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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antibacterial potential of aqueous and acetone extracts of galls of Quercus infectoria by determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) values. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The extracts from the galls of Q. infectoria at 10 mg/ml were screened against three Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus subtilis) and three Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli NCTC 12079 serotype O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium NCTC 74 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853). The MIC of the extracts were then determined using the twofold serial microdilution technique at a concentration ranging from 5 mg/ml to 0.0024 mg/ml. The MBC values were finally obtained from the MIC microtiter wells which showed no turbidity after 24 hrs of incubation by subculturing method. RESULTS: Out of the six bacterial species tested, S. aureus was the most susceptible. On the other hand, the extracts showed weak inhibitory effect against S. epidermidis, B. subtilis, S. typhimurium and P. aeruginosa while there was no inhibition zone observed for E. coli O157. The MIC values of the extracts ranged from 0.0781 mg/ml to 1.25 mg/ml whereas the MBC values ranged from 0.3125 mg/ml to 2.50 mg/ml. The MBC values of aqueous extract against S. aureus and S. typhimurium were higher than their MIC values. The MBC value of acetone extract against S. aureus was also higher than its MIC value. Interestingly, however, the MIC and MBC values of acetone extract against S. typhimurium were the same (1.25 mg/ml). CONCLUSION: The aqueous and acetone extracts displayed similarities in their antimicrobial activity on the bacterial species and as such, the galls of Quercus infectoria are potentially good source of antimicrobial agents.

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Extensive scientific research on curcumin, a natural compound present in the rhizomes of plant Curcuma longa Linn., demonstrated its antiinflammatory action. Curcumin was found to inhibit arachidonic acid metabolism, cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, cytokines (Interleukins and tumour necrosis factor) Nuclear factor-kB and release of steroidal hormones. Curcumin was reported to stabilize lysosomal membrane and cause uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation besides having strong oxygen radical scavenging activity, which was responsible for its antiinflammatory property. In various animal studies, a dose range of 100-200 mg/kg body weight exhibited good antiinflammatory activity and seemed to have negligible adverse effect on human systems. Oral LD50 in mice was found to be more than 2.0 g/kg body weight.

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A vast majority of population particularly those living in villages depend largely on herbal medicines. Scientific data on a good number of medicinal plants investigated has been well documented. However, only very few drugs of plant origin could reach clinical use and the National Formulary could not adopt even a dozen of plant medicines. For this reason, a special effort is needed for development of herbal drugs having therapeutic utility. This article discusses in a broader perspectives several plants reported to have anti-asthmatic, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, antifertility, antidiabetic and antiviral effects.

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. A flavonoid fraction (XE) extracted from the bark of pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. (Leguminoceae) was studied for the hypoglycaemic activity normal and alloxanised albino rats. The drug XE did not show a consistent effect on normal blood sugar levels but it effectively reversed the alloxan-induced changes in the blood sugar level and the beta-cell population in the pancreas. It also showed a protective effect when it was given prior to alloxan administration. The novel action of drug on the pancreatic beta-cells and absence of acute toxicity may offer a new hope to the diabetics in future.

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. Aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica was investigated for its effects on blood glucose levels in dogs. It was found to have hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic effects.

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1. Scoparone produced a rapid and sustained fall of blood pressure in anaesthetized normotensive and experimental hypertensive animals and conscious normotensive rats. The effect was dose related, appeared immediately after i.v. and within I5-20 min after p.o. administration and lasted for 2-5 h. 2. The hypertensive animals were more sensitive to the effect of scoparone than normotensive. 3. The antihypertensive effect of scoparone appears to be the results of both the central as well as peripheral actions.

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Objective: To study the antioxidant status and the extent of oxidative stress in patients with organophosphorus insecticide (OPI) poisoning before and after specific treatment. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in eighty-four OPI poisoned patients. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonyl aldehyde (MDA) levels were estimated as an index of antioxidant status and oxidative stress respectively and comparisons were made (a) between different grades of poisoning based on clinical features and anticholinesterase (AChE) levels, (b) before and after therapy with atropine sulfate plus pralidoxime (PAM) and (c) between healthy control subjects and OPI poisoned patients. Results: There was a progressive fall in both the RBC and plasma AChE levels which correlated with the severity of poisoning. Upon therapy, profound improvement in the AChE levels was observed (an increase by 20.5% and 20.9% in RBC and plasma AChE levels respectively). There was also an increase in the MDA levels which nearly doubled in OPI poisoned patients who failed to survive (3.6 + 0.92 to 6.7 + 2.3 nM/ml). SOD levels increased parallel to the severity of poisoning, but did not normalize after therapy. Conclusion: The increased level of MDA in OPI poisoned patients who failed to survive was probably reflective of accelerated lipid peroxidation, cell damage and death (oxidative stress). Significant improvement was noticed in the AChE (serum and RBC) levels of patients with specific treatment but without much change in the antioxidant status as reflected by the SOD and MDA levels.

