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Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound that possesses strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study evaluated the effects of resveratrol on oxidative stress, fibrosis and multiple genes regulation in the kidneys of high fat (HF) diet-fed rats.Wistar rats were fed with HF diet for eight weeks. These rats were also treated with resveratrol for eight weeks. Finally, kidney tissue samples were isolated from all sacrificed rats. The histological changes, creatinine and uric acid levels, oxidative stress parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide, and advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) levels were analyzed. The antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels; gene expression of inflammatory and fibrosis-related genes namely, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1), and collagen-1 were assessed. Moreover, gene expression of oxidative stress-related genes such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), SOD, catalase, and glutathione reductase, were also assessed.HF diet-fed rats showed increased creatinine and uric acid levels in plasma which were lowered by resveratrol treatment. The study findings also revealed that resveratrol counterbalanced the oxidative stress and prevented the expression of the inflammatory genes; restored the catalase and SOD activities followed by the up-regulation of antioxidant genes expression in the kidneys of HF diet-fed rats. HF diet caused the Nrf-2 down-regulation followed by the decreased expression of HO-1 and HO-2 genes, which was restored by resveratrol treatment. Moreover, the histological assessment showed lipotoxicity and increased fibrosis in the kidneys of HF diet-fed rats. Resveratrol prevented the kidney fibrosis probably by limiting oxidative stress, inflammation, and down-regulating TGF-β1 mediated signaling pathway.In conclusion, resveratrol treatment showed beneficial effects in preventing oxidative stress and fibrosis in the kidneys of HF diet-fed rats probably by modulating the gene expression of oxidative stress and inflammation related factors and enzymes.

Anthocyanins are naturally occurring water-soluble plant pigments belonging to the flavonoids chemical class. The red, blue and purple colours of leaves, flowers and fruits of plants confirm that they are rich sources of anthocyanins. Many in vivo and in vitro studies reveal that anthocyanins have different health beneficial effects such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, antihypertensive and anticancer properties. Major benefits of anthocyanin administration are owing to their potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Recent investigations have revealed that anti-inflammatory activities of anthocyanins follow the inhibitory pathways of NF-кB-mediated decline of inflammatory cytokines production. Inhibition of the anti-inflammatory pathways also influences the modulation of arteriolar disorders and cardiovascular complications due to anthocyanin administration. Moreover, anthocyanins improve diabetes, obesity and cancer pathology by inhibiting NF-кB-mediated inflammatory pathways. However, considerable variations in activities do exist among structurally diverse anthocyanins. This review appraises the recent literature regarding the health benefits of anthocyanins and their molecular mechanisms in various oxidative stress related pathophysiological conditions.

Background: Dillenia indica (Family: Dilleniaceae) is an antioxidant-rich edible fruitbearing medicinal plant. The fruit of this plant (known as elephant apple) has many uses in traditional medicine. Objective: By considering its antioxidant content and ameliorating effects, this study aimed to evaluate the anti-adipogenic effects of D. indica fruit extract (DIFE) on high-fat diet (HFD) fed obese rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were fed with a standard diet (SD), or high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD with 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg DIFE for 8 weeks. The fruit extract was given orally by feeding gavage. The body weight, liver weight, visceral fat weight, plasma lipids, and oxidative stress-related parameters were measured. The mRNA level of different adipogenesis related transcription factors, lipogenic and lipolytic enzymes was also evaluated. Results: Consumption of DIFE daily (400 mg/kg) for 8 weeks resulted in a significant reduction of high-fat diet-induced body weight, liver weight, visceral fat weight, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol level. High-fat diet-mediated elevation of oxidative stress markers was also lowered, with a parallel augmentation of the activities of antioxidant enzymes, due to 400 mg/kg DIFE feeding. DIFE also down-regulated the mRNA level of important pro-adipogenic factors like PPARγ, LXRα, and SREBP1c which consequently downregulated the transcript levels of lipogenic enzymes: ACC, FAS, HMGCR, and DGAT. The transcript level of lipolytic enzyme, HSL was also down-regulated in 400 mg/kg DIFE-fed rats. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the antioxidant-rich ethanolic extract of D. indica fruit can down-regulate the gene expression of pro-adipogenic transcription factors and lipid metabolizing enzymes and thus can suppress diet-induced obesity in Wistar rat.

