M. Vijayakumar

In vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of different fractions of Moringa oleifera leaves

The antioxidant potency of different fractions of Moringa oleifera leaves were investigated by employing various established in vitro systems, such as beta-Carotene bleaching, reducing power, DPPH/superoxide/hydroxyl radical scavenging, ferrous ion chelation and lipid peroxidation. On the basis of in vitro antioxidant properties polyphenolic fraction of M. oleifera leaves (MOEF) was chosen as the potent fraction and used for the DNA nicking and in vivo antioxidant properties. MOEF shows concentration dependent protection of oxidative DNA damage induced by HO() and also found to inhibit the toxicity produced by CCl(4) administration as seen from the decreased lipid peroxides (LPO) and increased glutathione (GSH) levels. Among the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels were restored to almost normal levels compared to CCl(4) intoxicated rats. The HPLC analysis indicated the presence of phenolic acids (gallic, chlorogenic, ellagic and ferulic acid) and flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin and rutin). Thus, it may be concluded that the MOEF possess high phenolic content and potent antioxidant properties, which may be mediated through direct trapping of the free radicals and also through metal chelation.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of Fumaria indica whole plant extract in experimental animals

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of Fumaria indica whole plant extract in experimental animals The 50% ethanolic extract of Fumaria indica was investigated for its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potential in animal models. Oral administration of F. indica dry extract (100, 200 and 400 mg kg-1) exhibited dose dependent and significant anti-inflammatory activity in acute (carrageenean and histamine induced hind paw oedema, p < 0.05) and chronic cotton pellet granuloma models of inflammation, p < 0.01). The extract (400 mg kg-1) exhibited maximum anti-inflammatory effects of 42.2 and 42.1% after 3 h with carrageenean and histamine, respectively. The same dose of extract showed 38.9% reduction in granuloma mass in a chronic condition. A significant anti-nociceptive activity was evidenced in mice; 6.6-67.7% (p < 0.01) protection in mechanical, 33.9-125.1% (p < 0.05) protection in thermal induced pain and 22.2-73.9% (p < 0.05) protection in acetic acid-induced writhing. Protuupalno i analgetsko djelovanje ekstrakta cijele biljke Fumaria indica na eksperimentalnim životinjama Na animalnom modelu ispitivano je protuupalno i analgetsko djelovanje ekstrakta biljke Fumaria indica sa 50%-tnim etanolnom. Peroralna primjena suhog ekstrakta F. indica (100, 200 i 400 mg kg-1) pokazuje značajno i o dozi ovisno protuupalno djelovanje na akutni (edem šape uzrokovan karagenom i histaminom, p < 0.05) i kronični upalni proces (granulomi uzrokovani pamučnim peletama, p < 0.01). Najveći protuupalni učinak u karagenskom, odnosno histaminskom testu od 42,2 i 42,1% dobiven je s dozom 400 mg kg-1 nakon 3 h. Ista doza ekstrakta pokazala je 38,9% smanjenje mase granuloma. Značajno analgetsko djelovanje dokazano je pokusima na miševima: 6,6-67,7% (p < 0,01) zaštita od mehanički izazvane boli, 33,9-125,1% (p < 0,05) zaštita od termički izazvane boli i 22,2-73,9% (p < 0,05) zaštita od kemijski izazvane boli octenom kiselinom.

In vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties and DNA damage protective activity of green fruit of Ficus glomerata.

This study evaluated the antioxidant properties of Ficus glomerata fruits using in vitro and in vivo assay. In order to find in vitro antioxidant properties, extract/fractions from F. glomerata were studied for TPC, AOA, RP, DPPH*, O2*-, *OH scavenging activities and LPO. Among all the extract/fractions, FEF has shown potent antioxidant activity and was also found effective in protecting oxidative DNA damage. The in vivo evaluation of oxidative stress (LPO) and antioxidant defenses (concentration of GSH, as well as CAT and SOD activities) were measured in CCl4 induced toxic rats. FEF was found to inhibit the toxicity as seen from the decreased LPO and increased GSH, SOD and CAT levels. FEF has higher phenolic content and showed the presence of gallic, chlorogenic and ellagic acid. Based on these results, it is concluded that F. glomerata protects tissues from oxidative stress and these effects are probably related to the antioxidant properties.

