Tapan Kumar Maity

Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of Cassia fistula leaf extract.

Hepatoprotective activity of the n-heptane extract of Cassia fistula leaves was investigated in rats by inducing hepatotoxicity with carbon tetrachloride:liquid paraffin (1:1). The extract has been shown to possess significant protective effect by lowering the serum levels of transminases (SGOT and SGPT), bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The extract of C. fistula at a dose of 400 mg/kg showed significant hepatoprotective activity which was comparable to that of a standard hepatoprotective agent.

Hepatoprotective activity of Cassia fistula leaf extract

Hepatoprotective activity of the n-heptane extract of Cassia fistula leaves was investigated by inducing hepatotoxicity with paracetamol in rats. The extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg body wt. exhibited orally, significant protective effect by lowering the serum levels of transaminases (SGOT and SGPT), bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The effects produced were comparable to that of a standard hepatoprotective agent.

Anti-inflammatory evaluation of Ficus racemosa Linn. leaf extract.

The anti-inflammatory activity of Ficus racemosa extract was evaluated on carrageenin, serotonin, histamine and dextran-induced rat hind paw oedema models. The extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg has been found to possess significant anti-inflammatory activity on the tested experimental models. The extract (400 mg/kg) exhibited maximum anti-inflammatory effect, that is 30.4, 32.2, 33.9 and 32.0% at the end of 3 h with carrageenin, serotonin, histamine, dextran-induced rat paw oedema, respectively. In a chronic test the extract (400 mg/kg) showed 41.5% reduction in granuloma weight. The effect produced by the extract was comparable to that of phenylbutazone, a prototype of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent.

Hepatoprotective activity of Ficus racemosa leaf extract on liver damage caused by carbon tetrachloride in rats

An extract of the leaves of Ficus racemosa Linn. (Moraceae) was evaluated for hepatoprotective activity in rats by inducing chronic liver damage by subcutaneous injection of 50% v/v carbon tetrachloride in liquid paraffin at a dose of 3 mL/kg on alternate days for a period of 4 weeks. The biochemical parameters SGOT, SGPT, serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase were estimated to assess the liver function. The activity of extract was also comparable to a standard liver tonic (Neutrosec). Copyright

Effect of Ocimum sanctum roots extract on swimming performance in mice

The effect of a methanol extract, obtained from the roots of Ocimum sanctum, on mouse swimming performance were studied using three different doses. On the basis of our findings, a high dose (400 mg/kg, i.p.) of the extracts of Ocimum sanctum increased the swimming time suggesting a central nervous system stimulant and/or antistress activity. The effect produced by the extract was comparable to that of desipramine, an antidepressant drug. Copyright

Studies on antiinflammatory effect of Cassia tora leaf extract (fam. Leguminosae)

The antiinflammatory effect of the methanol extract of the leaves of Cassia tora was investigated against carrageenin, histamine, serotonin and dextran‐induced rat hind paw oedema. It exhibited significant antiinflammatory activity against all these agents. The extract (400 mg/kg) showed maximum inhibition of oedema of 40.33%, 31.37%, 53.57% and 29.15% at the end of 3 h with carrageenin, dextran, histamine and serotonin‐induced rat paw oedema, respectively. Using a chronic test, the granuloma pouch in rats, the extract exhibited a 48.13% reduction in granuloma weight.

Evaluation of antitumor activity of stigmasterol, a constituent isolated from Bacopa monnieri Linn aerial parts against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma in mice

Cancer remains as one of the most common cause of mortality worldwide. Cancer chemoprevention by natural products is well accepted nowadays. Phytoserols are natural products, showing anticancer activity, besides other activities. The purpose of this study was to examine the antitumor and antioxidant activity of stigmasterol, a phytosterol isolated from aerial parts of Bacopa monnieri Linn. against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) in swiss albino mice. The effect of stigmasterol on the growth of transplantable murine tumor, life span of EAC bearing hosts, simultaneous alterations in the hematological profile, liver biochemical parameters (lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes) and histopthological studies of liver were examined. Stigmasterol decreased tumor volume, packed cell volume and viable cell count, and increased mean survival time thereby increasing life span of EAC tumor bearing mice. Hematological profile reverted to near normal levels in stigmasterol treated mice. Stigmasterol decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation and increased the levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the liver of EAC bearing mice. Histopathological study of liver tissues showed that stigmasterol had significant protective effect against EAC bearing mice, which corroborates the above findings. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in ascitic fluid increased while membrane microviscosity of the EAC cells decreased upon stigmasterol treatment indicating its effect in the membrane integrity functions. The antitumor activity of stigmasterol might be mediated through the activation of protein phosphatase 2A by ceramide causing apoptosis, as is shown by structurally similar phytosterol.

