Mallikarjuna Rao Chamallamudi

Petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis (Linn.) enhances bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and facilitates osteoblastogenesis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of the petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis on the proliferation rate of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, the differentiation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts (osteoblastogenesis) and extracellular matrix calcification. This study also aimed to determine the additive effect of osteogenic media and Cissus quadrangularis on proliferation, differentiation and calcification. METHODS MSCs were cultured in media with or without Cissus quadrangularis for 4 weeks and were then stained for alkaline phosphatase. Extracellular matrix calcification was confirmed by Von Kossa staining. marrow mesenchymal stem cells cultures in control media and osteogenic media supplemented with Cissus quadrangularis extract (100, 200, 300 μg/mL) were also subjected to a cell proliferation assay (MTT). RESULTS Treatment with 100, 200 or 300 μg/mL petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis enhanced the differentiation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells into ALP-positive osteoblasts and increased extracellular matrix calcification. Treatment with 300 μg/mL petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis also enhanced the proliferation rate of the marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Cells grown in osteogenic media containing Cissus quadrangularis exhibited higher proliferation, differentiation and calcification rates than did control cells. CONCLUSION The results suggest that Cissus quadrangularis stimulates osteoblastogenesis and can be used as preventive/ alternative natural medicine for bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

Ameliorative effect of caffeic acid against inflammatory pain in rodents

The present study was designed to evaluate the antinociceptive profile of caffeic acid in mice and rats. Caffeic acid (5-100 mg/kg, p.o.), in a dose dependent manner inhibited acetic acid-induced writhing and late phase of formalin-induced pain in mice, with an ED(50) of 22.38 and 10.92 mg/kg, respectively. However, caffeic acid was ineffective in the hot plate and tail flick tests. Analgesic activity was also examined in carrageenan and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mechanical hyperalgesia in rats, where locally induced myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite levels in foot pad were estimated by colorimetric assay. Oral administration of caffeic acid (200mg/kg, p.o.) showed analgesic activity similar to nimesulide (4 mg/kg, p.o.) and inhibited MPO, MDA and nitrite generation in the inflamed paw. Histological examination revealed reduction in neutrophil infiltration and protection of tissue damage by caffeic acid. These results suggest that caffeic acid exhibits peripheral analgesic effect in mice and rats and could be further examined for the treatment of chronic painful episodes.

Evidence-based assessment of antiosteoporotic activity of petroleum-ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis Linn. on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis

The increasing incidence of postmenopausal osteoporosis and its related fractures have become global health issues in the recent days. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most frequent metabolic bone disease; it is characterized by a rapid loss of mineralized bone tissue. Hormone replacement therapy has proven efficacious in preventing bone loss but not desirable to many women due to its side-effects. Therefore we are in need to search the natural compounds for a treatment of postmenopausal symptoms in women with no toxic effects. In the present study, we have evaluated the effect of petroleum-ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis Linn. (CQ), a plant used in folk medicine, on an osteoporotic rat model developed by ovariectomy. In this experiment, healthy female Wistar rats were divided into four groups of six animals each. Group 1 was sham operated. All the remaining groups were ovariectomized. Group 2 was fed with an equivolume of saline and served as ovariectomized control (OVX). Groups 3 and 4 were orally treated with raloxifene (5.4 mg/kg) and petroleum-ether extract of CQ (500 mg/kg), respectively, for 3 months. The findings were assessed on the basis of animal weight, morphology of femur, and histochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (an osteoblastic marker) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) (an osteoclastic marker) in upper end of femur. The study revealed for the first time that the petroleum-ether extract of CQ reduced bone loss, as evidenced by the weight gain in femur, and also reduced the osteoclastic activity there by facilitating bone formation when compared to the OVX group. The osteoclastic activity was confirmed by TRAP staining, and the bone formation was assessed by ALP staining in the femur sections. The color intensity of TRAP and ALP enzymes from the images were evaluated by image analysis software developed locally. The effect of CQ was found to be effective on both enzymes, and it might be a potential candidate for prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The biological activity of CQ on bone may be attributed to the phytogenic steroids present in it.

