In Vivo Efficacy of Latex from Calotropis procera in Ameliorating Fever—Biochemical Characteristics and Plausible Mechanism

Calotropis procera latex protein reduces inflammation and bone loss in ligature-induced period ontitis in male rats

OBJECTIVE

Calotropis procera latex protein (CpLP) is a popular anti-inflammatory and therefore we aimed to study its effects on inflammatory bone loss.

DESIGN

Male Wistar rats were subjected to a ligature of molars. Groups of rats received intraperitoneally CpLP (0.3 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, or 3 mg/kg) or saline (0.9% NaCl) one hour before ligature and then daily up to 11 days, compared to naïve. Gingiva was evaluated by myeloperoxidase activity and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) expression by ELISA. Bone resorption was evaluated in the region between the cement-enamel junction and the alveolar bone crest. The histology considered alveolar bone resorption and cementum integrity, leukocyte infiltration, and attachment level, followed by immunohistochemistry bone markers between 1^st and 2^nd molars. Systemically, the weight of the body and organs, and a leukogram were performed.

RESULTS

The periodontitis significantly increased myeloperoxidase activity and the IL-1β level. The increased bone resorption was histologically corroborated by periodontal destruction, leukocyte influx, and attachment loss, as well as the increasing receptor activator of the nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio, and Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)+ cells when compared to naïve. CpLP significantly reduced myeloperoxidase activity, level of IL-1β, alveolar bone resorption, periodontal destruction, leukocyte influx, and attachment loss. The CpLp also reduced the RANKL/OPG ratio and TRAP+ cells, when compared with the saline group, and did not affect the systemic parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

CpLP exhibited a periodontal protective effect by reducing inflammation and restricting osteoclastic alveolar bone resorption in this rat model.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect of methanol extract of latex of Calotropis procera in rat model of colorectal cancer

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Preparations derived from the plant Calotropis procera, have been used for medicinal purpose though the plant is known for its toxic effects. The aerial parts of the plant contain latex in plenty and have been found effective in treating disorders of gastrointestinal system and cancer.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study evaluated the efficacy of C. procera dried latex extract prepared in methanol (MeDL) against inflammation and oxidative stress in experimental model of colorectal carcinoma (CRC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two subcutaneous injections of chemical carcinogen, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH; 150 mg/kg) were given at an interval of one week to induce CRC in rats. The MeDL (50 and 150 mg/kg) and aspirin (60 mg/kg) were given daily and their effect was evaluated on markers of oxidative stress and inflammation after completion of 8 weeks following second injection of carcinogen. A comparison was made with normal and experimental control groups. The colon tissue levels of glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitrite and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine the levels of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and immunohistochemical analysis was performed for IL-1β.

RESULTS

Induction of cancerous changes in the colon resulted in altered oxidative homeostasis as evident from a reduction in GSH level and SOD activity and rise in TBARS level when compared with normal rats. Elevated levels of nitrite, MPO, TNF-α, PGE₂ and immunoreactivity of IL-1β were also observed in these rats. The levels of these markers were normalized when the rats were treated with MeDL or anti-inflammatory drug, aspirin.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation contributes to the beneficial effect of MeDL in rat model of colon carcinogenesis.

Protection afforded by methanol extract of Calotropis procera latex in experimental model of colitis is mediated through inhibition of oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory signaling

Calotropis procera, a latex producing plant is known to possess medicinal properties including its beneficial effect in gastrointestinal disorders. The anti-inflammatory effect of its latex in various experimental models is noteworthy and in light of this the present study was carried out with an objective to evaluate its efficacy in ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory condition of the colon. Colitis was induced in rats by acetic acid and the rats were divided into four groups where one group served as experimental control and the other groups were treated with two doses of methanol extract of dried latex of C. procera (MeDL; 50 and 150 mg/kg) and mesalazine (MSZ; 300 mg/kg). The study also included normal control (NC) group for comparison of various parameters related to colon like macroscopic changes, ulcer score, adherent mucus content, weight/length ratio, small intestinal transit, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, tissue histology and immunoreactivity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor kappa beta (NFκB) subunit p65. Treatment of colitic rats with MeDL produced a significant reduction in colonic mucosal damage as revealed by macroscopic and microscopic evaluation and normalization of tissue levels of oxidative stress markers and pro-inflammatory mediators. The protection afforded by MeDL was also evident from its restorative effect on tissue histology and expression of COX-2, iNOS and NFκB(p65). This study shows that by targeting oxidative stress and NFκB(p65) mediated pro-inflammatory signaling, the latex of C. procera affords protection in colitis and its effect was comparable to that of mesalazine. This study suggests that latex of C. procera could serve as a promising therapeutic option for treating inflammatory conditions of the colon.