Investigation on Anti-diabetic Efficacy of a Cucurbitaceae Food Plant from the North-East Region of India: Exploring the Molecular Mechanism through Modulation of Oxidative Stress and Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c).

BACKGROUND: The medicinal plants of the Cucurbitaceae family, such as Solena heterophylla Lour. fruits, have significant ethnobotanical value and are readily accessible in North East India. AIMS: We conducted a study on Solena heterophylla Lour. fruits to evaluate their anti-diabetic activity in vivo, standardize their HPTLC, and profile their metabolites using LC-QTOF-MS. We aimed to explore the molecular mechanism behind their effects on oxidative stress and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). METHODS: Firstly, the ethyl acetate fraction of Solena heterophylla Lour. fruits was standardized using Cucurbitacin B as a standard marker by conducting HPTLC evaluation. Next, we delved into analyzing metabolite profiling. In addition, the standardized fraction was utilized in an experimental study to investigate the molecular mechanism of action in an in vivo high-fat diet and a low dose of streptozotocin-induced diabetic model. RESULTS: We have reportedly identified 52 metabolites in the ethyl acetate fraction of Solena heterophylla (EASH). In the in vitro tests, it has been observed that this extract from plants possesses notable inhibitory properties against α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Solena heterophylla fruits with high levels of Cucurbitacin B (2.29% w/w) helped lower FBG levels in animals with EASH treatment. EASH treatment reduced HbA1c levels and normalized liver lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme levels. SGOT, SGPT, and SALP serum enzyme levels also returned to normal. CONCLUSION: Based on the current evaluation, it was found that EASH exhibited encouraging hypoglycemic effects in diabetic rats induced by a low dose of STZ and high-fat diet, which warrants further investigation.

Quality evaluation of different black rice varieties of northeastern region of India.

INTRODUCTION: Black rice (Oryza sativa L.), which is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, is indigenous to Northeast India, specifically Manipur, and traditionally consumed for its protective effects on human health. Due to its economic value, it is crucial to evaluate the quality of different black rice varieties to authenticate their therapeutic and nutritional properties. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the quality of pre- and post-marketed black rice samples by a validated high-performance thin layer chromatography method and determine variations of total phenolics and total flavonoids with antioxidant potential. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The ferulic acid, gallic acid, quercetin, and caffeic acid contents of three black rice varieties-Poireiton, Amubi, and Sempak-along with two marketed samples of Amubi from Manipur, India, were quantified based on standards. Antioxidant potential was measured by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl hydrate free radical scavenging assay. RESULTS: The highest and lowest relative biomarker contents were found in hydroalcoholic extracts of Amubi [caffeic acid (1.43% w/w), ferulic acid (1.15% w/w), quercetin (0.6% w/w), and gallic acid (0.39% w/w)] and the marketed sample Var. Amubi from Kakching District, respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient of antioxidant potential with phenolic and flavonoid content showed a moderate to strong correlation for all samples. CONCLUSION: This validated, rapid, accurate standardization method for black rice varieties will be beneficial for the quality evaluation of black rice and its derived products. It will also be helpful to authenticate the nutritional benefits for the consumers.

6-Gingerol contents of several ginger varieties of Northeast India and correlation of their antioxidant activity in respect to phenolics and flavonoids contents.

INTRODUCTION: Ginger constitutes the rhizome part of the plant Zingiber officinale from the Zingiberaceae family. A large number of ginger varieties with high sensorial and functional quality are found in Northeast India. Hence, phytopharmacological screening of different ginger varieties is essential that will serve as a guideline in applied research to develop high-end products and improve economical margins. OBJECTIVE: To determine the variation in total phenolics content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), and antioxidant activities and correlate that with 6-gingerol contents of different ginger varieties collected from Northeast India using Pearson's correlation analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The TPC and TFC values were determined using standard methods. Antioxidant activities were measured using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays, while reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis was utilised for quantitative determination of 6-gingerol content. RESULTS: The result revealed that ginger variety 6 (GV6) contains the highest 6-gingerol content and TPC value showing maximum antioxidant activity, followed by GV5, GV4, GV9, GV3, GV2, GV8, GV1, and GV7. The findings also suggested that the antioxidant activity has much better correlations with TPC as compared with TFC values. Pearson's correlation analysis showed a significant correlation between 6-gingerol contents and TPC values. CONCLUSION: This work underlines the importance of ginger varieties from Northeast India as a source of natural antioxidants with health benefits.

Developmental Toxicity Assessment of Drymaria Cordata (Linn.) Willd using Zebrafish Embryo.