Vasorelaxant effect in rat aortic rings through calcium channel blockage: a preliminary in vitro assessment of a 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivative.

The study was undertaken on the basis of several reports in the literature that relaxation of vascular smooth muscles is a good treatment strategy in hypertension, angina and other cardiovascular disorders. Oxadiazoles have been reported to have effect on vascular smooth muscles and calcium influx. The goals of our current in vitro study were to investigate the effect of a 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivative on vascular smooth muscles in rat aorta, and to elucidate the associated signaling pathway. NOX-1 induced a relaxation of vascular smooth muscles in both endothelium intact and denuded rat aortic rings precontracted with norepinephrine or phenylephrine or KCl. NOX-1 also significantly antagonized cumulative dose-response effect of norepinephrine, phenylephrine, KCl or calcium with reduction in submaximal contractions. Verapamil, an L-type of calcium channel blocker, effectively attenuated phenylephrine and calcium induced contractions in aortic rings. Incubation with NOX-1 and verapamil did not significantly alter the dose-response curve of phenylephrine or calcium compared to verapamil treatment alone indicating L-type Ca2+ channel blockage leads to loss of NOX-1 activity. Hence it can be concluded NOX-1 exhibited vasorelaxant action by inhibiting calcium influx from extracellular space to intracellular space through L-type of calcium channels.

Antidiabetic effect through islet cell protection in streptozotocin diabetes: a preliminary assessment of two thiazolidin-4-ones in Swiss albino mice.

This study was undertaken on the basis of several reports in the literature that pancreatic beta cells are capable of replication/regeneration and also being afforded protection against damage induced by streptozotocin. Nicotinamide was reported to give protection against streptozotocin-induced damage in rats. In the present study, two thiazolidine-4-ones with nicotinamide substitution were administered to Swiss albino mice with streptozotocin diabetes for 15 days. Concurrently, one group received nicotinic acid. Both the test compounds reversed the hyperglycaemia diabetic mice. Damage to pancreatic islets was also reduced in these groups compared to diabetic control and nicotinic acid treated groups. Since these compounds have been earlier found have antioxidant activity, one of the possible mechanisms of action could be by reducing oxidative stress in pancreas. Further, possibly by releasing nicotinamide in vivo, the molecules could have contributed to the NAD pool in pancreas and afforded protection. It is concluded that the test compounds have potential to be developed for multiple beneficial action in conditions like metabolic syndrome.

Petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis (LINN) stimulates the growth of fetal bone during intra uterine developmental period: a morphometric analysis

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect Cissus quadrangularis plant petroleum ether extract on the development of long bones during the intra-uterine developmental stage in rats. METHODS Pregnant rats (n=12) were randomly assigned into either a control group (n=6) or a Cissus quadrangularis treatment (n=6) group. Pregnant rats in the Cissus quadrangularis group were treated with Cissus quadrangularis petroleum ether extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight from gestation day 9 until delivery. The animals in the control group received an equal volume of saline. Newborn pups were collected from both groups for alizarin red S - alcian blue staining to differentiate ossified and unossified cartilage. The ossified cartilage (bone) was morphometrically analyzed using Scion image software. RESULTS Morphometric analysis revealed that the percentage of the total length of ossified cartilage (bone) in pups born to treated dams was significantly higher (P<0.001– 0.0001) than that of the control group. CONCLUSION The results of the present study suggest that maternal administration of Cissus quadrangularis petroleum ether extract during pregnancy can stimulate the development of fetal bone growth during the intra-uterine developmental period.

Modulatory Role of Simvastatin against Aluminium Chloride-Induced Behavioural and Biochemical Changes in Rats

