Pharmaceutical prerequisites for a multi-target therapy

The quality of a phytomedicine is defined by the quality of the herbal drug, the manufacturing of the drug preparations and the properties of the finished product, taking into account the special requirements of the individual herbal species in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards [2003. Medicinal Products for Human and Veterinary Use. Eudralex, vol. 4 (2003/94/EC)]. The quality control of the complete process is based on pharmacognostic methods, characteristic fingerprint chromatograms, defined amounts of marker substances, physicochemical characteristics and microbiological monitoring. For a herbal multi-component preparation used in multi-target therapy, these pharmaceutical prerequisites have to be ensured for all components and for their combination, as is exemplified by Iberogast^® (STW 5) a fixed combination of hydroethanolic extracts of bitter candytuft (Iberis amara), angelica root (Angelicae radix), milk thistle fruit (Silybi mariani fructus), celandine herb (Chelidonii herba), caraway fruit (Carvi fructus), liquorice root (Liquiritiae radix), peppermint herb (Menthae piperitae folium), balm leaf (Melissae folium) and chamomile flower (Matricariae flos) using in the therapy of gastrointestinal compliants (Rösch et al., 2006).The prerequisites for the quality of each of its components according to actual standards are at first the cultivation of the plant material according to the Guidelines for Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) conditions of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants [1998. Z. Arzn. Gew. Pfl. 3, 166–178] to yield a defined raw material of high quality. Characteristic compounds of the extracts had to be identified and different analytical methods such as HPLC, with low coefficients of variation had to be developed to analyze each of the standardized ethanolic extracts and the finished product.At the example of the extract of I. amara these necessary investigations are described. The variability of the plant material in its natural habitats, the identification of characteristic compounds and exemplary chromatograms for fingerprint evaluation and quantification are shown. These data are required for characterization of the profile of the active substances in the finished product.     

Echinaforce and other Echinacea fresh plant preparations in the treatment of the common cold. A randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind clinical trial.

The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of different doses and preparations of Echinacea purpurea in the treatment of common cold. 246 of 559 recruited healthy, adult volunteers caught a common cold and took 3 times daily 2 tablets of either Echinaforce (Echinacea purpurea-preparation from 95% herba and 5% radix), Echinacea purpurea concentrate (same preparation at 7 times higher concentration), special Echinacea purpurea radix preparation (totally different from that of Echinaforce) or placebo until they felt healthy again but not longer than 7 days. The primary endpoint was the relative reduction of the complaint index defined by 12 symptoms during common cold according to the doctor's record. Echinaforce and its concentrated preparation were significantly more effective than the special Echinacea extract or placebo. All treatments were well tolerated. Among the Echinacea groups the frequency of adverse events was not significantly higher than in the placebo group. Therefore, Echinacea concentrate as well as Echinaforce represent a low-risk and effective alternative to the standard symptomatic medicines in the acute treatment of common cold.     

天门冬水提液及其纳米中药对衰老模型小鼠NOS、NO、LPF的影响

目的:探讨中药天门冬及其纳米化后对D-半乳糖衰老模型小鼠血清和肝的抗氧化作用.方法:采用D-半乳糖致衰老小鼠分别ig相同剂量的天门冬水提液及其纳米中药15 d,测定衰老小鼠血清中一氧化氮合酶(NOS)的活性,一氧化氮(NO)含量及肝组织中脂褐素(LP下)的含量.结果:天门冬水提波及其纳米中药均能显著增强小鼠血清中NOS的活性(P＜0.01),提高N0含量(P＜0.05),降低LPF含量(P＜0.05),且纳米中药的药效强于天门冬水提液的药效(P＜0.05).结论:天门冬水提液及其纳米中药均有抗氧化作用,且纳米中药比水提液药效更好.     

天门冬纳米制剂对小鼠抗氧化系统的影响

目的:探讨中药天门冬及其纳米制剂对小鼠心肌线粒体中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,丙二醛(MDA)含量,肝组织中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性的影响,观察纳米制剂能否更有效地改善机体的抗氧化能力.方法:采用D-半乳糖致衰老小鼠分别ig相同剂量的天门冬水提液及其纳米中药15 d,测定衰老小鼠心肌线粒体中SOD活性、MDA含量及肝组织中GSH-Px活性.结果:天门冬水提液及其纳米中药均能显著增强天门冬及其纳米中药均可提高小鼠心肌线粒体中SOD的活性(P<0.01),肝组织GSH-Px活性(P<0.01),降低心肌线粒体中MDA(P<0.05),且纳米中药的药效强于天门冬水提液的药效(P<0.01).结论:天门冬纳米制剂抗氧化能力优于天门冬超声波水提液.     

