Assessment of anti-inflammatory potential of Sesbania bispinosa Linn. leaf extracts and fractions by acute and chronic models

A new anti-inflammatory lupane in Ziziphus jujuba (L.) Gaertn. var. hysudrica Edgew

Objectives

To investigate extracts of the stem bark of Ziziphus jujuba (L.) Gaertn. var. hysudrica Edgew. (Rhamnaceae) for anti-inflammatory activity and isolate the active principle(s).

Methods

The dry powder was macerated separately in three types of solvents to prepare methanol extract (ME), ethyl acetate extract (EE), and chloroform extract (CE). Following in vitro anti-inflammatory screening, the most active extract was selected to isolate the active compound. Both, the active extract and isolated compound were further tested on rats using the carrageenan-induced inflammation model. The blood and paw tissue were subjected to qPCR, and histopathology, respectively.

Key findings

CE showed comparatively higher anti-inflammatory activity (85.0-95.0 %) in all in vitro assays, except the heat-induced membrane stabilization model (p < 0.05), and upon column chromatography, it yielded a pure crystalline compound. The compound was a pentacyclic triterpenoid (Lupane), named as hydroxymethyl (3β)-3-methyl-lup-20(29)-en-28-oate (Hussainate). CE (500 mg/kg) and Hussainate (1.0 mg/kg) reduced edema in 5 h after carrageenan administration. The activity of Hussainate was found to be comparable to that of dexamethasone (standard). The possible activity mechanism was the downregulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-II), NF-κB, and IL-1β.

Conclusions

This study reveals that chloroform extract of the stem's bark of Z. jujuba may be used to prepare standardized anti-inflammatory herbal products using Hussainate as an active analytical marker. Hussainate may be used as a lead to develop anti-inflammatory drugs.

Extraction and Characterization of Sesbania cannabina (Retz.) Pers. (Dhaincha) Seed Oil for Potential Engineering Applications

Sesbania cannabina (Retz.) Pers. (Dhaincha) is a member of family Fabaceae spread over several countries in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Sesbania aculeata, Sesbania drummondii, Sesbania grandiflora, Sesbania rostrata, Sesbania sesban, and Sesbania speciosa are other members of this family. The agricultural, nutritional and pharmaceutical applications of Sesbania species are known to farmers, villagers, and the tribes since ages and are well studied by researchers. However, the significance of Sesbania as an industrial crop has not been recognized till now. The objective of this study was extraction and characterization of Sesbania cannabina seed oil (SCSO) for potential engineering applications. The seed oil was extracted with hexane in a Soxhlet extractor. Yield was only 2.32% w/w due to long storage at high temperature in seed house. Sesbania cannabina seed oil methyl ester (SCSOME) was prepared via esterification and transesterification for analysis of fatty acid composition of extracted oil. SCSO has high iodine value (118 g I₂/100 g) and high saponification value (185.79 mg KOH/g) making the oil suitable for use as candle stocks or in soap making. However, these applications were ruled out on account of being insignificant for oil available in limited quantity. The oil has high viscosity index (174.19), high onset (382°C) and offset (450°C) decomposition temperatures, endothermic nature, and shear rate thickening behaviour. These properties make SCSO a good candidate for application as specialty lubricant required under severe operating conditions of high temperature and high shear rate or as insulating and cooling transformer oil.

Asphodelus tenuifolius extracts arrested inflammation and arthritis through modulation of TNF-α, NF-κB, ILs, and COX-2 activities in in vivo models

Asphodelus tenuifolius is traditionally used in the management of rheumatic pain and inflamed body parts. The current study validated its traditional use as an anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory agent using a series of in vivo models. Carrageenan and histamine-induced acute oedema models were employed to study the effects of n-hexane (n-HeAT) and ethanolic (EeAT) extracts on acute inflammatory mediators and were found to inhibit oedema formation in a dose-dependent manner. Formalin and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) were injected into the hind paw of rats for the induction of arthritis. In the formalin model both n-HeAT and EeAT showed significantly better (p < 0.05) anti-oedema effects from day 6 onward. In CFA model rats were treated on 8th day of induction with extracts at the doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg respectively. Piroxicam (10 mg/kg) and normal saline (10 mL/kg) were used as positive and negative controls respectively. Both n-HeAT and EeAT significantly (p < 0.05) decreased arthritis development in a time-dependent manner and at 28th day extent of inflammation was even less than that observed at day 8. The arthritic score was measured at day 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28 and was observed to be significantly less (p < 0.05) in animals treated with 750 mg/kg of n-HeAT and EeAT, respectively. Joint inflammation (p < 0.01), bone erosion (p < 0.001) and, pannus formation (p < 0.01) were significantly declined in A. tenuifolius treatment groups. Radiographic evaluations (X-ray) were conducted to check bone integrity and extent of inflammation and were observed to be diminished at day 28 in A. tenuifolius extracts treated groups. HPLC was performed to screen the phytochemical profile of n-HeAT and EeAT and were found to contain flavonoids and phenolic compounds. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to detect effects of n-HeAT and EeAT treatments on inflammatory markers i.e., IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, COX-2, NF-κB, and I-κB using blood samples. ELISA assays were performed for the detection of levels of C-reactive proteins, respectively. Significant downregulation of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, NF-κB with simultaneous upregulation of IL-10 and I-κB was observed in n-HeAT and EeAT treatment groups. ELISA assays also showed significant (p < 0.05) down-modulation in the serum levels of CRP and TNF-α. Both extracts showed relatively weak antioxidant activities as compared with ascorbic acid in in vitro assay. Based on findings of the current study it is concluded that A. tenuifolius has anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects and thus has potential to be used as an adjunct to standard NSAIDs therapy.Graphic abstract.