M. Ratheesh

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of mucilage of Trigonella foenum graecum (Fenugreek) on adjuvant induced arthritic rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of mucilage from fenugreek in adjuvant induced arthritis in rats. Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of complete Freunds adjuvant into the right hind paw produce inflammation of the joint. The activities of inflammatory enzymes like cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase and myeloperoxidase, and levels of nitrite and C-reactive protein were observed. Also oxidative stress was measured by analyzing the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and the levels of glutathione and vitamin C and lipid peroxidation. The blood parameters like ESR, total WBC, RBC and hemoglobin content was checked. Fenugreek mucilage exhibited maximum percentage of edema inhibition at a dose of 75 mg/kg on 21st day of adjuvant arthritis. The effect was higher than that of standard drug indomethacin. The activities of cyclooxygenase-2 and myeloperoxidase and concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) were decreased and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, vitamins C and reduced glutathione level were increased on treatment with fenugreek mucilage. The increment in ESR and total WBC, reduction in RBC count and hemoglobin and aberrant changes to the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels observed in the arthritic animals were also found to be significantly restored in fenugreek mucilage treated rats. Histopathology of paw tissue showed decreased edema formation and cellular infiltration on supplementation with fenugreek mucilage. Thus the results demonstrated the potential beneficiary effect of fenugreek mucilage on adjuvant induced arthritis in rats.

Polyphenolics isolated from virgin coconut oil inhibits adjuvant induced arthritis in rats through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.

We evaluated the protective efficacy of the polyphenolic fraction from virgin coconut oil (PV) against adjuvant induced arthritic rats. Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of complete Freunds adjuvant. The activities of inflammatory, antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation were estimated. PV showed high percentage of edema inhibition at a dose of 80mg/kg on 21st day of adjuvant arthritis and is non toxic. The expression of inflammatory genes such as COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α and IL-6 and the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance were decreased by treatment with PV. Antioxidant enzymes were increased and on treatment with PV. The increased level of total WBC count and C-reactive protein in the arthritic animals was reduced in PV treated rats. Synovial cytology showed that inflammatory cells and reactive mesothelial cells were suppressed by PV. Histopathology of paw tissue showed less edema formation and cellular infiltration on supplementation with PV. Thus the results demonstrated the potential beneficiary effect of PV on adjuvant induced arthritis in rats and the mechanism behind this action is due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Betulinic acid isolated from Bacopa monniera (L.) Wettst suppresses lipopolysaccharide stimulated interleukin-6 production through modulation of nuclear factor-κB in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory function and mechanism(s) of action of an active component-betulinic acid isolated from Bacopa monniera. Betulinic acid, a pentacyclic triterpenoid markedly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced IL-6 production in blood mononuclear cells both in vivo and in vitro. Betulinic acid also prevented LPS induced nuclear translocation of p65 NF-kappaB in hPBMCs. LPS induced nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB and IL-6 production was also abolished by p38 and ERK MAPK inhibitors PD98059 and SB203580. Addition of each of these inhibitors to cell cultures along with betulinic acid caused significant downregulation of IL-6 production and inhibition of p65 NF-kappaB nuclear translocation. The inhibitory effect of both betulinic acid and the inhibitors was higher than that of cells treated with inhibitors alone. These results suggest that betulinic acid inhibited IL-6 production by preventing p65 NF-kappaB nuclear translocation and there is a possibility that this prevention of p65 nuclear translocation may involve p38 and ERK MAPKs as cross talks occur between MAPK and NF-kappaB pathways. This study provides an insight into the probable mechanism(s) underlying the anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties of betulinic acid.

Inhibitory effect of Ruta graveolens L. on oxidative damage, inflammation and aortic pathology in hypercholesteromic rats.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the efficacy of methanolic extract of Ruta graveolens L. in reducing oxidative damage, inflammation and aortic pathology in hypercholesteremic rats. For the study rats were divided into three groups - control group, hypercholesteremic group and treatment group (20 mg MER/kg/d orally) - and were fed for 90 days. Serum total cholesterol, LDL-C, total WBC count, CRP level, TBARS, atherogenic index, activities of COX, 15 LOX in monocyte and serum myeloperoxidase were increased in cholesterol fed rats. Activities of antioxidant enzymes and the concentration reduced glutathione in liver and heart tissue and serum HDL-C were decreased in cholesterol fed rats. The results showed that level of total cholesterol, LDL-C, atherogenic index was decreased and HDL-C was increased in MER treated rats. Activities of antioxidant enzymes were found to be increased and the activity of MPO, COX and 15 LOX were decreased on supplementation with MER. Concentration of TBARS and total WBC count were decreased and GSH was increased on supplementation with MER. Histopathology of aorta of cholesterol fed rat showed marked alterations whereas the aorta of MER administrated rat showed no significant changes. These results suggested that MER reduces oxidative stress, inflammation and aortic pathology in hypercholesteremic rats. Thus the plant may therefore be useful for therapeutic treatment of clinical conditions associated atherosclerosis.

