Mentha piperita (Linn) leaf extract provides protection against radiation induced alterations in intestinal mucosa of Swiss albino mice

Intestinal protection in mice against radiation injury by M. piperita (1 g/kg body weight/day) was studied from day 1 to day 20 after whole body gamma irradiation (8 Gy). Villus height, goblet cells/villus section, total cells, mitotic cells and dead cells/crypt section in the jejunum are good parameters for the assessment of radiation damage. There was significant decrease in the villus height, number of total cells and mitotic cells/crypt section, whereas goblet cells and dead cells showed significant increase after irradiation. Mentha pretreatment resulted in a significant increase in villus height, total cells and mitotic cells, whereas goblet cells and dead cells showed a significant decrease from respective irradiated controls at each autopsy day. The results suggest that Mentha pretreatment provides protection against radiation induced alterations in intestinal mucosa of Swiss albino mice.     

Modulatory influence of Adhatoda vasica Nees leaf extract against gamma irradiation in Swiss albino mice

The radiomodulatory influence of ethanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica Nees leaf extract against radiation-induced hematological alterations in peripheral blood of Swiss albino mice was studied at various post-irradiation intervals between 6 h to 30 days. Oral administration of A. vasica leaf extract (800 mg/kg body weight) prior to whole body irradiation showed a significant protection in terms of survival percentage and hematological parameters. Mice exposed to radiation (8.0 Gy) without A. vasica leaf extract pre-treatment exhibited signs of radiation sickness like anorexia, lethargicity, ruffled hairs and diarrhoea and such animals died within 25 days post-irradiation. The dose reduction factor (DRF = 1.6) for A. vasica leaf extract was calculated from LD50/30 values. A significant decline in hematological constituents (RBCs, WBCs, Hb and Hct) was evident till day 15 and no animal could survive beyond day 25. Conversely, animals pre-treated with A. vasica leaf extract showed 81.25% survival till 30 days after exposure and a gradual recovery was noted in the hematological values. However, these hematological values remained significantly below the normal even till day 30. A significant decrease in blood reduced glutathione (GSH) content and increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) level was observed in control animals (Radiation alone). However, A. vasica leaf extract pretreated irradiated animals exhibited a significant increase in GSH content and decrease in LPO level. A significant increase in the serum alkaline phosphatase activity and decrease in acid phosphatase activity was observed in A. vasica leaf extract pretreated irradiated animals during the entire period of study.     

Modulatory potential of Spirulina fusiformis on testicular phosphatases in Swiss albino mice against mercury intoxication

Administration of mercuric chloride (HgCl2; 5.0 mg/kg body weight) to male Swiss albino-mice resulted in significantly higher levels of testicular acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities as compared to control. In combination group where S. fusiformis (800 mg/kg body weight) was given before and after HgCl2 treatment, the mercury induced toxicity reduced in terms of decreased levels of ACP and ALP activities in the testis. The animal treated with only Spirulina did not show any alteration in ACP and ALP values. It is suggested that oral administration of Spirulina can modulate mercury induced testicular toxicity.     

Mentha piperita (Linn.) leaf extract provides protection against radiation induced chromosomal damage in bone marrow of mice

Oral administration of M. piperita (1 g/kg body weight/day) before exposure to gamma radiation was found to be effective in protecting against the chromosomal damage in bone marrow of Swiss albino mice. Animals exposed to 8 Gy gamma radiation showed chromosomal aberrations in the form of chromatid breaks, chromosome breaks, centric rings, dicentrics, exchanges and acentric fragments. There was a significant increase in the frequency of aberrant cells at 6 hr after irradiation. Maximum aberrant cells were observed at 12 hr post-irradiation autopsy time. Further, the frequency of aberrant cells showed decline at late post-irradiation autopsy time. However, in the animals pretreated with Mentha extract, there was a significant decrease in the frequency of aberrant cells as compared to the irradiated control. Also significant increase in percentage of chromatid breaks, chromosome breaks, centric rings, dicentrics, exchanges, acentric fragments, total aberrations and aberrations/damaged cell was observed at 12 hr post-irradiation autopsy time in control animals, whereas Mentha pretreated irradiated animals showed a significant decrease in percentage of such aberrations. A significant decrease in GSH content and increase in LPO level was observed in control animals, whereas Mentha pretreated irradiated animals exhibited a significant increase in GSH content and decrease in LPO level but the values remained below the normal. The radioprotective effect of Mentha was also demonstrated by determining the LD(50/30) values (DRF = 1.78). The results from the present study suggest that Mentha pretreatment provides protection against radiation induced chromosomal damage in bone marrow of Swiss albino mice.     

