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Traditional medicine has employed the plant Fagonia bruguieri DC. to alleviate inflammation, fever and pain. The goal of this study was to test the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties of the methanol extract of whole plant of Fagonia bruguieri (F. bruguieri). The writhing test and Eddy's hot plate test were used to assess the analgesic potential of F. bruguieri at three different doses. Carrageenan-induced rat paw edema was applied to investigate anti-inflammatory activity, whereas antipyretic activity was estimated in Brewer's yeast induced pyrexia model. Flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins and glycosides were found in F. bruguieri's phytochemical analysis. F. bruguieri at 750 mg/kg reduced writhing count by 62.23 percent, while F. bruguieri enhanced latency in Eddy's hot plate test. In carrageenan-induced edema, F. bruguieri at 750 mg/kg exhibited considerable anti-inflammatory effect (41.11 percent) after 2

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cardioprotective activity of boswellic acids in doxorubicin (DOX) induced cardiotoxicity. DOX (2.5mg/kg) was used intraperitoneally in rats to induce cardiotoxicity in six divided doses every alternate day over a period of two weeks. Dexrazoxane (10:1) was used as a standard drug. Boswellic acids (250, 500 and 750 mg/kg) were orally administered to rats for 14 days. After 14 days, rats were sacrificed, and blood was withdrawn through cardiac puncture. The blood lipid profile and cardiac biomarkers including LDH, CK-MB, CPK, SGOT and troponin T were measured. The heart of rats was isolated for histopathological studies. Graphpad Prism was used for statistical analysis. There was a significant increase in the level of cardiac enzymes and complete lipid profile parameters in diseased group as compared to control group. Pre-treatment with boswellic acids decreased level of all the measured parameters and decreased the severity of myocardial damage as supported by histopathological studies. It was concluded that boswellic acids possess cardioprotective potential by lowering cardiac biomarkers and blood lipid profile. Thus, boswellic acids might act as cardioprotective agent against doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity.

Plants are considered as an essential source to treat different diseases. In traditional system of medicine, Juglans regia (J. regia) has been used in curing sinusitis and cough. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-asthmatic activity of J. regia in ovalbumin-induced allergic asthmatic BALB/c mice. The mice were sensitized intraperitoneally and subsequently challenged with ovalbumin (intranasal) to induce allergic asthma. Mice were treated with methanolic, n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of J. regia and methylprednisolone for 7 consecutive days, along with intranasal challenge. The total and differential leukocyte counts in blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (balf) and lung wet/dry ratio were determined. GC-MS analysis was also performed. The results showed that ethyl acetate extract of J. regia significantly reduced inflammatory cells count in both blood and balf more significantly. Lung wet/dry weight ratio was reduced in asthmatic mice treated with the different extracts of J. regia. Serum IgE antibodies level was also significantly decreased in extracts treated groups. GC-MS analysis of all three extracts of J. regia showed the presence of various phytochemicals responsible for its anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic activity. The results of the present study validated the traditional use of J. regia in respiratory disorders like asthma and sinusitis.

Antihypertensive studies on aqueous-methanolic extract prepared from seeds of Cydonia oblonga M. were carried out. The test extract in 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg doses was investigated in normotensive, high cholesterol and glucose fed hypertensive rats through non-invasive blood pressure measuring technique. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies were conducted in mice and rats, respectively. The test extract significantly decreased dose dependently the systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures. The test extract in 600mg/kg dose produced maximum effect and prevented rise in blood pressure of high cholesterol diet and glucose fed rats as compare to control in 21 days studies. The extract was found safe up to 4g/kg dose in mice. In sub-chronic toxicity study, no significant alteration in blood chemistry of extract treated rats was observed except reduction in the low density cholesterol levels. It is concluded that Cydonia oblonga seeds extract possess antihypertensive effect which supports its use in folklore.

Present study was conducted to validate the folkloric claims of morus nigra l. (moraceae) using invasive blood pressure measuring and ex vivo vasorelaxant experimental techniques. Intravenous administration of mn. Aq in 0.01-30 mg/kg doses caused significant decrease in mean arterial pressure and heart rate in fructose-induced hypertensive rats. It also showed relaxation in high k

Lactucaserriola (L. serriola), commonly known asprickly lettuce, is an annual and biennial herb. The plant is traditionally used as sedative, hypnotic, cough suppressant, expectorant, purgative, diuretic, vasorelaxant, demulcent, antiseptic and antispasmodic. Aim of present study was to evaluate protective effect of L. serriola in paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. Silymarin was used as a standard drug. Hepatoprotective effect of extract was determined by liver biochemical markers, anti-oxidant enzymes and blood lipid profile. Methanolic extract was found to be the most potent in in-vitro antioxidant assays and used for further studies. Treatment with paracetamol increased the level of hepatic biomarkers, blood lipid profile and decreased anti-oxidant enzyme levels. Pre-treatment with Lactuca serriola caused restoration of hepatic biomarkers, blood lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes. FTIR represented that L. serriola contains hydroxyl (-OH), carboxylic acid (C=O) and alkene (C=C) groups. HPLC analysis showed presence of polyphenolic compounds in the methanolic extract of L. serriola. It is concluded that the methanolic extract of Lactuca serriola possesses hepatoprotective potential that might be linked to the presence of polyphenolic compounds and their anti-oxidant activities.

