Malaya Gupta

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.).

CNS activities of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera root in mice

Methanolic extract (ME) of the root of Moringa oleifera was tested for possible pharmacological effects on experimental animals. ME potentiated significantly the sleeping time induced by pentobarbitone sodium, diazepam and meprobamate, showed analgesic properties and also potentiated analgesia induced by morphine and pethidine. Pretreatment with ME caused significant protection against strychnine- and leptazol-induced convulsions. The behavioural studies on mice indicate the CNS depressant nature of ME.

Antibacterial activity of Vernonia cinerea

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

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Activities of Oxystelma esculentum in Various In Vitro Models

Objective - The present study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties of Oxystelma esculentum (MEOE).Methods- The total antioxidant, reducing power, DPPH radical, superoxide anion radical, nitric oxide radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and total phenol content in MEOE was carried out.Results - The total antioxidant activity of MEOE increases with increasing concentration. The reducing capability and free radical scavenging activity in DPPH also increased in a dose dependent manner. The MEOE was found to scavenge the superoxide generated by PMS/NADH/NBT system. Moreover, MEOE was found to inhibit the nitric oxide radical generated from sodium nitropruside. MEOE was also found to inhibit the hydroxyl radical generated by Fe3+/ascorbate/EDTA/H2O2 system. The MEOE scavenges the hydrogen peroxide in a dose dependent manner. The amount of total phenolic compounds was also determined.Conclusion - The results suggest that the methanol extract of Oxystelma esculentum proved its strong antioxidant activity and can be used as a natural antioxidant.

Evaluation of antihyperglycemic activity of Cocos nucifera Linn. on streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The plant Cocos nucifera Linn. (Arecaceae) is commonly known as coconut. Traditionally the juice of the young spadix when fresh is used in diarrhea and diabetes. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of antidiabetic activity and effect on lipid profile as well as cardioprotective effect of hydro-methanol extract of Cocos nucifera (HECN) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS After 72 h of STZ (50 mg/kg, b.w. i.p.) administration, animals showing plasma sugar level more than 250 mg/dl were considered as diabetic rat. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were measured on 0th (after 72 h of STZ), 5th, 10th, and 15th day. On the 15th day all the animals were sacrificed and the serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant enzyme status were measured. RESULTS HECN treated animals showed a significant reduction in FBG level as compared with diabetic control group. Serum enzyme level (SGOT, SGPT, SALP), lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme level such as CAT, GSH, SOD and cholesterol and triglycerides in the HECN treated groups were restored towards normal level as compared to diabetic control groups and the values were comparable with the standard groups (glibenclamide). CONCLUSION Improvement in the FBG and the restoration of all other biomarker as well as enzymes indicates that HECN has very good antidiabetic activity with very low side effects and provides a scientific rationale for the use as an antidiabetic agent.

Hematological changes produced in mice by ochratoxin A

The effects of ochratoxin A (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) on clotting time, hemoglobin, total count of red blood cells and white blood cells and differential count of white blood cells were studied in mice. This mycotoxin caused a significant decrease in the hemoglobin level and in the total count of red blood cells. Among white blood cells there was a significant increase in small lymphocytes and a significant fall in the count of neutrophils, basophils and monocytes in treated mice. The administration of ochratoxin A also prolonged the clotting time by more than 6-fold.

Antibacterial activity of Urena lobata root.

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

Hematological changes produced in mcie by ochratoxin A and citrinin

The effect of 6 weekly injections of ochratoxin A (5 mg/kg) and citrinin (20 mg/kg) on the following hematological indices of mice was studied: erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hematocrit percentage, mean corpuscular values, red cell indices, platelet count, total count of bone marrow cells, differential count of bone marrow cells, total count of splenic cells, spleen weight, and serum calcium. These mycotoxins resulted in a significant decrease in platelet count and hematocrit values. On the other hand, they increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, mean corpuscular values and red cell indices. Weight of the spleen and the splenic cell count decreased significantly in ochratoxin A and citrinin treated mice. Total count of bone marrow cells, erythrocyte precursors, leucocyte precursors and megakaryocyte precursors of femoral bone marrow decreased significantly in toxin treated mice. Calcium concentration in the serum of toxin treated mice also was decreased significantly.

Hematological changes produced in mice by Nuvacron or Furadan.

The effects of multiple intraperitoneal doses of Nuvacron (0.8 mg/kg) or Furadan (0.25 mg/kg) on hematological values in mice were studied. The following were measured: clotting time, hemoglobin content, total count of red blood cells and white blood cells, differential count of white blood cells, platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hematocrit value, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, bone marrow and splenic measurements. These pesticides caused a significant decrease in hemoglobin content, total count of red blood cells, platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hematocrit value. The administration of Nuvacron or Furadan prolonged the clotting time and caused an increase in total count of white blood cells. Among white blood cells, there was an increase in neutrophils and basophils and a fall in the count of lymphocytes in treated animals. Bone marrow depression and splenic hyperplasia were observed in mice after administration of the pesticides.

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.