Free radical scavenging and radioprotective activity of dehydrozingerone against whole body gamma irradiation in Swiss albino mice

Dehydrozingerone (DZ) was explored for in vitro-in vivo antioxidant potential and in vivo radioprotective activity against whole body gamma irradiation in Swiss albino mice. DZ scavenged the ABTS (2, 2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and DPPH (1, 1-dipehnyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free radicals at room temp. DZ reduced Fe (III) to Fe (II) at pH 7.4 and scavenged the NADH/phenazine methosulfate generated superoxide radical in cell free system. DZ also scavenged the nitric oxide radical generated by sodium nitroprusside. To evaluate the radioprotective activity, mice were exposed to whole body gamma irradiation 30 min after the drug treatment at a dose rate of 1.66 Gy/min. Pretreatment with DZ 75, 100 and 125 mg/kg, i.p. reduced the radiation induced mortality and increased the mean survival times (MSTs). An i.p. dose of DZ 100 mg/kg was found the most effective dose in preventing radiation sickness and increasing the MST. Pretreatment DZ100 mg/kg maintained the spleen index (spleen weight/body weight x 100) and stimulates the endogenous spleen colony forming units (CFU). Pretreatment with DZ100 mg/kg maintained the villus height close to normal, prevents mucosal erosion and basement membrane damage in irradiated mice jejunum. However, no significant reductions in dead, inflammatory and mitotic cells were observed in DZ pretreated mice, but there was an increased in crypt cells proliferation and regeneration. Pretreatment with DZ100 mg/kg significantly elevated the endogenous antioxidant enzymes (GSH, GST and SOD) in mice at 2, 4 and 8 h post sham irradiation. Radiation induced fall in endogenous antioxidant enzymes was significantly prevented by DZ pretreatment. Pretreatment with DZ 75 and 100 mg/kg reduced the radiation induced micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MPCE) and normochromatic erythrocytes (MNCE) in mice bone marrow. DZ also maintained the polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) and normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE) ratio (P/N ratio) in irradiated mice. Dose modifying factor (DMF) was calculated by using the graded radiation dose (8.0, 9.0, 9.5 and 10 Gy). DZ 100 mg/kg elevated radiation LD(50) from 9.1 to 10.0 Gy, indicating the DMF of 1.09.     

Mentha piperita as a pivotal neuro-protective agent against gamma irradiation induced DNA fragmentation and apoptosis

Ionizing radiation is classified as a potent carcinogen, and its injury to living cells, in particular to DNA, is due to oxidative stress enhancing apoptotic cell death. Our present study aimed to characterize and semi-quantify the radiation-induced apoptosis in CNS and the activity of Mentha extracts as neuron-protective agent. Our results through flow cytometry exhibited the significant disturbance and arrest in cell cycle in % of M1: SubG1 phase, M2: G0/1 phase of diploid cycle, M3: S phase and M4: G2/M phase of cell cycle in brain tissue (p < 0.05). Significant increase in % of apoptosis and P53 protein expression as apoptotic biomarkers were coincided with significant decrease in Bcl₂ as an anti-apoptotic marker. The biochemical analysis recorded a significant decrease in the levels of reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid contents. Moreover, numerous histopathological alterations were detected in brain tissues of gamma irradiated mice such as signs of chromatolysis in pyramidal cells of cortex, nuclear vacuolation, numerous apoptotic cell, and neural degeneration. On the other hand, gamma irradiated mice pretreated with Mentha extract showed largely an improvement in all the above tested parameters through a homeostatic state for the content of brain apoptosis and stabilization of DNA cycle with a distinct improvement in cell cycle analysis and antioxidant defense system. Furthermore, the aforementioned effects of Mentha extracts through down-regulation of P53 expression and up-regulation of Bcl₂ domain protected brain structure from extensive damage. Therefore, Mentha extract seems to have a significant role to ameliorate the neuronal injury induced by gamma irradiation.     

Chemomodulatory effect of Dolichos biflorus Linn. on skin and forestomach papillomagenesis in Swiss albino mice

Effect of consumption of three different doses (2%, 4% and 6%, w/w) of Dolichos biflorus Linn. seeds on hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, reduced glutathione content, lactate dehydrogenase and lipid peroxidation in Swiss albino mice has been reported. Anti-carcinogenic effect has been studied by 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)-induced skin and benzo(a)pyrene[B(a)P]-induced forestomach papillomagenesis models. D. biflorus consumption resulted in a significant increase in hepatic carcinogen metabolizing enzyme systems especially at 4% and 6% doses. Significant increase in reduced glutathione content (GSH) and specific activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) in liver of mice, at 4% and 6% doses has been reported. Lactate dehydrogensae (LDH) activity and peroxidative damage has been significantly decreased at 4% and 6% doses. In skin papillomagenesis model, 4% and 6% dose in diet significantly reduced the tumor incidence (up to 25%), tumor multiplicity (up to 59%) and tumor volume per mouse (up to 70%) as compared to DMBA treated group. Importantly, significant reduction in tumor incidence (up to 33%) and tumor multiplicity (up to 61%) was evident for forestomach papillomagenesis model.     

