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The objective of this study was to authenticate the ethnobotanical claims of the Nepeta ruderalis Buch.-Ham. (N. ruderalis) extract in the traditional system of medicine. Crude extract was prepared via a simple maceration process. DPPH free radical scavenging and carrageenan-induced rat paw edema models were used to monitor antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses of the N. ruderalis extract. Furthermore, it was tested for antiplatelet aggregation, cardioprotective, and calcium channel antagonistic activities via standard documented protocols. The N. ruderalis extract exhibited 80.82% antioxidant activity (I C 50 = 207.51 ± 4.36 μ g) while the anti-inflammatory response was significant (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01) at 50 mg/kg (45.58%) and 100 mg/kg (60.90%) doses. Moreover, it was found to inhibit platelet aggregation (I C 50 = 1.06 and 0.91 mg/mL) and, in addition, to increase the force of contraction at the concentration of 3.0-10 mg/mL with a decrease in the heart rate on isolated paired atria (E C 50 = 11.78 mg / mL). Relaxant activity was observed on the isolated rabbit jejunum (E C 50 = 0.96 mg / mL) and trachea (E C 50 = 0.89 mg / mL). However, in a cumulative way, an 80-millimolar potassium-induced contraction was evaluated (E C 50 = 1.31 mg / mL). The N. ruderalis extract exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, platelet aggregating, cardiotonic, and calcium channel antagonistic activities, therefore proving scientifically its effectiveness in the traditional system of medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to authenticate the ethnobotanical claims of the Nepeta ruderalis Buch.-Ham. (N. ruderalis) extract in the traditional system of medicine. Crude extract was prepared via a simple maceration process. DPPH free radical scavenging and carrageenan-induced rat paw edema models were used to monitor antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses of the N. ruderalis extract. Furthermore, it was tested for antiplatelet aggregation, cardioprotective, and calcium channel antagonistic activities via standard documented protocols. The N. ruderalis extract exhibited 80.82% antioxidant activity (IC50= 207:51 ± 4:36μg) while the anti-inflammatory response was significant (p<0:05top<0:01) at 50 mg/kg (45.58%) and 100 mg/kg (60.90%) doses. Moreover,it was found to inhibit platelet aggregation (IC50=1:06and 0.91 mg/mL) and, in addition, to increase the force of contraction at the concentration of 3.0-10 mg/mL with a decrease in the heart rate on isolated paired atria (EC50=11:78 mg/mL). Relax antactivity was observed on the isolated rabbit jejunum (EC50=0:96 mg/mL) and trachea (EC50=0:89 mg/mL). However, in acumulative way, an 80-millimolar potassium-induced contraction was evaluated (EC50=1:31 mg/mL). The N. ruderalis extract exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, platelet aggregating, cardiotonic, and calcium channel antagonistic activities, therefore proving scientifically its effectiveness in the traditional system of medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Cyperus species are famous for their traditional uses and very commonly used for their anti-spasmodic and anti-diarrheal activities. Cyperus niveus Retz. is used in local traditional system of medicine in Pakistan to treat diarrhea and emesis. Aim of the study The aim of the study was to validate the traditional uses and to provide the possible mechanisms for the medicinal use of Cyperus niveus Retz. as anti-spasmodic, anti-diarrheal and anti emetic. Materials and methods The in-vivo studies of anti-diarrheal, charcoal meal GI transit test and anti-emetic activities were conducted in rats, mice and chicks respectively, while isolated tissues of rabbit's jejunum and rat's ileum were used for in-vitro experiments. Phytochemical analysis was also undertaken. Results The phytochemical study of hydro-ethanolic extract of Cyperus niveus Retz. showed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, tannins, saponins and glycosides. Cn. Cr caused significant inhibition of castor oil-induced diarrhea in rats (300,500 & 700 mg/kg) using loperamide (10 mg/kg, p.o) as standard. Cn. Cr also significantly decreased the motility in charcoal meal GI transit test at 100–200 mg/kg in mice, using atropine (3.0 mg/kg) as positive control. In jejunum tissue, Cn. Cr relaxed carbachol(1 µM) and K + (80 mM)-induced contractions, similar to the effect of dicyclomine. Pre-incubation of isolated rat ileum tissues with Cn. Cr (0.1 mg/mL) caused the corresponding shift of CCh concentration response curve (CRC) to right without decrease in max. response whereas at the concentration of 0.3 mg/mL caused the rightward nonparallel shift with max. response suppression, similar to dicyclomine. Antimuscarinic effect was further confirmed when prior administration of Cn. Cr (0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/mL) caused concentration dependent inhibition of induced contractions of carbachol, comparable to atropine (1 µM). To confirm the Ca 2+ channel blocking (CCB), the rabbit jejunum was pre-incubated with Cn. Cr (0.3 & 1.0 mg/mL), produced a shift in CRCs of calcium toward right with decrease in the maximum response at next concentration, similar to that of dicyclomine. The organic fraction of Cyperus niveus Retz. (Cn. Dcm) showed Ca 2+ antagonist and anticholinergic activities with higher