Evaluation of wound healing effects of Syzygium cumini and laser treatment in diabetic rats.

This study was aimed to investigate the antioxidant effects of Syzygium cumini (S. cumini) seeds extract along with wound healing score in correlation to glutathione and blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 8 groups (n=6) and diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg kg-1 body weight). An alcoholic extract of S. cumini was administered to punch plier induced wounded rats and changes in serum glutathione levels, wound healing score and blood glucose levels were examined. Laser treatment of 500 mW for 5 minutes was given once a day for 12 days at 810 and 630 nm respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using one way ANOVA. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant and p-value <0.001 was considered highly significant. There was significant increase in glutathione levels and wound healing score when S. cumini extract was administered oral and topical along with topical laser therapy. There was significant reduction in the blood glucose levels upon administration of S. cumini extract in diabetic rats. This study concludes that there was a positive relation between the glutathione levels and wound healing score, since there was increase in wound healing score with the increase in the glutathione levels.

In vivo assessment of anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects of Syzygium cumini leaves extract in rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels. is one of the very popular traditionally used medicinal plants with numerous pharmacological activities including antioxidant, hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory. However, actions of S. cumini on blood coagulation and other parameters of blood were poorly pharmacologically studied. Therefore, aim of this present investigation is to examine the effects of methanolic extract of S. cumini on blood coagulation and anticoagulation factors in healthy white albino rabbits at different doses. METHODS: Blood samples were drawn twice during this study and biochemical assays were performed to determine the effect on different parameters such as coagulation, anticoagulation, hematological, Protein C (PC) and thrombin antithrombin (TAT) complex and platelet aggregation. RESULTS: The results showed significant increase in RBCs, hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelets counts up to 1.4 × 103/cm, 2.2 g/dl, 6%, 248.2 × 103/cm respectively. While, thrombin and bleeding time were also prolonged in dose dependent manner which is highly significant (p ≤ 0.005) as compared to control. Similarly, highly significantly increased (p ≤ 0.005) in levels of protein C, thrombin antithrombin complex at dose of 500 mg/kg were observed. Whereas, levels of platelets aggregation and fibrinogen were decreased at high doses. CONCLUSION: The obtained findings of hematological and coagulation tests concludes possibly S. cumini possess anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects.

Assessment of anti-coagulant activity of Nelumbo nucifera fruit.

The herbal agents rich in flavonoids are progressively becoming popular these days as they are considered to have anti-oxidant effects and also lack bothersome effects. That's why existing research was encircled around the anti-coagulant effect of Nelumbo nucifera fruit (NNF) as it is also a rich source of flavonoids and cultivated in abundance especially in tropical regions of Asia but its usefulness as anti-coagulant agent was never determined pharmacologically. Anticoagulant assessment was done in thirty five male Wister rats which were separated equally in 5 groups. Results of the current study revealed that NNF 200mg/kg significantly prolonged prothrombin time and thrombin time, whereas fibrinogen level was highly significantly reduced as compared to control. Fibrinogen level was also reduced highly significantly with NNF 100 mg/kg as compared to control without affecting other parameters of coagulation i.e. activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time and thrombin time. NNF exhibited strong anti-coagulant activity which may be due to the inhibitory effects on platelet activation, adhesion and aggregation along with inhibitory effects on thromboxane A2 formation. Presence of alkaloid i.e. neferine and flavonoids in it may be a reason of its anti-coagulant activity but more pre-clinical and clinical evaluation needs to be conducted to establish these findings.

Effect of Punica granatum, Citrus limon and their combinations on the plasma Gonadotropins in female rabbits.

Fruits produce revitalizing effects, hence the impact of Punica granatum, Citrus limon and their combinations have been investigated on the plasma levels of gonadotropin, testosterone and sexual development capacity in female rabbits. Ninety female rabbits were randomly assigned into nine groups, each comprising of ten animals. One group was given saline and designated as control. Three groups were given P. granatum 2mL /kg, 5mL/kg, 8mL/kg, other three groups received C. limon 0.2mL/kg, 0.4mL/kg, 0.6mL/kg respectively, remaining groups received C. limon and P. granatum in combination i.e. 0.4mL/kg C. limon + 5mL/kg P. granatum and 0.2mL/kg C. limon + 8mL/kg P. granatum. Juices were administered once daily by mouth from day 0 of pups delivered to postnatal day15. Blood samples were gathered from ear vein at day11 and day15. There was significant increase in follicle stimulating hormone by P. granatum at 5 and 8mL/kg on day 11 and 15, by C. limon at 0.4 and 0.6mL/kg on day11, 0.4mL/kg at day15, by combination doses of C. limon and P. granatum 0.4 +5mL/kg at day 11, 0.4+5 mL/kg and 0.2 + 8mL/kg at day15. There was also significant increase in luteinizing hormone by P. granatum at 2, 5 and 8mL/kg and by C. limon 0.4mL/kg at day11. There was highly significant increase on day 11 in LH at combination doses of C. limon and P. granatum 0.4 + 5mL/kg. There was significant increase in testosterone level by P. granatum at 2, 5 and 8mL/kg on day 11 and 5mL/kg on day15 and highly significant increase at 2 and 8mL/kg. C. limon caused significant increase in testosterone at 0.4 mL/kg on day11, 0.2 and 0.6mL/kg on day 15 and highly significant increase at 0.4mL/kg on day15. Whereas combinations doses of C. limon and P. granatum at 0.4+5mL/kg caused highly significant increase in testosterone level as compare to control. Results of present study revealed increase in plasma gonadotropin and testosterone levels showing increase in sexual capacity of female rabbits which could be mainly accounted for high vitamin C and flavonoids contents of these juices.