Objectives. Aluminium, a neurotoxic agent in humans, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we examined the behavioral and biochemical effects of aluminium in rats with special emphasis on memory centres, namely, hippocampus and frontal cortex. Further, the effect of simvastatin treatment on aluminium intoxication was evaluated. Methods. Rats were exposed to aluminium chloride (AlCl3) for 60 days. Simvastatin (10 mg/kg/p.o.) and rivastigmine (1 mg/kg/p.o.) were administered daily prior to AlCl3. Behavioral parameters were assessed using Morris water maze test and actophotometer followed by biochemical investigations, namely, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, TNF-α level, antioxidant enzymes (GSH, catalase), lipid peroxidation, and nitrite level in hippocampus and frontal cortex. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL levels in serum were also determined. Key Findings. Simvastatin treatment improved cognitive function and locomotor activity in rats. Simvastatin reversed hyperlipidemia and significantly rectified the deleterious effect of AlCl3 on AChE activity. Further, in hippocampus and frontal cortex, aluminium-induced elevation in nitrite and TNF-α and reduction in antioxidant enzymes were inhibited by simvastatin. Conclusion. To conclude, the present study suggests that simvastatin per se protects the neurons in hippocampus and frontal cortex from AlCl3, an environmental toxin.

Insulin Blocks Glutamate-Induced Neurotoxicity in Differentiated SH-SY5Y Neuronal Cells

Insulin is a cytokine which promotes cell growth. Recently, a few published reports on insulin in different cell lines support the antiapoptotic effect of insulin. But the reports fail to explain the role of insulin in modulating glutamate-mediated neuronal cell death through excitotoxicity. Thus, we examined the neuroprotective effect of insulin on glutamate-induced toxicity on differentiated SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. Changes in cell viability were measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) based assay, while apoptotic damage was detected by acridine orange/ethidium bromide and Hoechst staining. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and morphological alterations were also measured. Treatment with glutamate induced apoptosis, elevated ROS levels and caused damage to neurons. Insulin was able to attenuate the glutamate-induced excitotoxic damage to neuronal cells.

Development and validation of a HPLC method for quantification of rivastigmine in rat urine and identification of a novel metabolite in urine by LC‐MS/MS

A sensitive, specific and accurate HPLC method for the quantification of rivastigmine (RSM) in rat urine was developed and validated. The method involves the simple liquid-liquid extraction of RSM and pyridostigmine as an internal standard (IS) from rat urine with tertiary methyl butyl ether. The chromatographic separation of RSM and IS was achieved with 20  mm ammonium acetate buffer (pH 6.5) and acetonitrile (65:35, v/v) delivered at flow-rate of 1 mL/min on a Kromasil KR-100. The method was in linear range from 50 to 5000  ng/mL. The validation was done as per FDA guidelines and the results met the acceptance criteria. The method was successfully applied for the quantification of RSM in rat urine. Besides method validation, we have identified two metabolites of RSM in urine. Both the metabolites were characterized by HPLC-PDA and LC-MS/MS and it was found that one metabolite is novel.

Sesamol, a lipid lowering agent, ameliorates aluminium chloride induced behavioral and biochemical alterations in rats

Background: Sesame oil from the seeds of Sesamum indicum Linn. (Pedaliaceae) has been used traditionally in Indian medical practice of Ayurveda in the treatment of central nervous system disorders and insomnia. A few published reports favor the anti-dementia effect of sesamol (SML), an active constituent of sesame oil. Objective: Thus, the present study was aimed to explore the anti-dementia effect and possible mechanism (s) of SML in aluminium chloride (AlCl3)-induced cognitive dysfunction model in rodents with special emphasis on memory centers viz., hippocampus and frontal cortex. Methods: Male Wistar rats were exposed to AlCl3 (175 mg/kg p.o.) for 60 days. SML (10 and 20 mg/kg) and rivastigmine (1 mg/kg) were administered orally 45 min before administration of AlCl3 for 60 days. Spatial memory was assessed using Morris water maze test. After 60 days of treatment animals were sacrificed, hippocampus and frontal cortex were collected and analyzed for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) level, antioxidant enzymes (Glutathione, catalase), lipid peroxidation, and nitrite level. The circulating triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were also analyzed. Results: SML significantly prevented behavioral impairments in aluminium-exposed rats. Treatment with SML reversed the increased cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL while raised the HDL levels. SML significantly corrected the effect of AlCl3 on AChE activity. Further, SML reversed the elevated nitric oxide, TNF-α and reduced antioxidant enzymes in hippocampus and frontal cortex. Conclusion: The present study suggests the neuro-protection by SML against cognitive dysfunction induced by environmental toxin (AlCl3) in hippocampus and frontal cortex.