INTRODUCTION: Drymaria cordata (Linn.) Willd is a creeping herb belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family, widely used as a traditional medicine in Africa and North-east India for various ailments. Many therapeutic applications of D. cordata have been reported in various scientific studies, but the teratogenicity study of this herb has not been documented till now. METHODS: The present study aimed to assess the developmental toxic effect and median lethal concentration (LC50) of methanol extract of Drymaria cordata leaf (DCME) using zebrafish embryos. After spawning of male and female zebrafish, healthy zebrafish embryos were selected by microscopic screening and transferred into 96-well plate for the study. Embryos were exposed to DCME at concentrations ranging from 50-400 µg/ml in 2% DMSO from 24 hpf to 72 hpf. RESULTS: Developmental and morphological abnormalities were microscopically evaluated. Fifty percent lethal concentration (LC50) of DCME was determined by observation from 24 hpf to 72 hpf. The concentration-dependent toxic effects of DCME on developing embryos of zebrafish were found in the study in a time-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: At 72 hpf, the median lethal concentration (LC50) of DCME was found with visible developmental defects, such as heartbeat rate, less pigmentation, oedema, spinal curvature, immature yolk sac as well as reduced hatching rate and a slow growth. The median lethal dose was found to be 448 µg/ml at 72 hpf for zebra fish embryos, meriting further studies on toxicological profiling of the plants.

Role of medicinal plants in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 and in the management of post-COVID-19 complications.

BACKGROUND: The worldwide corona virus disease outbreak, generally known as COVID-19 pandemic outbreak resulted in a major health crisis globally. The morbidity and transmission modality of COVID-19 appear more severe and uncontrollable. The respiratory failure and following cardiovascular complications are the main pathophysiology of this deadly disease. Several therapeutic strategies are put forward for the development of safe and effective treatment against SARS-CoV-2 virus from the pharmacological view point but till date there are no specific treatment regimen developed for this viral infection. PURPOSE: The present review emphasizes the role of herbs and herbs-derived secondary metabolites in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 virus and also for the management of post-COVID-19 related complications. This approach will foster and ensure the safeguards of using medicinal plant resources to support the healthcare system. Plant-derived phytochemicals have already been reported to prevent the viral infection and to overcome the post-COVID complications like parkinsonism, kidney and heart failure, liver and lungs injury and mental problems. In this review, we explored mechanistic approaches of herbal medicines and their phytocomponenets as antiviral and post-COVID complications by modulating the immunological and inflammatory states. STUDY DESIGN: Studies related to diagnosis and treatment guidelines issued for COVID-19 by different traditional system of medicine were included. The information was gathered from pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions approaches. The gathered information sorted based on therapeutic application of herbs and their components against SARSCoV-2 and COVID-19 related complications. METHODS: A systemic search of published literature was conducted from 2003 to 2021 using different literature database like Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science to emphasize relevant articles on medicinal plants against SARS-CoV-2 viral infection and Post-COVID related complications. RESULTS: Collected published literature from 2003 onwards yielded with total 625 articles, from more than 18 countries. Among these 625 articles, more than 95 medicinal plants and 25 active phytomolecules belong to 48 plant families. Reports on the therapeutic activity of the medicinal plants belong to the Lamiaceae family (11 reports), which was found to be maximum reported from 4 different countries including India, China, Australia, and Morocco. Other reports on the medicinal plant of Asteraceae (7 reports), Fabaceae (8 reports), Piperaceae (3 reports), Zingiberaceae (3 reports), Ranunculaceae (3 reports), Meliaceae (4 reports) were found, which can be explored for the development of safe and efficacious products targeting COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Keeping in mind that the natural alternatives are in the priority for the management and prevention of the COVID-19, the present review may help to develop an alternative approach for the management of COVID-19 viral infection and post-COVID complications from a mechanistic point of view.

Evaluation of Mollugo oppositifolia Linn. as cholinesterase and ß-secretase enzymes inhibitor.

