Potentiation of pentobarbital hypnosis by Rosa damascena in mice

Rosa damascena has been found to act on central nervous system including brain. It inhibits the reactivity of the hypothalamous and pituitary systems in rat. In traditional medicine hypnotic effect of Rose is also suggested. In the present study hypnotic effect of ethanolic, aqueous and chloroformic extracts of R. damascena was investigated in mice. Hypnotic method was based on potentiation of pentobarbital induced sleeping time by extracts. Three doses of extracts (100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) were injected i.p. in comparison with diazepam (3mg/kg) as positive control and saline as negative control. After 30 min of injection of extracts, pentobarbital (30mg/kg) was injected and increase in sleeping time by extracts was recorded. The results showed that the ethanolic and aqueous extracts in 500 and 1000 mg/kg doses significantly increased pentobarbital induced sleeping time which was comparable to diazepam. The chloroformic extract had no hypnotic effect.     

Comparison of Protective Effect of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Propolis against Gastric Ulceration in Rats

This study focused on the protective effects of different types of propolis extracts on gastric mucosa in indomethacin-induced rats. The animals were divided into nine groups: control, negative control (ulcer), positive control (omeprazole), and experimental groups, which were summarized by 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg, bw for aqueous-based and ethanol, respectively. According to the histopathological evaluation, more than others, the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg of aqueous-based propolis extracts had different degrees of positive effects on the gastric mucosa. Generally, the biochemical analyses of the gastric tissue showed a correlation with microscopic evaluations. According to the phenolic profile analysis, while pinocembrin (684.34±1.70 μg/ml) and chrysin (540.54±9.06 μg/ml) were the most abundant phenolics in the ethanolic extract, ferulic acid (53.77±0.07 μg/ml) and p-coumaric acid (52.61±0.42 μg/ml) dominated the aqueous-based extract. Also, the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and DPPH radical scavenging activity of the ethanolic extract showed almost nine-fold superiority compared to the aqueous-based extracts. Based on data from preclinical data, it was decided that the best doses for the main goal of the study were 200 mg and 400 mg/kg, bw for aqueous-based propolis extract.     

Therapeutic effect of ethanolic extract of Hygrophila spinosa T. Anders on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Therapeutic effect of ethanolic extract of Hygrophila spinosa in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxic model of kidney injury in male Sprague-Dawley rats was studied. Rats were administered with gentamicin at a dose of 80 mg/kg intraperitoneally (ip) to induce nephrotoxicity. Kidney function was assessed by measuring serum creatinine and urea. Kidney superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidation, catalase and reduced glutathione were also measured in control and treated rats. H. spinosa extract showed free radical scavenging activities at doses of 50 and 250 mg/kg with a predominant activity at 250 mg/kg. The ethanolic extract also caused a reduction in serum creatinine and urea levels. Histopathological studies were conducted to confirm the therapeutic action of the plant extract. The results demonstrated that the ethanolic extract of whole plant of H. spinosa evinced the therapeutic effect and inhibited gentamicin-induced proximal tubular necrosis.     

Evaluation of antidepressant-like activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Terminalia bellirica Roxb. fruits in mice

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of T. bellirica on depression in mice using forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). The extracts were administered orally for 10 successive days in separate groups of Swiss young male albino mice. Aqueous extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent manner and ethanolic extract (100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the immobility time of mice in both FST and TST. The extracts were without any significant effect on locomotor activity of mice. The efficacies of aqueous extract (200 mg/kg) and ethanolic extract (100 mg/kg) were found to be similar to that of imipramine (15 mg/kg, po) and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg, po) administered for 10 successive days. Both extracts reversed reserpine-induced extension of immobility period of mice in FST and TST. Prazosin (62.5 microg/kg, ip; an alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist), sulpiride (50 mg/kg, ip; a selective D2 receptor antagonist) and p-chlorophenylalanine (100 mg/kg, ip; an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis) significantly attenuated the aqueous and ethanolic extract-induced antidepressant-like effect in TST. Thus, both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of T. bellirica elicited a significant antidepressant-like effect in mice by interaction with adrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems.     

