Euphorbia hirta accelerates fibroblast proliferation and Smad-mediated collagen production in rat excision wound.

BACKGROUND: Euphorbia hirta L. (Euphorbiaceae) is a traditional herbal medicine used for treatment of various diseases. OBJECTIVE: E. hirta was investigated for in vitro/in vivo wound healing activity using human dermal fibroblast cell line and Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and water successive extracts of E. hirta leaves were evaluated for antioxidant, antimicrobial and fibroblast proliferation activities. Among different extracts, the promising methanol extract was screened for wound healing activity in Wistar rats, using gentamicin sulfate (0.01% w/w) as a reference. Wound contraction, hydroxyproline content and the protein expression of COL3A1, bFGF, Smad-2,-3,-4 and -7 were measured. RESULTS: The E. hirta methanol extract showed a potent antimicrobial (MIC 0.250 mg/ml against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, both), antioxidant activities (IC50 = 10.57 µg/ml, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; 850.23 µg/ml, superoxide-anion radical scavenging activity and 23.63 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram extract) with significant fibroblast proliferating activity (112% at 12.5 µg/ml) as compared to other extracts. In vivo study also supported the wound healing potential of methanol extract, as evidenced by faster wound contraction, higher hydroxyproline (4.240 mg/100 mg tissue) and improved histopathology of granulation tissue as compared to control groups and gentamicin sulfate-treated ones. Western blot also revealed a significantly altered expression of Smad-mediated proteins resulting in collagen production. CONCLUSION: The study suggested that E. hirta accelerates the wound healing by augmenting the fibroblast proliferation and Smad-mediated collagen production in wound tissue.

Topical application of Cleome viscosa increases the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor and type III collagen in rat cutaneous wound.

Cleome viscosa L. (Cleomaceae) is an important traditional medicine of the Indian-Ayurvedic and Chinese-medicine system documented for rheumatic arthritis, hypertension, malaria, neurasthenia, and wound healing. The plant is also known as Asian spider flower and is distributed throughout the greater part of India. The present study explored the wound healing property of C. viscosa methanol extract (CvME) and its related mechanism using Wistar rat cutaneous excision wound model. Wound contraction rate, hydroxyproline quantification, and histopathological examination of wound granulation tissue were performed. The healing potential was comparatively assessed with a reference gentamicin sulfate hydrogel (0.01% w/w). Western blot for COL3A1, bFGF, and Smad-2, Smad-3, Smad-4, and Smad-7 was performed with 7-day postoperative granulation tissue. Results revealed that the topical application of CvME (2.5% w/w) significantly accelerated the wound contraction rate (95.14%, 24 postoperative days), increased the hydroxyproline content (3.947 mg/100 mg tissue), and improved histopathology of wound tissue as compared to control groups. Western blot analysis revealed that CvME significantly upregulated the expression of COL3A1 and bFGF and increased the Smad-mediated collagen production in granulation tissue. These findings suggest that C. viscosa promoted the wound repair process by attenuating the Smad-mediated collagen production in wound granulation tissue.

Changes in the pharmacokinetic of sildenafil citrate in rats with Streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy.

AIM: The present investigates deals with the change in the pharmacokinetic of Sildenafil citrate (SIL) in disease condition like diabetic nephropathy (DN). METHOD: Diabetes was induced in rats by administering Streptozotocin i.e. STZ (60 mg/kg, IP) saline solution. Assessment of diabetes was done by GOD-POD method and conformation of DN was done by assessing the level of Creatinine, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and Albuminurea. After the conformation of DN single dose of drug SIL (2.5 mg/kg, p.o.) were given orally and Pharmacokinetic Parameters like [AUC o-t (ug.h/ml), AUC 0-∞, Cmax, Tmax, Kel, Clast] were estimated in the plasma by the help of HPLC-UV. RESULT: There was significant increase (p < 0.01) in the Pharmacokinetic parameters of SIL in DN rat (AUC0-t, AUC0-∞, Cmax, Tmax and T1/2) compare to normal control rat and significant increase Kel in the DN rat compare to control rat. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that there was significant (p < 0.01) increase in the bioavailability of SIL in DN.

Aqueous extract of Boerhaavia diffusa root ameliorates ethylene glycol-induced hyperoxaluric oxidative stress and renal injury in rat kidney.

INTRODUCTION: Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. (Nyctaginaceae) is widely used in traditional Indian medicines against renal afflictions including calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolithiasis and is known for antioxidant activity. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to investigate the ameliorating effect of aqueous extract of B. diffusa roots (BDE) in hyperoxaluric oxidative stress and renal cell injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In vitro antioxidant activity of BDE was estimated in terms of total phenolic content and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl free radical scavenging activity. Wistar albino rats were given 0.75% v/v ethylene glycol in drinking water to induce chronic hyperoxaluria and simultaneously BDE was given to nephrolithiasic treated rats at the dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. orally for 28 days. Urinary volume, oxalate, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, GST, GPx) were evaluated. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: BDE extract was found to posses a high total phenolic content and exhibited significant free radicals scavenging activity. Oxalate excretion significantly increased in hyperoxaluric animals as compared to control which was protected in BDE-treated animals. BDE treatment significantly reduced level of MDA and improved the activity of antioxidant enzymes followed by reduction in BUN and serum creatinine. In addition, BDE reduced the number of CaOx monohydrate crystals in the urine. Histological analysis depicted that BDE treatment inhibited deposition of CaOx crystal and renal cell damage. CONCLUSION: The present study reveals that antioxidant activity of BDE significantly protects against hyperoxaluric oxidative stress and renal cell injury in urolithiasis.