Evaluation of Cardioprotective activity of Asparagus racemosus against Doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity in albino rats: an experimental study

Background: Cardiotoxicity is one of the most feared side effects of anticancer agents like Doxorubicin. Asparagus racemosus is a widely used medicinal plant in Indian system of medicine known for its antioxidant activity. In certain studies ethanol extract of Asparagus racemosus has shown to possess cardioprotective activity in experimental animals while in some other studies cardioprotective potential of Asparagus racemosus has not been demonstrated. Therefore, due to the controversial action, the present study was designed to explore the cardioprotective effect of aqueous effect of Asparagus racemosus against doxorubicin induced cardiotoxity.Methods: Following approval from Institutional Animal Ethics Committee of L.L.R.M Medical College registered under CPCSEA, India, this study was conducted in which 30 rats were randomized into five groups of six rats each. Group I received 2 ml/kg b.w. normal saline p.o for 21 days, group II apart from receiving pellet diet and normal saline for 21 days were treated with Doxorubicin in a single dose of 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally on the 21st day, group III and group IV received aqueous extract of Asparagus racemosus in doses of 250 mg/kg/day and 500 mg/kg/day respectively p.o. for 21 days followed by administration of Doxorubicin (20 mg/kg i.p.) on the 21st day, Group V received Carvedilol in doses of  30 mg/kg/day p.o. for 21 days followed by administration of Doxorubicin (20mg/kg i.p) on the 21st day. Then they were anaesthetized and blood sample was collected from abdominal aorta for performing blood test i.e. Creatinine kinase MB fraction (CK-MB), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT). After blood collection the animals were sacrificed and heart was dissected out for histopathological study. The data obtained was organized and analysed by suitable statistical methods i.e. ANOVA followed by Post Hoc test.Results: CK-MB, LDH, SGOT and SGPT levels were found to be significantly raised (p<0.001) in Doxorubicin treated group. Asparagus racemosus pretreated groups exhibited significant limitation (p<0.001) in rise in levels of CK-MB,LDH,SGOT and SGPT levels in a dose dependent manner following Doxorubicin administration which were comparable to the group treated with the standard cardioprotective drug Carvedilol. Histopathological changes further corroborated cardioprotective potential of Asparagus racemosus.Conclusions: The present study concluded that aqueous extract of Asparagus racemosus possess cardioprotective potential against Doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity

Evaluation of nephroprotective activity of Tinospora cordifolia against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats: an experimental study

Background: Gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity is a major contributor to Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) resulting from free radicals induced oxidative stress. Tinospora cordifolia is an Indian medicinal plant, widely used because of its antioxidant activity. Due to limited scientific literature exploring its nephroprotective potential, the present study was designed to investigate the nephroprotective effect of aqueous extract of Tinospora cordifolia against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats.Methods: The study was commenced following approval from Institutional Animal Ethical Committee of L.L.R.M. Medical College, Meerut (UP). Twenty four rats were randomised into four groups of six animals each. Total duration of study was 21 days. Group I received normal saline p.o., group II received normal saline along with gentamicin on last 5 days, group III and IV received Tinospora cordifolia in graded doses p.o. along with gentamicin on last 5 days. Injection gentamicin (40mg/kg) i.p. was given once daily for last 5 days to induce nephrotoxicity in rats of groups II, III and IV. The rats were sacrificed under anaesthesia, blood samples analysed for blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels and histopathological changes were studied. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA followed by post hoc test.Results: Tinospora cordifolia pre-treated groups exhibited significant (p<0.001) limitation in rise in levels of BUN and serum creatinine in a dose dependent manner. Histolopathological observations further corroborated the biochemical findings.Conclusions: The present study concluded that aqueous extract of Tinospora cordifolia possesses nephroprotective potential against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity

Evaluation of cardioprotective effect of Aegle marmelos on doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity: an experimental study

Background: Aegle marmelos (A. marmelos), a medicinal herb, is widely used in the Indian system of medicine for treatment of various ailments. The methanolic extract of A. marmelos leaves had shown antioxidant effect. However, so far aqueous extract of A. marmelos is not scientifically evaluated for its cardio protective potential. Hence the present study was designed to find out cardio protective role of A. marmelos against doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity.Methods: Thirty rats were randomized into five major groups (n=6). Group I received only 2ml/100g/day normal saline p.o., group II received 2ml/100g/day of normal saline p.o. followed by doxorubicin on 21st day, group III received carvedilol 30 mg/kg/day p.o., Group IV received A. marmelos 250mg/kg/day p.o. and Group V received A. marmelos 500mg/kg/day p.o. for 21days. Doxorubicin 20mg/kg i.p. single dose was given to induce cardiotoxicity in rats of group II, III, IV and V respectively on last day of experiment. Animals were sacrificed 48 hours after doxorubicin administration. Cardiac serum markers creatinine phosphokinase MB, lactate dehydrogenase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase were analysed biochemically. Histopathological changes were studied under light microscope.Results: All cardiac serum marker levels were found significantly (p<0.001) increased in doxorubicin group while A. marmelos pre-treated group displayed significant (p<0.001) reduction in rise of these parameters in a dose dependent manner indicating cardio protection. Histological observations further correlated the cardio protective effect of A. marmelos.Conclusions: The present study concluded that aqueous extract of A. marmelos possesses cardio protective potential against doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity

Evaluation of nephroprotective and nephrocurative activity of Solanum nigrum on gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in experimental rats

Background: Aminoglycoside antibiotics are most commonly used drugs for the prevention and treatment of gram negative infections. Nephrotoxicity is the main side effect that restricts its long duration use. Modern medicines to treat nephrotoxicity are costly and also not vary effective. Solanum nigrum fruits, having potent antioxidant property can be used for nephroprotection as well as nephrocure.Methods: The study was carried out in two phases. Nephroprotective phase, 54 rats were randomized in 3 groups named G10, G20 & G30 according to 10, 20 & 30 days of treatment. Each group was randomized in three subgroups i.e. control C group [received normal saline (2 ml/100 gm/day) daily for test duration], GT group [received normal saline (2 ml/100 gm/day) daily for test duration & intra-peritoneal gentamicin (40mg/kg) for last five days] & SNT group [received orally S.nigrum (200 mg/kg/day) daily for the test duration and intra-peritoneal gentamicin (40 mg/kg) for last five days]. Rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the last dose of gentamicin (on 11th, 21st and 31st day). In nephrocurative phase, 72 rats were randomised in two groups of 36 rats each. Group-1 received intra-peritoneal gentamicin (40 mg/dl) for five days. Group-2 received intra-peritoneal gentamicin (40 mg/dl) for five days and then S.nigrum (200 mg/kg/day) orally till the rats are sacrificed. Six rats from each group were sacrificed on 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th and 14th day after administration of last dose of gentamicin. Blood sample were taken for evaluation of BUN and serum creatinine.Results: There was significant decrease in BUN and serum creatinine values as compared to GT group in all test duration in phase-1. In phase two there was no significant difference of these markers in two groups.Conclusions: S.nigrum fruits extract provide nephroprotection against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity

An experimental study to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of moringa oleifera leaves in animal models

Background: Inflammatory diseases are a major cause of morbidity and disability of work force throughout the world. The treatment of inflammation with standard steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs shares the risk of toxicity on various organ systems. Moringa oleifera, an herbal plant has been claimed to be effective in the treatment of various types of inflammatory conditions. However, there is lack of scientific studies to ratify these claims. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to explore the anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous extract of leaves of Moringa oleifera (AEMO) in experimentally induced inflammation in albino rats.Methods: The study was commenced after obtaining approval from Institutional Animal Ethical Committee using AEMO leaves in Albino wistar rats (150-200 gm) of either sex. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan induced paw edema model, cotton pellet induced granuloma method and formaldehyde induced paw edema method. For each set of experiment, animals were divided in three groups of six animals each. In each experiment, 1st group was given normal saline (5 ml/kg/day), 2nd group was given standard anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg/day) and 3rd group was given Moringa oleifera (200 mg/kg/day).Results: Aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves at dose of 200 mg/kg, p.o. exhibited the significant anti-inflammatory effect in all the models used in this study.Conclusions: It can be concluded from our study that aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves possess anti-inflammatory activity

Evaluation of nephroprotective and nephrocurative activity of Aegle marmelos on albino rats using experimental model

Background: Renal diseases are common now days because of multiple nephrotoxic drugs use like aminoglycosides, analgesic etc. Many diseases like Diabetes and Hypertension also contributing to renal diseases. One of the mechanisms for nephrotoxicity is production of free radicals. The phytochemicals obtained from some plants are claimed to be useful in prevention of nephrotoxicity. One of the good sources of these phytochemicals is leaves of Aegle marmelos (Bael) which has antioxidant property that can be useful in nephroprotection. Hence this study was designed to investigate the nephroprotective as well as nephrocurative potential of Aegle marmelos.Methods: Study was done on albino rats at LLRM Medical College as per CPCSEA guidelines after obtaining permission from IAEC. Nephrotoxicity was induced using injection gentamicin(40mg/kg). The nephroprotective and nephrocurative effect was quantified using serum markers (BUN, Serum creatinine) and histopathological changes. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA followed by post hoc dunnet’s test.Results: When compared with gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity, rats those who received aqueous extract of Aegle marmelos leaves showed significant (p<.001) reduction in nephrotoxicity.Conclusions: It can be concluded from this study that leaves of Aegle marmelos possess siginificant nephroprotective activity.

