No abstract

Liver diseases pose a major challenge to international public health. Hepatic damage is associated with distortion of metabolic functions of the liver. The present study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of the ethanolic extract of whole plant of Andrographis paniculata in CCl 4 -induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats by single intraperitoneal injection of 30 % CCl 4 suspended in olive oil (1 ml /kg b.w.) after every 72 h for 10 days (group II). Hepatotoxicity-induced rats were treated with 200 mg/kg b.w. of ethanolic extract of A. paniculata for 10 days, and also, CCl 4 was given as in group II rats. The effect of the drug was compared with the standard drug silymarin. The effect of the ethanolic extract of whole plant of A. paniculata on marker enzymes, serum glucose, urea, creatinine, serum bilirubin total protein, A/G ratio, gammaglutamyl transpeptidase, lipid profile and antioxidants was determined. Treatment with A. paniculata extract showed a significant reduction in blood glucose levels, marker enzymes and also lipid profile. The drug significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the liver of hepatotoxic rats. The results of the present study suggest that treatment with A. paniculata extract enhanced the recovery from CCl 4 -induced hepatic damage due to its antioxidant and hepatoprotective property.

Malignant tumors are known to exhibit high rates of glycolytic activity leading to high production of lactic acid. Hence, neoplastic cells have elevated activity of enzymes responsible for glycolysis. Echitamine chloride, an indole alkaloid extracted from the bark of Alstonia scholaris, has been reported to have a highly promising anticancer activity against fibrosarcoma in rats. In the present study, the effect of echitamine chloride on energy metabolism of S-180 cells is investigated to have a better understanding on the mode of action of echitamine chloride. The effect of echitamine chloride on the mitochondrial and cellular respiration of S-180 cells was studied. Also, the effects on glucose utilization, pyruvate utilization and lactate formation were studied on whole S-180 cells and S-180 cell-free homogenate. The levels of glycolytic enzymes such as hexokinase and lactate dehydrogenase were estimated in which particular emphasis has been laid on hexokinase which occurs both in cytosolic and particulate forms in neoplastic cells. Hence the differential effect of echitamine chloride on the levels of total, cytosolic and particulate hexokinase has been investigated. In conclusion, echitamine chloride affects both cellular and mitochondrial respiration, leading to reduction of the cellular energy pool and thereby resulting in the loss of viability of S-180 cells.

Most of the breast cancer patients are treated with CMF which is a combination of three anticancer agents namely cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil. The metabolites of CMF induce the level of lipid peroxides in the system, which are circulated in the blood. The present study reports the effect of CMF on the levels of cholesterol and phospholipids in erythrocytes of breast cancer patients showing a significant increase in the level of phospholipids. As the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio increases, the fluidity of the membrane decreases, thereby altering the architecture of the erythrocyte membrane in the breast cancer patients treated with CMF.

Objective: The main objective of this study is to standardise and evaluate traditional formulation both qualitatively and quantitatively on the basis of organoleptic characteristics, physical characteristics, physiochemical properties and phytochemical screening.Methods: Traditional formulation (TF) containing seven traditionally used herbs were collected from local areas and market. The plants were washed, air-dried and coarsely powdered. The aqueous extract was prepared as per literature, and various physiochemical, phytochemical screening was done.Results: The organoleptic character shows the drug with greenish colour, slightly bitter taste and characteristic odour. The physiochemical properties show the appropriate pH and the solubility of TF. Secondary metabolites like phenolic compounds and flavonoids are present abundantly in aqueous extract than in other extracts.Conclusion: Our studies suggests that TF contains medicinally important secondary metabolites which has disease protective properties. This study will help in the progression of a suitable monograph, determining the quality and purity of a crude extract and laying down pharmacopoeia standards for the formulation.