Anti-Arthritic Potential of the Plant Justicia Gendarussa Burm F

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-arthritic potential of the plant Justicia gendarussa using two different rat models. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The anti-arthritic potential of the alcoholic extract of the plant Justicia gendarussa was evaluated using the Freund's adjuvant-induced and collagen-induced arthritic rat models. The rats were treated with the ethanolic extract of Justicia gendarussa and with standard aspirin. RESULTS: The ethanolic extract of Justicia gendarussa showed significant anti-arthritic activity that was statistically similar to that of aspirin. Our results suggest that the alcoholic extract of Justicia gendarussa exhibits significant anti-arthritic potential

Evaluation of Calcium Fluoroaluminosilicate Based Glass Ionomer Luting Cements Processed Both by Conventional and Microwave Assisted Methods

Calcium fluoroaluminosilicate glasses (CAS) are used in the formulation of glass ionomer cements for dental applications. However, the cements obtained from CAS glasses were found to be radiolucent. In this study, the influence of substituting Zn, Sr and Mg for Ca of CAS glasses was investigated with respect to the structure and setting characteristics, mechanical properties, and radiopacity of cements designed for luting applications. Three glass compositions based on substitution of Zn, Sr and Mg for Ca at 1:1 molar ratio was synthesized. They were coded as the G 021 (Ca: Zn), G 022 (Ca: Sr), G 023 (Ca: Mg). G 021 and G 022 glasses were processed by conventional melt quench route, whereas G 023 was processed by microwave melt–quench route. Each glass was then mixed with Fuji Type I GIC liquid in order to evaluate the properties of novel cements at different powder/liquid ratios. X-ray diffraction and Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the structure of the processed glasses. The average particle size of the processed glass powders was within specification limits for luting applications (<15 μm). The substitution of Zn, Sr and Mg for Ca at 1:1 molar ratio increased the reactivity of the respective glasses. This has been reflected in their respective setting characteristics and mechanical properties. The optimal combination of setting time, strength and radiopacity for the cements examined here was shown by G 022 cements. The microwave melting can be utilized for processing ionomer glasses as it did not alter the structure and properties of G 023 cement

Nephroprotective potential of Graptophyllum pictum against renal injury induced by gentamicin

Objective(s):To evaluate the effect of Graptophyllum pictum on lipid peroxidation and tissue antioxidant enzymes in liver and kidney of gentamicin induced nephrotoxic rats. Materials and Methods: Animals were grouped into 6: Group 1 received gum acacia, Group 2 received G. pictum ethanol extract (300 mg/kg), Group 3 received gentamicin, Groups 4, 5, 6 received gentamicin along with G. pictum at 300, 150, 75 mg/kg, respectively. Nephroprotective activity was evaluated by measuring thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), biochemical markers  Glutathione (GSH), Glutathione-S Transferase(GST), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), serum urea and creatinine levels. Results: Results obtained showed that gentamicin induced nephrotoxic rats exhibited lower activities of biochemical markers and raised levels of TBARS, serum creatinine and urea. Remarkably, after treatment with G. pictum extract, anomalous levels of biochemical markers, lipid peroxidation and serum creatinine were returned to normal. Conclusion: The results propose that G. pictum has nephroprotective effects, and can be a promising natural source against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity