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Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism, a thyroid disorder without obvious symptoms of thyroid deficiency, occurs in 3%-8% of the global population. Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal], a traditional medicine in Ayurveda, is often prescribed for thyroid dysfunctions., Objective: This pilot study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ashwagandha root extract in subclinical hypothyroid patients., Design, Setting, and Participants: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, single-center placebo-controlled study was performed at Sudbhawana Hospital, Varanasi, India between May 2016 and September 2016. Fifty subjects with elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels (4.5-10 μIU/L) aged between 18 and 50 were randomized in either treatment (n = 25) or placebo (n = 25) groups for an 8-week treatment period., Interventions: Ashwagandha root extract (600 mg daily) or starch as placebo. Efficacy Variables: Serum TSH, serum triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) levels., Results: A total of four subjects (two from each group) withdrew their consent before the second visit. Eight weeks of treatment with ashwagandha improved serum TSH (p < 0.001), T3 (p = 0.0031), and T4 (p = 0.0096) levels significantly compared to placebo. Ashwagandha treatment effectively normalized the serum thyroid indices during the 8-week treatment period in a significant manner (time-effects: TSH [p < 0.001], T3 [p < 0.001], and T4 [p < 0.001]). Four subjects (8%) (ashwagandha: 1[4%]; Placebo: 3[12%]) out of 50 reported few mild and temporary adverse effects during this study., Conclusion: Treatment with ashwagandha may be beneficial for normalizing thyroid indices in subclinical hypothyroid patients.

Present study evaluated the cardioprotective effect of Andrographis paniculata (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg) against isoproterenol (85 mg/kg, b.w.)-induced cardiotoxicity referred as myocardial infarction in rats. Isoproterenol significantly (p < 0.05) decreased mean arterial pressure, heart rate, contractility and relaxation and increased left ventricular end diastolic pressure. Isoproterenol also significantly (p < 0.05) decreased antioxidants, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione and increased leakage of cardiac injury markers; creatine phosphokinase-MB isoenzyme, lactate dehydrogenase concomitant to increased lipid peroxidation and histopathological perturbations. However, pretreatment with A. paniculata favorably restored hemodynamic parameters and left ventricular function and significantly (p < 0.05) prevented the depletion of endogenous antioxidants and myocyte marker enzymes as well as inhibited lipid peroxidation. Significant (p < 0.05) reversal of almost all the hemodynamic, biochemical and histopathological parameters by A. paniculata pretreatment in isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity depicted the cardioprotective effect of A. paniculata. Results showed that A. paniculata protected heart against cardiotoxic effects of isoproterenol by boosting endogenous antioxidant network, restoring ventricular function and maintaining structural integrity of heart.

Syzygium cumini (SC) is well known for its anti-diabetic potential, but the mechanism underlying its amelioration of type 2 diabetes is still elusive. Therefore, for the first time, we investigated whether SC aqueous seed extract (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg) exerts any beneficial effects on insulin resistance (IR), serum lipid profile, antioxidant status, and/or pancreatic β-cell damage in high-fat diet / streptozotocin-induced (HFD-STZ) diabetic rats. Wistar albino rats were fed with HFD (55% of calories as fat) during the experiment to induce IR and on the 10th day were injected with STZ (40 mg/kg, i.p.) to develop type 2 diabetes. Subsequently, after confirmation of hyperglycemia on the 14th day (fasting glucose level > 13.89 mM), diabetic rats were treated with SC for the next 21 days. Diabetic rats showed increased serum glucose, insulin, IR, TNF-α, dyslipidemia, and pancreatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances with a concomitant decrease in β-cell function and pancreatic superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase antioxidant enzyme activities. Microscopic examination of their pancreas revealed pathological changes in islets and β-cells. These alterations reverted to near-normal levels after treatment with SC at 400 mg/kg. Moreover, hepatic tissue demonstrated increased PPARγ and PPARα protein expressions. Thus, our study demonstrated the beneficial effect of SC seed extract on IR and β-cell dysfunction in HFD-STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rats.