Summary Plant-derived natural products have shown beneficial effects in many diseases associated with liver. The present study aimed to appraise the effects of Trichosanthes dioica (TD) peel extract on oxidative stress, inflammation as well as fibrosis exhibited by the ovariectomized rats in which hepatic damage had been induced by the administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The CCl4 administration in the ovariectomized rats elevated the plasma ALT, AST, and ALP level in comparison with the control while TD peel extract showed significant reduction of those activities. Besides, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation also increased in CCl4-treated rats. TD peel extract significantly reduced the oxidative stress marker's concentration and improved the catalase and SOD activities in CCl4-administered ovariectomized rats. These results suggest that TD peel extract is capable of protecting the liver from CCl4induced damage through preventing oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, inflammation, fibrosis and boosting the diminished cellular antioxidant defense.

The main focus of this study was to determine the role of etoricoxib in counterbalancing the oxidative stress, metabolic disturbances, and inflammation in high-fat (HF) diet-induced obese rats. To conduct this study, 28 male Wistar rats (weighing 190-210 g) were distributed randomly into four groups: control, control + etoricoxib, HF, and HF + etoricoxib. After 8 weeks of treatment with etoricoxib (200 mg/kg), all the animals were sacrificed followed by the collection of blood and tissue samples in order to perform biochemical tests along with histological staining on hepatic tissues. According to this study, etoricoxib treatment prevented the body weight gain in HF diet-fed rats. Furthermore, rats of HF + etoricoxib group exhibited better blood glucose tolerance than the rats of HF diet-fed group. In addition, etoricoxib also markedly normalized HF diet-mediated rise of hepatic enzyme activity. Etoricoxib treatment lowered the level of oxidative stress indicators significantly with a parallel augmentation of antioxidant enzyme activities. Furthermore, etoricoxib administration helped in preventing inflammatory cell invasion, collagen accumulation, and fibrotic catastrophe in HF diet-fed rats. The findings of the present work are suggestive of the helpful role of etoricoxib in deterring the metabolic syndrome as well as other deleterious pathological changes afflicting the HF diet-fed rats.

Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) is a natural source of antioxidants and possesses valuable medicinal properties. However, the protective effect of amla in the kidney of two‐kidneys‐one‐clip (2K1C) rats has not been explained sufficiently. This study was performed to evaluate the renoprotective effect of amla fruit powder (2.5% W/W) supplementation in kidneys of 2K1C rats. 2K1C rats increased the remnant kidney wet weight and also increased plasma creatinine and uric acid concentration compared to the control. Amla supplementation ameliorates elevated creatinine and uric acid concentration in plasma of 2K1C rats. Various oxidative stress indicators such as malondialdehyde, nitric oxide (NO), and advanced protein oxidation product (APOP) were also increased in plasma, heart, and kidney tissues in 2K1C rats that were also significantly brought down to normal level by amla supplementation. Moreover, the inflammatory cells entry and fibrosis in the 2K1C rat's tissues were prevented by amla supplementation. These research results suggest that amla may restore plasma antioxidant capacities and prevents oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis in 2K1C rats. Taken these results as a base, clinical supplementation of dried amla powder in diet or juice to the CKD patients would be beneficial., HPLC analysis of amla revealed the presence of polyphenolic antioxidants. Amla markedly reduced the levels of oxidative stress markers in 2K1C rats. Amla improved the levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, namely, CAT and SOD. Amla reduced the plasma levels of uric acid and creatinine in 2K1C rats.

Aphanamixis polystachya (Wall.) R.Parker, locally known as Pithraj, is a medicinal herb having enormous traditional applications. However, the scientific rationale underlying the ethnomedicinal claims was not well-founded. The current investigation aimed to explore the mechanistic insights of protective effects of ethanol extract of A. polystachya leaf (PT), given orally, on the chemical-intoxicated hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in Long-Evans female overiectomized rats. The GC-MS and HPLC-DAD analysis of PT revealed the presence of several bioactive metabolites, including polyphenolic compounds. Catechin hydrate, caffeic acid, syringic acid, epicatechin and p-coumaric acid have been identified and quantified in the ethanol extract of PT leaf. Intoxication with CCl4 developed the oxidative stress, fibrosis and inflammation in liver of rats. Moreover, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), nitric oxide (NO), advanced protein oxidation product (APOP) level were found increased; whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in the plasma and liver were decreased in CCl4 administered rats. Treatment with PT prominently mitigated the oxidative stress (TBARS, NO, APOP), and inflammatory (MPO) markers and improved the endogenous antioxidant enzymes (catalase and SOD) activities in CCl4-intoxicated rats. Additionally, histological assessment confirmed the clear manifestation of inflammation and fibrosis in the liver of CCl4-intoxicated rats, which was prevented by PT and silymarin treatment. In conclusion, PT treatment may protect the liver in CCl4-administered rats, probably by mitigating oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis, and also augmenting the function of the antioxidant enzymes.

We evaluated the cardioprotective effect of Aloe vera gel isoprenaline (ISO)-administered myocardial infarction in rats. ISO administration increased lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in rats, which were ameliorated by A. vera gel supplementation. Our study also revealed that creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) activities were increased in ISO-administered rats, while the activities of cellular antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, and glutathione concentration were decreased. A. vera gel lowered CK-MB enzyme activities and the glutathione concentration in ISO-administered rats, and increased antioxidant activities. Histopathological examination also revealed increases in thickness of the left ventricle myocardium, increases in mononuclear cell infiltrations, increased degeneration of focal areas of the endocardium, and increased fibrous tissue deposition in the heart of ISO-administered rats; whereas, A. vera prevented infiltration of inflammatory cells and reduced left ventricular fibrosis. In conclusion, we show that A. vera supplementation protects against development of cardiac inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress in ISO-administered rats.

The present investigation was an attempt to evaluate the hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of cumin (Cuminum cyminum family: Apiaceae) supplementation in high fat (HF) diet fed rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, such as control, control+ cumin, HF and HF+ cumin. Oral glucose tolerance test, plasma lipids, oxidative stress parameters, antioxidant enzymes activities, and liver dysfunction marker enzyme activities were evaluated. Additionally, histological staining of liver tissue was performed to evaluate the inflammatory cells infiltration, iron deposition and fibrosis. The current investigation demonstrated that 1% (w/w) supplementation of cumin powder significantly reduced HF diet-induced glucose intolerance, epididymal and mesenteric fat wet weights and lipid parameters like triglycerides, total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins. Oxidative stress-related biomarkers including thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), nitric oxide (NO) and advanced oxidation protein product (APOP) were also reduced by cumin supplementation. Moreover, HF-diet increased the activity of hepatic biomarker enzymes such as alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities which were significantly reduced by cumin powder supplementation. On the other hand, cumin powder supplementation was able to restore the reduced glutathione level with parallel augmentation of the antioxidant enzymes activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in liver of HF diet-fed rats. Additionally, histological assessments confirmed that cumin powder supplementation also normalized the fat droplet deposition and inflammatory cells infiltration in the liver of HF diet-fed rats. This study suggests that cumin powder supplementation ameliorates dyslipidemia, oxidative stress and hepatic damage in HF diet-fed rats.

This investigation was aimed to explore the cardioprotective effect of Ramontchi fruits (Flacourtia indica; FI) in isoprenaline-administered Long-Evans rats. Administration of isoprenaline increased the total heart wet weight, MDA, NO, and APOP as well as ALT, AST, and CK-MB levels, which were normalized by FI fruits treatment. Moreover, expressions of antioxidant genes i.e., Nrf-2, HO-1, HO-2, SOD, catalase, and GPx were normalized by FI fruits in isoprenaline-induced rats. Besides, expression of inflammatory mediators i.e., IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β, iNOS, and NF-κB were also suppressed by FI fruits. The outcome of FI fruits treatment was noted as promising and comparable to the standard atenolol treatment. The enhanced biological activity shown by FI fruits may be due to its abundant polyphenolic compounds as determined by HPLC analysis. In conclusion, FI fruits may protect cardiac tissue in isoprenaline-administered rats by suppressing the oxidative stress and proinflammatory mediators and enhancing the antioxidant enzyme functions.