Mollugo oppositifolia Linn. is traditionally used in neurological complications. The study aimed to investigate in-vitro neuroprotective effect of the plant extracts through testing against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and ß-secretase linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD). To understand the safety aspects, the extracts were tested for CYP450 isozymes and human hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HepG2) inhibitory potential. The heavy metal contents were estimated using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Further, the antioxidant capacities as well as total phenolic content and total flavonoid content (TFC) were measured spectrophotometrically. UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis was employed to identify phytometabolites present in the extract. The interactions of the ligands with the target proteins (AChE, BChE, and BACE-1) were studied using AutoDockTools 1.5.6. The results showed that M. oppositifolia extract has more selectivity towards BChE (IC50 = 278.23 ± 1.89 µg/ml) as compared to AChE (IC50 = 322.87 ± 2.05 µg/ml). The IC50 value against ß-secretase was 173.93 µg/ml. The extract showed a CC50 value of 965.45 ± 3.07 µg/ml against HepG2 cells and the AAS analysis showed traces of lead 0.02 ± 0.001 which was found to be within the WHO prescribed limits. Moreover, the IC50 values against CYP3A4 (477.03 ± 2.01 µg/ml) and CYP2D6 (249.65 ± 2.46 µg/ml) isozymes justify the safety aspects of the extract. The in silico molecular docking analysis of the target enzymes showed that the compound menthoside was found to be the most stable and showed a good docking score among all the identified metabolites. Keeping in mind the multi-targeted drug approach, the present findings suggested that M. oppositifolia extract have anti-Alzheimer's potential.

Dietary Antioxidants Significantly Reduced Phorbol Myristate Acetate Induced Oxidative Stress of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease responsible for maximum human morbidity in modern life, whereas oxidative stress is the ultimate potential biomarker for determining disease activity in patients with RA. OBJECTIVE: The present study scientifically validated the effectiveness of antioxidants commonly present in different food supplements to neutralize the free radicals mediated oxidative stress in isolated peripheral blood mononuclear lymphocytes (PBML) of patients with RA. METHODS: The study population included patients with Rheumatoid arthritis, RA (n =15), who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA. Peripheral blood was collected, and isolated mononuclear lymphocyte cells (PBML) were pretreated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMS) and furthermore, incubated with different concentrations of Naringenin, ß carotene and Nacetyl cysteine (NAC) in an ex vivo condition. The resultant cell lysate was used for further studies for the determination of other oxidative biomarkers. The increase of superoxide and nitric oxide production was observed when PBML was treated PMS. RESULTS: Importantly, the increased oxidative stress was effectively decreased by the selected plantderived compounds ß-carotene and naringenin. CONCLUSION: The study scientifically evaluated the efficacy of the molecules validated by one-way ANOVA, followed by Dunnett's post hoc test of significance. Collectively, our results indicate that both ß carotene and naringenin may be a promising non-toxic food supplement in attenuating the oxidative stress associated pathology in RA, meriting further pharmacological studies on other inflammatory cells like neutrophils.

Methanolic extract of Anthocephalus cadamba induces apoptosis in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells in experimental mice.

OBJECTIVE: Anthocephalus cadamba (Roxb.) Miq. (Family: Rubiaceae), a folk medicine commonly known as "Kadam" in Bengali, has been used for the treatment of tumor. The methanolic extract of A. cadamba (MEAC) showing antitumor activity on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells treated mice was already reported. This study was designed to study the apoptosis-inducing property of MEAC and its mechanism in EAC cells in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Apoptogenic morphology was determined by fluorescent DNA-binding double staining method using dyes acridine orange (AO)/ethidium bromide (EB). Comet assay was estimated to check the DNA damage. Flow cytometry (fluorescence-activated cell sorting [FACS]) was used to detect the apoptotic rate quantitatively by double labeling techniques using annexin V FITC/propidium iodide staining. Apoptotic protein expression was done using Western blotting assay method. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA followed by Dunnett's post hoc test of GraphPad Prism software. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Apoptosis-inducing effect of MEAC on EAC cells was confirmed from AO/EB staining and FACS analysis. MEAC treatment showed dose-dependent induction of DNA damage. Apoptosis was induced by increasing the expression of multiple downstream factors such as pro-apoptotic protein p53 and p21 in EAC. Bax was up-regulated and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was down-regulated resulting in decrease of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio by MEAC treatment. CONCLUSION: Experimental results revealed that MEAC induces apoptosis by modulating the expression of some pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins in EAC and thus exerts its anti-tumor activity.

Regulation of apoptosis through bcl-2/bax proteins expression and DNA damage by Zanthoxylum alatum.