The global epidemic of type 2 diabetes demands the rapid evaluation of new and accessible interventions. This study investigated whether Aegle marmelos fruit aqueous extract (AMF; 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) improves insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and β-cell dysfunction in high fat diet fed-streptozotocin (HFD-STZ)-induced diabetic rats by modulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) expression. The serum levels of glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-B), lipid profile, TNF-α and IL-6 were evaluated. Further, the TBARS level and SOD activity in pancreatic tissue and PPARγ protein expression in liver were assessed. In addition, histopathological and ultrastructural studies were performed to validate the effect of AMF on β-cells. The HFD-STZ treated rats showed a significant increase in the serum levels of glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, TNF-α, IL-6, dyslipidemia with a concomitant decrease in HOMA-B and PPARγ expression. Treatment with AMF for 21 days in diabetic rats positively modulated the altered parameters in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, AMF prevented inflammatory changes and β-cell damage along with a reduction in mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum swelling. These findings suggest that the protective effect of AMF in type 2 diabetic rats is due to the preservation of β-cell function and insulin-sensitivity through increased PPARγ expression., (Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Emblica officinalis (EO) has antioxidant properties that could improve redox-sensitive vascular, cardiac and renal changes associated with deoxycorticosterone acetate/1% NaCl high salt (DOCA/HS)-induced hypertension. We determined whether hydroalcoholic lyophilized extract of EO may influence DOCA/HS-induced hypertension by modulating activity of (p) eNOS and endogenous antioxidants. Hypertension was induced in rats by DOCA-salt (20 mg/kg, s.c.) twice weekly for 5 weeks and replacing drinking water with 1% NaCl solution. These rats received cotreatment of different doses of EO (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg/day) for 5 weeks. EO significantly decreased arterial blood pressure and heart rate along with cardiac and renal hypertrophy in a dose-dependent fashion as compared to DOCA control rats. Increased TBARS and decreased endogenous antioxidants including GSH, SOD and GSHPx activity in serum, heart and kidney tissues of hypertensive rats were also normalized. Furthermore, this antihypertensive activity of EO was also linked with increased serum NO, K(+) levels and decreased Na(+) levels. Moreover, EO robustly increased activated eNOS expression in heart. Our results demonstrate that EO reduces oxidative stress, prevents development and progression of hypertension as well as cardiac and renal hypertrophy in DOCA/HS-induced hypertension via modulation of activated eNOS, endogenous antioxidants, serum NO and electrolyte levels.

The cardioprotective potential of Inula racemosa root hydroalcoholic extract against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction was investigated in rats. The rats treated with isoproterenol (85 mg/kg, s.c.) exhibited myocardial infarction, as evidenced by significant (P < 0.05) decrease in mean arterial pressure, heart rate, contractility, relaxation along with increased left ventricular end diastolic pressure, as well as decreased endogenous myocardial enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Isoproterenol also significantly (P < 0.05) induced lipid peroxidation and increased leakage of myocyte injury marker enzymes. Pretreatment with I. racemosa extract (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg per day, p.o.) for 21 consecutive days, followed by isoproterenol injections on days 19th and 20th significantly (P < 0.05) improved cardiac function by increasing the heart rate, mean arterial pressure, contractility and relaxation along with decreasing left ventricular end diastolic pressure. Pretreatment with I. racemosa also significantly (P < 0.05) restored the reduced form of glutathione and endogenous antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase from the