Gastroprotective mechanism of Vanillosmopsis arborea bark essential oil

This study was aimed to clarify the mechanism of gastroprotection by Vanillosmopsis arborea Baker essential oil (EOVA) using ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in mice. Gastric lesions were significantly reduced by EOVA (200 and 400 mg/kg). Chemical analysis showed that the major compound of EOVA was α-bisabolol. Pretreatment of mice with yohimbine, the α2-antagonist, greatly suppressed the gastroprotective effect of OEVA. Furthermore, OEVA gastroprotection was not attenuated in mice pretreated with indomethacin, L-NAME or glibenclamide, the respective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase, nitric oxide synthase and K⁺_ATP channel activation. These data suggest that OEVA affords gastroprotection most possibly by α2-receptor activation.     

Vernonia polyanthes as a new source of antiulcer drugs

Methanolic (VPME) and chloroformic (VPCL) extracts, obtained from the aerial parts of Vernonia polyanthes, were investigated for its antiulcerogenic properties. Administration of VPME (250 mg/kg) and VPCL (50 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the gastric mucosa damage (64% and 90%, respectively) caused by absolute ethanol (p.o.). Otherwise, in NSAID-induced gastric damage, their gastroprotective effects have decreased. Since the VPCL extract resulted to be more effective than the VPME we focused our efforts over VPCL action mechanism of action.     

Should Anacardium humile St. Hil be used as an antiulcer agent? A scientific approach to the traditional knowledge

The crude methanolic extract (ME) obtained from the leaves of Anacardium humile was evaluated orally at doses of 250-500-1000 mg/kg on gastric lesion on ethanol and piroxicam induced gastric lesions in rodents. All the tested doses significantly inhibited gastric lesions by 56 to 100%. These results seems to support the traditional use of this species in the treatment of gastric diseases.     

Antinociceptive activity of Maytenus rigida stem bark

Ethanol extract of Maytenus rigida stem bark and its fractions were assessed for antinociceptive activity in tail-flick test in rats. The activity was located in the chloroform, ethyl acetate and aq.methanol fractions. Phytochemical screening revealed that catechin was the only common class of compounds present on the ethanol extract as well as on the active fractions. 4'-Methylepigallocatechin, isolated from the ethyl acetate and aq.methanol fractions, showed antinociceptive effect in the tail-flick test (75 mg/kg; p.o.), which was reversed by the opiate antagonist naloxone (3 mg/kg; i.p.).     

Anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activity of Calligonum comosum in rats.

The 10% ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Calligonum comosum (50--400 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced the increase in hind paw oedema induced by carrageenan in rats. Following sub-acute oral administration of the extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, daily for 14 days), a significant anti-inflammatory activity in the cotton pellet model was observed. Pre-treatment with the extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) produced a significant and dose-dependent inhibition to the acute gastric ulcers induced by phenylbutazone, indomethacin, 0.2 N NaOH and 80% ethanol.     

Gastroprotective constituents of Salvia officinalis L.

The gastrointestinal activity of hydroalcoholic extract (HE) of Salvia officinalis was evaluated in a model of ethanol-induced gastric lesion. HE showed excellent activity, with ID₅₀ 84.0 (54.8–128.9) mg/kg. The acetic acid-induced ulcer and the total acidity of the gastric secretion were also reduced by HE, and, in vitro experiments, the H⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity was inhibited. Carnosol was identified as a possible active constituent for the gastroprotective effect of HE.     

Antiinflammatory activity of Solanum trilobatum

The antiinflammatory effect of solasodine (50 mg/kg p.o.), of a purified component named sobatum (50 mg/kg p.o.) and of methanol extract of Solanum trilobatum (100 mg/kg p.o.) was evaluated. All the tested articles showed significant antiinflammatory activity.     

Protective effects of Picrorrhiza kurroa against HCl/ethanol-induced ulceration in rats

The antiulcerogenic effects of the ethanol extract of Picrorrhiza kurroa rhizomes and roots (PK) on HCl/ethanol-induced ulceration in rats with respect to acid/pepsin, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant status, proteins and glycoproteins in the gastric mucosa have been investigated. Oral pre-treatment with PK (100 mg/kg/day for 10 days) significantly prevented the induced ulceration and maintained the rats at near normal status.     

