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.     

CNS depressant activity of Lecaniodiscus cupanioides

The aqueous root extract of Lecaniodiscus cupanioides was used to study the central nervous system depressant activity pattern of the plant. The extract protected mice from strychnine-induced convulsion at 400 mg/kg p.o. and 100 mg/kg i.p. A dose-dependent prolongation of seizure latency was produced at 400 mg/kg, p.o. and 100 mg/kg i.p. for strychnine-induced seizure; and at 400 mg/kg p.o. and 100 mg/kg i.p. for picrotoxin-induced seizure. Moreover, the CNS depressant activity of the extract (200 mg/kg p.o. and 50 mg/kg i.p.) was demonstrated by a significant prolongation of 40 mg/kg, pentobarbitone sleeping time, and significant reduction in exploratory behavior of mice at a dose of 400 mg/kg p.o., with both effects comparable to effects produced by 4 mg/kg chlorpromazine. Acute oral toxicity test, up to 14 days, did not produce any visible signs of toxicity; however, acute (24 h) i.p toxicity test produced a dose-dependent mortality with LD50 of 455.2 mg/kg.     

Analgesic sesquiterpene dilactone from Mikania cordata.

The crude extract of Mikania cordata (1 and 3 g/kg, p.o.) and deoxymikanolide (1) (10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly inhibited acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. Three other sesquiterpene dilactones isolated from the same plant, namely mikanolide, dihydromikanolide and scandenolide, did not show significant analgesic activity.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of Butea frondosa leaves

In the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, the aqueous extract of Butea frondosa leaves showed dose-dependent (25–100 mg/kg, p.o.) anti-inflammatory activity which at the highest dose was almost comparable to ibuprofen (25 mg/kg, p.o.).The LD₅₀ was higher than 5 g/kg, p.o. in rats.     

Antitussive activity of the methanol extract of Passiflora incarnata leaves

The methanol extract of the leaves of Passiflora incarnata (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited significant antitussive activity on sulfur dioxide-induced cough in mice, the cough inhibition (39.4 and 65.0%, respectively) being comparable to that of codeine phosphate (10 and 20 mg/kg, p.o., respectively).     

Studies on the anti-inflammatory properties of Entada abyssinica.

The defatted methanolic extract of Entada abyssinica was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity in acute and chronic models of inflammation. The extract (50--200 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited dose-dependent and significant inhibition of both the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema and granuloma tissue formation in rats. The extract (50--200 mg/kg, p.o.) was also found to inhibit the acetic acid-induced vascular permeability in a dose-dependent fashion in mice. This study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory activity of Entada abyssinica.     

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.     

Diuretic, laxative and toxicity studies of Cocculus hirsutus aerial parts

The aqueous extract of the Cocculus hirsutus aerial parts (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant diuretic activity and laxative effect in rats. The acute toxicity, orally evaluated in mice, was found to be higher than 3000 mg/kg.     

Antitussive effect of Asparagus racemosus root against sulfur dioxide-induced cough in mice

The methanol extract of Asparagus racemosus root (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant antitussive activity on sulfur dioxide-induced cough in mice, the cough inhibition (40.0 and 58.5%, respectively) being comparable to that of 10-20 mg/kg of codeine phosphate (36.0 and 55.4%, respectively).     

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.     

Hypoglycemic activity of Abutilon indicum leaf extracts in rats

Alcohol and water extracts of Abutilon indicum leaves (400 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant hypoglycemic effect in normal rats 4 h after administration (23.10% and 26.95%, respectively).     

Antitussive effect of Asparagus racemosus root against sulfur dioxide-induced cough in mice

The methanol extract of Asparagus racemosus root (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant antitussive activity on sulfur dioxide-induced cough in mice, the cough inhibition (40.0 and 58.5%, respectively) being comparable to that of 10–20 mg/kg of codeine phosphate (36.0 and 55.4%, respectively).     

Antidiabetic potential of Butea monosperma in rats

The antihyperglycemic activity of the ethanolic extract of Butea monosperma (BMEE) was studied in glucose-loaded and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Single dose treatment of BMEE (200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly improved glucose tolerance and caused reduction in blood glucose level in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Repeated oral treatment with BMEE (200 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks significantly reduced blood glucose, serum cholesterol and improved HDL-cholesterol and albumin as compared to diabetic control group.     

Protective properties of Leucas lavendulaefolia extracts against D-galactosamine induced hepatotoxicity in rat

Different extracts of the leaves of Leucas lavendulaefolia were tested against D-galactosamine (D-GalN) induced liver toxicity in rats. The methanol extract (100 mg/kg, p.o.) which exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity seems to support the claim of folk medicine.     

