Pentachlorophenol causes redox imbalance, inhibition of brush border membrane and metabolic enzymes, DNA damage and histological alterations in rat kidney.

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is a synthetic organochlorine compound that is widely used in biocide and pesticide industries, and in preservation of wood, fence posts, cross arms and power line poles. Humans are usually exposed to PCP through air, contaminated water and food. PCP enters the body and adversely affects liver, gastrointestinal tract, kidney and lungs. PCP is a highly toxic class 2B or probable human carcinogen that produces large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cells. This work aimed to determine PCP-induced oxidative damage in rat kidney. Adult rats were given PCP (25, 50, 100, 150 mg/kg body weight), in corn oil, once a day for 5 days while control rats were given similar amount of corn oil by oral gavage. PCP increased hydrogen peroxide level and oxidation of thiols, proteins and lipids. The antioxidant status of kidney cells was compromised in PCP treated rats while enzymes of brush border membrane (BBM) and carbohydrate metabolism were inhibited. Plasma level of creatinine and urea was also increased. Administration of PCP increased DNA fragmentation, cross-linking of DNA to proteins and DNA strand scission in kidney. Histological studies supported biochemical findings and showed significant damage in the kidneys of PCP-treated rats. These changes could be due to redox imbalance or direct chemical modification by PCP or its metabolites. These results signify that PCP-induced oxidative stress causes nephrotoxicity, dysfunction of BBM enzymes and DNA damage.

Wound healing potentials of Thevetia peruviana: Antioxidants and inflammatory markers criteria.

Thevetia peruviana is a medicinal plant used in the treatment of external wounds, infected area, ring worms, tumours etc. in traditional system of medicine. The aim of the study was to evaluate the wound healing potentials of T. peruviana leaves hexane (LH) and fruit rind (FW) water extracts and to prove the folkloric claims. The antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials could be important strategies in defining potent wound healing drug. Based on these approaches the current study was designed using incision, excision and dead space wound models with the biochemical, antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory marker analysis. The fruit rind water extract showed highest WBS of 1133 ± 111.4 g. The extracts in excision model retrieved the excised wound i.e. complete healing of wound at day 14. The hydroxyproline content of FW and LH treated dry granuloma tissue was increased to 65.73 ± 3.2 mg/g and 53.66 ± 0.38 mg/g, accompanied by elevations of hexosamine and hexauronic acid with upregulation of GSH, catalase, SOD, peroxidase and the down regulation of the inflammatory marker (NO) and oxidative stress marker (LPO) in wet granulation tissue was documented. Conclusively, both the extracts showed enhanced WBS, rate of wound contraction, skin collagen tissue development, and early epithelisation. Therapeutic wound healing effect was further proven by reduced free radicals and inflammatory makers associated with enhanced antioxidants and connective tissue with histological evidence of more collagen formation. The present research could establish T. peruviana as potential source of effective wound healing drugs.

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of ethanol extract of Cassia fistula fruit in hyperlipidemic mice.

CONTEXT: The plant Cassia fistula L. (Caesalpiniaceae) fruit was widely used by traditional practitioners to treat cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in India. Hyperlipidemia is a lipid metabolism disorder and the major risk factor for the development of CVDs. Although most of the current hypolipidemic drugs are expensive and have potential side effects, the research focusing on natural alternative medicines is relevant. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of ethanol extract of C. fistula fruit (CFE) in high-fat diet (HFD) induced hyperlipidemia in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oral administration of CFE at 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg body weight on HFD induced hyperlipidemia mice for 30 days. The standard drug atorvastatin (20 mg/kg) was used to compare the efficacy of CFE. Hypolipidemic effect was evidenced by the measurement of serum lipid profile and further confirmed by Oil Red O staining of adipose tissue. The hepatic and cardiac melondialdehyde (MDA) level and antioxidant enzyme activities including superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were determined. RESULTS: Treatment with CFE at different doses has significantly restored the levels of serum lipid, MDA and enzymes activities in the liver and heart of hyperlipidemia mice. Oil Red O staining of visceral adipose tissue has shown marked reduction of lipid accumulation in adipocytes; whereas, administration of CFE at 500 mg/kg showed remarkable (p < 0.001) hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects in HFD fed mice. CONCLUSION: C. fistula fruit demonstrated hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties in vivo and the results corroborate the use of this plant in traditional medicine for cardiac ailments.

Evaluation of anxiolytic effect of Erythrina mysorensis Gamb. in mice.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate anxiolytic effect of stem bark ethanol and chloroform extracts of Erythrina mysorensis in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anxiolytic activity was examined by using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field test (OFT), and motor coordination by rotarod test (RRT). Twenty four Swiss albino male mice were divided into four groups of six mice each. Group 1 received vehicle (normal saline); group 2 received diazepam (1 mg/kg); groups 3 and 4 received ethanolic and chloroform extract of Erythrina mysorensis, 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o., respectively. RESULTS: Mice treated with diazepam (1 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant (P < 0.001) increase ini the percentage of open arms entries and time spent whereas, in closed arm the number of entries and time spent were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. Oral administration of chloroform and ethanol extract of E. mysorensis exhibited significant (P < 0.05) increase in the number of open arm entries and time spent with significant (P < 0.05) reduction in number of entries and time spent in the closed arm as compared to group 1. Chloroform and ethanol extracts treated mice also produced significant increase in the number of rearings (P < 0.05), assisted rearings and number of squares crossed (P < 0.01). Rotarod test showed significant (P < 0.01) reduction in motor activity at 45 min with diazepam and E. mysorensis extracts (400 mg/kg) as compared to groups 3 and 1. CONCLUSION: Erythrina mysorensis possess significant anxiolytic activity in the mice. It can be a promising anxiolytic agent.