Cardioprotective effects of Picrorrhiza kurroa against isoproterenol-induced myocardial stress in rats

The cardioprotective effect of the ethanol extract of Picrorrhiza kurroa rhizomes and roots (PK) on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats with respect to lipid metabolism in serum and heart tissue has been investigated. Oral pre-treatment with PK (80 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 15 days) significantly prevented the isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction and maintained the rats at near normal status.     

Protective effects of echinocystic acid isolated from Gleditsia sinensis Lam. against acute myocardial ischemia

Echinocystic acid (EA), a pentacyclic triterpene, was isolated and identified from the fruits of Gleditsia sinensis Lam. The protective effects of EA were evaluated in rat models with acute myocardial ischemia induced by isoproterenol and vasopressin. In the electrocardiogram of anesthetized rats, EA prevented the ST-segment depression induced by isoproterenol or vasopressin in a dose-dependently manner. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 was analyzed by RT-PCR. EA shows an elevation of Bcl-2 mRNA level in infarcted tissue induced by isoproterenol in rats. These results demonstrated for the first time EA has a cardioprotective effect and may be a natural drug.     

Beneficial effect of Cyclovirobuxine D on heart failure rats following myocardial infarction

The effect of Cyclovirobuxine D, an active ingredient from Buxus microphylla, was investigated in the potential prevention of cardiac dysfunction in rats with congestive heart failure. Heart failure was induced by left coronary artery occlusion and verified using echocardiography. Cyclovirobuxine D was administered for 30 days (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg, ig) and mortality, cardiac function, hemodynamics, microcirculation, histology and ultrastructure assessments were observed. Results from the present study suggest that Cyclovirobuxine D is beneficial for heart failure induced by myocardial infarction and supports the potential for Cyclovirobuxine D as a new therapy for heart failure.     

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.     

Effects of polydatin on attenuating ventricular remodeling in isoproterenol-induced mouse and pressure-overload rat models

The study was designed to examine the effects of polydatin on ventricular remodeling induced by isoproterenol in mice and by abdominal aortic banding in rats. Polydatin reduced cardiac weight indexes in mice and rats, lowered the contents of cyclic AMP and angiotensin II in mice. It also decreased the size of cardiomyocyte, the levels of aldosterone, tumor necrosis factor-α, angiotensin II and endothelin-1, reduced ventricular collagen volume and decreased blood pressure in rats. The results demonstrate that polydatin has the beneficial effects on attenuating ventricular remodeling, which are associated with its inhibiting the activation of neurohormone, especially in rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of Butea monosperma flowers

Methanolic extract of Butea monosperma flowers (MEBM) was studied for anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenin induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma in albino rats. In carrageenin induced paw edema, MEBM at oral doses of 600 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg, dose-dependently inhibited the paw edema. In cotton pellet induced granuloma, MEBM at the same doses was found to significantly inhibit granuloma tissue formation, including significant reduction in levels of serum lysosomal enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and ALP) and lipid peroxides as compared to control.     

Studies on preventive and curative effects of berberine on chemical-induced hepatotoxicity in rodents.

Berberis aristata is an edible plant employed in the South Asian Traditional Medicine, particularly its fruits being used as a tonic remedy for liver and heart. In this investigation, berberine, a known compound from this plant, was studied for its possible antihepatotoxic action in rats. Pretreatment of animals with berberine (4 mg/kg; orally twice daily for 2 days) prevented the acetaminophen- or CCl4-induced rise in serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aminotransaminases (AST and ALT), suggestive of hepatoprotection. Post-treatment with three successive oral doses of berberine (4 mg/kg every 6 h) reduced the hepatic damage induced by acetaminophen, while CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity was not modified, suggesting a selective curative effect against acetaminophen. Pretreatment of animals with a single oral dose of berberine (4 mg/kg) induced prolongation of the pentobarbital (60 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced sleeping time as well as increased strychnine (0.3 mg/kg; i.p.)-induced toxicity, suggestive of inhibitory effect on microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes, cytochrome P450s (CYPs).     

