Antidiabetic, hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activity of Dodonaea viscosa aerial parts in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

We evaluated the antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of Dodonaea viscosa in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The water extract (DVW) and polar fraction of ethanol extract (DVE-4) in a single-dose one-day study showed dose-dependent reduction in glucose levels with maximum effect of 42.16% and 72.9% respectively at 6 h post drug treatment (p<0.001). DVE-4 was more active than DVW and glibenclamide. In a multi-dose fifteen-day study, lower doses of DVW (400 mg/kg) and DVE-4 (200 mg/kg) exhibited higher percentage reduction in glucose levels compared to glibenclamide treated group. Altered levels of lipids, TBARS, non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants were restored by DVW (400 mg/kg) and DVE-4 (200 mg/kg) in diabetic rats. In vitro steady state and time resolved studies reveled that DVW and DVE-4 showed comparable antioxidant ability in steady state and kinetic studies suggesting its possible role in observed antidiabetic and hypolipidaemic activities.Keywords: Antidiabetic, Antioxidant enzymes, Dodonaea viscosa, Free radical scavenger, Hypolipidaemic, Streptozotoci

Ficus racemosa Stem Bark Extract: A Potent Antioxidant and a Probable Natural Radioprotector

Ethanol extract (FRE) and water extract (FRW) of Ficus racemosa (family: Moraceae) were subjected to free radical scavenging both by steady state and time resolved methods such as nanosecond pulse radiolysis and stopped-flow spectrophotometric analyses. FRE exhibited significantly higher steady state antioxidant activity than FRW. FRE exhibited concentration dependent DPPH, ABTS•−, hydroxyl radical and superoxide radical scavenging and inhibition of lipid peroxidation with IC50 comparable with tested standard compounds. In vitro radioprotective potential of FRE was studied using micronucleus assay in irradiated Chinese hamster lung fibroblast cells (V79). Pretreatment with different doses of FRE 1h prior to 2 Gy γ-radiation resulted in a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in the percentage of micronucleated binuclear V79 cells. Maximum radioprotection was observed at 20 μg/ml of FRE. The radioprotection was found to be significant (P < 0.01) when cells were treated with optimum dose of FRE (20 μg/ml) 1 h prior to 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 Gy γ-irradiation compared to the respective radiation controls. The cytokinesis-block proliferative index indicated that FRE does not alter radiation induced cell cycle delay. Based on all these results we conclude that the ethanol extract of F. racemosa acts as a potent antioxidant and a probable radioprotector

Preliminary phytochemical screening and In vitro antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract of Helichrysum longifolium DC

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many oxidative stress related diseases are as a result of accumulation of free radicals in the body. A lot of researches are going on worldwide directed towards finding natural antioxidants of plants origins. The aims of this study were to evaluate <it>in vitro </it>antioxidant activities and to screen for phytochemical constituents of <it>Helichrysum longifolium </it>DC. [Family Asteraceae] aqueous crude extract.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We assessed the antioxidant potential and phytochemical constituents of crude aqueous extract of <it>Helichrysum longifolium </it>using tests involving inhibition of superoxide anions, DPPH, H₂O₂, NO and ABTS. The flavonoid, proanthocyanidin and phenolic contents of the extract were also determined using standard phytochemical reaction methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, steroids and saponins. The total phenolic content of the aqueous leaf extract was 0.499 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of extract powder. The total flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents of the plant were 0.705 and 0.005 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of extract powder respectively. The percentage inhibition of lipid peroxide at the initial stage of oxidation showed antioxidant activity of 87% compared to those of BHT (84.6%) and gallic acid (96%). Also, the percentage inhibition of malondialdehyde by the extract showed percentage inhibition of 78% comparable to those of BHT (72.24%) and Gallic (94.82%).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our findings provide evidence that the crude aqueous extract of <it>H. longifolium </it>is a potential source of natural antioxidants, and this justified its uses in folkloric medicines.</p

Spider web ointment: A traditional based approach in Cutaneous wound healing

657-663Spider web is being used in India and other countries to promote wound healing. Its ointment at 2.5 and 5% w/w concentrations was tested for wound healing activity in excision and incision wound models in rats. A significant reduction in the area of excision wound was observed for both the treatments when compared to normal healing and control ointment treatments. The period of epithelization for spider web treatments was much lower than the standard povidone iodine ointment and significant when compared to normal and control ointment treatments. In the linear incision wound model, spider web ointment at 2.5% w/w showed 30.65% increase in the tensile strength compared to normal healing. The histological evaluation revealed that the spider web ointment lowers scores in terms of scab, ulcus, polymorphonuclear cells and high scores of re-epithelization and neovascularization when compared to normal healing group. Both the concentration of spider web ointment (2.5% and 5% w/w) exhibited similar wound healing activity. Therefore, the optimum effective dose of spider web ointment is 2.5% w/w concentration. The wound healing activity may be due to increase in collagen synthesis and probably due to the presence of proteins in the web. The present study provides a scientific base for the traditional use of spider web for wound healing