P.G. Latha

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Smith.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Smith (Polypodiaceae), has been widely used by ethnic groups of India to treat inflammation, rheumatism, headache, bone fracture, jaundice, etc. AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the ethanolic extract of rhizome of Drynaria quercifolia (DQ) and its phytochemical profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS DQ was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects using carrageenan-induced paw oedema/cotton pellet-induced granuloma in Wistar rats and acetic acid-induced writhing/formalin-induced paw licking test in Swiss albino mice respectively. RESULTS Oral administration of DQ produced significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw oedema and granuloma formation in rats, almost comparable to that caused by indomethacin. DQ significantly attenuated acute and delayed phases of formalin-induced pain and acetic acid-induced writhing episodes in mice. The analgesia was comparable to that produced by sodium salicylate and aspirin respectively. Phytochemical analysis gave positive tests for catechin, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolics, saponin, steroids, tannins, and triterpenes. The total phenolics in DQ was 244 mg/g and naringin content was 0.048%. CONCLUSION The results suggest the presence of potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic principles in DQ that justifies its use for alleviating painful inflammatory conditions.

Hepatoprotective studies on Sida acuta Burm. f.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Sida acuta Burm. f. (Malvaceae) is used in Indian traditional medicine to treat liver disorders and is useful in treating nervous and urinary diseases and also disorders of the blood and bile. AIM OF THE STUDY Evaluation of the hepatoprotective properties of the methanolic extract of the root of Sida acuta (SA) and the phytochemical analysis of SA. MATERIALS AND METHODS The model of paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats, liver histopathological observations, hexobarbitone-induced narcosis and in vitro anti-lipid peroxidation studies were employed to assess the hepatoprotective efficacy of SA. Phytochemical assay of SA was conducted following standard protocols. RESULTS Significant hepatoprotective effects were obtained against liver damage induced by paracetamol overdose as evident from decreased serum levels of glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin in the SA treated groups (50, 100, 200mg/kg) compared to the intoxicated controls. The hepatoprotective effect was further verified by histopathology of the liver. Pretreatment with Sida acuta extract significantly shortened the duration of hexobarbitone-induced narcosis in mice indicating its hepatoprotective potential. Phytochemical studies confirmed the presence of the phenolic compound, ferulic acid in the root of Sida acuta, which accounts for the significant hepatoprotective effects observed in the present study. CONCLUSION The present study thus provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use of this plant in the management of liver disorders.

Ameliorative effect of alkaloid extract of Cyclea peltata (Poir.) Hook. f. & Thoms. roots (ACP) on APAP/CCl4 induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats and in vitro free radical scavenging property

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of alkaloid extract of Cyclea peltata (C. peltata) against paracetamol/carbon tetra chloride induced liver damage in Wistar rats. METHODS In vivo paracetamol/carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in Wistar rats, in vitro free radical scavenging studies, HPTLC estimation of tetrandrine and direct analysis in real time- mass spectrometry of alkaloid extract of C. peltata were used for the validation. RESULTS The results showed that pretreatment with alkaloid extract of C. peltata caused significant reduction of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum cholesterol, liver malondialdehyde levels. The reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase levels in liver were increased with alkaloid extract of C. peltata treatment. These results were almost comparable to silymarin and normal control. Histopathological studies also substantiated the biochemical findings. The in vitro hydroxyl, superoxide and DPPH scavenging study of alkaloid extract of C. peltata showed significant free radical scavenging property. CONCLUSIONS The hepatoprotective property of alkaloid extract of C. peltata against paracetamol/carbon tetrachloride may be due the synergistic action of alkaloids especially tetrandrine, fangchinoline through free radical scavenging and thus preventing oxidative stress.

Protective effect of Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Drynaria quercifolia Against CCl 4 induced rat Liver Fibrosis via Nrf2/ARE and NFκB signalling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Drynaria quercifolia rhizome is traditionally used as hepatoprotective drug especially in chronic jaundice. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study was undertaken to scientifically evaluate the efficacy of D. quercifolia rhizome against liver fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS D. quercifolia rhizome crude extract (DQ) and its fractions of hexane (HDQ), ethyl acetate (EDQ), butanol (BDQ) were evaluated in vitro using primary hepatocytes and RAW 264.7 cells. In vivo anti-liver fibrotic activity of EDQ was assessed using CCl4 induced liver fibrosis in Wistar rats and serum biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, ALP, SB, cholesterol), MDA, PT, INR, GSH, SOD, CAT, liver glycogen, serum albumin levels were monitored. qRT-PCR analysis of TNF-α, COX-2, iNOS were performed. ELISA method was used to estimate TNF-α, COX-1 & 2. Histopathological studies like H & E, Massons trichrome, immunohistochemistry staining for α-SMA, TIMP-1, Nrf2 were conducted. LC-Q-TOF-MS analysis of EDQ was conducted. RESULTS In vitro activity guided fractionation of D. quercifolia revealed EDQ as active fraction when compared to other extracts. EDQ treatment significantly inhibited the expression of α-SMA, TIMP-1, COX-2, TNF-α, iNOS and increased the levels of Nrf2 in rat liver fibrosis. LC-Q-TOF-MS analysis of EDQ confirmed the presence of naringin and naringenin. CONCLUSION The anti-liver fibrotic activity of EDQ is via inhibition of NFκB signalling pathway, antioxidant response through Nrf2 activation and further inhibition of HSC activation.

Bioassay guided fractionation of Cyclea peltata using in vitro RAW 264.7 cell culture, antioxidant assays and isolation of bioactive compound tetrandrine

Background Cyclea peltata is one of the herbs mentioned in ancient scriptures of Ayurveda and is used in different types of Ayurvedic gritham preparations. Moreover, in traditional/tribal medicine C. peltata is used as digestive, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and to treat jaundice, digestive disorders, etc. Objective Activity guided fractionation of C. peltata and in correlation with the levels of bioactive compound tetrandrine. Materials and methods Preliminary phytochemical screening, estimation of total alkaloid content, preparation of different extracts of C. peltata (crude extract CP, hexane extract HCP, chloroform extract CCP, methanol extract MCP, alkaloid fraction ACP). In vitro anti-inflammatory studies using RAW 264.7 cells and in vitro antioxidant assays of the different extracts of C. peltata. HPTLC estimation of tetrandrine (TET) was carried out using solvent system toluene: ethyl acetate: diethylamine (7.2: 2: 0.8) and isolation of TET from ACP. Results Preliminary phytochemical studies of C. peltata showed the presence of alkaloid content in all extracts. Whereas, saponins, steroids and terpenoids were detected in CP and CCP. ACP and TET showed significant in vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity when compared to other extracts. ACP and TET (100 μg/ml) treatment significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α in LPS treated RAW 264.7 cells. HPTLC estimation of bioactive compound tetrandrine was highest in ACP-228.4 μg/mg followed by CP-29.62 μg/mg, CCP-23.46 μg/mg, MCP-18.82 μg/mg and HCP-1.25 μg/mg. TET has been isolated from ACP. Conclusion The results of the present in vitro assays revealed that the alkaloid fraction (ACP) is the most active fraction when compared to other extracts and has a positive correlation with the levels of bioactive compound tetrandrine.