Gentiana lutea exerts anti-atherosclerotic effects by preventing endothelial inflammation and smooth muscle cell migration.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Studies suggest that Gentiana lutea (GL), and its component isovitexin, may exhibit anti-atherosclerotic properties. In this study we sought to investigate the protective mechanism of GL aqueous root extract and isovitexin on endothelial inflammation, smooth muscle cell migation, and on the onset and progression of atherosclerosis in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: Our results show that both GL extract and isovitexin, block leukocyte adhesion and generation of reactive oxygen species in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs), following TNF-alpha and platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) challenges respectively. Both the extract and isovitexin blocked TNF-α induced expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in HUVECs. PDGF-BB induced migration of RASMCs and phospholipase C-γ activation, were also abrogated by GL extract and isovitexin. Fura-2 based ratiometric measurements demonstrated that, both the extact, and isovitexin, inhibit PDGF-BB mediated intracellular calcium rise in RASMCs. Supplementation of regular diet with 2% GL root powder for STZ rats, reduced total cholesterol in blood. Oil Red O staining demonstrated decreased lipid accumulation in aortic wall of diabetic animals upon treatment with GL. Medial thickness and deposition of collagen in the aortic segment of diabetic rats were also reduced upon supplementation. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated reduced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) in aortic segments of diabetic rats following GL treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, our results support that GL root extract/powder and isovitexin exhibit anti-atherosclerotic activities.

Effect of artesunate based combination therapy with homeopathic medicine china on liver and kidney of Plasmodium berghei infected mice.

Present study has been undertaken to evaluate antimalarial potential and safety of artesunate based combination therapy with homeopathic medicine china (ϕ/30 potency) against Plasmodium berghei (NK-65), a lethal rodent malaria parasite. In combination therapy, the oral administration of artesunate (100 mg/kg) + china ϕ/30 proved to be highly efficacious as it completely cleared the blood stage infection. During the follow up period up to day 28, no recrudescence was observed and the survival rate was 100 %. Combination did not disturb the normal functioning of liver and kidney, as evident from the normal activity of ALP (190.5 ± 0.2 and 174.2 ± 9.12 IU/l), level of bilirubin (0.6 ± 0.33 and 0.73 ± 0.1 mg/dl), urea (28 ± 0.51 and 29.1 ± 0.03 mg/dl) and creatinine (0.9 ± 0.62 and 1.1 ± 0.1 mg/dl) in serum of treated mice on day 7 and 28 respectively. Present study points to better efficacy of china as an alternative drug partner in combination to enhance antimalarial efficacy of artesunate without affecting the liver and kidney functions of P. berghei infected BALB/c mice.

Antiplasmodial activity of Ajuga bracteosa against Plasmodium berghei infected BALB/c mice.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The present work was undertaken to evaluate antiplasmodial activity of ethanolic leaves extract of traditional medicinal plant Ajuga bracteosa in Plasmodium berghei infected BALB/c mice along with its phytochemical screening and acute toxicity test to support its traditional use as a remedy for malaria. METHODS: Plant extract (ethanolic) 250, 500, 750 mg/kg/day was evaluated in the early and established infection along with repository activity in P. berghei infected BALB/c mice through suppressive, curative and preventive test. The phytochemical screening was carried out by employing standard procedures. The acute toxicity was checked through limit test. RESULTS: The ethanolic leaves extract of A. bracteosa (250, 500 and 750 mg/kg/day) demonstrated a dose-dependent chemosuppression during early and in established infections, along with significant (P<0.05) repository activity. At a concentration of 750 mg/kg/day maximum 77.7 per cent chemosuppression during early infection and 68.8 per cent chemosuppression in repository activity were found. This dose enhanced significant mean survival period up to 27.4 +/- 0.46 days in established infection. ELEAB was found to be safe up to 5 g/kg weight when administrated orally in the female BALB/c mice, which is upper limit for oral administration of the test material to rodents. ED(50) of ELEAB was 300 mg/kg body weight of mice. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: ELEAB inhibited parasitaemia and enhanced mean survival time in a dose- dependent manner upto 750 mg/kg/day dose in treated mice. Further studies need to be done to isolate and characterize active constituents of extract and to study their mechanism of action.