CONTEXT: Many of the major chemotherapeutic agents are secondary metabolites found in nature. Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb. (Rutaceae) is traditionally used in the treatment of various diseases. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluates the apoptotic activity of methanol extract of Z. alatum (MEZA) on Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) in Swiss albino mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The presence of flavonoids in MEZA was standardized by HPLC. The in vitro cytotoxicity of MEZA was measured by the MTT assay. The in vivo antitumor activity of MEZA (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w., i.p. for 9 days) was also evaluated. On the 10th day, EAT tumor volume, cell viability, and hematological parameters were assayed. Apoptotic morphology was determined by acredine orange/ethedium bromide using fluorescence microscopy. Apoptosis percentage was measured by flow cytometric analysis using annexine-V-FITC. Also, DNA damage and bcl-2/bax were estimated by UV-method and western blot, respectively. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: HPLC analysis revealed presence of three flavonoids, rutin, myricetin, and quercetin. MEZA showed satisfactory cytotoxicity in MTT assay (IC50 = 111.50 µg/ml). The extract significantly (p < 0.01) changed the tumor volume, viable, non-viable cell count, and hematological parameters towards the normal. Apoptotic activity of MEZA was confirmed by acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, annexin-V-FITC staining, DNA fragmentation, and Bcl-2/Bax ratio. CONCLUSION: The study showed that MEZA has antitumor activity which may be due to the presence of flavonoids in the extract.

Antitumor Potential of Thevetia peruviana on Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma-Bearing Mice.

Methanol extracts of Thevetia peruviana (METP) (Apocynaceae) fruit showed antitumor activity against Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell line in Swiss albino mice. The METP-treated group's tumor volume, tumor weight, and viable cell count were decreased compared to the EAC control group. Tumor volumes were 3.62±0.12 ml, 2.88±0.23 ml, and 1.34±0.17 ml for the EAC control group and the METP-treated groups (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight), respectively. Nonviable cell counts were 4.44%±0.42%, 18.57%±3.07%, and 68.12%±5.32% in the EAC control group and the METP-treated groups (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight), respectively. METP-treated EAC cell-bearing mice had an increased life span (48.69% and 83.78%) compared to the EAC control group. Hematological and serum biochemical profiles were restored to normal levels in METP-treated mice compared to the EAC control group. METP significantly (P<0.001) decreased lipid peroxidation and recovered reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase toward normal levels compared to the EAC control group. In summary, METP exhibited remarkable antitumor activity in Swiss albino mice, which is plausibly attributable to its augmentation of endogenous antioxidant mechanisms.

De novo design based pharmacophore query generation and virtual screening for the discovery of Hsp-47 inhibitors.

Heat shock protein-47 (Hsp-47) is exclusive collagen specific molecular chaperone involved in the maturation, processing and secretion of procollagen. Hsp-47 is consistently upregulated in several fibrotic diseases. Till date there is no potential antifibrotic small molecule drug available and Hsp-47 is known to be potential therapeutic target for fibrotic disorder and drug designing. We used the de novo drug design approach followed by pharmacophore generation and virtual screening to propose Hsp-47 based antifibrotic molecules. We used e-LEAD server for de novo drug design and ZINCPharmer for 3D pharmacophore generation and virtual screening. The virtually screened molecule may inhibit direct recruitment of collagen triple helix to interact with Hsp-47 and act as antifibrotic drug.

Arsenic induced myocardial toxicity in rats: alleviative effect of Trichosanthes dioica fruit.

The present study investigated the alleviative effect of aqueous extract of Trichosanthes dioica fruit (AQTD) against arsenic induced cardiotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. AQTD (50 and 100 mg/kg) was administered orally to rats for 20 consecutive days before oral administration of sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg) for 8 days. Then the body weights, heart weights, hematological profile, serum biochemical profile; myocardial antioxidative parameters viz. lipid peroxidation, reduced and oxidized glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and DNA fragmentation were evaluated. Pretreatment with AQTD markedly and significantly normalized body weights, heart weights, hematological profile, serum biochemical profile and significantly modulated all the myocardial antioxidative parameters and reduced DNA fragmentation in arsenic intoxicated rats. Therefore, T. dioica fruit possessed remarkable alleviative effects against arsenic induced myocardial toxicity in Wistar albino rats mediated by amelioration of arsenic induced myocardial oxidative stress by several mechanisms.

