Anti-inflammatory activity of lycopene isolated from Chlorella marina on type II collagen induced arthritis in Sprague Dawley rats.

The role of commercially available lycopene (all-trans) from tomato in controlling arthritis has been reported. Even though many reports are available that the cis form of lycopene is more biologically active, no report seems to be available on lycopene (cis and trans) isolated from an easily available and culturable sources. In the present study, the anti-arthritic effect of lycopene (cis and trans) from the algae Chlorella marina (AL) has been compared with lycopene (all-trans) from tomato (TL) and indomethacin (Indo). Arthritis (CIA) was developed in male Sprague dawley rats by collagen and the following parameters were studied. The activities of inflammatory marker enzymes like cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were found to be decreased on treatment with AL when compared to TL and Indo. Changes in Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell (WBC) count, red blood cells (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), and ceruloplasmin levels observed in the blood of arthritic animals were brought back to normal by AL when compared to TL and Indo. Histopathology of paw and joint tissues showed marked reduction in edema on supplementation of AL. Thus these results indicate the potential beneficiary effect of algal lycopene on collagen induced arthritis in rats when compared to TL and even to the commonly used anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin. Therefore lycopene from C. marina would be recommended as a better natural source with increased activity and without side effects in the treatment of anti-inflammatory diseases.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of alginic acid isolated from the marine algae, Sargassum wightii on adjuvant-induced arthritic rats.

The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of alginic acid isolated from brown algae Sargassum wightii in arthritic rats. Arthritis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by intradermal injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into the right hind paw, produce inflammation of the joint tissue. Paw edema volume, enzymes linked to inflammation such as cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase and myeloperoxidase, and the level of ceruloplasmin, C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor were evaluated in all the experimental groups. Oxidative stress during inflammation was analyzed by estimating lipid peroxidation and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and non-enzymatic antioxidant, reduced glutathione. Alginic acid treatment (100 mg/kg) in arthritic rats exhibited reduced paw edema volume along with reduced activities of enzymes such as cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase and myeloperoxidase. Reduction in the level of C-reactive protein, ceruloplasmin and rheumatoid factor were also observed in arthritic rats treated with alginic acid along with reduced lipid peroxidation and enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes, which suggest the antioxidant potential of the compound. Histopathological analysis of paw tissue showed that alginic acid treatment reduced paw edema and inflammatory infiltration in arthritic rats. Overall results suggest that alginic acid isolated from Sargassum wightii exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, and can develop this marine alga as an alternative source for therapy and can be used as a drug candidate for the development of anti-inflammatory agent.

Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of Tephrosia purpurea leaf extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide leading metabolic syndrome, associated with profound alterations in carbohydrate, lipids, lipoproteins and protein metabolisms. Worldwide, traditional practitioners for the treatment of diabetes and its complications use a wide variety of medicinal plants. In the present study the aqueous extract of Tephrosia purpurea leaves (TpALet) was evaluated for its antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Profound alterations in the concentrations of blood glucose, lipids and lipoproteins were observed in diabetic rats. Oral administration of TpALet to diabetic rats at a dose of 600 mg/kg body weight significantly reduced the level of blood glucose and increased the level of plasma insulin as well as normalized the lipids and lipoproteins profile. The present study thus demonstrated that TpALet has prominent antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

Evaluation of anticarcinogenic effects of Clerodendron inerme on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.

INTRODUCTION: Oral cancer is the fifth most frequent cancer worldwide and India has recorded the highest incidence (40-50 percent) of oral malignancy. Clerodendron inerme is used by Indian traditional practitioners for the treatment of various ailments, including cancer. Our aim was to investigate the chemopreventive potential of the aqueous leaf extract of Clerodendron inerme (CiAet) in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. METHODS: We developed oral squamous cell carcinoma in the buccal pouch of male Syrian golden hamsters by painting them with 0.5% DMBA in liquid paraffin thrice a week for 14 weeks. The tumour incidence, tumour volume and tumour burden that were formed in the hamster buccal pouches were determined. RESULTS: Oral administration of CiAet at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight to DMBA-painted animals on days alternate to DMBA painting for 14 weeks significantly prevented the tumour incidence, tumour volume and tumour burden. CiAet also exerts potent antilipidperoxidative effect and improved the antioxidant defence system in DMBA-painted animals. The chemopreventive efficacy of CiAet was evident by inhibition of tumour formation (80%) in DMBA-painted animals. CONCLUSION: The chemopreventive potential of CiAet is probably due to its antilipidperoxidative effect or the presence of some potent bioactive chemopreventive principles in the leaves of Clerodendron inerme.