Antihyperglycemic activity of bacosine, a triterpene from Bacopa monnieri, in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

This article describes the antihyperglycemic activity, in vivo antioxidant potential, effect on hemoglobin glycosylation, estimation of liver glycogen content, and in vitro peripheral glucose utilization of bacosine, a triterpene isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) of the ethanolic extract of Bacopa monnieri. Bacosine produced a significant decrease in the blood glucose level when compared with the diabetic control rats both in the single administration as well as in the multiple administration study. It was observed that the compound reversed the weight loss of the diabetic rats, returning the values to near normal. Bacosine also prevented elevation of glycosylated hemoglobin in vitro with an IC₅₀ value of 7.44 µg/mL, comparable with the one for the reference drug α-tocopherol. Administration of bacosine and glibenclamide significantly decreased the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the liver of diabetic rats. Bacosine increased glycogen content in the liver of diabetic rats and peripheral glucose utilization in the diaphragm of diabetic rats in vitro, which is comparable with the action of insulin. Thus, bacosine might have insulin-like activity and its antihyperglycemic effect might be due to an increase in peripheral glucose consumption as well as protection against oxidative damage in alloxanized diabetes.

Anti-inflammatory effect of O-methylated flavonol 2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-3,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-chromen-4-one obtained from Cassia sophera Linn in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Cassia sophera Linn (Family Caesalpiniaceae), popularly known as kasundi, is used both in the Indian traditional system and folk medicine to treat several inflammatory pathologies such as asthma, arthritis and pains. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the scientific basis of anti-inflammatory activity of Cassia sophera ethanol extracts and of an isolated constituent of Cassia sophera. MATERIALS AND METHODS The anti-inflammatory activity of Cassia sophera was studied using the carrageenan, dextran induced rat paw edema, and cotton pellet induced granuloma in rats. The ethanol extract was administered at the concentrations of 200 and 400mg/kg body weight whereas rhamnetin (RN) was administered at a dose of 10 and 15 mg/kg, b.w. Indomethacin was used as standard drug. RESULTS The HPLC analysis revealed that good amounts of rhamnetin (0.18%) was present in Cassia sophera.The ethanol extracts at 400mg/kg, showed maximum inhibition of inflammation induced by carrageenan (44%), dextran (40%), cotton pellets (37.47%). On the other hand rhamnetin (15 mg/kg) exhibited maximum anti-inflammatory effect, that is 79 and 33% at the end of 3h with carrageenin, and dextran-induced rat paw edema, respectively. In a chronic test rhamnetin (15 mg/kg) showed 43.32% reduction in granuloma weight. CONCLUSION The marked inhibitory effect on paw edema and granuloma showed that Cassia sophera possess remarkable anti-inflammatory activity which may be due to rhamnetin at least in part, supporting the folkloric usage of the plant to treat various inflammatory diseases.

Isolation and in vivo hepatoprotective activity of Melothria heterophylla (Lour.) Cogn. against chemically induced liver injuries in rats

OBJECTIVE To investigate hepatoprotective activity of ethanol extract of Melothria heterophylla Lour Cogn. (EEMH) against CCl(4)-induced hepatic damage in rats. METHODS β-sitosterol was isolated by column chromatography and characterized spectroscopically. Two different doses (200 and 400 mg/kg bw) of EEMH were administered orally in alternate days. The hepatoprotective activity was studied in liver by measuring biochemical parameters such as serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein and total bilirubin. Lipid peroxidation product and different antioxidant enzyme activities were assessed in liver homogenate. RESULTS EEMH reduced all biochemical parameters and lipid peroxidation, as well as it increased the antioxidant enzyme activities in comparison with silymarin. The protective effect of the extract on CCl(4) induced damage was confirmed by histopathological examination of the liver. CONCLUSIONS This result strongly supports the protective effect of EEMH against acute liver injury, and may be attributed to its antioxidative activity.