No abstract

No abstract

BackgroundThe roots and stem bark of Berberis orthobotrys (Berberidaceae) have long been used traditionally to treat joint pain. Though, it has not been pharmacologically assessed for rheumatoid arthritis. The current study explores anti-arthritic activity and phytochemical analysis of aqueous-methanolic extract (30:70) and fractions (ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and aqueous) of Berberis orthobotrys roots.MethodsAnti-arthritic potential was evaluated in vitro using protein denaturation (bovine serum albumin and egg albumin) and membrane stabilization methods at 12.5–800 μg/ml concentration and in vivo via turpentine oil, formaldehyde and Complete Freund Adjuvant (CFA) models at 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg doses. Also, in vitro antioxidant ability was appraised by reducing power assay. Moreover, total flavonoid content, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and High performance liquid chromatography of n-butanol fraction were performed.ResultsThe results revealed concentration dependent inhibition of albumin denaturation and notable RBC membrane stabilization, with maximum results obtained at 800 μg/ml. Similarly, plant exhibited dose dependent anti-arthritic effect in turpentine oil and formaldehyde models, with maximum activity observed at 150 mg/kg. The results of CFA model depicted better protection against arthritic lesions and body weight alterations. Also, B.orthobotrys remarkably ameliorated altered hematological parameters, rheumatoid factor and positively modified radiographic and histopathological changes. Additionally, plant exhibited remarkable anti-oxidant activity. Moreover, phytochemical analysis revealed polyphenols and flavonoids.ConclusionTaken together, these results support traditional use of B.orthobotrys as potent anti-arthritic agent that may be proposed for rheumatoid arthritis treatment.

<p class="Abstract">The present study was commenced to evaluate the anti-arthritic effect of 70% methanol extract and <em>n</em>-butanol and aqueous fractions of <em>Berberis calliobotrys</em> using both <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> arthritis models. Extract and fractions were investigated<em> in vitro</em> for inhibition of protein (bovine serum and egg albumin) denaturation and human red blood cell membrane stabilization. <em>In vivo</em> anti-arthritic activity of extract and fractions at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg was assessed using turpentine oil and formaldehyde-induced arthritis, while, 200 mg/kg dose was evaluated against complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis. <em>B. calliobotrys</em> produced significant (p&lt;0.001) dose dependent inhibition of protein denaturation and human red blood cell membrane stabilization. In turpentine oil, formaldehyde and complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis models,<em> B. calliobotrys</em> significantly (p&lt;0.001) reduced joint and paw swelling. <em>B. calliobotrys</em> markedly improved body weight, hematology profile, radiological and histopathological parameters in complete Freund’s adjuvant model. It could be concluded that <em>B. calliobotrys</em> holds anti-arthritic potential, supporting its traditional use in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.</p><br /><p> </p>

No abstract

Context: Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. (Cuscutaceae) has been used traditionally for treating sore knees and kidney problems, but its efficacy has not been scientifically examined in treating arthritis and nephrotoxicity. Objective: Present study determines antiarthritic and nephroprotective potential of the aqueous methanolic extract of Cuscuta reflexa (AMECR). Materials and methods: Antiarthritic activity of Cuscuta reflexa in formaldehyde and turpentine oil-induced rat arthritis models was appraised at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg doses for 10 days and 6 h period, respectively, and in vitro protein denaturation (bovine serum albumin, egg albumin) inhibition was studied at 25–800 μg/mL concentration. The nephroprotective effect involved gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg doses. Results: Plant extract at 600 mg/kg significantly reduced paw oedema and joint swelling with maximal inhibition of 71.22% at the 6th hour for turpentine oil and 76.74% on 10th day for formaldehyde. Likewise, in vitro results corroborated significant concentration-dependent increase in percentage protection at 800 μg/mL against both bovine serum albumin (89.30%) and egg albumin (93.51%) denaturation. Similarly, 600 mg/kg dose showed maximum nephroprotection by reducing serum urea (41.400 ± 0.510 mg/dL), uric acid (0.740 ± 0.032 mg/dL), blood urea nitrogen (18.370 ± 0.328), creatinine (3.267 ± 0.076) and minimizing kidney weight gain (0.586 ± 0.005) and histopathological alterations on 8th day. Furthermore, phytochemical and HPLC analysis revealed the presence of important phytoconstituents. Discussion and conclusions: These results suggest that AMECR provides protection against arthritis and nephrotoxicity that might be due to the existence of phytoconstituents, thus supporting folkloric claim.

<p class="Abstract">The present study determines the anti-arthritic potential of Ephedra gerardiana ethanolic extract and its ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions adopting in vitro and in vivo tests. In vitro tests included thermally induced bovine serum albumin denaturation and egg albumin denaturation, also membrane stabilizing assay at concentration of 50-6400 µg/mL, whereas in vivo study comprised formaldehyde-induced arthritis at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg doses. The crude extract and fractions inhibited protein denaturation and stabilized red blood cells membrane in concentration-dependent fashion, with maximal effect achieved at 6,400 µg/mL (p&lt;0.001). Similarly, in formaldehyde model, the extract and fractions dose-dependently reduced injected paw volume and diameter, with maximum reduction at 200 mg/kg (p&lt;0.001). However, results of aqueous fraction were on a par with hydroalcoholic extract in each test. These results suggest that E. gerardiana provides protection against arthritis that might be owing to the existence of phytoconstituents thus, supporting folkloric claim.</p><p><strong>Video Clip of Methodology</strong>:</p><p>23 min 48 sec:   <a href="https://youtube.com/v/Pr4sgq3sBUY">Full Screen</a>   <a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=Pr4sgq3sBUY">Alternate</a></p>

Glutinol, a triterpenoid compound, has no documented systematic investigation into its mechanism. Hence, we used network pharmacology to investigate glutinol’s mechanism. The chemical formula of glutinol was searched in the PubChem database for our investigation. The BindingDB Database was utilized to discover probable glutinol target genes after ADMET analysis with the pkCSM software. DAVID tools were also used to perform Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of target genes. We also uploaded the targets to the STRING database to obtain the protein interaction network at the same time. Then, we performed some molecular docking using glutinol and targets. Finally, we used Cytoscape to visualize and evaluate a protein–protein interaction network and a drug-target-pathway network. Glutinol has good biological activity and drug utilization, according to our findings. A total of 32 target genes were discovered. Bioinformatics and network analysis were used, allowing the discovery that these target genes are linked to carcinogenesis, diabetes, inflammatory response, and other biological processes. These findings showed that glutinol can operate on a wide range of proteins and pathways to establish a pharmacological network that can be useful in drug development and use.