Prabhu N. Saxena

Indian Herbal Medicines: Possible Potent Therapeutic Agents for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology and is mainly characterized by the progressive erosion of cartilage leading to chronic polyarthritis and joint distortion. Although the exact pathogenesis of the disease has yet not been elucidated, however, studies suggest that cellular proliferation of synoviocytes result in pannus formation which damages the cartilage and bone. Recent reports also support the role of free radicals in its pathogenesis. Apart from the conventional treatment strategies using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease modifying antirheumatic drugs and glucocorticoids, newer and safer drugs are continuously being searched, as long term usage of these drugs have resulted in adverse effects. Alternative medicine provides another approach for treatment of RA and currently a number of medicinal plants are under scientific evaluation to develop a novel drug. There is a dire need to investigate the complete therapeutic potential and adverse effects, if any, of these herbals for providing newer and safer treatment options with minimum side effects. In this review we have tried to explore various Indian ancient Ayurvedic, Unani and Tibbi, as also some Chinese and Korean, herbals for their potential to treat RA.

Biochemical and Histological Changes in Rat Liver Caused by Cypermethrin and Beta-Cyfluthrin

Cypermethrin and beta-cyfluthrin are two most widely used multipurpose pyrethroids. After determining their oral LD50 (416.98 mg kg-1 and 354.8 mg kg-1 body weight, respectively), we assessed their hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats following acute (0.1 LD50 for 1 day) and sub-acute (0.1 LD50 for 7, 14, 21 or 28 days) poisoning. The assessment was based on hepatic marker enzymes AST, ALT, LDH, ALP, glycogen, total proteins, total lipids, cholesterol, free fatty acids, and phospholipids. AST, ALT, LDH, total lipids, cholesterol, phospholipids, and free fatty acids in hepatic homogenate increased following pyrethroid stress. In contrast, hepatic proteins, glycogen, and ALP activity decreased due to lysis of structural proteins and leakage of enzymes into the blood stream. Biochemical data were consistent with histological alterations (cytoplasmic vacuolisation, nuclear polymorphism, eccentric nucleus, karyolysis, karyorrhexis, and sinusoidal dilation). Comparatively greater hepatocellular damage was noted in beta-cyfluthrin than in cypermethrin-treated rats, which is probably related to the fluorine atom in beta-cyfluthrin.

Assessment of Toxicity of Some Penta- and Hexacoordinated Organotin(IV) and Tetracoordinated Tin(II) Complexes of Heterocyclic beta-Diketones.

A number of penta- and hexacoordinated organotin(IV) complexes and tetracoordinated tin(II) complexes of compositions Me2SnCl[RCOC:CON(C6H5)N:C⎴CH3] (where R = − CH3, −p−ClC6H4, and −C6H5), Me2Sn[RCOC:CON(C6H5)N:C⎴CH3]2 (where R = −CH3, and −C6H5), and Sn(II) [RCOC:CON(C6H5)N:C⎴CH3]2 (where R = −p−ClC6H4 and −C6H5) were screened for their toxicity against Musca domestica (house fly). In general, organotin(IV) complexes contribute more to the activity than tin(II) complexes.