Inhibitory effects of Cynodon dactylon L. on inflammation and oxidative stress in adjuvant treated rats

Cynodon dactylon is one of the 10 auspicious herbs that constitute the group Dasapushpam in Ayurveda. Traditionally Cynodon dactylon L. is used against many chronic inflammatory diseases in India. The present study was carried out to evaluate the protective effect of Cynodon dactylon against rats with adjuvant- induced arthritis. Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant into the right hind paw produce inflammation of the joint. A significant increase in the levels of inflammatory mediators, myeloperoxidase, nitrite, C-reactive protein, ceruloplasmin was observed. This was associated with oxidative stress with a marked reduction in the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and the levels of glutathione, vitamins C and E and an increase in the lipid peroxidation as indicated by the higher levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Cynodon dactylon (20mg/kg/b.wt) was orally administered to arthritic rats after adjuvant injection produced a significant attenuation in the inflammatory response, oxidative stress and ameliorated the arthritic changes to near normal conditions. Hence, the results of this study clearly indicate that Cynodon dactylon extract has a promising protective role against arthritis.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Jeevaneeya Rasayana: an ayurvedic polyherbal formulation on acute and chronic models of inflammation

The present study was aimed to establish the efficacy of Jeevaneeya Rasayana (JR), an ayurvedic polyherbal formulation, in adjuvant-induced arthritic (AIA) rat model with reference to mediators of inflammation. The methanolic (MJR), ethanolic (EJR), and water extracts (WJR) of JR were prepared and their anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced acute model was evaluated. MJR at a dose of 25 mg/kg showed significantly higher anti-inflammatory effect than EJR, WJR, and standard drug diclofenac. MJR also significantly decreased the paw edema in AIA rats. Activities of cyclooxygenase, 5-lipoxygenase, and myeloperoxidase were decreased significantly on treatment with MJR. Supplementation with MJR increases the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the level of glutathione content. The increment in the concentration of C-reactive protein, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, and ceruloplasmin observed in arthritic rats were found to be significantly restored in MJR treated rats. Thus, the results demonstrated the potential beneficiary effect of methanolic extract of Jeevaneeya Rasayana on acute and chronic models of inflammation.

Oral administration of alkaloid fraction from Ruta graveolens inhibits oxidative stress and inflammation in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Abstract Context: The anti-atherogenic effect of alkaloid fraction from Ruta graveolens Linn (Rutaceae) extract is suspected to be related to its activities of antioxidation and anti-inflammation. Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of alkaloid fraction isolated from Ruta graveolens (AFR) in reducing oxidative damage and inflammation in hypercholesteremic rabbits. Materials and methods: The New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: Group I rabbits were fed with normal chow diet for 90 d. Group II rabbits were fed with 1% cholesterol-enriched diet. Group III rabbits were fed with 1% cholesterol-enriched diet together with AFR (10 mg/kg/daily for 90 d). Results and discussion: The results showed that on treatment with AFR significantly lowered the level of total cholesterol and LDL-C and showed an increment in the level of HDL-C. LD50 of the AFR in rats is greater than 525 mg/kg. Activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and GSH level were decreased in cholesterol-fed rabbit and supplementation of AFR significantly enhanced the activities of these antioxidant enzymes and GSH level. Increased activities of enzymes such as cyclooxygenase-2, 15-lipoxygenase and myeloperoxidase were significantly suppressed by AFR administration. The acute phase proteins, total WBC count and TBARS concentrations were significantly increased by hypercholesteromic diet, which were significantly decreased by AFR treatment. Histopathological studies of aorta in cholesterol-fed rabbit showed plaque formation and significant changes in aortic wall. Administration of AFR showed no changes in aortic wall. Conclusion: AFR reduces oxidative stress and inflammation and reduces the aortic pathology in hypercholesteromic rabbits.