Uma Bhandari

The protective action of ethanolic ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract in cholesterol fed rabbits

The effects of ethanolic extract of ginger (200 mg/kg, p.o.) were studied in cholesterol fed rabbits. The marked rise in serum and tissue cholesterol, serum triglycerides, serum lipoproteins and phospholipids that followed 10 weeks of cholesterol feeding, was significantly reduced by the ethanolic ginger extract and results were compared with gemfibrozil, a standard orally effective hypolipidaemic drug. The severity of aortic atherosclerosis as judged by gross grading was more marked in pathogenic, i.e. the hypercholesterolemic group, while animals receiving ginger extract along with cholesterol showed a lower degree of atherosclerosis. The results indicate that ginger is definitely an antihyperlipidaemic agent.

Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Embelia ribes on Dyslipidemia in Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus has been treated orally with herbal remedies based on folk medicine since ancient times. Embelia ribes burm (Myrsinaceae), known commonly as vidanga, was used in Ayurveda for its anthelmintic activity. Ayurveda describes vidanga as pungent, causes increase in digestive fire, and cures flatulence and colic. A single study reported the antihyperglycemic activity of decoction of E. ribes in glucose-induced hyperglycemic albino rabbits. In the present study, the lipid-lowering and antioxidant potential of ethanolic extract of E. ribes burm was investigated in streptozotocin (40 mg/kg, IV, single injection)-induced diabetes in rats. Twenty days of orally feeding the extract (200 mg/kg) to diabetic rats resulted in significant (P < 0.01) decrease in blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, and triglycerides, and increase in HDLcholesterol levels when compared to pathogenic diabetic rats. Further, the extract also lowered the liver and pancreas thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances (TBARSs) values (P < 0.01) when compared to TBARS values of liver and pancreas of pathogenic diabetic rats. The results of test drug were comparable to gliclazide (25 mg/kg, orally), a standard antihyperglycemic agent. This is the first pilot study to provide biochemical evidence of potential of E. ribes in diabetic dyslipidemia.

Evaluation of antioxidant and neuroprotective effect of ethanolic extract of Embelia ribes Burm in focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative stress in rats.

Antioxidants have been the focus of studies for developing neuroprotective agents to be used in the therapy for stroke, which is an acute and progressive neurodegenerative disorder and is the second leading cause of death throughout the world. In fact, many herbal antioxidants have been developed in in vitro and in vivo experiments and some of these have been tested in clinical studies of stroke. Embelia ribes have been reported to have antioxidant and antidiabetic effects. In addition to these effects, this study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of ethanolic extract of E. ribes Burm fruits on middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)‐induced focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Male Wistar albino rats were fed ethanolic E. ribes extract (100 and 200 mg/kg body weight; p.o.) for 30 days. After 30 days of feeding, all animals were anaesthetized with chloral hydrate (400 mg/kg, i.p.). The right middle cerebral artery was occluded with a 4‐0 suture for 2 h. The suture was removed after 2 h to allow reperfusion injury. Ischemia followed by reperfusion in ischemic group rats significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the grip strength activity and non‐enzymatic (reduced glutathione, GSH) and enzymatic [glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST)] antioxidant levels in hippocampus and frontal cortex compared to sham‐operated rats. Further, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels in hippocampus and frontal cortex were significantly increased in ischemic group compared to sham‐operated rats. Furthermore, ethanolic E. ribes extracts pretreatment significantly (P < 0.001) increased the grip strength activity, and GSH, GPx, GR and GST levels in hippocampus and frontal cortex with significant decrease in LDH levels in serum and TBARS levels in hippocampus and frontal cortex compared to MCAO + vehicle group rats. The data from this study suggest that chronic treatment with ethanolic E. ribes extract enhances the antioxidant defense against MCAO‐ induced focal cerebral ischemia in rats and exhibits neuroprotective activity.

Protective effect of ginger oil on aspirin and pylorus ligation-induced gastric ulcer model in rats

The present investigation was performed in aspirin and pylorus ligation-induced ulcer model in Wistar rats, in which ability of ginger oil to provide gastric protection was studied at two different doses, 0.5 and 1 g/kg po. Gastric protection was evaluated by measuring the ulcer index, serum γ-GTP levels, total acidity of gastric juice and gastric wall mucus thickness. The results obtained in the present study indicated that ginger oil has a protective action against gastric ulcers induced by aspirin plus pylorus ligation in Wistar rats.

