Effectiveness of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. fruits in cancer and inflammatory diseases: A mini review.

BACKGROUND: Semecarpus anacardium Linn. (SCA) fruits are found in India's sub-Himalayan, tropical, and central regions and have been utilized for centuries in traditional Indian medicine to treat various ailments. In recent times, a growing body of research has emerged indicating that the extracts and active components found in SCA fruits possess qualities that can potentially inhibit the development of cancer and inflammatory markers. PURPOSE: This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the existing literature on the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the effects of extracts and phytochemicals of SCA fruits in cellular, animal models, and clinical trials of cancer and inflammatory diseases. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted utilizing several databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, preprint platforms, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews using the keywords "Semecarpus anacardium", "Anti-inflammatory," and "cancer". The collection of articles started with establishing the database and continued until April 2024. RESULTS: Out of 1130 retrieved database records, 316 pertained to systematic reviews. The remaining 814 records focused on examining the anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties of SCA fruits. In the course of these investigations, the four primary cancer types linked to SCA fruits are identified as lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer, and blood cancer. CONCLUSION: The findings will provide more support for investigating SCA fruits in cancer treatment and will furnish thorough reference data and recommendations for future studies on this botanical medication.

Antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activities of catechol derivatives and biflavonoid isolated from Semecarpus anacardium seeds.

Semecarpus anacardium Linn. (Family: Anacardiaceae), commonly known marking nuts has been used in various traditional system of medicines for various ailments (such as antiatherogenic, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, anticarcinogenic etc) since ancient times.Based on the wide pharmacological activities of this plant, the present study was aimed to explore the antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic potential in high fat diet fed rats using catechol derivatives I-IV and biflavonoid isolated from seeds of Semecarpus anacardium. Oral administration of catechol derivatives I-IV and biflavonoid at a concentration of 50 mg/kg b.wt to high fat diet fed rats for a period of 30 days significantly decreased the lipid profiles, body weight gain and organ weight when compared to untreated hypercholesterolemic rats. However, biflavonoid treated hypercholesterolemic rats showed more pronounced effects in all the parameters tested when compared to all catechol derivatives (I-IV) treated hypercholesterolemic rats. The effect produced by biflavonoid on various parameters was comparable to that of simvastastin- a standard drug. In vitro antioxidant activities were also conducted using these five compounds in which biflavonoid showed more significant antioxidant potential at a concentration of 1000 µg/ml when compared to catechol derivatives (I-IV). The pronounced antioxidant potential of biflavonoid might have contributed to the hypolipidemic action in hypercholesterolemic rats and improved oil red O staining of thoracic aorta has also supported the parameters investigated. Further, the molecular mechanism of cholesterol lowering potential of this drug is needed.

Water extract of Semecarpus parvifolia Thw. leaves inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis on HEp-2 cells.

BACKGROUND: Semecarpus parvifolia Thw is used as an ingredient of poly herbal decoctions to treat cancer in traditional medicine. The present study aims to investigate the antiproliferative activity on HEp 2 cells by the water extract of S. parvifolia leaves and to evaluate potential mechanisms. METHODS: The plant extract was exposed to S. parvifolia for 24 hours and antiproliferative activity was quantified by Sulforhodamine B (SRB), 3-(4, 5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Morphological changes were observed after staining cells with ethidium bromide/acridine orange (EB/AO) and Giemsa dye. Comet assay was performed to evaluate the DNA damage. The toxicity of the plant extract was determined by brine shrimp lethality assay. RESULTS: S. parvifolia leaves reduced the cell proliferation in a dose and time dependent manner. A two fold increase in NO level was observed at higher concentrations. Morphological changes characteristic to apoptosis were observed in light microscopy, Giemsa and EB/AO stained cells. Fragmented DNA further confirmed its capacity to induce apoptosis. No lethality was observed with brine shrimps. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Semecarpus parvifolia Thw induces apoptosis in HEp-2 cells through a NO dependent pathway.

A new bischromanone from the stems of Semecarpus caudata.

From an CHCl3-soluble fraction of the stems of Semecarpus caudata, one new bischromanone named semecarpanone (1), together with 5 known flavonoids (2-6) were isolated. Their structures were elucidated based on interpretation of spectroscopic data. The stereo-configuration of 1 was identified based on the calculated and experimental coupling constants. Compounds 4-6 showed potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity with the IC50 values ranging from 15.0 to 76.3 µM.

In vitro acaricidal properties of Semecarpus anacardium fruit and Datura stramonium leaf extracts against acaricide susceptible (IVRI-I line) and resistant (IVRI-V line) Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus.

In an attempt to identify plants having anti-tick properties, the 95% ethanolic and 50% hydro-ethanolic extracts of the fruits of Semecarpus anacardium and leaves of Datura stramonium were evaluated against reference tick lines of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. The 95% ethanolic extracts of S. anacardium and D. stramonium caused 50% and 20% mortality, respectively, within 72 h of treatment by adult immersion test. The LC90 value of the ethanolic fruit extract of S. anacardium was determined as 13.5% (CI 12.05-15.12). The extract was also found efficacious (73.3%±3.3%) against the multi-acaricide-resistant IVRI-V line of R.(B.) microplus. The S. anacardium extract significantly affected the reproductive physiology of treated ticks by inhibiting the oviposition and was found safe. The HPTLC fingerprinting profile revealed the presence of pyrocatechol as a marker compound. The acaricidal property of S. anacardium against chemical acaricide-resistant R. (B.) microplus was discussed.

Erythrocyte Protoporphyrin Fluorescence as a Biomarker to Monitor the Anticancer Effect of Semecarpus Anacardium in DMBA Induced Mammary Carcinoma Rat Model.

Endogenous fluorescence has been proposed as a means of aiding the diagnosis of various malignancies. It has been suggested that erythrocytes may be the carriers of fluorophors that accumulate in cancer tissue and may be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of malignancies. Hence, the present study was designed to explore the spectrofluorimetric analysis of blood components as a marker for the analysis of mammary carcinoma treatment and also to bring about the protective effect of the drug Semecarpus anacardium on oxidative stress mediated damage of erythrocytes. Fluorescence spectra of the blood components were studied and also the level of lipid per oxides and antioxidant enzymes status in erythrocytes were determined in DMBA induced mammary carcinoma rats treated with Semecarpus anacardium Linn nut milk extract. Fluorescence emission spectroscopy of blood components are altered under cancer conditions and the drug effectively ameliorated these alterations in mammary carcinoma induced rats. The drug also effectively reduced the oxidative stress induced erythrocyte damage thereby restoring the erythrocytes antioxidant status. These results suggest that erythrocytes may be the carriers of fluorophors that accumulate in cancer tissue and hence acts as new biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment.

Antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of ethanolic extract of Semecarpus anacardium (Linn.) bark.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a global health problem and constantly increasing day by day. The number of diabetic people in world is expected to rise to 366 million in 2030. The available drugs for diabetes, insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents have one or more side effects and search for new antidiabetic drugs with minimal or no side effects from medicinal plants is a challenging for us. The present study was undertaken to investigate the antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of Semecarpus anacardium (Linn.) (abbreviated as SF). METHODS: The antidiabetic activity was determined by using alloxan-induced diabetic rats. After 15 days of treatment, serum biochemical parameters such as TC, TG, LDL, HDL, SGOT and SGPT were estimated. The survival rate, body weight, organ weight, liver glycogen and blood parameters (RBC and Hb) were also measured. The antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Phytochemical screening, total phenolic and total flavonoid content were determined by using standard methods. RESULTS: The results showed that the survival rate was 100% in rats of Group SA 400. The effect of extract on blood glucose level in Groups SA 100, SA 200 and SA 400 were dose-dependent throughout the treatment period. No significant changes in organ weight to body weight ratio were observed, liver weights significantly improved in Groups SA 200 and SA 400. The bark extract exhibited significant (p < 0.05) anti-diabetic activity with lowering TC, TG, LDL level dose-dependently and protected liver which may be partially explained by attenuation of SGOT and SGPT levels and increases liver glycogen. The percentage of Hb and RBC counts were negatively correlated with the doses of extracts. In DPPH scavenging assay, IC50 values of SA extract and ascorbic acid were found 72.24 µg/ml and 17.81 µg/ml, respectively. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of steroids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, and tannins that were contribute to biological activity. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that stem barks of S. anacardium possess strong anti-diabetic and antioxidant potentials and support traditional medicinal use for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and good source for natural antioxidants.

