Ulcer protective effect of Terminalia arjuna on gastric mucosal defensive mechanism in experimental rats

The methanol extract of the bark of Terminalia arjuna (Combretaceae) (TAE) showed marked antiulcer and ulcer healing activity against 80% ethanol (ETH), diclofenac sodium (DIC) and dexamethasone (DEX) induced ulcer models dose dependently at doses of 100, 400 and 200 mg/kg body weight respectively. Pre-, post and co-administration of TAE offered 100% protection to the gastric mucosa against ETH, DIC and DEX induced ulcers as observed from the ulcer score. Gastric mucosal analysis of DEX induced rats were associated with changes in the levels of protein, protein bound carbohydrate complexes, lipid peroxides (LPO), glutathione (GSH) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) compared with control rats. Co-administration with TAE in DEX rats (DEX + TAE) favorably altered the levels of LPO, GSH and also the activities of SOD and CAT in gastric mucosa, whereas the activities of GPx remained unaltered in all groups. In DEX + TAE rats, the levels of protein and protein bound carbohydrate complexes were increased when compared with DEX rats. The results indicate that the gastroprotective effect of TAE is probably related to its ability to maintain the membrane integrity by its antilipid peroxidative activity that protects the gastric mucosa against oxidative damage and its ability to strengthen the mucosal barrier, the first line of defense against exogenous and endogenous ulcerogenic agents.

Green tea extract impedes dyslipidaemia and development of cardiac dysfunction in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

1. The efficacy of green tea extract (GTE) on serum and cardiac lipids was investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. 2. Diabetes was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg bodyweight). Six weeks after the induction of diabetes, GTE was administered orally for 4 weeks (300 mg/kg bodyweight daily). Bodyweight, heart weight, heart weight : bodyweight ratio, blood glucose, serum and cardiac lipids were determined in experimental rats. 3. In diabetic rats, there was a significant decrease in bodyweight with an increase in heart weight : bodyweight ratio and blood glucose. Diabetic rats had significantly increased serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). In the hearts of diabetic rats, there was a significant increase in cholesterol, triglycerides and free fatty acids levels, with an increase in lipoprotein lipase activity. 4. The administration of GTE to diabetic rats resulted in significant recovery in bodyweight, heart weight : bodyweight ratio and blood glucose levels. The administration of GTE reduced cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid and LDL-C levels, and increased HDL-C levels, in the serum of diabetic rats. In addition, GTE decreased cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acids levels and lipoprotein lipase activity in the myocardium of diabetic rats. These beneficial effects of GTE are ascribed to its antihyperglycaemic and hypolipidaemic activity. In conclusion, green tea can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in diabetes with a significant improvement in lipid metabolism.

Role of mangiferin on biochemical alterations and antioxidant status in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

The current study dealt with the protective role of mangiferin, a polyphenol from Mangifera indica Linn. (Anacardiaceae), on isoproterenol (ISPH)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats through its antioxidative mechanism. Subcutaneous injection of ISPH (200 mg/kg body weight in 1 ml saline) to rats for 2 consecutive days caused myocardial damage in rat heart, which was determined by the increased activity of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase isoenzymes (CK-MB), increased uric acid level and reduced plasma iron binding capacity. The protective role of mangiferin was analyzed by triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) test used for macroscopic enzyme mapping assay of the ischemic myocardium. The heart tissue antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione transferase and glutathione reductase activities, non-enzymic antioxidants such as cerruloplasmin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and glutathione levels were altered in MI rats. Upon pretreatment with mangiferin (100 mg/kg body weight suspended in 2 ml of dimethyl sulphoxide) given intraperitoneally for 28 days to MI rats protected the above-mentioned parameters to fall from the normal levels. Activities of heart tissue enzymic antioxidants and serum non-enzymic antioxidants levels rose significantly upon mangiferin administration as compared to ISPH-induced MI rats. From the present study it is concluded that mangiferin exerts a beneficial effect against ISPH-induced MI due to its antioxidant potential, which regulated the tissues defense system against cardiac damage.