Red spinach (Amaranthus tricolor) has been reported to possess many benefits and medicinal properties and used as a part of traditional medicine in Ayurveda and Siddha. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of Amaranthus tricolor on isoproterenol-induced oxidative stress, fibrosis, and myocardial damage in ovariectomized rats. Ovariectomy surgery was conducted to remove both ovaries from the rats. After recovery, rats were administered with ISO subcutaneously (50 mg/kg) twice a week and were treated with ethanolic extracts of A. tricolor. This investigation showed that the level of oxidative stress markers was significantly increased while the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity decreased in ISO administered ovariectomized rats. A. tricolor extract and atenolol treatment prevented the rise of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and advanced protein oxidation product. Moreover, elevated activities of AST, ALT, and CK-MB enzymes were also lowered by both atenolol and A. tricolor treatment. Increased uric acid and creatinine levels were also normalized by atenolol, and A. Tricolor treatment in ISO administered ovariectomized rats. ISO-induced ovariectomized rats also showed massive inflammatory cell infiltration, fibrosis and iron deposition in heart compared to sham rats. Atenolol and A. tricolor treatment prevented the inflammatory cells infiltration, fibrosis, and iron deposition. These results suggest that A. tricolor treatment may protect against ISO administered myocardial infarction in ovariectomized rats probably by preventing inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. Further research is warranted to examine molecular mechanism of cardioprotective effect of A. tricolor.

Objective: Rosmarinus officinalis (Family: Lamiaceae) has been used as a food preservative and flavoring agent. This plant also contains antioxidant activity and can be used as a possible therapeutic alternative for various diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore the antifibrotic effect of Rosmarinus officinalis in carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced liver dysfunction in rats. Methods: Female Long Evans rats (10-12 weeks old) were divided equally into four different groups such as control, control+rosemary, CCl 4 and CCl 4 +rosemary (6 rats in each group). Over the course of the development of liver dysfunction, several oxidative stress parameters, increased liver marker enzymatic functions were determined in CCl 4 treated rats. Moreover, histological assessments were also done in liver section for inflammatory cells infiltration and fibrosis using hematoxylene and eaosin staining and Sirius read staining. Results: CCl 4 administration significantly increased the Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activities in plasma which was decreased by Rosmarinus officinalis leaves powder supplementation. Rosmarinus officinalis prevented the rise of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and Advanced Oxidative Protein Product (AOPP) in plasma and liver tissues in CCl 4 treated rats. Histological studies also showed massive necrosis, periportal inflammation, iron deposition and fibrosis in liver of CCl 4 treated rats which were further ameliorated by Rosmarinus officinalis powder supplementation. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study revealed the antifibrotic activity of Rosmarinus officinalis powder on experimental hepatic damage and also suggests a potential therapeutic use of Rosmarinus officinalis as an alternative therapy for hepatic disorders.

The antimicrobial properties of olive leaf extract (OLE) have been well recognized in the Mediterranean traditional medicine. Few studies have investigated the antimicrobial properties of OLE. In this preliminary study, commercial OLE and its major phenolic secondary metabolites were evaluated in vitro for their antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, both individually and in combination with ampicillin. Besides luteolin 7-O-glucoside, OLE and its major phenolic secondary metabolites were effective against both bacteria, with more activity on S. aureus. In combination with ampicillin, OLE, caffeic acid, verbascoside and oleuropein showed additive effects. Synergistic interaction was observed between ampicillin and hydroxytyrosol. The phenolic composition of OLE and the stability of olive phenols in assay medium were also investigated. While OLE and its phenolic secondary metabolites may not be potent enough as stand-alone antimicrobials, their abilities to boost the activity of co-administered antibiotics constitute an imperative future research area.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of rosuvastatin in experimentally-induced hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in rats. Carbon tetra chloride (CCl4) was administered orally to induce liver damage in female Long Evans rats. Rats were treated with CCl4 alone twice a week over two weeks. Rosuvastatin (10 mg/kg) was also given daily to CCl4 treated rats concurrently by nasogastric gavage. After two weeks, various oxidative stress markers as well as liver markers enzymes were investigated in different animal groups tested in this study. Moreover, histological assessments were also done for inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis in the liver of all test groups. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were increased in the CCl4 group compared with the control group. Increased liver enzyme activities were significantly decreased by rosuvastatin treatment. Moreover, rosuvastatin treatment inhibited the formation of lipid peroxidation products in CCl4 administered rats. Rosuvastatin treatment also restored the decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities as well as elevated the reduced glutathione concentration in CCl4 administered rats. Liver tissues from rats of control group also revealed no significant pathological changes, while CCl4 administered rats showed significant infiltration of inflammatory cells and liver fibrosis, which was further, normalized or significantly decreased by rosuvastatin treatment. This study revealed that, rosuvastatin treatment may ameliorate all necroinflammatory and fibrotic changes in liver tissues of CCl4 induced rats and could be used as an alternative therapy for chemical or drug-induced liver fibrosis. [ J Adv Biotechnol Exp Ther 2020; 3(1.000): 01-08]

