Possible anorectic effect of methanol extract of Benincasa hispida (Thunb). Cogn, fruit

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anorectic effect of the methanol extract of Benincasa hispida (MEBH) in Swiss albino mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fasted mice were administered with various doses of MEBH (0.2-1 g/kg, i.p.), and the food intake was measured hourly for a period of 7 h. In another experiment, the percentage of gastric emptying at 4th h was determined after the administration of MEBH (0.2-1 g/kg, i.p.) in different set of mice which had free access to preweighed food for either 1, 2 or 4 h. RESULTS: MEBH significantly reduced the cumulative food intake over a 7 h period in a dose-dependent manner. The percentage reduction of cumulative food intake at 7th h for MEBH with 0.2, 0.6 and 1 g/kg was 27%, 38% and 54% respectively. The 4 h gastric emptying was not significantly influenced by MEBH when compared to control. CONCLUSION: The present study reveals for the first time a possible anorectic activity of Benincasa hispida, most probably mediated through the CNS without affecting the gastric emptying. However, further studies are required to find its potential as an antiobesity agent

IN VITRO ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTI-ARTHRITIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF LEAVES OF PYRENACANTHA VOLUBILIS (EEPV)

Objectives: The study was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of the ethanolic extract of leaves of Pyrenacantha volubilis (EEPV) using human red blood cells (HRBCs) membrane stabilization and protein denaturation methods. Methods: In the present study, the in vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of EEPV was carried out using HRBC membrane stabilization by hypotonicity-induced hemolysis and protein denaturation using egg albumin methods at various concentrations (100, 200, 400, 800, and 1000) of EEPV. Diclofenac sodium was used as reference standard. Results: P. volubilis was effective in inhibiting HRBC membrane stabilization and protein denaturation in a dose-dependent manner and was comparable to the standard drug diclofenac sodium. Conclusion: The study suggests that P. volubilis has potential anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity