Protective effect of ethyl acetate fraction of Drynaria quercifolia against CCl4 induced rat liver fibrosis via Nrf2/ARE and NFκB signalling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Drynaria quercifolia rhizome is traditionally used as hepatoprotective drug especially in chronic jaundice. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was undertaken to scientifically evaluate the efficacy of D. quercifolia rhizome against liver fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: D. quercifolia rhizome crude extract (DQ) and its fractions of hexane (HDQ), ethyl acetate (EDQ), butanol (BDQ) were evaluated in vitro using primary hepatocytes and RAW 264.7 cells. In vivo anti-liver fibrotic activity of EDQ was assessed using CCl4 induced liver fibrosis in Wistar rats and serum biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, ALP, SB, cholesterol), MDA, PT, INR, GSH, SOD, CAT, liver glycogen, serum albumin levels were monitored. qRT-PCR analysis of TNF-α, COX-2, iNOS were performed. ELISA method was used to estimate TNF-α, COX-1 & 2. Histopathological studies like H & E, Masson's trichrome, immunohistochemistry staining for α-SMA, TIMP-1, Nrf2 were conducted. LC-Q-TOF-MS analysis of EDQ was conducted. RESULTS: In vitro activity guided fractionation of D. quercifolia revealed EDQ as active fraction when compared to other extracts. EDQ treatment significantly inhibited the expression of α-SMA, TIMP-1, COX-2, TNF-α, iNOS and increased the levels of Nrf2 in rat liver fibrosis. LC-Q-TOF-MS analysis of EDQ confirmed the presence of naringin and naringenin. CONCLUSION: The anti-liver fibrotic activity of EDQ is via inhibition of NFκB signalling pathway, antioxidant response through Nrf2 activation and further inhibition of HSC activation.

An Exploration of Phytochemicals from Simaroubaceae

Natural products such as plants, animals and minerals have been the basis of treatment of human diseases. Herbal remedies have been used for the treatment of many ailments. Many compounds have been derived from the plant species mentioned in the ancient texts of Indian system of medicine for the treatment of a number of ailments. The R and D thrust in the pharmaceutical sector is focused on development of new drugs, innovative/indigenous processes for known drugs and development of plant based drugs through investigation of leads from the traditional systems of medicine. The family Simaroubaceae is grouped in the order Rutales, is known to have a diverse range of secondary metabolites. Plants from this family are used as medicine to cure cancer and many other diseases. Isolation of diverse chemical compounds from Simaroubaceae on its stem bark, root bark and leaves have been reported. In this review, we are analysing with the chemical constituents of family Simaroubaceae.

Antioedematous and Analgesic Properties of Fertile Fronds of Drynaria quercifolia.

Inflammation is a complex biological response of tissue cells to harmful stimuli including trauma, tissue necrosis, and infections which plays a key role in the pathophysiology of many deadly diseases. In ethnomedicine Drynaria quercifolia fronds are used to treat inflammation as poultice on swellings and as antibacterial, hepatoprotective, and antipyretic agent. Herein, we have evaluated the antioedematous, antiproliferative, and analgesic properties of the ethanolic extract of fertile fronds of D. quercifolia (FF) by standard procedures. Oral administration of FF produced significant inhibition of carrageenan and histamine induced paw oedema in Wistar rats. FF significantly reduced both wet weight and dry weight of granuloma tissue which shows the inhibitory effect on exudative and proliferative phases of inflammation. FF significantly attenuated acute and delayed phases of formalin induced pain, acetic acid-induced writhing, capsaicin-induced nociception, and hot plate test in mice. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of coumarins, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolics, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids. Total phenolic content was 186 mg/g equivalent of gallic acid. The HPLC estimation showed flavanone glycoside naringin (1.2%) and its aglycone naringenin (0.02%). The presence of potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic principles in FF and their synergistic action may be the reason for the proposed therapeutic effects.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Smith.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Smith (Polypodiaceae), has been widely used by ethnic groups of India to treat inflammation, rheumatism, headache, bone fracture, jaundice, etc. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the ethanolic extract of rhizome of Drynaria quercifolia (DQ) and its phytochemical profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DQ was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects using carrageenan-induced paw oedema/cotton pellet-induced granuloma in Wistar rats and acetic acid-induced writhing/formalin-induced paw licking test in Swiss albino mice respectively. RESULTS: Oral administration of DQ produced significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw oedema and granuloma formation in rats, almost comparable to that caused by indomethacin. DQ significantly attenuated acute and delayed phases of formalin-induced pain and acetic acid-induced writhing episodes in mice. The analgesia was comparable to that produced by sodium salicylate and aspirin respectively. Phytochemical analysis gave positive tests for catechin, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolics, saponin, steroids, tannins, and triterpenes. The total phenolics in DQ was 244 mg/g and naringin content was 0.048%. CONCLUSION: The results suggest the presence of potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic principles in DQ that justifies its use for alleviating painful inflammatory conditions.

Hepatoprotective effect of three herbal extracts on aflatoxin B1-intoxicated rat liver.

INTRODUCTION: Roots of Ixora coccinea (Rubiaceae), and Rhinacanthus nasuta (Acanthaceae) and whole plants of Spilanthes ciliata (Asteraceae) are extensively used by tribal communities in South India to treat liver diseases. However, the veracity of these tribal claims has not been investigated scientifically using the liver toxin, aflatoxin. This study reports on the protective effects of these three herbal ethanolic extracts on the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-intoxicated livers of albino male Wistar rats. METHODS: Biochemical parameters, including serum hepatic enzymes (glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase), were studied. Hepatic tissues were processed for assay of reduced glutathione (GSH) and histological alterations. RESULTS: Pre-treatment of the rats with oral administration of the plant ethanolic extracts, Ixora coccinea (IC), Rhinacanthus nasuta (RN), Spilanthes ciliata (SC), prior to AFB1 was found to provide significant protection against toxin-induced liver damage, determined 72 hours after the AFB1 challenge (1.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) as evidenced by a significant lowering of the activity of the serum enzymes and enhanced hepatic reduced GSH status. Pathological examination of the liver tissues supported the biochemical findings. The three plant extracts, IC, RN and SC, showed significant antilipid peroxidant effects in vitro. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the hepatoprotective effects of the three plant extracts observed in this study might result from their potent antioxidative properties.

Modulatory effects of lxora coccinea flower on Cyclophosphamidetoxicity in tumour bearing mice.

The active fraction (AF) from lxora coccinea flowers prevented the decrease in haemoglobin levels and leucocyte counts of Dalton's lymphoma tumour bearing mice, treated with cyclophosphamide (CYP). It also significantly increased the life span of tumour bearing mice, treated with cyclophosphamide. Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum alkaline phosphatase (SAKP) levels of tumour bearing mice treated with CYP were decreased significantly by combination therapy with I.coccinea AF. indicating protection against hepatic toxicity.