heart, which were depleted after isoproterenol administration. In addition to restoration of antioxidants, I. racemosa significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited lipid peroxidation and prevented the leakage of myocytes specific marker enzymes creatine phosphokinase-MB and lactate dehydrogenase from the heart. Thus, it is concluded that I. racemosa protects heart from isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury by reducing oxidative stress and modulating hemodynamic and ventricular functions of the heart. Present study findings demonstrate the cardioprotective effect of I. racemosa and support the pharmacological relevance of its use and cardioprotection mechanism in ischemic heart disease as well as substantiate its traditional claim.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the radioprotective efficacy of Podophyllum hexandrum fraction (REC-2006) in hepatoma cell lines having different p53 statuses. Higher radioresistance was observed in the HepG2 (p53(++)) cell line in comparison to the Hep3B (p53(-)) cell line, indicating a plausible role of p53 in radioresistance. REC-2006 exhibited nearly twice the survival in p53-expressing HepG2 cells compared with p53-negative Hep3B cells. REC-2006 treatment alone induced p53 expression as compared with untreated controls. However, REC-2006 reduced p53 expression when treated 2 hours before irradiation as compared with the irradiated HepG2 controls, indicating that REC-2006 modulates the expression of p53 to mitigate its apoptotic effect. Induction of p21 in the REC-2006 + radiation treatment group downregulated the expression of cyclin E and CDK2, leading to a delay in the G1 phase of HepG2 cells, which provided time for DNA repair or related processes. However, no significant difference in CDC2 expression in both cell lines suggested that G2 phase arrest might not be the only responsible factor for REC-2006-mediated radioprotection. Significant induction of PCNA and GADD45 expression in HepG2 cells suggested that REC-2006 increased the percentage survival of HepG2 cells by increasing the span of time as well as efficacy for repair processes. In conclusion, REC-2006 modulated the expression of p53 and thereby promoted cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase, encouraging cell proliferation and DNA repair and thus providing significantly higher protection against acute gamma-radiation in the HepG2 cell line.

Inhibition of the tumour suppressor p53 by PFT (pifithrin-alpha) promotes p53-mediated apoptosis and protects against doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of PFT on the radioprotective potential of Podophyllum hexandrum fraction (REC-2006) in HepG2 (p53++) cell line. REC-2006 (10-5 microg/ml) treatment at 2 h before irradiation (10 Gy) rendered 80+/-3% protection in HepG2 cells, whereas PFT debilitated the radioprotective potential of REC-2006. REC-2006 increased the expression of Hsp70 (heat-shock protein 70), HSF1 (heat-shock factor 1) and Bcl-2 in irradiated HepG2 cells, whereas PFT when treated with REC-2006 decreased the expression of Hsp70, HSF1 and Bcl-2 in HepG2 cells. REC-2006 facilitated post-irradiation DNA repair by pausing cell-cycle progression at G1- and G2-phase, whereas no such cell-cycle arrest was observed in irradiated HepG2 cells pretreated with PFT in irradiated HepG2 cells. No change was observed in Mdm2 (murine double minute 2) and Ras-GAP (Ras-GTPase-activating protein) expression with or without PFT treatment. Decrease in the expression of caspase 3 and Bax was observed in HepG2 cells when REC-2006 treatment was given 2 h before irradiation; however, PFT treatment increased the expression of Bax leading to apoptosis. It can be concluded that p53 expression plays a major role in the REC-2006-mediated protection against acute irradiation in HepG2 cells. PFT treatment reduced the radioprotective efficacy of REC-2006 by inhibiting the expression of HSF1 and Hsp70 and thereby the expression of Bcl-2, by up-regulating the cell-cycle-regulatory proteins and therefore reducing the span of time for DNA repair and also by inducing Bax-mediated apoptosis. PFT did not, however, show any effect on p53 regulating protein (Mdm2) and pro-survival protein (Ras-GAP).

