Small Herb Research Articles

Inhibitory Potency of Selected Therapeutic Bioactive Molecules of Standardized Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Extract on CYP3A4 and CYP2D6: Exploring Possible Herb-Drug Interactions

Context Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth (Scrophulariacae) is a small perennial herb distributed in the alpineHimalayan tract and in some tropical parts of India. The production of two compounds Phenyl tetraglucoside and Phenolic diglucoside bioactive in Picrorrhiza kurroa. It may suggest that it is containing an interesting bioactive compound. Aim This research aimed to characterize the new phenyl tetraglucoside and phenolic diglucoside compounds in Picrorrhiza species (kurroa sp.) found on the Himalayan and some tropical parts of India. Subjects and Methods Isolation of bioactive compounds through total methanol extracts. It has been done with spectral studies using thin layer chromatography. The structures of both compounds were elucidated on the basis of UV, IR, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (H1 and C13 NMR) and Mass spectroscopic studies. Results Elucidation showed that compounds found as a new Phenyl tetraglucoside, namely, as 3-methoxy-4 hydroxyphenyl-n-butanyl-o-α-L-glucopyranosyl-(4a→1b)-α-L glucopyranosyl-(4b→1c)-α-L-glucopyranosyl-(4c→1d)-α-L-glucopyranosyl-4d-(3'-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-n-pent-7', 9'- dien-11'-oate, Phenolic diglucoside and vanillyl glucoside. Conclusion Results of this study suggest that a Picrorhiza kurroa species is a potential source of various active compounds.

Mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicines in the treatment of allergic rhinitis using a network biology approach

Abstract Objective To systematically explore the effect and mechanism of traditional Chinese herbs in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Methods Magnolia flower, xanthium fruit, astragalus root, paniculate cynanchum, scutellaria root, cicada molting, stephania root, small centipeda herb, and licorice root as traditional Chinese herbs are widely used to treat allergic rhinitis. With multiple database integration and entity grammar systems, a molecular interaction network of traditional Chinese herbs for treating allergic rhinitis was established. Bioinformatics approaches were adopted to integrate relevant data and biological information by multiple databases. Molecular interaction network of Chinese herbs for treating allergic rhinitis was constructed based on entity grammar systems model. The network was then used for elucidating the anti-allergic rhinitis mechanism of the Chinese herbs on the molecular level. The subnetworks were also extracted to explicitly display the pathway and targets where effective components acted on. Results Traditional Chinese herbs could influence various pathological aspects in allergic rhinitis including the production of pro-inflammatory substances, such as histamine and cytokine IL-4, IL-13, lowering IgE level or blocking antigen binding, altering the biological processes of IgE, modulating the balance of Th or other cells by cell proliferation and differentiation, mediating cell–cell signaling and second-messenger-mediated signaling, stabilizing the cell membrane, and affecting regulation of cellular defense response. Conclusion The research theoretically confirms the mechanism of anti-allergic rhinitis by traditional Chinese herbs, provides important fundamental research information for treatment of allergic rhinitis, and may serve as a reference for new drug development and effective ingredients of compatibility.

A comparative study on phytochemical investigation and pharmacological screening of Platycladus orientalis and Ocimum canum

In ayurveda, plants have been used for the treatment of so many diseases. Herbal drugs are easily available and have fewer side effects. So, many people are attracted towards the herbal drugs. Platycladus orientalis is one of the useful plant in Indian & Chinese medicine. It is used in treatment of so many diseases like diuretic, anticancer, anticonvulsant, stomachic, antipyretic, analgesic and anthelmintic etc. In Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa Platycladus orientalis is grown as an ornamental. The essential oils extracted from leaves, cones and wood are important in body care products used in the Western world. Platycladus orientalis (Commonly- Morpankhi, Family- Cupressaceae) is an evergreen, monoecious trees or shrubs used in various forms of traditional medicines and homeopathy in various ways. In traditional practices Thuja is used for treatment of bronchial catarrh, enuresis, cystitis, psoriasis, uterine carcinomas, amenorrhea and rheumatism. Recent re-searches in different parts of the world have shown that p. orientalis and its active component thujone have the great potential against a various health problems The medicinal plants are widely used by the traditional medical practitioners for curing various diseases in their day to day practice. In traditional systems of medicine, different parts (leaves, stem, flower, root, seeds and even whole plant) of Ocimum canum Linn (known as kalaTulsi in Hindi), a small herb seen throughout India, have been recommended for the treatment of bronchitis, bronchial asthma, malaria, diarrhea, dysentery, skin diseases, arthritis, painful eye diseases, chronic fever, insect bite etc. The Ocimum canum L. has also been suggested to possess antifertility, anticancer, antidiabetic, antifungal, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antiemetic, antispasmodic, analgesic,adaptogenic and diaphoretic actions.

Secondary Metabolites, Glandular Trichomes and Biological Activity of Sideritis montana L. subsp. montana from Central Italy.

Sideritis montana subsp. montana is a small annual herb occurring in countries bordering the Mediterranean and Balkan regions. The secondary metabolism of this plant has not been fully explored so far. The aim of the present study was to understand the complex mixture of secondary metabolites and the type of secretory structures. The polar constituents were isolated by column chromatography from the ethanolic extract, and their structure was elucidated by NMR and MS. The essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC/MS. The plant indumentum was studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. To complete the work, the essential oil antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity on tumor cells were evaluated by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and MTT methods. Four different classes of secondary metabolites were isolated, namely flavonoids, caffeoylquinic derivatives, glycosidic hydroquinones and iridoids. The essential oil was mainly characterized by sesquiterpenene hydrocarbons. Peltate and long-capitate hairs were the main sites where terpenes and polar constituents are produced. The secondary metabolites found in S. montana subsp. montana are of chemotaxonomic interest, some of them being typical of the genus Sideritis. The trichomes types observed partially differ from those described in other members of the genus Sideritis. The essential oil showed noteworthy inhibition on tumor cells.

