Indrajit Karmakar

Free radical scavenging activity of Castanopsis indica in mediating hepatoprotective activity of carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats

Objective To investigate the free radical scavenging activity of methanol extract of Castanopsis indica (C. indica) in mediating hepatoprotective activity of carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats.

Antioxidant and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of Mimusops elengi leaves

Abstract Objective To assess the antioxidant and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of the alcoholic extract of Mimusops elengi L (M. elengi) leaves. Methods In vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated for peroxynitrite, superoxide and hypochlorous acid scavenging activity. Total phenolic content also determined. Inhibition of protein denaturation and HRBC (Human Red Blood Cell) membrane stabilization method was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity. Results The leave extract of M. elengi exhibited dose dependent free radical scavenging property in peroxynitrite, superoxide and hypochlorous acid models and the IC50 value were found to be (205.53 ± 2.30), (60.5±2.3), (202.4±5.3) μg/mL respectively. Total phenolic content was found to be 97.3 μg/mg of extract. The maximum membrane stabilization of M. elengi L was found to be (73.85±0.80)% at a dose of 1 000 μg/0.5 mL and that of protein denaturation was found to be 86.23% at a dose of 250 μg/mL with regards to standards in the anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusion From the result it can conclude that M. elengi extract show good antioxidant and in vitro anti -inflammatory activities.

Antitumor activity and antioxidant property of Curcuma caesia against Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma bearing mice

Abstract Context: Curcuma caesia Roxb. (Zingiberaceae), commonly known as “Kala Haldi” in Bengali, has been traditionally used for the treatment of cancer, bruises, inflammation and as an aphrodisiac. Objective: To evaluate the antitumor activity and antioxidant status of the methanol extract of Curcuma caesia (MECC) rhizomes on Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma (EAC)-treated mice. Materials and methods: In vitro cytotoxicity assay of MECC was evaluated by using Trypan blue method. Determination of in vivo antitumor activity was performed after 24 h of EAC cells (2 × 106 cells/mouse) inoculation; MECC (50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.) was administered daily for nine consecutive days. On day 10, half of the mice were sacrificed and the rest were kept alive for assessment of increase in lifespan. Antitumor effect of MECC was assessed by the study of tumor volume, tumor weight, viable and non-viable cell count, hematological parameters and biochemical estimations. Furthermore, antioxidant parameters were assayed by estimating liver and kidney tissue enzymes. Results: MECC showed direct cytotoxicity (IC50 90.70 ± 8.37 μg/mL) on EAC cell line. MECC exhibited significant (p < 0.01) decrease in tumor volume, tumor weight, viable cell count and percentage increased the lifespan (57.14 and 88.09%) of EAC-treated mice. Hematological profile, biochemical estimation, tissue antioxidant assay significantly (p < 0.01) reverted to normal level in MECC-treated mice. Conclusion: MECC possesses potent antitumor activity that may be due to its direct cytotoxic effect or antioxidant properties. Further research is in progress to find out the active principle(s) of MECC for its antitumor activity.

Regulation of apoptosis through bcl-2/bax proteins expression and DNA damage by Zanthoxylum alatum

Abstract Context: Many of the major chemotherapeutic agents are secondary metabolites found in nature. Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb. (Rutaceae) is traditionally used in the treatment of various diseases. Objective: The present study evaluates the apoptotic activity of methanol extract of Z. alatum (MEZA) on Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) in Swiss albino mice. Materials and methods: The presence of flavonoids in MEZA was standardized by HPLC. The in vitro cytotoxicity of MEZA was measured by the MTT assay. The in vivo antitumor activity of MEZA (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w., i.p. for 9 days) was also evaluated. On the 10th day, EAT tumor volume, cell viability, and hematological parameters were assayed. Apoptotic morphology was determined by acredine orange/ethedium bromide using fluorescence microscopy. Apoptosis percentage was measured by flow cytometric analysis using annexine-V-FITC. Also, DNA damage and bcl-2/bax were estimated by UV-method and western blot, respectively. Results and discussion: HPLC analysis revealed presence of three flavonoids, rutin, myricetin, and quercetin. MEZA showed satisfactory cytotoxicity in MTT assay (IC50 = 111.50 µg/ml). The extract significantly (p < 0.01) changed the tumor volume, viable, non-viable cell count, and hematological parameters towards the normal. Apoptotic activity of MEZA was confirmed by acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, annexin-V-FITC staining, DNA fragmentation, and Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Conclusion: The study showed that MEZA has antitumor activity which may be due to the presence of flavonoids in the extract.

In vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of Zanthonitrile isolated from Zanthoxylum alatum

The present study evaluates the antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of Zanthonitrile isolated from Zanthoxylum alatum leaves. The structure of Zanthonitrile [{4-[(3-Methyl-2-buten-1-yl) oxy] phenyl} acetonitrile] was elucidated form the data obtained from UV, IR, Mass, and NMR. The in vitro antioxidant activity of Zanthonitrile was estimated by standard 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil radical (DPPH) scavenging assay method. In vitro cytotoxicity was determined in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells by MTT assay. The compound exhibited antioxidant activity in a dose dependent manner. The IC50 value of Zanthonitrile for DPPH was estimated to be 7.86 ± 0.23 μg/mL. Zanthonitrile showed satisfactory cytotoxic potential in MTT assay with the IC50 value 57.28 ± 0.64 μg/mL. Satisfactory results of both the studies correlate each other and further investigations will focus on in vivo models and cell cycle to determine the role on intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways.

Antitumor activity and antioxidant status of Streblus asper bark against Dalton's ascitic lymphoma in mice

Abstract Streblus asper Lour (Moraceae), commonly known as Siamee Rough Brush in English is widely distributed in subtropical Asia and traditionally used for several medicinal purposes. In the present study, the ethyl acetate fraction of the methanol extract from Streblus asper bark (EASA) was evaluated for antitumor effect against Dalton’s ascitic lymphoma (DAL) in Swiss albino mice. Twenty-four hours after intraperitoneal inoculation of DAL cells in mice, EASA was administered intraperitoneally at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight for 9 consecutive days. On the 10th day, half of the mice were sacrificed to determine the tumor growth parameters, and the rest were kept alive for survival assessment. Hematological, serum biochemical and tissue (liver, kidney) antioxidant profiles were also determined. EASA exhibited significant and dose dependent decrease in tumor growth parameters and increased survival of DAL bearing animals. EASA significantly and dose-dependently normalized the altered hematological, serum biochemical and tissue antioxidant parameters as compared with the DAL control mice. From the present study it may be concluded that S. asper bark possesses remarkable antitumor efficacy mediated by amelioration of oxidative stress by multiple mechanisms.

Antioxidant activity of Cat's whiskers flavonoid on some reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generating inflammatory cells is mediated by scavenging of free radicals

Abstract Aim To find out the effect of Cats whiskers (Cleome gynandra L., Capparidaceae) flavonoid (CWF) for the scavenging of free radicals in some inflammatory cells. Methods Mouse erythrocytes hemoglobin, peritoneal macrophage, and peripheral blood lymphocytes were oxidized either by some of toxic chemicals (nitrite, carbon tetrachloride) or by enzymatic stimulation (glucoseoxidase) to produce oxidative damage to cells. The protective effect of the CWF was examined, and the biochemical mechanism of action was also investigated in terms of the scavenging of free radicals. Results CWF (1–20 μg·mL−1) decreased glucoseoxidase and nitrite induce oxidative damage in a concentration dependent manner in an in vitro model and inhibited the lysis of RBC [(28.64 ± 13.03)% and (70.31 ± 1.80)%] when mice were treated with CWF (25 and 50 mg·kg−1). To assess the antioxidant potential of CWF in the lymphocytes and macrophages in living animals, the effect of CWF was measured on the elevated level of superoxide anions production in the cells. CWF scavenged the superoxide anion (O2−) production and inhibited the O2− induced destruction of protein and lipid biomolecules. Conclusion The study has established that the CWF mediates its antioxidant activity in some chronic inflammatory cells via its free radical scavenging activity.