An eco-friendly method for short term preservation of skins/hides using Semecarpus anacardium nut extract.

Preservation or curing of hides and skins is performed as the primary step of leather processing. Common salt is employed as the conventional agent for curing purpose. Use of salt enhances the pollution load of tannery effluent which becomes highly contaminated with increased total dissolved solids and chlorides. To overcome this hurdle, researchers are in constant search of alternative preservation techniques which are either totally void of salt or use only a meager amount of salt. In the present study, we had explored the possibility of using Semecarpus anacardium nut extract as an alternative to salt for the curing process by assessing different parameters like hair slip, putrefaction odor, volatile nitrogen content, moisture content, bacterial count, and shrinkage temperature in comparison to the salt curing method. The antibacterial property of the plant extract was also investigated. The results obtained substantiated that the nut extract of S. anacardium effectively could preserve the skins for more than a month, by its antibacterial activity along with the dehydrating property of acetone.

Evaluation of an ethnomedicinal combination containing Semecarpus kurzii and Hernandia peltata used for the management of inflammation.

CONTEXT: Scientific validation of an ethnomedicinal combination consisting of Semecarpus kurzii Engler (Anacardeaceae) leaves (SKL) and Hernandia peltata Meisn (Hernandeaceae) stem-bark (HPB), traditionally used in ailments related to inflammation, pain and fever. OBJECTIVE: To validate in vivo and in vitro analgesic and antiinflammatory activities of methanol extract of SKL, HPB and their combination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analgesic activity was tested by acetic acid induced writhing reflex and tail flick in Swiss albino mice, while the anti-inflammatory activity was studied in acute, subacute and chronic model on Wistar rats. The vascular permeability, membrane stabilization and protein denaturation were examined to know the possible mode of action. RESULTS: Significant (p < 0.01) analgesic (78.04% inhibition of writhing) and antiinflammatory (72.54% inhibition of paw edema) activity was observed in combination of SKL and HPB extracts at 250 mg/kg each. The SKL extract alone inhibits acetic acid-induced vascular permeability (64.4%) at 500 mg/kg, while in combination at 250 mg/kg each, the inhibition was 69.49% (p < 0.01). Furthermore, SKL in combination with HPB (0.25 mg/mL each) prevent RBC hemolysis (61.91%) and inhibition of protein denaturation (76.52%)-like indomethacin. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The SKL and HPB extract, alone (500 mg/kg) and in combination, (250 mg/kg each) had significant analgesic and antiinflammatory activity, probably by inhibiting the release of certain inflammatory mediators and membrane stabilization, due to the presence of triterpenes, tannins and related phytochemicals in the extracts. Thus, our results demonstrated that this combination provide the scientific rationale of its folk use.

Potential antidiabetic effect of the Semecarpus anacardium in a type 2 diabetic rat model.

Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract (SA) was evaluated for its antidiabetic role in type 2 diabetic rats. Type 2 diabetes was induced in rats by feeding high-fat diet for 2 weeks followed by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin 35 mg/kg body weight. Diabetic rats were treated with SA orally at a dosage of 200 mg/kg body weight daily for 30 days. Metformin (500 mg/kg body weight, orally) was used as a reference drug. SA significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the blood glucose levels and decreased the levels of HbA1c and the glucose intolerance. SA treatment significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the increase in lipid profile. The levels of urea, uric acid and creatinine were restored to near normal levels when compared with control diabetic rats. The histopathological abnormalities were also found to be normalized after treatment with SA nut milk extract. The potential antihyperglycemic action of SA is plausibly due to its underlying antioxidant role.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperlipidemic effect of Semecarpus anacardium in a high fat diet: STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rat model.

INTRODUCTION: Semecarpus anacardium, known as marking nut, has been used in indigenous system of medicine against various ailments. AIM: To evaluate the antilipidemic and anti-inflammatory effect of S. anacardium Linn. nut milk extract (SA) in Type 2 diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes was induced in rats by feeding them with a high fat diet followed by i.p. of 35 mg/kg body weight of streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were treated with the drugs, SA (200 mg/kg body weight) and metformin (500 mg/kg body weight) for 30 days. Antilipidemic effect of the drug was established by studying the lipoprotein alterations and also the alterations in the lipid profile and lipid metabolizing enzymes in the experimental group of rats. The effect of the drug on the expression of PPAR γ was also studied. To determine the anti-inflammatory effect of the drug, the levels of inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6 and also C-reactive protein were determined. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract at a dosage of 200 mg/kg orally significantly (p < 0.05) reduced and normalized the alterations in the lipid metabolism in diabetic rats effectively than metformin. SA treatment significantly (p < 0.05) increased the mRNA expression of PPAR γ, thereby establishing the antilipidemic effect of the drug. The increase in the levels of inflammatory cytokines were significantly (p < 0.05) brought down to near normal levels on treatment with the drug SA. CONCLUSION: The present study thereby establishes the antilipidemic and anti-inflammatory effect of the drug. Thus, by decreasing the alterations in the lipid metabolism and inflammatory status, the drug can effectively improve the insulin sensitivity in rats and can serve as an excellent drug in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Ameliorating effect of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract on altered glucose metabolism in high fat diet STZ induced type 2 diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effect of the drug Semecarpus anacardium (S. anacardium)on altered glucose metabolism in diabetic rats. METHODS: Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by feeding rats with high fat diet followed by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (35 mg/kg b.w.). Seven days after STZ induction, diabetic rats received nut milk extract of S. anacardium Linn. nut milk extract orally at a dosage of 200 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks. The effect of nut milk extract of S. anacardium on blood glucose, plasma insulin, glucose metabolising enzymes and GSK were studied. RESULTS: Treatment with SA extract showed a significant reduction in blood glucose levels and increase in plasma insulin levels and also increase in HOMA - ß and decrease in HOMA -IR. The drug significantly increased the activity of glycolytic enzymes and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and increased the glycogen content in liver of diabetic rats while reducing the activities of gluconeogenic enzymes. The drug also effectively ameliorated the alterations in GSK-3 mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the present study demonstrates the possible mechanism of glucose regulation of S. anacardium suggestive of its therapeutic potential for the management of diabetes mellitus.

Antidiabetic and antioxidant effect of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract in a high-fat diet STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rat model.

Semecarpus anacardium commonly known as marking nut has been used in the Siddha system of medicine against various ailments. The antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of the drug was evaluated in Type 2 diabetic rats induced by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) for 2 weeks followed by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) 35 mg/kg body weight. Three days after STZ induction, the hyperglycemic rats were treated with Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract (SA) orally at a dosage of 200 mg/kg body weight daily for 30 days. Metformin (500 mg/kg body weight, orally) was used as a reference drug. The fasting blood glucose, insulin, Hb, HbA1c levels, and HOMA-IR and HOMA-ß were measured, and also the levels of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes were observed. SA significantly (p < .05) reduced and normalized blood glucose levels and also decreased the levels of HbA1c as compared with that of HFD STZ control group. SA treatment also significantly (p < .05) increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes while decreasing the levels of lipid peroxidation. The potential antihyperglycemic action and antioxidant role might be due to the presence of flavonoids in the drug.

Wound healing promoting activity of stem bark extract of Semecarpus anacardium using rats.

The wound healing promoting property of stem bark methanol extract of Semecarpus anacardium was evaluated at three different dosages by excision, incision and dead space wound models using Wistar albino rats. Framycetin skin ointment was used as standard. LD(50) of methanol extract was determined to be 500 mg kg(-1). In methanol extract (20% ointment) treated group, epithelialisation of the incision wound was faster with a high rate of wound contraction. The tensile strength of the incision wound was significantly increased when compared to other treated groups. The histological examination of the dead space wound model granulation tissue of the methanol extract (100 mg kg(-1)) treated group showed increased cross-linking of collagen fibres and absence of monocytes as compared to control. Methanol extract at 100 mg kg(-1) exhibited significant wound healing activity but was lesser than standard; whereas, in animals treated with 50 and 75 mg kg(-1) showed moderate activity. This investigation supported the ethnomedicinal claims of S. anacardium.

Catechol alkenyls from Semecarpus anacardium: acetylcholinesterase inhibition and binding mode predictions.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The fruits of Semecarpus anacardium L. f. (Anacardiaceae) are used in Ayurvedic medicine and also in Iranian Traditional Medicine for various indications, among those for retarding and treatment of dementia. AIM OF THE STUDY: The severity of Alzheimer's disease obviously correlates with a cholinergic deficit. In a screening for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity, an extract from the fruit resin of Semecarpus anacardium was among the most active ones. Thus, the aim of this study was to isolate the active compounds and to investigate them in detail. Their binding mode to the active site of AChE was investigated by in silico docking experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a dichloromethane extract in an activity-guided fractionation the active compounds were isolated under use of different chromatographic techniques. Their structures were unambiguously identified by one and two-dimensional (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and their cholinesterase inhibitory activities were determined by a microplate assay. In order to compare the 3D active sites of AChE from Torpedo californica (TcAChE) and from Electrophorus electricus (EeAChE), three files from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) were used and for docking experiments, GOLD 3.1 software was employed. The concentrations of active compounds in the extract and the fruits were determined by HPLC analysis. RESULTS: The active compounds were determined as 1',2'-dihydroxy-3'-pentadec-8-enylbenzene (A) and 1',2'-dihydroxy-3'-pentadeca-8,11-dienylbenzene (B). Their IC(50) values in an in vitro assay on AChE inhibition were determined as 12 and 34 µg/mL, respectively, while they were not active in the inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). In silico docking experiments showed a similar bioactivity for compounds A and B. The concentration of compounds A and B in the fruits was 1.85% and 1.88%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In the search for the active principle of the fruit resin of Semecarpus anacardium, compounds A and B were identified as two selective inhibitors for AChE versus BChE.

Tetrahydroamentoflavone (THA) from Semecarpus anacardium as a potent inhibitor of xanthine oxidase.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Seed of Semecarpus anacardium L. is widely used in Indian traditional medicine; Ayurveda and Sidha, for treatment of inflammatory disorders and gout. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was aimed at isolation of a compound for its potential to inhibit xanthine oxidase (XO), over expression of which lead to inflammation and gout. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Activity guided fractionation of S. anacardium seed was conducted using liquid-liquid partition and preparative HPLC. The fractions were evaluated for their XO inhibition and antioxidant activity. The ethyl acetate fraction with the highest XO activity yielded a biflavonoid compound tetrahydroamentoflavone (THA). Lineweaver-Burk (LB) plot for the XO inhibition of THA and allopurinol was constructed from the kinetic data. RESULTS: IC50 values of THA and allopurinol for XO inhibition were 92 and 100 nM respectively and their corresponding values for K(i) were 0.982 and 0.612 µM respectively. CONCLUSION: THA was a potent XO inhibitor which could be considered as a drug candidate or chemopreventive agent, after establishing its pharmacological and clinical evaluation. The study results appear to support the claim of the traditional medicine with respect to the efficacy of S. anacardium seed against inflammation and gout.

Oily fraction of Semecarpus anacardium Linn nuts involves protein kinase C activation for its pro-inflammatory response.

The oily fraction (non polar fraction-NPF) of S. anacardium (SA) significantly increased the expression of protein kinase C-delta (PKC-delta) in macrophages in concentration dependent manner, which was similar to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) response. Further, H-7 (1-(5-isoquinolinesulphonyl)-2-methylpiperazine), an inhibitor of PKC significantly inhibited this NPF mediated response in a concentration dependent manner. In the post treatment kinetics, H-7 showed this inhibition only up to 6 min post NPF/PMA addition, but in similar condition, quercetin, a flavone with reported antioxidant property, showed this inhibition only up to 2 min. The results clearly suggest that oily fraction of SA nuts enhances the expression of PKC protein, which may be responsible for its reported pro-inflammatory property.

