Immunomodulatory activity of Bauhinia Racemosa Lam.

Objetivo: Evaluar la actividad del extracto metanólico de la corteza del tallo de la Bauhinia Racemosa Lam en ratones albinos suizos.Material y métodos: La inmunidad humoral específica fue evaluada mediante el ensayo de hemaglutinación de antincuerpos ( H.A. Titer) y la inmunidad no específica fue evaluada mediante el test de aclaramiento de carbono y el test de adhesión de neutrofilos.Resultados: se encontró que el extracto del tallo de Bauhinia racemosa (MEBR) era efectivo para el incremento del H.A Titer. La respuesta primaria y secundaria no mostró un ascenso significativo en el H.A Titer en el grupo con estado inmune normal al compararlo con el grupo control. Sin embargo, en el grupo de inmunodeprimidos donde la inmunidad estaba suprimida mediante ciclofosfamida se observó un aumento significativo en el H.A Titer (p<0.01) a dosis de 200mg/kg cuando se comparaba con la ciclofosfamida. El extracto del tallo de Bauhinia racemosa mostró un aumento significativo (p<0,05) en la actividad fagocítica a dosis de 200mg/kg (p.o) en el test de aclaramiento de carbón. En el test de adhesión de neutrófilos el extracto del tallo de Bauhinia racemosa mostró un aumento significativo (p<0,01) del porcentaje de adhesión de neutrófilos a dosis de 200mg/kg (p.o)Conclusión: El presente estudio sostiene al MEBR como un prometedor agente inmunomodulador.Aim: To evaluate immunomodulatory activity of methanolic extract of stem bark of Bauhinia racemosa Lam swiss albino mice.Material and Methods: The specific humoral immunity was assessed by performing hemagglutinating antibody titer (H.A.Titer) and the non-specific immunity was assessed by performing carbon clearance test and neutrophil adhesion test.Results: The methanolic extract of stem bark of Bauhinia Racemosa (MEBR) was found effective in increasing the H.A.Titer. Primary and secondary antibody response showed no significant rise in H.A.Titer in normal immune status group when compared with control group, whereas in immunosupressed group, where immunity was suppressed by cyclophosphamide, significant rise in H.A.Titer (p<0.01) was observed at dose of 200 mg/kg (p.o.) when compared with cyclophosphamide. MEBR showed significant increase (p<0.05) in phagocytic activity at dose of 200 mg/kg (p.o.) in carbon clearance test. In neutrophil adhesion test MEBR showed significant (p<0.01) rise in percentage neutrophil adhesion at dose of 200 mg/kg (p.o.).Conclusion: Present study, therefore, reveals that MEBR) holds promise as immunomodulatory agent

Antidiabetic and nephroprotective effect of tectona grandis linn. In alloxan induced diabetes

In the present study, effect of ethanolic extract of bark of Tectona grandis Linn. (TG) was evaluated using alloxan induced diabetes and associated renal complication. The diabetes was induced by administration of alloxan to the rats at the dose of 140 mg/kg, i.p. TG was administered to diabetic animals for six weeks and various biochemical parameters in blood and urine (plasma glucose, serum albumin, total protein, and creatinine, urine total protein, urine albumin), tissue parameters (cholesterol and triglyceride in kidney homogenate) and % change in body weight were evaluated along with histopathological study. In present study diabetic animals treated with TG showed significant reduction in the elevated level of plasma glucose (p<0.01) when compared with diabetic control. While considering renal parameters, diabetic animals treated with TG showed significant decrease in serum creatinine (p<0.05), urine albumin and urine total protein levels (p<0.01) and significant increase in serum albumin, total protein and % change in body weight (p<0.01) when compared with diabetic control. Diabetic control showed significant increase in total cholesterol and triglyceride accumulation in kidney, while diabetic animals treated with TG showed significant decrease in levels of total cholesterol (p<0.01) and triglyceride (p<0.05) in the kidney when compared with diabetic control. Diabetic control showed significant mark of glomerulosclerosis and hyalinization which occurs because of severe diabetic condition (diabetic nephropathy). Diabetic groups treated with TG showed absence of the sclerotic lesions produced by diabetic condition. Hence, the results obtained in the present study indicate that Tectona grandis has the potential to treat diabetes mellitus and prevent the associated renal damage

Anti-anaphylactic and mast cell stabilizing effect of <i>Calotropis gigantea</i> extract

Calotropis gigantea (Linn.) R.Br. (Asclepiadaceae), commonly known as milkweed or swallow- wort, is found chiefly in wasteland throughout India. It has been reported as a traditional folkloric medicine in treatment of asthma in the Indian literature. Roots containing α-and β-amyrin are reported to possess anti-lipoxygenase activity. Hence, our objective was to evaluate the effect of the methanolic extract of Calotropis gigantea (CG) root on egg albumin induced passive paw anaphylaxis and compound 48/80 induced mast cell degranulation in rats. CG were given at doses of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg, p.o., to rats. We found that CG significantly increases percentage inhibition of paw edema volume at all doses but shows significant percentage protection of the mast cells at 400 mg/kg. p.o., to rats. Hence, the present investigation confirm the use of CG as anti-anaphylactic and mast cell stabilizing in treatment of asthma.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Depth distribution of radiation defects in irradiated diamonds by confocal Raman spectroscopy