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of Suaeda maritima (L.) dumort ethanolic extract on concanavalin-A induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of Suaeda maritima (L.) Dumort on concanavalin-A induced stress in Wistar albino rats have been reported. Rats were administered with ethanolic extract of Suaeda maritimna at the concentration of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg of body wt. for 9 days and concanavalin-A was administrated (iv) 12 mg/kg on 9th day. Rats in concanavalin-A administered group showed elevated levels of AST, ALT, ALP and bilurubin. Pretreatment of rats with ethanolic extract (300 mg/kg) significantly reduced these serum parameters compared to concavalin-A administered group. Histopathological examination of liver sections showed that, normal liver architecture was disturbed by hepatotoxin intoxication. The extract treated group and silymarin treated group retained the normal cell architecture, although less visible changes were observed. Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of triterpenioids and may be responsible for the hepatoprotective activity. The LD50 was calculated as 3 g/kg of the body weight. IC50 values of hydroxyl (52.21+/-1.32 microg/ml) and nitric oxide radicals (09.14+/-0.94 microg/ml) scavenging results showed comparable activity with vitamin-C. Results of this study may be useful for the development of herbal medicine from Suaeda maritima for the treatment of hepatitis.     

Antioxidant effects of Emblica officinalis and Zingiber officinalis on arsenic and lead induced toxicity on Albino rats

It is of interest to document the effect of Emblica officinalis (E. officinalis) and Zingiber officinalae (Z. officinalae) leaf extract on reactive oxygen species, antioxidant potential changes in arsenic and lead-induced toxicity in male rats. We used 8 groups of adult male Wistar rats with 1 control group for this study. The animals were divided into Group I: Control and Group II: Lead and sodium arsenite induced rats (animals were induced for metal toxicity by the combined administration of arsenic (13.8 mg/ kg body weight) and lead (116.4 mg/kg body weight). These doses were administered by gastric intubation during 14 consecutive days using known standard procedures. Arsenic and lead induced rats treated with ethanolic extract of Emblica officinalis (60 mg/kg body weight/day, orally for 45 days) are group III rats. Group IV animals are arsenic and lead induced rats treated orally with ethanolic extracts of E. officinalis (120 mg/kg body weight/day for 45 days). Group V animals are arsenic and lead induced rats treated orally with ethanolic extracts of Z. officinalae (60 mg/kg body weight/day for 45 days). Group VI animals are arsenic and lead induced rats orally treated with ethanolic extracts of Zingiber officinalis (120 mg/kg body weight/day for 45 days). Group VII animals are arsenic and lead induced rats treated orally with ethanolic extracts of E. officinalis and Z. officinalae (60 + 60 mg/kg body weight/day for 45 days). Group VIII animals are arsenic and lead induced rats treated orally with ethanolic extracts of E. officinalis and Z. officinalae (120 + 120 mg/kg body weight/day, orally for 45 days). Normal Control animals were treated orally with ethanolic extracts of E. officinalis (120mg/kg body weight) + Z. officinalae (120mg/kg body weight) for 45 days. The control and experimental animals were then subjected to analysis for oxidative stress markers such as H2O2, *OH, and lipid peroxidation (LPO), antioxidant enzymes in addition to liver and kidney function markers. Results: Arsenic and lead induced rats showed a significant increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (H2O2, OH* and LPO) with concomitant alterations in the renal and liver tissues. However, enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidant levels were decreased. Nevertheless, an oral effective dose of E. officinalis and Z. officinalae (120 + 120 mg/kg body weight/day increased the antioxidant enzymes and retrieved the altered levels of ROS and LPO that were induced by arsenic and lead. Thus, we show that E. officinalis and Z. officinalae leaf extract exhibits nephroprotective and hepatoprotective role through the restoration of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant enzymes in the kidney and liver tissue of Arsenic and Lead-induced nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in rats. Hence, E. officinalis and Z. officinalae leaf extract are potential therapeutic options for the treatment of metal toxicity-induced kidney and liver diseases.     

