Neurotoxic effects of environmental contaminants-measurements, mechanistic insight, and environmental relevance.

Pollution is a significant and growing concern for any population regardless of age because these environmental contaminants exhibit different neurodegenerative effects on persons of different ages. These environmental contaminants are the products of human welfare projects like industry, automobile exhaust, clinical and research laboratory extrudes, and agricultural chemicals. These contaminants are found in various forms in environmental matrices like nanoparticles, particulate matter, lipophilic vaporized toxicants, and ultrafine particulate matter. Because of their small size, they can easily cross blood-brain barriers or use different cellular mechanisms for assistance. Other than this, these contaminants cause an innate immune response in different cells of the central nervous system and cause neurotoxicity. Considering the above critiques and current needs, this review summarizes different protective strategies based on bioactive compounds present in plants. Various bioactive compounds from medicinal plants with neuroprotective capacities are discussed with relevant examples. Many in vitro studies on clinical trials have shown promising outcomes using plant-based bioactive compounds against neurological disorders.

Ethyl-acetate extract of tara mira (Eruca sativa) alleviates the inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis in rats.

Eruca sativa, member of family Brassicaceae, was evaluated for its anti-arthritic potential. Both in vitro and in vivo models were used to bring out a safe, effective and economical remedy. In vitro tests included egg albumin denaturation suppression, bovine serum albumin assay and human red blood cells maintenance assay. While in vivo formaldehyde-induced arthritic model was initiated to check effect on paw volume. Similarly, carrageenan produced inflammation was applied to check anti-inflammatory ability of the plant. Acute toxicity studies showed safety margin at 2000mg/kg. The plant showed concentration dependent denaturation protection and membrane stability in vitro assays. Likewise, the carrageenan and formaldehyde investigations revealed visible paw volume reduction in dose attributed manner, with maximum outcome at dose of 500mg/kg. Hence, it may be established on the ground of presented results that ethyl-acetate extract of Eruca sativa has significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects and may be considered for further research to reveal the core mechanism.