Evaluation of the wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. rhizome with excision wound model in Wistar rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. is a plant growing in the Himalayan region of India where locals use its rhizomes for a variety of disease conditions including wounds and fractures. Although some of its pharmacological benefits have been documented, scientific validation of its wound healing property has not been done so far. AIM OF THE STUDY: To ensure use of this natural remedy as an alternative therapy to the faster wound healing, this study evaluated the wound healing activity of the ethanolic extract of Bergenia ciliata rhizome using excision wound model in Wistar rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four groups (n = 10) of rats were subjected to different topical wound regimens for 14 days. Simple paraffin-lanolin ointment was applied to the control group rats. One group was applied povidone-iodine 10% (w/w) ointment. The other two groups were treated with ointment of ethanolic extract of Bergenia ciliata at 5 or 10% (w/w) rhizome, respectively. Blood and wound tissue samples were collected on 7th and 14th day of treatment and were correspondingly subjected to histopathology, and the assays of L-hydroxyproline, D-glucosamine, antioxidants and pro-inflammatory cytokines. RESULTS: Wound histology revealed increased collagenation, re-epithelialization and neovascularization while decreased bacterial colonies in the treatment groups. These histological changes and wound contraction were better in the 10% Bergenia ciliata group. Tissue L-hydroxyproline levels, blood enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were increased in the treatment groups. On 7th day of treatment glucosamine levels increased in the treatment groups, while as a reverse trend was observed on day 14. Plasma levels of TNF-α and IL-6 decreased in the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that treatment with Bergenia ciliata extract ointment provides satisfactory wound healing which is comparable to that of the standard wound healing ointment, povidone-iodine and is surpassing simple lanolin-paraffin ointment. The improved wound healing, especially in the 10% Bergenia ciliata groups, can be attributed to satisfactory profile of the above studied parameters in these treatment groups which is also construed by the phytochemical analysis of its extract revealing the presence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds gallic acid, catechin, quercetin and rutin as the major active components.

Total antioxidant and oxidant status of plasma and renal tissue of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxic rats: protection by floral extracts of Calendula officinalis Linn.

The present study was aimed to determine the total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) of plasma and renal tissue in cisplatin (cDDP) induced nephrotoxic rats and its protection by treatments with floral extracts of Calendula officinalis Linn. Treatment with cDDP elevated (p < 0.05) the levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine (CR), TOS, OSI and malondialdehyde (MDA) but lowered (p < 0.05) total plasma proteins, TAS, total thiols (TTH), blood glutathione (GSH) and antioxidant enzymes compared to the control group. Pre- and post-treatments of ethanolic floral extract of C. officinalis along with cDDP restored (p > 0.05) CR, albumin, TOS, GSH and activities of antioxidant enzymes in blood and renal tissue. Ethanolic extract treatments reduced (p < 0.05) MDA level in renal tissue without restoring the erythrocyte MDA level following cDDP treatment. These observations were further supported by the histopathological findings in renal tissue. Observations of the present study have shown that treatments with ethanolic floral extract of C. officinalis protect cDDP induced nephrotoxicity by restoring antioxidant system of the renal tissue.

Hepatotoxicity Induced by Subchronic Exposure of Fluoride and Chlorpyrifos in Wistar Rats: Mitigating Effect of Ascorbic Acid.

The aim of the study was to investigate the ameliorative properties of ascorbic acid against the subchronic effect of co-exposure of fluoride (F) and chlorpyrifos (CPF) on oxidative damage markers such as lipid peroxidation (MDA) and antioxidant defense system in the liver of adult Wistar rats. The animal groups were provided with either vehicle or ascorbic acid (60 mg/kg, b.w.) or NOAEL dose of fluoride (1 ppm) or CPF (1 mg/kg, b.w.) or ten times of such doses orally alone and in combination or pre-treated with ascorbic acid along with co-exposure of F and CPF every consecutive day for 28 days. Hepatic damage marker analysis in blood revealed that aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly (P < 0.05) increased with single or combined exposure of F or CPF at either dose levels. Significant increased oxidative damage of hepatocytes as indicated by increased MDA levels with decrease in tissue ascorbate and free radical scavenging enzymes like catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase was observed in groups treated with either F or CPF as well as in combinedly treated animals as compared to control animals. Supplementation of ascorbic acid restored the hepatic specific marker enzymes in blood following co-exposure of F and CPF at lower doses which were otherwise increased in the F and CPF co-exposed rats. The results show that ascorbic acid supplementation with F and CPF prevents or diminishes the hepatic damage in rats co-exposed to toxicants and may act as a putative protective agent against toxicant-induced liver tissue injury.

Alterations in biochemical parameters during subacute toxicity of fluoride alone and in conjunction with aluminum sulfate in goats.

Fluoride toxicity is a serious health problem in many parts of the globe. In present study, sodium fluoride at 20 mg/kg alone and in conjunction with aluminum sulfate at 150 mg/kg was administered orally daily for 30 days in healthy goats of group 1 and 2, respectively, to access the alterations in the various biochemical parameters during subacute toxicity of fluoride alone and in conjunction with aluminum sulfate. In Group 1, significant alterations in plasma glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, magnesium, and sodium were observed on different days of exposure from their pre-exposure values. However, no significant changes were observed in plasma calcium, phosphorus, and potassium on different days of exposure of sodium fluoride. Similar type of biochemical alterations were noticed in the goats of Group 2 except BUN, total protein magnesium, and sodium. On the basis of results, it could be concluded that sodium fluoride alone and in conjunction with aluminum sulfate produced significant alterations in the various biochemical parameters of the body.