L. Manikandan

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Vernonia cinerea Less. extract in rats.

The methanol extract of the whole plant of Vernonia cinerea Less. was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory activity in acute (carrageenin, histamine and serotonin induced rat paw edema) and a chronic model (cotton pouch induced granuloma). The methanol extract (250 and 500 mg/kg(-1) p.o.) exhibited significant activity (p < 0.001) against all phlogistic agents used in a dose dependant manner. In the chronic model (cotton pouch granuloma method) the methanol extract exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity. All these effects were compared with standard drug phenylbutazone (100 mg/kg(-1) p.o.).

Antibacterial activity of Vernonia cinerea

The benzene extract of Vernonia cinerea showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity.

Antibacterial activity of Urena lobata root.

The methanol extract of Urena lobata root showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity.

Antimicrobial activity of Eupatorium ayapana

Petroleum ether and methanolic extracts of leaves of Eupatorium ayapana were tested for their antimicrobial activity. The petroleum ether extract showed higher antibacterial and antifungal activity than the methanolic extract.

Antibacterial activity of Terminalia pallida

The methanol extract of the dried fruit powder of Terminalia pallida was evaluated for antimicrobial activity. The methanol extract showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity.

In vitro cytotoxicity and induction of apoptosis by ruthenium(II) complexes in HL-60 and K-562

Mononuclear Ru complexes were evaluated for its cytotoxicity against two human leukemic cell lines such as acute myeloblastic leukemia (HL-60) and chronic myelogenic leukemia (K-562). Cytotoxicity was assayed by MTT assay. Fluorescent microscopic analysis, DNA fragmentation study by agarose gel electrophoresis, flow cytometric analysis, and caspase activity by spectrofluorimetry were carried out to evaluate the apoptosis-inducing property of Ru complexes. Ru complexes exhibited cytotoxicity against both the tested cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Microscopic examination of ruthenium complex-treated cells showed characteristic morphological features of apoptosis, like cell shrinkage and formation of apoptotic bodies. Fluorescent staining with Hoechst 33342 revealed distinct chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation. DNA fragmentation pattern and flow cytometric analysis indicated that the cells treated with ruthenium complexes underwent apoptotic cell death. Thus from this investigation it may be concluded that Ru complexes act by the induction of apoptosis in tested human leukemic cell lines.

Evaluation of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of methanol extract of Artanema sesamoides Benth roots in animal models

SUMMARY The methanol extract of the root of Artanema sesamoides Family Scrophuilariaceae (MEAS) wasinvestigated for possible analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in animals. Three models wereused to study the extract effects on nociception, which were acetic acid-induced writhingresponse, hot-plate method and the tail flick test in mice. The antiinflammatory effects wereevaluated using carrageenan, dextran, histamine and serotonin induced rat paw oedema (acute)and cotton pellet induced granuloma (chronic) models in rats. Results of the study revealed thatthe extract exhibited significant ( P < 0.001) analgesic effect at a dose of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg b.wp.o in mice in all the models. In acute model, the MEAS also exhibited significant (P < 0.001)antiinflammatory effect in all the above mentioned doses. In chronic model (cotton pellet inducedgranuloma) the MEAS 200 mg/kg and indomethacin 10 mg/kg showed that inhibition ofgranuloma formation 25.0% and 47.7% respectively (P < 0.001). The MEAS and indomethacinwere effectively preventing the transudation of the fluid. Thus, the present study revealed thatthe methanol extract of the root of Artanema sesamoides exhibited significant analgesic andantiinflammatory activity. Key words: Antiinflammatory; Analgesic; Artanema sesamoides; Cotton pellet