Papiya Mitra Mazumder

Protective effect of Cassia glauca Linn. on the serum glucose and hepatic enzymes level in streptozotocin induced NIDDM in rats

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective effect of Cassia glauca leaf extracts on normal and non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in rats. The study was further carried out to investigate the effect of different fractions of the active extract of Cassia glauca, on normal and NIDDM rats, and the effect of active fraction on the blood glucose and hepatic enzymes level. Methods: Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) at a dose of 90mg/kg, i.p. in neonates. Different extracts of cassia glauca (100mg/kg, p.o.) were administered to the diabetic rats. Acetone extract was found to lower the serum glucose level significantly in diabetic rats. Further, the acetone extract was subjected to column chromatography and four fractions were obtained on the basis of TLC. All the four fractions (100mg/kg, p.o.) were administered to the diabetic rats. Fraction 1 (F1) caused the maximum reduction in the blood glucose level. The results of the test were compared with the standard antidiabetic drug glibenclamide (5mg/kg, p.o.). Results: Fraction 1 of acetone extract caused a significant reduction in the levels of hepatic enzyme Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Conclusion: Improvement in the blood sugar level and normalization of liver functions by Cassia glauca indicates that the plant has hepatoprotective potential, along with antidiabetic activity, and it provides a scientific rationale for the use of Cassia glauca as an antidiabetic agent.

Evaluation of immunomodulatory activity of Glycyrhiza glabra L roots in combination with zing

Objective To determine the immunomodulatory properties of roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra (G. glabra) L. (Liquorice), and also to check whether significant potentiation in immunomodulation occurs or not with the combination of zinc.

Effect of Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f.) Ettingsh on female reproductive system in Wistar rats: a focus on antifertility efficacy ☆

BACKGROUND This study was designed to assess the effect of one traditionally used antifertility plant, Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f.) Ettingsh (Loranthaceae), on female reproductive system, fertility and safety, by oral administration to adult female Wistar rats. STUDY DESIGN After the oral acute toxicity study, the hydroalcoholic extract of the aerial parts was administered at three doses. Treatment started at weaning and continued until Day 0 postpartum. RESULTS The LD(50) value was found to be 4.55 g/kg body weight. Vaginal opening occurred earlier in treated females when compared with controls. Analysis of vaginal smears revealed that all animals were cycling, although the length of the diestrus was longer in treated groups. In postcoital testing, the extract was found to be more effective in causing significant anti-implantation activity and reduction in the number of litters born. The extract also exhibited weak estrogenic activity when given alone, and when given along with ethinyl estradiol, it exhibited slight antiestrogenic activity in immature ovariectomized rats. CONCLUSION All observations suggest that the extract has antifertility effect and is safe at effective doses employed in the study.

Evaluation of wound healing and antimicrobial potentials of Ixora coccinea root extract

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the wound healing and antimicrobial activity of root extracts of Ixora coccinea (I. coccinea). METHODS To investigate the wound healing efficacy of root extract of I. coccinea Linn, five groups of animals were divided each containing six animals. Two wound models including incision and excision wound models were used in this study. The parameters studied were tensile strength on incision wound model and in terms of wound contraction for excision wound model were compared with standard Nitrofurazone (NFZ) ointment (0.2% w/w). Six extracts (ethanol, aqueous, petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform and ethyl acetate) of I. coccinea were screened for in vitro growth inhibiting activity against different bacterial strains viz, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilius, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger were compared with the standard drugs ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol for antibacterial and griseofulvin for antifungal screening. The serial dilution and cup (or) well plate methods were used for the antimicrobial study and MIC was determined. RESULTS The ethanolic extract showed significant (P<0.001) wound healing activity when compared to standard drug NFZ with respect to normal control group. Amongst all, ethanolic extract showed highly significant antibacterial activity against all bacterial strains used in this study when compared to standard. The aqueous extract showed moderate significant inhibition against all bacterial strains when compared to standard. All the extracts were shown negligible activity against the fungal strains used in this study. CONCLUSIONS The ethanolic root extract of I. coccinea showed pronounced wound healing and antibacterial activity. The probable reason to heal the wound was that the external application of the extract prevented the microbes to invade through the wound thus the protection of wound occurs against the infection of the various organisms.

