New Apparatus: A Modified Plethysmographic Apparatus for Recording Volume Changes in the Rat Paw

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic activities of standardized root extract of Jasminum sambac

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The plant Jasminum sambac L. (Oleaceae) is cultivated throughout India. The leaves and roots of the plant are used traditionally in the treatment of inflammation, fever and pain. The leaves of the plant have been reported to posses significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities.

OBJECTIVE

To scientifically validate anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic activities of roots from Jasminum sambac.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethanol root extract of Jasminum sambac (EJS) was standardized using HPTLC and was subjected to acute oral toxicity study. Further, analgesic activity of EJS at 100, 200 and 400mg/kg, p.o. was evaluated using writhing test on Swiss albino mice and tail-flick test on Charles Foster albino rats. Anti-inflammatory activity of EJS was assessed by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, cotton pellet-induced granuloma and Freund׳s adjuvant-induced arthritis models, while antipyretic activity was evaluated using Brewer׳s yeast induced pyrexia. In addition, biochemical parameters such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in blood serum and edematous tissue of rats exposed to acute (carrageenan) and granulomatous tissue in sub-chronic (cotton pellet granuloma) inflammation models were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Phytochemical analysis of EJS revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, saponins, tannins and carbohydrates in major quantities, while the quantity of hesperidin in EJS (using HPTLC) was found to be 4.25%w/w. EJS at 400mg/kg, p.o. reduced writhing count up to 49.21%, whereas in tail-flick test, EJS in a dose dependent manner increased latency in flicking tail. EJS at 400mg/kg, p.o. showed significant anti-inflammatory activity after 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6thh of treatment in carrageenan-induced edema, while a 33.58% inhibition in cotton pellet induced granuloma formation was observed at same dose level. EJS significantly (p<0.001) inhibited adjuvant-induced arthritis and also showed significant antipyretic activity. Further, a significant reversal in alterations of all the biochemical parameters (except ALP) in tissues was also observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The study confirms the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity of EJS which may be attributed to the presence of various phytoconstituents quantified especially hesperidin which have already been reported for its significant role in the treatment of inflammation and associated problems.

Bioassay-guided isolation, identification and molecular ligand-target insight of lipoxygenase inhibitors from leaves of Anisomeles malabarica R.Br

Background:

Anisomeles malabarica R. Br. (Lamiaceae) is extensively used in traditional medicine in major parts of India for several medicinal purposes, including their use in rheumatism.

Materials and Methods:

The air-dried leaves of A. malabarica were extracted with ethanol, defatted with n-hexane and then successively partitioned into chloroform and n-butanol fractions. Bioassay-guided fractionation and purification of chloroform fraction from A. malabarica lead to the isolation of lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitors. The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated by ultraviolet, infrared, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ¹³C NMR and mass spectrometry spectroscopic techniques and assessed further by in vitro soybean lipoxygenase (sLOX) assay. In addition, the enzyme type inhibition was evaluated through molecular docking technique as a part of computational study.

Results:

The bioactive compounds 3, 4 dihydroxy benzoic acid (1) and 4’, 5, 7-trihydroxyflavone (2) were isolated from chloroform fraction of A. malabarica, whose bioactivity was observed to be dose-dependent compared to n-butanol fraction. Among the compounds, 3, 4 dihydroxy benzoic acid showed significant sLOX inhibitory activity with 74.04% ±2.6% followed by 4’, 5, 7-trihydroxyflavone (34.68% ±1.9%). The computational analysis of compounds showed their molecular interaction with important amino acid residues and nonheme iron atom in the catalytic site of LOX by enlightening their potential binding mode at molecular level.

Conclusions:

The LOX inhibitory constituents were identified from A. malabarica by means of bioassay-guided fractionation process. The results derived from in vitro and computational experiments confirm the potential of the isolated compounds and provide additional evidence for its traditional use in inflammatory disorders.

Discovery of Fused Triazolo-thiadiazoles as Inhibitors of TNF-alpha: Pharmacophore Hybridization for Treatment of Neuropathic Pain

Introduction

Neuropathic pain is a complex, chronic pain state that is usually accompanied by tissue injury. With neuropathic pain, the nerve fibers themselves may be damaged, dysfunctional, or injured.

Methods

A series of pharmacophoric hybrids of substituted aryl semicarbazides incorporated into a fused triazolo-thiadiazole nucleus were synthesized and evaluated for neuropathic pain activity. After the assessment of neurotoxicity and peripheral analgesic activity, the compounds were evaluated in two peripheral neuropathic pain models, the chronic constriction injury and partial sciatic nerve ligation, to assess their antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic potential.

Results

Selected compounds exhibiting promising efficacies (4b, 6a, and 7e) revealed median effective dose (ED₅₀) values ranging from 7.62–28.71 mg/kg in four behavioral assays of allodynia and hyperalgesia (spontaneous pain, tactile allodynia, cold allodynia, and mechanical hyperalgesia). Studies carried out to assess the underlying mechanism revealed that compounds suppressed the inflammatory component of the neuropathic pain by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and preventing oxidative and nitrosative stress.

Conclusion

Using a hybrid design approach, the present study identified novel chemical compounds that could be a potential lead for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

The use of albumin microspheres in the treatment of carrageenan-induced inflammation in the rat

Free hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone incorporated into microspheres and empty microspheres have been administered orally to rats with carrageenan-induced hindpaw inflammation. Hydrocortisone administered in particles was effective at a lower dose than free steroid in reducing inflammation. Inflammatory exudates were able to release steroid from the microspheres by proteolytic degradation.

Crocetin from the tubular calyx of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

A carotenoid aglycone Ag-NY1 was isolated from the orange coloured tubular calyx of flowers of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis. The elucidation of the structure through a detailed spectroscopic study revealed that the carotenoid molecule is crocetin, which is the major aglycone present in the stigma of Crocus sativus. The compound exhibited a good membrane stabilising activity as compared to the corresponding glycoside crocin.

Pharmacological properties of lichen Cladonia clathrata

Cladonia clathrata Ahti & L. Xavier-Filho (Cladoniaceae) is a lichen; several Cladonia species extracts have been used for various remedies in folk medicine. In order to evaluate the actions of this lichen, studies were performed on antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. The hydroalcoholic extract (HE) of C. clathrata stems was used in the following experiments. Oral treatment with the HE of C. clathrata elicited inhibitory activity (p < 0.001) on acetic acid-induced abdominal writhes at 100 (47.2%), 200 (47.2%), and 400 mg/kg (86.4%), and reduced the formalin-induced nociception on both the neurogenic (400 mg/kg, p < 0.01) and inflammatory phases (200 and 400 mg/kg, p < 0.01). It was not associated with non-specific effects, such as muscle relaxation or sedation. The HE reduced the carrageenan-induced edema formation at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.05) and inhibited neutrophil migration into the peritoneal cavity at 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001). The HE of C. clathrata reacted with the DPPH radical and reduced the same by 50.19%, and exhibited an IC(50) value of 69.25 +/- 0.65 mug/mL. The HE of C. clathrata stems shows antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities, with a moderate antioxidant potential.

Anti-inflammatory activity of roots of Ecbolium viride (Forsk) Merrill

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditionally the aqueous extracts of dried roots of the plant Ecbolium viride are used for menorrhagia, rheumatism and jaundice.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of Ecbolium viride extract in an in vivo model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ethyl acetate fraction of Ecbolium viride root extract was prepared and administered orally to rats. The anti-inflammatory activity of Ecbolium viride was determined by carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma models.

RESULTS

Oral administration of Ecbolium viride extract reduced inflammation significantly (P<0.01) in both the carageenan paw edema and the cotton pellet granuloma models.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study supported the traditional use of Ecbolium viride in the treatment for inflammatory disease.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Dalbergia lanceolaria bark ethanol extract in mice and rats

Topical anti-inflammatory activity of Dalbergia lanceolaria Linn. bark ethanol extract was demonstrated in albino mice using TPA-, EPP- and AA-induced ear edema models. The systemic activity of extract was confirmed using acute and sub-acute anti-inflammatory models in albino rats. The ethanol extract exhibited significant systemic anti-inflammatory activity in Carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, by inhibition of histamine and prostaglandin phases of acute inflammation. The extract also showed significant activity against turpentine-induced exudative changes and no activity against granular tissue formation in cotton pellet-induced granuloma in albino rats. Thus, resultant anti-inflammatory activity might be due to effects on several mediators involving cyclo-oxygenase pathway resulting in prostaglandin formation and leukocyte migration from the vessels.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Jatropha curcas roots in mice and rats

Anti-inflammatory activity of topical application of Jatropha curcas L. root powder in paste form in TPA-induced ear inflammation was confirmed in albino mice and the successive solvent extraction of these roots was carried out by ether and methanol. The methanol extract exhibited systemic and significant anti-inflammatory activity in acute carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. It also showed activity against formalin-induced rat paw edema, as well as, turpentine-induced exudative changes and cotton pellet-induced granular tissue formation after oral treatment for 7 days in albino rats. Thus, resultant anti-inflammatory activity might be due to effects on several mediators and arachidonic acid metabolism involving cyclo-oxygenase pathway resulting in prostaglandin formation, anti-proliferative activity leading to reduction in granular tissue formation and leukocyte migration from the vessels.

Rats resistant to the dextran anaphylactoid reaction

In one colony of Wistar albino rats 23% were resistant to dextran and to egg-white, these animals (non-reactors) failing to show an anaphylactoid reaction after the intraperitoneal or intravenous injection of either of the two substances. Non-reactors were also found in a few other colonies of Wistar rats but not in colonies of other strains. Procedures which potentiated the anaphylactoid reaction in sensitive rats (reactors) did not alter the response of non-reactors. Dextran failed to release histamine from the perfused hind-quarters of non-reactors although other chemical liberators of histamine were effective. Lack of anaphylactoid reaction was not due to a deficiency of skin histamine or 5-hydroxytryptamine, and the blood sugar and serum protein levels of non-reactors were also normal. Non-reactors could be sensitized to antigens and their serum was antigenic to guinea-pigs. It is suggested that non-reactors lack a blood or tissue component with which dextran normally combines to produce an intermediate substance active in releasing amines.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of 2,4-di-n-butyl-3,5-diarylimino-1,2,4-thiadiazolidines

Ten 1,2,4-thiadiazolidines were synthesized and screened for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Butyl isothiocyanate was used as a starting material. Several compounds showed significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. The unsubstituted and o-methyl, p-acetoxy and o-chloro substituted compounds were found to be more potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents than the other compounds.

Effects of artemisinin, dihydroartemisinin and arteether on immune responses of normal mice

Artemisinin (Qinghaosu) is a potent antimalarial sesquiterpene lactone isolated from the Chinese herb Artemisia annua. Arteether, a potent semisynthetic analogue of dihydroartemisinin is being developed by the World Health Organization as the artemisinin derivative of choice for the treatment of malaria. All three agents in doses of 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight were found to exhibit marked suppression of humoral responses, as measured by the hemolytic plaque assay, with arteether being the most potent. These agents did not alter the delayed-type hypersensitivity response to sheep erythrocytes at the same dose levels. In addition, all three agents were found not to possess any anti-inflammatory activity when tested on carrageenan-induced oedema. These results indicated that these agents have a selective immunosuppressive activity. They did not exhibit immunostimulating activity in contrast to what has been reported for sodium artesunate.

Anti-inflammatory activity of some Saudi Arabian medicinal plants

Five plants which have been used for the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and gout in the traditional medicine of Saudi Arabia, were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory properties. Of these the ethanolic extract of Capparis decidua and the aqueous extract of Capparis spinosa were found to possess significant anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan induced oedema in rats. These two plants were also tested for their antipyretic and analgesic activity. C. decidua was found to possess significant antipyretic effect. Both of them are devoid of analgesic activity.

Anti-inflammatory activity of the flavonoid fraction of khat (Catha edulis Forsk)

The administration of the flavonid fraction, isolated from Khat (Catha edulis Forsk), in a dose of 200 mg/kg orally, produced a significant anti-inflammatory activity against the carrageenan induced paw oedema and cotton pellet granuloma in albino rats. The results were comparable with the standard anti-inflammatory drug oxyphenbutazone.

Anti-inflammatory action of drugs that raise adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate and putrescine levels in-vivo

Isoprenaline and salbutamol, two beta-adrenoceptor agonist drugs, and 3-isobutyl-methyl xanthine and thioacetamide have been shown to be anti-inflammatory. Their mode of action is probably due to an increase in the levels of the three endogenous substances adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate and putrescine and spermidine in-vivo.

Study of anti-inflammatory activity in the leaves of Nyctanthes arbor tristis Linn.--an Indian medicinal plant

Nyctanthes arbor tristis Linn. (Harsingar) is widely used as a decoction in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for treatment of sciatica and arthritis, but it has not yet been screened scientifically. In the present study, the water soluble portion of the alcoholic extract of the leaves of Nyctanthes arbor tristis (NAT) was screened for the presence of anti-inflammatory activity. NAT inhibited the acute inflammatory oedema produced by different phlogistic agents, viz. carrageenin, formalin, histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and hyaluronidase in the hindpaw of rats. The acute inflammatory swelling in the knee joint of rats induced by turpentine oil was also significantly reduced. In subacute models, NAT was found to check granulation tissue formation significantly in the granuloma pouch and cotton pellet test. Acute and chronic phases of formaldehyde induced arthritis were significantly inhibited. NAT was also found to inhibit the inflammation produced by immunological methods, viz. Freund's adjuvant arthritis and PPD induced tuberculin reaction. Thus anti-inflammatory activity in leaves of Harsingar supports its use in various inflammatory conditions by the followers of the Ayurvedic system of medicine.

Collagenase and elastase in the serum of adjuvant arthritic rats

Collagenase and elastase activities in the serum of adjuvant arthritic rats declined with time as the disease progressed and did not parallel increases in alpha 1-macroglobulin or alpha 2-acute phase globulin levels. The fall in collagenase and elastase activities was accompanied by a decline in serum alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor levels. It was concluded that the fall in collagenase and elastase activities in serum was due to inactivation by serum anti-proteases.

Effect of particle size of dried mycobacteria on adjuvant induced arthritis in the rat

Freund's complete adjuvant prepared by grinding dried, heat killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis with liquid paraffin was investigated for particle size-weight distribution. Variations in the grinding times and preparative procedure had a marked effect on the arthritogenic action of the adjuvant in the rat. A satisfactory response in the injected foot was found only when the particle size was less than 19 microns and a secondary response in the non-injected foot required particles less than 10 microns in diameter.

Anti-inflammatory factors in sponge-induced exudate in the rat

Sterile polyester sponge-induced exudates in the rat have been investigated for high molecular weight substances with anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan-induced oedema in the rat. The only substances found with this activity were dialysable molecules. Crude but sterile protein fractions isolated from exudate stabilized guinea-pig macrophages at low concentrations. The proteins present in exudates appeared to be identical to normal rat plasma proteins. It is concluded that anti-inflammatory activity associated with high molecular substances in exudate may have been due to bacterial contamination.

Putrescine--a potent endogenous anti-inflammatory substance in inflammatory exudates

Sponge-induced exudate from the rat and saline extracts of normal rat liver and rat liver damaged in situ by dimethylnitrosamine have been assayed for putrescine, spermidine and spermine levels. The three physiological oligoamines have been examined for anti-inflammatory activity by the carrageenan-induced oedema rat model and spermidine and putrescine were found to be anti-inflammatory with putrescine being about ten times as active as spermidine. Putrescine was also anti-inflammatory in the adjuvant arthritic rat model. Thioacetamide and theophylline were also anti-inflammatory and theophylline doubled the level of putrescine in rat liver. It was concluded that putrescine was a potent anti-inflammatory factor in the inflammatory exudates and extracts examined.

The anti-inflammatory action of nepitrin, a flavonoid

The anti-inflammatory efficacy of nepitrin (5,3',4'-trihydroxy-6-methoxy flavone), a flavonoid, was investigated in both acute and chronic models of inflammation in rats. Nepitrin was found to possess significant anti-inflammatory activity in the exudative and proliferative phases of inflammation. This action of nepitrin could be due to its anti-bradykinin and anti-angiotensin action. Nepitrin also possessed anti-pyretic and weak analgesic activity. The study reveals that nepitrin may be useful as an anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agent.

Anti-inflammatory and some other pharmacological effects of 3,4-trans-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenyl-4-(p-(beta-pyrrolidinoethoxy)-phenyl)-7-methoxy-chroman (Centchroman)

1. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and other pharmacological activities of a new chroman derivative, Centchroman, have been described.2. Centchroman was found to possess significant anti-inflammatory action in the carrageenin-induced oedema test in mice and rats. It inhibited granuloma formation in the cotton pellet test. The anti-arthritic activity was also evident in formaldehyde-induced arthritis and adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.3. Centchroman had a lower ulcerogenic index than phenylbutazone.4. The mechanism of the anti-inflammatory action of Centchroman seemed to be independent of endogenous adrenocortical hormones or of its weak oestrogenic activity.5. Centchroman antagonized phenylquinone writhing and bradykinin-induced bronchospasm but was devoid of any antipyretic activity.

Pharmacology of diferuloyl methane (curcumin), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent

Some pharmacological actions of curcumin (diferuloyl methane) have been examined in rats, mice and cats. The compound possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity in acute as well as in chronic models of inflammation. It is as potent as phenylbutazone in the carrageenan oedema test but only half as potent in chronic tests. Curcumin possesses a much lower ulcerogenic index than phenylbutazone. It prevents the inflammation induced increase in SGOT and SGPT levels. It lacks analgesic and antipyretic activity. It has no other significant pharmacological effects. The oral LD50 in mice is more than 2&#x006d;̇0 g kg−1.

Anti-inflammatory activity of the steroid alkaloid glycoside, toatine

1. Tomatine, isolated from extracts of crown gall-infected tomato plants or obtained commercially, was tested for anti-inflammatory activity using three different methods.2. Tomatine administered to intact rats intramuscularly in a dose range of 1-10 mg/kg or orally in doses of 15-30 mg/kg exerted a significant dose dependent inhibition of carrageenan induced paw oedema. The inhibitory effect of tomatine when given in a dose of 10 mg/kg intramuscularly to intact rats lasted more than 24 hr.3. In adrenalectomized rats significant dose-related inhibition of paw oedema was obtained with tomatine and the inhibition at each dose level (0.5-10 mg/kg) was found to be greater than that found in intact animals.4. Tomatine administered subcutaneously to intact rats daily for 7 days in doses of 5 or 10 mg/kg exerted a significant, dose dependent inhibition of granulation tissue formation induced by the subcutaneous implantation of carrageenan impregnated cotton pellets.5. Tomatine administered to intact mice in a dose of 10 mg/kg subcutaneously 1 hr before the intraperitoneal injection of acidified saline and intravenous pontamine sky blue significantly decreased the leakage of the protein bound dye into the peritoneal cavity.6. Tomatidine, the aglycone of tomatine, was not effective at dose levels of 10-20 mg/kg in any of the three tests.

Partial purification of the anti-inflammatory factor(s) in inflammatory exudate

1. The carrageenin foot test was established as a sensitive and reliable assay procedure for determining the anti-inflammatory activity of inflammatory exudates.2. Incubation alone at a temperature above 70 degrees C or with pronase at 37 degrees C destroyed the anti-inflammatory activity of exudate.3. The anti-inflammatory component of exudate was partially precipitated by 50% ammonium sulphate.4. A partial purification process was devised using Sephadex G-150 gel filtration and DEAE and CM cellulose ion exchange chromatography to obtain at least a 24 fold purification.5. Measurements of 11-hydroxycorticosteroid levels indicated that steroids were not involved in the mechanism by which the exudate produced its anti-inflammatory effects.