Anti-apoptotic potential of rosuvastatin pretreatment in murine model of cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND Apoptosis is a key pathologic feature in myocardial infarction and heart failure. Recent evidence suggests that statins may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with heart failure. The present study was planned to investigate the anti-apoptotic potential of rosuvastatin pretreatment in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy. METHODS Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: Group-I (vehicle control group), Group-II (pathological Control group), Group-III (rosuvastatin 0.5 mg/kg), Group IV (rosuvastatin 2 mg/kg), Group-V (rosuvastatin 2 mg/kg per se), and Group-VI (carvedilol 1mg/kg). Myocardial apoptosis was detected by caspase-3 assay, DNA gel electrophoresis and Na(+)/K(+) ATPase estimation. The animals were evaluated for various biochemical parameters in serum followed by histopathological studies of heart tissue. RESULTS Doxorubicin treated rats exhibited cardiac dysfunctions as indicated by an increase in systolic, diastolic, mean BP, heart rate and tail blood flow and volume and increased serum LDH, TC, TGs, LDL-C, VLDL-C levels and atherogenic indexes. A marked induction in caspase-3 and Na(+)-K(+) ATPase levels and DNA laddering as revealed by agarose gel electrophoresis was observed in rat myocardium of pathological group. Pretreatment with the test drug, rosuvastatin significantly reduced the increase in hemodynamic parameters, serum LDH, lipid profile and myocardial caspase-3, Na(+)-K(+) ATPase activity as compared to the pathogenic control group. Further, DNA ladder formation was attenuated by rosuvastatin treatment. Histopathological studies further confirm its myocardial salvaging effects. The results were comparable with carvedilol. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrates the cardioprotective potential of rosuvastatin against doxorubicin-induced myocardial apoptosis.

Fenugreek Seed Extract Inhibit Fat Accumulation and Ameliorates Dyslipidemia in High Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats

This study investigated the inhibitory effect of aqueous extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds (AqE-TFG) on fat accumulation and dyslipidemia in high fat diet- (HFD-) induced obese rats. Female Wistar rats were fed with HFD ad libitum, and the rats on HFD were treated orally with AqE-TFG or orlistat ((HFD for 28 days + AqE-TFG (0.5 and 1.0 g/kg) or orlistat (10 mg/kg) from day 8 to 28), respectively. Treatment with AqE-TFG produced significant reduction in body weight gain, body mass index (BMI), white adipose tissue (WAT) weights, blood glucose, serum insulin, lipids, leptin, lipase, and apolipoprotein-B levels and elevation in adiponectin levels. AqE-TFG improved serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. AqE-TFG treatment reduced the hepatic and cardiac thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and elevated the antioxidant enzyme (glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT)) levels. In addition, liver and uterine WAT lipogenic enzyme (fatty acid synthetase (FAS) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)) activities were restored towards normal levels. These findings demonstrated the preventive effect of AqE-TFG on fat accumulation and dyslipidemia, due to inhibition of impaired lipid digestion and absorption, in addition to improvement in glucose and lipid metabolism, enhancement of insulin sensitivity, increased antioxidant defense, and downregulation of lipogenic enzymes.

The effect of aqueous extract of Embelia ribes Burm on serum homocysteine, lipids and oxidative enzymes in methionine induced hyperhomocysteinemia

Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract of Embelia ribes Burm fruits on methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in albino rats. Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar albino rats were fed with the aqueous extract of Embelia ribes (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) for 30 days. Hyperhomocysteinemia was induced by methionine treatment (1 g/kg, p.o.) for 30 days and folic acid (100 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as a standard drug. The animals were evaluated for various biochemical parameters in serum and brain homogenates, followed by histopathological studies at the end of the study. Results: Administration of methionine (1 g/kg, p.o.) for 30 days to vehicle control rats produced significant increase (P < 0.01) in homocysteine, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C) levels in serum and lipid peroxides (LPO) levels in brain homogenates, with reduction in high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) levels in serum, and glutathione (GSH) content in brain homogenates, as compared to vehicle control rats. Administration of the aqueous extract of Embelia ribes (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) for 30 days, to hyperhomocysteinemic rats, significantly (P < 0.01) decreased the levels of homocysteine, LDH, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C and VLDL-C and increased the HDL-C levels in serum. In addition, a significant (P < 0.01) decrease in LPO levels with increase in GSH content was observed in hyperhomocysteinemic rats treated with the aqueous extract of Embelia ribes. The results were comparable to those obtained with folic acid, a standard antihyperhomocysteinemic drug. Conclusion: The present results provide clear evidence that the aqueous extract of Embelia ribes treatment enhances the antioxidant defense against methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in brain.

