THE HEPATOPROTECTIVE AND ANTIFIBROTIC POTENTIAL OF ROOT EXTRACT OF ALOCASIA INDICA LINN. AGAINST CCL4 INDUCED HEPATIC INJURY AND FIBROSIS IN WISTAR RATS.

The hepatoprotective activity of hydro-alcohol extract of roots of Alocasia indica Linn. (AI-E) was evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic damage in rats. The AI-E at dose of 400 mg/kg is administered orally once daily for fourteen days. The substantially elevated serum enzymatic levels of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (AST), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total lipoprotein (TP), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), albumin (ALB), hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), hyaluronic acid (HA)  and liver index were restored towards normalization significantly by the AI-E at dose of 400 mg/kg. AI-E 400mg/kg dose exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections. The results of this study strongly indicate that roots of Alocasia indica have potent hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic damage in experimental animals. This study suggests that possible mechanism of this activity may be due to the presence of flavonoids and phenolics compound in the AI-E which may be responsible to hepatoprotective activity

Pharmacological effects of aqueous–ethanolic extract of Hibiscus rosasinensis on volume and acidity of stimulated gastric secretion

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of extract of Hibiscus rosasinensis (H. rosasinensis) on the volume, free and total acidity of gastric secretion induced by carbachol.MethodsAnimals were kept on fasting for 48 h, then the pylorus of each animal was ligated. They were randomly divided into 5 groups and treated by carbachol at 600 μg/kg. Then animals in group II – V were treated by H. rosasinensis extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, cimetidine at 2.5 mg/kg and verapamil at 10 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally, respectively. The volume, free and total acidity of gastric secretion were observed and compared.ResultsIt was found that the extract significantly reduced the volume, free and total acidity of gastric secretion (P<0.01). These reductions were comparable to cimetidine and verapamil. And the reduction in the volume and free acidity were more significant in cimetidine and verapamil treated group indicating that cimetidine and verapamil were more effective.ConclusionsThe extract of H. rosasinensis can reduced the volume, free and total acidity of gastric secretion, and can be used effectively in the treatment of peptic ulcer

ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME INHIBITION ACTIVITY OF DAIDZEIN

Daidzein produces antihypertensive and beneficial cardiovascular effects, although the mechanisms for these effects are not known. We examined whether genistein inhibits the in vivo responses to angiotensin I or enhances the responses to bradykinin in anaesthetized rats as a result of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition. We have also studied the in vitro effects produced by genistein on the angiotensin-converting enzyme activity. We measured the changes in systemic arterial pressure induced by angiotensin I in doses of 0.05 to 10 µg/kg, by angiotensin II in doses of 0.025 to 5 µg/kg, and to bradykinin in doses of 0.03 to 10 µg/kg in anaesthetized rats pretreated with vehicle (controls), or a single i.v. dose of daidzein 25 mg/kg, or a single i.v. dose of enalapril 2 mg/kg. Plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme activity was determined in controls and daidzein-treated rats using a fluorometric method. The effects of genistein (3–300 µmol/l) on in vitro angiotensin-converting enzyme activity were assessed by adding daidzein to plasma samples and measuring angiotensin-converting enzyme activity. We found significant lower angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in plasma samples from rats pretreated with daidzein compared with those found in the control group (84.23±7.4 his-leu nmol/min/ml and 100.45±9.2 his-leu nmol/min/ml, respectively; P = 0.01). The incubation of daidzein with plasma samples showed that daidzein decreased the angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in plasma in a concentration-dependent manner (P=0.01). These findings indicate that daidzein inhibits the angiotensin-converting enzyme in vivo and in vitro and may explain, at least in part, the antihypertensive and beneficial vascular effects produced by daidzein.Keyword: Angiotensin, Daidzein, Bradykinin, Arterial pressure.Â

Investigation of Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract on Diabetic Complications in Rats with Alloxan-Induced Diabetes

Background and Introduction: The prevalence of hyperglycemic diseases known collectively as diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the current century. Diabetics are particularly vulnerable to infections, which can have devastating health consequences. The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of an aqueous extract of Cyperus rotundus roots on diabetic complications in rats with diabetes caused by Alloxan. Martial and Methods: Specifically: Alloxan monohydrate, Borosilicate, and a diagnostic kit. Specifically: a diagnostic kit, a phrase, or a paraphrase. Centrifuge Micropippet, Glucose check monitoring device, electronic digital scales, EDDY's Hot plate analgesometer MK-11, and the Biofuse pico. All chemicals employed were of the AR grade variety, including the alloxan monohydrate, metformin, chloroform, diethyl ether, and ethyl ether.Results: No deaths or toxicity symptoms were observed in the AECR acute toxicity test in mice, indicating that the extract was well tolerated and the test doses were safe in the animals. The effect of AECR on fasting blood glucose level in alloxan-induced diabetic rats was measured using an auto analyzer glucose kit to determine the compound's antidiabetic activity. The plasma or blood glucose level is measured after an individual has fasted as part of a carbohydrate metabolic test. The hormone glucagon is secreted into the bloodstream during fasting to facilitate the catabolic release of glucose. Conclusion: The results show that in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, the oral administration of an aqueous extract of Cyperus rotundus exhibited neuroprotective, nephroprotective, and hepatoprotective activities by increasing insulin production and decreasing glucogan production and an SGOT snd SGPT level

Non-malignant Oral Ulcer: A Diagnostic Challenge to Otorhinolaryngologists

Introduction Apart from the malignant ulcers a wide variety of dermatological and other systemic conditions can affect oral cavity and often be a diagnostic challenge due to their similar presenting features and appearance. Despite being benign, some of them may be fatal if not diagnosed and treated timely. This study aims to assess the incidence of different non malignant ulcers in oral cavity and to estimate the need for histopathological examination for confirmation of the condition for proper management. Materials and Methods  An institution based observational study was conducted over a time period of 16 months at a tertiary care institute. Total 172 cases were included in the present study irrespective of age, sex and duration. Malignant lesions were excluded from the study. Results The present study shows a slight male preponderance (M:F = 1.48:1) with majority of cases were in age group 20-40 years of age (43.02%). Most commonly encountered were recurrent aphthous stomatitis (27.9%) followed by erosive lichen planus (16.28%), oral candidiasis, angular stomatitis, traumatic ulcers and others. 78.5% were treated successfully on the basis of clinical diagnosis while 21.5% cases needed further histopathological or other investigation for confirmation of diagnosis. Conclusion Though the otolaryngologists are more concerned about malignant ulcer, there are many non malignant ulcers which can cause significant morbidity and can even be fatal and should be given similar importance like malignant lesions. Majority of them can be treated successfully on the basis of clinical diagnosis but histopathological examination may be required in some cases for proper diagnosis and appropriate management

Large Neurilemmoma of Buccal Mucosa in a Child – A Rare Entity

Abstract: Introduction: Neurilemmoma or Schwannomas are benign tumour arising from the nerve sheath of myelinated nerve. Head neck neurilemmomas are not uncommon but intraoral region is very uncommon for this type of tumour. Case Report: A very rare case of buccal neurilemmoma in an eleven year old child, but much larger than other reported case is reported in the present article with review of literature. Discussion: Among the intraoral subsites, very few cases of neurilemmoma are reported to be situated in the buccal mucosa. Diagnostic dilemmas due to Fine needle aspiration cytology with features often resembling that of pleomorphic salivary adenomas are reported. The size of the tumour was larger than the cases reported in literature till date. The age of the patient was also much younger than the other reported cases, which made the present case unique

Role of the Rosa canina L. leaf extract as an antidiarrheal drug in rodents

Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of the leaf extract of Rosa canina L. against experimental diarrhea induced by castor oil in rodents. Materials and Methods: The methanol extract of Rosa canina L. (30 and 60 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally to two groups of mice (five animals per group) in order to evaluate the activity of the extract against the castor oil-induced diarrhea model in mice. Two other groups received normal saline and diphenoxylate (5 mg/kg) as positive control. The effect of the extract on intestinal transit and castor oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling) was assessed. The effects of the extract on the isolated rabbit jejunum and on the isolated rat ileum were studied. Results: The preliminary phytochemical screening of the leaf extract of Rosa Canina L. revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, and volatile oil. Intraperitoneal LD50 of the extract was found to be 455.19 ± 23 mg/kg in mice. The antidiarrheal effect of the methanolic extract exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibition of the spontaneous pendular movement of the isolated rabbit jejunum and inhibited acetylcholine-induced contraction of the rat ileum. A dose-dependent decrease in gastrointestinal transit was observed with extracts (30 and 60 mg/kg), which also protected mice against castor oil-induced diarrhea and castor oil-induced fluid accumulation, respectively. Conclusions: The presence of some of the phytochemicals in the leaf extract may be responsible for the observed effects, and also the basis for its use in traditional medicine as an antidiarrheal drug