Potential of the plant Thespesia populnea in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

CONTEXT: Thespesia populnea Sol. ex Correa (Malvaceae), an indigenous tree species in India, is of interest to researchers because traditionally its heartwood is used in the treatment of ulcer and colic pain. OBJECTIVE: To validate its folk use in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were administered intrarectal DNBS and then treated with different plant extracts (100 and 200 mg/kg), 30 min before and 24 and 48 h after DNBS infusion. Colonic mucosal injury was assessed by macroscopic and histological examination. Furthermore, malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), protease, and hemoglobin (Hb) contents were measured in tissue and blood samples. RESULTS: Administration of various extracts ameliorated macroscopic and microscopic scores which were altered due to DNBS treatment in mice. Hb concentration in blood was restored significantly by the aqueous extract to 17.20 ± 0.5, which was reduced to 13.80 ± 0.5 after treatment with DNBS. MDA level was increased to 10.82 nm/mg and 10.25 nm/ml in tissue and blood, respectively, due to DNBS treatment which was reduced to 2.69 nm/mg and 3.59 nm/ml in tissue and blood, respectively, by aqueous extract treatment. Similarly, MPO level was increased to 412 U/mg and 404 U/ml in tissue and blood, respectively, which was significantly reduced to 205 U/mg and 219 U/ml in tissue and blood, respectively, by aqueous extract treatment. Aqueous extract significantly reduced protease activity which was markedly increased in DNBS-treated animals. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Aqueous extract of heartwood of T. populnea is effective in the treatment of UC.

Antihistaminic and antiallergic actions of extracts of Solanum nigrum berries: possible role in the treatment of asthma.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Berries of the plant Solanum nigrum Linn (Solanaceae) are used for the treatment of asthma in folk medicine and ancient books. AIM OF STUDY: To evaluate potential of the plant berries in the treatment of asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Petroleum ether, ethanol and aqueous extracts of S. nigrum berries (50, 100 and 200mg/kg, i.p.) were screened for the treatment of asthma by the various methods viz. effect on clonidine and haloperidol induced catalepsy, milk-induced leucocytosis and eosinophilia, mast cell stabilizing activity in mice and studies on smooth muscle preparation of guinea pig ileum (in vitro). Active petroleum ether extract was standardized by HPTLC. RESULTS: The petroleum ether extract of S. nigrum berries inhibited clonidine-induced catalepsy significantly but not haloperidol-induced catalepsy. Petroleum ether extract significantly inhibited increased leukocyte and eosinophil count due to milk allergen and showed maximum protection against mast cell degranulation by clonidine. Petroleum ether extract resisted contraction induced by histamine better than other extracts. All the results are dose dependant. Active petroleum ether extract showed presence of antiasthmatic compound, ß-sitosterol. CONCLUSION: The petroleum ether extract of S. nigrum berries can inhibits parameters linked to the asthma disease.

Antinociceptive activity of Sesbania sesban (Linn) wood extracts, a preliminary study.

The wood of the plant Sesbania sesban, is reported to have antinociceptive activity. To validate its folk use in the treatment of pain, wood was extracted successively with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water to produce respective extracts. The extracts (50 and 100 mg/kg, ip) were screened for antinociceptive activity using hot plate test and acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice. Petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate extracts showed significant and dose-dependent activity in both the tests. In order to find out the involvement of opioid receptors, effect of naloxone (1 mg/kg, sc) on the action of extracts was checked in hot plate test. Petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate extracts showed significant and dose dependant antinociceptive activity. The antinociceptive action of the extracts was blocked by naloxone, suggesting involvement of opioid receptors in the action.

Anti-arthritic activity of various extracts of Sida rhombifolia aerial parts.

Aerial parts of the plant Sida rhombifolia Linn. (Malvaceae) were extracted successively to produce various extracts. These extracts were screened for various parameters of anti-arthritic activity, such as adjuvant-induced arthritis, motor performance, mean distance travelled, and histopathological study. Results showed that the polar constituents (ethanol and aqueous extracts) of the plant S. rhombifolia were useful in the treatment of arthritis.

Antinociceptive activity of Gynandropsis gynandra leaves.

Gynandropsis gynandra (Capparidaceae) leaves are traditionally used in the treatment of pain. In order to evaluate the scientific validity of this, leaves were extracted successively to produce various extracts. These extracts were screened for antinociceptive activity using the hot plate test and acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice at a dose of 100 mg kg(-1), intraperitoneally. Ethanol and aqueous extracts were found most active in both the tests. The action was blocked by naloxone (1 mg kg(-1), s.c.) in the hot plate test, which suggests involvement of opioid receptors in the action. Flavonoids and tannins were observed in the active extracts, so we can say that they may responsible for the antinociceptive activity.

Antistress and antiallergic effects of Ficus bengalensis bark in asthma.

Various extracts of Ficus bengalensis bark was screened for it's antiallergic and antistress potential in asthma by milk-induced leucocytosis and milk-induced eosinophilia. Aqueous, ethanol, and ethyl acetate extracts showed significant decrease in leucocytes and eosinophils in the order given while petroleum ether and chloroform extracts were inactive. This shows the application of polar constituents of F. bengalensis bark as antistress and antiallergic agents in asthma.

Antinociceptive and anthelmintic activity of Canna indica.

Dried, coarsely powdered leaves, flowers, rhizomes and seeds of Canna indica were successively extracted with benzene and methanol in Soxhlet apparatus. The effect of benzene and methanol extracts of various parts of C. indica on nociceptive response using writhing test and hot plate method in mice was examined. All the extracts of C. indica showed significant central and peripheral analgesic activity in hot plate method and acetic acid-induced writhing test, respectively, at the dose of 50 mg kg(-1) intraperitoneally. Methanolic extract of leaves of C. indica showed highest increase in reaction time in hot plate method while benzene extract of leaves of C. indica showed more inhibitory effect on writhing induced by acetic acid. Anthelmintic activity of these extracts was evaluated on Pheritima posthuma. Results showed that the methanolic extract of rhizomes of the plant took less time to cause paralysis of the earthworms.