Prophylactic and therapeutic effect of Punica granatum in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid induced inflammation in rats.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L., Punicaceae) contains varieties of antioxidants and phytochemicals; there are evidences that phytochemicals and antioxidants play a vital role in reducing inflammation. Hence this investigation was planned to assess the outcome of Punica granatum on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid provoked colitis in rats at 2, 5 and 8ml/kg of the body weight. The effect of P. granatum was assessed in two group i.e. prophylaxis as pre-colitis and therapeutic as post-colitis. After completion of dosing in both the groups, macroscopic and histological examination of colon was carried out along with estimation of serum myeloperoxidase, glutathione, alkaline phosphate, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein. In prophylactic procedure P. granatum revealed significant (P<0.05) changes in biochemical markers of inflammation at 5 and 8ml/kg doses. However in therapeutic procedure significant change was observed only at 8ml/kg. Thus results of the present study suggest that P. granatum have a role in prevention as well as treatment of inflammation.

Behavioral effects of Citrus limon and Punica granatum combinations in rats.

Dietary supplements are becoming more influential as viable treatment for common chronic diseases and to promote normal development and functions of all system including brain. Disorders like anxiety and depression may be managed through healthier variations is dietary pattern, since there are indications that diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins diminish anxiety and depression. Hence this investigation was planned to assess the behavioral effects of Citrus limon and Punica granatum in two combination doses i.e. 0.4 + 5 ml/kg and 0.2 + 8 ml/kg C. limon and P. granatum respectively in rats. Antidepressant and anxiolytic effects were explicitly judged twice during 15 days using forced swimming and open field tests and elevated plus maze. In open field test C. limon and P. granatum showed increase in distance travelled, number of central entries and number of rearing's at 0.4 + 5 ml/kg combination, in the elevated plus maze, number of open arm entries were found to be augmented and in forced swimming test, there was decline in duration of immobility and rise in duration of climbing at both combinations i.e. 0.4 + 5 ml/kg and 0.2 + 8 ml/kg C. limon and P. granatum. These results suggest that C. limon and P. granatum at 0.4 + 5 ml/kg combination have anxiolytic and antidepressant effect.

Anticoagulant, antiplatelet and antianemic effects of Punica granatum (pomegranate) juice in rabbits.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L., Punicaceae) is a good source of minerals and phytochemicals with diverse pharmacological activities such as anxiolytic, antidepressant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Effects of P. granatum on blood parameters and coagulation have, however, been little studied. The aim of the study was to assess the outcome of P. granatum on coagulation and anticoagulation factors at different doses on blood samples of healthy white rabbits. Blood samples of the animals were collected twice during the study and biochemical assays were performed to assess the effect on hematological, coagulation, anticoagulation, and platelet aggregation. Significant changes were observed in erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, while bleeding and thrombin time were also prolonged significantly. There was significant increase in protein C, thrombin antithrombin complex levels, and decrease in platelet aggregation and fibrinogen concentration, in a dose-dependent manner. The results of hematological and coagulation assays lead to the speculation about a possible antianemic and cardioprotective effect of P. granatum.

Assessment of acute toxicity and reproductive capability of a herbal combination.

The drug under investigation is a herbal combination of Withania somnifera, Tribulus terrestris, Mucuna Pruriens and Argyreia speciosa which has been used for several years of its bio-stimulating, revitalizing and fertility enhancing effects. Present preclinical study is specifically designed to access the safety and efficacy of the product. The result of acute oral toxicity reveals that product is safe up to the dose of 5000 mg/kg. The effects of study related to reproductive capability of drug on both sex reveals increase in reproduction rate up to two generations i.e. F(0) and F(1).

Assessment of anticoagulant effect of evening primrose oil.

Effect of evening primrose oil (EPO) was assessed on coagulation parameters following 30 and 60 days administration of 90, 180 and 360 microl/kg oil to healthy rabbits of either sex. There was significant increase in all assays except Fibrinogen time. These effects might be due to inactivation or inhibition of factors affecting coagulation. The intake of evening primrose oil also significantly decreased platelet count. Results of this study suggest that evening primrose oil shows considerable anti-anticoagulant and anti-platelet activity in animals and has potential to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.