Modulatory role of Emblica officinalis fruit extract against arsenic induced oxidative stress in Swiss albino mice

Arsenic, an important human toxin, is naturally occurring in groundwater and its accumulation in plants and animals have assumed a menacing proportion in a large part of the world, particularly Asia. Epidemiological studies have shown a strong association between chronic arsenic exposure and various adverse health effects, including cardiovascular diseases, neurological defects and cancer of lung, skin, bladder, liver and kidney. The protective role of the fruits of Emblica officinalis (500 mg/kg b.wt.) was studied in adult Swiss albino mice against arsenic induced hepatopathy. Arsenic treated group (NaAsO₂, 4 mg/kg b.wt.) had a significant increase in serum transaminases and lipid peroxidation (LPO) content in liver, whereas significant decrease was recorded in hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and serum alkaline phosphatase activity. Combined treatment of Emblica and arsenic (pre and post) declined the serum transaminases and LPO content in liver whereas significant increase was noticed in SOD, CAT, GST and serum alkaline phosphatase activities. Liver histopathology showed that Emblica fruit extract had reduced karyolysis, karyorrhexis, necrosis and cytoplasmic vacuolization induced by NaAsO₂ intoxication. Thus it can be concluded that pre- and post-supplementation of E. officinalis fruit extract significantly reduced arsenic induced oxidative stress in liver.     

Plant regeneration from protoplasts of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.)

Summary Enzymatically isolated leaf-derived protoplasts of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) were cultured in modified B5 medium containing 1 mg/l NAA, 0.4 mg/l BA, 0.5% sucrose, 0.5 M mannitol and 0.1% Gelrite (first medium). After 30 d culture at 25°C in the dark, protoplasts formed colonies consisting of about 100 cells. Gelrite medium blocks were transferred into liquid medium to promote further growth. Colonies of 0.5 mm transferred to 0.2% Gelrite solidified medium (same components as first medium) formed green calli (1–2 mm) under incubation in the light. Green calli transferred to differentiation medium (B5, 0.1 mg/l NAA, 5 mg/l BA, 2% sucrose, 0.2 M mannitol, 0.2% Gelrite) developed shoot buds after 3–4 weeks. Whole plants were recovered following rooting of shoots in B5 medium without hormones.Abbreviations BA 6-benzylaminopurine - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - KIN kinetin - ZEA zeatin - CPW cell and protoplast wash solution - B5 Gamborg et al. (1968) mineral elements - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) mineral elements     

Protection of bone marrow of Swiss albino mouse against whole body gamma irradiation by WR-2721.

Preinjected with a radioprotective drug, WR-2721, the Swiss albino mice were whole body irradiated with 5 Gy of 60Co gamma rays. The animals were sacrificed at different intervals and bone marrow films were prepared for differential counting of lymphocytes, pronormoblasts and normoblasts and granulocytes. The results indicated significant protection of the bone marrow cells by the drug against radiation induced damage. It is therefore concluded that WR-2721 protects all types of cells including as sensitive ones as lymphocytes, pronormoblasts and normoblasts.     

Protective effect of vanillic acid against benzo(a)pyrene induced lung cancer in Swiss albino mice

Vanillic acid (VA) is found in high concentrations in various plants and used as traditional medicine for various diseases. The aim of the existing study is to illustrate the protective effects of VA against benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P)‐induced lung cancer in Swiss albino mice. B(a)P (50 mg/kg b.wt.) was given orally to induce lung cancer in mice. The body weight, tumor incidence, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), neuron‐specific enolase (NSE), and enzymatic/nonenzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione) were estimated. Further histochemical investigation through hematoxylin and eosin staining was also carried out. B(a)P administered groups showed increased levels of serum pathological markers CEA, NSE along with reduced final body weight as well as decreased tissue enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants activities, whereas VA treatment (200mg/kg/b.wt) along with B(a)P showed significantly reverted the above changes, which proves as prominent anticancer effects in experimentally induced lung cancer. Overall, these results suggest that VA has an efficient preventive action against B(a)P‐induced lung cancer, and this is attributed to its free‐radical scavenging antioxidant activities.     

Brassinosteroid Modifies Growth and Essential Oil Production in Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.)

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - This study was carried out to determine the effect of brassinosteroid (BR) (24-epibrassinolide (24-eBL) at concentration 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5&nbsp;ppm) on the...     

