Geranium wallichianum D. Don Ex Sweet Ameliorates Rheumatoid Arthritis by Curtailing the Expression of COX-II and Inflammatory Cytokines as Well as by Alleviating the Oxidative Stress.

Geranium wallichianum D. Don ex sweet traditionally been used as home remedy for backaches, joint pain, colic, and rheumatism. The objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic benefits of plant in an adjuvant-induced arthritis paradigm. Immune-mediated rheumatoid arthritis was developed by injecting complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the hind paws of rats and the aqueous methanolic crude extract was administered. The animals were physically monitored for changes in paw edema size and arthritic score. Hematological parameters and systemic inflammatory indicators evaluated. Genetic expressions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukins (IL-1ß, IL-6), necrosis factor (NF-κB), and cyclooxygenase (COX-II) enzyme were studied using real-time qPCR. PGE2 levels in blood were quantified through Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). On the 14th day, Immunoglobulin E (IGE) exhibited a substantial decline in paw edema and arthritic score. At the doses of 500 mg/Kg (P ≤ .05) and 1000 mg/Kg (P ≤ .001), IGE significantly reduced TNF-α, interleukins, and COX-II mRNA expression. IGE significantly lowered the MDA levels at the doses of 500 and 1000 mg/Kg (13.18 ± .70 and 9.04 ± .26 µM/L respectively) as compared to arthritic control (30.82 ± 1.12 µM/L) group. IGE significantly improved the antioxidant enzyme activities of CAT and SOD (P ≤ .001) in treated animals. TNF-α, interleukins, and COX-II mRNA expression were also significantly reduced at the doses of 300 (P ≤ .05), 500 (P ≤ .01) and 1000 mg/Kg (P ≤ .001) which were expressed as fold changes. This study shows that Geranium wallichianum D. Don ex sweet has a strong potential to alleviate immune-mediated arthritis by lowering oxidative stress and downregulating the proinflammatory cytokines signaling mechanisms.

Evaluation of the hepatoprotective activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Alhagi camelorum against valproic acid-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite many liver disorders, clinically useful drugs are scarce. Moreover, the available therapies are facing the challenges of efficacy and safety. Alhagi camelorum has been used in folk medicine globally for millennia to treat several ailments. Alhagi camelorum (Ac) is an old plant with a significant therapeutic value throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Our goal was to determine the hepatoprotective activity of Alhagi camelorum against valproic acid induced hepatotoxicity using an animal model. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The animals were segregated in 4-groups (6 male rats each) weighing 250-290 g. Group-1 animals were treated with normal saline, Group-2 animals were treated with VPA at the dose of 500 mg/kg i.p for 14 days consecutively, while Group-3 and 4 were treated with valproic acid (VPA) at the dose of 500 mg/kg i.p for 14 days along with 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg of Ac hydroalcoholic extract respectively. Subsequently, blood serum samples and liver tissues were collected for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Phytochemical screening was carried out to screen for phytochemical classes and HPLC analysis was conducted to screen polyphenols. The antioxidant activity was carried by different assays such as DPPH, SOD, NO etc. KEY RESULTS: The administration of Ac showed hepatoprotection at the doses of 400 and 600 mg/kg. Ac significantly reduces the elevated serum levels of liver biomarkers compared to the valproic acid-induced hepatotoxic group. These findings were confirmed with histopathological changes where Ac was capable of reversing the toxic effects of valproic acid on liver cells CONCLUSION: It is concluded that Ac showed significant hepatoprotective effects at different doses in the animal model used in this study.

Jasminum sambac: A Potential Candidate for Drug Development to Cure Cardiovascular Ailments.

Jasminum sambac (L.) is a South Asian folkloric medicinal plant that has traditionally been used to treat cardiovascular problems. The current investigation was meticulously organized to explore the pharmacological foundation for the medicinal uses of J. sambac pertaining to cardiovascular ailments and to investigate the core mechanisms. Mechanistic investigation revealed that crude leaf extract of J. sambac produced ex-vivo vasorelaxant effects in endotheliumintact aorta ring preparation and hypotensive effect was recorded via pressure and force transducers coupled to the Power Lab Data Acquisition System. Moreover; J. sambac showed cardioprotective effects against adrenaline -induced left ventricular hypertrophy in rabbits observed hemodynamic. CK-MB, LDH, troponin, CRP, ALT, AST, ALP levels were shown to be lower in the myocardial infarction model, as were necrosis, oedema, and inflammatory cell recruitment in comparison to control. J. sambac has shown good antioxidant potential as well as prolonged the noradrenaline induced platelet adhesion. The vasorelaxant and cardioprotective effects in both in vivo and ex vivo experiments, which are enabled by activation of muscarinic receptor and/or releasing the nitric oxide and by reducing the adrenaline, induced oxidative stress, justifying its usage in cardiovascular disorders.