Gastroprotective activity of Spirulina platensis in acetic acid and ethanol induced ulcers in rats

Objective: The effects of gastroprotective properties of Spirulina platensis was investigated in acetic acid and ethanol induced ulcers in rats. Methods: Administration of 2 and 4mg/kg Spirulina platensis extract for 7 days. After day 7, oral administration of either 80% (v/v) ethanol or 6% (v/v) acetic acid. Control rats received saline or anti-ulcer drug omeprazole (20 mg/kg) prior to ulcer induction. Results: The extract inhibited the mean lesion score of acetic acid, 4.333 to 3.000. Whereas, for ethanol induced ulcers, the extract reduced the lesion scoring from 2.833 to 1.677. However, this activity was statistically less potent than the anti-ulcer drug, omeprazole. Spirulina platensis alone did not induce any ulcers in rats. Conclusions: These results suggested that Spirulina platensis has gastroprotective activity against ulcers induced by acetic acid and ethanol

Anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic effects of hexane fraction of Ardisia crispa Thunb. D.C

Hexane fraction of Ardisia crispa root (ACHE) was used to investigate its anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities in this study. For anti-inflammatory activity, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) was applied to ear of mice to induce oedema and treated with 0.5,1 and 2mg/ear of ACHE topically. In cotton-pellet granuloma test, treated groups have received 3, 10, 30 and 100mg/kg of hexane extract administered orally for 7 days. For antipyretic activity, brewer's yeast was injected in mice to induce fever and later, ACHE at dose ranging from 10 to 300 mg/kg were administered to the rats orally. The results exhibited that 1 and 2mg/ear of ACHE produced significant suppression by 19.9% and 20.2% respectively. the lowest dose of ACHE showed no significant effect when compared with control. Results showed that ACHE showed significant anti-pyretic effect at all doses (10, 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg). At 30, 100 and 300mg/kg, ACHE even exhibited higher efficacy when compared with 100 mg/kg acetaminophen. ACHE also elicited a significant (P<0.05) inhibition of granuloma tissue and exudate formation. Thus, it can be concluded that Ardisia crispa posseses antiinflammatory and antipyretic effects

Subacute effects of edible film from modified sago starch in rats.

The effects of edible film from modified sago starch were determined on female Sprague-Dawley rats where the aim was to develop a basic guideline for safe use of edible films as food packaging. Rats were fed with 2 g kg-1 (low dose) and 5 g kg-1 (high dose) of body weight edible film for 28 days and the control rats only received normal rat pellet. The study showed that repeated administration of high dose edible film to rats did produce significant change in the liver function (total bilirubin) and renal function parameters (creatinine). Other metabolic parameters tested were: aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase, blood lipid profile; cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride, total protein and glucose concentrations, however, they were not significantly changed with respect to control animals. In conclusion, edible film from modified sago starch at 2 g kg-1 is less likely to develop toxicity as observed in the sub-acute toxicity study

Hepatoprotective Activity of Dried- and Fermented-Processed Virgin Coconut Oil

The present study aims to determine the hepatoprotective effect of MARDI-produced virgin coconut oils, prepared by dried- or fermented-processed methods, using the paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats. Liver injury induced by 3 g/kg paracetamol increased the liver weight per 100 g bodyweight indicating liver damage. Histological observation also confirms liver damage indicated by the presence of inflammations and necrosis on the respective liver section. Interestingly, pretreatment of the rats with 10, but not 1 and 5, mL/kg of both VCOs significantly (P < .05) reduced the liver damage caused by the administration of paracetamol, which is further confirmed by the histological findings. In conclusion, VCO possessed hepatoprotective effect that requires further in-depth study

Diuretic properties of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Orthosiphon stamineus has been used in traditional medicine for centuries especially to treat diseases of the urinary system. Aim of the study: To investigate the diuretic activity, to elucidate its possible mechanism and to evaluate the renal effects of Orthosiphon stamineus extract. Materials and methods: Water extracts were administered orally at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg to Sprague-Dawley rats and the control groups were given commercial diuretic drugs either furosemide or hydrochlorthiazide at 10 mg/kg. Urine volume, urine pH, urine density and urine electrolytes were determined every hour for 4 h. Blood was assayed for glucose, albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. Results: O. stamineus extract exhibited dose-dependent diuretic activity. However, excretion of Na+ and Cl- was not markedly elevated, but urinary excretion of K+ was significantly increased. O. stamineus extracts slightly increased the serum BUN, creatinine and blood glucose level. Although these levels were statistically significant when compared to control, these levels were still within normal range. Conclusions: O. stamineus exhibited diuretic activity, but was less potent than furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide. Care should be taken when consuming this herb as slight increase of kidney function enzymes was recorded

n vivo antiulcer activity of the aqueous extract of Bauhinia purpurea leaf.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Bauhinia purpurea (Fabaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat various ailments, including ulcers. In order to establish pharmacological properties of the leaf of Bauhinia purpurea, studies were performed on antiulcer activity of the plant's aqueous extract. Materials and methods The Bauhinia purpurea aqueous extract (BPAE) was prepared in the doses of 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg. Antiulcer activity of BPAE was evaluated by absolute ethanol- and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer, and pyloric ligation models. Acute toxicity was also carried out. Results BPAE, at the dose of 5000 mg/kg, did not cause any signs of toxicity to rats when given orally. Oral administration of BPAE exhibited antiulcer activity (p < 0.05) in all models used. However, the dose-dependent activity was observed only in the absolute ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model. Histological studies supported the observed antiulcer activity of BPAE. In pyloric ligation assay, BPAE increased the gastric wall mucus secretion. Conclusions The BPAE exhibits antiulcer activity, which could be due to the presence of saponins or sugar-free polyphenols, and, thus, confirmed the traditional uses of Bauhinia purpurea in the treatment of ulcers