G. B. Singh

Anti‐inflammatory activity of oleanolic acid in rats and mice

Abstract— Oleanolic acid displayed anti‐inflammatory activity in carrageenan and dextran‐induced oedema in rats. It elicited marked anti‐arthritic action in adjuvant‐induced polyarthritis in rats and mice and in formaldehyde‐induced arthritis in rats. Oleanolic acid checked the inflammation‐induced increased serum transaminase levels. It reduced exudate volume and inhibited leucocyte infiltration in carrageenan‐induced pleurisy in rats. It is devoid of any analgesic, antipyretic or ulcerogenic action. Oleanolic acid did not affect the parturition time in pregnant rats or castor oil‐induced diarrhoea in rats. Oral LD50 was found to be greater than 2 g kg−1 in mice and rats.

Effect of salai guggal ex-Boswellia serrata on cellular and humoral immune responses and leucocyte migration.

Effect of alcoholic extract of salai guggal (AESG) was studied on cellular and humoral immune responses in mice and leucocyte migration in rats. Oral administration of AESG strongly inhibited the antibody production and cellular responses to sheep red blood cells in mice. It inhibited the infiltration of polymorphonuclear leucocytes and reduced the volume of pleural exudate in carrageenan induced pleurisy in rats. It showed no cytotoxic effect.

Hypotensive action of a Coscinium fenestratum stem extract.

A 50% ethanol extract of Coscinium fenestratum stem material (AECF) has been found to possess hypotensive action in anaesthetised dogs, rats and guinea pigs in a dose-related pattern. The fall in blood pressure was not modified by alpha and beta adrenergic blockers, cholinergic and histaminergic antagonists or by ganglion blocking agents. The effect was more pronounced in spinal-transected animals. AECF non-specifically inhibited the pressor responses to epinephrine, norepinephrine, DMPP and depressor responses to acetylcholine and histamine. AECF failed to exhibit any hypotension when administered via cannula into the lateral cerebral ventricle. Given orally to mice, AECF did not exhibit grossly observable central nervous effects up to doses of 800 mg/kg. The oral LD50 was estimated to be 1200 mg/kg in mice.