Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory and Hepatoprotective Potency of a Selected Medicinal Plant

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Screening of some plant extracts against some skin diseases caused by oxidative stress and microorganisms

Eleven plants were selected to evaluate their antioxidant and antimicrobial potentiality against some skin diseases caused by some bacteria and fungi. The dry powder was extracted in methanol by cold percolation method. Free radical scavenging activities like diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anion (O2-) scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical (·OH) scavenging activity, reducing capacity assessment and total phenol content were measured. Antimicrobial activity was done against 8 microorganisms by agar well diffusion method. All the plants exhibited a strong correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenol content. Euphorbia hirta exhibited best antioxidant activity. The plant extracts showed more activity against Gram positive bacteria and fungi. The best antimicrobial activity was shown by Euphorbia tirucalli. The study supports the folkloric use of E. hirta and E. tirucalli against some skin diseases caused by oxidative stress or by microorganisms

Antioxidant and metal chelating activities of Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl peel, pulp and aerial parts in relation to their total phenol and flavonoid content

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity and total phenol and flavonoid content of different parts (peel, pulp and aerial parts) of Lagenaria siceraria. Method: Successive extraction was done by cold percolation method using solvents of different polarity viz. petroleum ether, toluene, ethyl acetate, acetone, water. Total phenol content was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu's reagent method and flavonoid was determined by aluminium chloride colorimetric method. The antioxidant assays evaluated were 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, 2, 2'-Azino-bis-(3-ethyl) benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical cation scavenging activity and Ferric reducing antioxidant power. Results: L. siceraria peel possessed maximum phenol and flavonoid content in acetone and toluene extracts respectively. FRAP was maximum in acetone extract of peel. The peel extract demonstrated stronger DPPH activity with IC 50 value of 111 µg/ml followed by pulp extract. The same extract was effective in scavenging ABTS radical with an IC 50 value of 39 µg/ml while other parts were ineffective. Conclusion: This work demonstrated good antioxidant activity of L. siceraria vegetable cultivated in India and recommends that the peel of this vegetable may be of interest from a functional point of view as a major source of natural antioxidant

Antiurolithiatic activity of trans-cinnamic acid against ethylene glycol induced renal calculi in rats

Urolithiasis is a complex process characterized by supersaturation and retention of salts within the kidney and also a debilitating problem worldwide. Here, we have investigated antiurolithiatic effect of trans-cinnamic acid (t-CA) against ethylene glycol (EG) induced urolithiasis in rats. Urolithiasis was induced in Wistar albino rats using 0.75% v/v EG in drinking water for 28 days. t-CA was administered @200 and 400 mg/kg along with EG for 28 days. Biochemical, urine and histopathological analysis were performed to observe the calcium oxalate (CaC2O4) deposits and renal tissue damage. The EG group showed significant rise in urine oxalate, calcium, phosphate, and renal tissues oxalates, as compared to normal group. Serum creatinine and uric acid levels were also increased significantly in EG-treated group. Histopathological studies showed marked renal tissue damage and the presence of CaC2O4 crystals. Further, treatment of t-CA significantly ameliorated oxalate, calcium, magnesium, phosphate (urine) and creatinine, uric acid (serum) in EG-induced urolithiasis after 28 days. Moreover, t-CA-treated groups showed reversal of renal tissue damage and reduced level of CaC2O4. Interestingly, t-CA @400 mg/kg, was more effective in preventing the urolithiasis and regeneration of renal tissues in rats