Sanghamitra Sinha

Studies on antidiarrhoeal activity of Punica granatum seed extract in rats

Methanol extract of Punica granatum seed was evaluated for antidiarrhoeal activity against different experimental models of diarrhoea in rats. P. granatum seed extract treated animals showed significant inhibitory activity against castrol-oil induced diarrhoea and PGE2 induced enteropooling in rats. The extract also showed a significant reduction in gastro-intestinal motility in charcoal meal test in rats. The results obtained established the efficacy of P. granatum seed extract as an antidiarrhoeal agent.

Evaluation of antipyretic potential of Nelumbo nucifera stalk extract.

The ethanol extract of stalks of Nelumbo nucifera (NNSE) was evaluated for its antipyretic potential on normal body temperature and yeast induced pyrexia in rats. NNSE showed significant activity in both the models at oral doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. NNSE at a dose of 200 mg/kg was found to produce significant lowering of normal body temperature up to 3 h and at 400 mg/kg it caused significant lowering of body temperature up to 6 h after its administration. In the model of yeast provoked elevation of body temperature NNSE showed dose‐dependent lowering of body temperature up to 4 h at both the doses and the results were comparable to that of paracetamol, a standard antipyretic agent.

Antidiarrhoeal activity of Strychnos potatorum seed extract in rats

The antidiarrhoeal activity of the methanol extract of the dried seeds of Strychnos potatorum (MESP) has been evaluated out in rats using different models (castor oil-induced diarrhoea, effects on gastrointestinal motility and on PGE(2)-induced gastric enteropooling. MESP (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (P<0.001) inhibited the frequency of defaecation and reduced the wetness of faecal droppings in castor oil-induced diarrhoea, decreased the propulsion of charcoal meal through the gastrointestinal tract, and also reduced the PGE(2)-induced enteropooling.

Antitussive effect of Asparagus racemosus root against sulfur dioxide-induced cough in mice

The methanol extract of Asparagus racemosus root (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant antitussive activity on sulfur dioxide-induced cough in mice, the cough inhibition (40.0 and 58.5%, respectively) being comparable to that of 10-20 mg/kg of codeine phosphate (36.0 and 55.4%, respectively).

Antibacterial activity of Bergenia ciliata rhizome

The methanol extract of Bergenia ciliata (tested at 200--1000 microg/disc) showed a wide spectrum of concentration-dependent antibacterial activity.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory potential of Bergenia ciliata Sternb. rhizome extract in rats.

The methanol extract of the rhizome of Bergenia ciliata Sternb. (Saxifragaceae) has been evaluated for anti‐inflammatory potential using two acute rat models (carrageenan‐ and serotonin (5‐HT)‐induced rat paw oedema) and a chronic rat model (cotton pouch‐induced granuloma). Phenylbutazone (100 mg kg−1), a non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory agent, was used as a standard. The methanol extract (100, 200 or 300 mg kg−1) exhibited significant (P < 0.05) anti‐inflammatory activity in all the animal models. At 300 mg kg−1 the methanol extract exhibited maximum inhibition of 32.4 ± 2.89% in carrageenan‐induced rat paw oedema while the standard showed an inhibition of 44.1 ± 2.7% after 3 h of drug treatment. In the serotonin‐induced rat paw oedema model, 300 mg kg−1 methanol extract suppressed oedema by 45.33 ± 2.09%, whereas the standard produced an inhibition of 53.5 ± 4.3%. In the cotton pouch granuloma model the methanol extract inhibited significantly (P < 0.001) the granuloma weight in a dose‐dependent manner. In this model, 300 mg kg−1 extract produced a maximum inhibition of 31.4 ± 1.09% in granuloma weight compared with 41.1 ± 1.32% reduction in granuloma weight for the standard. The methanol extract of B. ciliata exhibited significant anti‐inflammatory potential at the dose levels examined.

Evaluation of anti-tussive activity of Bergenia ciliata Sternb. rhizome extract in mice

The methanol extract of the rhizome of Bergenia ciliata Sternb. (Saxifragaceae) has been evaluated for its potential in a cough model induced by sulphur dioxide gas in mice. The extract exhibited significant anti-tussive activity in a dose-dependent manner, as compared with control. The antitussive activity of the extract was comparable to that of codeine phosphate (10 mg/kg body wt.), a standard anti-tussive agent. The extract at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body wt. (p.o.) showed significant inhibition of cough reflex by 28.7, 33.9 and 44.2%, respectively, within 90 min of the experiment.

Effect of Trichodesma indicum extract on cough reflex induced by sulphur dioxide in mice

The effect of methanol extract of whole plants of Trichodesma indicum R. Br. has been investigated on sulphur dioxide (SO2) induced cough reflex in Swiss albino mice. The extract has demonstrated significant (p < 0.001) inhibition in frequency of cough in all the tested doses when compared with untreated control group. The effect persisted up to 90 min of its oral administration and also comparable to that of the effect exhibited by the standard drug (Codeine phosphate). This study confirmed the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of cough. Determination of underlying mechanism of beneficial effect is major topic requiring further comprehensive investigation.

Evaluation of purgative activity of roots of Rumex nepalensis.

The methanol extract of Rumex nepalensis Spreng. roots at the oral dose of 100-400 mg/kg exhibited significant and dose-dependent purgative activity.