Gastroprotective activity of Cinnamomum tamala leaves on experimental gastric ulcers in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Cinnamomum tamala T. Nees & Eberm (Family Lauraceae) is used traditionally in Indian System of Medicine as carminative, anthelmintic, diuretic, and used in colic, dyspepsia, and diarrhea. AIM OF THE STUDY This study was aimed to evaluate the gastroprotective effects of Cinnamomum tamala leaves. METHODS Cinnamomum tamala leaves extract (CTE; 50,100 and 200mg/kg body weight) was administered orally, twice daily for 5 days for prevention from ethanol (EtOH)-, cold-restraint stress (CRS)- and pylorus ligation (PL)-induced ulcers. Estimation of H(+)K(+)ATPase activity and gastric wall mucous were performed in EtOH-induced ulcer model, antioxidant enzyme activities was carried out in CRS-induced ulcer model, and various gastric secretion parameters like volume of gastric juice, acid output, and pH value were estimated in PL-induced ulcer model. RESULTS A significant reduction in lesion index was observed in ulcer-induced animals treated with CTE at different doses when compared with ulcerated rats in all models. A significant decrease occurred in the level of H(+)K(+)ATPase, volume of gastric juice, and acid output. Simultaneously the level of gastric wall mucus and pH were increased significantly. These showed dose-dependent action of CTE. The antioxidant enzyme levels of LPO and SOD were decreased while administering CTE at different doses, compared with their control values. Contrary to this the level of CAT enzyme showed significant increase. CONCLUSIONS The results of our study showed that Cinnamomum tamala possess significant gastroprotective activity, probably due to its free radical scavenging activity.

Antidiarrhoeal activity of the standardised extract of Cinnamomum tamala in experimental rats

The present study was designed to investigate the antidiarrhoeal potential of 50% ethanolic extract of Cinnamomum tamala on experimentally induced castor oil diarrhoea, gastric emptying of phenol red meal, gastrointestinal transit of charcoal meal and in vitro mast cell degranulation activity. C. tamala extract (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, orally) produced a dose-dependent reduction in the total amount of faecal matter in castor oil-induced diarrhoea. The mean distance travelled by charcoal meal at 50 and 100 mg/kg of extract showed a significant reduction in the secretion of gastrointestinal fluid accumulation by 32.5–65.0%. The Na+ and K+ concentrations on castor oil-induced fluid accumulation showed a greater inhibitory effect on Na+ levels than on K+ concentrations. C. tamala significantly reduced the lipid peroxidation (P < 0.001) and increased the catalase (P < 0.01) activity in comparison to the castor oil-induced groups. C. tamala leaf extract did not show any significant effect at a higher dose (15 mg/ml) on mast cell degranulation. However, the extract in the dose of 5 and 10 mg/ml conferred significant mast cell protective action (P < 0.001). The percentage of eugenol in extract is 3.8% w/w, and total tannin is 247.5 mg/g. The result indicates the Indian spice C. tamala is useful for diarrhoea.

Effect of quercetin, flavonoids and α-tocopherol, an antioxidant vitamin on experimental reflux oesophagitis in rats

Protective effect of quercetin and alpha-tocopherol on experimental reflux oesophagitis in rats was investigated. Rats received quercetin, (100 mg/kg), alpha-tocopherol (16 mg/kg), omeprazole (30 mg/kg) given at 1 h prior to surgery. Quercetin and alpha-tocopherol significantly inhibited the oesophagitis index to 1.33+/-0.12 (P<0.001) and 1.83+/-0.14 (P<0.001) respectively, as compare to control group 3.5+/-0.21. Further, acid and pepsin out put of gastric contents were significantly decreased in treated groups. Indeed, quercetin significantly inhibited the lipid peroxidation (from 0.69+/-0.05 to 0.43+/-0.04 nmol of malonyldialdehyde (MDA)/mg protein) (P<0.001) and increased in levels of catalase to 29.5+/-2.7 units of catalase activity/mg protein and superoxide dismutase (SOD) to 92.4+/-10.5 units/mg protein (P<0.001). The alpha-tocopherol and omperazole showed significant inhibition in lipid peroxidation (0.34+/-0.02 and 0.38+/-0.01) (P<0.01) and enhanced the activities of catalase (34.3+/-3.6 and 31.5+/-3.4) (P<0.01) and SOD (87.3+/-9.2 and 76.60+/-6.9) activity. Quercetin and alpha-tocopherol treated group significantly increased the glutathione level to 36.5+/-2.78 (P<0.01) and 32.1+/-2.34 (P<0.05) respectively. However, it altered the elevated levels of sialic acid and hexose contents in oesophageal tissue. Indeed, quercetin significantly decreased the elevated plasma histamine content (P<0.05). Quercetin and alpha-tocopherol significantly attenuated the elevated level of collagen in oesophageal tissue as of the omeprazole. The results suggest that antioxidants could attenuate the severity of reflux oesophagitis and prevent the oesophageal mucosal damage and validate its therapeutic use in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Anti-hyperglycemic activity of leaves extract of Hyptis suaveolens L. Poit in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the antihyperglycemic activity of leaves of Hyptis suaveolens using streptozotocin model. METHODS Hyptis suaveolens extract (HSE) 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight was administered orally to streptozotocin induced diabetes, once daily for 21 days. RESULTS A significant reduction in blood glucose was observed in diabetic animals treated with HSE at different doses when compared with diabetic rats. Levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein were decreased while administering HSE at different doses, compared with their control values in diabetic animals. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that HSE possesses significant antihyperglycemic activity which might be attributed to stimulating effects on glucose utilization and antioxidant enzyme.