Anti-Ulcerogenic Effect of Methanolic Extracts from Enicosanthellum pulchrum (King) Heusden against Ethanol-Induced Acute Gastric Lesion in Animal Models

A natural source of medicine, Enicosanthellum pulchrum is a tropical plant which belongs to the family Annonaceae. In this study, methanol extract from the leaves and stems of this species was evaluated for its gastroprotective potential against mucosal lesions induced by ethanol in rats. Seven groups of rats were assigned, groups 1 and 2 were given Tween 20 (10% v/v) orally. Group 3 was administered omeprazole 20 mg/kg (10% Tween 20) whilst the remaining groups received the leaf and stem extracts at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg, respectively. After an additional hour, the rats in groups 2–7 received ethanol (95% v/v; 8 mL/kg) orally while group 1 received Tween 20 (10% v/v) instead. Rats were sacrificed after 1 h and their stomachs subjected to further studies. Macroscopically and histologically, group 2 rats showed extremely severe disruption of the gastric mucosa compared to rats pre-treated with the E. pulchrum extracts based on the ulcer index, where remarkable protection was noticed. Meanwhile, a significant percentage of inhibition was shown with the stem extract at 62% (150 mg/kg) and 65% (300 mg/kg), whilst the percentage with the leaf extract at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg was 63% and 75%, respectively. An increase in mucus content, nitric oxide, glutathione, prostaglandin E2, superoxide dismutase, protein and catalase, and a decrease in malondialdehyde level compared to group 2 were also obtained. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining of groups 4–7 exhibited down-regulation of Bax and up-regulation of Hsp70 proteins. The methanol extract from the leaves and the stems showed notable gastroprotective potential against ethanol.     

In vitro alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase enzyme inhibitory effects of Andrographis paniculata extract and andrographolide

There has been an enormous interest in the development of alternative medicines for type 2 diabetes, specifically screening for phytochemicals with the ability to delay or prevent glucose absorption. The goal of the present study was to provide in vitro evidence for potential inhibition of alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase enzymes, followed by a confirmatory in vivo study on rats to generate a stronger biochemical rationale for further studies on the ethanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata and andrographolide. The extract showed appreciable alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effect in a concentration-dependent manner (IC(50)=17.2+/-0.15 mg/ml) and a weak alpha-amylase inhibitory activity (IC(50)=50.9+/-0.17 mg/ml). Andrographolide demonstrated a similar (IC(50)=11.0+/-0.28 mg/ml) alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitory activity (IC(50)=11.3+/-0.29 mg/ml). The positive in vitro enzyme inhibition tests paved way for confirmatory in vivo studies. The in vivo studies demonstrated that A. paniculata extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced peak blood glucose and area under curve in diabetic rats when challenged with oral administration of starch and sucrose. Further, andrographolide also caused a significant (P<0.05) reduction in peak blood glucose and area under the curve in diabetic rats. Hence alpha-glucosidase inhibition may possibly be one of the mechanisms for the A. paniculata extract to exert antidiabetic activity and indicates that AP extract can be considered as a potential candidate for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Evaluation of Chemopreventive Effects of Acanthus ilicifolius against Azoxymethane-Induced Aberrant Crypt Foci in the Rat Colon

