Raphanus sativus Seeds Oil Arrested in vivo Inflammation and Angiogenesis through Down-regulation of TNF-α.

BACKGROUND: Raphanus sativus is traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory agent. OBJECTIVES: The current study was designed to explore the in vivo anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic properties of Raphanus sativus seeds oil. METHODS: Cold press method was used for the extraction of oil (RsSO) and was characterised by using GC-MS techniques. Three in vitro antioxidant assays (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP) were performed to explore the antioxidant potential of RsSO. Disc diffusion methods were used to study in vitro antimicrobial properties. In vivo anti-inflammatory properties were studied in both acute and chronic inflammation models. In vivo chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay was performed to study antiangiogenic effects. Molecular mechanisms were identified using TNF-α ELISA kit and docking tools. RESULTS: GC-MS analysis of RsSO revealed the presence of hexadecanoic and octadecanoic acid. Findings of DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP models indicated relatively moderate radical scavenging properties of RsSO. Oil showed antimicrobial activity against a variety of bacterial and fungal strains tested. Data of inflammation models showed significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory effects of RsSO in both acute and chronic models. 500 mg/kg RsSO halted inflammation development significantly better (p < 0.05) as compared with lower doses. Histopathological evaluations of paws showed minimal infiltration of inflammatory cells in RsSO-treated animals. Findings of TNF-α ELSIA and docking studies showed that RsSO has the potential to down-regulate the expression of TNF-α, iNOS, ROS, and NF-κB respectively. Moreover, RsSO showed in vivo antiangiogenic effects. CONCLUSION: Data of the current study highlight that Raphanus sativus seeds oil has anti-inflammatory, and antiangiogenic properties and can be used as an adjunct to standard NSAIDs therapy which may reduce the dose and related side effects.

Correction to: Evaluation of in vivo anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic attributes of methanolic extract of Launaea spinosa.

Unfortunately, a section under the heading "Materials and Method" has been published with errors.

Methanolic extract of Ephedra ciliata promotes wound healing and arrests inflammatory cascade in vivo through downregulation of TNF-α.

Chronic wounds may lead to the development of various pathological conditions such as diabetic foot ulcers and pressure sores. The current study evaluated wound healing and anti-inflammatory potentials of methanolic extract of Ephedra ciliata using series of in vivo models. Methanolic extract of Ephedra ciliata was prepared by maceration (Ec.Me). Qualitative and quantitative (HPLC) phytochemical and metal analyses were conducted to explore the chemical and metal profiles of Ec.Me. Safety profile (behavioural) and, antimicrobial, antioxidant, wound healing, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic potentials of Ec.Me were evaluated using well-established in vitro and in vivo models. ELISA assay was performed to estimate the effects of Ec.Me treatment on serum levels of TNF-α. HPLC analysis identified quercetin as one of the major compounds in Ec.Me. Safety study data showed that Ec.Me was safe up to the dose of 2000 mg/kg. Antimicrobial assay data showed that Ec.Me was active against bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus) as well as fungal (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) strains. Ec.Me showed modertate antioxidant potential in in vitro and in vivo models. Data of excision and burn wound healing models showed that Ec.Me, promoted wound closure in a dose and time-dependent manner. Treatment with 20% Ec.Me cream and heparin showed almost the same effects with no statistical differences (p > 0.05). Ec.Me also showed time-dependent anti-inflammatory activities in both acute and chronic models. In carrageenan model, treatment with 200 mg/kg of Ec.Me showed comparable anti-inflammatory effects (p > 0.05) with quercetin and indomethacin throughout the study. In cotton pellet granuloma model treatment with 200 mg/kg of Ec.Me and indomethacin inhibited granuloma formation significantly better (p < 0.05) as compared with the rest of the treatment groups. Histopathological examination of skin samples showed marked improvement in architecture with minimal infiltration of inflammatory cells. Data of in vivo angiogenesis assay showed marked improvement in vessels length, density, branching points, total segments and total nets after treatment with Ec.Me, indicating no toxic effects towards vasculature development. Significant (p < 0.05) downregulation of TNF-α was observed in serum samples of animals treated with Ec.Me. Based on data of the current study, it is concluded that quercetin-rich extract of Ephedra ciliata has wound healing and anti-inflammatory potentials via downregulation of TNF-α. Moreover, it is suggested that the antimicrobial activity of Ec.Me prevented microbial invasion, thus promoted natural wound healing mechanisms as well.

The impact of tourism and natural resources on the ecological footprint: a case study of ASEAN countries.

This study examines the impacts of economic growth, energy consumption, tourism, and natural resources on the ecological footprint in the ASEAN countries for spanning from 1995 to 2016. For this purpose, the cross-sectional dependent test, the second-generation unit root test, and the Westerlund cointegration test have been applied. The Driscoll-Kraay panel regression model has been used to check the long-run relationship among the series. Also, the Dumitrescu-Hurlin panel causality test is used to determine the paths of causal interactions. These tests help to overcome the problem of cross-sectional dependence in panel data analysis. The results showed an inverted U-shaped EKC behavior in ASEAN countries, hence a negative relation between tourism and natural resources with the ecological footprint. This implies that tourism and natural resources help to improve the environmental quality in ASEAN countries.

Evaluation of in vivo anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic attributes of methanolic extract of Launaea spinosa.

Launaea spinosa is used as an anti-inflammatory agent traditionally. This study was conducted to evaluate anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic activities of methanol extract of Launaea spinosa. Extraction was performed by maceration and the resultant green coloured extract was labelled as Ls.Me. Solubility analysis showed that Ls.Me was miscible with distilled water, normal saline, ethanol and methanol. Metal analysis following acid digestion method exhibited the presence of copper, magnesium, manganese, iron, zinc and calcium. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of different classes of secondary metabolites in Ls.Me. HPLC analysis showed the presence of quercetin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, benzoic acid and sinapic acid in Ls.Me. Data of in vitro antioxidant assays showed moderate antioxidant potential of Ls.Me which was also confirmed by data of in vivo enzymes (SOD, CAT, and TSP) assays. Antimicrobial assays data showed that Ls.Me was active against S.aureus and S.epidermidis (bacterial) as well as C.albicans and A.niger (fungal) strains. Data of acute physio-pathological studies showed no abnormalities in Albino rats up to the dose of 2000 mg/kg of Ls.Me. Acute and chronic inflammatory models were used to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of Ls.Me. Data of acute studies showed that Ls.Me has the potential to arrest inflammation produced by different mediators in a dose-dependent manner. 200 mg/kg of Ls.Me was found to produce significantly (p < 0.05) better anti-inflammatory effects than 100 mg/kg of Ls.Me. Ls.Me also significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited ear edema induced by xylene. Ls.Me showed profound anti-inflammatory responses in paw edema induced by formalin and also inhibited granuloma development in cotton pellet-induced granuloma model. Histopathological and biochemical investigations showed marked reduction in the number of inflammatory cells. TNF-α and IL-6 ELSIA kits were used to study effects of Ls.Me treatment on serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6. Data obtained showed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in TNF-α and IL-6 levels in serum of animals treated with Ls.Me. Data of in vivo angiogenesis assay showed that 200 µg/ml of Ls.Me significantly halted vasculature development indicating its potent anti-angiogenic potential. On the basis of findings of the current study, it is concluded that multiple phytochemicals present in Ls.Me act synergistically to produce anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects. Further studies are required to standardize the plant extract and explore its safety profile.