Parag Jain

In-vitro and in-vivo antiadipogenic, hypolipidemic and antidiabetic activity of Diospyros melanoxylon (Roxb).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The plant Diospyros melanoxylon (Roxb) belongs to the family Ebenaceae that is native to India and Sri-lanka. This is a medium-sized tree, reaching a height of 15 m and is well known for its beedi making leaves throughout the world. The purpose of the present study is to assess the effect of Diospyros melanoxylon leaves petroleum ether extract on blood glucose level, lipid level, insulin level, body weight, water and food intake in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two different doses of extract AK001 (250 mg/kg) and AK002 (500 mg/kg) of Diospyros melanoxylon leaves were taken to evaluate different activities. The animals were divided into five groups namely normal control, diabetic control, reference group, AK001 and AK002 each containing six animals for in-vivo study. In-vitro study for antiadipogen activity was performed on 3T3-L1 cell line. RESULTS The extract showed dose dependent fall in Fasting Glucose Level (FSG) in experimental diabetic animals with significant reduction in food and water intake and increase in body weight. The extract exhibited hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglyceridemic effects while increased level of HDL in diabetes induced rats. In-vitro activity showed more than 75% viability of cells and significant inhibition in differentiated cells as compared to non-differentiate cells in 3T3-L1 cell line. The extract exhibited the concentration-dependent inhibitory effect with an IC50 value of 689.22 μg/ml. CONCLUSIONS The extract exhibited significant results for antiadipogenic, antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activity both in-vivo and in-vitro and it may prove to be effective for the treatment of both types of diabetes, i.e. Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) and Noninsulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM).

Secondary metabolites for antiulcer activity

Peptic ulcers are open sores or erosions in the lining of either the duodenum (duodenal ulcers) or the stomach (gastric ulcers). Peptic ulcer, which is mainly caused by bacterial attack or excess of acid secretion, can be cured effectively by these isolated plant compounds. In this present scenario, demand for herbal medicines are increasing due to easy availability in surrounding place at low cost. This review article is all about such isolated plant compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids. Various plants have been used as folk medicine by the people of rural area, which shows significant effect against peptic ulcer. Further study should be conducted upon these herbal plants because there is possibility for minimising the adverse effect caused by the present antiulcer drugs.

Biological Evaluation of Pupalia lappacea for Antidiabetic, Antiadipogenic, and Hypolipidemic Activity Both In Vitro and In Vivo.

Objective. The present study assesses the effect of Pupalia lappacea (L.) Juss. (Amaranthaceae) (PL) leaves ethanolic extract on adipocytes, blood glucose level, and lipid level in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods. Male Albino rats were rendered diabetic by a single moderately sized dose of STZ (45 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) at once before starting the treatment. Animals were divided into five groups: normoglycemic control, diabetic control, reference group (glibenclamide, 5.0 mg/kg), AS001 (250 mg/kg extract), and AS002 (500 mg/kg extract) each containing six animals for in vivo study. Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activity of extract were determined by in vivo method on STZ induced diabetic rats. Antiadipogenic activity was determined by in vitro method on 3T3-L1 cell line in comparison to simvastatin as reference drug. Result. The extract showed significant fall in fasting serum glucose (FSG), that is, 234.68 and 211.61 mg/dL, in STZ induced diabetic animals for dose groups AS001 and AS002, respectively. The PL extract also exhibited noteworthy antiadipogenic activity on 3T3-L1 cell line. The value of inhibitory concentration (IC50) of PL extract to reduce adipocyte cells was found to be 662.14 μg/mL. Conclusion. The PL extract exhibited significant antiadipogenic, antidiabetic, and hypolipidemic activities.

Toxicity and Safety Profiles of Methanolic Extract of Pistacia integerrima J. L. Stewart ex Brandis (PI) for Wistar Rats

Objectives: The goals of this research were to evaluate acute (single-dose) and sub-acute (repeated-dose) toxicity profiles of methanolic extract of Pistacia integerrima J. L. Stewart ex Brandis (PI) for Wistar rats and to assess the safety profile of PI by observing physiological changes, mortality, changes in body weight, the histopathology of body organs, the hematology and the biochemistry of the animals. Methods: The toxicity profile of PI was evaluated using Wistar rats of both sexes. Animals were divided into four groups: Group 1; control group (normal saline), Group 2; PI-1 (250 mg/kg), Group 3; PI-2 (500 mg/kg), Group 4; PL-3 (1,000 mg/kg). An acute-toxicity study in which animals received a single dose of PI extract (2,000 mg/ kg) and were then observed for 14 days for changes in skin, fur, eye color, mucous membrane secretions and excretions, gait, posture, and tonic or clonic movements was performed according to guideline 425 of the Organization of Economic and Corporation Development (OECD). In the repeated-dose toxicity study (OECD – 407) animals received a daily dose of PI extract for 28 days (4 weeks). The parameters observed in this study include body weight, hematology and biochemistry of the animals. Results: In the acute toxicity study, no mortalities or changes in behavior were noted in the animals. The repeated-dose toxicity study was also devoid of any toxicity in the animals during the 28 days of testing with PI extract. The extract did not alter- the body weight, hematology or biochemistry of the animals. The methanolic extract of PI was to be found safe to the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) for the single- dose and repeated-dose toxicity tests in rats. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of PI was devoid of toxicity; hence, it can be used for various ayurvedic preparations and treatments of diseases.

Experimental Models for Inflammation

Studies performed using in vivo and in vitro experimental model systems are critical components of the effort to identify the effect of new drug molecules. Experimental models permit the precise quantification of exposure levels, to eliminate many external variables that may alter drug response. Experimental studies can be designed in a manner to include specific endpoint evaluations that can generate important data concerning possible biological mechanisms of drug action. Thus, it becomes mandatory to access the cause of disease, and the mechanisms behind it, through experimental models which generally involve animals, in vitro studies, primates, and even humans to a certain extent. Interspecies differences and high-dose to low-dose extrapolations remain important challenges to the interpretation and application of experimental data to assessments of human risk. Understanding the basic mechanisms and pathogenesis of inflammation are essential for the development of new treatment approaches and therapeutic agents.

Inflammation: Natural Resources and Its Applications

Nature is an inevitable source on earth; it may refer to the various types of living plants and animals and in some cases to the processes associated with inanimate objects. Natural resources include land, forests, wildlife resources, fi sheries, water resources, energy resources, marine resources, and mineral resources. The way that these particular types of things exist and serve the humankind for better lifestyle is fairly noticeable. Forests provide us variety of services and nurture the mankind with its incomparable facilities and functions such as maintaining oxygen levels in the atmosphere, removal of carbon dioxide, control over water regimes, and slowing down erosion and also produce products such as food, fuel, timber, fodder, medicinal plants, etc. Marine fi shes are an important protein food and contain signifi cant medicinal value. There are several principles that each of us can adopt to bring about sustainable lifestyles. This primarily comes from caring for our Mother Nature and its resources in all respects. Regard for the nature is the greatest sentiment that helps bring about a feeling of protecting and conserving the natural resources, looking at how we use natural resources in a new and sensitive way. Through this book, we are going to explore the richness of nature, its kindness towards human race and purpose for the whole world. 1.1 Natural Resources Natural resource is the form of matter or energy which is available in the earth and used by living things. Natural resources in the ecosystem are often characterized by amounts of biodiversity and geodiversity existent. These are essential for our survival and various valuable uses. These resources occurring naturally within environments may exist as air, water, plant, as well as living organism such as fi sh and microbes or may exist in other forms which may be processed to obtain the resources such oil, ores, and most forms of energy. Anything which comes from nature and

Inflammation and Lifestyle

Inflammation is the cause of most serious illness including heart disease and stroke, many cancers, and arthritis. Many lifestyle factors, including diet, stress and exposure to environmental and household toxins, contribute to elevated levels of inflammation throughout the body that never subside, creating a cellular environment that is favorable to disease propagation. Our diet is one of the leading sources of these chronic illnesses, and changing the diet is the key to prevention and cure. A number of dietary factors, including fiber-rich foods, whole grains, fruits (especially berries), omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins (e.g., C and E), and certain trace minerals (e.g., zinc), have been documented to reduce blood concentrations of inflammatory markers. The best way to correct and eliminate inflammation is to improve comprehensive lifestyle and dietary changes rather than taking pharmaceutical drugs, the latter of which can cause unintended harm in the form of damaging side effects. Intensive lifestyle interventions involving both exercise and diet appear to be most effective. This chapter includes recent news and advances based on anti-inflammatory diets, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle. Several health benefits of natural sources like vegetables, fruits, fishes, beans, and oil are also summarized in this chapter.

Natural Sources of Anti-inflammation

All the anti-inflammatory sources or drugs achieve their effects by blocking the increase in prostaglandin (PG) synthesis. PG synthesis is blocked by blocking the enzyme cyclooxygenase – an enzyme in arachidonic acid cascade for the synthesis of prostanoids. Mother Nature created these natural supplements eons ago, and it has been present in ecosystems for over a billion years. Hundreds of plant metabolites are reported to have many pharmacological activities although most of these reports are of academic interest and very few find entry at clinical trials. Compilation of the information would help promote wider acceptance and use of these nature-based drugs in mainstream of medicine. The present chapter is directed towards compilation of the pharmacological attributes of natural sources in the drug discovery and development process as it could be a driving force to identify lead molecules providing an attractive strategy for novel and improved therapeutics. In this chapter, we are going to reveal the name of these natural medicines and different sources available to us and what health benefits it provides to us to fight against inflammation.