Cardioprotective effect of Solanum nigrum against doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity-an experimental study

Background: Solanum nigrum (S.nigrum) a medicinal herb is widely used in the Indian system of medicine for treatment of various ailments. The methanolic extract of S.nigrum berries had shown cardio protective and antioxidant effect. However, so far aqueous extract of S.nigrum is not scientifically evaluated for its cardio protective potential. Hence the present study was designed to find out cardio protective role of S.nigrum against doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity.Methods: Seventy two rats were randomized into four major groups (n=6). group I received 2 ml/100 g/day normal saline p.o daily, group II received 2 ml/100 g/day of normal saline p.o daily, group III received carvedilol 30 mg/kg/day p.o daily and group IV received S.nigrum 1 g/kg/day p.o daily for test durations of 20, 30 and 40 days respectively. Doxorubicin 20 mg/kg i.p single dose was given to induce cardiotoxicity in rats of group II, III and IV respectively on last day of each experiment. Animals were sacrificed 48 hours after doxorubicin administration. Cardiac serum markers creatinine phosphokinase MB, lactate dehydrogenase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase were analysed biochemically. Histopathological changes were studied under light microscope.Results: All cardiac serum marker levels were found significantly (p<0.001) increased in doxorubicin group while S.nigrum pretreated group displayed significant (p<0.001) reduction in rise of these parameters in a time dependent manner indicating cardio protection. Histological observations further correlated the cardio protective effect of S.nigrum.Conclusions: The present study concluded that aqueous extract of S.nigrum possess cardio protective potential against doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity

Genome-Wide Discovery and Deployment of Insertions and Deletions Markers Provided Greater Insights on Species, Genomes, and Sections Relationships in the Genus Arachis

Small insertions and deletions (InDels) are the second most prevalent and the most abundant structural variations in plant genomes. In order to deploy these genetic variations for genetic analysis in genus Arachis, we conducted comparative analysis of the draft genome assemblies of both the diploid progenitor species of cultivated tetraploid groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) i.e., Arachis duranensis (A subgenome) and Arachis ipaënsis (B subgenome) and identified 515,223 InDels. These InDels include 269,973 insertions identified in A. ipaënsis against A. duranensis while 245,250 deletions in A. duranensis against A. ipaënsis. The majority of the InDels were of single bp (43.7%) and 2–10 bp (39.9%) while the remaining were >10 bp (16.4%). Phylogenetic analysis using genotyping data for 86 (40.19%) polymorphic markers grouped 96 diverse Arachis accessions into eight clusters mostly by the affinity of their genome. This study also provided evidence for the existence of “K” genome, although distinct from both the “A” and “B” genomes, but more similar to “B” genome. The complete homology between A. monticola and A. hypogaea tetraploid taxa showed a very similar genome composition. The above analysis has provided greater insights into the phylogenetic relationship among accessions, genomes, sub species and sections. These InDel markers are very useful resource for groundnut research community for genetic analysis and breeding applications

Molecular Mapping of Oil Content and Fatty Acids Using Dense Genetic Maps in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Enhancing seed oil content with desirable fatty acid composition is one of the most important objectives of groundnut breeding programs globally. Genomics-assisted breeding facilitates combining multiple traits faster, however, requires linked markers. In this context, we have developed two different F2 mapping populations, one for oil content (OC-population, ICGV 07368 × ICGV 06420) and another for fatty acid composition (FA-population, ICGV 06420 × SunOleic 95R). These two populations were phenotyped for respective traits and genotyped using Diversity Array Technology (DArT) and DArTseq genotyping platforms. Two genetic maps were developed with 854 (OC-population) and 1,435 (FA-population) marker loci with total map distance of 3,526 and 1,869 cM, respectively. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis using genotyping and phenotyping data identified eight QTLs for oil content including two major QTLs, qOc-A10 and qOc-A02, with 22.11 and 10.37% phenotypic variance explained (PVE), respectively. For seven different fatty acids, a total of 21 QTLs with 7.6–78.6% PVE were identified and 20 of these QTLs were of major effect. Two mutant alleles, ahFAD2B and ahFAD2A, also had 18.44 and 10.78% PVE for palmitic acid, in addition to oleic (33.8 and 17.4% PVE) and linoleic (41.0 and 19.5% PVE) acids. Furthermore, four QTL clusters harboring more than three QTLs for fatty acids were identified on the three LGs. The QTLs identified in this study could be further dissected for candidate gene discovery and development of diagnostic markers for breeding improved groundnut varieties with high oil content and desirable oil quality