Antioxidant and vasorelaxant effects of aqueous extract of large cardamom in L-NAME induced hypertensive rats.

PURPOSE: The present work aimed to study the effect of aqueous extract of large cardamom (AELC) to prevent vascular remodeling and oxidative stress in Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertension. METHOD: Male Wistar rats were administered with L-NAME 40 mg/kg/day for 28 days by oral gavage. The treatments included captopril (20 mg/kg/day) or AELC (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day) along with L-NAME administration. RESULTS: L-NAME treated rats showed high systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure, decreased nitric oxide level, increased level of malondialdehyde in plasma, heart, aorta and kidney, hypertrophy of the vascular wall and reduced vascular response to acetylcholine in phenylephrine-precontracted aorta. Treatment with AELC markedly reduced the blood pressure, restored the nitric oxide level, reduced the malondialdehyde level, alleviated the hypertrophy in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Additionally, it also improved the vascular response to acetylcholine in phenylephrine pre-contracted aorta. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our results demonstrate the preventive effect of AELC in L-NAME-induced hypertensive model, which is possibly related to antioxidant activities and restoration of nitric oxide level.

Amelioration of oxidative stress by Tabernamontana divaricata on alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-diabetic activity of ethanol extract of Tabernamontana divaricata (L.) and its ameliorative effect on oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate (140 mg/kg body weight). Methanol extract of T. divaricata was administered at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight in diabetic induced rats including glibenclamide (3 mg/kg) as a reference drug. In the continuous 21 days treatment, fasting blood glucose level was determined on 0, 7, 14 and 21 days. On day 21, serum lipid profiles and glycosylated hemoglobin, liver antioxidant enzymes levels were estimated. RESULTS: Experimental findings showed a significant anti-diabetic potential of the extract in terms of reduction in blood glucose levels and a correct effect on the altered biochemical parameters. Observed data were found statistically significant in correction of antioxidant enzyme level accompanied with diabetes, particularly at the dose of 200 mg/kg body weight. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, it can be concluded that the T. divaricata is found to be effective in type 2 diabetes in rats and to have an ameliorative effect on the associated oxidative stress.

Pharmacognostical, antioxidant and antiulcer screening of Cyclea peltata roots

Cyclea peltata Hook. f. & Thomson, belongs to the family Menispermaceae commonly known as "paatha", is a climbing shrub found throughout South and East India. In Indian traditional medicine the tuberous roots are also used to treat jaundice, stomachache, fever and asthma. This study deals with the microscopic study of leafs and roots of C. peltata, along with the physico-chemical, preliminary phytochemical analyses and antioxidant properties. Acute oral toxicity study was conducted as per OECD-423 guidelines and the extract was found to be devoid of any conspicuous acute toxicity in extract treated animals and no mortality upto 2 g/kg by oral route. Hydroalcoholic extract of C. peltata in a dose dependant manner (125 and 250 mg/kg. p.o.) showed significant gastric protection against the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in rats.

Antioxidant activity of Nelumbo nucifera (Gaertn) flowers in isolated perfused rat kidney / Atividade antioxidante das flores de Nelumbo nucifera (Gaertn) em rim isolado perfundido de rato

A padronização da indução de estresse oxidativo com a mstura de Fenton em rim isolado perfundido de rato e a avaliação do efeito antioxidante das flores de Nelumbo nucifera em rim isolado de rato oxidativamente estressado são realizadas no presente estudo. Seis grupos de rim isolado perfundido de rato foram utilizados para o presente estudo. O grupo I de rins recebeu veículo. O grupo II de rins foi oxidativamente estressados com a mistura de Fenton. Os grupos III e IV de animais foram tratados com duas doses graduais de extrato após a administração da mistura de Fenton. Os grupos V e VI de rins foram perfundidos com duas doses graduais de extrato sem a mistura de Fenton. A mistura de Fenton causou estresse oxidativo com diferença significativa de malondialdeído (TBARS), glutationa reduzida (GSH), glutationa peroxidase (GPx), catalase, glutamato oxaloacetato transaminase (GOT) e glutamato piruvato transaminase (GPT) (p<0,05) em ratos doentes. No tratamento dos animais com extrato, o estresse oxidativo foi diminuído com aumento nos antioxidantes e as enzimas marcadoras mantiveram o nível normal. Este efeito do extrato foi dependente da dose. Em conclusão, a mistura de Fenton desenvolveu o estresse oxidativo em rim isolado perfundido de rato e o extrato das flores de Nelumbo nucifera apresenta atividade antioxidante no rim isolado perfundido oxidativamente estressado.

Standardization of induction of oxidative stress with Fenton mixture in isolated perfused rat kidney and evaluation of antioxidant effect of Nelumbo nucifera flowers in isolated oxidatively stressed rat kidney are carried out in present study. Six groups of isolated perfused rat kidney were used for the present study. Group I kidneys were received vehicle. Group II kidneys were oxidatively stressed with Fenton mixture. Group III and IV animals were treated with two graded doses of extract after the administration of Fenton mixture. Group V and VI kidneys were perfused with two graded doses of extract without Fenton mixture. Fenton mixture was found to cause oxidative stress with significant difference of malondialdehyde (TBARS), Reduced glutathione (GSH), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (GOT) and Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (GPT) (p<0.05) in diseased rats. On treating animals with extract, the oxidative stress was decreased with increase in antioxidants and the marker enzymes were found to maintain the normal level. This effect of extract was found to be dose dependent. In conclusion, Fenton mixture developed the oxidative stress in isolated perfused rat kidney and Nelumbo nucifera flowers extract exhibits antioxidant activity in that oxidatively stressed isolated perfused kidney.