABA-T (IC50=10.57 microM). CONCLUSIONS The anticonvulsant activity of the plant extract is predominantly GABA mediated and may be due to the action of scopoletin alone or is a result of synergy of different compounds in the extract in which scopoletin is the major constituent.

Inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism and pro-inflammatory cytokine production by Bruguiera gymnorrhiza leaf

Bruguiera gymnorrhiza is a mangrove plant of the family Rhizophoraceae. The roots and leaves of the plant have traditionally been used for treating burns and mild inflammatory lesions. In the present study an attempt was made to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the Bruguiera gymnorrhiza leaves. The methanolic fraction of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza leaves (BRG) was evaluated using different in vitro and in vivo models to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties and also to obtain an insight on the probable mechanism of such activity. The leaf extract produced significant inhibition of both carrageenan induced rat paw oedema and acetic Acid induced peritoneal capillary permeability. The above observations were further supported by our findings from in vitro experimental models, where the plant extract produced significant inhibition of both cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes. Moreover, BRG inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF- α, IL-6 and IL-1β) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in a dose dependent manner. It was also found to possess significant free radical (DPPH, superoxide and oxygen radical) scavenging activity. From the results obtained from the various in vitro and in vivo test models, it may be concluded that the methanolic extract of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza leaves display significant anti-inflammatory properties, probably mediated through blockade of both COX – LOX pathway, coupled with scavenging effect on free radicals.

Behavioral and Developmental Changes in Rats with Prenatal Exposure of Mirtazapine

Mirtazapine is an often used antidepressant drug; however insufficient information is available regarding its safety during pregnancy. Therefore, this work was initiated to study the effect of prenatal exposure of mirtazapine on postnatal developments of rats. The study was conducted on pregnant rats to observe the safety profile of mirtazapine in comparison to control. The percentage weight gain, gestation period and litter size of the rats treated with double therapeutic dose (DTD) was significantly lower than the rats treated with therapeutic dose (TD) and rats of control group. However the litter size of the TD treated rats was also found smaller than the control. The offspring were examined through battery of test in order to evaluate their developmental neurotoxicity. The test includes the assessment of postnatal growth, reflex ontogeny, neuromotor abilities, activity level, emotional reactivity and learning ability. The DTD exposure negatively affected on overall growth of pups in comparison to TD exposed pups and control group. Further, the amine concentration in brain was also found significantly lower in DTD exposed pups. Therefore, this study reveals that the treatment of pregnant rats with TD and DTD decreases their litter size. In addition the prenatal exposure of DTD of mirtazapine negatively affects on neurodevelopment of rats.

Novel Benzylidene Thiazolidinedione Derivatives as Partial PPARγ Agonists and their Antidiabetic Effects on Type 2 Diabetes

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) has received significant attention as a key regulator of glucose and lipid homeostasis. In this study, we synthesized and tested a library of novel 5-benzylidene-thiazolidin-2,4-dione (BTZD) derivatives bearing a substituent on nitrogen of TZD nucleus (compounds 1a-1k, 2i-10i, 3a, 6a, and 8a-10a). Three compounds (1a, 1i, and 3a) exhibited selectivity towards PPARγ and were found to be weak to moderate partial agonists. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) results demonstrated binding affinity of 1a, 1i and 3a towards PPARγ. Furthermore, docking experiments revealed that BTZDs interact with PPARγ through a distinct binding mode, forming primarily hydrophobic contacts with the ligand-binding pocket (LBD) without direct H-bonding interactions to key residues in H12 that are characteristic of full agonists. In addition, 1a, 1i and 3a significantly improved hyperglycemia and hyperlipidaemia in streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA)-induced diabetic rats at a dose of 36 mg/kg/day administered orally for 15 days. Histopathological investigations revealed that microscopic architecture of pancreatic and hepatic cells improved in BTZDs-treated diabetic rats. These findings suggested that 1a, 1i and 3a are very promising pharmacological agents by selectively targeting PPARγ for further development in the clinical treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Studies on gastroprotective activity of ethyl acetate leave fraction obtained from Canthium coromandelicum (Burm.f.) Alston in albino rats

Ethno pharmacological relevance: Canthium coromandelicum (Burm.f.) Alston (Syn. C. parviflorum) of Family: Rubiaceae is a bushy thorny suffruticose herb, native of India found mainly in coromandelicum region. This plant has been used traditionally in East Asia particularly in India to treat various diseases including GI disorders like gastric ulcer and diarrhea. Aim of the study: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the gastroprotective activity Canthium coromandelicum (Burm.f.) Alston. Materials and methods: Ethyl acetate fraction of methanolic extract of leaves of Canthium coromandelicum (EA-MECC) was carried out after successive hot extraction processes. Gastroprotective activity was performed by using the protocol of two ulcer induced models namely, pylorus ligation + Aspirin (NSAIDs) and Ethanol/HCl induced models. The macroscopic analysis of stomach, evaluation of gastric content parameters along with invivo antioxidant assays like, malanodialdehyde (MDA), Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme assays in various groups of stomach tissue homogenates were done. Histopathological study was also carried out in both the ulcerated models. Results: The results indicate that the gastroprotective effect of EA-MECC in both the ulcerated model was significantly (p<0.001) protected in dose depended manner. Furthermore, EA-MECC also significantly (p<0.001) reduced the various biochemical parameters of gastric contents like volume, total acid, free acid pepsin and increased pH along with good invivo antioxidant activities in all assay tasted animals compared to control in the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. No sign of toxicity was observed in acute toxicity study. Histopathological examination of stomach tissues also showed better protection of the gastric mucosa in a dose dependent manner as indicated by reduction or absence of submucosal oedema, hemorrhagic erosions, lesions and infiltration of leucocytes. Conclusion: The present study revealed that the EA-MECC has an antiulcerogenic activity, as demonstrated by the significant inhibition of the formation of ulcers in various models may be due to the presence of flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, terpenoids and phenols. This study scientifically justifies the traditional claim of antiulcer property.