Background

Acanthus ilicifolius, a mangrove medicinal plant, is traditionally used to treat a variety of diseases. The aim of this research is to assess the chemoprotective outcomes of A. ilicifolius ethanolic extract against azoxymethane (AOM) induced colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rats.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In our study, rats were arranged in to five groups. Rats in the normal control group were given subcutaneous injections of normal saline once weekly for 2 weeks. The AOM control, reference and treatment groups were given subcutaneous injection of AOM, 15 mg/kg body weight, once weekly for 2 weeks each. The reference group was treated with 35 mg/kg 5-Fluorouracil via intraperitoneal injection once weekly for 8 weeks, and the treatment groups were administered by gavage with 250 and 500 mg/kg A. ilicifolius extract daily for 8 weeks. Both normal and AOM control groups received the vehicle; 10% Tween-20 only.Rats treated with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of A. ilicifolius extracts showed a decrease in the mean number of ACF by 65% and 53%, respectively. Those fed with A. ilicifolius showed significantly decreased multiplicity of ACF formations when compared with the results from the AOM control group. The 250 mg/kg A. ilicifolius treatment group showed significant decreases in lipid peroxidation MDA levels when compared with the AOM control group. In immunohistochemistry staining, the proliferating nuclear cell antigen (PCNA)-positive cells were significantly higher in the AOM control group than in the A. ilicifolius-treated groups. RT-PCR showed that A. ilicifolius caused a change in the regulation of apoptosis-related genes expression.

Conclusion/Significance

The results of the current study show that AOM-treated rats receiving oral exposure to A. ilicifolius demonstrated a significant decrease in the number of ACF in the colon when compared to AOM-treated rats receiving vehicle only. A ilicifolius may be an effective herbal approach for the prevention of AOM-induced ACF in the rat colon.     

Lung lesions and anti-ulcer agents beneficial effect: anti-ulcer agents pentadecapeptide BPC 157, ranitidine, omeprazole and atropine ameliorate lung lesion in rats.

Anti-ulcer agents may likely attenuate lesions outside the gastrointestinal tract, since they had protected gastrectomized rats (a "direct cytoprotective effect"). Therefore, their therapeutic potential in lung/stomach lesions were shown. Rats received an intratracheal (i.t.) HCl instillation [1.5 ml/kg HCl (pH 1.75)] (lung lesion), and an intragastric (i.g.) instillation of 96% ethanol (gastric lesion; 1 ml/rat, 24 h after i.t. HCl instillation), then sacrificed 1 h after ethanol. Basically, in lung-injured rats, the subsequent ethanol-gastric lesion was markedly aggravated. This aggravation, however, in turn, did not affect the severity of the lung lesions in the further period, at least for 1 h of observation. Taking intratracheal HCl-instillation as time 0, a gastric pentadecapeptide, GEPPPGKPADDAGLV, M.W.1419, coded BPC 157 (10 microg, 10 ng, 10 pg), ranitidine (10 mg), atropine (10 mg), omeprazole (10 mg), were given [/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)] (i) once, only prophylactically [as a pre-treatment (at -1h)], or as a co-treatment [at 0)], or only therapeutically (at +18h or +24 h); (ii) repeatedly, combining prophylactic/therapeutic regimens [(-1 h)+(+24 h)] or [(0)+(+24 h)], or therapeutic/therapeutic regimens [(+18 h)+(+24 h)]. For all agents, combining their prophylactic and salutary regimens (at -1 h/+24 h, or at 0/+24 h) attenuated lung lesions; even if effect had been not seen already with a single application, it became prominent after repeated treatment. In single application studies, relative to controls, a co-treatment (except to omeprazole), a pre-treatment (at -1 h) (pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and atropine, but not ranitidine and omeprazole) regularly attenuated, while therapeutically, atropine (at +18 h), pentadecapeptide BPC 157 highest dose and omeprazole (at +24 h), reversed the otherwise more severe lung lesions.     

Gastroprotective effects of Polygonatum odoratum in rodents by regulation of apoptotic proteins and inflammatory cytokines

In an increasing interest in natural antiulcer compounds that may have gastric healing effects and possibly prevent ulcer recurrence, Polygonatum odoratum appears as a strong candidate. The gastroprotective potentials of P. odoratum rhizome extract (PORE) were explored on ethanol-induced gastric ulceration in rats. Sprague Dawley rats were caged in 5 groups, normal and ulcer control rats received CMC (1% carboxymethyl cellulose). Omeprazole (20 mg/kg) was given to reference Rats. Experimental rats were treated with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg PORE, respectively. After an hour, the normal control rats received 1% CMC, whereas rat groups 2–5 were given absolute ethanol by oral gavage. After 60 min, rats received anesthesia and were sacrificed. Dissected gastric tissue was analyzed by histopathological and immunohistochemical techniques. PORE treatment significantly lowered the ethanol-induced gastric injury, as shown by up-surging gastric pH and mucus content, reduced leukocyte infiltration, lower ulcerative areas in mucosal layers, and increased antioxidants (SOD and CAT) and (MDA) levels. Furthermore, PORE pre-treated rats showed significantly increased expression of the Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), HSP-70 protein, and decreased Bax protein in their gastric epithelial layers. PORE treatment showed an important regulation of inflammatory cytokines shown by decreasing the TNF-a, and IL-6 and increasing the IL-10 values. The detected biological activity of PORE is encouraging and presents the scientific evidence for its traditional use as a gastroprotection agent however further studies are required to determine the exact phytochemicals and mechanism pathway responsible for this bioactivity.     

Effect of Methanolic extract of Musa sapientum leaves on Gastrointestinal Transit time in Normal and Alloxan induced Diabetic rats: Possible Mechanism of Action

Disorders of gastrointestinal motility have been associated with Diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycaemia particularly has been reported to inhibit gastrointestinal transit time while glibenclamide, a sulphonylurea and insulin, both increased transit time. Musa sapientum has also been reported as an antidiabetic agent but there is dearth of information on the effect of this plant on gastrointestinal motility. This study was therefore carried out to investigate the effect of methanolic extract of Musa sapientum leaves (MEMSL) on Gastrointestinal Transit time (GITT) in male albino rats with and without hyperglycaemia and to elucidate possible mechanism by which this extract functions. Fifty five albino rats were divided into 11 groups of five animals each. All animals were fasted for 24hrs before the begining of the experiment. Group 1 served as control; while the remaining groups (2 - 11) were treated with 250mg/kg; 500mg/kg MEMSL; diabetic control; diabetic treated with 250mg/kg; 500mg/kg MEMSL; diabetic treated with glibenclamide (5mg/kg); normal rats treated with Nifedipine (50mg/kg); normal rats treated with calcium chloride (CaCl2) only (10mg/kg); groups 10 and 11 were both pretreated with CaCl2 and subsequently treated with 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg MEMSL respectively. All plant extracts used for treatments were dissolved in normal saline and administered orally using orogastric tube. Charcoal meal was used as marker in the estimation of GITT. The study showed significant decrease in GITT in the normal rats treated with 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg of extract. However, in the diabetic rats treated with 500mg/kg MEMSL, there was significant increase in GITT and this is comparable with the gut response to glibenclamide (5mg/kg). Musa sapientum extract produced significant decrease in transit time in the calcium chloride pre-treated normal rats and this is comparable to the effect observed in Nifedipine treated group. The significant reduction in GITT produced by MEMSL in the normal rats reflects a strong possibility of MEMSL acting as calcium channel antagonist through the voltage gated calcium channel which may be due to the presence of alkaloids, saponins, cardenolides. There is the possibility of the extract acting as an inhibitor of potassium channel at higher concentration as observed in glibenclamide treated groups. Keywords: Musa Sapientum, Gastrointestinal transit time, Alloxan diabetes.     

Involvement of nitric oxide in the gastroprotective effects of an aqueous extract of Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng) Pedersen, Amaranthaceae, in rats

The plants belonging to Pfaffia genus are used in folk medicine to treat gastric disturbances. This study examined the effects of an aqueous extract of Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng) Pedersen (AEP) on the gastrointestinal tract. Wistar rats were pretreated orally (p.o.) with the AEP (125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg.kg(-1)) before induction of ulcers by hypothermic restraint stress (HRS, 3 h restraint stress at 4 degrees C), ethanol (ET, 70%; 0.5 ml/animal; p.o.) or indomethacin (IND, 20 mg.kg(-1); s.c.). Control animals received water (C) or ranitidine (60 mg.kg(-1)) p.o. The AEP protected rats against HRS and ET-induced ulcers, but was not able to protect the gastric mucosa against IND-induced ulcers. When injected into the duodenal lumen, the AEP reduced total acidity and both basal and histamine-stimulated acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. In addition, gastric secretion from AEP-treated animals exhibited increased concentrations of nitrite and nitrate. Treatment of animals with L-NAME (120 mg.kg(-1), p.o.) prevented both the reduction of total acidity and the increase in NOx levels promoted by AEP treatment. In conclusion, AEP effectively protected the gastric mucosa and inhibited gastric acid secretion in rats, probably by involving the histaminergic pathway and an enhanced production of nitric oxide in the stomach.     

Biochemical and pharmacological characteristics of a newly synthesized H+-K+ ATPase inhibitor, YJA20379-1, 2-amino-4,5-dihydro-8-phenylimidazole[2,1-b]thiazolo[5,4-g]benzothiazol e.

The biochemical and pharmacological characteristics of a newly synthesized H+-K+ ATPase inhibitor, 2-amino-4,5-dihydro-8-phenylimidazole[2,1-b]thiazolo[5,4-g]benzothiazole (YJA20379-1), were investigated. In the pig gastric microsomes, YJA20379-1 inhibited the gastric H+-K+ ATPase regardless of pH condition, IC50 values being 21 and 24 microM at pH 6.4 and 7.4, respectively. The inhibitory activity of YJA20379-1 was antagonized by dithiothreitol treatment but could not be reversed by dilution and washing of the enzyme preparation. In Sprague-Dawley rats, YJA20379-1, administered i.d., p.o, i.v., or s.c., significantly inhibited basal gastric acid secretion, with ED50 values of 4.7, 20.2, 6.3, and 13.4 mg/kg, respectively. The antisecretory action of YJA20379-1 was short lasting (less than 7 h at an oral dosing of 30 mg/kg). Oral administration of YJA20379-1 also prevented the formation of ethanol, indomethacin, and water immersion stress induced gastric lesions and mepirizole-induced duodenal ulcers in rats. Furthermore, YJA20379-1 accelerated the healing of acetic acid induced chronic gastric ulcers in rats. In conclusion, these results suggest that YJA20379-1 has a potent inhibitory activity on the gastric H+-K+ ATPase but much shorter duration of antisecretory action than omeprazole, thereby exerting its anti-ulcer effects partly with cytoprotective activity.     

Histamine in stress ulcer prophylaxis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Gastrin and its analogues increase the gastric acid secretion, but also enhance mucosal defense mechanisms. On the other hand, increased formation of histamine leading to an increase in gastric acid secretion is accompanied with gastroprotection and acceleration of gastric ulcer healing. AIM: Of this study was to examine the effect of histamine on stress induced gastric ulcers in rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were exposed to water immersion and restrain stress (WRS) for 3.5 h at 23 degrees C. Before WRS rats were pretreated with saline, histamine, ranitidine or omeprazole. RESULTS: WRS produces gastric lesions which were strongly reduced by ranitidine or omeprazole. Also treatment with histamine markedly reduced ulcer area evoked by WRS. Addition of histamine to ranitidine or omeprazole caused an additional reduction in ulcer area. Gastroprotective effect of histamine was accompanied with the increase in gastric blood flow (GBF). Administration of omeprazole or ranitidine alone was without significant effect on GBF. Histamine caused an slight decrease in gastric luminal pH, whereas ranitidine or omeprazole significantly increased gastric luminal pH. Plasma interleukin-1beta was significantly reduced after administration of omeprazole, ranitidine, or histamine, however, the effect of histamine was less pronounced. DNA synthesis was increased after administration of omeprazole, ranitidine or histamine when compared with WRS alone. Administration of histamine in combination with ranitidine or omeprazole caused an additional increase in DNA synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Histamine exhibits protective effect and increases gastroprotective effect of ranitidine and omeprazole against stress-induced gastric lesions. This effect of histamine seems to be independent on gastric acid secretion but related to the increase in gastric blood flow and the reduction in activation of cytokine cascade.     

