Carbon tetrachloride induced kidney and lung tissue damages and antioxidant activities of the aqueous rhizome extract of Podophyllum hexandrum

BACKGROUND: The present study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of aqueous extract of Podophyllum hexandrum. The antioxidant potential of the plant extract under in vitro situations was evaluated by using two separate methods, inhibition of superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide radical. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) is a well known toxicant and exposure to this chemical is known to induce oxidative stress and causes tissue damage by the formation of free radicals. METHODS: 36 albino rats were divided into six groups of 6 animals each, all animals were allowed food and water ad libitum. Group I (control) was given olive oil, while the rest groups were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of CCl(4 )(1 ml/kg) as a 50% (v/v) solution in olive oil. Group II received CCl(4 )only. Group III animals received vitamin E at a concentration of 50 mg/kg body weight and animals of groups IV, V and VI were given extract of Podophyllum hexandrum at concentration dose of 20, 30 and 50 mg/kg body weight. Antioxidant status in both kidney and lung tissues were estimated by determining the activities of antioxidative enzymes, glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD); as well as by determining the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). In addition, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity of the extract was also determined. RESULTS: Results showed that the extract possessed strong superoxide and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity comparable to that of known antioxidant butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT). Our results also showed that CCl(4 )caused a marked increase in TBARS levels whereas GSH, SOD, GR, GPX and GST levels were decreased in kidney and lung tissue homogenates of CCl(4 )treated rats. Aqueous extract of Podophyllum hexandrum successfully prevented the alterations of these effects in the experimental animals. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that the aqueous extract of Podophyllum hexandrum could protect the kidney and lung tissue against CCl(4 )induced oxidative stress probably by increasing antioxidant defense activities

Antioxidant and Protective Effect of Ethyl Acetate Extract of Podophyllum Hexandrum Rhizome on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Rat Liver Injury

The antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of ethyl acetate extract was carefully investigated by the methods of DPPH radical scavenging activity, Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, Superoxide radical scavenging activity, Hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity and its Reducing power ability. All these in vitro antioxidant activities were concentration dependent which were compared with standard antioxidants such as BHT, α-tocopherol. The hepatoprotective potential of Podophyllum hexandrum extract was also evaluated in male Wistar rats against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage. Pre-treated rats were given ethyl acetate extract at 20, 30 and 50 mg/kg dose prior to CCl4 administration (1 ml/kg, 1:1 in olive oil). Rats pre-treated with Podophyllum hexandrum extract remarkably prevented the elevation of serum AST, ALT, LDH and liver lipid peroxides in CCl4-treated rats. Hepatic glutathione levels were significantly increased by the treatment with the extract in all the experimental groups. The extract at the tested doses also restored the levels of liver homogenate enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S- transferase) significantly. This study suggests that ethyl acetate extract of P. hexandrum has a liver protective effect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and possess in vitro antioxidant activities

In Vitro

Arnebia benthamii is a major ingredient of the commercial drug available under the name Gaozaban, which has antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. In the present study, in vitro antioxidant and anticancer activity of different extracts of Arnebia benthamii were investigated. Antioxidant potential of plant extracts was evaluated by means of total phenolics, DPPH, reducing power, microsomal lipid peroxidation, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. The highest phenolic content (TPC) of 780 mg GAE/g was observed in ethyl acetate, while the lowest TPC of 462 mg GAE/g was achieved in aqueous extract. At concentration of 700 µg/mL, DPPH radical scavenging activity was found to be highest in ethyl acetate extract (87.99%) and lowest in aqueous extract (73%). The reducing power of extracts increased in a concentration dependent manner. We also observed its inhibition on Fe2+/ascorbic acid-induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) on rat liver microsomes in vitro. In addition, Arnebia benthamii extracts exhibited antioxidant effects on Calf thymus DNA damage induced by Fenton reaction. Cytotoxicity of the extracts (10–100 µg/mL) was tested on five human cancer cell lines (lung, prostate, leukemia, colon, and pancreatic cell lines) using the Sulphorhodamine B assay

A six-nucleotide deletion polymorphism in the casp8 promoter is associated with reduced risk of esophageal and gastric cancers in Kashmir valley

