ANXIOLYTIC AND ANTICONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF HEART WOOD OF CEDRUS DEODARA ROXB IN RODENTS

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anxiolytic and anti-convulsant activityof the alcoholic extract of heart wood of Cedrus deodara (ALCD). 50,100 and 200 mg/kg ofalcoholic extract of Cedrus deodara (ALCD) were tested for its anxiolytic and anticonvulsantactivity. Elevated plus maze model (EPM), Actophotometre, Light-dark model were used fortesting anxiolytic activity and Pentylene tetrazole (PTZ) induced convulsions and Maximalelectro shock (MES) induced convulsions models in mice were used for the assessment of itsanticonvulsant activity, Pretreatment with ALCD and estimation of GABA in rat brain tissuesalso performed to study the effect of ALCD (30, 100 mg/kg) on GABA levels of brain. InActophotometre test, higher doses (100 and 200mg/kg) of ALCD has showed significant CNSdepression by reducing locomotor activity in mice. In EPM the 100 and 200mg/kg of ALCDhas increased the time spent in the open arm and decreased time spent in the closed arm. InLight-dark model the 100 and 200mg/kg of ALCD has showed significant increase in the timespent in light zone when compare to the dark zone. In PTZ induced convulsions model 100 and200 mg/kg of ALCD has increased the onset of clonus and tonic seizures

Protective effect of lemongrass oil against dexamethasone induced hyperlipidemia in rats: possible role of decreased lecithin cholesterol acetyl transferase activity

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the anti-hyperlipidemic activity of lemongrass oil against in dexamethasone induced hyperlipidemia in rats.MethodsAdministration of dexamethasone was given at 10 mg/kg, sc. to the adult rats for 8 d induces hyperlipidemia characterized by marked increase in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels along with increase in atherogenic index.ResultsLemongrass oil (100 and 200 mg/kg, po.) treatment has showed significant inhibition against dexamethasone hyperlipidemia by maintaining the serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and atherogenic index near to the normal levels and the antihyperlipidemic effect of the lemongross oil was comparable with atorvastatin 10 mg/kg, po. The possible mechanism may be associated with decrease in lecithin cholesterol acetyl transferase (LCAT) activity.ConclusionsThese results suggested that Lemon gross oil possess significant anti-hyperlipidemic activity

Science behind cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in humans: A clinical study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between serum electrolyte changes and cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity. METHODS: We collected data from 18 patients undergoing cisplatin chemotherapy including serum electrolytes, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and urine potassium, sodium and pH levels before and after the cisplatin chemotherapy. All the patients had cancer and were treated with 40-50 mg/day cisplatin. Renal injury was assessed by measuring serum electrolytes, creatinine, BUN levels and urine potassium, sodium and pH levels. RESULTS: The five cycles of cisplatin based chemotherapy resulted in hypomagnesia (P=0.029), hypocalcaemia (P=0.001*), hypophosphatemia (P=0.003*), hypokalemia (P=0.001*) and increased serum creatinine (P=0.001*) and BUN (P=0.292*) levels. In urine analysis, decrease in potassium (P=0.024*) was found, except potassium there was no significant changes in sodium and urine pH. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that, acute nephrotoxicity was observed in patients with different types of cancers undergoing cisplatin based chemotherapy due to electrolyte disturbances, when no corrective measures were initiated

Hepatoprotective activity of Hepax–A polyherbal formulation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of Hepax, a polyherbal formulation, against three experimentally induced hepatotoxicity models in rats. METHODS: Hepatoprotective activity of Hepax was studied against three experimentally induced hepatotoxicity models, namely, carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)), paracetamol and thiocetamide induced hepatotoxicity in rats. RESULTS: Administration of hepatotoxins (CCl(4), paracetamol and thiocetamide) showed significant morphological, biochemical and histological deteriorations in the liver of experimental animals. Pretreatment with Hepax had significant protection against hepatic damage by maintaining the morphological parameters (liver weight and liver weight to organ weight ratio) within normal range and normalizing the elevated levels of biochemical parameters (SGPT, SGOT, ALP and total bilirubin), which were evidently showed in histopathological study. CONCLUSIONS: The Hepax has highly significant hepatoprotective effect at 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o. on the liver of all the three experimental animal models

Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of leaf extracts and fractions of Mangifera indica

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of leaf extracts and fractions of Mangifera indica in in vitro conditions.MethodsIn vitro DPPH radical scavenging activity and lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition assays were used to evaluate the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities respectively. Methanolic extract (MEMI), successive water extract (SWMI) and ethyl acetate fraction (EMEMI), n-butanol fraction (BMEMI) and water soluble fraction (WMEMI) of methanolic extract were evaluated along with respective reference standards.ResultsIn in vitro DPPH radical scavenging activity, the MEMI, EMEMI and BMEMI have offered significant antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 13.37, 3.55 and 14.19 μg/mL respectively. Gallic acid, a reference standard showed significant antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 1.88 and found to be more potent compared to all the extracts and fractions. In in vitro LOX inhibition assay, the MEMI, EMEMI and BMEMI have showed significant inhibition of LOX enzyme activity with IC50 values of 96.71, 63.21 and 107.44 μg/mL respectively. While, reference drug Indomethacin also offered significant inhibition against LOX enzyme activity with IC50 of 57.75. Furthermore, MEMI was found to more potent than SWMI and among the fractions EMEMI was found to possess more potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the MEMI and EMEMI possess potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in in vitro conditions