Isolation and characterization of an anticancer catechol compound from Semecarpus anacardium.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The fruits and seeds of Semecarpus anacardium are used widely for the treatment of human cancers and other diseases in the Ayurvedic and Sidda systems of medicine in India. AIM OF THE STUDY: The principal aim of this investigation was to isolate and characterize the anticancer compound from the kernel of Semecarpus anacardium nut. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bioactivity-tailored isolation and detailed chemical characterization were used to identify the active compound. Cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest as well as synergism between the identified anticancer compound and doxorubicin in human tumor cell lines were analyzed. RESULTS: GC/MS, IR, proton NMR, carbon NMR and collisionally induced dissociation (CID) spectra analysis showed that the isolated active compound is 3-(8'(Z),11'(Z)-pentadecadienyl) catechol (SA-3C). SA-3C is cytotoxic to tumor cell lines with IC(50) values lower than doxorubicin and even multidrug resistant tumor cell lines were equally sensitive to SA-3C. SA-3C induced apoptosis in human leukemia cell lines in a dose-dependent manner and showed synergistic cytotoxicity with doxorubicin. The cell cycle arrest induced by SA-3C at S- and G(2)/M-phases correlated with inhibition of checkpoint kinases. CONCLUSION: SA-3C isolated from the kernel of Semecarpus anacardium can be developed as an important anticancer agent for single agent and/or multiagent cancer therapy.

Ameliorating effect of Kalpaamruthaa, a Siddha preparation in adjuvant induced arthritis in rats with reference to changes in proinflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins.

BACKGROUND: As disease initiation and propagation still represents a research question in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the cytokines play a central role in the inflammatory articular process including the synovial proliferation and cartilage destruction in RA and understanding the role of these cytokines in turn exploits them as therapeutic targets in RA. OBJECTIVES: The present study illustrates the beneficial outcome of the Siddha drug Kalpaamruthaa (KA) in reducing the pathological lesions caused by the proinflammatory cytokines in adjuvant induced arthritis (AIA) in rats. KA consists of Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract (SA), dried powder of Emblica officinalis fruit and honey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Both SA and KA were administered at dose of 150 mg/kg b.wt. for 14 days after 14 days of adjuvant injection in rats. The protein expressions of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), the levels of acute phase proteins, immunoglobulins and the radiological, histopathological and electron microscopical changes in control and experimental animals were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Both SA and KA significantly regulated the inflammation in arthritic joints by reducing extracellular matrix degradation and cartilage and bone destruction via down regulating the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, as well the levels of acute phase proteins with appreciable increase in the levels of immunoglobulins in arthritic rats. Of both the drugs KA exhibited a profound effect than sole treatment of SA and the enhanced effect of KA might be attributed to the combined effect of the flavonoids, tannins, vitamin C and other phytoconstituents present in the drug.

Semecarpus anacardium nut extract promotes the antioxidant defence system and inhibits anaerobic metabolism during development of lymphoma.

Antioxidants are substances that fight against ROS (reactive oxygen species) and protect the cells from their damaging effects. Production of ROS during cellular metabolism is balanced by their removal by antioxidants. Any condition leading to increased levels of ROS results in oxidative stress, which promotes a large number of human diseases, including cancer. Therefore antioxidants may be regarded as potential anticarcinogens, as they may slow down or prevent development of cancer by reducing oxidative stress. Fruits and vegetables are rich source of antioxidants. Moreover, a number of phytochemicals present in medicinal plants are known to possess antioxidant activity. Therefore the aim of the present study was to investigate antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract of nuts of the medicinal plant Semecarpus anacardium in AKR mouse liver during the development of lymphoma. Antioxidant action was monitored by the activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione transferase. The effect of S. anacardium was also studied by observing the activity of LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), an enzyme of anaerobic metabolism. LDH activity serves as a tumour marker. The activities of antioxidant enzymes decreased gradually as lymphoma developed in mouse. However, LDH activity increased progressively. Administration of the aqueous extract of S. anacardium to lymphoma-transplanted mouse led to an increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, whereas LDH activity decreased significantly, indicating a decrease in carcinogenesis. The aqueous extract was found to be more effective than doxorubicin, a classical anticarcinogenic drug, with respect to its action on antioxidant enzymes and LDH in the liver of mice with developing lymphomas.