Qudsia Nizami

Extract of Ferula foetida regel reverses gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Natural products and dietary components have earlier been proven as potential chemoprotective agents, and continuous efforts are in progress to search for such new products. Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, is widely used for treating the infections caused by many gram negative bacteria. However, besides other unwanted effects, the drug causes tubular cell necrosis in the proximal convoluted tubules of nephrons. Unavailability of any remedial measures in the modern medicine for such ailments therefore makes it imperative to screen for natural products that are nephroprotective against such renal impairment. Here in the undertaken study, we have tested nephroprotective effects of Hing (Ferula foetida) extracts on gentamicin-treated rats. As expected, subcutaneous administration of rats with Gentamicin (100 mg/kg) showed significant increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine and thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS), as an indication of renal disorder. However, co-administration of methanol soluble and insoluble fractions of Ferula foetida (Hing), to the Gentamicin-treated rats almost showed a complete reversal of the above effects, indicating nephroprotective properties of the herbal drug. This may be an important addition to the list of studies where natural products have been discovered to be chemoprotective.

Anti-seizure activity of flower extracts of Nepeta bractaeta in Swiss albino mice

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by unprovoked, recurring seizures that disrupts the nervous system and can cause mental and physical dysfunction. Based on the ethno pharmacological information of the plant, the methanolic and aqueous extracts of the flowers of Nepeta bractaeta was evaluated for its antiepileptic activity. The methanolic and aqueous extracts of the flowers of Nepeta bracteata were observed for their antiepileptic activity by increased current Electroshock seizures (ICES) test and Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) test using Swiss albino mice. Both the extracts showed significant activity in ICES and PTZ induced convulsions in comparison to control. In ICES model, NBAE at higher dose showed 16.7 % and NBME at higher dose showed 33.3 % protection against seizure and in PTZ model, NBME at higher dose showed 33.3 % protection against seizure. From the experiments performed, it can be said that Nepeta bractaeta does possess anticonvulsant property.

Anticonvulsant activity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Melissa parviflora in experimentally induced Swiss albino mice

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anticonvulsant effect of whole plant extracts of Melissa parviflora using MES and PTZ induced seizures models. The dried whole plant was subjected to extraction in methanol and water. The extracts were subjected to phytochemical tests and the carbohydrate, flavonols, coumarins, glycosides and steroid were found to be present. The methanolic and aqueous extracts of the plant of Melissa parviflora were observed for their anticonvulsant activity by Maximal Electroshock seizures (MES) test and Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) test using Swiss albino mice. Both the extracts showed significant activity in MES and PTZ induced convulsions in comparison to control. From the literature surveys as well experiments performed, it can be said that Melissa parviflora does pose anticonvulsant property.