Plants are an abundant source of medicinal compounds, some of which are useful in combating free radical-mediated oxidative stress. In the present study, initially two fractions designated REC-1001 (flavonoid-rich fraction) and REC-1002 (flavonoid-poor fraction) of Hippophae rhamnoides were screened on the basis of their reducing power in the aqueous phase. REC-1001 was selected for further study, since it exhibited 27.38 times higher antioxidant activity than REC-1002. REC-1001 also showed significant (P < .05) membrane protection potential at 50 microg/mL, which was attributed to its ability to scavenge peroxyl radicals (64.82 +/- 1.25% scavenging within 1,440 min). A significant (P < .05) difference of 67.02% in free radical scavenging activity at 1,000 ng/mL between REC-1001 and vitamin E demonstrated the extract fraction's worth in radiation protection. Such activities were attributed to the presence of quercetin, isorhamnetin, and kaempferol in this fraction. Further, REC-1001 was found to be nontoxic up to 200 mg/kg of body weight. This research suggests that the REC-1001 fraction of H. rhamnoides extract is a safe and effective antioxidant nutraceutical product.

Podophyllum hexandrum Royale (Himalayan mayapple), a high-altitude Himalayan plant, has been shown to provide over 80% whole-body radioprotection in mice. To investigate the radioprotective potential of P. hexandrum at the molecular level, expression patterns of various proteins associated with apoptosis were studied in the spleen of male Swiss albino strain A mice by immunoblotting. Treatment with P. hexandrum [200 mg/kg of body weight; an ethanolic 50% (w/v) extract delivered intraperitoneally] 2 h before irradiation resulted in MAPKAP (mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein) kinase-2 activation along with HSF-1 (heat-shock transcription factor-1), leading to up-regulation of HSP-70 (heat-shock protein-70) as compared with sham-irradiated (10 Gy) mice. Strong inhibition of AIF (apoptosis-inducing factor) expression was observed in the mice treated with P. hexandrum 2 h before irradiation as compared with the sham-irradiated group. Inhibition in the translocation of free NF-kappaB (nuclear factor kappaB) from cytoplasm to nucleus was observed upon P. hexandrum pretreatment 2 h before irradiation when compared with radiation-treated mice. P. hexandrum pre-treatment (2 h before irradiation) resulted in inhibition of NF-kappaB translocation, and the expression of tumour suppressor protein p53 was observed to be down-regulated as compared with sham-irradiated control. An increase in the expression of proteins responsible for cell proliferation [Bcl-2 (B-cell chronic lymphocytic lymphoma 2), Ras-GAP (Ras-GTPase-activating protein) and PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen)] was observed in the P. hexandrum-pretreated irradiated mice as compared with sham-irradiated controls. Caspase 3 activation resulted PARP [poly(ADP-ribose) DNA polymerase] cleavage, and DNA degradation was strongly inhibited in the mice treated with P. hexandrm (+/-irradiation) as compared with the mice treated with radiation (+/-heat shock). The present study thus clearly demonstrated that P. hexandrum extract provides protection from gamma-radiation by the modulation of expression of proteins associated with cell death.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the neurobehavioral protective efficacy of a hydroalcoholic extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) in mitigating gamma radiation-induced conditioned taste aversion in Sprague-Dawley rats. Administration of Zingiber extract 1 h before 2-Gy gamma irradiation was effective in blocking the saccharin avoidance response for 5 post-treatment observational days, both in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with 200 mg/kg b.w. i.p. being the most effective dose. Highest saccharin intake in all the groups was observed on the fifth post-treatment day. The potential of ginger extract to inhibit lipid peroxidation induced by radiation (2 Gy) and ascorbate-ion stress in brain homogenate and its ability to scavenge highly reactive superoxide anions were evaluated. The 1000-microg/ml and 2000-microg/ml concentration of ginger extract showed the highest efficiency in scavenging free radicals and in inhibiting lipid peroxidation. The lipid peroxidation and superoxide-anion scavenging ability of the extract further supports its radioprotective properties. The results clearly establish the neurobehavioral efficacy of ginger extract and the antioxidant properties appear to be a contributing factor in its overall ability to modulate radiation-induced conditioned taste aversion. Ginger extract has tremendous potential for clinical applications in mitigation of radiation-induced emesis in humans.

The present study reports the radioprotective properties of a hydro-alcoholic rhizome extract of Rhodiola imbricata (code named REC-7004), a plant native to the high-altitude Himalayas. The radioprotective effect, along with its relevant superoxide ion scavenging, metal chelation, antioxidant, anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-hemolytic activities was evaluated under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Chemical analysis showed the presence of high content of polyphenolics (0.971 +/- 0.01 mg% of quercetin). Absorption spectra analysis revealed constituents that absorb in the range of 220-290 nm, while high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis confirmed the presence of four major peaks with retention times of 4.780, 5.767, 6.397 and 7.577 min. REC-7004 was found to lower lipid oxidation significantly (p < 0.05) at concentrations viz., 8 and 80 microg/ml respectively as compared to reduced glutathione, although the optimally protective dose was 80 microg/ml, which showed 59.5% inhibition of induction of linoleic acid degradation within first 24 h. The metal chelation activity of REC-7004 was found to increase concomitantly from 1 to 50 microg/ml. REC-7004 (10-50 microg/ml) exhibited significant metal chelation activity (p < 0.05), as compared to control, and maximum percentage inhibition (30%) of formation of iron-2,2'-bi-pyridyl complex was observed at 50 microg/ml, which correlated well with quercetin (34.9%), taken as standard. The reducing power of REC-7004 increased in a dose-dependent manner. The absorption unit value of REC-7004 was significantly lower (0.0183 +/- 0.0033) as compared to butylated hydroxy toluene, a standard antioxidant (0.230 +/- 0.091), confirming its high reducing ability. Superoxide ion scavenging ability of REC-7004 exhibited a dose-dependent increase (1-100 microg/ml) and was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of quercetin at lower concentrations (1-10 microg/ml), while at 100 microg/ml, both quercetin and REC-7004 scavenged over 90% superoxide anions. MTT assay in U87 cell line revealed an increase in percent survival of cells at doses between 25 and 125 microg/ml in case of drug + radiation group. In vivo evaluation of radio-protective efficacy in mice revealed that intraperitoneal administration of REC-7004 (maximally effective dose: 400 mg/kg b.w.) 30 min prior to lethal (10 Gy) total-body gamma-irradiation rendered 83.3% survival. The ability of REC-7004 to inhibit lipid peroxidation induced by iron/ascorbate, radiation (250 Gy) and their combination [i.e., iron/ascorbate and radiation (250 Gy)], was also investigated and was found to decrease in a dose-dependent manner (0.05-2 mg/ml). The maximum percent inhibition of formation of MDA-TBA complex at 2 mg/ml in case of iron/ascorbate, radiation (250 Gy) and both i.e., iron/ascorbate with radiation (250 Gy) was 53.78, 63.07, and 51.76% respectively and were found to be comparable to that of quercetin. REC-7004 (1 microg/ml) also exhibited significant anti-hemolytic capacity by preventing radiation-induced membrane degeneration of human erythrocytes. In conclusion, Rhodiola renders in vitro and in vivo radioprotection via multifarious mechanisms that act in a synergistic manner.

Whole extract of rhizomes of Podophyllum hexandrum has been reported earlier by our group to render whole-body radioprotection. High-altitude P. hexandrum (HAPH) was therefore fractionated using solvents of varying polarity (non-polar to polar) and the different fractions were designated as, n-hexane (HE), chloroform (CE), alcohol (AE), hydro-alcohol (HA) and water (WE). The total polyphenolic content (mg% of quercetin) was determined spectrophotometrically, while. The major constituents present in each fraction were identified and characterized using LC-APCI/MS/MS. In vitro screening of the individual fractions, rich in polyphenols and lignans, revealed several bioactivities of direct relevance to radioprotection e.g. metal-chelation activity, antioxidant activity, DNA protection, inhibition of radiation (250 Gy) and iron/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation (LPO). CE exhibited maximum protection to plasmid (pBR322) DNA in the plasmid relaxation assay (68.09% of SC form retention). It also showed maximal metal chelation activity (41.59%), evaluated using 2,2'-bipyridyl assay, followed by AE (31.25%), which exhibited maximum antioxidant potential (lowest absorption unit value: 0.0389 +/- 0.00717) in the reducing power assay. AE also maximally inhibited iron/ascorbate-induced and radiation-induced LPO (99.76 and 92.249%, respectively, at 2000 microg/ml) in mouse liver homogenate. Under conditions of combined stress (radiation (250 Gy) + iron/ascorbate), at a concentration of 2000 microg/ml, HA exhibited higher percentage of inhibition (93.05%) of LPO activity. HA was found to be effective in significantly (p < 0.05) lowering LPO activity over a wide range of concentrations as compared to AE. The present comparative study indicated that alcoholic (AE) and hydro-alcoholic (HA) fractions are the most promising fractions, which can effectively tackle radiation-induced oxidative stress.

The development of radioprotective agents has been the subject of intense research in view of their potential for use within a radiation environment, such as space exploration, radiotherapy and even nuclear war. However, no ideal, safe synthetic radioprotectors are available to date, so the search for alternative sources, including plants, has been on going for several decades. In Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, several plants have been used to treat free radical-mediated ailments and, therefore, it is logical to expect that such plants may also render some protection against radiation damage. A systematic screening approach can provide leads to identifying potential new candidate drugs from plant sources, for mitigation of radiation injury. This article reviews some of the most promising plants, and their bioactive principles, that are widely used in traditional systems of medicine, and which have rendered significant radioprotection in both in vitro and in vivo model systems. Plants and their constituents with pharmacological activities that may be relevant to amelioration of radiation-mediated damage, including antiemetic, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, cell proliferative, wound healing and haemopoietic stimulatories are also discussed., (Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The development of nontoxic yet effective radioprotectors is needed because of the increasing risk of human exposure to ionizing radiation. We have reported that high-altitude Podophyllum hexandrum (HAPH) confers a radioprotective effect in in vitro and in vivo models. The present study reports on the antioxidant and radioprotective properties of low-altitude Podophyllum hexandrum (LAPH), from which the toxic compound podophyllotoxin has been partially removed during the extraction process. Using HPLC,we estimated the relative content of two marker compounds, podophyllotoxin and podophyllotoxin glycoside, in low-altitude Podophyllum extract (LAPE) and found them to be 23.3% and 9.50%, respectively. The ferrous ion chelation potential of LAPE was estimated using the 2,2 bipyridyl assay, and the activity was found to be increased concomitantly with the increase in its concentration, with a maximal inhibition at 25 microg/mL (42.20%) as compared to quercetin (34.9%). The electron donation potential of LAPE was also evaluated, because the antioxidant activities of natural products are known to bear a direct correlation with their ability to donate electrons. The concentration required to attain unit absorbance values at 700 nm were 0.230541+/-0.09 and 0.041+/-0.06 for butylated hydroxyl toluene and LAPE, respectively, indicating a higher antioxidant activity of LAPE. The free radical scavenging ability of LAPE was also assessed and exhibited a dose-dependant increase (1-100 microg/mL), comparable to that of quercetin at 25 microg/mL. The role of LAPE in protecting DNA was evaluated, and it was found that LAPE (30 microg/mL) rendered its maximum radioprotection against the 250 Gy-induced damage in the plasmid (pBR322) relaxation assay. LAPE significantly inhibited radiation-induced, iron/ascorbate- and combined stress (iron/ascorbate and radiation)-induced formation of TBARS (p<0.05). We conclude that LAPH, with its easy accessibility, ease of cultivation, multifarious radioprotective properties, and role as a renewable source of bioactive constituents, along with its low associated toxicity (due to partial removal of podophyllotoxin), enhances its possible use for human clinical applications.