Ziziphus oxyphylla Edgew (Z. oxyphylla) is a small shrub to a medium sized tree. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Z. oxyphylla in paracetamol-induced hepatotoxic rat model. Silymarin was used as a standard drug. Methanol extract was found to be the most potent in in-vitro antioxidant studies. The methanol extract of Z. oxyphylla was administered to experimental animals. The hepatoprotective effect of extract was evaluated by measuring liver biochemical markers, anti-oxidant enzymes and blood lipid profile. Treatment with the paracetamol increased the level of hepatic biomarkers, blood lipid profile and decreased anti-oxidant enzymes. Pre-treatment with Z. oxyphylla caused restoration of hepatic biomarkers, blood lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes levels. It is concluded that the methanol extract of Z. oxyphylla possesses hepatoprotective activity that might be due to quercetin and kaempferol glycosides present in the plant extract. Further studies are required to elucidate the exact mechanism of action of these isolated flavonoid glycosides.

In present investigation aqueous and methanolic extracts of Nelumbium speciosum flowers were screened for phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activity to ascertain their traditional use. Antimicrobial activity of both extracts was tested by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method against four Gram positive strains, viz. Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25923), Streptococcus agalactiae (13813), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228) and four Gram negative bacterial strains Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Proteus mirabilis (12453) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (10031). Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of tannins, saponins and alkaloids in both extracts while flavonoids and steroids were present only in methanolic extract. Methanolic extract of Nelumbium speciosum flower showed concentration dependent antibacterial activity against all tested strains with maximum zone of inhibition (17.3±0.3mm) against P. aeruginosa. Aqueous extract showed concentration dependent activity against S. aureus, E. coli, B. subtilis and S. epidermidis with maximum antibacterial activity against E. coli (14.3±0.3mm). MIC of methanolic and aqueous extracts was in the range of 0.015-0.251 and 0.0625-0.251 mg/mL, respectively. Results showed that methanolic extract of Nelumbium speciosum exhibits superior antibacterial activity than aqueous extract.

The aim of present study was to evaluate and compare the hypoglycemic activity of different solvents extracts of Thymus serpyllum in rabbits. Diabetes was induced with single intravenous injection of alloxan monohydrate (150mg/kg). Glibenclamide and acarbose were used as standard drugs. The crude powder of Thymus serpyllum (500 mg/kg b.w) significantly reduced blood glucose level in both normal and diabetic rabbits. Various extracts of Thymus serpyllum were compared for their hypoglycemic activity in diabetic rabbits. Ether and aqueous extracts significantly reduced the blood glucose level with maximum effect (p0.001) produced by aqueous extract, which was selected for further study. Aqueous extract significantly inhibited the rise in glucose level in oral glucose tolerance test. The extract showed synergistic effect with different doses of insulin; however serum insulin level of the diabetic rabbits was not significantly increased by the extract. HbA1c level was significantly (p0.05) reduced whereas hemoglobin level was significantly increased in three months study. Phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpinoids, reducing sugar and cardiac glycosides. It is concluded that the aqueous extract might be used alone or in combination with insulin to manage diabetes and its associated complications.

The cardiovascular activity of aqueous methanolic extract of Paspalidium flavidum L. was evaluated on isolated rabbit heart and aorta. Heart rates, force of contraction and perfusion pressure were assessed in the presence of different concentrations of extract and adrenaline by using Langendorff's technique. Moreover, the vasoconstriction effects were studied in rabbit aorta using isolated organ bath. The results indicated that the extract (1ng-100 μ g/ml) exhibited a significant increase in heart rate, contractility and perfusion pressure of isolated rabbit's heart; with a maximum effect at 1ng/ml, which was comparable to adrenaline (1 μ g/ml). Similarly, adrenaline at doses from 1-10 μ g/ml produced a significant dose dependant increase in all the cardiac parameters. The cardiotonic effects of the extract were significantly blocked by propranolol (10(-5)M) while an increase in perfusion pressure was completely antagonized by verapamil (10(-6)M). Activity of cardiac marker enzymes was also significantly raised in the perfusate of isolated heart pretreated with the extract. In rabbit aorta, the extract exhibited a dose dependent vasoconstriction effect however it did not increase the tone of aorta when pre-treated with verapamil (10(-6)M). It is conceivable therefore; that the cardiotonic and vasoconstriction effects of the extract might be due to its agonistic actions on β-receptors and Ca(+2) channels.