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Ethanol extract of Pisonia aculeata (EPA) was evaluated for hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities in rats. The plant extract (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) showed a remarkable hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4) -induced hepatotoxicity as judged from the serum marker enzymes and antioxidant levels in were compared with respective control. Results indicate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of P. aculeata against CCl 4 -induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Niosome vesicles of cytarabine hydrochloride were prepared by a lipid hydration method that excluded dicetylphosphate. The sizes of the vesicles obtained ranged from 600 to 1000 nm, with the objective of producing more blood levels in vivo. The study of the release of drug from niosomes exhibited a prolonged release profile as studied over a period of 16 hr. The drug entrapment efficiency was about 80% with Tween 80, Span 60 and Tween 20; for Span 80, it was 67.5%. The physical stability profile of vesicular suspension was good as studied over a period of 4 weeks.

Ethanol and aqueous extracts of Carica papaya has been evaluated for its anti hepatotoxic activity. The ethanol and aqueous extracts of Carica papaya showed remarkable hepatoprotective activity against CCl 4 induced hepatotoxicity. The activity was evaluated by using biochemical parameters such as serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and gamma glutamate transpeptidase (GGTP). The histopathological changes of liver sample was compared with respect to control.

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The antitumour activity of ethanol extract of Bauhinia variegata (EBV) has been evaluated against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice. A significant enhancement of mean survival time of EBV treated tumour bearing mice was found with respect to the control group. EBV treatment was found to enhance peritoneal cell counts. After 14 days of inoculation, EBV is able to reverse the changes in the haemotological parameters, protein and PCV consequent to tumour inoculation. Oral administration of EBV was effective in reducing solid tumour mass development induced by EAC cells. EBV was found to be a potent cytotoxic towards EAC tumour cells.

Anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic and spermatogenic effects were studies with methanolic extract of stem of Amaranthus spinosus Linn (Family: Amaranthaceae) in diabetic rats. In streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, it was observed that both the standard drug (Glibenclamide) and methanolic extract of Amaranthus spinosus Linn. significantly exhibited control of blood glucose level on a 15 day model. Further, the methanolic extract also showed significant anti-hyperlipidemic and spermatogenic effects in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The methanolic extract has also accelerated the process of spermatogenesis by increasing the sperm count and accessory sex organ weights. The present investigation of the plant established some pharmacological evidence to support the folklore claim that it is used as an anti-diabetic.

The present study was performed to investigate the efficacy of an ethanol extract of the roots of Tragia cannabina for antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were administered T. cannabina (250 mg/kg) orally for 21 days, and blood glucose level was measured weekly. At the end of 21 days, concentrations of serum lipids such as total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and protein markers such as total protein, albumin, globulin, and albumin:globulin ratio (A:G) were estimated. Also, levels of enzymes such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined. Antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by estimating lipid peroxides (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase in liver of normal control and STZ- and extract-treated rats. Histopathological changes of liver and kidney were also studied in STZ-induced diabetic animals and normal controls. All these effects produced by the extract were compared with glibenclamide, a standard antidiabetic drug. Oral administration of T. cannabina for 21 days resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose level, lipid concentration, and SGOT, SGPT, ALP, and LPO levels accompanied by an increase in the levels of SOD and catalase in liver tissues of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Altered levels of protein markers also reverted back to normal. Histopathological changes of liver and kidney were returned to normal. The effects produced by the extract were comparable to that of glibenclamide. In conclusion, the T. cannabina showed significant antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects in STZ-induced diabetic rats.