Sarmistha Saha

Study of anti ulcer activity of Ficus religiosa L. on experimentally induced gastric ulcers in rats

Objective To investigate the gastroprotective activity of hydroalcoholic extract leaves of Ficus religiosa (F. religiosa) in different experimental models of gastric ulcer in rats.

Antioxidant activity of polyphenolic extract of Terminalia chebula Retzius fruits

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro antioxidant activities of polyphenolic extract of Terminalia chebula Retzius (Combretaceae) fruits. The polyphenolic extract of T. chebula fruits was evaluated for antioxidant activity by determining the reducing power, total antioxidant capacity, DPPH radical concentration (IC50 14 μg/mL), nitric oxide radical concentration (IC50 30.51 μg/mL) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity (IC50 265.53 μg/mL) under in vitro conditions. Moreover, the phytochemical characterisation of the extract was also measured by determining the total phenolic, flavonoid, tannin and ascorbic acid contents. Characterisation of the extract was also performed by HPLC profiling with the standard gallic acid. The present study demonstrated that the extract has significant reducing capacity and nitric oxide scavenging activity. It also scavenges hydrogen peroxide-induced radicals. The activity of the extract may be due to the total polyphenolic content. The antioxidant activity of the extract is significantly higher than the standard ascorbic acid, and its activity is concentration-dependent. It is concluded that a polyphenolic-rich fraction of T. chebula fruits is a potential source of natural antioxidants.

Inhibition of calcium oxalate crystallisation in vitro by an extract of Bergenia ciliata

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an extract obtained from the rhizomes of Bergenia ciliata (Saxifragaceae) on the inhibition of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystallisation in vitro. Materials and methods: A hydro-alcoholic extract (30:70, v/v) of rhizomes of B. ciliata was prepared at different concentrations (1–10 mg/mL). The crystallisation of CaOx monohydrate (COM) was induced in a synthetic urine system. The nucleation and aggregation of COM crystals were measured using spectrophotometric methods. The rates of nucleation and aggregation were evaluated by comparing the slope of the turbidity of a control system with that of one exposed to the extract. The results were compared with a parallel study conducted with a marketed poly-herbal combination, Cystone, under identical concentrations. Crystals generated in the urine were also analysed by light microscopy. Statistical differences and percentage inhibitions were calculated and assessed. Results: The extract of B. ciliata was significantly more effective in inhibiting the nucleation and aggregation of COM crystals in a dose-dependent manner than was Cystone. Moreover, the extract induced more CaOx dihydrate crystals, with a significant reduction in the number and size of COM crystals. Conclusion: An extract of the traditional herb B. ciliata has an excellent inhibitory activity on crystalluria and therefore might be beneficial in dissolving urinary stones. However, further study in animal models of urolithiasis is needed to evaluate its potential anti-urolithiatic activity.

Inhibitory potential of traditional herbs on α-amylase activity

Context: There has been enormous interest in the development of alternative medicines for the control of diabetes. Use of carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzyme inhibitors proved to be an important strategy for the management of postprandial hyperglycemia by delaying the process of carbohydrate hydrolysis and absorption. Objective: Three common traditional herbs, namely, stem bark of Terminalia arjuna (Combretaceae), seeds of Eugenia cumini (Myrtaceae), and leaves of Aegle marmelos (Rutaceae), were tested for their α-amylase inhibitory activities to establish antidiabetic potential. Materials and methods: The plant extracts (aqueous, 50%, and 100% methanol) obtained were subjected to an in vitro amylase inhibitory assay using starch as a substrate and pancreatic amylase as the enzyme. Statistical differences and linear regression analysis were performed using GraphPad prism 5 software. Results: The 50% methanol extracts of T. arjuna, E. cumini, and A. marmelos at a concentrations 50–500 μg/mL showed maximum percentage inhibition on amylase activity with IC50 values of 302 ± 0.55, 632 ± 0.21, and 503 ± 0.28 μg/mL, respectively. However, the 100% methanol extracts of all the three plants showed the least inhibitory activity. Discussion and conclusion: The results show that T. arjuna > E. cumini > A. marmelos have excellent inhibitory activity and, therefore, might be effective in lowering postprandial hyperglycemia.

