Pharmacological evaluation of Acacia modesta bark for antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidepressant and anticoagulant activities in Sprague Dawley rats.

In this study the bark of Acacia modesta was evaluated for anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antidepressant and anticoagulant activity by carrageenan, hot plat, forced swim and capillary tube method respectively in rats. Highest anti-inflammatory activity was exhibited by chloroform (AMC) extract (74.96% inhibition) while other two active fractions being n-hexane (AMH) and ethyl acetate (AME) exhibited 71.26% and 52.87% inhibition of edema respectively. On the other hand, the aqueous (AMA) fraction showed most effective response with 67.06% analgesic activity. Additionally, the significant (p<0.05) post-treatment antipyretic effect was found by all fractions in time dependent manner. The current findings showed that AMC, AME and AMA had significant reduction in immobility time in the antidepressant test, while AMH showed mild antidepressant activity. In anticoagulant assay, the coagulation time of crude extract A. modesta and its all fractions were comparable to that of positive control aspirin (208s). Moreover, neither mortality nor lethality was observed in the tested animals. Overall, the plant extracts showed potent anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antidepressant and anticoagulant activities which concludes that the bark of A. modesta have significant therapeutic potential.

Antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of Alnus nitida leaves in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Leaves of Alnus nitida are used by local communities for the management of diabetes and in inflammatory disorders. METHODS: Powder of shade dried leaves of A. nitida was extracted with methanol (ANME) and fractionated in escalating polarity i.e n-hexane (ANHE), chloroform (ANCE), ethyl acetate (ANEE) and soluble residual aqueous fraction (ANAE). The extract/fractions were evaluated for antidiabetic in vitro assays; α-amylase, α-glucosidase and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). The in vivo investigations were carried out on ANEE and ANAE (100 mg/kg; 200 mg/kg, p.o.) in alloxan (125 mg/kg i.p.) induced hyperglycemic rats. Serum analysis was performed on liver, pancreas and kidney function markers. Analysis of antioxidant enzymes and genotoxic studies were carried out on pancreas, liver and kidneys tissues. GC-MS analysis was performed on ANME whereas HPLC analysis was carried out on ANME, ANEE and ANAE. RESULTS: Preliminary in vitro assays indicated appreciable antidiabetic activity of ANEE and ANAE against α-amylase, α-glucosidase and DPP-4 assay. Furthermore, in vivo antidiabetic effect of ANEE and ANAE was inveterate by anti-hyperglycemic action in normal glucose loaded and diabetic glucose loaded animals. Single dose of alloxan (125 mg/kg) decreased the level of insulin and high density lipoprotein while raised the level of amylase and lipase, ALT, AST, total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, creatinine, BUN, CPK, CK-Mb in serum. Concentration of H2O2, lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and nitrite was increased (P < 0.05) whereas level of tissue protein, glutathione content (GSH) and antioxidant enzymes decreased in pancreas, liver and kidneys as compared to control group. Administration of ANEE and ANAE for 14 days after induction of diabetes decreased the hyperglycemia and restored the level of these parameters. Histopathological and genotoxic studies also endorsed the defensive strategies of ANEE and ANAE. GC-MS analysis of ANME demonstrated the presence of antidiabetic constituents i.e. linalool, Vitamin E and phytol. CONCLUSION: Results obtained in this study suggests antidiabetic and antioxidant abilities and provides the scientific proof of the folklore medicine.