Search

Hydroalcoholic extract of Dioscorea bulbifera (DB), a yam variety called air potato, was tested for its protective effect on myocardial ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats due to apoptosis and necrosis. Myocardial I/R injury was induced by 30 min ischemia followed by 2 h reperfusion by perfusing isolated rat hearts with Krebs Henseilet bicarbonate (KHB) buffer in a Langendorff set up. Pretreatment of DB (150 mg kg(-1) body weight) for 30 days significantly reduced myocardial infarct size and improved the ventricular function (aortic flow and coronary flow, LVDP, LVmax dp/dt). Role of DB on apoptosis was also evaluated by determining caspase 3 as well as by examining pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bcl2 by Western blot analysis followed by TUNEL assay. DB also prevented I/R-mediated down regulation of survival protein Akt and HO-1. Our results indicated that Dioscorea bulbifera could ameliorate myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury by improving ventricular function and inhibition of cardiomyocyte necrosis and apoptosis.

With recent advances in nutrition sciences, natural products and health-promoting foods have received extensive attention from both health professionals and the common population. The flavonoid rich fraction (FRF) of Dioscorea bulbifera Linn. has a strong free radical scavenging activity. FRF (150 mg/kg) when intervened for a period of 35 days prior to isoproterenol (ISO) challenge to rats maintained the creatine kinase - MB (CK-MB) activity in serum without elevation. Alterations in the antioxidant status in the mitochondria were recognized in the heart tissue of ISO induced rats. ISO induced rats pretreated with FRF (150 mg/kg) ameliorated the lipid peroxidation and thereby enhanced the antioxidant status as evidenced by the increase in the reduced glutathione (GSH) content and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, the tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes such isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (α-KGDH), which were found decreased in the ISO induced rats showed an enhanced activity in FRF (150 mg/kg) pretreated rats. The activity of NADH dehydrogenase and cytochrome-C-oxidase the enzymes, which transfer the electron in the electron transport chain (ETC) was also increased significantly (p<0.05) in FRF (150 mg/kg) pretreated rats, when compared with ISO induced rats. These results suggest the cardioprotective effect of FRF of Dioscorea bulbifera Linn. in ISO induced MI by attenuating the lipid peroxidation by scavenging free radicals and modulating the energy producing mitochondrial enzymes.

Copper is known as Gunma Kaalan in Siddha literature, which means that the drug is effective for healing ulcers. The herbomineral drug "Thamira parpam" is prepared by calcining the purified copper foils with rock salt, lime juice, bracteated birth wort juice, and Alangium root decoction according to Siddha medicine. Our study investigated the possible role of Thamira parpam (TP) in the management of cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers. Cysteamine (400 mg kg(-1) body weight(-1), two doses at 4 h interval) orally given to rats resulted in high ulcer index, increased TBARS with concomitant depletion of antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and inflammatory markers cathepsin D, and myeloperoxidase (p < 0.01). Herbomineral drug TP (0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg, p.o.) challenged with cysteamine attenuated the elevation of TBARS and imbalance of antioxidants. In the increases in liver inflammatory markers, tissue histopathology changes were not severe in TP treatment. Positive control omeprazole (25 mg/kg, body weight, orally) showed considerable protection against anomaly in biochemical parameters and tissue histology. Hence, our results indicate that the attenuation of oxidative stress by the herbomineral drug in experimentally induced damage to liver and duodenum of rats could be mediated by free radical quenching property.

Spices were some of the most valuable items of trade in the ancient and medieval world. Herbalist and folk practitioners have used plant remedies for centuries, but only recently have scientist begun to study the powers of common herbs and spices. In the current set-up, the anti-proliferative, anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory effects of spices have overriding importance, as the key health concern of mankind nowadays is diabetes, cardio-vascular diseases, arthritis and cancer. Spices or their active compounds could be used as possible ameliorative or preventive agents for these health disorders. Spices are rich in antioxidants, and scientific studies suggest that they are also potent inhibitors of tissue damage and inflammation caused by high levels of blood sugar and circulating lipids. Because spices have very low calorie content and are relatively inexpensive, they are reliable sources of antioxidants and other potential bioactive compounds in diet. This review outlines the role of some spices used in the Indian kitchen for its flavour and taste which are potential to maintain a healthy heart.

The protective effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) was tested against arsenic-induced toxicity. However, the possible role of tannins in green tea in alleviating hepatic and renal oxidative injury has also been studied. Administration of sodium arsenite (100 mg/kg/day) for 28 days in Sprague Dawley female rats resulted in significant reduction of biochemical parameters such as delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and elevation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and the index of nitrite/nitrate (NOx) levels. The tissue arsenic burden was increased after arsenic exposure for a period of 28 days. Green tea crude fraction (GTC) co-treated with sodium arsenite for 28 days caused significant (p < .01) elevation of ALAD, GSH, GPx, SOD, and nitrate/nitrite levels and reduction of the TBARS level and tissue burden when compared to detannified green tea fraction (GTDT)-treated groups. The protective role of tannin-rich fraction of C. sinensis when compared to the detannified fraction was also confirmed by histological examinations. The greater activity of GTC than that of detannified green tea fraction correlates with the higher content of tannins in green tea. Overall, these results indicate that the tannin-rich green tea could have improved the defense mechanism against arsenic-induced oxidative stress and reduced the tissue arsenic burden.

Anti-ulcerogenic activity of Thamira parpam (TP) was investigated in two ulcer models (aspirin + pylorus ligation and HCl-ethanol). Aspirin-pylorus ligation (Asp 200 mg/kg-7 days + PL-4 hours) and HCl-ethanol (150 mM HCl in 70% ethanol) induction in rat resulted in elevation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and depletion of antioxidants (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione [GSH], glutathione peroxidase [GPx]) with high ulcer scores (p < .01). In Asp + PL model, TP treatment showed mild inhibition on ulcer scores, changes in pH, gastric volume, total and free acidity, and elevation of TBARS and depletion of antioxidants. Compared to the ulcer-untreated rats (HCl-ethanol), the herbomineral drug TP treatment (0.5, 1, 2 mg/kg, per oral [p.o.]) attenuated the elevation of TBARS, decrease of antioxidants and nitrite (p < .05). Histopathological examinations were correlated with the antioxidant profile. In conclusion, the prophylactic cytoprotective nature of the herbomineral drug in experimentally induced ulcers could be mediated by its free radical quenching property.

Water-soluble crude polysaccharide from a brown alga Turbinaria ornata (TCP) was screened for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. The major functional groups of polysaccharide were analyzed by Fourier Transmission-Infra Red (FT-IR). In vitro free radical quenching and total antioxidant activity of TCP was investigated by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO) scavenging, lipid peroxidation (LPO) inhibition and ABTS radical assay. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of TCP was performed using carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats and vascular permeability test in mice. Phytochemical analysis of TCP showed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins and polyphenols further, the FT-IR analysis of TCP showed the presence of functional groups of sugar moiety, uronic acids and sulfate groups. TCP showed maximum LPO, NO and DPPH inhibition of 78.04%, 38.82% and 80.21% at a concentration of 1000, 125 and 500 microg/ml respectively. Oral administration of TCP (2.5, 5, 10, 20mg/kg) reduced the paw edema considerably (p<0.05) in a dose dependent manner compared to carrageenan induced rats. Similarly, oral administration of TCP (3, 10, 30 mg/kg) evoked a significant (p<0.05) dose dependent inhibitory effect on vascular permeability in mice. Altogether, these results suggest that the crude polysaccharide of T.ornata could be considered as a potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Altered membrane integrity has been suggested as a major factor in the development of cellular injury during myocardial necrosis. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of diosgenin on lysosomal hydrolases, membrane-bound enzymes, and electrolytes during isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial necrosis in rats. Animals were pretreated with DIOS (80 mg/kg) for a period of 35 days. Myocardial infarction was experimentally induced with ISO (85 mg/kg) twice at 24 h interval. Experimental myocardial infarction was evidenced with marked elevation of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) in serum with concomitant increase in lipid peroxidation (plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and hydroperoxides (HP)). Activity of lysosomal hydrolases (beta-glucuronidase, beta-N-acetyl glucosaminidase, beta-D-galactosidase, cathepsin D, and acid phosphatase) was found to be increased in serum and heart tissue of ISO-alone treated animals. DIOS (80 mg/kg) pretreated groups showed significant decrease in CK-MB, lipid peroxidation, and lysosomal hydrolases activity. The membrane-bound enzymes such as Ca2+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase activity was increased and Na+/K+-ATPase activity was decreased in the heart tissues of ISO-alone treated animals. These enzyme alterations lead to the change in the electrolytes content such as sodium, potassium, and calcium in the heart tissue. However, DIOS (80 mg/kg) pretreatment reversed the membrane-bound enzymes activity and thereby maintained the normal electrolyte concentration. These results suggest the protective action of diosgenin in ISO-induced myocardial infarction. The salubrious effect observed in this study might be due to the antioxidant and membrane stabilizing potential of diosgenin.

The article “Potential health benefits of broccoli- a chemico-biological overview, published in Mini-Rev Med Chem 2009 Jun;9(6):749-59. By Hannah R. Vasanthi, Subhendu Mukherjee and Dipak K. Das” has been retracted by the Editorial office of the journal Mini-reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, as the text in this review article are from sources which have been retracted or under investigation on the basis of data fabrication and falsification, authorship misconduct, duplicate publication, unethical research practices, text recycling/self-plagiarism, and unresolved concerns about data integrity and research conduct. The authors were informed of this complaint and were requested to give justification on the matter in their defense [1]. Some sources that have been retracted are as follows:, 1) Agarwal et al. Dynamic Action of Carotenoids in Cardioprotection and Maintenance of Cardiac Health, Molecules 2012, 17, 4755-4769. http: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24896014/, 2) Nagendran Balasundram, KalyanaSundram, SamirSamman. Phenolic compounds in plants and agri-industrial byproducts: Antioxidant activity, occurrence, and potential uses. Food Chemistry 2006, 99(1), 191-203. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308814605006242, Bentham Science apologizes to the readers of the journal for any inconvenience this may have caused. The Bentham Editorial Policy on Article Retraction can be found at https://benthamscience.com/editorial-policies-main.php., References: [1] Hannah R Vasanthi, Subhendu Mukherjee, Dipak K Das. Potential health benefits of broccoli- a chemico-biological overview. Mini Rev Med Chem., 2009, 9(6), 749-759. doi: 10.2174/138955709788452685. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19519500/, Bentham Science Disclaimer: It is a condition of publication that manuscripts submitted to this journal have not been published and will not be simultaneously submitted or published elsewhere. Furthermore, any data, illustration, structure or table that has been published elsewhere must be reported, and copyright permission for reproduction must be obtained. Plagiarism is strictly forbidden, and by submitting the article for publication the authors agree that the publishers have the legal right to take appropriate action against the authors, if plagiarism or fabricated information is discovered. By submitting a manuscript, the authors agree that the copyright of their article is transferred to the publishers if and when the article is accepted for publication.

Borreria hispida (BHE), a weed of Rubiaceae family, is being used from time immemorial as an alternative therapy for diabetes. To evaluate the scientific background of using BHE as therapy to reduce cardiovascular risk, a group of rats were given BHE for a period of 30 days, whereas control animals were given the vehicle only. The animals were sacrificed, the hearts were isolated, and perfused with buffer. All the hearts were subjected to 30-minute ischemia followed by 2-hour reperfusion. Compared with vehicle-treated rats, BHE-treated rat hearts showed improved post-ischemic ventricular function and exhibited reduced myocardial infarct size and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The level of cytochrome c expression and caspase 3 activation was also reduced. BHE elevated antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and heme oxygenase-1 and stimulated the phosphorylation of survival protein Akt simultaneously decreasing the apoptotic proteins Bax and Src. In addition, BHE enhanced the protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta, and Glut-4, probably revealing the antiobese and antidiabetic potential of BHE. These results indicate that treatment with BHE improves cardiac function and ameliorates various risk factors associated with cardiac disease, suggesting that BHE can be considered as a potential plant-based nutraceutical and pharmaceutical agent for the management of cardiovascular diseases.

Mussaenda 'dona aurora' (sepals) has been investigated for its hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities. The highest activity was observed in the ethyl acetate fraction. The separation of the ethyl acetate fraction gave two iridoids, sanshiside-D and lamalbide. Sanshiside-D exhibited a hepatoprotective activity greater than silimarin as was evidenced by significant reduction of ALT and AST in the serum enzyme levels.

The extract of the brown seaweed Padina boergesenii and the red seaweed Hypnea valentiae was found to detoxify (in vitro) the venom of Naja nigricollis. There was a remarkable reduction in the mortality of albino mice after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of reconstituted venom with the extract compared to those challenged with the venom only. The survival of the animals exposed to the venom incubated with the different concentrations of the extract was used as the in vitro detoxification parameter., (Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)