Antinephrolithiatic and antioxidative efficacy of Dolichos biflorus seeds in a lithiasic rat model

Abstract Context: Dolichos biflorus sensu auct non L. (Fabaceae) is widely used for the treatment of kidney stones, leucorrhoea, urinary disorders, and menstrual troubles, and is known for its antioxidant activity. Objectives: To evaluate the preventive effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Dolichos biflorus seeds (DBE) in ethylene glycol induced nephrolithiasis. Materials and methods: In vitro antioxidative capacity of DBE was estimated in terms of reducing power, superoxide radical, 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, and nitric oxide scavenging activity. A validated HPLC method was used for standardization using quercetin as a marker. Adult female Wistar rats were administered with DBE (150 and 300 mg/kg body weight/day) along with ethylene glycol (0.75%, v/v) for 28 d. The various biochemical parameters were measured in urine, serum, and kidney followed by histochemistry. Results: Ethylene glycol caused a significant increase in calcium, oxalate, phosphate, and total protein in urine as well as in kidney whereas decrease in calcium, sodium, and magnesium in serum was observed (p < 0.001). Ethylene glycol also caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and concurrent decrease in activities of antioxidant enzymes in kidney (p < 0.001). However, the seed extract of D. biflorus caused significant restoration of all these parameters (p < 0.001). Histopathological and histochemical studies also showed the reduced calcifications in kidney of seed extract treated rats. Discussion and conclusion: These results indicated that seeds of D. biflorus have significant prophylactic effect in preventing the nephrolithiasis, which might be due to the antioxidant activity of the active compounds of the plant.

Isolation and prevention of calcium oxalate-induced apoptotic death and oxidative stress in MDCK cells by diosgenin

Calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) has been shown to be the most frequent constituent of kidney stones. The interactions of cells with COM crystals produce a variety of physiological and pathological changes including the development of oxidative stress, cellular injury and apoptosis. On the other hand, diosgenin, a steroidal sapogenin, is well known for its antioxidant activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether diosgenin protects MDCK renal epithelial cells from COM-induced apoptotic death. Diosgenin was isolated from fruits of Solanum xanthocarpum by silica gel column chromatography. It was obtained in high yields (1.23%) and the purity was ascertained by HPTLC analysis. Characterization of diosgenin was done by mp, UV-visible spectrophotometry, elemental analysis, FT-IR, (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR analysis. Cells were co-incubated with COM (80μg/cm(2)) and diosgenin (2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10μg/mL) for 24h. It was found that diosgenin attenuated the apoptotic death induced by COM as measured in terms of cell viability, caspase -9/3 activities and DNA fragmentation percent. The inhibitory role of diosgenin on caspase -9/3 activities was also analyzed using molecular docking experiments, which showed interactions to their active sites by H-bonds. Diosgenin also attenuated the increase in lipid peroxidation and glutathione depletion induced by COM crystals. In conclusion, the preventive effect of diosgenin is associated to the inhibition of oxidative stress and caspases.

Antioxidative mechanism involved in the preventive efficacy of Bergenia ciliata rhizomes against experimental nephrolithiasis in rats

Abstract Context: Bergenia ciliata Haw. (Saxifragaceae) is widely used in traditional medicines for renal disorders including kidney stones, inflammation and also well known for its antioxidant activity. Use of traditional herbs proved to be an important strategy for the management of kidney stones by modulating the oxidative stress imposed by calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis. Objectives: To evaluate the antinephrolithiatic and antioxidative activity of B. ciliata rhizomes as a preventive agent on ethylene glycol (EG)-induced nephrolithiasis. Materials and methods: The hydro-methanol extract (30:70, v/v) of B. ciliata rhizomes was orally administrated simultaneously at a dose of 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight/day, to adult female Wistar rats for 28 d along with EG (0.75%, v/v) in drinking water. The results were compared to a parallel study conducted with marketed polyherbal drug cystone under identical dosage conditions. The biochemical parameters were measured in urine, serum and kidney followed by histochemistry. A validated HPLC method was used for standardization using gallic acid as a marker. Results: EG caused a significant increase in calcium, oxalate and phosphate levels in urine and kidney and concurrent decrease in calcium, sodium and magnesium in serum (p < 0.001). EG also caused an increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in activities of antioxidative enzymes in kidney. Co-treatment with B. ciliata rhizomes extract caused restoration of all these parameters (p < 0.001). Histochemical studies showed reduced calcifications with extract treatment. Conclusion: B. ciliata has a significant prophylactic effect in preventing the nephrolithiasis, which might be mediated through antioxidant activity of these active compounds.

