Neuroprotective effect of Bauhinia variegata Linn. leaf extracts in streptozotocin induced diabetes in Sprague Dawley rats.

BACKGROUND: Bauhinia variegata, a ayurvedic medicinal plant reported for its valuable effects in various diseases. It has shown significant effects in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVE: The present work was designed to study effects of aqueous and alcoholic extract (AE and AlcE) of Bauhinia variegata Linn. leaves in diabetic neuropathy. METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats become diabetic using intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at 55 mg/kg dose. After 6 weeks, animals were divided and were treated with AE and AlcE at a dose of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg (p. o.) for the next four weeks. Various parameters such as glucose, thermal hyperagesia, mechanical allodynia, MNCV and oxidative stess were assessed at the end of the study. RESULTS: Diabetic animals showed a significant reduction in response time in tail immersion and hot plate test as compared to animals in normal control group. AE and AlcE at 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg dose significantly increased response time in the tail immersion test. Whereas, AE and AlcE at doses 500 and 1000 mg/kg showed significant improvement and in response time in the hot plate test.AlcE at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg dose increased the nociceptive threshold significantly. AE at doses 500 and 1000 mg/kg showed significant improvement in the nociceptive threshold. The decrease in motor nerve conduction velocity was observed in diabetic control animals, which was significantly improved after AlcE treatment as compared to AE treatment. Treatment with AE and AlcE decreased the lipid peroxidation and increased the antioxidant enzyme activity significantly in the sciatic nerve. CONCLUSION: The results showed that Bauhinia variegata extracts may be considered as a effective option for management of diabetic neuropathy.

Triphala Ameliorates Nephropathy via Inhibition of TGF-ß1 and Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Rats.

INTRODUCTION: Advanced glycation end products, oxidative stress, and TGF-ß expression play a crucial role in pathophysiology of diabetic nephropathy. Inhibition of oxidative stress and TGF-ß expression by natural traditional medicines may give an economic and safe alternative treatment option. Triphala churna, a traditional medicine, has been proved to have potent antioxidant activity, and individual components of it have shown significant antidiabetic activity. Hence, the present study was designed to study the effect of Triphala churna in diabetic nephropathy in rats. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in rats by administration of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg i.p.). Four weeks after induction of diabetes, the animals were treated with Triphala churna at the doses of 250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg for next 4 weeks. Various biochemical and urine parameters such as glucose, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total protein, and albumin were assessed at the end of study. Creatinine clearance, BUN clearance, and glomerular filtration rate were determined. Oxidative stress parameters such as malondialdehyde, catalase, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase were determined in kidney tissues. TGF-ß1 expression was measured with ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and western blot techniques. Histopathology study was carried out with haemotoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, and Masson's trichrome staining to determine histological changes. RESULTS: Treatment with Triphala churna significantly improved urine parameters. Triphala churna treatment also improved plasma proteins, albumin, creatinine, and BUN levels. The oxidative stress was reduced in the kidney with the treatment of Triphala churna. Histopathological studies revealed that Triphala churna reduced kidney damage. Immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and western blotting study revealed that treatment with Triphala decreased the expression of TGF-ß in kidney tissues. CONCLUSION: From the results, it can be concluded that Triphala churna has a significant nephroprotective effect because of its capability of inhibiting oxidative stress and TGF-ß in diabetes.

Attenuation of renal damage in type I diabetic rats by umbelliferone - a coumarin derivative.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that diabetes is one of the non-communicable disease affecting a large population worldwide. When diabetes remains untreated or uncontrolled, it leads to further serious complications, affecting vital organs like eyes, kidney, heart, etc. The present study was designed to evaluate effects of umbelliferone, a phytochemical, in treatment of diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: Experimental model used was streptozotocin (55mg/kg, ip) induced diabetic nephropathy in male Sprague Dawley rats. After 28days of streptozotocin administration, diabetic animals were treated with umbelliferone at two dose levels, 20 and 40mg/kg for next 28days. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that umbelliferone treatment significantly decreased the elevated plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen level while significantly increased the total protein and albumin level in diabetic animals. Creatinine clearance was improved in umbelliferone treated animals. Renal oxidative stress was decreased in umbelliferone treated animals significantly. Histopathological study of the kidney was carried out by specific stains like Hematoxylin-Eosin, Periodic Acid Schiff and Masson Trichrome stain. The sections of the kidney showed that umbelliferone treatment decreased the glomerular damage, mesangial matrix expansion as well as the renal fibrosis. Determination of renal transforming growth factor beta one (TGF-ß1) expression by immunohistochemical analysis, western blotting and circulating TGF-ß1 by ELISA assay showed that umbelliferone decreased the renal tissue and circulating TGF-ß1 level. CONCLUSION: Umbelliferone treatment can significantly reduce the diabetes induced renal damage and can improve the pathological conditions related to the diabetic nephropathy by down regulation of TGF-ß.

Bauhinia variegata (Caesalpiniaceae) leaf extract: An effective treatment option in type I and type II diabetes.

Among various metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus is one of the most common disorder. Present study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of aqueous extract of Bauhinia variegata leaves (AE) in animal models of type I and type II diabetes. Type I diabetes was induced by streptozotocin at the dose of 55mg/kg (i.p.) in male Sprague Dawley rats while type II diabetes was induced by high fat diet and streptozotocin at the dose of 35mg/kg (i.p.). Diabetic animals were treated with AE at the dose of 250, 500 and 1000mg/kg. Glipizide (5mg/kg) was used as standard treatment drug. Treatment was given for 28days. Parameters evaluated were body weight, plasma glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total proteins, albumin, creatinine and bun urea nitrogen. In type II diabetes, high density lipoprotein levels in plasma and plasma insulin level were also evaluated. Histopathological study of pancreases were carried out in type I study. AE showed significant decrease in plasma glucose significantly. AE was also found to decrease cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen level in both types of diabetes. AE did not show any significant effect on plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase. AE was found to increase the albumin and total protein levels. Histopathological study showed that AE decreases the necrotic changes in the pancreatic tissue. Aqueous extract of B. variegata leaves was found effective in treatment of both type I and type II diabetes.

Effect of Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus) seeds in animal models of pain and inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Jyotishmati, scientifically known as Celastrus paniculatus Wild (Celastraceae) is one of the most important medicinal plants in Ayurveda. The plant has shown significant pharmacological activities like anti-arthritic, wound healing, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant. OBJECTIVE: To study possible effects of alcoholic extract of Celastrus paniculatus seeds (AlcE) in experimentally induced pain and inflammation in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antinociceptive activity was evaluated in Swiss albino mice by tail immersion, hot plate, and acetic-acid-induced writhing tests at doses of 250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in model of carrageenan-induced acute plantar inflammation in Wistar rats. RESULTS: In tail immersion test, AlcE showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in tail withdrawal response at dose of 250 mg/kg with maximum possible effect of 15.71%. The maximum possible effect of 23.32% and 30.16% (P < 0.001) was seen at dose of 500 and 1000 mg/kg at 3 hours after administration of extract, respectively. In hot plate test, increase in paw licking time was reported at dose of 500 and 1000 mg/kg. AlcE (1,000 mg/kg) showed maximum response (6.23 ± 0.46) when compared with control (3.20 ± 0.18) at 90 min. In acetic acid induced writhings, AlcE at dose of 250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg body weight showed 32.35%, 49.01%, and 58.82% inhibition in writhings, respectively. AlcE treated animals (500 and 1,000 mg/kg) showed significant decrease in paw edema at 3 hours and 4 hours, when compared with control animals. CONCLUSION: Jyotishmati seed extract possesses significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity.