Evaluation of anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of methanol extract of Mazus pumilus (Burm. f.) Steenis (Mazaceae) herb

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities of the methanol extract of Mazus pumilus (Mazaceae) herb. Methods: Anti-nociceptive activity was determined using hot plate, tail flick and acetic acid-induced writing methods. Carrageenan-induced rat paw edema (0.1 mL of 1 %) model was used for the assessment of anti-inflammatory activity. The methanol extract was administered orally at three different doses (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) to three separate groups in all the experiments. Diclofenac sodium (50 mg/kg) was used as standard drug while control group received DMSO (1 %, 10 mL/kg). The hepatocurative effect of methanol extract of M. pumilus (400 mg/kg) was determined in isoniazid (50 mg/kg) and rifampicin (100 mg/kg) induced liver injury. Silymarin (100 mg/kg) was used as standard drug for comparison. The control group received distilled water (10 mL/kg). Preliminary phytochemical screening was also carried out. Results: The methanol extract of M. pumilus significantly (p < 0.05) augmented latency time and reduced the number of writhes in the pain models at all doses used for the assessment of antinociceptive actions. The anti-inflammatory activity of different doses of extract was evaluated by measuring the reduction in the size of the paw. A significant (p < 0.05) hepatocurative effect was observed when administered after anti-tuberculosis drugs. Histopathological analysis of the liver tissues also revealed restored hepatocellular architecture. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of the methanol extract of M. pumilus, thus substantiating the ethnomedical claims associated with the herb

<em>Mazus pumilus</em> (Burm. f.) Steenis; Pharmacognosy

106 - 112Mazus pumilus (Burm. f.) Steenis, is a well-known traditional medicinal plant belonging to family Mazaceae. The research work is about the pharmacognostic standardization of M. pumilus which includes; macroscopic features and microscopic evaluation of leaf, stem and roots. TS of leaf, stem and root showed the arrangement of the different cells. Histochemistry of TS of leaf, stem and root gave distinctive results with conc. HCl, phloroglucinol, ferric chloride, iodine solution and Sudan III which indicated the presence of Ca+2 oxalate crystals, lignin, tannins, starch and oil cells, respectively. Powder study of leaf depicted the presence of fibres, epidermal cells, resinous matter and vessels. The powdered study of stem showed collenchyma, vessels, fibers, cortex cells with tracheids, and helical vessels. While, root powder contained pithed vessels, cork cells, parenchyma and phelloderm. The quantitative analysis of TS of leaf was also performed for the establishment of leaf constants. In fluorescence analysis of herb, different colors were observed under ordinary light, short and high wavelength UV light. Phytochemical analysis of the methanolic extract of whole herb confirmed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, triterpenoids, carbohydrates, proteins and tannins. All these results will help in identification, confirmation and quality characterization besides, laying down the pharmacopoeial standards for M. pumilus

Amelioration of isoniazid and rifampicin-induced liver toxicity by Amaranthus graecizans subsp. silvestris in rat

Amaranthus graecizans subsp. silvestris, a folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation, was used to evaluate its hepatoprotective potential against rifampicin and isoniazid-induced liver damage. Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: Group I served as control (distilled water treated), Group II served as hepatotoxic group (isoniazid 50 mg/kg and rifampicin 100 mg/kg, treated), Group III served as positive control (silymarin 100 mg/kg, treated) while Group IV served as A. graecizans subsp. silvestris extract (400 mg/kg) treated group. The results suggest that the liver markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin) were significantly increased in the animals of Group II. The methanolic extract showed a significant decrease in the raised liver enzymes of Group IV and encountered the liver damage caused by isoniazid and rifampicin. Histopathological examination of liver also revealed the improved architecture in the extract-treated group. Thus, the methanolic extract has potential liver protective action due to its phytochemicals. Video Clip of Methodology: 8 min 24 sec:   Full Screen   Alternat

A PHASE II STUDY OF GEMCITABINE CONCURRENT WITH RADIATION IN LOCALLY ADVANCED SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF HEAD AND NECK: A TRIAL OF THE CANCER RESEARCH GROUP PAKISTAN

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of weekly gemcitabine as a radiosensitizer concurrent with radical radiotherapy in locally advanced carcinoma of head and neck. Patients and Methods: From August 2001 to January 2002, thirty-nine patients with stage III or IV B inoperable carcinoma of head and neck were enrolled. Patients with histopathologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma with at least one bidimensionally measurable lesion, no prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and a KPS of 60 or above were included. Patients with nasopharyngeal, glottic or sub-glottic cancer were excluded. Gemcitabine 150mg/m 2 or a total dose not exceeding 200 mg was given on day 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and 36 during radiation treatment. Radiation was delivered with conventional fractionation to a total dose of 66-70Gy. Miller&apos;s criteria was used for response evaluation. RTOG/EORTC acute radiation (and chemotherapy) morbidity scoring system and WHO grading of acute and sub acute toxicity criteria were used for documentation of toxicity. Results: All 39 patients were evaluable for toxicity but only 35 patients were evaluable for response. An overall response rate of 94.3% ( 95% CI; 80.8-99.3) was seen with a partial response rate of 71.4% and complete response rate of 22.9 % (95 %CI; 10.4-40.1). Grade 3 mucositis was seen in 28 patients (71.8%). Grade 4 mucositis was seen in 2 patients (5.1 %). Pharyngeal toxicity was the second-most common toxicity. Grade 2 toxicity was seen in 12 patients (30.8%) and grade 3 in 6 patients (15.4%). Despite vigorous symptomatic and supportive care acute toxicities led to treatment interruption in 40% of patients. Conclusion: A high overall response rate and a high rate of acute toxicity are seen at a weekly gemcitabine dose of 150mg/m 2 concurrent with radiation. This shows that gemcitabine is a potent radiosensitizer with a marked tumor and normal tissue radio sensitization

Acute and sub-acute toxicity study of a Pakistani polyherbal formulation

Abstract Background Herbology is the prevailing system among the nationally-accepted alternative or complementary systems of medicine. The system is due to its general and patient-oriented methodology, is widely used in the general population exposing them to the risk of the side effects of the herbal medicines. Method The aim of study was to assess the acute and sub-acute toxicity of the polyherbal formulation Hab-e-Kabad Noshadri tablets. In the acute arm of the study, a single dose of 2000 mg/kg was administered to Swiss Albino mice which were observed for physical symptoms and behavioral changes for 72 h. In sub-acute toxicity study repeated doses of the polyherbal preparation was administered to Wistar rats of both genders, separately. The animals received three doses of polyherbal product (50 mg/kg/day, 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day) for a period of 28 days. On 28th day of experiment, blood sampling of animals was done for hematological and biochemical analysis i.e. liver and renal function parameters, lipid profile and then sacrificed for histopathological examination of liver and kidney. Result There was no morbidity and mortality noticed with single dose administration in acute toxicity study in mice. In sub-acute toxicity study, morphological changes with some damage in liver and kidney tissues of male and female animals were recorded at dose of 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day. Conclusions It was found that prolonged use at higher dose i.e. 200 mg/kg/day of this polyherbal formulation should be avoided and practitioners should cautiously prescribe this formulation in patients with hepatic and renal impairment