Cat's whiskers flavonoid attenuated oxidative DNA damage and acute inflammation: its importance in lymphocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Cleome gynandra L. (Capparidaceae) is one of the vegetables commonly known as 'Hurhur' and 'Karaila' in India, 'Pe Hua Tsai' in China and "Cat's whiskers" in English. Present study was aimed to characterize previously isolated Cat's whiskers flavonoid as 5-hydroxy-3, 7, 4' -trimethoxyflavone (5HTMF) and to evaluate its effect on carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in rats and hydrogen peroxide induced DNA damage in mouse macrophages. The ex vivo effect of 5HTMF upon generation of free radicals in the mononuclear lymphocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was also evaluated. 5HTMF not only reduce the swelling of hind paw in rats from 1 to 3 h of carrageenan injection but also decreased serum nitric oxide (NO) production. Toxic hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative DNA damage that was significantly decreased by 5HTMF. Though oxidative stress is a potential biomarker for determining disease activity in patients with RA, surprisingly 5HTMF inhibited the superoxide, hydroxyl and NO radicals in the isolated peripheral blood mononuclear lymphocytes of patients with RA. From the above study, it may be concluded 5HTMF attenuated acute inflammation by inhibiting NO and by protecting the oxidative DNA damage due to hydrogen peroxide scavenging property. It was also equally effective in scavenging the free radicals in lymphocytes of patients with RA. Collectively, our results indicate that 5HTMF as well as leafy vegetable of Cat's whiskers may be a promising nontoxic food alternative in attenuating the oxidative stress, meriting further studies on other human inflammatory cells.

Trichosanthes dioica root alleviates arsenic induced myocardial toxicity in rats.

The present study evaluated the ameliorative potential of hydroalcoholic extract of Trichosanthes dioica root (TDA) against arsenic-induced cardiotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. TDA (5 and 10 mg kg-1) was administered orally to rats for 20 consecutive days before oral administration of sodium arsenite (10 mg kg-1) for 8 days. Then the body weights, heart weights, hematological profile, serum biochemical profile; and the following myocardial tissue antioxidative parameters were evaluated: lipid peroxidation, reduced and oxidized glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and DNA fragmentation. Pretreatment with TDA markedly and significantly maintained body weights, heart weights, hematological profile, serum biochemical profile. Pretreatment also significantly modulated all of the myocardial antioxidative parameters and reduced DNA fragmentation in arsenic-intoxicated rats. The present findings conclude that T. dioica root possessed remarkable alleviative effect against arsenic-induced myocardial toxicity in Wistar albino rats.

Trichosanthes dioica fruit extract ameliorates arsenic-induced brain toxicity in male albino rats.

This study evaluated the ameliorative potential of aqueous extract of Trichosanthes dioica fruit (AQTD) against arsenic-induced toxicity in rat brain. AQTD (50 and 100 mg/kg) was administered orally to male Wistar albino rats for 20 consecutive days before oral administration of sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg) for 8 days. We then evaluated the brain biochemical parameters viz. lipid peroxidation, reduced and oxidized glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and DNA fragmentation. Pretreatment with AQTD significantly and dose dependently modulated all the antioxidative parameters and reduced DNA fragmentation in rat brain intoxicated with arsenic. These findings conclude that T. dioica fruit possesses a remarkable ameliorative effect against arsenic-induced brain toxicity in male albino rats, which is mediated by alleviation of arsenic-induced oxidative stress by multiple mechanisms.

The triterpenoid fraction from Trichosanthes dioica root suppresses experimentally induced inflammatory ascites in rats.

CONTEXT: Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae), called pointed gourd in English, is a dioecious climber found wild throughout the plains of the Indian subcontinent and traditionally used in India for several medicinal purposes. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the protective effect of the triterpenoid enriched fraction from T. dioica root (CETD) against experimentally induced acute inflammatory ascites in Wistar albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CETD was administered orally at the different doses (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight) to overnight fasted rats, and then ascites was induced by intraperitoneal administration of formalin solution. After 7 h, the rats were sacrificed and the volume of ascitic fluid was measured. RESULTS: The CETD demonstrated significant (p < 0.01) reduction of ascitic fluid formation in a dose-dependent manner as compared with control. CONCLUSION: The CETD produced significant and dose-dependent inhibition of experimentally induced inflammatory ascites in Wistar albino rats.

Neuropharmacological properties of Trichosanthes dioica root.

AIM: Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae), commonly known as pointed gourd in English, is a dioecious climber grown widely in the Indian subcontinent. Traditionally, this plant has been used in India for several medicinal purposes. The present study aimed to evaluate certain neuropharmacological properties of the hydroalcoholic extract of T. dioica root (TDA) in experimental animal models. METHODS: TDA (at 100 and 200 mg·kg(-1) body weight, p.o.) was evaluated for anti-nociceptive activity by the acetic acid-induced writhing and tail flick methods. Locomotor depressant activity was measured by means of an actophotometer. Skeletal muscle relaxant effects were evaluated by using a rota-rod apparatus, and the sedative potentiating property by a phenobarbitone-induced sleep potentiation study. RESULTS: The results of the present study revealed significant (P < 0.001) and dose dependent anti-nociceptive, locomotor depressant, muscle relaxant, and sedative potentiating effects of TDA, demonstrating its depressant action on the central nervous system (CNS). CONCLUSION: From the present study, it can be concluded that T. dioica root possessed prominent anti-nociceptive, as well as depressant, action on the CNS, as manifested by these important neuropharmacological properties in mice.

