P. Vasanth Raj

Silymarin liposomes improves oral bioavailability of silybin besides targeting hepatocytes, and immune cells

BACKGROUND Silymarin, a hepatoprotective agent, has poor oral bioavailability. However, the current dosage form of the drug does not target the liver and inflammatory cells selectively. The aim of the present study was to develop lecithin-based carrier system of silymarin by incorporating phytosomal-liposomal approach to increase its oral bioavailability and to make it target-specific to the liver for enhanced hepatoprotection. METHODS The formulation was prepared by film hydration method. Release of drug was assessed at pH 1.2 and 7.4. Formulation was assessed for in vitro hepatoprotection on Chang liver cells, lipopolysaccharide-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by RAW 267.4 (murine macrophages), in vivo efficacy against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity and pharmacokinetic study by oral route in Wistar rat. RESULTS The formulation showed maximum entrapment (55%) for a lecithin-cholesterol ratio of 6:1. Comparative release profile of formulation was better than silymarin at pH 1.2 and pH 7.4. In vitro studies showed a better hepatoprotection efficacy for formulation (one and half times) and better prevention of ROS production (ten times) compared to silymarin. In in vivo model, paracetamol showed significant hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats assessed through LFT, antioxidant markers and inflammatory markers. The formulation was found more efficacious than silymarin suspension in protecting the liver against paracetamol toxicity and the associated inflammatory conditions. The liposomal formulation yielded a three and half fold higher bioavailability of silymarin as compared with silymarin suspension. CONCLUSIONS Incorporating the phytosomal form of silymarin in liposomal carrier system increased the oral bioavailability and showed better hepatoprotection and better anti-inflammatory effects compared with silymarin suspension.

Cytotoxicity and anticancer studies of Bacillus cereus and Bacillus pumilus metabolites targeting human cancer cells

The metabolites of bacteria Bacillus cereus and Bacillus pumilus isolated from soil samples in Shimoga region, Karnataka (India) were tested for cytotoxicity and anticancer properties. The various solvent extract fractions obtained from the metabolites of the two bacteria were tested for their cytotoxicity against normal human liver cell lines and 2 cancer cell lines by (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, a tetrazole) assay. The two fractions obtained from B. cereus showed high cytotoxicity. These two fractions were further screened for anticancer activity by nuclear staining studies and DNA fragmentation analysis. Both the fractions demonstrated significant activity by membrane blebbing during nuclear staining and caused the damage the DNA patterns during DNA fragmentation analysis. On the other hand, the metabolites of B. pumilus revealed toxic effect against cancer cells as well as normal ones.

Screening of plant Macaranga peltata for its antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity activity

The plant Macaranga peltata (Euphorbiaceae) leaves and stem bark was tested for its in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity activity using different methods. In vitro anti oxidant activity Stem Bark extract showed Inhibitory concentration 50 % (IC50) value of 10.13 than the Leaf extract IC50=14.85 for DPPH Assay. Standard Ascorbic acid showed IC50=7.28. For ABTS free radical scavenging activity Leaf extract IC50=7.61 showed better activity than the Stem Bark extract IC50=9.77. Standard anti-oxidant Ascorbic acid showed IC50=11.76. The Nitric Oxide Radical inhibition activity was better shown by Stem Bark extract IC50=573.39 than Leaf extract IC50⇒1000. Whereas IC50 value for the standard anti-oxidant Ascorbic acid was 127.16. Scavenging of Superoxide radical by Alkaline DMSO method i.e. NBT Assay showed better activity for Leaf extract IC50=54.12 than Stem Bark extract IC50=55.52. But both Stem Bark and Leaf extract showed very good activity for NBT Assay and their IC50 values were very close to the Standard anti-oxidant Rutin IC50=49.73. In anti microbial activity MIC for Leaf extract was between 62.5µg/ml to 125µg/ml for Escherichia coli, 125µg/ml to 250µg/ml for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 62.5µg/ml to 125µg/ml for Bacillus subtilis and 31.25µg/ml to 62.5µg/ml for Staphylococcus aureus. Whereas MIC for Stem Bark extract was between 500µg/ml to 1000µg/ml for Escherichia coli, 250µg/ml to 500µg/ml for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 62.5µg/ml to 125µg/ml for Bacillus subtilis and 62.5µg/ml to 125µg/ml for Staphylococcus aureus. Ciprofloxacin used as standard antibiotic showed MIC between 1.953 µg/ml to7.813 µg/ml for all four bacterial strains. Cytotoxicity of Macaranga peltata Leaf and Stem Bark extracts was tested on Human Liver Cancer cell line HepG2. Four concentrations (1000µg/ml, 500µg/ml, 250µg/ml and 125µg/ml) of both extract were tested for the activity by MTT assay. Both Leaf and Stem Bark extracts showed very good cytotoxicity activity and their CTC50 value was 51.07 µg/ml and 22.32 µg/ml respectively.