Antiinflammatory and ulcerogenic activities of Salvia triloba extracts

In continuation of our research on Salvia triloba, acute and chronic antiinflammatory and ulcerogenic activities of chloroform, ethanol, butanol and water extracts were detected at 25 mg/kg p.o. The chloroform extract showed the highest antiinflammatory activity in both acute and chronic models, while the ulcerogenic effects of all tested extracts were found to be less than that of acetyl salicylic acid.     

Antinociceptive effect and acute toxicity of the Hyptis suaveolens leaves aqueous extract on mice

The aqueous extract of Hyptis suaveolens leaves was studied for their antinociceptive property in chemical and thermal models of nociception in mice. Oral administration of the aqueous extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced the number of writhings induced by acetic acid, decreased the licking activity of the early phase in formalin test and increased the reaction time in hot-plate test. The antinociceptive effect was significantly antagonized by naloxone (3 mg/kg; i.p.). Preliminary acute toxicity study showed that no animal death with doses up to 5 g/kg (p.o.).     

Hepatoprotective effect of Ginkgoselect Phytosome in rifampicin induced liver injury in rats: evidence of antioxidant activity

The protective effects of Ginkgoselect Phytosome((R)) (GBP) on Rifampicin (RMP) induced hepatotoxicity and the probable mechanism(s) involved in this protection were investigated in rats. Liver damage was induced in Wistar rats by administering rifampicin (500 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for 30 days. Simultaneously, GBP at 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, and the reference drug silymarin (100 mg/kg) were administered orally for 30 days/daily to RMP treated rats. Levels of marker enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and SALP), albaumin (Alb) and total proteins (TP) were assessed in serum. The effects of GBP on lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) were assayed in liver homogenates to evaluate antioxidant activity. GBP (25 and 50 mg/kg) and silymarin elicited a significant hepatoprotective activity by lowering the levels of serum marker enzymes and lipid peroxidation and elevated the levels of GSH, SOD, CAT, GPX, GR, Alb and TP in a dose dependant manner. The present findings suggest that the hepatoprotective effect of GBP in RMP induced oxidative damage may be related to its antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity.     

Antinociceptive activity of Eupatorium buniifolium aqueous extract

The antinociceptive properties of the aqueous extract of Eupatorium buniifolium aerial parts were investigated in chemical and thermal models of nociception in mice. Oral doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg produced an inhibition of 42.3% and 73.9%, respectively, of the abdominal writhes induced by acetic acid in mice. This antinociceptive effect was not reversed by pretreatment with naloxone. In the formalin test, the administration of 500 and 1000 mg/kg p.o. had no effects in the first phase (0-5 min) but produced a dose-dependent analgesic effect on the second phase (15-30 min) with inhibitions of the licking time of 38.9% and 57.3%, respectively. In the hot plate test, no effect was seen at the dose of 500 mg/kg p.o.     

Hypoglicemic effect of Leandra lacunosa in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Leandra lacunosa, popularly known as "erva-do-jabuti", is used in Brazilian folkloric medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Based on this traditional indication, the aim of this work was to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of L. lacunosa aerial parts (LLH) in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Chromatographic fractionation of LLH was also carried out by several techniques, affording isolation of the following major compounds: ursolic acid (1), kaempferol (2), luteolin (3), and quercetin (4). The oral administration of LLH (500 mg/kg) in normal rats caused a significant reduction of 24.7% (P<0.05) in the blood glucose levels after 2 h of treatment, while the administration of chlorpropamide (20 mg/kg, p.o.) led to a reduction of 40.2% (P<0.01). After oral administration of glucose (10 g/kg, p.o.), LLH (500 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly inhibited the increase in blood glucose levels compared with the negative control group. The oral treatment with LLH (500 mg/kg) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats significantly reduced the blood glucose levels in 47.8% after 4 h of treatment, while chlorpropamide resulted in a significant reduction of 71.7% in the 4th hour. Our results showed that LLH, displays hypoglycemic activity, which may be related to the effect of the major compounds identified in the crude extract. This study seems to provide biological evidence for the folkloric use of L. lacunosa in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.     