Aqueous extract of Boerhaavia diffusa root ameliorates ethylene glycol-induced hyperoxaluric oxidative stress and renal injury in rat kidney.

Introduction: Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. (Nyctaginaceae) is widely used in traditional Indian medicines against renal afflictions including calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolithiasis and is known for antioxidant activity. Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the ameliorating effect of aqueous extract of B. diffusa roots (BDE) in hyperoxaluric oxidative stress and renal cell injury. Material and methods: In vitro antioxidant activity of BDE was estimated in terms of total phenolic content and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl free radical scavenging activity. Wistar albino rats were given 0.75% v/v ethylene glycol in drinking water to induce chronic hyperoxaluria and simultaneously BDE was given to nephrolithiasic treated rats at the dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. orally for 28 days. Urinary volume, oxalate, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, GST, GPx) were evaluated. Results and discussion: BDE extract was found to posses a high total phenolic content and exhibited significant free radicals scavenging activity. Oxalate excretion significantly increased in hyperoxaluric animals as compared to control which was protected in BDE-treated animals. BDE treatment significantly reduced level of MDA and improved the activity of antioxidant enzymes followed by reduction in BUN and serum creatinine. In addition, BDE reduced the number of CaOx monohydrate crystals in the urine. Histological analysis depicted that BDE treatment inhibited deposition of CaOx crystal and renal cell damage. Conclusion: The present study reveals that antioxidant activity of BDE significantly protects against hyperoxaluric oxidative stress and renal cell injury in urolithiasis.

Eleutherine indica L. accelerates in vivo cutaneous wound healing by stimulating Smad-mediated collagen production

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Eleutherine indica L. has been used for healing of wound, painful and irregular menstruation, dysentery and lesions, and topically used as antiseptic and antimicrobial agent in folk medicine. In the present study, methanolic extracts of Eleutherine indica was subjected to scientific investigation for in-vivo cutaneous wound healing in wistar rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS In-vivo wound healing activity of Eleutherine indica was evaluated by using circular excision experimental models, followed by histopathological and western blot analysis. The healing potential was comparatively assessed with a reference gentamicin sulfate hydrogel (0.01% w/w). Wound contraction measurement, hydroxyproline estimation and western blot for COL3A1, bFGF, Smad-2, -3, -4, and -7 were performed. RESULTS The methanolic extract of Eleutherine indica showed accelerated wound healing activity as evidenced by fast wound contraction rate and higher hydroxyproline content of granulation tissue. Western blot revealed the Smad-mediated collagen production promoting property of Eleutherine indica methanolic extract. Histopathological examinations also supported the experimental findings. CONCLUSION The study revealed that Eleutherine indica promotes wound healing by augmenting Smad-mediated collagen production in wound granulation tissue.

Effect of an isolated active compound (Cg-1) of Cassia glauca leaf on blood glucose, lipid profile, and atherogenic index in diabetic rats

Objectives: The objective of present study was to evaluate the effect of active principle (Cg-1) from Cassia glauca leaf on serum glucose and lipid profile in normal and diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin in neonates. Oral administration of petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, and methanol of C. glauca leaf (100 mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 days caused a decrease in fasting blood glucose (FBG) in diabetic rats. Among all the extracts, acetone extract was found to lower the FBG level significantly in diabetic rats. Glibenclamide was used as standard antidiabetic drug (5 mg/kg, p.o). Acetone extract was subjected to column chromatography that led to isolation of an active principle, which was given trivial name Cg-1. Cg-1 (50 mg/kg, p.o.) was studied for its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic potential. The unpaired t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Cg-1 caused a significant reduction in FBG level. It also caused reduction in cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL levels and improvement in the atherogenic index and HDL level in diabetic rats. Conclusion: Improvement in the FBG and the atherogenic index by Cg-1 indicates that Cg-1 has cardioprotective potential along with antidiabetic activity and provides a scientific rationale for the use as an antidiabetic agent.