The study aimed to investigate the nephroprotective and cardioprotective effects of ethanol extract of litchi leaf (LI) in two-kidney-one-clip (2K1C) rat model. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of several polyphenolic antioxidants in LI. Correspondingly, LI at 50–200 mg/kg reduced the level of oxidative stress markers (MDA, APOP, NO) and improved level of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD) in 2K1C rats. Besides, LI caused significant improvements in kidney and heart functions in 2K1C rats by reducing the plasma level of uric acid and creatinine as well as CK-MB. Consistent with the biochemical findings, histopathological data further confirmed that LI is effective in decreasing heart and kidney injuries, oxidative stress and inflammation which ensued in 2K1C rats. Collectively, the outcomes suggest that the LI enriched in polyphenolic antioxidants may provide the protection against excessive oxidative stress, inflammation and tissue injury, thereby improving the kidney and heart function in 2K1C rats.

Flavonoids are important natural compounds with diverse biologic activities. Citrus flavonoids constitute an important series of flavonoids. Naringin and its aglycone naringenin belong to this series of flavonoids and were found to display strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Several lines of investigation suggest that naringin supplementation is beneficial for the treatment of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. A number of molecular mechanisms underlying its beneficial activities have been elucidated. However, their effect on obesity and metabolic disorder remains to be fully established. Moreover, the therapeutic uses of these flavonoids are significantly limited by the lack of adequate clinical evidence. This review aims to explore the biologic activities of these compounds, particularly on lipid metabolism in obesity, oxidative stress, and inflammation in context of metabolic syndrome.

The ethanol extract of Ruellia tuberosa L. (Acanthaceae) was evaluated for its antinociceptive and antiinflammatory properties in experimental mice and/or rat models. In the hot-plate test, the group that received a dose of 300 mg/kg showed maximum time needed for the response against thermal stimuli (5.11 ± 0.12), which was similar to that of diclofenac sodium (5.96 ± 0.18), a well-known painkiller. The maximum possible analgesia (MPH) was 1.93 for the extract dose 300 mg/kg, while that for diclofenac was 2.29 after 60 min of administration in the hot tail-flick method. The extract at 500 and 250 mg/kg doses showed significant reduction in acetic acid-induced writhing in mice with a maximum effect of 63.21% reduction at 500 mg/kg dose, which was similar to positive control diclofenac sodium (66.98%). The extract also demonstrated significant inhibition in serotonin and egg albumin-induced hind paw edema in rats at the doses 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg (serotonin-induced edema 35.85, 46.78 and 55.18%; egg albumin-induced edema 42.96, 48.30, and 55.61% inhibition after 1-4 h). The anti-inflammatory properties exhibited by the extract were comparable to that of indomethacin at a dose of 5 mg/kg (serotonin-induced edema 53.22; egg albumin-induced edema 57.01% inhibition after 4 h).

The degree of binding of a drug to plasma proteins has a marked effect on its distribution, elimination, and pharmacological effect since only the unbound fraction is available for distribution into extra-vascular space. The protein-binding of atenolol was measured by equilibrium dialysis in the bovine serum albumin (BSA). Free atenolol concentration was increased due to addition of arsenic which reduced the binding of the compounds to BSA. During concurrent administration, arsenic displaced atenolol from its high-affinity binding Site I, and free concentration of atenolol increased from 4.286 +/- 0.629% and 5.953 +/- 0.605% to 82.153 +/- 1.924% and 85.486 +/- 1.158% in absence and presence of Site I probe respectively. Thus, it can be suggested that arsenic displaced atenolol from its binding site resulting in an increase of the free atenolol concentration in plasma.

The binding of atenolol (selective ?1-blocker) and amlodipine (calcium channel blocker) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied by equilibrium dialysis method in order to have an insight into the binding chemistry of these two to BSA. Free atenolol concentration was increased due to addition of amlodipine which reduced the binding of the compounds to BSA. However, the free fraction was increased to a level as it was expected from direct competitive displacement while the free atenolol concentration was increased according to increasing the amlodipine concentration when only the BSA was present. The result obtained when the binding site was blocked by sufficient amount of amlodipine was that the increment of free concentration of atenolol was prominent. When no amlodipine was added the free concentration of atenolol was only 28% whereas this release was 93 % to 98.01% when amlodipine was added with increasing concentration.

Diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome are becoming epidemic both in developed and developing countries in recent years. Complementary and alternative medicines have been used since ancient era for the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Bitter melon is widely used as vegetables in daily food in Bangladesh and several other countries in Asia. The fruits extract of bitter melon showed strong antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities in experimental condition bothin vivoandin vitro. Recent scientific evaluation of this plant extracts also showed potential therapeutic benefit in diabetes and obesity related metabolic dysfunction in experimental animals and clinical studies. These beneficial effects are mediated probably by inducing lipid and fat metabolizing gene expression and increasing the function of AMPK and PPARs, and so forth. This review will thus focus on the recent findings on beneficial effect ofMomordica charantiaextracts on metabolic syndrome and discuss its potential mechanism of actions.

The study reports the phenolic profiles and hepatoprotective properties of mango peel powder against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic damage in rats. It was found that the mango peel possesses high amount of polyphenols and flavonoids as analyzed by HPLC-DAD. Supplementation of mango peel powder in CCl4 administered rats exhibit strong protective effects in vivo. The results suggest that mango peel powder supplementation antagonized the CCl4-induced increase in serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities and hepatic malondialdehyde levels. Furthermore, mango peel powder supplementation prevented decrease in antioxidant catalase activity and glutathione concentration in CCl4-administered rats. Mango peel powder supplementation also prevented the inflammatory cells infiltration and fibrosis in liver of CCl4 treated rats. This finding demonstrates that the polyphenol-rich mango peel powder can be explored as a chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agent against oxidative-stress-related liver disorders. Practical applications Mango (Mangifera indica L.), the most important fruit in Anacardiaceae family, is a tropical fruit which possesses high nutritional and medicinal value. The research showed that mango peel possesses numerous phenolic antioxidants. The results also demonstrated that mango peel powder exerts a protective effect against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats. Every year, considerable amount of mango peel is produced in juice industries which are left as waste product. Thus, this project will provide a potential source of phenolic compounds and potential approach to prevent liver diseases.

The results of neuropharmacological, microbiological and toxicological studies on the ethanol extract of the bark of Excoecaria agallocha are reported. The extract (100 and 200 mg/kg dosages) was found to produce a profound decrease in exploratory activity in a dose-dependent manner. It also showed a marked sedative effect as evidenced by a significant reduction in gross behaviour and potentiation of sodium thiopental-induced sleeping time. The totality of these effects showed that the extract possesses depressant action on the central nervous system (CNS). The extract of E. agallocha exhibited significant in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella sonnei and Enterococci with the zones of inhibition ranging from 11 to 15 mm. While the extract showed considerable brine shrimp toxicity (LD50 = 20 mg/mL), it displayed only low level of toxicity in mice. Os resultados dos estudos neurofarmacológicos, microbiológicos e toxicológicos do extrato etanólico da casca de Excoecaria agallocha são reportados. O extrato (dosagens de 100 e 200 mg/kg) produziu uma diminuição profunda na atividade exploratória de maneira dose-dependente. Ele também mostrou um efeito sedativo marcante conforme evidenciado por uma redução significativa no comportamento total e potencialização do tempo de sono induzido por tiopental sódico. A totalidade destes efeitos mostrou que o extrato possui ação depressora sobre o sistema nervoso central (SNC). O extrato de E. agallocha exibiu significante atividade antibacteriana in vitro contra Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella sonnei e Enterococci com as zonas de inibição medindo entre 11 a 15 mm. Enquanto o extrato mostrou considerável toxicidade em Artemia salina (DL50 = 20 mg/mL), ele exibiu apenas baixo nível de toxicidade em camundongos.

The ethanol extract of the stem bark of Xylocarpus granatum collected from mangrove forest significantly prolonged the pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time in mice. It showed mild to moderate central nervous system depressant activity when assessed by the hole cross and the open field test models in mice when given at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight. At the same dose levels, the extract dose-dependently inhibited acetic acid-induced writhing assay in mice. Keywords : Neuropharmacological effects, pentobarbitone, analgesic, Xylocarpus granatum, Meliaceae. Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicine Vol. 11 2007 pp. 53-57

The hydroethanolic extract of Anthocephalus cadamba displayed remarkable antioxidative potential in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), the hydrogen peroxide, the nitric oxide scavenging, the reducing power, the total antioxidant capacity, the lipid peroxidation inhibition (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances production), and the RBC membrane stabilization assays. While in the DPPH assay the IC50value of the extract was 146.5 μg/mL, it was 24.8 μg/mL in the nitric oxide scavenging assay.