Anticancer activity of hypericum mysorense

Methanolic extracts of different parts of Hyperium mysorense (HM) (Hypericaceae) namely aerial parts (HMA), flowering tops (HMF), leaf (HML), root (HMR) and stem (HMS) were screened for its in vitro and in vivo anti cancer activities. The short term toxicity studies were carried out against Ehrlich Ascitic Carcinoma (EAC) cells. Different concentrations of the HM extracts (1000 µg/ml, 500 µg/ml, 250 µg/ml, 125 µg/ml, 62.5 µg/ml and 31.25 µg/ml) were tested against EAC cells and the viability of the cells were estimated by trypan blue dye exclusion method. HMF and HML showed better activity with CTC50 value of 375.39 ± 11.83 and 393.64 ± 12.28 µg/ml, respectively. In vivo antitumor studies were carried out for active HMF and HML extracts using EAC induced Swiss Albino mice model. Two different concentrations of HMF and HML were tested in vivo and compared with 5-Flurouracil (5-FU) as standard. The animals of the tumor control group inoculated with EAC survived for a period of 18.66 ± 0.65 days. The treatment with the HMF at 100 and 400 mg/kg increased the Average life span (ALS) of animals by 22.33 ± 1.28 and 26.16 ± 1.75 (p≪0.01) days, respectively. HML at a dose of 100 and 400 mg/kg increased the ALS of animals by 19.50 ± 1.73 and 23.50 ± 1.18 days, respectively. The standard 5-FU at 20 mg/kg, significantly (p≪0.001) increased the life span to 30.33 ± 1.02 (p≪0.001) days.

Study of Silymarin on Ethanol Induced Hepatotoxicity and Expression of Bcl-2, Bax and p53 Levels

© 2011, INASL 40 Synthesis and Antihepatotoxic Activity of 5-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxane-6-yl)-3-substitutedphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole Derivatives Habibullah*,**, B Ahmed** *Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Alwar Pharmacy College, Alwar, Rajasthan **Antihepatotoxic Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi Background and Objective: Silymarin isolated from seeds of Silybum marianum commonly known as ‘milk thistle’ has been found most potent antihepatotoxic agent against a variety of toxicants. The Silymarin has been found to be a mixture of three isomers of flavonolignan i.e., silybin, silychristin and silydianin. The silybin is the most potent component containing 1,4-dioxan ring system. Other isomer silychristin and silydianin do not possess 1,4-dioxan ring system and thus, do not display significant antihepatotoxic activity. Based on the above hypothesis we learned that 1,4-dioxane ring system plays an important role in exhibiting antihepatotoxic activity, and hence we have prepared some new pyrazoline derivatives bearing 1,4-dioxane ring system and evaluated them for antihepatotoxic activity against CCl4induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Material and Methods: The titled pyrazolines were prepared by refluxing 2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxane-6-yl)-1-substituted-phenylprop2-en-1-one derivatives with hydrazine hydrate in absolute ethanol and few drops of glacial acetic acid. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for antihepatotoxic activity by measuring different biochemical parameters glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total protein against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats as well as histopathological study of the liver. Results: The administration of silymarin (standard drug) and synthesized compounds at a dose level of 10 mg/Kg body weight, prevented CCl4-induced elevation of SGOT, SGPT, ALP, and prevented decrease in total protein. The histopathological studies also showed significant recovery of hepatocytes of the liver in the standard drug and compound-treated animals. Conflict of Interest: None Study of Silymarin on Ethanol Induced Hepatotoxicity and Expression of Bcl-2, Bax and p53 Levels P Vasanth Raj, K Nitesh, P Jain, M Neena Sankhe, J Venkata Rao, C Mallikarjuna Rao, N Udupa Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka Background and Aims: Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis and progression of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Considering the antihepatotoxic property of silymarin, a well known antioxidant (flavonoid); we investigated the hepatoprotective effect of silymarin and underlying mechanism(s). Methods: Twenty-four Wistar strain albino rats (180–200 g) of either sex were used. The animals were divided into three groups and treated for 60 days as follows: (1) normal control group received the vehicle (sodium CMC 0.3%); (2) ethanol group was administered ethanol 3.6 g/Kg (30%, 10 mL/Kg) 1 hour after ingestion of sodium CMC 0.3%; (3) ethanol plus silymarin group received silymarin 100 mg/Kg 1 hour prior to the administration of ethanol 3.6 g/Kg. Animals received ethanol and silymarin by oral route daily. Liver damage was evaluated by histopathology and liver function test. At molecular level, expression of P53, Bax and bcl-2 was determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). Results: Silymarin at 100 mg/Kg each ameliorated ethanol-induced macrovesicular steatosis and parenchymatous degeneration in hepatocytes, and decreased serum aminotransferases level. Ethanol downregulated antiapoptotic Bcl-2, upregulated pro apoptotic P53 and Bax mRNA levels in liver hepatocytes, thus, inducing apoptosis. However, this alteration in mRNA levels of P53, Bax and Bcl-2 was significantly prevented by silymarin treated animals at a dose of 100 mg/Kg body weight. Conclusion: Together, these results identify the biological efficacy of silymarin against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Hence, silymarin merits further investigation to support its molecular mechanism. Conflict of Interest: None Hepatoprotective Action of Dehydrozingerone in Carbon Tetrachloride and Thioacetamide-induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rats N Kumar, P Vasanth Raj, A Tiwari, A Chaudhary, C Mallikarjuna Rao, N Gopalan Kutty, N Udupa Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal Background and Aims: Dehydrozingerone (DZ) is a prototype constituent of ginger and has shown radioprotection through its antioxidant activity. Chemically DZ is a chalcone in nature and can be prepared easily by reactions of vanillin with acetones. Antioxidant activity 03_JCEH-Abstract.indd 40 3/18/2011 11:13:05 AM

