Guilandina bonduc L. possesses antioxidant activity and precludes Ferric Nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) induced renal toxicity and tumor promotion response.

Guilandina bonduc Linn. (Fabaceae), a prickly shrub that grows abundantly in tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia, possesses an extensive medicinal value. The present communication reports ethanolic extract of G. bonduc fruit pods to possess potent antioxidant activity and significantly protect against Ferric Nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA)-induced renal oxi-dative stress, nephrotoxicity, and tumor promotion response. Intraperitoneal administration of Fe-NTA (9 mg Fe/Kg body weight) to Swiss albino mice depleted renal antioxidant armory (glutathione content and activities of antioxidant enzymes), and caused oxidative stress, induced inflammation (inducing the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 and increasing the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines). It also induced hyperproliferation in kidney-enhancing ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA. Histopathological changes and levels of serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) suggested Fe-NTA to afflict substantial damage to the kidney. Prophylactic treatment of mice with G. bonduc extract (100-200 mg /Kg body weight) for seven days not only restored renal antioxidant armory close to normal, but also significantly precluded Fe-NTA associated inflammation and hyperproliferation. Furthermore, pretreatment with extract markedly prevented renal oxidative damage and histopathological alterations, and restored the levels of renal damage markers close to control values. The data obtained in the present study indicate G. bonduc fruit pods to possess a potent antioxidant activity and avert chemically inflicted renal oxidative damage and tumor promotion response.

Protective effect of Rumex patientia (English Spinach) roots on ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) induced hepatic oxidative stress and tumor promotion response.

In this communication, we document the antioxidant potential of ethanolic extract of Rumex patientia L. (Polygonaceae) roots and its chemopreventive effects against Fe-NTA mediated hepatic oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity and tumor promotion response. The extract exhibited high polyphenolic content, potent reducing power and significantly scavenged free radicals (including several reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS)). The extract also significantly and dose dependently protected against oxidative damage to lipids and DNA. These results indicated R. patientia root extract to exert a potent antioxidant activity in vitro. The efficacy of extract was also evaluated in vivo and it was found to exert a potent protective affect in acute oxidative tissue injury animal model: ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Administration of Fe-NTA (9 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) to mice led to a significant oxidative stress and allied damage in liver tissues and induced hyperproliferation. A significant depletion was observed in GSH content and enzymes implicated in its metabolism. Attenuation also occurred in activities of other hepatic antioxidant enzymes including SOD, CAT, and GPX. Fe-NTA also incited hyperproliferation response elevating ornithine decarboxylase activity and [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA. Histopathological investigations and liver function tests (LFT) indicated Fe-NTA to cause extensive hepatic damage. However, prophylactic treatment with R. patientia root extract at a dose regimen of 100-200mg/kg body weight for a week not only restored hepatic antioxidant armory close to normal, but also significantly precluded oxidative damage restoring normal hepatic architecture and levels of hepatic damage markers. The data obtained in the present study illustrates R. patientia roots to possess potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities and thwart oxidative damage and hyperproliferation in hepatic tissues.

Protective effect of Didymocarpus pedicellata on ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) induced renal oxidative stress and hyperproliferative response.

Didymocarpus pedicellata R. Br. (Gesneriaceae) is widely used in traditional Indian medicines against renal afflictions. In the present study, we have revealed ethanolic extract of aerial parts of D. pedicellata to possess significant antioxidant activity and protect against ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) mediated renal oxidative stress, nephrotoxicity and tumor promotion response. D. pedicellata extract was found to possess a high content of total polyphenolics, exhibit potent reducing power and significantly scavenge free radicals including several reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). The extract also significantly and dose-dependently protected against Fe-NTA plus H(2)O(2)-mediated damage to lipids and DNA. Protective efficacy of the extract was also tested in vivo against Fe-NTA mediated nephrotoxicity and tumor promotion response. Administration of Fe-NTA (9 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) to Swiss albino mice depleted renal glutathione content and activities of antioxidant and phase II metabolizing enzymes with concomitant induction of oxidative damage. Fe-NTA also incited hyperproliferation response elevating ornithine decarboxylase activity and [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA. Elevation in serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and histopathological changes were also evident and suggested Fe-NTA to afflict damage to kidney. Pretreatment of mice with D. pedicellata extract (100-200 mg/kg body weight) for 7 days not only restored antioxidant armory near normal values but also significantly protected against renal oxidative stress and damage restoring normal renal architecture and levels of renal damage markers, viz., BUN and SCr. The results of the present study indicate D. pedicellata to possess potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities and preclude oxidative damage and hyperproliferation in renal tissues.