Protective effect of (+)-catechin against gastric mucosal injury induced by ischaemia-reperfusion in rats

Ischaemia and reperfusion are known to induce gastric lesions, predominantly due to excessive formation of reactive oxygen metabolites, adhesion of neutrophils to endothelial cells, microvascular dysfunction, gastric acid secretion, endogenous histamine and gastrin release. We have studied the effect of (+)‐catechin on a gastric ulcer model involving damage to gastric injury by ischaemia‐reperfusion (I/R) in rats. (+)‐Catechin 50 mg kg−1 administered orally, once daily for three days after the initiation of I/R injury showed a significant (P < 0.001) anti‐ulcer activity against mucosal damage. However, (+)‐catechin significantly decreased the lipid peroxidation and increased the level of catalase in the I/R condition. Elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase in the I/R group was significantly lowered (P < 0.01) by (+)‐catechin. The amount of H+K+ATPase was significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in (+)‐catechin‐treated as compared with I/R rats. (+)‐Catechin significantly decreased elevated plasma histamine (P < 0.05) and corticosterone (P < 0.05). The results suggested that (+)‐catechin protected gastric mucosa against ischaemia‐reperfusion‐induced gastric ulcers by its antioxidant activity and mucus protection.

Action of Portulaca oleracea against Streptozotocin-Induced Oxidative Stress in Experimental Diabetic Rats

Antidiabetic treatment with an extract of Portulaca oleracea leaves (100mg/kg and 250mg/kg body weight) for three weeks showed a significant reduction in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBRAS) and an increase in glutathione reductase (GSH-R) in both the liver and kidney of STZ diabetic rats. The treatment with P. oleracea significantly altered the glutathione and GSH-R to be comparable with the control group. P. oleracea- and tolbutamide-treated rats showed decreased lipid peroxidation that is associated with increased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase(CAT). The effects of P. oleracea on tissue lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in diabetic animals have not been studied before. The result of this study thus shows that although P. oleracea extract possesses moderate antidiabetic activity, it exhibits potent antioxidant potential in diabetic conditions.

Nephroprotective activity of Solanum xanthocarpum fruit extract against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity and renal dysfunction in experimental rodents.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate nephroprotective potential of Solanum xanthocarpum (S. xanthocarpum) fruit extract(SXE) against gentamicin (GM) induced nephrotoxicity and renal dysfunction. METHODS Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=6). Control rats that received normal saline (i.p.) and 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose (p.o.) per day for 8 d. Nephrotoxicity was induced in rats by intraperitoneal administration of GM (100 mg/kg/d for 8 d) and were treated with SXE (200 and 400 mg/kg/d (p.o.) for 8 d). Plasma and urine urea and creatinine, kidney weight, urine output, blood urea nitrogen, renal enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and lipid peroxidation was evaluated along with histopathological investigation in various experimental groups of rats. RESULTS It was observed that the GM treatment induced significant elevation (P<0.001) in plasma and urine urea, creatinine, kidney weight, blood urea nitrogen, renal lipid peroxidation along with significant decrement (P<0.001) in urine output, renal enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. SXE 200 and 400 mg/kg treatment to GM treated rats recorded significant decrement (up to P<0.001) in plasma and urine urea and creatinine, renal lipid peroxidation along with significant increment (up to P<0.001) in renal enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Histological observations of kidney tissues too correlated with the biochemical observations. CONCLUSIONS These finding powerfully supports that S. xanthocarpum fruit extract acts in the kidney as a potent scavenger of free radicals to prevent the toxic effects of GM both in the biochemical and histopathological parameters and thus validates its ethnomedicinal use.