The Effect of Tetrandrine and Extracts of Centella asiatica on Acute Radiation Dermatitis in Rats.

Abstract

Radiation injury to the skin is one of the major limiting factors in radiotherapy. We designed this study using Sprague-Dawley rats to evaluate the reduction in skin injury achieved using natural products from plant extracts as protection. The acute skin reaction in tetrandrine- and Madecassol-treated animals appeared earlier, but was significantly less severe, than in the control group. The peak skin reactions in the tetrandrine group were less serious than those of the control group at three different radiation doses. At a high dose irradiation, the healing effect of tetrandrine is better than Madecassol and vaseline. The histologic findings indicate that tetrandrine and Madecassol are able to reduce acute radiation reactions by their anti-inflammatory activity.

Thai medicinal plants modulate nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-α in J774.2 mouse macrophages

“…There is some evidence that certain plants can affect immune reactions through their anti-inflammatory activity. For example, Centella asiatica extracts have been reported to reduce acute radiation reactions in rats by this mechanism (Chen et al, 1999). An earlier study suggested the potential for cytotoxic and antitumor properties of Centella asiatica (Babu et al, 1995).…”

Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products from Terrestrial Plants as TNF-α Antagonist

“…Pentacyclic triterpene derivatives are the main active components of C. asiatica. Its extracts have been reported to reduce acute radiation reactions in rats [50], and also the cytotoxic and antitumor properties of C. asiatica [51]. The water extract of C. asiatica increased the production of NO and TNF-in a mouse macrophage cell line at concentrations above 62.5 g/ml in a dose dependent manner; the maximum NO concentration produced was 1.6 M at 1000 g/ml of extract.…”

“…The petroleum ether extract of this plant also showed potent inhibitory activity on its ability to block the production of IL-6 and TNF- [69]. The compound 4,7,8-trimethoxy-naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid (48) inhibited the IL-6 production with IC 50 …”

“…Hamamelitannin (50) is one of the major constituent of the plant. The structural chemistry of hamamelitannin (50) includes two gallate moieties and a sugar unit, hamamelose. It has been shown to protect ROS mediated cell death.…”

Mutagenicity Effect of Centella asiatica in Aqueous Extract by Using Ames Test

“…Besides that, Pegaga extract also has anti-ulcer effects especially with reference to its Asiatic acid and asiaticoside content [12][13][14]. The asiaticoside of this plant has been reported to possess strong antioxidant properties [15], act as antimicrobial [16] and anti-inflammatory [17].…”