Upal Kanti Mazumder

Antitumor activity of methanolic extract of Cassia fistula L. seed against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma

Effects of methanolic extract (ME) of Cassia fistula seed on the growth of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and on the life span of tumor bearing mice were studied. ME treatment showed an increase of life span, and a decrease in the tumor volume and viable tumor cell count in the EAC tumor hosts. Cytological studies have revealed a reduction in the mitotic activity, and the appearance of membrane blebbing and intracytoplasmic vacuoles in the treated tumor cells. Improvement in the hematological parameters following ME treatment, like hemoglobin content, red blood cell count and bone marrow cell count of the tumor bearing mice have also been observed. The results of the present study suggest that ME of C. fistula seed has an antitumor activity.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Vernonia cinerea Less. extract in rats.

The methanol extract of the whole plant of Vernonia cinerea Less. was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory activity in acute (carrageenin, histamine and serotonin induced rat paw edema) and a chronic model (cotton pouch induced granuloma). The methanol extract (250 and 500 mg/kg(-1) p.o.) exhibited significant activity (p < 0.001) against all phlogistic agents used in a dose dependant manner. In the chronic model (cotton pouch granuloma method) the methanol extract exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity. All these effects were compared with standard drug phenylbutazone (100 mg/kg(-1) p.o.).

CNS activities of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera root in mice

Methanolic extract (ME) of the root of Moringa oleifera was tested for possible pharmacological effects on experimental animals. ME potentiated significantly the sleeping time induced by pentobarbitone sodium, diazepam and meprobamate, showed analgesic properties and also potentiated analgesia induced by morphine and pethidine. Pretreatment with ME caused significant protection against strychnine- and leptazol-induced convulsions. The behavioural studies on mice indicate the CNS depressant nature of ME.

Antitumor activity of Sansevieria roxburghiana rhizome against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in mice.

Context: Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. & Schult. f. (Agavaceae) is a herbaceous perennial plant traditionally used for coughs, rheumatism; as an expectorant, febrifuge, purgative, and tonic. Objective: To evaluate the hydroalcoholic extract of S. roxburghiana rhizome (HASR) for antitumor activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice. Methods: Twenty-Four hours after intraperitoneal inoculation of tumor (EAC) cells in mice, HASR was administered at 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight for nine consecutive days. On day 10 half of the mice were sacrificed and rest were kept alive for assessment of increase in life-span. The antitumor effect of HASR was assessed by evaluating tumor volume, packed cell count, viable and non-viable tumor cell count, median survival time and increase in life-span of EAC bearing hosts. Hematological profiles and serum biochemical parameters were estimated. Further, antioxidant properties were assessed by estimating lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Results and discussion: HASR showed a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in tumor volume, packed cell volume and viable cell count and increased the life span of EAC bearing mice. Hematological and serum biochemical profiles were restored to normal levels in HASR treated mice as compared to EAC control. HASR treatment significantly (p <0.001) decreased lipid peroxidation and recovered GSH, SOD and CAT towards normal as compared to EAC control. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that S. roxburghiana rhizome exhibited remarkable antitumor activity in Swiss mice that is plausibly attributable to its augmenting endogenous antioxidant mechanisms.

Antibacterial activity of Vernonia cinerea

The benzene extract of Vernonia cinerea showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity.

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Activities of Oxystelma esculentum in Various In Vitro Models

Objective - The present study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties of Oxystelma esculentum (MEOE).Methods- The total antioxidant, reducing power, DPPH radical, superoxide anion radical, nitric oxide radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and total phenol content in MEOE was carried out.Results - The total antioxidant activity of MEOE increases with increasing concentration. The reducing capability and free radical scavenging activity in DPPH also increased in a dose dependent manner. The MEOE was found to scavenge the superoxide generated by PMS/NADH/NBT system. Moreover, MEOE was found to inhibit the nitric oxide radical generated from sodium nitropruside. MEOE was also found to inhibit the hydroxyl radical generated by Fe3+/ascorbate/EDTA/H2O2 system. The MEOE scavenges the hydrogen peroxide in a dose dependent manner. The amount of total phenolic compounds was also determined.Conclusion - The results suggest that the methanol extract of Oxystelma esculentum proved its strong antioxidant activity and can be used as a natural antioxidant.

Evaluation of antihyperglycemic activity of Cocos nucifera Linn. on streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The plant Cocos nucifera Linn. (Arecaceae) is commonly known as coconut. Traditionally the juice of the young spadix when fresh is used in diarrhea and diabetes. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of antidiabetic activity and effect on lipid profile as well as cardioprotective effect of hydro-methanol extract of Cocos nucifera (HECN) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS After 72 h of STZ (50 mg/kg, b.w. i.p.) administration, animals showing plasma sugar level more than 250 mg/dl were considered as diabetic rat. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were measured on 0th (after 72 h of STZ), 5th, 10th, and 15th day. On the 15th day all the animals were sacrificed and the serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant enzyme status were measured. RESULTS HECN treated animals showed a significant reduction in FBG level as compared with diabetic control group. Serum enzyme level (SGOT, SGPT, SALP), lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme level such as CAT, GSH, SOD and cholesterol and triglycerides in the HECN treated groups were restored towards normal level as compared to diabetic control groups and the values were comparable with the standard groups (glibenclamide). CONCLUSION Improvement in the FBG and the restoration of all other biomarker as well as enzymes indicates that HECN has very good antidiabetic activity with very low side effects and provides a scientific rationale for the use as an antidiabetic agent.

Antibacterial activity of Urena lobata root.

The methanol extract of Urena lobata root showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity.

Antimicrobial activity of Eupatorium ayapana

Petroleum ether and methanolic extracts of leaves of Eupatorium ayapana were tested for their antimicrobial activity. The petroleum ether extract showed higher antibacterial and antifungal activity than the methanolic extract.

Antitumor Activity of Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. Leaves in Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma Cell-Treated Mice

Context. The plant Citrus maxima Merr. (Rutaceae), commonly known as shaddock or pomelo is indigenous to tropical parts of Asia. The objective of present study is to evaluate the methanol extract of Citrus maxima leaves for its antitumor activity against Ehrlichs Ascites Carcinoma cell in Swiss albino mice. Experimental design. The antitumor activity of methanol extract of Citrus maxima leaves (MECM) was evaluated against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cell line in Swiss albino mice. 2 × 106 cells were inoculated in different groups of animals. MECM (200 and 400 mg/kg BW i.p.) was administered for nine consecutive days. On day 10th half the animals of different groups were sacrificed for determination of tumor and haematological parameters and the rest half were kept with sufficient food and water ad libitum for determination of increase in life span. Result and Discussions. Oral administration of the extract at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly decreased tumor parameters such as tumor volume, viable tumor cell count and increased body weight, hematological parameters and life span in respect of the EAC control mice. Conclusion. Experimental design exhibits significant antitumor activity of the extract (MECM) in a dose dependant manner.