Effect of mangiferin on mitochondrial energy production in experimentally induced myocardial infarcted rats

Mangiferin, from the leaves of Mangifera indica Linn., has been suggested as useful in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. In the present study this drug was examined on the alteration of cardiac energy metabolism in isoproterenol (ISPH) administered myocardial infarcted rats. ISPH (20 mg/kg b.w.), which was administered s.c. twice at an interval of 24 h, caused a significant decrease in the activities of TCA cycle enzymes and antioxidant defense enzymes with a concomitant increase in the lipid peroxidation of heart mitochondria in rat model. The ATP production and the oxidation of succinate in State 3 and 4 decreased significantly in the cardiac mitochondria of ISPH administered rats. These functional alterations were supported by severe modifications in mitochondrial ultrastructure. Pretreatment with mangiferin (100 mg/kg b.w. i.p.) for 28 days prevented these mitochondrial alterations, oxidation with energy metabolism and restored the TCA cycle enzyme activities to near normal values following ISPH administration. The structural integrity of the heart was protected by mangiferin in ISPH administered rats when compared to the untreated controls. The present findings suggest that the protective effect of mangiferin can be attributed to its reducing effect on oxidative damage and activation of mitochondrial energy metabolism. These results could be useful to study and understand the cellular events involved in this cardioprotective mechanism of mangiferin. Our studies of mangiferin on heart failure may have important implication for future therapeutic approaches involving in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Cardioprotective effect of mangiferin on isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction in rats

Isoproterenol (ISPH) induced myocardial infarction was confirmed by disturbances in serum and heart tissue marker enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phospho kinase (CPK), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), increased level of lipid peroxidation and histopathological changes in the heart of ISPH administered rats. Pretreatment with mangiferin (10 mg/100 g body weight) for 28 days was found to ameliorate the effect of ISPH-induced pathological changes, reduced the lipid peroxide formation and retained the myocardial marker enzyme activities at near normal level. The above results indicate the cardioprotective effect of mangiferin against ISPH-induced myocardial infarction in rats.

Beneficial effects of alpha linolenic acid rich flaxseed oil on growth performance and hepatic cholesterol metabolism in high fat diet fed rats

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of flaxseed oil (FO), rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) (18:3 n-3) on growth parameters and lipid metabolism of rats fed with high fat diet. High fat diet (HFD) resulted in significant alterations in hepatic lipids, increase in body weight gain and negative effect on lipoprotein metabolism. FO supplementation significantly lowered the increase in body weight gain, liver weight, plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, free fatty acids, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), LDL/HDL and TC/HDL ratio in HFD fed rats. FO significantly reduced the hepatic and plasma lipid levels indicating its hypolipidemic activity. On the other hand, oral administration of FO exhibited lower plasma lipoprotein profile as compared to HFD rats. Hepatic protection by FO is further substantiated by the normal liver histological findings in HFD fed rats. These data suggest that FO participate in the normal regulation of plasma lipid concentration and cholesterol metabolism in liver. No adverse effect of FO on growth parameters and plasma lipids in rats fed with fat-free diet. The results of the present study demonstrate that FO may be developed as a useful therapy for hyperlipidemia through reducing hepatic lipids, thereby proving its hypolipidemic activity.

Protective effect of vilva juice on glycoconjugate levels in experimentally induced constipation in rats

Efficacy of vilva, a polyherbal formulation was evaluated in morphine induced constipated rats. Vilva juice, at a dose of 1.5 ml/100 g body wt was given orally for a period of 7 days. Morphine sulfate was injected to induce constipation on 8th day, 45 min before the experiments. Protein bound glycoconjungates were estimated in intestinal tissue. Altered levels of glycoconjugates were maintained at near normalcy when pretreated with vilva juice in morphine induced rats. Histological changes were observed in the colon tissue. The damage to crypts of Liberkunn in constipated rats were found to be reduced in vilva pretreated rats. Vilva, thus, offered significant protection against morphine induced constipation by way of augmenting mucus secretion.

Effect of Solanum trilobatum against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic damage in albino rats

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Many hepatoprotective herbal preparations have been recommended in alternative systems of medicine for the treatment of hepatic disorders. No systematic study has been done on protective efficacy of Solanum trilobatum to treat hepatic diseases. Protective action of Solanum trilobatum extract (STE) was evaluated by us in an animal model of hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4).