Efficacy Study of Dolichos biflorus in the Management of Nephrotoxicity

Article history: Objective: Ethylene glycol is widely used as a solvent and automobile antifreeze agent. Therefore, there have been a number of cases of human exposure from accidental or intentional ingestion of antifreeze, with the kidney being the most sensitive target organ. This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of seeds of Dolichos biflorus (Fabaceae), on ethylene glycol induced nephrotoxicity in adult female Wistar rats. Methods: The hydro-methanolic (30:70, v/v) extract of D. biflorus was orally administrated at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight/ day along with ethylene glycol (0.75% v/v) for 28 days. The results were compared with a parallel study conducted with standard marketed drug cystone under identical dosage conditions. The ionic chemistry was measured in urine and serum. Statistical differences and linear regression analysis were performed using GraphPad prism 5 software. Results: Ethylene glycol induced a significant elevation in the creatinine, uric acid, urea levels in urine as well as in serum and urinary electrolytes (sodium and potassium) excretion levels. D. biflorus significantly (P<0.001) protected the elevated levels of urine and serum parameters. Moreover, D. biflorus shows higher renoprotective index than cystone at identical dose levels. Conclusions: These results provided an evidence of the significant protective effect of D. biflorus towards hyperuricemic and nephrotoxicity and thus can be used as potent dietary food.

Antioxidant Activity of Polyphenolic Extract of Phyllanthus emblica against Lead Acetate Induced Oxidative Stress

Phyllanthus emblica (Euphorbiaceae) possesses a vast ethnomedical history and represents a phytochemical reservoir of heuristic medicinal value. Polyphenolic extract of P. emblica fruits, was investigated for antioxidant potential against lead acetate induced toxicity in female Wistar rats. The liver of female Wistar rats treated with lead acetate at different concentrations showed significant increase in lipid peroxidation and decrease in activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Furthermore, lead acetate also caused decrease in reduced glutathione content in rat liver. However, the co-incubation of extract and lead acetate showed significant protection in concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the polyphenolic extract of P. emblica fruits also found to have potent free radical scavenging activity as assessed by reducing power assay, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical (IC50 15.5 μg/mL), superoxide radical (IC50 26 μg/mL) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays (IC50 22 μg/mL) under in vitro conditions. Moreover the phytochemical characterization of the extract was also measured by determining total phenolic, flavonoids and tannin contents. This activity of the extract may be due to the total polyphenolic contents present in it. The present study concluded that a polyphenolic rich fraction of P. emblica fruits is a potential source of natural antioxidants and thus could prevent oxidative stress induced by heavy metal toxicants.

In vitro and in silico study of antioxidant effect of Bergenia ciliata and Terminalia chebula against sodium oxalate induced oxidative stress

Previous experimental evidence suggested that Bergenia ciliata (Saxifragaceae) and Terminalia chebula Retzius(Combretaceae) are effective against nephrolithiasis and have potential antioxidant activity. In this regard, hydro-methanolic extracts of B. ciliata rhizomes and T. chebula fruits were investigated for antioxidant potential against sodium oxalate induced oxidative imbalance in the kidney of female Wistar rats. We also performed molecular docking studies of all the reported phenolic compounds of both the plants to evaluate its interaction with the active site of oxalate binding protein (OBP). In summary, our findings showed that sodium oxalate caused significant increase in lipid peroxidation with concurrent decrease in activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase as well as in total reduced glutathione content in a concentration-dependent manner. The hydro-alcoholic extracts, however, when co-administered with sodium oxalate resulted in significant protection with maximum percent protection was achieved by B. ciliata. Thereafter, daucosterol showed best binding efficiency with OBP. However, further work on the purification of isolated bioactive components and pharmacological testing can reveal the therapeutic potential of the plant.