Antitumor activity and antioxidant property of Curcuma caesia against Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma bearing mice.

CONTEXT: Curcuma caesia Roxb. (Zingiberaceae), commonly known as "Kala Haldi" in Bengali, has been traditionally used for the treatment of cancer, bruises, inflammation and as an aphrodisiac. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antitumor activity and antioxidant status of the methanol extract of Curcuma caesia (MECC) rhizomes on Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC)-treated mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro cytotoxicity assay of MECC was evaluated by using Trypan blue method. Determination of in vivo antitumor activity was performed after 24 h of EAC cells (2 × 10(6) cells/mouse) inoculation; MECC (50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.) was administered daily for nine consecutive days. On day 10, half of the mice were sacrificed and the rest were kept alive for assessment of increase in lifespan. Antitumor effect of MECC was assessed by the study of tumor volume, tumor weight, viable and non-viable cell count, hematological parameters and biochemical estimations. Furthermore, antioxidant parameters were assayed by estimating liver and kidney tissue enzymes. RESULTS: MECC showed direct cytotoxicity (IC50 90.70 ± 8.37 µg/mL) on EAC cell line. MECC exhibited significant (p < 0.01) decrease in tumor volume, tumor weight, viable cell count and percentage increased the lifespan (57.14 and 88.09%) of EAC-treated mice. Hematological profile, biochemical estimation, tissue antioxidant assay significantly (p < 0.01) reverted to normal level in MECC-treated mice. CONCLUSION: MECC possesses potent antitumor activity that may be due to its direct cytotoxic effect or antioxidant properties. Further research is in progress to find out the active principle(s) of MECC for its antitumor activity.

Chemopreventive property of Trichosanthes dioica root against 3-methylcholanthrene-induced carcinogenesis in albino mice.

This work reports the chemopreventive property of hydroalcoholic extract of the Trichosanthes dioica root (TDA) against 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC)-induced carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice. TDA was administered orally at 2 and 4 mg/kg for 45 days after 24 hours of a single subcutaneous administration of 3-MC (200 µg) in mice. The mice were observed for 15 weeks to record tumor incidence (fibrosarcoma) and survival. After 15 weeks the mice were killed for the evaluation of hematological profiles and hepatic biochemical parameters viz lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. TDA treatment markedly reduced tumor incidence and prolonged the life span of sarcoma-bearing mice compared with 3-MC control mice. Hematological profiles of TDA-treated mice were restored significantly to normal levels. TDA treatment significantly modulated the liver biochemical parameters compared with 3-MC control. Therefore, TDA possesses remarkable cancer chemopreventive efficacy plausibly mediated by multiple mechanisms in Swiss albino mice.

Evaluation of antitumor activity of Mimusops elengi leaves on Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma-treated mice.

CONTEXT: Mimusops elengi (M. elengi) Linn. (Sapotaceae) has been used as a folk medicine in wound healing, and the treatment of pain, and inflammation in many parts of India. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to explore the antitumor activity of methanol extract of M. elengi (MEME) in Swiss albino mice against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four hours after intraperitoneal (i.p.) inoculation of tumor (EAC) cells in mice (n = 12), MEME was administered at 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight daily for 9 consecutive days. On day 10, half of the mice were dissected and the rest were kept alive for assessment of increase in life span. The antitumor effect of MEME was assessed by evaluating tumor volume, viable and nonviable tumor cell count, tumor weight, hematological parameter, and biochemical estimations. In vivo antioxidant parameters were assayed by estimating liver tissue enzyme. In vitro cytotoxicity assay of MEME was measured by using trypan blue exclusion method. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: MEME showed significant (p < .001) decrease in tumor volume, packed cell volume, and viable cell count, and increased the life span of EAC bearing mice. Hematological, biochemical profile, and in vivo antioxidant parameters were significantly restored toward normal levels in MEME-treated mice as compared to EAC control. MEME also showed direct cytotoxicity on EAC cell line in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that M. elengi leaves exhibited antitumor activity in Swiss mice, which may be due to its cytotoxic effect and antioxidant properties.