Effect of 2.0 Gy gamma-dose delivered to rats in utero on 17th day of gestation was studied to monitor the radiation induced retardation of neurophysiological development in postnatal young ones. Rhizome of Podophyllum hexandrum which has been well documented for mitigating radiation injuries in adult mice was attempted for modifying radiation damage. Rats were observed from postnatal day 1 to 25 for the age of the appearance of physiological markers (pinna detachment, inscisor's eruption, eye opening) and acquisition of reflexes (surface righting, visual placing, reflex suspension, negative geotaxis). In irradiated groups there was a significant weight reduction in mother rats and offsprings throughout the experimental period. There was radiation-induced delay in the appearance of pinna detachment but not in eye opening and inscisor's eruption. Appearance of the reflexes were also delayed due to irradiation. Preirradiation administration of the extract of Podophyllum hexandrum (i.p., 200 mg/kg/b.w.) mitigated radiation induced postnatal physiological alterations. These studies have implications in protection against damage (in utero) due to planned radiation exposure.

Abstract: The present study investigated the effect of garlic (Allium sativum Linn.) aqueous extracts on ischemic pre-conditioning and ischemiareperfusion induced cardiac injury, as well as adenosine involvement in ischemic pre-conditioning and garlic extract induced cardioprotection. A model of ischemiareperfusion injury was established using Langendorff apparatus. Aqueous extract of garlic dose was standardized (0.5%, 0.4%, 0.3%, 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.07%, 0.05%, 0.03%, 0.01%), and the 0.05% dose was found to be the most effective. Higher doses (more than 0.05%) were highly toxic, causing arrhythmia and cardiodepression, whereas the lower doses were ineffective. Garlic exaggerated the cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning. The cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning and garlic cardioprotection was significantly attenuated by theophylline (1,000 μmol/L) and 8SPT (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and expressed by increased myocardial infarct size, increased LDH level, and reduced nitrite and adenosine levels. These findings suggest that adenosine is involved in the pharmacological and molecular mechanism of garlic induced cardioprotection and mediated by the modulation of nitric oxide [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The shade dried powder of Aerva lanata (Family: Amaranthaceae) was subjected to successive extraction using the solvents (Petroleum ether, Ethyl acetate and Ethanol) in the increasing order of polarity. Thus prepared extracts were subjected to the Preliminary phytochemical analysis. Then the extracts were investigated for analgesic activity and anti-inflammatory activity in the wistar rats using Diclofenac sodium and Indomethacin as standard drug respectively. The results revealed that all the extracts showed significant analgesic activity by tail immersion method and anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan induced paw edema method in wistar rats. The ethanol extract at dose 800 mg/kg body weight was found to be more significant compare to other extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study investigated the antiarrhythmic activity of alcoholic extract of Tinospora cordifolia (T. cor-difolia) in CaCl2 induced arrhythmia. CaCl2 (25 mg/kg) was administered by intravenous infusion (iv) to produce arrhythmia in rats. The animals were then treated with T. cordifolia extract (150, 250, and 450 mg/kg) and vera-pamil (5 mg/kg, iv). Lead II electrocardiogram was monitored. Plasma calcium, sodium and potassium levels were measured. In CaCl2 induced arrhythmia, heart rate was decreased by 41.10%, T. cordifolia at 150, 300, and 450 mg/kg decreased the heart rate by 26.30%, 29.16%, and 38.29%, respectively, and verapamil reduced the heart rate by 9.70% compared to the normal group. The PQRST waves were normalized and atrial and ventricular fi-brillation was controlled in rats treated with verapamil and T. cordifolia. CaCl2 increased calcium and sodium levels and decreased potassium levels in blood. T. cordifolia dose-dependently decreased calcium and sodium levels and increased potassium levels. Hence, T. cordifolia can be used in antiarrhythmic clinical settings and beneficial in atrial and ventricular fibrillation and flutter and may be indicated in ventricular tachyarrhythmia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]