Preventive effect of eugenol on PAF and ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage

This study examines the anti-ulcerogenic activity of eugenol, a natural compound obtained from many natural sources. Gastric ulcers, induced by administration of two ulcerogenic agents, i.e. platelet activating factor (PAF) and ethanol, were dose-dependently and significantly reduced by eugenol (10-100 mg/kg, p.o.) pre-treatment. Eugenol was able to reduce not only the number of ulcers but also the gravity of lesions.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of Syzygium cumini bark

The ethanolic extract of the bark of Syzygium cumini was investigated for its anti-inflammatory activity in animal models. The extract did not show any sign of toxicity up to a dose of 10.125 g/kg, p.o. in mice. Significant anti-inflammatory activity was observed in carrageenin (acute), kaolin-carrageenin (subacute), formaldehyde (subacute)-induced paw oedema and cotton pellet granuloma (chronic) tests in rats. The extract did not induce any gastric lesion in both acute and chronic ulcerogenic tests in rats. Thus, the present study demonstrated that S. cumini bark extract has a potent anti-inflammatory action against different phases of inflammation without any side effect on gastric mucosa.     

Evaluation of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of saffron, Crocus sativus L., and its constituents, safranal and crocin in allodynia and hyperalgesia induced by chronic constriction injury model of neuropathic pain in rats

The current study was designed to evaluate therapeutic potential of systemically administered ethanolic and aqueous extracts of saffron as well as its bioactive ingredients, safranal and crocin, in chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain in rats. The von Frey filaments, acetone drop, and radiant heat test were performed to assess the degree of mechanical allodynia, thermal allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia respectively, at different time intervals, i.e., one day before surgery and 3, 5, 7 and 10 days post surgery. The ambulatory behavior was evaluated using the open field test. A 7-day treatment with the ethanolic and aqueous extracts (50,100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) and safranal (0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg, i.p.), attenuated the behavioral symptoms of neuropathic pain in a dose dependent manner. Crocin even at the high dose (50 mg/kg) failed to produce any protective role. However, gabapentine (100 mg/kg) as a reference drug significantly alleviated all behavioral manifestations of neuropathic pain compared to control group. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that ethanolic and aqueous extracts of saffron as well as safranal could be useful in treatment of different kinds of neuropathic pains and as an adjuvant to conventional medicines.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of Dalbergia sissoo leaves

The possible anti-inflammatory activity of the 90% ethanolic extract of Dalbergia sissoo leaves (DSELE) was studied in different models of inflammation in rats after oral administration at doses of 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg. DSELE significantly inhibited carrageenin, kaolin and nystatin-induced paw oedema, as well as the weight of granuloma induced by a cotton pellet. It also inhibited dye leakage in acetic acid-induced vascular permeability test in mice. DSELE was devoid of ulcerogenic effect on the gastric mucosa of rats in acute and chronic tests. In acute toxicity studies, it was found to be safe up to 10.125 g/kg, p.o. in the rat. It was concluded that the D. sissoo leaf extract possessed significant anti-inflammatory activity (in acute, sub-acute and chronic models of inflammation) without any side effect on gastric mucosa.     

Preliminary evaluation of anti-pyretic and anti-ulcerogenic activities of Sida cordifolia methanolic extract

The anti-pyretic and anti-ulcerogenic properties of methanolic extract of Sida cordifolia aerial parts (MESC) were investigated in rats. Oral dose of 500 mg/kg MESC significantly reduced pyrexia induced by TAB vaccine. MESC exhibited significant anti-ulcerogenic effect against aspirin and ethanol induced damage. Both these properties were comparable to the reference drugs.     

Analgesic and antidiarrheal properties of Ocimum selloi essential oil in mice

Ocimum selloi essential oil (2, 20, and 200 mg/kg; p.o.) reduced, in a dose-dependent way, the abdominal contraction induced by acetic acid (0.6%; i.p.) and the diarrhea episodes induced by castor oil in mice. At the higher dose (200 mg/kg; p.o.), the essential oil significantly reduced intestinal transit (P<0.05) in the charcoal meal test. The main component detected in O. selloi essential oil was methyl chavicol (98%; GC and GC/MS).These effects seems to support the use of O. selloi against diarrhea, intestinal spasm and visceral pain.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of Pothomorphe peltata leaf methanol extract.

The methanol extract of Pothomorphe peltata leaves, orally administered at the dose of 20 mg/kg (equivalent to 2.50 g dry plant/kg) body weight, exhibited a significant anti-inflammatory activity, comparable with phenylbutazone (80 mg/kg, p.o.), against adjuvant-carrageenan-induced edema in rats.