Passiflora alata and Passiflora edulis spray-dried aqueous extracts inhibit inflammation in mouse model of pleurisy

The aqueous leaves extracts of Passiflora alata (100-300 mg/kg, i.p.) and Passiflora edulis (100-1000 mg/kg, i.p.) possess a significant antiinflammatory activity on carrageenan-induced pleurisy in mice. Treatment with the extracts inhibited leukocyte migration and reduced the formation of exudate. Moreover, a significant inhibition of myeloperoxidase and adenosine-deaminase activities was observed at the doses tested (100 or 250 mg/kg, i.p.). At the same doses, a significant decrease of serum C-reactive protein was observed.     

Activity of Hypericum brasiliense and Hypericum cordatum on the central nervous system in rodents

Hydroalcoholic extracts from species Hypericum brasiliense Choisy (HB) and Hypericum cordatum (Vell. Conc.) N. Robson (HC), were evaluated on the central nervous system (CNS) in some pharmacological tests. Signs of toxicity were observed for both species during the initial screening when high doses of up to 100 mg/kg (i.p.) and 1000 mg/kg (oral) were utilized. HC presented greater toxicity, with LD(50) of 269 mg/kg, as compared to HB (537 mg/kg). Alterations in sleeping time and in motor coordination were not observed both for HB and for HC. On the other hand, both species showed signs of general depressant action on the CNS, verified by decreased motor activity. Furthermore, animals treated with HB presented an increase in response time to thermal stimulus with doses of 50 mg/kg (i.p.) and 500 mg/kg (oral) suggesting possible analgesic action. Both HB and HC were tested in animal models to verify antidepressant action (forced swimming and hypothermy induced by apomorphine). In these tests, neither of the plants inhibited hypothermy, nor did they reduce immobility time in forced swimming.     

Membrane stabilizing activity — a possible mechanism of action for the anti-inflammatory activity of Cedrus deodara wood oil

The volatile oil of the wood of Cedrus deodara (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) produced a significant inhibition of compound 48/80 and nystatin-induced rat paw edema. It also inhibited heat- as well as hypotonic solution-induced haemolysis of erythrocytes in vitro. The anti-inflammatory activity of the oil could be due to its membrane stabilizing action.     

Flavonols attenuate the immediate and late-phase asthmatic responses to aerosolized-ovalbumin exposure in the conscious guinea pig

We previously reported that quercetin and rutin have potent, anti-asthmatic activity, but the structure-activity relationships of flavonoids and anti-asthmatic agents are still poorly understood. In the current study, the effects of kaempferol, fisetin, and morin on the immediate-phase response (IAR) and late-phase response (LAR) caused by exposure to aerosolized-ovalbumin (OA) in OA-sensitized guinea pigs were evaluated by determining the specific airway resistance (sRaw), recruitment of leukocytes and chemical mediators in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), histopathological surveys, and determination of neutrophil chemotaxis. Fisetin and kaempherol (30 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited sRaw by 47.93% and 30.05% in IAR, and 54.45% and 40.50% in LAR, when compared to vehicle control, respectively. Furthermore, all three studied flavonols (30 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the recruitment of total, as well as subtypes of, leukocytes into the lung BALF. This recruitment inhibition corresponded to the inhibition of leukocyte infiltration, particularly of eosinophils and neutrophils, into the lung in pathological surveys and formly-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP)-induced neutrophil chemotaxis studies. Kaempferol inhibited FMLP-induced neutrophil chemotaxis in a concentration-dependent manner in a tested range of 1–100 μM. Fisetin inhibited histamine content and peroxidase (EPO) activity in BALF in a dose-dependent manner. All three tested flavonols significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited histamine content at 10 mg/kg, and phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) and EPO activities at 30 mg/kg (p.o.) in BALF. Kaempherol had a greater anti-asthmatic effect than other flavonols. Fisetin demonstrated the greatest inhibition of sRaw, whereas morin had lesser effects. These results indicate that the lower the molecular weight, the greater the anti-asthmatic activities of these compounds.     

Anti-inflammatory,analgesic and antipyretic properties of Clitoria ternatea root

Clitoria ternatea roots methanol extract when given by oral route to rats was found to inhibit both the rat paw oedema caused by carrageenin and vascular permeability induced by acetic acid in rats. Moreover, the extract exhibited a significant inhibition in yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. In the acetic acid-induced writhing response, the extract markedly reduced the number of writhings at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg (p.o.) in mice.     

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.