Cellular investigations to uncover curative potentials of polyphenols- An in vitro study of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and Chrysin against Alzheimer's like pathology via down-regulation of AChE activity

Amyloid aggregation and neurofibrillary pathology is the characteristic feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Streptozotocin (STZ) is a glucosamine nitrosourea compound that is toxic to the cells, impairs insulin signaling in the brain. STZ induces DNA damage and oxidative stress, which leads to cognitive impairments. In this experimental study, STZ treatment induces Alzheimer's pathology in mouse neuroblastoma (N2A) cells. The study also explored the protection of cellular damage by pre-treatment with test drugs Apple cider vinegar (ACV), chrysin and rivastigmine. This study had been concentrated mainly on the cellular mechanism of neuromodulation and anti –oxidant potency of test drugs to attenuate cellular toxicity induced by STZ treatment. The 100 μM concentration of STZ was used for treatment in N2A cells for 24 h and 48 h and multiple studies were performed. The STZ causes tau phosphorylation, amyloid aggregation and increased acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) activity. Along with STZ at a concentration of 100 μM, the cells were pre-treated with ACV, chrysinand rivastigmine at a concentration of 2, 10, 50 μM each. The results show that 2 μM test drug concentration presented considerable protection, against STZ generated neurocytotoxicity via. restoration of anti-oxidant enzymes, MDA and AChE level, compared to the other two concentrations

PHYTO-PHARMACOLOGY of Berberis aristata DC: A REVIEW

ABSTRACT Plants have been the basis of many traditional medicines throughout the world for thousands of years and continue to provide new remedies to mankind. Plants are one of the richest sources of compounds. Berberis aristata is one of the plants used in Ayurveda for several remedies. Berberis aristata commonly known as  “Daru haldhi and Chitra†is spinous herb native to northern Himalaya region. The plant  is  widely distributed  from Himalayas to Srilanka, Bhutan,  and  hilly areas of  Nepal.  Berberis aristata is used  in ayurvedic  medicines  from  very  long time.  It is used as a tonic, alternative, demulscent, diaphoretic, and diuretic, in the treatment of diarrhoea, jaundice and skin diseases, syphilis, chronic rheumatism and urinary disorders. Scientific evidence suggests its versatile biological functions that support its traditional use in the orient.  Phytochemical  studies  shows  that  plant Berberis  aristata contains  mainly  yellow  colored alkaloids Berberine,  oxyberberine,  berbamine,  aromoline,  a  protoberberine  alkaloid  karachine,  palmatine, oxycanthine  and  taxilamine  and  tannins,  sugar,  starch.  The  plant  has  effective  pharmacological  action  and  shows promising future for further researches.  This review aims to highlight the ethnobotany, pharmacognostic and pharmacological uses of Berberis aristat

Evaluation of wound healing and antimicrobial potentials of Ixora coccinea root extract

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the wound healing and antimicrobial activity of root extracts of Ixora coccinea (I. coccinea).MethodsTo investigate the wound healing efficacy of root extract of I. coccinea Linn, five groups of animals were divided each containing six animals. Two wound models including incision and excision wound models were used in this study. The parameters studied were tensile strength on incision wound model and in terms of wound contraction for excision wound model were compared with standard Nitrofurazone (NFZ) ointment (0.2% w/w). Six extracts (ethanol, aqueous, petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform and ethyl acetate) of I. coccinea were screened for in vitro growth inhibiting activity against different bacterial strains viz, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilius, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger were compared with the standard drugs ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol for antibacterial and griseofulvin for antifungal screening. The serial dilution and cup (or) well plate methods were used for the antimicrobial study and MIC was determined.ResultsThe ethanolic extract showed significant (P<0.001) wound healing activity when compared to standard drug NFZ with respect to normal control group. Amongst all, ethanolic extract showed highly significant antibacterial activity against all bacterial strains used in this study when compared to standard. The aqueous extract showed moderate significant inhibition against all bacterial strains when compared to standard. All the extracts were shown negligible activity against the fungal strains used in this study.ConclusionsThe ethanolic root extract of I. coccinea showed pronounced wound healing and antibacterial activity. The probable reason to heal the wound was that the external application of the extract prevented the microbes to invade through the wound thus the protection of wound occurs against the infection of the various organisms

Biological, chemical and pharmacological aspects of Madhuca longifolia

Madhuca longifolia (M. longifolia) is also known as Mahua belonging to the family sapoteace family. M. longifolia is used in traditional and folklore system of medicine widely across India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka for its various pharmacological properties as in snake bites and in diabetes. Phytochemicals studies documented the different bioactive constituents, namely, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenes and saponins. The pharmacological studies proved that it possess wide range of biological activities such as antiulcer, antiinflammatory, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. The toxicity studies reveal its non-toxic effect even at larger doses. Thus M. longifolia can be considered as a therapeutic agent for specific diseases. Scientific investigation on various isolated bioactive components and its efficacy on diseases proved the future usefulness of different species of Madhuca. This review summarizes the phytochemical, pharmacological, medicinal and non-medicinal uses of M. longifolia. Further exploration on M. longifolia for its therapeutic potential is however required for depth traditional knowledge