METHODS

Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups. Group I was normal control group; Group II, the hepatotoxic group was given CCl4; Groups III-V received different doses of plant extract with CCl(4). Liver marker enzymes were assayed in serum and antioxidant status was assessed in liver tissue.

RESULTS

Levels of marker enzymes such as alanine transminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were increased significantly in CCl4 treated rats (group II). STE brought about a significant decrease in the activities of all these enzymes. Lipid peroxidation (LP) was increased significant in liver tissue in the CCl4 treated rats (group II) while the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were decreased. STE treatment led to the recovery of these levels to near normal.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION

The present observations suggested that the treatment with S. trilobatum extract enhance the recovery from CCl4 induced hepatic damage due to its antioxidant and hepatoprotective property.

Bacopa monniera Linn. extract modulates antioxidant and marker enzyme status in fibrosarcoma bearing rats

Antioxidative property and tumor inhibitive property of B. monniera (20mg/kg body wt, sc) was examined in 3-methylcholanthrene induced fibrosarcoma rats. Antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the levels of glutathione (GSH) and the rate of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the liver and kidney tissues were assessed. A significant increase was noted for the rate of LPO with a corresponding decrease in the antioxidant enzyme status in fibrosarcoma bearing rats. In fibrosarcoma bearing rats, the tumor markers like lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and sialic acid (SA) were increased in the serum. Treatment with B. monniera extract significantly increased the antioxidant enzyme status, inhibited lipid peroxidation and reduced the tumor markers. It can be concluded that B.monniera extract promotes the antioxidant status, reduces the rate of lipid peroxidation and the markers of tumor progression in the fibrosarcoma bearing rats.

Effect of a polyherbal formulation, Ambrex, on butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) induced toxicity in rats

Effect of polyherbal formulation Ambrex was evaluated in butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) induced toxicity of lungs and liver in rats. Toxicity was produced by administering BHT (500 mg/kg/day) for 3 days. Lung damage was evidenced by elevated levels of broncho alveolar lavage fluid (BAL) parameters such as protein, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). Liver damage was proved by elevated levels of serum protein and markers such as LDH, ALP, aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), decreased level of lipid peroxides (LPO) in serum and glutathione (GSH) in liver. Administration of aqueous suspension of Ambrex (50 mg/kg orally) retained these elevated levels of BAL-protein, lactate, LDH, ALP, ACP, G6PDH and serum-protein, LDH, ALP, AST and ALT at near normal values. Decreased level of liver GSH was retained at near normalcy in Ambrex pretreated BHT-administered animals. There was no change in liver LPO in all the four groups.

Prevention of HCl-ethanol induced gastric mucosal injury in rats by Garcinia cambogia extract and its possible mechanism of action

Oral pretreatment of rats with G. cambogia fruit extract (1 g/kg body weight/day at interval of 7 and 15 days) protected gastric mucosa against HCl-ethanol induced damage by decreasing the volume and acidity of gastric juice. Increased lipid peroxidation, decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes, altered levels of protein and glycoproteins in the ulcerated mucosa, and gastric juice were maintained at near normal levels in G. cambogia pretreated rats. The results suggest the anti-ulcer activity of G. cambogia by virtue of its ability to decrease acidity and increase mucosal defense.

Oxidant and antioxidant activity changes in patients with oral cancer and treated with radiotherapy

Of all the clinical disciplines, radiotherapy probably has the most secure and scientific foundations. In oral cancer, radiotherapy may be used as the sole treatment or in combination with other modalities of treatment. Blood samples were collected from stage III oral cancer patients attending the Oncology Department, Bernard Institute of Radiation and Oncology, Chennai Medical College, Chennai, India, before initiating radiotherapy and after the sixth week of radiotherapy. The effect of radiation on oral cancer patients has been studied using activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA). The levels of MDA showed a significant increase in untreated and radiation oral cancer patients when compared with normal subjects. The activities of red blood cell (RBC) hemolysate antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, catalase, GPX, GR, GST and G6PDH showed a significant decrease, representing the lack of antioxidant defense. Radiation induces lipid peroxidation by inactivating the antioxidant enzymes, thereby rendering the system inefficient in management of the free radical attack. Thus, the degree of radiation affects the extent of the depression of the antioxidant enzyme activities and increases lipid peroxidation.