A network pharmacology approach to assess Reno-protective and -curative effects of methanolic extract of Malva neglecta Wallr in gentamicin induced renal toxicity rat model

Abstract The aim of present study was to explore protective and curative effects of Malve neglecta on kidneys. In silco study with network pharmacology was performed to find out potential target organs, genes and cellular cell lines which confirmed kidneys as target organ of phyto-constituents present in Malva neglecta extract. Gentamicin (40 mg/kg, i.p) was given to induce renal toxicity. Prophylactic study was performed with 300-, 600- and 900 mg/kg doses to find out nephro-protective and -curative effects and curative potential was evaluated at 900 mg/kg dose. Renal function biomarkers, blood urea, BUN, serum creatinine and uric acid, and oxidative stress measuring biomarkers, SOD, CAT, GSH and MDA levels in kidney homogenate were quantified at the end of study. Treatment groups showed decrease in blood urea, BUN, serum creatinine and uric acid levels dose dependently and curative group also showed decline in these biomarkers. SOD, CAT, GSH levels were increased and MDA level decreased in treatment groups significantly as compared to toxic control which revealed the role of oxidative stress in renal damage and anti-oxidant power of MN. Data suggested that use of MN along with drugs causing renal toxicity may prove beneficial due to its nephro- protective and curative effects.

Anti-urolithiatic activity of Salvia hispanica L. seeds in ethylene glycol induced urolithiasis rat's model.

Urolithiasis is a disorder of kidneys in which stones formation occur due to the excessive deposition of minerals in the urinary tract. It affects 12% of the population worldwide. Salvia hispanica seeds are rich source of quercetin which has preventive role in renal stone formation. The study objective was to explore scientifically the anti-urolithiatic effect of Salvia hispanica seed's methanol extract using in vitro and in vivo urolithiasis models. For in-vitro study nucleation, growth and aggregation assays were performed. In vivo study was performed on rats and they were divided into six groups (n=6). Group-I was given vehicle only. Group-II was disease control, treated with 0.75% EG in drinking water which triggered urolithiasis. Groups-III received cystone (750 mg/kg, orally). Groups IV-VI were treated with extract at 100, 300 and 700 mg/kg doses orally once daily. Groups III-VI additionally received 0.75% EG in drinking water. In vitro study revealed concentration dependent increase in percentage inhibition of crystal's nucleation, growth and aggregation. In vivo study revealed anti-urolithiatic activity by lowering oxalate, calcium, phosphate, sodium and potassium levels in the urine and the serum uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, total proteins and total albumin. Salvia hispanica seeds are good alterative of allopathic anti-urolithiatic drugs to treat urolithiasis.

Pharmacological and toxicological evaluation of two anti-asthmatic polyherbal formulations.

The study aim was to evaluate the toxic potential of two polyherbal formulation i.e. " PH 1 & PH 2" and scientific validation of their anti-asthmatic use. Acute oral toxicity study as per OECD 425 TG was conducted. For validation of anti-asthmatic claim, in vivo assay named Ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine method in Wistar rats was used. Eosinophils and IgE antibody were quantified post-administration of low and high doses of the formulations. No mortality was observed in acute toxicity study. Elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase and damaged liver structure indicating the hepatotoxicity were more pronounced in PH 2 treated rats. Congestion in kidney tissue and increased urea level were evident of the nephrotoxic nature of PH 2 in animals. Treatment with selected polyherbal products decreased the MDA level while increasing the SOD and GSH levels in lung tissue homogenates. The maximum decrease in IgE load (3.18 ± 0.08 IU/mL) was found in rats treated with 12 mg/kg dose of PH 1 followed by 100 mg/kg dose of PH 2 (3.44 ± 0.06 IU/mL). It was concluded that both polyherbal formulations had anti-asthmatic activities, however, PH 1 exhibited the liver and kidney toxicity and should be cautiously used.