Antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activities of catechol derivatives and biflavonoid isolated from Semecarpus anacardium seeds.

Semecarpus anacardium Linn. (Family: Anacardiaceae), commonly known marking nuts has been used in various traditional system of medicines for various ailments (such as antiatherogenic, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, anticarcinogenic etc) since ancient times.Based on the wide pharmacological activities of this plant, the present study was aimed to explore the antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic potential in high fat diet fed rats using catechol derivatives I-IV and biflavonoid isolated from seeds of Semecarpus anacardium. Oral administration of catechol derivatives I-IV and biflavonoid at a concentration of 50 mg/kg b.wt to high fat diet fed rats for a period of 30 days significantly decreased the lipid profiles, body weight gain and organ weight when compared to untreated hypercholesterolemic rats. However, biflavonoid treated hypercholesterolemic rats showed more pronounced effects in all the parameters tested when compared to all catechol derivatives (I-IV) treated hypercholesterolemic rats. The effect produced by biflavonoid on various parameters was comparable to that of simvastastin- a standard drug. In vitro antioxidant activities were also conducted using these five compounds in which biflavonoid showed more significant antioxidant potential at a concentration of 1000 µg/ml when compared to catechol derivatives (I-IV). The pronounced antioxidant potential of biflavonoid might have contributed to the hypolipidemic action in hypercholesterolemic rats and improved oil red O staining of thoracic aorta has also supported the parameters investigated. Further, the molecular mechanism of cholesterol lowering potential of this drug is needed.

Gymnemic Acid Ameliorates Pancreatic β-Cell Dysfunction by Modulating Pdx1 Expression: A Possible Strategy for β-Cell Regeneration

BACKGROUND@#Endogenous pancreatic β-cell regeneration is a promising therapeutic approach for enhancing β-cell function and neogenesis in diabetes. Various findings have reported that regeneration might occur via stimulating β-cell proliferation, neogenesis, or conversion from other pancreatic cells to b-like cells. Although the current scenario illustrates numerous therapeutic strategies and approaches that concern endogenous β-cell regeneration, all of them have not been successful to a greater extent because of cost effectiveness, availability of suitable donors and rejection in case of transplantation, or lack of scientific evidence for many phytochemicals derived from plants that have been employed in traditional medicine. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effect of gymnemic acid (GA) on β-cell regeneration in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic rats and high glucose exposed RIN5-F cells. @*METHODS@#The study involves histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis to examine the islet’s architecture.Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and/or immunoblot were employed to quantify the β-cell regeneration markers and cell cycle proliferative markers. @*RESULTS@#The immunoexpression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, and phosphoinositide 3-kinases/protein kinase B were significantly increased in GA-treated diabetic rats. On the other hand, treatment with GA upregulated the pancreatic regenerative transcription factor viz. pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1, Neurogenin 3, MafA, NeuroD1, and β-cells proliferative markers such as CDK4, and Cyclin D1, with a simultaneous downregulation of the forkhead box O, glycogen synthase kinase-3, and p21 cip1 in diabetic treated rats. Adding to this, we noticed increased nuclear localization of Pdx1 in GA treated high glucose exposed RIN5-F cells. @*CONCLUSION@#Our results suggested that GA acts as a potential therapeutic candidate for endogenous β-cell regeneration in treating type 1 diabetes.

Shemamruthaa, a Herbal Formulation Induces Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells and Inhibits Tumor Progression in Rats.

Phytochemicals present in plants are more effective than their individual constituents in preventing cancer through synergetic effects. From this perspective, Shemamruthaa, a herbal formulation was evaluated with a view to potentiate more intense anticancer property. This study investigates the anticancer activity of Shemamruthaa in breast cancer (MDA-MB 231) cell lines and its cancer therapeutic potential in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene induced breast cancer rats. Results of MTT, trypan blue, and apoptotic marker assays suggested that Shemamruthaa can induce cytotoxicity in cancer cells, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Oral administration of Shemamruthaa effectively suppressed the tumor progression as evidenced by decrease in tumor volume and modulation of oxidant-antioxidant status and resulted in extended life span. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of Shemamruthaa revealed the presence of pyrogallol, 5-hydrxoymethylfurfural, trilinolein, and flavonoids. Finally, we show that Shemamruthaa contains potential anticancer agents acting either singly or in combination against breast cancer cell proliferation.

