NEPHROPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS AGAINST CISPLATIN-INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY AND RENAL DYSFUNCTION IN EXPERIMENTAL RATS

Objective: The current study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of standardized hydroalcoholic extract of Asparagus racemosus (AR) against cisplatin (CP)-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats.Methods: AR extract was administered orally at three dose levels (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). Vitamin E (250 mg/kg) was used as a standard nephroprotective agent. The kidney function test (estimation of serum creatinine, albumin, and blood urea nitrogen [BUN]), oxidative stress study (estimation of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde [MDA] activity), and histological examination of kidneys were conducted.Results: The efficacy of AR was compared with CP-treated group. Serum creatinine and BUN were significantly (p<0.001) elevated in CP-treated group compared to control group. Hydroalcoholic extract of AR (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) and Vitamin E (250 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.001) decreased the serum creatinine and BUN levels. CP exhibited significant (p<0.001) decrease in albumin when compared to control. Significant (p<0.001) increase in the serum albumin level was found in extract-treated group compared to CP group. Significant (p<0.001) decrease in activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was observed in the CP group as compared to control. AR (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.01) increased SOD levels. AR (400 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.001) increased SOD levels. AR (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.001) decreased MDA levels as compared to CP group. Histopathological examination of the kidneys showed that AR markedly ameliorated CP-induced renal tubular necrosis. Extract was found effective at all doses, although high dose (400 mg/kg) was found to be more effective and comparable with standard group (Vitamin E 250 mg/kg).Conclusion: The present investigation revealed that AR resulted in dose-dependent attenuation of CP-induced renal damage in rats

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

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Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Argyreia speciosa root

Objective: To study analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of a methanolic extract (ME) of Argyreia speciosa (AS) root powder. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out using male albino mice (20-25 gm) and male wistar rats (100-150gm). The ME was prepared using soxhlet extraction process. The effect of ME of A. speciosa was investigated for analgesic activity using acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction, tail immersion method and hot plate method. The anti-inflammatory activity of ME of AS roots was studied using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. Result: The ME of A. speciosa root was used in pain and inflammation models. The analgesic activity of AS at the dose of (30,100, and 300 mg/kg p.o) showed significant (P< 0.01) decrease in acetic acid-induced writhing, whereas ME of A. speciosa at the dose of (100, 300 mg/kg p.o) showed significant (P< 0.01) increase in latency to tail flick in tail immersion method and elevated mean basal reaction time in hot plate method. The ME of the A. speciosa at doses (30, 100, and 300mg/kg) showed significant (P < 0.01) inhibition of carrageenan induced hind paw edema in rats. Conclusion: The ME of A. speciosa showed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity in mice and rat