Murine immunomodulation of IL-10 and IL-12 induced by new isolates from avian type 2 Lactobacillus acidophilus

Several bacterial and immunogenic factors are involved in the host response to probiotic strains of Lactobacillus. Here, we report the isolation of new intestinal lactobacilli from chicken, with different immunomodulating properties on lymphoid cells from SJL and C57BL/6 mice. Analysis of biochemical markers in the Lactobacillus acidophilus CBA4P, CBA3P, and TPA3P isolates reveal that these bacterial isolates belong to the type 2 prototype, although they differ from each other. The effect of conditioned media (CM) from SJL- and C57BL/6-derived peritoneal macrophages incubated with the 3 sonicated bacterial isolates from chicken, as well as with Lactobacillus rhamnosus 9595, Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide, or Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan were compared. Our results show that the CM of macrophages from C57BL/6 and SJL mice treated with the CBA4P isolate stimulated syngeneic splenic lymphocytes at a level similar to the one induced with CM from peptidoglycan-stimulated macrophages. In contrast, the CM from TPA3P- and CBA3P-treated macrophages promoted low or no stimulation of lymphoid cells. Incubation of splenic cells with CM from macrophages treated with L. rhamnosus or TPA3P led to a relative decrease in the percentages of splenic CD4+ T cells, whereas the relative percentages of B cells increased. The CBA4P and CBA3P isolates induced higher levels of gamma interferon when compared with the TPA3P isolate. The effects of the lactobacilli isolates differed according to the mouse strain used but correlated with the production of macrophagic tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukins 6, 10, and 12 and with the modulation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Taken together, these results indicate that the immunomodulating properties of the new L. acidophilus isolates depend on their capacity to induce production of interleukins 10 and 12 by macrophages, which is under genetic control and depends on the p38 MAPK pathway.     

铁棍山药多糖对四氯化碳诱导的急性小鼠肝损伤的保护作用

为了研究铁棍山药(D.oppositacv.Tiegun)多糖对四氯化碳诱导的小鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用,取72只昆明小鼠随机分为对照组,四氯化碳(CCl4)模型组,阳性对照(联苯双酯)组,铁棍山药多糖低、中、高剂量组,每组12只,灌胃处理后使用CCl4制备急性肝损伤小鼠模型,观察各组形态学变化,同时测定生化指标。实验结果显示,经铁棍山药多糖处理的小鼠的肝损伤程度明显轻于模型组,铁棍山药多糖能降低小鼠血清中谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和谷草转氨酶(AST)含量,提高超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)的活性,降低丙二醛(MDA)、一氧化氮(NO)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的含量。本研究结果表明,铁棍山药多糖对CCl4所诱导的小鼠肝损伤起到一定的保护作用。     

Hwangryun-Hae-Dok-tang (Huanglian-Jie-Du-Tang) extract and its constituents reduce ischemia-reperfusion brain injury and neutrophil infiltration in rats

The preventive effect of Hwangryun-Hae-Dok-tang (HHDT, Huanglian-Jie-Du-Tang), a Chinese herbal medicine, and its ingredients on ischemia/reperfusion-induced brain injury was evaluated in the rat brain. HHDT consists of four herbs, namely, Coptidis rhizoma, Scutellariae radix, Phellodendri cortex, and Gardeniae fructus. Ischemia was induced by intraluminal occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery for 120 min and reperfusion was continued for 22 h. HHDT (200 mg/kg), Coptidis rhizoma (100 mg/kg), Scutellariae radix (100 mg/kg), Phellodendri cortex (100 mg/kg), and Gardeniae fructus (100 mg/kg) were orally administered, promptly prior to reperfusion and 2 h after reperfusion. Baicalein, a component of Scutellariae radix, was also examined at a dosage of 50 mg/kg given 2 h apart, promptly prior to and 2 h after reperfusion. Total infarction volume in the ipsilateral hemisphere of ischemia/reperfusion rats was significantly lowered by treatment with HHDT, Scutellariae radix, and balicalein. However, the other ingredient of HHDT did not show any ameliorating effects on total infarction volume. The inhibiting effect of Scutellariae radix on total infarction volume was much higher than that of the others. In addition, HHDT, Scutellariae radix, and baicalein significantly inhibited myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, an index of neutrophil infiltration in ischemic brain tissue at about the same rate (30%). There was marked mismatch between total infarction volume and MPO activity in the Scutellariae radix-treated rats but not in the HHDT- and baicalein-treated groups. Our findings suggest that Scutellariae radix as an ingredient of HHDT plays a crucial protective role in ischemia-induced brain injury. In addition, it is apparent that the effect of Scutellariae radix is the result, in part, of baicalein, a compound contained in Scutellariae radix.     