Protective effect of aqueous extract of Embelia ribes Burm fruits in middle cerebral artery occlusion-induced focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Objective: The present study was carried out to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of the aqueous extract of Embelia ribes, in focal ischemic brain. Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar albino rats were fed with the aqueous extract of Embelia ribes (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) for 30 days. After 30 days of feeding, all the animals were anaesthetized with chloral hydrate (400 mg/kg, i.p.). The right middle cerebral artery was occluded with a 4-0 suture for 2 h. The suture was removed after 2 h, to allow reperfusion injury. The animals were used for grip strength measurement, biochemical estimation in serum and brain tissue (hippocampus and frontal cortex) and cerebral infarct size measurement. Results: In the ischemic group, a significant (P < 0.01) alteration in the markers of oxidative damage (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS); reduced glutathione (GSH); glutathione peroxidase (GPx); glutathione reductase (GR); and, glutathione-S-transferase (GST)) was observed in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, as compared to sham operated rats. We observed that the animals treated with the aqueous extract of Embelia ribes had a significant (P < 0.01) increase in the poststroke grip strength activity. Further, supplementation with aqueous extract of Embelia ribes reversed the levels/activities of the above mentioned biochemical parameters significantly (P< 0.01) and also resulted in decreased cerebral infarct area, as compared to the ischemic group. Conclusion: The results of our study, for the first time, provide clear evidence that aqueous extract of Embelia ribes pretreatment ameliorates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and enhances the antioxidant defense against middle cerebral artery occlusion-induced cerebral infarction in rats; it exhibits neuroprotective property.

Preventive effect of embelin from embelia ribes on lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in high-fat diet-induced obesity in rats.

A high-fat diet (HFD) results in hyperlipidemia and an increase in oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preventive effect of embelin against hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in HFD-induced obesity in rats. Male Wistar rats aged 12 weeks (150-200 g) were fed with an HFD for a period of 28 days to induce experimental obesity. HFD-induced obese rats were treated with embelin (50 mg/kg) or orlistat (10 mg/kg) for 21 days. A range of parameters were tested including body weight gain, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, visceral fat pad weights, serum levels of glucose, insulin, leptin, apolipoprotein B (ApoB), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), hepatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH). Twenty-one days of embelin (50 mg/kg) treatment produced effects similar to orlistat in reducing body weight gain, blood pressure, visceral fat pad weight, serum lipid levels, as well as coronary artery risk and atherogenic indices of HFD-fed rats. Embelin treatment also lowered the serum levels of glucose by 24.77 %, insulin by 35.03 %, and leptin by 43.39 %. Furthermore, embelin treatment significantly (p < 0.01) decreased the hepatic TBARS levels, while increasing the SOD, CAT, and GSH levels in obese rats. The present study indicated the preventive effect of embelin in HFD-induced obesity and its related complications. Embelin could be valuable in the development of new drug therapies to prevent obesity, hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress.

Antihepatotoxic Activity of Ginger Ethanol Extract in Rats

The effect of an ethanol extract of ginger was studied on country-made liquor (CML)-induced liver injury in rats. Hepatotoxicity was induced by administering CML (3 ml/100 g/day in 2 divided doses) and corn oil (1 ml/100 g/day, in a single dose) orally for 21 days. The administration of ginger ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg) orally from day 15 to day 21 along with CML produced significant (P < 0.01) lowering of serum AST, ALT, ALP, ?-GTP and tissue lipid peroxide levels. The results were comparable to silymarin (25 mg/kg, orally). The study shows that the reduction of liver damage by ethanol ginger extract treatment involves several mechanisms.