Five colored diamonds were investigated. According to the results of the study by FTIR, UV-Vis-NIR and Photoluminescence spectroscopy, they are natural type Ia diamonds. The depth distribution of the color intensity was carried out by measuring the intensity of the PL peak at 741 nm (GR1 center) upon excitation by a laser with a wavelength of 633 nm of Raman Confocal microscope. To minimise the perturbation due to geometrical effects, defect distribution profiles were normalised with respect to diamond Raman peak intensity (691 nm) point by point.  For two diamonds, the intensity of the GR1 peak (741 nm) sharply decreased to a depth of 10 µm, and then became equal to the background level, which is typical for irradiation with alpha particles from natural sources like uranium. In other diamonds, the profiles vary slightly with depth, and the color intensity is close to uniform, which is for irradiation with accelerated electrons or neutrons. The source of radiation has not been determined. However, long duration radioactivity measurements of the diamonds suggested that neutrons were not used for colour centers production in the diamonds studied

Actividad inmunomoduladora de la Bauhinia racemosa Lam

Aim: To evaluate immunomodulatory activity of methanolic extract of stem bark of Bauhinia racemosa Lam swiss albino mice. Material and Methods: The specific humoral immunity was assessed by performing hemagglutinating antibody titer (H.A.Titer) and the non-specific immunity was assessed by performing carbon clearance test and neutrophil adhesion test. Results: The methanolic extract of stem bark of Bauhinia Racemosa (MEBR) was found effective in increasing the H.A.Titer. Primary and secondary antibody response showed no significant rise in H.A.Titer in normal immune status group when compared with control group, whereas in immunosupressed group, where immunity was suppressed by cyclophosphamide, significant rise in H.A.Titer (p<0.01) was observed at dose of 200 mg/kg (p.o.) when compared with cyclophosphamide. MEBR showed significant increase (p<0.05) in phagocytic activity at dose of 200 mg/kg (p.o.) in carbon clearance test. In neutrophil adhesion test MEBR showed significant (p<0.01) rise in percentage neutrophil adhesion at dose of 200 mg/kg (p.o.). Conclusion: Present study, therefore, reveals that MEBR) holds promise as immunomodulatory agent.Objetivo: Evaluar la actividad del extracto metanólico de la corteza del tallo de la Bauhinia Racemosa Lam en ratones albinos suizos. Material y métodos: La inmunidad humoral específica fue evaluada mediante el ensayo de hemaglutinación de antincuerpos ( H.A. Titer) y la inmunidad no específica fue evaluada mediante el test de aclaramiento de carbono y el test de adhesión de neutrofilos. Resultados: se encontró que el extracto del tallo de Bauhinia racemosa (MEBR) era efectivo para el incremento del H.A Titer. La respuesta primaria y secundaria no mostró un ascenso significativo en el H.A Titer en el grupo con estado inmune normal al compararlo con el grupo control. Sin embargo, en el grupo de inmunodeprimidos donde la inmunidad estaba suprimida mediante ciclofosfamida se observó un aumento significativo en el H.A Titer (p<0.01) a dosis de 200mg/kg cuando se comparaba con la ciclofosfamida. El extracto del tallo de Bauhinia racemosa mostró un aumento significativo (p<0,05) en la actividad fagocítica a dosis de 200mg/kg (p.o) en el test de aclaramiento de carbón. En el test de adhesión de neutrófilos el extracto del tallo de Bauhinia racemosa mostró un aumento significativo (p<0,01) del porcentaje de adhesión de neutrófilos a dosis de 200mg/kg (p.o) Conclusión: El presente estudio sostiene al MEBR como un prometedor agente inmunomodulador

Enhancement of the Neuroprotective Effect of Curcumin in Combination with Piperine in Nicotinamide-Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats.

Introduction: Curcumin (CUR) is a hydrophobic molecule with poor bioavailability.Piperine is reported to enhance the bioavailability of drugs by increasing absorption in the small intestine and decreasing glucuronidation in the liver.Objective:The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the neuroprotectiveeffect of curcuminincombinationwith piperine innicotinamide- streptozotocin (NIC-STZ) induced diabetic rats.Methods:MaleWistar rats were divided into groups viz.vehicle control, disease control,glibenclamide (1), glibenclamide+ piperine(1+50), curcumin (50) and curcumin (50) with piperine10, 30 and 50.All the groups except vehicle control were induced diabetes by injecting NIC-STz. The animals received treatment daily for six weeks after the confirmation of diabetic status.Behavioural, biochemical and histological parameters were evaluated to access the neuroprotective effect.Results: Oral administration of curcumin + piperine (50+50 mg/kg) caused a significant fall in blood glucose level. Disease control showed increased paw withdrawal latency and nociceptive threshold compared with vehicle control. Curcumin + piperine treated animals showed decreased paw withdrawal latency. Combination of curcumin + piperine (50+50 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant antioxidant property by increasing tissue GSH and SOD and lowering lipid content (MDA) compared to the disease control group. The histopathological study showed reduced damage to the sciatic nerve in curcumin + piperine (50+50 mg/kg, p.o.) treated group.Conclusion: Itis concluded that the curcumin-piperine combination reducedthe degeneration of sciatic nerve by reduction of lipid peroxidation and lowering oxidative stress indicating the neuroprotective effect in diabetic neuropathy

Pharmacological Effect of Curcumin in Combination with Piperine in Nicotinamide-Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Nephropathy in Male Wistar Rats.