Background: Caspase-8 (CASP8) is a key regulator of apoptosis or programmed cell death, an essential defense mechanism against hyperproliferation and malignancy. To evaluate the role of CASP8 polymorphisms in esophageal (EC) and gastric cancers (GC) in the Kashmir valley, we examined the risk due to -652 6N ins/del polymorphism (rs3834129) in the promoter of CASP8 in a case-control study. Materials and Methods: Genotypes of the CASP8 polymorphisms (-652 6N ins/del; rs3834129) were determined for 315 patients (135 EC and 108 GC) and 195 healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction. Data was statistically analyzed using Chi-square test and logistic regression model by using the SPSS software. Results: Carriers for the "del" allele of rs3834129 single nucleotide polymorphism were associated with decreased risk for both EC (odds ratio [OR] = 0.278; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.090-0.853; P = 0.025) and GC (OR = 0.397; 95% CI = 0.164-0.962; P = 0.041). Also, in a recessive model, our results showed that CASP8 -652 6N ins/del "del/del" allele was conferring significant low risk for both EC (OR = 0.380; 95% CI = 0.161-0.896; P = 0.027) and GC (OR = 0.293; 95% CI = 0.098-0.879; P = 0.029). However, interaction of CASP8 -652 6N ins/del genotypes with smoking and high consumption of salted tea did not further modulate the risk of EC and GC. Conclusions: Polymorphism in CASP8 -652 6N ins/del polymorphism modulates the risk of EC and GC in Kashmir valley

A six-nucleotide deletion polymorphism in the casp8 promoter is associated with reduced risk of esophageal and gastric cancers in Kashmir valley

Background: Caspase-8 (CASP8) is a key regulator of apoptosis or programmed cell death, an essential defense mechanism against hyperproliferation and malignancy. To evaluate the role of CASP8 polymorphisms in esophageal (EC) and gastric cancers (GC) in the Kashmir valley, we examined the risk due to -652 6N ins/del polymorphism (rs3834129) in the promoter of CASP8 in a case-control study. Materials and Methods: Genotypes of the CASP8 polymorphisms (-652 6N ins/del; rs3834129) were determined for 315 patients (135 EC and 108 GC) and 195 healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction. Data was statistically analyzed using Chi-square test and logistic regression model by using the SPSS software. Results: Carriers for the "del" allele of rs3834129 single nucleotide polymorphism were associated with decreased risk for both EC (odds ratio [OR] = 0.278; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.090-0.853; P = 0.025) and GC (OR = 0.397; 95% CI = 0.164-0.962; P = 0.041). Also, in a recessive model, our results showed that CASP8 -652 6N ins/del "del/del" allele was conferring significant low risk for both EC (OR = 0.380; 95% CI = 0.161-0.896; P = 0.027) and GC (OR = 0.293; 95% CI = 0.098-0.879; P = 0.029). However, interaction of CASP8 -652 6N ins/del genotypes with smoking and high consumption of salted tea did not further modulate the risk of EC and GC. Conclusions: Polymorphism in CASP8 -652 6N ins/del polymorphism modulates the risk of EC and GC in Kashmir valley

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among North Indian adolescents using Adult Treatment Panel III and pediatric International Diabetic Federation definitions

Background and Objective: Childhood obesity is an important risk factor for the development of metabolic syndrome (MS) in children and adolescent. Because of high prevalence of insulin resistance and MS in Indian adult population, studies are needed to identify the prevalence of these metabolic abnormalities in the adolescent population. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of MS using pediatric International Diabetic Federation (IDF) definition and compare it with estimates of Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) definition among adolescents in Northern India. Materials and Methods: At a total of 899 adolescents attending school (aged 10-18 years) participated in this population-based prospective study. All the clinical and biochemical assessment were done after proper consent. The MS was determined by the National Cholesterol Education Program ATP III definition modified for age and pediatric IDF definition. Results: The prevalence of MS was 3.5% according to ATP III criteria and 1.5% based on IDF criteria. No significant gender difference was observed in the distribution of MS. Hypertriglyceridemia was the most common and abdominal obesity the least common constituent of MS. Conclusion: This study provides the first estimates of MS using pediatric IDF definition in the adolescent population from Northern India

Podophyllum hexandrum Rhizome on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Rat Liver Injury

The antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of ethyl acetate extract was carefully investigated by the methods of DPPH radical scavenging activity, Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, superoxide radical scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity, and its reducing power ability. All these in vitro antioxidant activities were concentration dependent, which were compared with standard antioxidants such as BHT, α-tocopherol. The hepatoprotective potential of Podophyllum hexandrum extract was also evaluated in male Wistar rats against carbon tetrachloride-(CCl 4 -) induced liver damage. Pretreated rats were given ethyl acetate extract at 20, 30, and 50 mg/kg dose prior to CCl 4 administration (1 mL/kg, 1:1 in olive oil). Rats pretreated with P. hexandrum extract remarkably prevented the elevation of serum AST, ALT, LDH, and liver lipid peroxides in CCl 4 -treated rats. Hepatic glutathione levels were significantly increased by the treatment with the extract in all the experimental groups. The extract at the tested doses also restored the levels of liver homogenate enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione-S-transferase) significantly. This study suggests that ethyl acetate extract of P. hexandrum has a liver-protective effect against CCl 4 -induced hepatotoxicity and possess in vitro antioxidant activities