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Jigrine is an Unani polypharmaceutical herbal formulation containing 1 4 medicinal plants, The effects of oral pretreatment with Jigrine (0.5 ml and 1 .O ml/ kg for 7 days ) were studied on hepatic damage induced by alcohol (40% alcohol 2.0 ml/ 100 g, po. for 21 days) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (1 :1 in groundnut oil, 0.1 ml/Kg, SC. on 20th day) and also with paracetamol (750 mg/kg, ip.) in rats. Biochemical parameters like SGOT, SGPT, serum bilirubin, plasma prothrombin time and tissue lipid peroxides were estimated to assess the liver function. Alcohol - CCl4 and paracetamol treatment produced an increase in serum transaminases, bilirubin, plasma prothrombin time and lipid peroxides in liver. These effects were progressively reduced by pretreatment doses of "Jigrine". These biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver sections. The activity of Jigrine was also comparable to Liv - 52,a known Ayurvedic hepatoprotective formulation. The study confirms the hepatoprotective activity of Jigrine and Liv - 52 and attributes it to the antioxidant property of the formulations.

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Diabetes mellitus is a group of syndromes characterized by hyperglycemia, altered metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates and protein and an increased risk of complication of vascular diseases. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by derangement of insulin secretion and an inability of the peripheral tissues to respond to insulin. In spite of the availability of many animal models for Type 2 diabetes mellitus including genetic and chemically induced, none of them simulate human Type 2 diabetes mellitus. An attempt has been made in the present review, to evaluate the neonatal streptozotocin-induced rat (n-STZ rats) model of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, for its potential advantages as a suitable model over the others. The n-STZ model (with alteration of dose and day of STZ injection) exhibits various stages of Type 2 diabetes mellitus such as impaired glucose tolerance, and mild, moderate and severe glycemia. The cells in n-STZ rats bear a resemblance to insulin secretory characteristics found in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Thus the n-STZ model can be considered as one of the suitable animal models of Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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A study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of methanolic extract of rhizomes of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn (FINN) for its antidiarrhoeal potential against several experimental models of diarrhoea in rats. RNN treated animals showed significant inhibitory activity against castor oil induced diarrhoea and inhibited significantly PGE, induced enteropooling in rats. It also showed significant reduction in gastrointestinal motility following charcoal meal in rats. The results obtained establish the efficacy of RNN as an antidiarrhoeal agent.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antiinflammatory and analgesic activities of the aqueous extract of Spilanthes acmella (SPA) in experimental animal models. MATERIAL AND METHODS: SPA was evaluated for antiinflammatory action by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. The analgesic activity was tested by acetic acid-induced writhing response in albino mice and tail flick method in albino rats. RESULTS: The aqueous extract of SPA in doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg showed 52.6, 54.4 and 56.1% inhibition of paw edema respectively at the end of three hours and the percentage of protection from writhing was 46.9, 51.0 and 65.6 respectively. In the tail flick model, the aqueous extract of SPA in the above doses increased the pain threshold significantly after 30 min, 1, 2 and 4 h of administration. SPA showed dose-dependent action in all the experimental models. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that SPA has significant antiinflammatory and analgesic properties.

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Trigonella foenum Qraecum (Fenugreek) in the form of unroasted and roasted powdered seeds was given in low (2 g/kg) and high (6 g/kg) dose to normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Both the unroasted and roasted forms produced a significant fall in various serum lipids like total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL cholesterols in normal rats; decreased their raised levels and increased HDL cholesterol in the diabetic rats.

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Objective: The efficacy of ivermectin pour on formulation (Ivomec pour on) against gastrointestinal nematodiasis in cattle ( Bos indicus), its effect on the blood parameters and the live weight gain of the host was investigated. Methods: The cattle harbouring the gastrointestinal nematodes were treated with ivermectin pour on formulation at the dose rate of 500 (g/kg body weight topically along the back line. The faecal samples and blood parameters were investigated at day 0,7,14, 21 and 28 post treatment, and live body weight gain was evaluated at day 0 and 28 post treatment. Results: Ivermectin pour on formulation was found to be 100% effective against gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle. After 28 days of treatment both haemoglobin and PCV values were significantly increased while ESR was significantly decreased after 14 days of treatment. Body weight of cattle was increased by 6.25% after 28 days of treatment. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal nematodiasis in cattle can be treated successfully with ivermectin pour on formulation. The drug has direct influence on blood parameter and live weight gain of the treated animals. Ivermectin may be useful as an anthelmintic of continued relevance.

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Objective: To evaluate the antiplasmodial activity of leaf extract of Croton zambesicus on chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei berghei infection in mice and to confirm its traditional use as a malarial remedy in Africa. Materials and Methods : The ethanolic leaf extract of Croton zambesicus (50-200 mg/kg) was screened for blood schizontocidal activity against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei berghei infection in mice. The schizontocidal activity during early and established infections as well as the repository activity were investigated. Results: The extract demonstrated a dose-dependent chemosuppression or schizontocidal effect during early and in established infections, and also had repository activity. The activity was lower than that of the standard drugs (chloroquine 5 mg/kg, pyrimethamine 1.2 mg/kg/day). Conclusion: The leaf extract possesses considerable antiplasmodial activity, which can be exploited in malaria therapy.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential efficacy of Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. (Fabaceae) in protecting tissues from peroxidative damage in CCl4-intoxicated rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Peroxidative hepatic damage in rats was studied by assessing parameters such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes (CD), superoxidedismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione (GSH) in liver and kidneys. The effect of co-administration of G. glabra on the above parameters and histopathological findings of the liver in experimental animals was studied. RESULTS: The increased lipid peroxide formation in the tissues of CCl4-treated rats was significantly inhibited by G. glabra. The observed decreased antioxidant enzyme activities of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, GST, and antioxidant concentration of glutathione were nearly normalized by G. glabra treatment. Carbon tetrachloride-induced damage produces alteration in the antioxidant status of the tissues, which is manifested by abnormal histopathology. G. glabra restored all these changes. CONCLUSION: Glycyrrhiza glabra is a potential antioxidant and attenuates the hepatotoxic effect of CCl4.

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Objective: To study the anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra in albino rats and mice. Methods: The anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza glabra (10, 30, 100 and 500 mg/kg, i.p.) in mice was assessed using maximum electroshock seizure (MES) test and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) using albino mice. The lithium-pilocarpine model of status epilepticus was also used to assess the anticonvulsant activity in rats. Results: The ethanolic extract of G. glabra did not reduce the duration of tonic hindleg extension in the MES test even in the dose of 500 mg/kg. However, the extract significantly and dose-dependently delayed the onset of clonic convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazol. The dose of 100 mg/kg afforded protection to all animals. The extract also protected rats against seizures induced by lithium-pilocarpine. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of G. glabra inhibits PTZ and lithium-pilocarpine-induced convulsions but not MES-induced

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Objective: To evaluate the antitumor activity of the ethanol extract of Indigofera aspalathoides (EIA) in mice. Material and Methods: The antitumor activity of EIA was evaluated against the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumor model. The activity was assessed using survival time, peritoneal cell count, hematological studies, solid tumor mass and in vitro cytotoxicity. Results: Oral administration of EIA increased the survival time and normal peritoneal cell count. Hematological parameters, protein and PCV, which were altered by tumor inoculation, were restored. Solid tumor mass was also significantly reduced. EIA was found to be cytotoxic in the in vitro model. Conclusion: EIA possesses significant antitumor activity.

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OBJECTIVE: To find out the hypoglycemic activity of Ficus hispida Linn. (bark) in normal and diabetic albino rats and to evaluate its probable mechanism of hypoglycemic activity if any. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Albino rats were divided into groups (n=6) receiving different treatments consisting of vehicle, water-soluble portion of the ethanol extract of Ficus hispida bark (FH) (1.25 g/kg) and standard antidiabetic drugs, glibenclamide (0.5 mg/kg) and 0.24 units of insulin (0.62 ml of 0.40 units/ml). Blood glucose was estimated by the glucose oxidase method in both normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats before and 2 h after the administration of drugs. To find out the probable mechanism of action of FH as a hypoglycemic agent, i) the glycogen content of the liver, skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle, and ii) glucose uptake by isolated rat hemi-diaphragm were estimated. RESULTS: FH showed significant reduction of blood glucose level both in the normal (P<0.01) and diabetic (P<0.001) rats. However, the reduction in the blood glucose level was less than that of the standard drug, glibenclamide. FH also increased the uptake of glucose by rat hemi-diaphragm significantly (P<0.001). There was a significant increase in the glycogen content of the liver (P<0.05), skeletal muscle (P<0.01) and cardiac muscle (P<0.001). The amount of glycogen present in the cardiac muscle was more than the glycogen present in the skeletal muscle and liver. CONCLUSION: FH has significant hypoglycemic activity. Increased glycogenesis and enhanced peripheral uptake of glucose are the probable mechanisms involved in its hypoglycemic activity.

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