No abstract

Some pharmacological actions of curcumin (diferuloyl methane) have been examined in rats, mice and cats. The compound possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity in acute as well as in chronic models of inflammation. It is as potent as phenylbutazone in the carrageenan oedema test but only half as potent in chronic tests. Curcumin possesses a much lower ulcerogenic index than phenylbutazone. It prevents the inflammation induced increase in SGOT and SGPT levels. It lacks analgesic and antipyretic activity. It has no other significant pharmacological effects. The oral LD50 in mice is more than 2.0 g kg-l.Curcumin (diferuloyl methane, I) is an important constituent of rhizomes of Curcuma Zonga Linn and gives the characteristic yellow colour to the rhizome. It has been widely used in indigenous medicine (Nadkarni, 1954). The present communication describes a significant anti-inflammatory activity in curcumin. Part of this work has been briefly reported by Srimal, Khanna & Dhawan (1971). METHODSMale albino rats (90-1 10 g) and albino mice (15-22 g) of either sex of the CDRI colony were used at 26 & 2". Curcumin was isolated from the rhizome and its purity established by melting point determination (180-182") and nnir data. It was administered orally suspended in 2.0 % gum acacia.

Tissue repair and wound healing are complex processes that involve inflammation, granulation, and remodeling of the tissue. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo effects of curcumin (difeurloylmethane), a natural product obtained from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa on wound healing in rats and guinea pigs. We observed faster wound closure of punch wounds in curcumin-treated animals in comparison with untreated controls. Biopsies of the wound showed reepithelialization of the epidermis and increased migration of various cells including myofibroblasts, fibroblasts, and macrophages in the wound bed. Multiple areas within the dermis showed extensive neovascularization, and Masson's Trichrome staining showed greater collagen deposition in curcumin-treated wounds. Immunohistochemical localization of transforming growth factor-beta1 showed an increase in curcumin-treated wounds as compared with untreated wounds. In situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction analysis also showed an increase in the mRNA transcripts of transforming growth factor-beta1 and fibronectin in curcumin-treated wounds. Because transforming growth factor-beta1 is known to enhance wound healing, it may be possible that transforming growth factor-beta1 plays an important role in the enhancement of wound healing by curcumin.

1 Male albino rats of 21 days age were exposed to 10 p.p.m. cadmium (CdCl2 salt) in drinking water, ad libitum, for 90 days. It increased the brain cadmium levels by 76% ( P < 0.05) and 165% ( P < 0.001) respec tively at 30 and 90 days of exposure compared to controls. 2 Cadmium increased blood - brain barrier permeability of fluoroscein dye (24%, P < 0.02) and the levels ofbrain microvessel malondialdehyde (31%, P<0.01) at 90 days of exposure. However, these parameters did not alter significantly at 30 days of exposure. 3 Increased activities of microvessel superoxide dismu tase (18%, P<0.02), glutathione peroxidase (20%, P<0.01) and catalase (28%, P<0.01) were observed at 30 days of exposure. 4 The continuation of the Cd treatment for 90 days decreased the levels of superoxide dismutase (30%, P<0.001), glutathione peroxidase (23%, P<0.005), catalase (25%, P < 0.005), glutathione reductase (18%, P < 0.02), vitamin E (20%, P < 0.01), glutathione (26%, P < 0.01), ascorbic acid (18%, P < 0.05) and ceruloplas min (13%, P<0.05) in the microvessal preparation compared to controls. 5 It appears that Cd-induced blood-brian barrier dysfunction may be related to the depletion of microvessel antioxidant substances along with in crease in lipid peroxidation at 90 days of exposure.

The nerve tonic activity of Bacopa monniera has been attributed to two saponins named Bacosides A and B. In the present investigation, Bacosides A and a mixture of the two saponins were used as aqueous suspensions. In the shock motivated brightness discrimination reaction a single oral dose of 10 mg/kg, 90 min prior to training, significantly reduced the time per trial, increased the number of positive responses and enhanced the relearning index. Similar effects were also observed in the relearning trial, but it was necessary to give a second dose 90 min prior to testing. In the active conditioned avoidance test 10 mg/kg p.o. given every alternate day significantly reduced the reaction time from the day 4 onward as well as the number of days of training. In the conditioned taste aversion response the bacosides produced a significant decrease in the lithium chloride intake. This effect was dose related in the range of 2.5–7.5 mg/kg p.o. Bacosides appear to be promising compounds having facilitatory effect on mental retention capacity by improving responses with positive as well as negative reinforcement.