In vitro antioxidant activity of Erycibe paniculata Roxb. - An ethnomedicinal plant.

BACKGROUND: Erycibe paniculata Roxb. (Family-Convolvulaceae) has been reported for its potential ethno medicinal value. Leaf, stem, bark, and root of this plant are being used either single or in the mixture of the whole part in different disease conditions by different tribes. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim and objective of this study is to assess the antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of different parts (leaf, stem, bark, and root) of Erycibe paniculata Roxb (E. paniculata). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different in-vitro assay such as free radical-scavenging assay by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate method, reducing power, super oxide radical scavenging, nitric oxide, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays were used to determine the antioxidant activity of different parts of E. paniculata. Ascorbic acid, sodium nitrite, and gallic acid were used as the standards for antioxidant activity. RESULTS: The percentage inhibition for all methods were plotted against different concentration and suggested that the obtained activities were concentration and dose depended. Inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of methanolic extract of leaf, stem, bark, and root of E. paniculata in different in vitro activities exhibited significant antioxidant activity. Methanolic extract of bark showed higher IC50 value in all antioxidant assays than other parts of E. paniculata. CONCLUSION: Methanolic extract of leaf, stem, bark, and root of E. paniculata has potential antioxidant activity.

Assessment of Trisama, an ayurvedic formulation on intestinal transit time in swiss albino mice.

BACKGROUND: Trisama is an Ayurvedic formulation that can be prescribed for wide range of disorders, especially abdominal disorders such as indigestion, constipation and flatulence. Trisama is prepared by mixing an equal quantity of powder of Shunthi (Zingiber officinale Linn.), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula Retz.) and Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia [Willd.] Miers.). As a single ingredient, Haritaki is an alternative to prokinetic drugs, Guduchi for intestinal motility and Shunthi for digestion-related problems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study aims to evaluate the effect of Trisama dosage forms on intestinal motility by adopting kaolin expulsion test in Swiss albino mice. Trisama powder (0.65 and 1.3 g/kg) and Trisama decoction (12.48 ml/kg) were administered and intestinal transit time of kaolin and latency of onset of kaolin expulsion in fecal matter was assessed. RESULTS: Both the dosage forms of Trisama shortened the intestinal transit time of kaolin. However, the observed effects were statistically significant in Trisama powder at higher dose and Trisama decoction in comparison to control group. The behaviors of mice and consistency of fecal pellet were almost the same as observed in normal control group. CONCLUSION: From the present study, it is concluded that Trisama has significant intestinal motility-enhancing property in mice which may be useful in gastric problems without affecting the general physiology.

Acute toxicity and repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity study of metriviv syrup in female rats.

INTRODUCTION: Metriviv syrup is a poly-herbal formulation used as uterine tonic and for treating gynecological ailments such as infertility, leucorrhea, and menstrual disorders. There is no scientific data on the safety of this formulation available, therefore, its detail toxicity study in female albino rats was conducted. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: Acute toxicity and repeated dose 28 days oral toxicity study of metriviv syrup in female rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In oral acute toxicity study, syrup metriviv was administered orally once only at the dose of 2000mg/kg in rats in a sequential manner. For repeated dose toxicity study, Metriviv syrup was administered orally for 28 consecutive days in albino rats at three dose levels, i.e., TED, TEDx5 and TEDx10 dose levels (1.35, 0.75, 13.5 ml/kg, twice a day respectively). RESULTS AND OBSERVATION: Results of acute toxicity study showed that drug did not produce any behavioral changes, signs of toxicity and mortality up to the dose of 2000 mg/kg in rats. In repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity study, Metriviv did not produce any signs of toxicity and changes in behavioral parameters. Metriviv did not affect cellular as well as non-cellular elements of the blood to significant extent. Serum biochemical profile and histological study clearly indicated that the test formulation is not likely to produce any serious changes at lower dose level while produced mild-to-moderate changes at TEDx10 dose level and same was reverted in recovery study after discontinuation of the drug. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that metriviv syrup is safe to administer up to dose of 2000 mg/kg in female rats during acute toxicity. In repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity study, test drug at TEDx10 has only mild-to-moderate adverse potential for liver and kidney while did not have any major toxic effects at therapeutic dose level in female albino rats.