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The cornerstone of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is low dose methotrexate (MTX), but its use is limited by concerns regarding its potential for hepatotoxicity. Allylpyrocatechol (APC), a phytoconstituent sourced from leaves of Piper betle demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiarthritic properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of APC and MTX on limiting progression of lipopolysaccharide accelerated collagen-induced arthritis, along with reduction of MTX-induced hepatic damage. A collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model was established by immunising Sprague-Dawley rats with bovine collagen type II (CII) and lipopolysaccharide, followed by a booster dose of CII on day 15. Rats from days 11-27 were administered APC (20 mg/kg), methotrexate (1.5 mg/kg), or a combination of MTX and APC. The combinatorial therapy of APC and MTX significantly improved the parameters of arthritis as evident from the reduction in paw oedema and arthritic score and was endorsed by radiological and histopathological changes. This combination prevented the rise in levels of proinflammatory cytokines, tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Furthermore, unlike MTX-monotherapy, the APC-MTX combination decreased the associated cachexia, splenomegaly, and oxidative stress. Importantly, the hepatic damage mediated by MTX monotherapy was effectively attenuated by the inclusion of APC. Taken together, antioxidants such as APC when combined with MTX not only potentiated the antiarthritic effect but importantly alleviated the MTX-induced hepatic damage, thus endorsing its effectiveness in preventing progression of articular diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management of the gastro-toxicity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remains a crucial problem, because the commercially available anti-ulcer drugs have side effects and are often expensive. Hence, the potential of a new water-soluble GPx mimic, DL- trans-3,4-dihydroxy-1-selenolane (DHSred) in healing the indomethacin-induced stomach ulceration in mice was examined. Administration of indomethacin (18 mg/kg, p. o.) induced ulceration in the glandular portion of the gastric mucosa, accompanied by increased lipid peroxidation (1.3-fold, p <0.001) and protein oxidation (1.5-fold, p < 0.001), depletion of thiol-defense (42.5%, p < 0.01), plasma total antioxidant status (53.4%, p < 0.001) and mucin (47.5%, p < 0.01), as well as reduced expressions of cyclooxygenases and prostaglandin synthesis (54.7%, p < 0.001) in the gastric tissues of mice. Daily oral administration of DHSred (2.5 mg/kg) or omeprazole (Omez) (3 mg/kg) for 3 days respectively produced ˜74% and 69% ( p < 0.001) healing of the acute gastric ulceration. The test samples also significantly reversed all the adverse effects of indomethacin on the biochemical parameters. Apparently, the gastric ulcer healing action of DHSred and Omez was due to their antioxidant action and their ability to protect mucin and augment PG synthesis by upregulation of the COX isozymes. The results suggested that the non-toxic and inexpensive compound, DHSred, may be a good candidate for further evaluation as a potent anti-ulcer drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resveratrol, a phytoalexin widespread in black grapes and in root extracts of the weed Polygonumcuspidatum, has been an essential ingredient of Oriental folk medicine. Resveratrol is present in redwine and grape juice and is sold as a nutritional supplement. It is well documented that consuming winein moderate amounts helps to reduce the threat of cardiological disease. This result can be accreditedto the inhibition of platelet aggregation and coagulation, besides the antiinflammatory and antioxidantproperties of resveratrol. At the low concentrations normally occurring in food it acts as an antioxidant,which accounts for its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and its neuroprotection effects.However, numerous studies have revealed that, at higher doses, resveratrol shows anticancer activityby interfering with diverse cellular events associated with the three major stages of carcinogenesis(initiation, promotion and progression). Resveratrol exerts its anticancer activity mainly by inducingapoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antioxidant activity of two polysaccharides isolated from the Indian medicinal plants, Ocimum sanctum and Tinospora malabarica, was studied. Only the O. sanctum polysaccharide (OSP) showed significant activity. OSP could prevent oxidative damage to liposomal lipids and plasmid DNA induced by various oxidants such as iron, AAPH and γ-radiation, besides scavenging important ROS such as the superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide and inhibiting xanthine oxidase. In addition, OSP could prevent γ-radiation-mediated cell deaths in mouse splenocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The healing activity of malabaricone B and malabaricone C, the major antioxidant constituents of the spice Myristica malabarica against the indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration in mice has been studied. The histological indices revealed maximum ulceration on the 3rd day after indomethacin administration, which was effectively healed by malabaricone B, malabaricone C (each 10 mg/kg body weight/day) and omeprazole (3 mg/kg body weight/day) for 3 days. Compared to the untreated ulcerated mice, treatment with malabaricone B, malabaricone C and omeprazole reduced the ulcer indices by 60.3% (P <0.01), 88.4% and 86.1% respectively (P <0.001). All the test samples accelerated ulcer healing than observed in natural recovery even after 7 days. Stomach ulceration reduced the total antioxidant status of plasma by 41% (P <0.05), which was significantly increased by malabaricone B (36%, P <0.01), malabaricone C (61%, P <0.001) and omeprazole (53%, P <0.001). Compared to the ulcerated untreated mice, those treated with malabaricone B reduced the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein carbonyls by 17% and ∼34% respectively (P <0.05), while malabaricone C and omeprazole reduced the parameters almost equally (∼30%, P <0.01, and ∼40%, P <0.01 respectively). Likewise, all the test samples reduced the oxidation of protein and non-protein thiols significantly (P <0.05). The antioxidant activity of the test samples could partly account their healing capacities. However, the differential potency of them was explainable by considering their relative abilities to modulate mucin secretion, PGE2 synthesis and expression of EGF receptor and COX isoforms, malabaricone C being most effective in controlling all these factors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]