potency against K + (80 mM) induced contractions, like verapamil, while aqueous fraction (Cn. Aq) relaxed only carbachol(1 µM) induced contractions with no prominent effect on K + (80 mM)-contractions even at the higher concentration of 10 mg/mL, similar to atropine. Cn. Cr also showed significant anti-emetic effect in Chick emesis model using chlorpromazine as standard. Conclusion This study shows the presence of antidiarrheal and spasmolytic activities in Cyperus niveus Retz. extract, mediated by dual blocking mechanisms of muscarinic receptors and Ca 2+ channels. The results further indicate the presence of anti-emetic activity in Cn. Cr, which may be because of its anti-muscarinic potential. This study provides the scientific bases to the traditional use of Cn. Cr in diarrhea and emesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vivo and in vitro research study was conducted on Cyperus rotundus to evaluate the sound mechanistic background in the treatment of gastrointestinal, bronchial and vascular disorders as well as in pain, emesis, pyrexia and bacterial infections. Results showed that crude extract of Cyperus rotundus (Cr.Cr) exhibited the dose-dependent spasmolytic effect in rabbit jejunum by inhibiting the spontaneous and K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions. Pretreatment of tissue with Cr. Cr caused the rightward shift of calcium concentration response curves, similar to verapamil. Cr. Cr also caused the relaxation of K+(80 mM)- and carbachol (1 μM)-induced contractions of trachea preparations, similar to that of verapamil. Moreover, Cr. Cr also relaxed the contraction induced by the K+ (80 mM) and phenylephrine (1 μM) of aorta preparations. Data show that C. rotundus possess the spasmolytic, bronchodilator and vasodilator activities possibly through calcium channels blockade; validating its folkloric use in diarrhea, dyspepsia, bronchitis, asthma and hypertension in addition to antibacterial, antiemetic, antipyretic and analgesic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polygonum bistorta is a popular medicinal herb used to treat diarrhea. This study provides pharmacological basis to its folk use in diarrhea using in vivo and in vitro assays. Administration of P. bistorta rhizomes extract to mice offered protection against castor oil-induced diarrhea at 300-1,000 mg/kg and was found safe up to the dose of 5 g/kg. In isolated rabbit jejunum, the extract caused a dose-dependent relaxation of spontaneous and low K+ (25 mM)- induced contractions with weak effect against high K+ (80 mM). In tissues pretreated with glibenclamide or tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA), the relaxant effect of the extract was markedly inhibited by TEA only. While verapamil showed complete relaxation of spontaneous, low K+, low K+ with TEA and high K+-induced contractions. In guinea-pig ileum, mild atropinesensitive effect was observed. This study indicates that P. bistorta possesses anti-diarrheal and antispasmodic activities mediated predominantly through K+-channels activation along with weak Ca++ antagonist effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was tempted to explore the scientific basis for the medicinal use of Adiantum capillus-veneris L. in diarrhea using the in vivo and in vitro assays. The crude extract of dried leaves of A. capillus-veneris exhibited antidiarrheal effect against castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice at 300 and 500 mg/kg, similar to the effect loperamide. It was also found safe up to administered dose of 7 g/kg in mice. In isolated rabbit jejunum, extract of A. capillus-veneris showed a concentration-dependent relaxation of spontaneous and low K+ (25 mM)-induced contractions and had weak inhibitory effect on high K+ (80 mM), similar to the activity pattern of cromakalim, an ATP-dependent K+ channel opener. Interestingly, its inhibitory effect on spontaneous contractions was potentiated in the presence of atropine. These data demonstrates that A. capillus-veneris possesses antidiarrheal and antispasmodic properties mediated possibly through ATP-dependent K+ channels activation, thus providing scientific basis to its folk use in abdominal colic and diarrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tobacco products which are used in a way other than smoking are known as smokeless tobacco. The most common smokeless tobaccos are chewing tobacco, naswar, snuff, snus, gutka, and topical tobacco paste. Any product which contains tobacco is not safe for human health. There are more than twenty-five compounds in smokeless tobacco which have cancer causing activity. Use of smokeless tobacco has been linked with risk of oral cancer. Smokeless tobacco contains tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), polonium, formaldehyde, cadmium, lead, and benzo[a]pyrene, which are carcinogenic agents. Although there is presence of some compounds, carotenoids and phenolic compounds, that have cancer inhibiting properties, they are in low concentrations. Dry snuff use is linked with higher relative risks, while the use of other smokeless tobacco is of intermediate risk. Moist snuff and chewing tobacco have a very low risk for oral cancer. Therefore, from this review article, it was concluded that smokeless tobacco has risk for oral cancer - either low, medium or high depending on the balance between cancer causing agents and cancer inhibiting agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]