Antiproliferative and Apoptotic Effects of Shemamruthaa, a Herbal Preparation, in 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)Anthracene-Induced Breast Cancer Rats.

A herbal preparation, Shemamruthaa (SM), was formulated to investigate the molecular mechanism by which it exhibits anticancer effects in mammary carcinoma bearing rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the study, and mammary carcinoma was induced by administration of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, intragastrically. After 3 months of induction period, the rats were treated with SM (400 mg/kg body weight) for 14 days. Our study shows that SM-treated mammary carcinoma rats showed regression in tumor volume with concomitant increase in p(53), Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9 mRNA and protein levels compared with mammary carcinoma-induced rats. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 were markedly increased in mammary carcinoma-induced rats, whereas the SM treatment significantly decreased the expression of these proteins. The expression pattern of apoptotic signaling molecules analyzed in the present study signifies the therapeutic efficacy of SM against breast cancer.

Effect of tangeretin, a polymethoxylated flavone on glucose metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The present study was designed to evaluate the antihyperglycemic potential of tangeretin on the activities of key enzymes of carbohydrate and glycogen metabolism in control and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The daily oral administration of tangeretin (100mg/kg body weight) to diabetic rats for 30 days resulted in a significant reduction in the levels of plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and increase in the levels of insulin and hemoglobin. The altered activities of the key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism such as hexokinase, pyruvate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase in liver of diabetic rats were significantly reverted to near normal levels by the administration of tangeretin. Further, tangeretin administration to diabetic rats improved hepatic glycogen content suggesting the antihyperglycemic potential of tangeretin in diabetic rats. The effect produced by tangeretin on various parameters was comparable to that of glibenclamide - a standard oral hypoglycemic drug. Thus, these results show that tangeretin modulates the activities of hepatic enzymes via enhanced secretion of insulin and decreases the blood glucose in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats by its antioxidant potential.

Kalpaamruthaa ameliorates mitochondrial and metabolic alterations in diabetes mellitus induced cardiovascular damage.

Efficacy of Kalpaamruthaa on the activities of lipid and carbohydrate metabolic enzymes, electron transport chain complexes and mitochondrial ATPases were studied in heart and liver of experimental rats. Cardiovascular damage (CVD) was developed in 8 weeks after type 2 diabetes mellitus induction with high fat diet (2 weeks) and low dose of streptozotocin (2 × 35 mg/kg b.w. i.p. in 24 hr interval). In CVD-induced rats, the activities of total lipase, cholesterol ester hydrolase and cholesterol ester synthetase were increased, while lipoprotein lipase and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activities were decreased. The activities of lipid-metabolizing enzymes were altered by Kalpaamruthaa in CVD-induced rats towards normal. Kalpaamruthaa modulated the activities of glycolytic enzymes (hexokinase, phosphogluco-isomerase, aldolase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), gluconeogenic enzymes (glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase) and glycogenolytic enzyme (glycogen phosphorylase) along with increased glycogen content in the liver of CVD-induced rats. The activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, Complexes and ATPases (Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase) were decreased in CVD-induced rats, which were ameliorated by the treatment with Kalpaamruthaa. This study ascertained the efficacy of Kalpaamruthaa for the treatment of CVD in diabetes through the modulation of metabolizing enzymes and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Kalpaamruthaa modulates oxidative stress in cardiovascular complication associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus through PKC-ß/Akt signaling.