Hepatoprotective activity of Hemidesmus indicus R. br. in rats

Treatment of rats with paracetamol and CCl4 produced a significant increase in the levels of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total and direct bilirubin. Rats pretreated with methanolic extract of roots of H. indicus (100-500 mg/kg body weight, po) exhibited rise in the levels of these enzymes but it was significantly less as compared to those treated with paracetamol or CCl4 alone. The results of methanolic extract of H. indicus were comparable with the standard hepatoprotective agent silymarin (100 mg/kg). Maximum hepatoprotective effect was found to be at the dose of 250 mg/kg body weight in case of CCl4 induced hepatic damage while 500 mg/kg body weight in case of paracetamol induced hepatic damage. The results suggest that methanolic extract of H. indicus roots possesses a potential antihepatotoxic activity.     

Effect of cimetidine, ranitidine and omeprazole on postprandial gastrin and somatostatin release in conscious dogs

During a first series of experiments, the gastrin responses to a meal were measured and compared to the responses seen after administration of cimetidine (2.5 mg/kg/h) or omeprazole (2 mg/kg). During a second series of experiments the effects of cimetidine (2.5 mg/kg/h), ranitidine (0.5 mg/kg/h) and omeprazole (2 mg/kg) on post-prandial gastrin and somatostatin release were determined in experiments during which the intragastric pH was maintained close to 6.4. During a third series of experiments, the effects of cimetidine (2.5 mg/kg/h) and omeprazole (2 mg/kg) on basal gastrin and somatostatin release were estimated. Postprandial gastrin release was increased by cimetidine and by omeprazole. When acidification of the gastric content was prevented by intragastric titration, postprandial gastrin release was increased by about 100%. No further increase was observed when the animals were concomitantly treated with cimetidine, ranitidine or omeprazole. Intragastric titration did not alter postprandial somatostatin release. Concomitant administration of H2 blockers decreased the somatostatin response to the meal, while concomitant administration of omeprazole did not alter this release. No significant changes were observed in basal gastrin or somatostatin levels after administration of cimetidine or omeprazole.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Nerolidol, an antiulcer constituent from the essential oil of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae)

In this study, the antiulcerogenic effect of essential oil from Baccharis dracunculifolia was evaluated using the model of acute gastric lesions induced by ethanol. The ulcerative lesion index (ULI) was significantly reduced by oral administration of the essential oil of B. dracunculifolia at doses of 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg which reduced the lesions by 42.79, 45.70 and 61.61%, respectively. The analysis of the chemical composition of the essential oil from B. dracunculifolia by GC showed that this was composed mainly of mono- and sesquiterpenes and the majority compound was nerolidol. Therefore, antiulcerogenic activity of nerolidol (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg) was investigated using ethanol-, indomethacin- and stress-induced ulcer models in rat. In the stress-induced ulcer model, a significant reduction of the ULI in animals treated with nerolidol (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg) and cimetidine (100 mg/kg) was observed, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The percentage of inhibition of ulcer was 41.22, 51.31, 56.57 and 53.50% in groups treated with 50, 250, 500 mg/kg of nerolidol and 100 mg/kg of cimetidine (positive control), respectively. Regarding ethanol- and indomethacin-induced ulcer models, it was observed that the treatment with nerolidol (250 and 500 mg/ kg) significantly reduced the ULI in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). The dose of 50 mg/kg reduced the parameters analyzed but this was not statistically significant. In the ethanol-induced model percentage of inhibition of ulcer was 34.20, 52.63, 87.63 and 50.87% in groups treated with 50, 250, 500 mg/kg of nerolidol and 30 mg/kg of omeprazol (positive control), respectively. In indomethacin-ulcer the percentage of inhibition of ulcer was 34.69, 40.80, 51.02 and 46.93% in groups treated with 50, 250, 500 mg/kg of nerolidol and 100 mg/ kg of cimetidine (positive control), respectively. The results of this study show that nerolidol displays antiulcer activity, as it significantly inhibited the formation of ulcers induced in different animal models. However, further pharmacological and toxicological investigations, to delineate the mechanism(s) of action and the toxic effects, are required to allow the use of nerolidol for the treatment of gastric ulcer.     

Gastroprotective Effects of Astragaloside IV against Acute Gastric Lesion in Rats

Background

Protection of the gastric mucosa from acute lesions induced by various irritants is a pertinent issue in the field of critical care medicine. In this study, we investigated the gastroprotective effects of astragaloside IV on acute gastric lesions in rats under stressful conditions.

Methods

Rats were randomized into six groups. Group 1 and 2 received 10% Tween 80 (vehicle). Group 3 received 20 mg/kg of omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor. Groups 4, 5 and 6 received astragaloside IV at concentration of 1, 10, and 50 mg/kg, respectively. As a means to induce gastric lesions, Groups 2–6 were subjected to water immersion and restraint stress for 12 hours after treatment.

Results

Our present studies show that compared to rats in group 2, treatment with 1 to 50 mg/kg astragaloside IV significantly decreased the size of gastric lesions, MDA, TNFα and MCP1 levels, in addition to normalizing gastric pH, gastric mucus and SOD levels (P<0.05). Histomorphological examination confirmed that treatment with astragaloside IV elicited a dosage-dependent protective effect on the gastric mucosa. Furthermore, pretreatment with astragaloside IV resulted in significant elevations in HSP70 and reduction in Bax, along with over-expression of PLCγ response level, which was further confirmed via immunohistochemical analysis.

Conclusions

The acute gastric lesions induced are attenuated by pretreatment with astragaloside IV which is possibly due to the enhancing of the expression of HSP70 with concomitant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic capacity.     

Anti-ulcer effect of Ranunculus millefoliatus on absolute alcohol-induced stomach ulceration

Ranunculus millefoliatus (RM) has been reported to have a numeral of biological properties. Though, the influence of this plant extract on stomach ulceration is yet stated. Thirty rats arbitrarily alienated 5 groups: the normal group, the ulcerated control group, the omeprazole group, and 2 investigational groups. Normal and ulcerated control groups were gavage by mouth 10% Tween 20. Omeprazole group fed orally 20 mg/kg omeprazole. Investigational group’s gavage of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg ethanol extracted RM 10% Tween 20, correspondingly. Later another hour, the normal group gavage 10% Tween 20, and groups 2–5 gavage absolute ethanol. Afterward additional hours altogether rats were sacrificed. The ulcerated control group displayed extensive apparent stomach epithelial damage escorted by reduced stomachs mucus excretion and pH stomach contented. RM extract meaningfully condensed ethanol-induced gastric lacerations, for example, demonstrated via augmented gastric mucus and pH stomach contents, condensed ulceration expanse, decreased or lack of edema, and leucocyte penetration hypodermic coat. In stomach epithelial homogenate, RM extract revealed important upsurge superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) actions, expressively diminished malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Furthermore, RM extract augmented strength periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) stain stomach mucosa, besides formed up-regulation heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70) proteins down-regulation the Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) protein gastric mucosal. RM extract lessened the level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and improved the quantity of interleukin-10 (IL-10). Acute toxicity greater dosage of 500 mg/kg RM extract organized not obvious at all toxicology symbols might improve self-protective tools against stomach epithelial abrasions. RM extract presented gastroprotective effects that could be due to capability upsurge pH then mucus discharge, rise SOD and CAT, decrease MDA quantity, up-regulating HSP 70 proteins, down-regulating Bax protein, and moderate provocative cytokines.