PRE-CLINICAL STUDIES ON DIABETES MELLITUS USING PARTIAL PANCREATECTOMY IN SWISS ALBINO MICE

Objective: The present study was aimed at the development of partial pancreatectomy in a murine model for diabetes.Methods: Diabetes model was successfully developed by partial pancreatectomy method. In this study, cyclosporine was used for influenced the glycaemic status. Diabetes status was evaluated by fasting blood glucose level (FBG), lipid profile (by estimation of total cholesterol level and HDL-level), serum amylase and biochemical assay like glutathione estimation.Results: We report here the restoration of euglycaemic status in cyclosporine-induced diabetic in swiss albino mice after 30% pancreatectomy. In this study, Pancreatectomised (partial) group of animals showed a rapid elevation of glycaemic status, starting from 15th post observational d, but the level of significance decreased gradually from 15th (P&lt;0.01) to 60th (P&lt;0.05) d. This was probably due to nesidioblastotic activity which shifted the fasting blood glucose level towards normoglycaemic status with β-cells regeneration. Cyclosporine treated a group of mice showed normoglycaemic status throughout the whole experimental period, but the cholesterol level remained significant (P&lt;0.001) till the end of the experimental d. Gradually decrements in glycaemia of the diabetic pancreatectomised animals demonstrate islets neogenesis occurring after the operative activity, leading to normoglycaemic condition, probably attributed to β-cells proliferation.Conclusion: The biochemical and histopathological evaluations suggest that there is the development of the diabetic model in the pancreatectomized group and diabetes status induced by pancreatectomy is curable to a certain extent due to the regeneration of β-cells

Protective effect of Cassia glauca Linn. on the serum glucose and hepatic enzymes level in streptozotocin induced NIDDM in rats

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective effect of Cassia glauca leaf extracts on normal and non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in rats. The study was further carried out to investigate the effect of different fractions of the active extract of Cassia glauca, on normal and NIDDM rats, and the effect of active fraction on the blood glucose and hepatic enzymes level. Methods: Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) at a dose of 90mg/kg, i.p. in neonates. Different extracts of cassia glauca (100mg/kg, p.o.) were administered to the diabetic rats. Acetone extract was found to lower the serum glucose level significantly in diabetic rats. Further, the acetone extract was subjected to column chromatography and four fractions were obtained on the basis of TLC. All the four fractions (100mg/kg, p.o.) were administered to the diabetic rats. Fraction 1 (F1) caused the maximum reduction in the blood glucose level. The results of the test were compared with the standard antidiabetic drug glibenclamide (5mg/kg, p.o.). Results: Fraction 1 of acetone extract caused a significant reduction in the levels of hepatic enzyme Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Conclusion: Improvement in the blood sugar level and normalization of liver functions by Cassia glauca indicates that the plant has hepatoprotective potential, along with antidiabetic activity, and it provides a scientific rationale for the use of Cassia glauca as an antidiabetic agent

Effect of an isolated active compound (Cg-1) of Cassia glauca leaf on blood glucose, lipid profile, and atherogenic index in diabetic rats

Objectives: The objective of present study was to evaluate the effect of active principle (Cg-1) from Cassia glauca leaf on serum glucose and lipid profile in normal and diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin in neonates. Oral administration of petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, and methanol of C. glauca leaf (100 mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 days caused a decrease in fasting blood glucose (FBG) in diabetic rats. Among all the extracts, acetone extract was found to lower the FBG level significantly in diabetic rats. Glibenclamide was used as standard antidiabetic drug (5 mg/kg, p.o). Acetone extract was subjected to column chromatography that led to isolation of an active principle, which was given trivial name Cg-1. Cg-1 (50 mg/kg, p.o.) was studied for its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic potential. The unpaired t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Cg-1 caused a significant reduction in FBG level. It also caused reduction in cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL levels and improvement in the atherogenic index and HDL level in diabetic rats. Conclusion: Improvement in the FBG and the atherogenic index by Cg-1 indicates that Cg-1 has cardioprotective potential along with antidiabetic activity and provides a scientific rationale for the use as an antidiabetic agent

Hypoglycaemic effect of <i>Ficus arnottiana </i>Miq. bark extracts on streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats

478-482Different species of the genus Ficus Linn. such as F. bengalensis Linn., F. glomerata Roxb. and F. cunia Buch.-Ham. have been studied for their antidiabetic potential and used in folklore system of medicine for diabetes. In the present study, the effect of different extracts of F. arnottiana Miq. bark was evaluated on fasting and posts prandial blood sugar in normal and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) rats. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin in neonates. Oral administration of petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone and methanol extracts of the bark (100 mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 days caused a decrease in fasting blood sugar (FBS) in diabetic rats. Among all the extracts, acetone extract was found to lower the FBS significantly (PPF. arnottiana possess antidiabetic potential