The inhibitory effect of enfenamic acid (Tromaril) on hepatic gluconeogenesis in Swiss albino mice

Enfenamic acid, a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug was studied for its effect on hepatic gluconeogenesis and some of the enzymes involved in this process in mice. Incubation of liver cells in the presence of 1.0 mM enfenamic acid inhibited the output of glucose. And also the in vitro addition of various concentrations of enfenamic acid (0.25 to 3.0 mM) to the tissue extracts of liver inhibited the activities of important gluconeogenic enzymes such as pyruvate carboxylase (PC), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and fructose 1,6-diphosphatase (FDPase). The oral and intraperitoneal administrations of the drug for 15 and 3 days respectively, exhibited significant decrease in the hepatic PC, PEPCK and FDPase. These findings indicated that the impairment of gluconeogenesis might be due to the inactivation of the enzymes by the drug.     

Tuftsin augments antitumor efficacy of liposomized etoposide against fibrosarcoma in Swiss albino mice

Anticancer drugs are generally plagued by toxic manifestations at doses necessary for control of various forms of cancer. Incorporating such drugs into liposomes not only reduces toxicity but also enhances the therapeutic index. Some antioxidants and potent immunomodulators have also been shown to impart significant antitumor activity presumably by nonspecific activation of the host immune system. In the present study, we evaluated augmentation of the antitumor activity of etoposide (ETP) by the immunomodulator tuftsin in Swiss albino mice with fibrosarcoma. The efficacies of the free form of ETP, liposomized ETP (Lip-ETP), and tuftsin-bearing liposomized ETP (Tuft-Lip-ETP) formulations were evaluated on the basis of tumor regression, effect on expression level of p53wt and p53mut, and survival of the treated animals. Tuft-Lip-ETP, when administered at a dosage of 10 mg/kg body weight/day for five days, significantly reduced tumor volume, delayed tumor growth, and also up-regulated the expression of p53wt. In contrast, although Lip-ETP delayed tumor growth, it did not decrease tumor size. The results of the present study suggest that tuftsin incorporation in drug-loaded liposomes is a promising treatment strategy for various forms of cancers, including fibrosarcoma.     

Effect of sesamol on radiation-induced cytotoxicity in Swiss albino mice

The radio-protective ability of sesamol (SM) at various doses viz., 0, 10, 25, 40, 50, 70 and 100 mg/kg bw, administered intraperitoneally 30 min prior to 9.5 Gy whole-body γ-irradiation was studied in Swiss albino mice. Radiation toxicity and mortality were observed during a period of 30 days and the percentage mortality was calculated. SM pretreatment with 50 mg/kg bw was found to be the most effective dose in maintaining body weight and in reducing the percentage mortality, while 100 mg/kg bw was found to be more effective in maintaining the spleen index and in stimulation of endogenous spleen colony-forming units. Pretreatment with SM (50 mg/kg bw) in mice irradiated with 15 Gy significantly reduced dead, inflammatory, mitotic and goblet cells in irradiated jejunum. SM at 50 mg/kg bw also increased crypt cells, maintained villus height, and prevented mucosal erosion. Nuclear enlargement in epithelial cells was found less in SM-treated mice compared with the irradiated control. The radiation-induced decrease in endogenous antioxidant enzymes (GSH, GST, catalase) and the increase in lipid peroxidation were also reduced by pretreatment with SM [50 and 100 mg/kg bw] at all monitored post-irradiation intervals. There was no protection at a dose less than 25 mg/kg bw.     

Effect of sesamol on radiation-induced cytotoxicity in Swiss albino mice

The radio-protective ability of sesamol (SM) at various doses viz., 0, 10, 25, 40, 50, 70 and 100mg/kg bw, administered intraperitoneally 30min prior to 9.5Gy whole-body gamma-irradiation was studied in Swiss albino mice. Radiation toxicity and mortality were observed during a period of 30 days and the percentage mortality was calculated. SM pretreatment with 50mg/kg bw was found to be the most effective dose in maintaining body weight and in reducing the percentage mortality, while 100mg/kg bw was found to be more effective in maintaining the spleen index and in stimulation of endogenous spleen colony-forming units. Pretreatment with SM (50mg/kg bw) in mice irradiated with 15Gy significantly reduced dead, inflammatory, mitotic and goblet cells in irradiated jejunum. SM at 50mg/kg bw also increased crypt cells, maintained villus height, and prevented mucosal erosion. Nuclear enlargement in epithelial cells was found less in SM-treated mice compared with the irradiated control. The radiation-induced decrease in endogenous antioxidant enzymes (GSH, GST, catalase) and the increase in lipid peroxidation were also reduced by pretreatment with SM [50 and 100mg/kg bw] at all monitored post-irradiation intervals. There was no protection at a dose less than 25mg/kg bw.