Protective effect of Prostane in experimental prostatic hyperplasia in rats.

AIM: Prostane, a polyherbal formulation, was evaluated for its efficacy on 5alpha-reductase inhibition, alpha-adrenergic antagonistic activity and testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: 5alpha-reductase inhibition was evaluated using rat prostate homogenate as an enzyme source. Adrenergic antagonistic activity was evaluated using isolated rat vas deferens. Experimental prostatic hyperplasia was induced in rats by giving testosterone 3 mg/kg sc for 21 days. RESULTS: Prostane dose-dependently inhibited 5alpha-reductase activity and exhibited alpha-adrenergic antagonistic activity. Treatment with Prostane at 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg body wt, po for 21 days significantly reduced the prostatic weight, the epithelial height and the stromal proliferation in experimental prostatic hypertrophy. CONCLUSION: Prostane is effective in the treatment of experimental prostatic hypertrophy in rats and may be passed on to clinical trials on benign prostatic hypertrophy after necessary toxicological evaluations.

Effect of D-400, a herbomineral formulation on liver glycogen content and microscopic structure of pancreas and liver in streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats.

Streptozotocin induces severe and irreversible hyperglycaemia in experimental animals. The effect of oral administration of D-400 (1 gm/kg/day), a herbomineral formulation on streptozotocin induced-diabetes was studied in rats. Liver glycogen content was assayed biochemically on 2,4 and 8 weeks after D-400 treatment. Superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity of pancreatic islet cells was assessed on 8th week of D-400 treatment. The microscopic structure of pancreas and liver were examined in both control and treated animals. D-400 treatment showed progressive and significant increase in liver glycogen at 2,4 and 8 weeks respectively. Streptozotocin induced a decrease in pancreatic islet cell superoxide dismutase which was reversed by D-400 treatment for a period of 8 weeks. The free radical scavenging activity of D-400 may be attributed to shilajeet, one of its important ingredient. Streptozotocin induced histopathological changes in pancreas and liver was also partially reversed by D-400. The findings indicate that D-400 helps in improving the glycogen stores in the liver and prevents the streptozotocin induced damage through free radicals by increasing the islet cell superoxide dismutase activity.

Histological changes in intestine in semichronic diarrhoea induced by lactose enriched diet in rats: effect of Diarex-Vet.

Efficacy of Diarex-Vet (The Himalaya Drug Company, Makali, Bangalore, India) was evaluated histologically in semichronic diarrhoea induced by lactose enriched diet in rats. The rats in different groups were given lactose enriched diet alone for 2 days before starting the treatment with Diarex-Vet at a dose of 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg body weight along with lactose enriched diet for 5 days. Animals were euthanised at the end of 5 days of treatment and histological changes were observed in the ileum, caecum and colon. Semiquantitative analysis of goblet cells in intestines showed dose dependent response among the treated groups. The morphological changes were comparable to normal in the group given 750 mg/kg body wt Diarex-Vet. The effects observed were attributed to the lactase like analogous activity of Diarex-Vet or the inhibition of the osmotic processes in the intestinal lumen thereby reducing the morphological changes in the intestines.

Effect of HD-03--a herbal formulation in galactosamine-induced hepatopathy in rats.

The effect of HD-03 a herbal preparation was studied on galactosamine (400 mg/kg b.wt., i.p.) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Animals were pre-treated for 14 days with HD-03 and compared against untreated group for SGPT, SGOT, serum bilirubin and liver glycogen. Histopathology of liver lobes was considered to evaluate the extent of hepatic injury induced by galactosamine. These were reversed by HD-03 pre-treatment. HD-03 provided convincing evidence of hepatoprotection against galactosamine induced hapatotoxicity.

Bone mineralization by OST-6 (OsteoCare), a herbomineral preparation, in experimentally induced rickets in rats.

In the present study the efficacy of OST-6 (OsteoCare), a herbomineral preparation, on bone mineralization in experimental rickets has been evaluated. This was accomplished by feeding pregnant rats and subsequently their pups with vitamin D and calcium deficient (VDCD) with low phosphorus diet. The parameters such as serum and bone mineral contents (calcium and inorganic phosphorus), serum alkaline phosphatase, sex hormones and histology of bone were considered. VDCD resulted in a significant reduction in bone and serum calcium and inorganic phosphorus, increased serum alkaline phosphatase and decreased sex hormones (testosterone in males, progesterone and oestrogen in females). Histologically the bone showed osteodystrophic changes and disproportionate cartilaginous proliferations in the epiphyseal region. Incorporation of OST-6 into feed at 5% concentration resulted in a complete reversal of rickets, which was substantiated by biochemical and histological observations. It has been concluded that OST-6 is useful in the management of rickets in a natural way through herbal resources.

The protective effect of HD-03 in CCl4-induced hepatic encephalopathy in rats.

The liver is a major parenchymal organ involved in many functional activities in the body. Hepatic encephalopathy is a syndrome characterized by increased blood ammonia level and is one of the major complications of cirrhosis. In the present study the protective effect of HD-03, a poly-herbal formulation, was evaluated against CCl4-induced hepatic encephalopathy in rats. Hepatic encephalopathy was induced in Wistar rats by administration of CCl4 at a dose of 1 mL/kg orally in liquid paraffin (1:1) twice a week for 90 days. The liver enzymes (SGPT and SGOT) and blood ammonia levels were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in the CCl4-intoxicated group compared with the untreated control group. Administration of HD-03 at a dose of 750 mg/kg orally as an aqueous suspension significantly prevented the elevation of SGPT, SGOT and blood ammonia levels. Histomorphometric evaluation of liver and brain showed a protective effect of the HD-03 treatment, thus correlating with the changes in biochemical profiles. The protective effect of HD-03 against CCl4-induced encephalopathy may be due to the improved hepatocellular function, which in turn helps in regulating the metabolism of ammonia. However, further studies are required to measure the activity of enzymes involved in the urea cycle and brain aromatic amino acids in order to elucidate the exact mechanism of action of HD-03.

The beneficial effect of OST-6 (OsteoCare), a herbomineral formulation, in experimental osteoporosis.

OST-6 (OsteoCare), a herbomineral formulation, was evaluated for its inhibitory effect on the progress of bone loss induced by ovariectomy in rats. Ovariectomized (Ovx) rats were administered with OST-6 at 250 and 500 mg/kg b.wt., orally daily for 90 days. On 91st day, ovariectomized rats showed reduced bone mineral content and increased serum alkaline phosphatase levels, excretion of urinary calcium and pyridinium cross-links levels. Histologically, bone sections revealed narrowed and disappearance of trabeculae and widened medullary spaces. The total numbers of Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive cells were significantly increased both in-vivo and in-vitro methods. OST-6, at a dose of 500 mg/kg, significantly improved bone mineral contents, serum alkaline phosphatase levels, reduced the elevated urinary calcium and pyridinium cross-links excretion, number of TRAP positive cells and reversal of the above mentioned histological features. These results indicate the usefulness of OST-6 in the management of osteoporosis in a natural way through herbal resources.