Background-Curcumin is one of the principle substances found in the rhizome of Curcuma longa L. Piperine, an alkaloid separated from Piper nigrum L., has bioenhancer property.Objective- The objective of the present study was to evaluate the nephroprotective activity of curcumin when administered concomitantly with piperine in diabetic rats.Methods- Male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups viz. vehicle control,  disease control,   glibenclamide (1), glibenclamide + piperine (1+50) , curcumin (50), curcumin+ piperine (50+10), curcumin + piperine (50+30), curcumin + piperine (50+50). Overnight fasted rats were administered nicotinamide (110 mg/kg, i.p.) and 15 min after nicotinamide injection, streptozotocin (65 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected in all groups except group 1. Curcumin and piperine combination was administered as 2% Tween 80 suspension. Curcumin was administered (50 mg/kg) by oral route. Piperine was administered (10, 30, 50 mg/kg) through the oral route in combination with curcumin. Treatment proceeded up to 6 weeks. Biochemical, antioxidant parameters and histopathological studies were carried out at the end of the study. Result- Curcumin + piperine (50+50 mg/kg) administration caused a significant decrease in blood glucose, triglyceride, serum creatinine, serum uric acid, urine creatinine, and urine albumin levels. The antioxidant activity of the combination was evident as there was a significant increase in kidney GSH and SOD levels along with significant decrease in MDA. The histopathological study showed reduced damage to kidney in curcumin + piperine (50+50 mg/kg) group.Conclusion- It is thus concluded that curcumin in combination with piperine showed enhanced nephroprotective activity in diabetic rats

Evaluation of antiepileptic activity of ethanolic extract of garlic containing 3.25% allicin in experimental animals

Introduction: Epilepsy is a condition of the brain that causes seizures and affects a significant portion of the global population, and current treatments often have limited efficacy and undesirable side effects. Throughout history, people have utilized garlic for its medicinal properties to address diverse health concerns. Allicin is a major component of garlic. We conducted an experiment to evaluate the antiepileptic properties of an ethanolic extract of garlic (EEG) with 3.25% allicin content using acute epilepsy models. Methods: For our experiment, we employed 72 Swiss albino mice, which were divided into six separate groups. Chemo-convulsant PTZ and strychnine HCL were used to induce epileptic activity in the mice, and the standard used was diazepam (5 mg/kg p.o.). Our study evaluated the effectiveness of an ethanolic garlic extract (EEG) with the same potency as allicin at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg (p.o.). on epileptic activity was assessed using a variety of parameters. The GABA level of mice brains was also estimated. Results: The allicin treatment led to a notable decrease in the duration and increase in the latency of seizures that were induced by PTZ and strychnine. The extract also showed a significant decrease in the mortality rate. Test allicin intervention restored brain GABA levels in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Our study indicates that the EEG containing 3.25% allicin has the potential as an antiepileptic agent, possibly due to its modulation of the GABAergic neurotransmitter systems

Allicin: A review of its important pharmacological activities

Background: Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is known for its synthesis of allicin, a defense molecule that exhibits various biological activities. Traditional medicine has utilized garlic to alleviate multiple ailments due to its broad spectrum of effects. Objective: This study aimed to review the ethnomedicinal potentials and pharmacological activities of allicin, the active constituent of garlic. Method: A comprehensive review was conducted to analyze in vitro and in vivo studies on allicin. The focus was on investigating its diverse pharmacological properties, including neuroprotection, anti-alzheimer, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, cardio protective, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotection activity. Results: The review revealed that allicin possesses a range of pharmacological activities. It showed neuroprotective effects, exhibited anti-inflammatory properties, demonstrated anticancer activity, acted as an antioxidant, provided cardioprotection, exerted antidiabetic effects, and offered hepatoprotection. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that allicin holds great potential for pharmaceutical industries in developing therapeutic products. However, to ensure the safe and effective use of allicin for treating various diseases, further research is necessary. Human clinical trials and quality control studies are essential to establish appropriate doses for pharmaceutical applications

Transition metal complexes of 3-aryl-2-substituted 1,2-dihydroquinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives: New class of analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents

Five-coordinate, neutral transition metal complexes of newly designed pyridine-2-ethyl-(3-carboxyhdeneamino)-3-(2-phenyl)-1,2-dihydroquinazoli n-4(3H)-one (L) were synthesized and characterized The structure of ligand is confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies The compounds were evaluated for the anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model while their analgesic activity was determined by acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice wherein the transition metal complexes were found to be more active than the free ligand (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS All rights reserved