Ixora coccinea Enhances Cutaneous Wound Healing by Upregulating the Expression of Collagen and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor.

Background. Ixora coccinea L. (Rubiaceae) has been documented for traditional use in hypertension, menstrual irregularities, sprain, chronic ulcer, and skin diseases. In the present study, I. coccinea was subjected to in vitro and in vivo wound healing investigation. Methods. Petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol, and water sequential I. coccinea leaves extracts were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, and fibroblast proliferation activities. The promising I. coccinea methanol extract (IxME) was screened for in vivo wound healing activity in Wistar rat using circular excision model. Wound contraction measurement, hydroxyproline quantification, and western blot for collagen type III (COL3A1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and Smad-2, -3, -4, and -7 was performed with 7-day postoperative wound granulation tissue. Gentamicin sulfate (0.01% w/w) hydrogel was used as reference standard. Results. IxME showed the potent antimicrobial, antioxidant activities, with significant fibroblast proliferation inducing activity, as compared to all other extracts. In vivo study confirmed the wound healing accelerating potential of IxME, as evidenced by faster wound contraction, higher hydroxyproline content, and improved histopathology of granulation tissue. Western blot analysis revealed that the topical application of I. coccinea methanol extract stimulates the fibroblast growth factor and Smad mediated collagen production in wound tissue.

Development and Validation of RP-HPLC Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Glimepiride and Sildenafil Citrate in Rat Plasma-Application to Pharmacokinetic Studies

A simple and sensitive method was developed for simultaneous estimation of Glimepiride (GLIM) and Sildenafil citrate (SIL) in rat Plasma by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The drug samples were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction with 300 µl of acetonitrile and 5 ml of diethyl ether. Chromatographic separation was achieved on C18 column using methanol: water (85:15 v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 ml/min and UV detection at 230 nm. The retention time of GLIM and SIL was found to be 2.5 and 4.0 min respectively with total run time of 7 min. The developed method was validated for accuracy, precision, linearity and recovery. The method was linear and found to be acceptable over the range of 100-12 000 ng/ml. The method was successfully applied for the analysis of rat plasma sample for application to pharmacokinetic.

Modulatory effect of an isolated compound from Syzygium cumini seeds on biochemical parameters of diabetes in rats.

In the search of natural hypoglycemic agents as alternatives to synthetic ones and to justify the use of Syzygium cumini seeds in folklore system of medicine for diabetes the present study was carried out. To evaluate the hypoglycemic and antioxidant activity of an isolated compound from S. cumini seeds in normal and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) rats. Study was carried out in Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin in neonates. Oral administration of petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone,methanol, and water extracts of S. cumini (100 mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 days caused a decrease in fasting blood sugar (FBS) in diabetic rats. Among all the extracts, methanol extract was found to lower the FBS significantly in diabetic rats. Glibenclamide was used as standard antidiabetic drug (5 mg/kg, p.o). Methanol extract was subjected to column chromatography that led to isolation of an active principle, which was given trivial name Cuminoside. Cuminoside (50 mg/kg, p.o.) was studied for its hypoglycemic and antioxidant potential. The unpaired t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc test were used for statistical analysis. Cuminoside caused a significant decrease in FBS level, lipidperoxidation level, and improvement in the levels of antioxidant enzymes (reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase) in diabetic rats. A considerable decrease in lipid peroxidation and improvement in the antioxidant enzymes level in NIDDM rats indicated that Cuminoside has antioxidant potential with antidiabetic activity and provides a scientific rationale for the use of Cuminoside as an antidiabetic agent. Key words: Antioxidants, β sitosterol, diabetes, lipid peroxidation, streptozotocin, Syzygium cumini