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Hedera helix extract on acetaminophen induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in mice

ABSTRACT

Exposure to high doses of acetaminophen is the most common cause of drug induced liver injury. We investigated the protective effects of Hedera helix extract against acetaminophen induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity using a mouse model. We used two control groups: group A was given 0.9% NaCl, group B was an acetaminophen control that was given a single injection of 600 mg/kg acetaminophen. T1?T4 groups were pretreated orally with different doses of H. helix extract. The mice were sacrificed and blood samples were collected to estimate the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total bilirubin. Liver samples also were used for histopathological studies. We found that acetaminophen significantly increased the levels of serum ALP, ALT, AST and MDA, and also significantly reduced the antioxidant factors, CAT, GPX and SOD. H. helix extract treatment produced a significant reduction in the levels of ALP, ALT, AST and MDA in serum and restored the levels of CAT, GPX and SOD to control levels. The histopathological findings were consistent with the biochemical findings. H. helix extract exhibited antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects against acetaminophen induced liver damage.     

A High-Fat Diet Delays Age-Related Hearing Loss Progression in C57BL/6J Mice

Objective

Age-related hearing loss (AHL), or presbycusis, is the most common sensory disorder among the elderly. We used C57BL/6J mice as an AHL model to determine a possible association between AHL and a high-fat diet (HFD).

Methods

Forty C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to a control or HFD group. Each group was divided into the following subgroups: 1-, 3-, 5- and 12-month groups (HFD, n = 5/subgroup; control, n = 5/subgroup). Nine CBA/N-slc mice were also used as a 12-month control (n = 5) or 12-month HFD (n = 4) group. The mice were fed a HFD or normal (control) diet throughout this study. Hearing function was evaluated at 1, 3, 5 and 12 months using auditory evoked brainstem responses (ABRs). Spiral ganglion cells (SGCs) were also counted.

Results

The elevation of ABR thresholds (at 4 and 32 kHz) at 3 and 5 months was significantly suppressed in the HFD group compared with the control groups for C57BL/6J mice. After 12 months, the elevation of ABR thresholds was significantly suppressed in the HFD group at all frequencies for C57BL/6J mice. In contrast, CBA/N-slc mice displayed opposite outcomes, as ABR thresholds at all frequencies at 12 months were significantly elevated in the HFD group compared with the control group. For the C57BL/6J mice at 12 months, SGC numbers significantly decreased in all parts of the cochleae in the control group compared with the HFD groups. In contrast, for the CBA/N-slc mice, SGC numbers significantly decreased, particularly in the upper parts of the cochleae in the HFD group compared with the control groups.

Conclusions

The elevation in ABR thresholds and SGC loss associated with aging in the HFD-fed C57BL/6J mice were significantly suppressed compared with those in the normal diet-fed mice. These results suggest that HFD delays AHL progression in the C57B/6J mice.     

蛇毒清合剂治疗蝮蛇咬伤的疗效观察

目的观察蛇毒清合剂对蝮蛇咬伤的临床疗效。方法选择2008年11月～2011年11月我院收治的蝮蛇咬伤患者62例,随机分成两组,其中观察组31例,在常规治疗的基础上加服蛇毒清合剂,对照组31例采用常规治疗。比较两组患者血清酶学3项（CK、LDH、AST）、肿胀消退时间、疼痛缓解情况、肾功能衰竭、呼吸衰竭发生率、局部组织坏死发生率、致残率以及住院时间。结果观察组的血清酶学3项（CK、LDH、AST）、肿胀消退时间、疼痛缓解情况、肾功能衰竭、呼吸衰竭发生率、局部组织坏死发生率、致残率以及住院时间均明显优于对照组（均P〈0.05）。结论蛇毒清合剂治疗对蝮蛇咬伤有显著疗效。     

封闭群草原兔尾鼠正常血液生化指标的测定

利用雅培 (AEROSET)全自动血液生化测定仪对封闭群草原兔尾鼠 2 3项血液正常生化指标进行了测定。与昆明小鼠、BALB c nu小鼠、Wistar大鼠、人的正常值相比较 ,该种实验动物血液正常生化指标具有以下特点 :①总蛋白 (TPROT)、白蛋白 (ALB)、球蛋白 (GLOB)、总胆红素 (TBILI)、直接胆红素 (DBILI)、间接胆红素 (IBILI)、尿素氮 (UREA)、二氧化碳 (CO2 )、甘油三脂 (TG)、胆固醇 (CHOL)、钠 (Na)、氯 (Cl)、镁(Mg)、总钙 (TCA)的测定值 ,五者间无显著性差异 (P >0 0 5 ) ;②封闭群草原兔尾鼠与昆明小鼠相比 ,谷草转氨酶 (AST)、谷丙转氨酶 (ALT)、糖 (GLU)、钾 (K)、磷 (P3 + )存在显著性差异 (P <0 0 1或P <0 0 5 ) ;③封闭群草原兔尾鼠与BALB c nu小鼠相比 ,谷草转氨酶 (AST)、谷丙转氨酶 (ALT)、碱性磷酸酶 (ALP)、糖 (GLU)测定值 ,存在显著性差异 (P <0 0 1或P <0 0 5 ) ;④封闭群草原兔尾鼠与Wistar大鼠相比 ,谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶、钾、糖测定值 ,存在显著性差异 (P <0 0 1或P <0 0 5 ) ;⑤封闭群草原兔尾鼠与人相比 ,谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶、碱性磷酸酶、乳酸脱氢酶 (LDH)、肌肝 (CREAT)、尿酸 (UA)、钾 (K)存在显著性差异 (P <0 0 1或P <0 0 5 )。结果表明 :该种动物可能适合于作为研     

Occurrence of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus in tropical and subtropical plants of Western Ghats, India

Endophytic bacteria were isolated from the tissues of surface sterilized roots, stems, and leaves of fifty different crop plants. Phenotypic, biochemical tests and species-specific PCR assay permitted identification of four isolates of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus from root tissues of carrot (Daucus carota L.), raddish (Raphanus sativus L.), beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) and coffee (Coffea arabica L.). Further the plant growth promoting traits such as nitrogenase activity, production of phytohormone indole acetic acid (IAA), phosphorus and zinc solubilization were assessed. Significant nitrogenase activity was recorded among the isolates and all the isolates produced IAA in the presence of tryptophan. Though all the four isolates efficiently solubilized phosphorus, the zinc solubilizing ability differed among the isolates.     

Beneficial effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor on hepatotoxicity induced by allyl alcohol

The effect of aminoguanidine (a selective inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase) on allyl alcohol-induced liver injury was assessed by the measurement of serum ALT and AST activities and histopathological examination. When aminoguanidine (50-300 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to mice 30 min before a toxic dose of allyl alcohol (75 microL/kg, i.p.), significant changes related to liver injury were observed. In the presence of aminoguanidine the level of ALT and AST enzymes were significantly decreased. All symptoms of liver necrosis produced by allyl alcohol toxicity almost completely disappeared when animals were pretreated with aminoguanidine at 300 mg/kg. Depletion of hepatic glutathione as a consequence of allyl alcohol metabolism was minimal in mice pretreated with aminoguanidine at 300 mg/kg. It was found that the inhibition of toxicity was not due to alteration in allyl alcohol metabolism since aminoguanidine did not effect alcohol dehydrogenase activity both in vivo and in vitro.     

胆道闭锁患儿血清GPC3、TGF-β1和VEGF水平与肝硬度值和肝功能的关系研究

目的:研究胆道闭锁(BA)患儿血清磷脂酰肌醇蛋白聚糖3(GPC3)、转化生子因子β1(TGF-β1)和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)水平与肝硬度值和肝功能的关系。方法:选择2016月3月-2019年3月期间在我院接受Kasai手术治疗的62例BA患儿作为研究对象(BA组),并根据总胆红素水平分为黄疸患儿(总胆红素≥34.2μmol/L)、无黄疸患儿(总胆红素<34.2μmol/L);另取同期在本院体检的50例健康儿童作为对照组。检测BA组患儿术后2个月、对照组儿童体检时的血清GPC3、TGF-β1、VEGF及肝功能指标白蛋白(ALB)、丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、γ-谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)的水平及肝硬度值,采用Pearson相关分析血清GPC3、TGF-β1和VEGF水平与肝硬度值和肝功能的相关性。结果:BA组患儿的血清GPC3、TGF-β1、VEGF、ALT、AST、GGT水平及肝硬度值均明显高于对照组(P<0.05),血清ALB水平与对照组比较无统计学差异(P>0.05);BA组中黄疸患儿的血清GPC3、TGF-β1、VEGF、ALT、AST、GGT水平及肝硬度值均明显高于无黄疸患儿,血清ALB水平明显低于无黄疸患儿(P<0.05);BA组中血清GPC3、TGF-β1、VEGF水平与血清ALT、AST、GGT水平及肝硬度值呈正相关(P<0.05),与血清ALB水平呈负相关(P<0.05)。结论:BA患儿术后GPC3、TGF-β1和VEGF的升高与肝纤维化进程、肝功能破坏有关,未来可能成为研究BA术后肝纤维化发生机制的靶点。     

Acute and chronic toxicity studies on ethanolic leaf extracts of Clerodendrum viscosum and Leucas indica in Swiss albino mice

Background and objectives: To evaluate the safe dose range of Clerodendrum viscosum (C. viscosum) and Leucas indica (L. indica) ethanolic leaf extracts of acute and chronic oral toxicity study in Swiss Albino mice. Materials and methods: The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development guideline was used for the toxicity studies. C. viscosum and L. indica plant extract were administered orally in a single dose of 2000 mg/kg, and general behavior, adverse effects, and mortality were studied for 72 h. For the chronic toxicity study, both plant extracts were administered orally to a separate set of animals at 300 mg/kg doses for 90 days. Animals body weight was taken out, blood and gastric juice were collected for biochemical parameters, and vital organs were collected for histopathological studies after sacrificing test and control group animals. Results: Both in acute and chronic toxicity assay, there was no significant alteration in body weight, physical signs, symptoms, hematological, biochemical parameters, and body organ weights compared to the normal group. The liver, kidney, and stomach histology did not show any drug-induced lesion. Conclusions: The result indicates that the oral administration of C. viscosum and L. indica ethanolic plant extract did not cause any toxicological effects. Hence it could be regarded as a safe natural product for therapeutic use.     

Plant–plant interactions as a mechanism structuring plant diversity in a Mediterranean semi‐arid ecosystem

Plant–plant interactions are among the fundamental processes that shape structure and functioning of arid and semi‐arid plant communities. Despite the large amount of studies that have assessed the relationship between plant–plant interactions (i.e., facilitation and competition) and diversity, often researchers forget a third kind of interaction, known as allelopathy. We examined the effect of plant–plant interactions of three dominant species: the perennial grass Lygeum spartum, the allelopathic dwarf shrub Artemisia herba‐alba, and the nurse shrub Salsola vermiculata, on plant diversity and species composition in a semi‐arid ecosystem in NE Spain. Specifically, we quantified the interaction outcome (IO) based on species co‐occurrence, we analyzed diversity by calculation of the individual species–area relationship (ISAR), and compositional changes by calculation of the Chao‐Jaccard similarity index. We found that S. vermiculata had more positive IO values than L. spartum, and A. herba‐alba had values between them. Lygeum spartum and A. herba‐alba acted as diversity repellers, whereas S. vermiculata acted as a diversity accumulator. As aridity increased, A. herba‐alba transitioned from diversity repeller to neutral and S. vermiculata transitioned from neutral to diversity accumulator, while L. spartum remained as diversity repeller. Artemisia herba‐alba had more perennial grass species in its local neighborhood than expected by the null model, suggesting some tolerance of this group to its “chemical neighbor”. Consequently, species that coexist with A. herba‐alba were very similar among different A. herba‐alba individuals. Our findings highlight the role of the nurse shrub S. vermiculata as ecosystem engineer, creating and maintaining patches of diversity, as well as the complex mechanism that an allelopathic plant may have on diversity and species assemblage. Further research is needed to determine the relative importance of allelopathy and competition in the overall interference of allelopathic plants.     

山茱萸总萜对糖尿病小鼠心肌病变的保护作用

目的:研究山茱萸总萜(TFC)对糖尿病小鼠心肌病变的保护作用。方法:雄性小鼠一次性腹腔注射四氧嘧啶220 mg/kg造成糖尿病模型。第15天后将血糖高于13.9 mmol/L的小鼠随机分为模型组和TFC组。药物以生理盐水混悬后灌胃(P.O,80 mg/kg),连续8周。结果:与正常组比较,模型组的心脏脏器系数升高;心肌组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力明显下降,丙二醛(MDA)含量明显升高,肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNFα-)及白细胞介素-6(IL-6)升高;病理学显示模型组心肌细胞排列紊乱、肿胀,细胞间隙增大,可见炎症细胞和成纤维细胞浸润,TFC组明显得到改善。结论:山茱萸总萜对四氧嘧啶诱导的糖尿病小鼠心肌损伤有明显的改善作用,其机制可能与降血糖、抗氧化及炎症因子有关。     

中药补骨脂及鸦胆子对大鼠卡氏肺孢子虫肺炎的防治研究

目的探讨中药补骨脂及鸦胆子对大鼠卡氏肺孢子虫肺炎的防治效果。方法用地塞米松皮下注射建立大鼠卡氏肺孢子虫肺炎动物模型,用补骨脂、鸦胆子及两者合剂治疗实验鼠,观察其肺脑组织病理、肺脑组织和血清中MDA(丙二醛)、XOD(黄嘌呤氧化酶)、GSH(谷胱甘肽)等指标变化。结果补骨脂、鸦胆子及合剂治疗实验大鼠体重明显回升,与模型对照差异有显著性(P<005);各治疗组的包囊减少率均高于60%,合剂治疗组不优于各单独治疗组,鸦胆子及合剂治疗组清除氧自由基能力较强。结论鸦胆子及补骨脂对大鼠卡氏肺孢子虫肺炎具有一定疗效。     

Cytotoxicity and hepatoprotective attributes of methanolic extract of Rumex vesicarius L.

Background

To evaluate the hepatoprotective potential and invitro cytotoxicity studies of whole plant methanol extract of Rumex vesicarius L. Methanol extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw were assessed for its hepatoprotective potential against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity by monitoring activity levels of SGOT (Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase), SGPT (Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase), ALP (Alkaline phosphatase), TP (Total protein), TB (Total bilirubin) and SOD (Superoxide dismutase), CAT (Catalase), MDA (Malondialdehyde). The cytotoxicity of the same extract on HepG2 cell lines were also assessed using MTT assay method at the concentration of 62.5, 125, 250, 500 μg/ml.

Results

Pretreatment of animals with whole plant methanol extracts of Rumex vesicarius L. significantly reduced the liver damage and the symptoms of liver injury by restoration of architecture of liver. The biochemical parameters in serum also improved in treated groups compared to the control and standard (silymarin) groups. Histopathological investigation further corroborated these biochemical observations. The cytotoxicity results indicated that the plant extract which were inhibitory to the proliferation of HepG2 cell line with IC50 value of 563.33 ± 0.8 μg/ml were not cytotoxic and appears to be safe.

Conclusions

Rumex vesicarius L. whole plant methanol extract exhibit hepatoprotective activity. However the cytotoxicity in HepG2 is inexplicable and warrants further study.     

Effect of an orally applied herbal immunomodulator on cytokine induction and antibody response in normal and immunosuppressed mice

The influence of the oral administration of a herbal immunomodulator, consisting of an aqueous-ethanolic extract of the mixed herbal drugs Thujae summitates, Baptisiae tinctoriae radix, Echinaceae purpureae radix and Echinaceae pallidae radix, on cytokine induction and antibody response against sheep red blood cells was investigated in mice. The treatment of the animals with the extract caused no enhancement of the cytokine titers in the serum. Spleen cells isolated from the treated mice, however, produced higher amounts of IL-2, IFNgamma and GM-CSF ex vivo in comparison to spleen cells isolated from control animals, especially after additional stimulation by lipopolysaccharides or concanavalin A. The application of the extract also triggered the production of IL-1 and TNFalpha by peritoneal macrophages ex vivo. The influence of the herbal extract on the antibody response was examined by the plaque forming cell assay. The administration of the extract caused a significant enhancement of the antibody response against sheep red blood cells, inducing an increase in the numbers of splenic plaque forming cells and the titers of specific antibodies in the sera of the treated animals. In mice, immunosuppressed by old age or additional treatment with hydrocortisone, the therapy with the extract resulted in a normalization of the antibody response against sheep red blood cells.