Ishfaq A. Bukhari

The analgesic, anti-inflammatory and calcium antagonist potential of Tanacetum artemisioides

Several species of the genusTanacetum are traditionally used in a variety of health conditions including pain, inflammation, respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. In the current investigation, we evaluated the plant extract ofT. artemisioides and some of its pure compounds (flavo-noids) for analgesic, anti-inflammatory and calcium antagonist effects in variousin- vivo andin vitro studies. Using the actetic acid induced writhing test, intraperitoneal (i.p) administration of the plant extract (25-50 mg/kg) and its flavonoid compounds TA-1 and TA-2 (1-5 mg/kg ) exhibited significant analgesic actvity. The maximum analgesic effect observed with the crude extract of the plant was 71 % at 50 mg/kg, while that of compounds TA-1 and TA-2 (5 mg/kg i.p) was 75 and 47%, respectively. The plant extract and its pure compounds caused inhbition of formalin induced paw licking in mice predominatly in the second phase of the test. Diclofenac sodium, a standard reference compound, showed a simlar effect in these chemical induced pain models. In the carrgeenan induced rat paw edema assay, the plant extract (50-200 mg/kg i.p) demonstrated significant (P< 0.01) anti-inflmmatory activity which was comparable to that obtained with diclofenac sodium and indomethacin. In isolated rabbit jejunum preprations the plant extract showed an atropine sensitive dose-dependent (0.10-1.0 mg/mL) spasmogenic activity followed by a spasmolytic effect at the next higher doses (3-5 mg/mL). The crude extract of the plant also inhibited the high K+-induced contractions, indicating a calcium channel blocking (CCB) activity, which was further confirmed when the plant extract caused a right-ward shift in the Ca++ concentration response curves in the isolated rabbit jejunum preparations, similar to that seen with Verapamil. The flavonoid compounds isolated from the plant were devoid of any activity in the isolated tissue preparations. These results indicate that the plant extract ofT. artemisioides possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory and CCB activities. The flavonoid compounds of the plant may have a role in its observed analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, while the CCB activity of the plant may be attributed to some other chemical constituents present. Moreover the findings support the traditional reputation of the genusTanacetum for its therapeutic benefits in pain and inflammatory conditions.

New bioactive diterpenoid from Euphorbia decipiens

One new diterpene ester with a tricyclic lathyrane-or myrsinol-type skeleton has been isolated from Euphorbia decipiens Boiss.&Buhse. In addition to one new, the known constituents β-amyrin, β-amyrin acetate, methyl (2,4-dihydroxy-3-formyl-6-methoxy) phenyl ketone (2), and 1,1-bis (2,6-dihydroxy-3-acetyl-4-methoxyphenyl) methane (3) have been isolated from the same source. The structure elucidation of the isolated compounds was based primarily on 1D and 2D-NMR analysis, including COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY correlations. Compound 1 showed inhibitory activity against prolyl endopeptidase, and also analgesic activity

Comparison of Periodontal Inflammatory Parameters and Whole Salivary Cytokine Profile Among Saudi Patients with Different Obesity Levels

The aim of the present study was to compare clinical periodontal parameters and salivary interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 levels in patients with different obesity levels. A total of 419 individuals with class I, II, and III obesity and nonobese with chronic periodontitis were included. Clinical periodontal parameters were recorded, and whole salivary IL-1β and IL-6 were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Clinical parameters and salivary cytokine concentrations were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. For multiple comparisons, Bonferroni post hoc adjustment test was used. Clinical periodontal parameters and salivary IL-1β and IL-6 levels were statistically significant in class II and class III obese as compared to class I obese patients (P < .01) but were comparable between class II and class III obese individuals. These findings should be interpreted with caution due to the inclusion of hyperglycemic patients.