竹叶黄酮的抗氧化性及其心脑血管药理活性研究进展

介绍了竹叶黄酮的抗氧化性及其心脑血管药理活性相关的研究进展.1)体内体外实验表明,竹叶黄酮具有清除自由基、抗脂质过氧化、提升体内抗氧化水平的作用; 2)动物试验和临床试验表明,竹叶黄酮能显著降低动物及人体的血清甘油三酯含量, 升高高密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量; 3)药理研究表明,竹叶黄酮具有抗整体动物缺氧的作用、能有效扩张冠脉血管、增加冠脉流量,增加心肌收缩力、明显改善心肌缺血及缩小心梗范围,降低血小板聚集程度、有效抑制凝血和血栓形成,对脑缺血有一定的保护作用.竹叶黄酮具有作为防治心脑血管疾病的天然药物和膳食补充剂开发的潜力.     

Neuroprotective effect of naringin by modulation of endogenous biomarkers in streptozotocin induced painful diabetic neuropathy

Diabetes mellitus is a serious debilitating epidemic affecting all social strata in developing as well as developed countries. Diabetic neuropathy is most common of secondary complications associated with diabetes mellitus and is characterized by slowing of nerve conduction velocity, elevated pain, sensory loss and nerve fiber degeneration. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of naringin against streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic neuropathic pain in laboratory rats. Four weeks after intraperitoneal injection of STZ resulted in significant decrease in mechano-tactile allodynia, mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal hyperalgesia and motor nerve conduction velocity. Activity of endogenous antioxidant like superoxide dismutase as well as membrane bound inorganic phosphate enzyme was also found to be significantly decreased. It not only caused neural cell apoptosis but also enhanced lipid peroxide, nitrite, and inflammatory mediators' (TNF-α) level. Chronic treatment with naringin (40 and 80mg/kg) for 4 weeks significantly and dose dependently attenuated the decrease in level of nociceptive threshold, endogenous antioxidant and membrane bound inorganic phosphate enzyme. It also decreased the elevated levels of oxidative-nitrosative stress, inflammatory mediators as well as apoptosis in neural cells significantly and dose dependently. The important finding of the study is that, the naringin-insulin combination not only attenuated the diabetic condition but also reversed the neuropathic pain, whereas insulin or naringin alone only improved hyperglycemia but partially reversed the pain response in diabetic rats. Thus, naringin is a potential flavonone bearing antioxidant, antiapoptotic and disease modifying property acting via modulation of endogenous biomarker to inhibit diabetes induced neuropathic pain.     

Antidiabetic and antihyperlipemic effects of Clemeo felina

Petroleum ether and benzene extracts of Clemeo felina, given orally at doses of 300 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 30 days, were found to be antidiabetic and antihyperlipemic on alloxan diabetic rats. Moreover, a significant decrease in the activities of serum enzymes like alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and HMGCoA reductase activity in the liver was observed. However, treatment of rats with the extracts as well as standard antidiabetic drugs increased liver hexakinase activity and serum LDH activity.     

Increased excitability and metabolism in pilocarpine induced epileptic rats: Effect of Bacopa monnieri

We have evaluated the acetylcholine esterase and malate dehydrogenase activity in the muscle, epinephrine, norepinephrine, insulin and T3 content in the serum of epileptic rats. Acetylcholine esterase and malate dehydrogenase activity increased in the muscle and decreased in the heart of the epileptic rats compared to control. Insulin and T3 content were increased significantly in the serum of the epileptic rats. Our results suggest that repetitive seizures resulted in increased metabolism and excitability in epileptic rats. Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A treatment prevents the occurrence of seizures there by reducing the impairment on peripheral nervous system.     

Hypocholesterolaemic and antioxidant effects of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) in high-cholesterol fed rats

ObjectiveTo study the effect of mate (Ilex paraguariensis) on serum lipids and antioxidant status in normocholesterolaemic and hypercholesterolaemic rats.MethodsTriglycerides (TG), total, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol levels, total antioxidant capacity (FRAP and ABTS assays), malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyls were analysed in serum, and MDA, glutathione and antioxidant enzyme activity in livers of rats drinking water or mate fed normal or cholesterol–cholic supplemented diets.ResultsABTS, glutathione and antioxidant enzymes were not affected by any treatment. In normocholesterolaemic animals, mate had no effect on serum lipids or antioxidant status, yet it increased serum carbonyls and liver MDA concentrations. In hypercholesterolaemic rats, mate consumption had no effect on HDL-cholesterol or protein carbonyls, yet it showed a marked hypolipidaemic action, decreasing TG, total and LDL-cholesterol, and serum MDA levels that had been increased after consuming the high-cholesterol diet.ConclusionPotential beneficial effect of mate on markers of cardiovascular risk seems to be restricted to hyperlipaemic animals.     

Protective effect of rutin on paracetamol- and CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rodents

Rutin, a well-known flavonoid was investigated for its possible protective effect against paracetamol- and CCl(4)-induced hepatic damage. Paracetamol produced 100% mortality at the dose of 1 g/kg in mice while pre-treatment of animals with rutin (20 mg/kg) reduced the death rate to 40%. Oral administration of a sub-lethal dose of paracetamol (640 mg/kg) produced liver damage in rats as manifested by the rise in serum level of transaminases (AST and ALT). Pre-treatment of rats with rutin (20 mg/kg) prevented the paracetamol-induced rise in serum enzymes. The hepatotoxic dose of CCl(4) (1.5 ml/kg; orally) also raised the serum AST and ALT levels. The same dose of rutin (20 mg/kg) was able to prevent the CCl(4)-induced rise in serum enzymes. Rutin also prevented the CCl(4)-induced prolongation in pentobarbital sleeping time confirming its hepatoprotectivity. These results indicate that rutin possesses hepatoprotective activity and the presence of this compound in Artemisia scoparia may explain the folkloric use of the plant in liver damage.     

Hepatoprotection of Phyllanthus maderaspatensis against experimentally induced liver injury in rats

The hexane extract of Phyllanthus maderaspatensis (200 and 100 mg/kg) showed significant hepatoprotection on carbon tetrachloride and thioacetamide induced liver damage in rats. The protective effect was evident from serum biochemical parameters and histopathological analysis. Rats treated with P. maderaspatensis remarkably prevented the elevation of serum AST, ALT and LDH and liver lipid peroxides in CCl(4) and thioacetamide treated rats. Hepatic glutathione levels significantly increased by the treatment with the extracts. Histopathological changes induced by CCl(4) and thioacetamide were also significantly reduced by the extract treatment. The activity of hexane extracts of P. maderaspatensis was comparable to that of silymarin, the reference hepatoprotective drug.     

Hepatoprotective effects of polyprenols from Ginkgo biloba L. leaves on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The hepatoprotective effects of polyprenols from Ginkgo biloba L. leaves were evaluated against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic damage in Sprague-Dawley rats. The elevated levels of serum ALT, AST, ALP, ALB, TP, HA, LN, TG, and CHO were restored towards normalization significantly by GBP in a dose dependent manner. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections. Meanwhile, GBP also produced a significant and dose-dependent reversal of CCl₄-diminished activity of the antioxidant enzymes and reduced CCl₄-elevated level of MDA. In general, the effects of GBP were not significantly different from those of the standard drug Essentiale.     

Ethanol toxicity: rehabilitation of hepatic antioxidant defense system with dietary ginger

The current investigation has been conducted to investigate the influence of ginger on hepatic antioxidant enzymes system in ethanol treated rats. Ethanol significantly decreased the superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione content while an increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were estimated in the hepatic tissue. This effect was reversed by a treatment with 1% dietary ginger for 4 weeks in rats by improved antioxidant status which suggest that treatment of ginger may have protective role against the ethanol induced hepatotoxicity.     

黄连解毒汤对链脲佐菌素所致大鼠心肌损伤的保护作用研究

观察黄连解毒汤对链脲佐菌素所致糖尿病大鼠心肌损伤的保护作用。方法:采用小剂量链脲佐菌素加 高脂高热饲料喂养的方法建立Wistar大鼠2型糖尿病模型,成模型后用黄连解毒汤(20ml/kg·次,早、晚各1 次)灌胃治疗8周,检测血糖、心肌组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果:黄连解毒 汤能明显降低大鼠血糖、丙二醛含量,提高超氧化物歧化酶的活力。结论:黄连解毒汤对链脲佐菌素所致糖尿 病大鼠心肌损伤具有一定的保护作用,可能与降血糖、清除自由基等生物活性有关。     

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect of Acanthus ilicifolius

The alcoholic extract of Acanthus ilicifolius leaves inhibited the formation of oxygen derived free radicals (ODFR) in vitro with IC(50) of 550 microg/ml, 2750 microg/ml, 670 microg/ml and 600 microg/ml (Fe(2+)/ascorbate system), 980 microg/ml (Fe(3+)/ADP/ascorbate system) for superoxide radical production, hydroxyl radical generation, nitric oxide radical formation and lipid peroxide formation, respectively. The oral administration of the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) significantly reduced CCl(4) induced hepatotoxicity in rats, as judged from the serum and tissue activity of marker enzymes [glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)]. These results were comparable with those obtained with curcumin (100 mg/kg, p.o.).     

Hepatoprotective effect of lupeol and lupeol linoleate on tissue antioxidant defence system in cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpene and its ester derivative, lupeol linoleate, were investigated for their possible hepatoprotective effect against cadmium-induced toxicity in rats. Cadmium intoxicated rats showed elevated levels of malondialdehyde (basal and induced), and decreased levels of antioxidants and antioxidising enzymes in the liver. The oral administration of triterpenes (150 mg/kg, once a day for 3 days before injection of cadmium chloride) changed the tissue redox system by scavenging the free radicals and by improving the antioxidant status of the liver. Lupeol linoleate had a better effect on the antioxidant status of the liver, when compared to lupeol.     

Imperatorin prevents cardiac hypertrophy and the transition to heart failure via NO-dependent mechanisms in mice

Augmented endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) signaling has been reported to be associated with improvements in cardiac remodeling, and NO levels have been shown to be related to cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Imperatorin, a dietary furanocoumarin, has been shown to prevent cardiac hypertrophy in the spontaneous hypertension rats (SHR). Thus, we aimed to clarify whether imperatorin attenuates both cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure via the NO-signaling pathway. In neonatal mouse cardiac myocytes, imperatorin inhibited protein synthesis stimulated by either isoproterenol or phenylephrine, which was unchanged by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Four weeks after transverse aortic constriction (TAC) on Kunming (KM) male mice, the ratio of heart weight to body weight was lower after imperatorin treatment than in controls (6.60 ± 0.35 mg/g in TAC, 4.54 ± 0.29 mg/g with imperatorin 15 mg kg⁻¹ d⁻¹, ig, P < 0.01); similar changes in the ratio of lung weight to body weight (7.30 ± 0.85 mg/g in TAC, 5.42 ± 0.51 mg/g with imperatorin 15 mg kg^− 1 d^− 1, ig) and the myocardial fibrosis. All of these improvements were blunted by L-NAME. Imperatorin treatment significantly activated phosphorylation of eNOS. Myocardial mRNA levels of natriuretic peptide precursor type B and protein inhibitor of NO synthase, which were increased in the TAC mice, were decreased in the imperatorin-treated ones. Imperatorin can attenuate cardiac hypertrophy both in vivo and in vitro, and halt the process leading from hypertrophy to heart failure by a NO-mediated pathway.