Therapeutic effects of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract on the changes associated with collagen and glycosaminoglycan metabolism in adjuvant arthritic Wistar rats

Antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activities of catechol derivatives and biflavonoid isolated from Semecarpus anacardium seeds

Semecarpus anacardium Linn. (Family: Anacardiaceae), commonly known marking nuts has been used in various traditional system of medicines for various ailments (such as antiatherogenic, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, anticarcinogenic etc) since ancient times.Based on the wide pharmacological activities of this plant, the present study was aimed to explore the antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic potential in high fat diet fed rats using catechol derivatives I-IV and biflavonoid isolated from seeds of Semecarpus anacardium. Oral administration of catechol derivatives I-IV and biflavonoid at a concentration of 50 mg/kg b.wt to high fat diet fed rats for a period of 30 days significantly decreased the lipid profiles, body weight gain and organ weight when compared to untreated hypercholesterolemic rats. However, biflavonoid treated hypercholesterolemic rats showed more pronounced effects in all the parameters tested when compared to all catechol derivatives (I-IV) treated hypercholesterolemic rats. The effect produced by biflavonoid on various parameters was comparable to that of simvastastin- a standard drug. In vitro antioxidant activities were also conducted using these five compounds in which biflavonoid showed more significant antioxidant potential at a concentration of 1000 µg/ml when compared to catechol derivatives (I-IV). The pronounced antioxidant potential of biflavonoid might have contributed to the hypolipidemic action in hypercholesterolemic rats and improved oil red O staining of thoracic aorta has also supported the parameters investigated. Further, the molecular mechanism of cholesterol lowering potential of this drug is needed.

'Methyl palmitate attenuates adjuvant induced arthritis in rats by decrease of CD68 synovial macrophages

The study was designed to investigate the potential anti-arthritic effects of methyl palmitate in an adjuvant arthritis model in rats that shares many histopathological similarities with human RA. The underlying mechanism and its effect on CD68 macrophages were investigated, as a further argument to its possible efficacy in RA treatment. A normal control group was injected only with saline, arthritic group, and three treatment groups with CFA induced arthritis received methyl palmitate (MP) at three different doses (75, 150, 300 mg/kg/week for 3 weeks, intraperitoneal). The degree of ipsilateral paw swelling, ankle diameter, spleen index, thymus index and the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β were measured. In addition, the underlying molecular mechanism was investigated using CD68 expression. Methyl palpitate significantly and dose dependently decreased the arthritic symptoms as measured by ipsilateral paw volume and ankle diameter. It showed no effect on body weight but significantly decreased splenic, thymus index, serum TNF-α and IL-1β. CD68 macrophages expression and the overall synovial inflammatory cellularity were halted. Methyl palmitate exhibits significant anti-inflammatory and exerts a potential anti-arthritic effect in a rat model of adjuvant induced arthritis. Furthermore, it inhibits expression of synovial CD68 macrophage that validate its therapeutic potential adjuvant arthritis.

Targeting TNF-α and NF-κB activation by bee venom: role in suppressing adjuvant induced arthritis and methotrexate hepatotoxicity in rats

Low dose methotrexate is the cornerstone for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. One of its major drawbacks is hepatotoxicity, resulting in poor compliance of therapy. Dissatisfied arthritis patients are likely to seek the option of complementary and alternative medicine such as bee venom. The combination of natural products with modern medicine poses the possibility of potential interaction between the two groups and needs investigation. The present study was aimed to investigate the modulatory effect of bee venom acupuncture on efficacy, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics and tissue disposition of methotrexate. Complete Freund's adjuvant induced arthritic rats were treated for 3 weeks with methotrexate and/or bee venom. Arthritic score, ankle diameter, paw volume and tissue expression of NF-κB and TNF-α were determined to assess anti-arthritic effects, while anti-nociceptive effects were assessed by gait score and thermal hyperalgesia. Methotrexate toxicity was assessed by measuring serum TNF-α, liver enzymes and expression of NF-κB in liver. Combination therapy of bee venom with methotrexate significantly improved arthritic parameters and analgesic effect as compared to methotrexate alone. Bee venom ameliorated serum TNF-α and liver enzymes elevations as well as over expression of NF-κB in liver induced by methotrexate. Histological examination supported the results. And for the first time bee venom acupuncture was approved to increase methotrexate bioavailability with a significant decrease in its elimination.

CONCLUSION

bee venom potentiates the anti-arthritic effects of methotrexate, possibly by increasing its bioavailability. Also, it provides a potent anti-nociceptive effect. Furthermore, bee venom protects against methotrexate induced hepatotoxicity mostly due to its inhibitory effect on TNF-α and NF-κB.

Lysosomal membrane stabilization and anti-inflammatory activity of Clerodendrum phlomidis L.f., a traditional medicinal plant

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Clerodendrum phlomidis L.f., is used to treat several inflammatory diseases and arthritis in Indian traditional system and folk medicine.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the scientific basis of antiinflammatory activity of different organic solvent extracts of Clerodendrum phlomidis and to evaluate the active crude extract for its antiarthritic activity in FCA induced animal model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The antiinflammatory activity of Clerodendrum phlomidis was studied using the carrageenan and cotton pellet induced inflammatory models. The crude ethanol extract was standardized with the known standard using HPLC. The antiarthritic activity was studied using Freund's complete adjuvant induced rat model. For antiarthritic activity, the active crude extract was administered at the concentrations of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg body weight. The effect of the ethanol extract on serum SGOT, SGPT, ALP, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, plasma lysosomal enzymes and protein bound carbohydrates of FCA arthritic animals were studied.

RESULTS

The ethanol extract at 100, 200, and 400mg/kg, showed maximum inhibition of inflammation induced by carrageenan (100 mg/kg-47.73%; 200 mg/kg-54.00% and 400 mg/kg-65.15%). In cotton pellet induced granuloma, the ethanol extract at different concentrations showed significant reduction in granuloma weight. In FCA induced arthritis, the ethanol extract showed a significant reduction in paw thickness (100 mg/kg-51.71%; 200 mg/kg-57.58% and 400 mg/kg-62.48%). The levels of lysosomal enzymes and protein bound carbohydrates were significantly decreased in the ethanol extract treated groups compared with the arthritic control. The pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were significantly decreased in a dose dependent manner in all the Clerodendrum phlomidis treated groups.

CONCLUSION

Clerodendrum phlomidis displays considerable potency in antiinflammatory action and has prominent antiarthritic effect on adjuvant induced arthritis. Future studies will provide new insights into the antiinflammatory activity of Clerodendrum phlomidis and isolation of compound from it may eventually lead to development of a new class of antiinflammatory agent.