This study aimed at investigating the efficacy of Kalpaamruthaa (KA) on cardiovascular damage (CVD) associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus in experimental rats by reducing oxidative stress and the modulation of the protein kinase C-ß (PKC-ß)/Akt signaling pathway. CVD-induced rats were treated with KA (200 mg·(kg body mass)(-1)·(day)(-1)) orally for 4 weeks. KA effectively reduced insulin resistance with alterations in blood glucose, hemoglobin, and glycosylated hemoglobin in CVD-induced rats. Elevated levels of lipids in CVD-induced rats were decreased upon KA administration. In CVD-induced rats the levels of lipoproteins were returned to normal by KA treatment. KA effectively reduced the lipid peroxidative product and protein carbonyl content in liver of CVD-induced rats. KA increased the activities and (or) levels of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants in liver of CVD-induced rats. KA treatment reduced the fatty inclusion and mast cell infiltration in liver of CVD-induced rats. Further, treatment with KA reduced the chromatin condensation and marginization in myocardium of CVD-induced rats. KA alters insulin signaling by decreasing PKC-ß and increasing p-Akt and GLUT4 expressions in heart of CVD-induced rats. The above findings suggest that KA renders protection against CVD induced by type 2 diabetes mellitus by augmenting the cellular antioxidant defense capacity and modulating PKC-ß and the p-Akt signaling pathway.

Modulatory effect of green tea extract on hepatic key enzymes of glucose metabolism in streptozotocin and high fat diet induced diabetic rats.

The study was undertaken to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of green tea extract on carbohydrate metabolic key enzymes in control and streptozotocin high fat diet -induced diabetic rats. The daily oral treatment of green tea extract (300 mg/kg body weight) to diabetic rats for 30 days resulted in a significant reduction in the levels of plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and increase in the levels of insulin and hemoglobin. The altered activities of the key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism such as hexokinase, pyruvate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase in liver of diabetic rats were significantly reverted to near normal levels by the administration of green tea extract. Further, green tea extract administration to diabetic rats improved muscle and hepatic glycogen content suggesting the antihyperglycemic potential of green tea extract in diabetic rats. The obtained results were compared with metformin, a standard oral hypoglycemic drug. Thus, this study indicates that the administration of green tea extract to diabetic rats resulted in alterations in the metabolism of glucose with subsequent reduction in plasma glucose levels.

Kalpaamruthaa ameliorates myocardial and aortic damage in cardiovascular complications associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Myocardial and aortic damage in cardiovascular complications (CVD) associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and the protective efficacy of Kalpaamruthaa (KA) are evaluated in this study. CVD developed in 8 weeks after type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by the administration of a high-fat diet for 2 weeks, and then with streptozotocin (2 × 35 mg·(kg body mass)(-1), by intraperitonal injection, at 24 h intervals) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. CVD-induced rats were treated with KA at 200 mg·(kg body mass)(-1)·(day)(-1) orally for 28 days. Increased oxidative stress in CVD-induced rats lowers antioxidant defense in the aorta. Treatment with KA reduced oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant status with decreased lipid peroxides in CVD-induced rats. Histological examination of the myocardium and aorta provided support for the cytoprotective effect of KA in CVD. Ultrastructural changes in the myocardium of CVD-induced rats were improved by KA treatment. Aortic damage was observed through decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase and increased NADPH oxidase mRNA expressions in CVD-induced rats. KA reduced the aortic damage by ameliorating these levels back to normal. KA treatment reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin 6 in CVD-induced rats. Immunohistochemical expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 were observed to be elevated in the myocardium of CVD-induced rats, but these were decreased by the administration of KA. This study demonstrates the cardiovascular protective effect of KA in type 2 diabetes.

Efficacy of 20-OH-ecdysone on hepatic key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the anti-diabetic activity of 20-OH-ecdysone on glucose metabolic key enzymes in control and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. On oral administration of 20-OH-ecdysone at a dose of 5mg/kg body weight per day to diabetic rats for 30 days resulted in a significant decrease in the levels of plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and an increase in the levels of insulin and hemoglobin. Administration of 20-OH-ecdysone showed significant increase in the levels of glycolytic enzyme (hexokinase) and hepatic shunt enzyme (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) whereas significant decrease in the levels of gluconeogenic enzymes (glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase) in diabetic treated rats. Furthermore, protection against body weight loss of diabetic animals also observed. This study indicates that the administration of 20-OH-ecdysone to diabetic rats resulted in alterations in the metabolism of glucose with subsequent reduction in plasma glucose levels. A comparison was made between the action of 20-OH-ecdysone and antidiabetic drug-glibenclamide. The effects produced by the 20-OH-ecdysone were comparable to that of glibenclamide.

Effect of iridoid glucoside on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats and its role in regulating carbohydrate metabolic enzymes.

Vitex negundo is a medicinal plant used to treat many ailments. An active compound of iridoid glucoside was isolated from V. negundo leaves and its efficacy was investigated in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats with special reference to carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes. The optimum dose of iridoid glucoside was determined by oral glucose tolerance test. The effects of iridoid glucoside were compared with glibenclamide Administration of iridoid glucoside (50mg/kg body weight) to diabetic rats for 30 days resulted in significant reduction in the levels of plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and increase in the levels of insulin and hemoglobin. Administration of iridoid glucoside showed a significant increase in the levels of glycolytic enzymes and glycogen content and decrease in the levels of gluconeogenic enzymes in the liver of diabetic treated rats. Further, iridoid glucoside showed antihyperlipidemic activity as evidenced by significant reduction in serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein coupled together with elevation of high density lipoprotein in diabetic rats. A significant decrease was observed in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and decrease in the levels of serum urea and creatinine in diabetic treated rats when compared to diabetic untreated rats. Treatment of iridoid glucoside alleviated body weight loss in diabetic rats. The effect produced by iridoid glucoside on various parameters was comparable to that of glibenclamide. These results indicate that iridoid glucoside possess antihyperlipidemic effect in addition to its antidiabetic effect.

Antihyperglycemic effect of iridoid glucoside, isolated from the leaves of Vitex negundo in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with special reference to glycoprotein components.

The aim of present study was to isolate an iridoid glucoside from the leaves of Vitex negundo and evaluates its effects on dearrangement in plasma and tissues glycoprotein components in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The levels of blood glucose, plasma and tissues glycoproteins such as hexose, hexosamine, fucose and sialic acid were significantly increased whereas plasma insulin levels were significantly decreased in diabetic rats. On oral administration of iridoid glucoside at a concentration of 50 mg/kg b.w. once daily to diabetic rats for the period of 30 days, reversed the above-mentioned hyperglycemia-induced biochemical changes to near normal levels. The anti-hyperglycemic effect of iridoid glucoside was comparable with glibenclamide, a known hypoglycemic drug. Based on the results obtained from the present study, it may be concluded that iridoid glucoside possesses significant productive effect on glycoprotein metabolism in addition to its antidiabetic effect.

Ameliorating effect of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract on altered glucose metabolism in high fat diet STZ induced type 2 diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the protective effect of the drug Semecarpus anacardium (S. anacardium)on altered glucose metabolism in diabetic rats.@*METHODS@#Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by feeding rats with high fat diet followed by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (35 mg/kg b.w.). Seven days after STZ induction, diabetic rats received nut milk extract of S. anacardium Linn. nut milk extract orally at a dosage of 200 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks. The effect of nut milk extract of S. anacardium on blood glucose, plasma insulin, glucose metabolising enzymes and GSK were studied.@*RESULTS@#Treatment with SA extract showed a significant reduction in blood glucose levels and increase in plasma insulin levels and also increase in HOMA - β and decrease in HOMA -IR. The drug significantly increased the activity of glycolytic enzymes and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and increased the glycogen content in liver of diabetic rats while reducing the activities of gluconeogenic enzymes. The drug also effectively ameliorated the alterations in GSK-3 mRNA expression.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Overall, the present study demonstrates the possible mechanism of glucose regulation of S. anacardium suggestive of its therapeutic potential for the management of diabetes mellitus.

Mitigation of DMBA-induced mammary carcinoma in experimental rats by antiangiogenic property of Kalpaamruthaa.

