ALLEVIATION OF CISPLATIN INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN ALBINO RATS BY ROOTS OF Catunaregam uliginosa

ABSTRACT:Objective: To evaluate the nephroprotective effect of ethanolic extract of roots of Catunaregam ulginosa in cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats.Methodology: Ethanolic extract was prepared by hot extraction method and subjected to preliminary phytochemical studies. Based on acute toxicity studies nephroprotector was screened at two dose levels i.e., 200mg/kg bd wt and 400 mg/kg bd wt in both curative and prophylactic regimens. Cisplatin at a dose of 5mg/kg bd. wt was given intraperitoneally to induce nephrotoxicity. Nephroprotector activity was assessed by determining blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine(SC), urinary total protein(UTP) and creatinine clearance. Antioxidant enzymes like super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutatathione reduced (GSH) activities and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were determined in renal tissue.  Histological studies had been carried per se.Results: Animals which received cisplatin exhibited significant increase in serum marker levels, increased urinary total protein excretion and reduced creatinine clearance. Further significant decrease in GSH, SOD, CAT and increase in LPO levels was observed. Ethanolic extract of roots of Catunaregam ulginosa reversed the effects induced by cisplatin in dose dependent manner in both curative and prophylactic regimens. Histological studies substantianed the above results.Conclusion: The findings of the present study support the alleviation of cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity by the ethanolic extract of roots of Catunaregam ulginosa and thus validate its ethnomedicinal use.Key words: Catunaregam ulginosa, Cisplatin, Nephrotoxicity, Lipid peroxidatio

Pharmacological evaluation of anti-ulcer activity of Cymbopogon flexuosus

Background: Peptic ulcer disease is a worldwide problem. Currently, there is no cost-effective treatment to relieve pain, heal the ulcer and prevent ulcer recurrence. Hence, there is a dire need to search and find a suitable treatment from natural sources. The present study was designed to investigate the anti-ulcer activity of ethanol extract of the leaves of Cymbopogon flexuosus.Methods: The ethanol extract of the leaves of Cymbopogon flexuosus was prepared by hot extraction method. Anti-ulcer activity was evaluated in rats and method employed was pylorus ligation. Animals were divided into four groups of six animals each. The animals of Group I served as normal control (vehicle) which received normal saline (5 ml/kg b.wt., p.o). Group II and III received 200 and 400 mg/kg b.wt. of ethanol extract, respectively. The animals of Group IV served as standard control which received ranitidine (15 mg/kg bd.wt.). At the end of study parameters like ulcer index, free acidity, total acidity, acid volume, and pH were determined.Results: The ethanol extract showed a significant reduction in the total acidity, free acidity, and acid volume. The efficacy of plant extract at high dose was comparable with the standard drug - ranitidine.Conclusion: Our study results support the ethnomedical use of leaves of C. flexuosus

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STANDARDIZATION AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY FINGERPRINT OF ROOTS OF ANTHOCEPHALUS CADAMBA

Objective: Anthocephalus cadamba is a traditional medicinal plant which is valued for its benefits in the management of various ailments. The current study was aimed to provide requisite pharmacognostic details and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprint profile for the roots of A. cadamba. Methods: Pharmacognostic evaluation included examination of morphological and microscopic characters, physicochemical analysis, fluorescence study, preliminary phytochemical analysis, and HPTLC fingerprint. Results: The microscopic studies showed the presence of thick periderm, cortical zone, secondary phloem, and secondary xylem. Microscopic examination of root powder showed abundant fibers and vessel elements. The physicochemical analysis of root powder helped in the assessment of quality control parameters. Fluorescence analysis of root powder imparted characteristic colors on the treatment of the powder with different reagents. Preliminary phytochemical studies reported the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, glycosides, tannins, and other phenolic compounds. The developed qualitative densitometric HPTLC fingerprint can be used as an identifying biochemical marker for ethanol extract of the roots of A. cadamba. Conclusion: The present study provides the information with respect to identification and authentication of crude drug and serves as a reference point for the proper identification of roots of this medicinal plant, thereby contributing to the scientific world of research

Effect of alcoholic extract of roots of Dichrostachys cinerea Wight & Arn. against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

12-18The alcoholic extract of roots of Dichrostachys cinerea Wight & Arn. (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) was studied for its protective effect against cisplatin-induced renal injury in rats. Cisplatin (6mg/kg, i.p.) significantly elevated serum markers level, increased urinary protein excretion, reduced urine to serum creatinine ratio and creatinine clearance. In curative regimen, the alcoholic extract exhibited dose dependent protection. Animals which received prophylactic treatment also showed partial protection against cisplatin-induced effects. Histopathological studies substantiated the above results. Further, the alcoholic extract showed marked nitric oxide scavenging effect and reducing power suggesting an antioxidant property. A triterpenoid, fatty acid and a steroid were isolated from the n-hexane, ethyl acetate fractions of alcoholic extract. The results suggested that the roots of D. cinerea showed protective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity which may probably be mediated by its antioxidant property

IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT STUDIES OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF LEAVES OF BLUMEA MOLLIS

The antioxidant activity of defatted ethanolic extract of the leaves of Blumea mollis were studied for its free radical scavenging property on different in vitro antioxidant models like DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide radical scavenging activity, reducing power, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity were analyzed. The extract showed free radical scavenging property in dose-dependent manner