Hepatoprotective Action of Dehydrozingerone in Carbon Tetrachloride and Thioacetamide-induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rats

© 2011, INASL 40 Synthesis and Antihepatotoxic Activity of 5-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxane-6-yl)-3-substitutedphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole Derivatives Habibullah*,**, B Ahmed** *Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Alwar Pharmacy College, Alwar, Rajasthan **Antihepatotoxic Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi Background and Objective: Silymarin isolated from seeds of Silybum marianum commonly known as ‘milk thistle’ has been found most potent antihepatotoxic agent against a variety of toxicants. The Silymarin has been found to be a mixture of three isomers of flavonolignan i.e., silybin, silychristin and silydianin. The silybin is the most potent component containing 1,4-dioxan ring system. Other isomer silychristin and silydianin do not possess 1,4-dioxan ring system and thus, do not display significant antihepatotoxic activity. Based on the above hypothesis we learned that 1,4-dioxane ring system plays an important role in exhibiting antihepatotoxic activity, and hence we have prepared some new pyrazoline derivatives bearing 1,4-dioxane ring system and evaluated them for antihepatotoxic activity against CCl4induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Material and Methods: The titled pyrazolines were prepared by refluxing 2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxane-6-yl)-1-substituted-phenylprop2-en-1-one derivatives with hydrazine hydrate in absolute ethanol and few drops of glacial acetic acid. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for antihepatotoxic activity by measuring different biochemical parameters glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total protein against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats as well as histopathological study of the liver. Results: The administration of silymarin (standard drug) and synthesized compounds at a dose level of 10 mg/Kg body weight, prevented CCl4-induced elevation of SGOT, SGPT, ALP, and prevented decrease in total protein. The histopathological studies also showed significant recovery of hepatocytes of the liver in the standard drug and compound-treated animals. Conflict of Interest: None Study of Silymarin on Ethanol Induced Hepatotoxicity and Expression of Bcl-2, Bax and p53 Levels P Vasanth Raj, K Nitesh, P Jain, M Neena Sankhe, J Venkata Rao, C Mallikarjuna Rao, N Udupa Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka Background and Aims: Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis and progression of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Considering the antihepatotoxic property of silymarin, a well known antioxidant (flavonoid); we investigated the hepatoprotective effect of silymarin and underlying mechanism(s). Methods: Twenty-four Wistar strain albino rats (180–200 g) of either sex were used. The animals were divided into three groups and treated for 60 days as follows: (1) normal control group received the vehicle (sodium CMC 0.3%); (2) ethanol group was administered ethanol 3.6 g/Kg (30%, 10 mL/Kg) 1 hour after ingestion of sodium CMC 0.3%; (3) ethanol plus silymarin group received silymarin 100 mg/Kg 1 hour prior to the administration of ethanol 3.6 g/Kg. Animals received ethanol and silymarin by oral route daily. Liver damage was evaluated by histopathology and liver function test. At molecular level, expression of P53, Bax and bcl-2 was determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). Results: Silymarin at 100 mg/Kg each ameliorated ethanol-induced macrovesicular steatosis and parenchymatous degeneration in hepatocytes, and decreased serum aminotransferases level. Ethanol downregulated antiapoptotic Bcl-2, upregulated pro apoptotic P53 and Bax mRNA levels in liver hepatocytes, thus, inducing apoptosis. However, this alteration in mRNA levels of P53, Bax and Bcl-2 was significantly prevented by silymarin treated animals at a dose of 100 mg/Kg body weight. Conclusion: Together, these results identify the biological efficacy of silymarin against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Hence, silymarin merits further investigation to support its molecular mechanism. Conflict of Interest: None Hepatoprotective Action of Dehydrozingerone in Carbon Tetrachloride and Thioacetamide-induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rats N Kumar, P Vasanth Raj, A Tiwari, A Chaudhary, C Mallikarjuna Rao, N Gopalan Kutty, N Udupa Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal Background and Aims: Dehydrozingerone (DZ) is a prototype constituent of ginger and has shown radioprotection through its antioxidant activity. Chemically DZ is a chalcone in nature and can be prepared easily by reactions of vanillin with acetones. Antioxidant activity 03_JCEH-Abstract.indd 40 3/18/2011 11:13:05 AM