Extra cellular matrix (ECM) and basement membrane (BM) are important layers that regulate cell structure, cell migration, and cellular proliferation. Degradation of both ECM and BM mediated by proteases favors the tumor invasion and promotes angiogenesis. Female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 180 ± 10 g were categorized into 6 groups. Group-1 animals served as vehicle control. Group-2 to Group-4 animals were administered with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (25 mg/rat dissolved in olive oil, orally) on day 1 of experimental period to induce mammary carcinoma. (After 90 days, mammary carcinoma was confirmed by histopathological examination). Group-3 and Group-4 rats were subsequently treated with Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract (SA) and Kalpaamruthaa (KA), respectively. Group-5 and Group-6 animals served as drug control for SA and KA, respectively. Pro-angiogenic factors like proteases, cyclooxygenase-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor were elevated in tumor-bearing animals and decreased in SA- and KA-supplemented rats. Increased levels of these angiogenic factors in tumor-bearing rats indicate the progression of mammary tumor. The decreased levels of these angiogenic in SA- and KA-treated rats may be due to the ameliorative effect of phenolic compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, and other compounds present in the drug.

Hypolipidemic activity of Semecarpus anacardium in Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

Alterations in lipid metabolism and lipoprotein disturbances have played an important role in increasing the risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetes. A drug that has hypoglycemic activity can be used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia also. The present study was carried out to evaluate the hypolipidemic activity of Semecarpus anacardium. Male Wister rats weighing 250-270 g were injected with Streptozotocin at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight and administered with S. anacardium (300 mg/kg body weight) and Metformin (500 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days. Control and drug control groups were also included in the study. After the experimental duration, serum was collected, liver and kidney were excised and used for the analysis of lipid and lipid metabolizing enzymes. The results of the study revealed that S. anacardium administration was able to decrease the levels of LDL, cholesterol, VLDL, TG, phospholipid and free fatty acid and increase the HDL levels and favorably modulate the lipid metabolizing enzymes in the liver and kidney. These results show that S. anacardium exerts hypolipidemic activity in diabetic rats.

Modulation of oxidative/nitrosative stress and mitochondrial protective effect of Semecarpus anacardium in diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVES: Oxidative and nitrosative stress play an important role in the complications of diabetes mellitus. Free radicals are produced when there is an electron leak in the mito-chondria and a change in the mitochondrial membrane potential. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of Semecarpus anacardium in protecting the mito-chondria by modulating the production of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species in diabetic rats. METHODS: Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight and, starting 3 days after the induction, Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract was administered for 21 days. The same duration of study was used for control, diabetes-induced and drug control groups, together with a group treated with metformin. After the experimental period, the animals were sacrificed and the levels of superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, nitrate and nitrite were estimated. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular reactive oxygen species and intracellular calcium were also determined. Confocal laser microscopic images were taken for mitochondria isolated from the liver and kidneys. KEY FINDINGS: The results of the study revealed that Semecarpus anacardium was able to decrease the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, and reverse the changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and the influx of calcium into the mitochondria. CONCLUSIONS: The mitochondrial protective effect may be mediated by scavenging of free radicals and complexing of metal ions by virtue of the antioxidative effect of Semecarpus anacardium.

Oral supplementation of silibinin prevents colon carcinogenesis in a long term preclinical model.

Chemoprevention through dietary intervention is an emerging option to reduce colon cancer mortality. beta-catenin plays an important role in the Wnt signaling cascade that is most commonly dysregulated in colorectal cancer. Our aim was to explore the modulatory effect of silibinin on beta-catenin expression employing 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) induced colon cancer in male Wistar rats as an experimental model during the different stages of carcinogenesis. Colon tissues were analyzed for the expression of beta-catenin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions by using immunohistochemistry and silver staining. Immunoblotting was employed to study cyclin D1 expression. Glutathione (GSH) and glutathione related enzymes were assayed by spectrophotometric analysis. Silibinin inhibited DMH-induced colon cancer by decreasing tumor incidence and multiplicity. Silibinin supplementation to DMH-treated rats restored the levels of GSH-dependent enzymes and decreased the levels of beta-catenin, PCNA, argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions and cyclin D1. Mechanistically silibinin inhibits DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis by modulating the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway and glutathione redox system. Since colon cancer is highly sensitive to dietary intervention adults who may have preneoplastic lesions in their colon may be benefited by silibinin.

Synergistic effect of Kalpaamruthaa on antiarthritic and antiinflammatory properties--its mechanism of action.

The present study was designed to evaluate the antiinflammatory properties of Kalpaamruthaa (KA) a modified indigenous Siddha formulation constituting Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract (SA), Emblica officinalis (EO) and honey in acute and chronic antiinflammatory studies. A dose of 150 mg/kg b.wt. of SA and KA were used for the present studies. The effect of KA was compared with standard drug diclofenac sodium. It was observed that the drug KA exhibited enhanced effect on antiinflammatory and antiarthritic properties than sole SA treatment and the collective effect of KA might be due to the combined interactions of the phytochemicals such as flavonoids, tannins and other compounds such as vitamin c present in KA.

Efficacy of Siddha formulation Kalpaamruthaa in ameliorating joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a kind of chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. The degradation of extracellular matrix and cartilage pave way in understanding the molecular mechanisms in RA. Degradation of cartilage is a more complex event involving the local release of metallaoproteases and lysosomal enzymes that mediate inflammation in joints and in the synovial fluid in RA. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, the efficacy of a Siddha preparation named Kalpaamruthaa (KA) in ameliorating the disease process via markedly reducing the joint destruction was demonstrated in adjuvant induced arthritis rat model. KA consists of Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract (SA), dried powder of Emblica officinalis fruit and honey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Both SA and KA were administered at dose of 150 mg/kg b.wt. for 14 days after 14 days of adjuvant injection in rats. The activity of lysosomal enzymes, the level of collagen, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and its degradative products were analyzed in control and experimental animals. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The study revealed that KA exhibited a profound reduction (p<0.05) in the activities of lysosomal enzymes and thereby decreasing (p<0.05) the levels of GAGs and its fractions when compared to arthritis rats. The latter was confirmed by Safrannin O staining for GAGs in the interphalangeal joints of control and experimental animals. The effect of KA was found to be improved than SA and this might be due to the combined interactions of phytoconstituents present in KA.

Salubrious effect of Kalpaamruthaa, a modified indigenous preparation in adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats--a biochemical approach.

BACKGROUND: Interactions between the phytochemicals and drugs and their combinations are capable of providing longer remissions and perhaps a complete cure for many diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition to articular manifestations in RA, extra-articular signs involving reticuloendothelial and hepatic systems are an indication of more severe disease and thus, have prognostic value. OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to illustrate the beneficial outcome of the drug Kalpaamruthaa (constituting Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract, fresh dried powder of Emblica officinalis fruit and honey) in adjuvant-induced arthritic rat model with respect to the changes in extra-articular manifestation involving hematological and cellular constituents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Levels of hematological parameters, cellular constituents, activities of marker enzymes and the level of DNA damage were assessed in control, arthritis-induced, SA, KA and drug control treated rats. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Significant decrease (p<0.005) in the levels of Hb, RBC, PCV, total protein, albumin, A/G ratio, plasma uric acid, urinary urea, uric acid, creatinine, FFA, HDL and significant increase (p<0.05) in the levels of WBC, platelet count, ESR, globulin, plasma creatinine, blood glucose, urea, AST, ALT, ALP, TC, FC, TG, PL, LDL and VLDL were observed in arthritic rats. No other significant change was observed in tissue DNA and RNA levels of control and experimental animals. On the contrary an increase in DNA damage was observed in arthritic rats when compared to control animals. The above said derangements were brought back to near normal levels upon SA and KA treatments and KA revealed a profound beneficial effect than SA. The enhanced effect of KA might be attributed to the combined effects of phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, tannins and other compounds such as vitamin C present in KA. Thus KA via this preliminary protective effect might contribute to the amelioration of the disease process.