Distribution of Phytochemicals and Bioactivity in Different Parts and Leaf Positions of Stevia Rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni- a Non-caloric, Natural Sweetener

Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni (Asteraceae) is a small perennial herb which is widely cultivated for its sweet leaves and possesses 250-300 times the sweetness than sucrose due to the presence of steviol glycosides (mainly stevioside and rebaudioside). It is commonly known as candy leaf, sweet leaf and sugar leaf. Even though, this plant has been studied extensively for its sweetness, information on therapeutically important active components presence in stevia is scattered or lacking. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine the distribution of Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) of different parts and different leaf positions of S. rebaudiana. Leaf fresh weight, dry weight and leaf area at different leaf positions were recorded. The TAC, TPC and TFC were determined using Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay (FRAP), modified Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method and calorimetric method respectively. Leaf fresh weight and leaf dry weight were increased with the maturity. All tested plant parts demonstrated the presence of TPC, TFC and TAC. The significantly higher TPC, TFC and TAC were reported in leaves than other parts of plant. The order of increase of active components was leaf>flower>stem>branch>root. TPC, TFC and TAC of different leaf positions revealed that TAC, was decreased gradually from immature to mature leaf (1st leaf>2nd leaf>3rd leaf>4th leaf>5th leaf). Moreover, all tested phytochemicals (phenolics and flavonoids) and antioxidant capacity were significantly higher in extracts prepared from the first leaf. Interestingly, a strong significant correlations were observed between TAC and tested secondary metabolites (TFC, R2=0.85). The results of the present study are vital important in cultivation, harvesting and quality control aspects of S. rebaudiana.

A Comprehensive Review on the Nutritional and Nutraceutical Aspects of Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum Linn.)

Studies revealed that garden cress (Lepidium sativum) has been used in India for medicinal purposes since Vedic era. A systematic literature review was conducted to summarize and quantify the past and current evidence for garden cress. Relevant papers up to 2015 in various databases were searched to collect the review on garden cress. Garden cress, a native of Egypt and south west Asia, is a small perennial edible herb that has been used to treat many diseases for centuries. The seeds, leaves as well as roots have medicinal properties. The seeds are rich in protein, fat, calcium, iron and have high nutritional value. They are considered to be galactogogue, anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic, antiasthmatic and antidiarrheal. The article also emphasized on the nutritional composition of the leaves which showed that these are good source of macroelements like potassium, sodium, calcium and trace minerals like iron, magnesium and zinc. The food products developed by using garden cress seed powder have also been highlighted in the present review.

METABOLIC FINGERPRINTING OF ROOT, STEM AND LEAF EXTRACTS OF PHYLLANTHUS AMARUS

<p><strong> </strong><em>Phyllanthus amarus</em> belonging to family Euphorbiaceae is an important medicinal plant from ancient times which is used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. It is a small annual herb mostly found in Central and Southern India .All parts of this plant have medicinal value and are used in traditional medicines for curing various diseases such as jaundice, hepatitis B, C, microbial infections, viral diseases, tumors and kidney stones etc. Keeping in view its immense medicinal potential, phytochemical analysis was carried out using different solvents such as ethyl acetate, dimethyl formamide, chloroform, dichloromethane and n-Hexane. All the plant parts <em>viz.</em> root, stem and leaf were separately analyzed for the detection of phenols and flavonoids, of which leaf exhibited highest concentration compared to root and stem. Maximum percentage of phenols and flavonoids could be detected with dimethyl formamide in comparison to other solvents that were used in the study.<em> </em>Dimethyl formamide leaf extract displayed highest phenolic content<em> </em>of 40.75mg/g and highest flavonoid<em> </em>content<em> of</em> 51.5mg/g.</p>

Antithrombotic activity of turmeric (<italic>Curcuma longa</italic>): A review

The venous and arterial thromboembolic disorders are still be the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Now a days, the concept of “healthy diets” is very popular in the present lifestyle. So, the use of antithrombotic agents is of considerable interest in the role of natural food products and their bioactive components in the prevention and treatment of these disorders. Moreover, epidemiologic studies have provided evidence that foods with the thrombolytic/fibrinolytic effect could reduce the risk of thrombosis. “Blood thinner foods” have the antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and/or fibrinolytic properties. Natural foods that contain salicylates can mimic some of the antiplatelet effects of cardiovascular drug like aspirin. Fruits (i.e., grapefruit, guava, kiwi, pineapple, and watermelon), vegetables (i.e., alfalfa, beans, corn, potato, radish, and zucchini), and spices (i.e., chili, curry, ginger, rosemary and turmeric) are reported that they are containing salicylates compounds. Turmeric (<italic>Curcuma longa</italic>) is a small rhizomatous perennial herb belonging to Zingiberaceae family originating from SoutheasternAsia. It is a folk remedy for applying on fresh cuts to stop bleeding and for the healing of wound. Further, turmeric has been shown to possess anticancer, antidiabetic, antifertility, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Its phytochemical substances are alkaloids, curcuminoids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, which all of these contribute to its remedial properties. This article provides a brief overview of the antithrombotic activity of turmeric, <italic>C. longa</italic> to further provide an up-to-date review showing its importance.

Sedative and Anxiolytic-Like Actions of Ethanol Extract of Leaves of Glinus oppositifolius (Linn.) Aug. DC.

Glinus oppositifolius is a small herb, widely used in the traditional medicine of Bangladesh in treatment of a variety of diseases and disorders such as insomnia, pain, inflammation, jaundice, and fever. The present study evaluated the sedative and anxiolytic potentials of the ethanol extract of leaves of G. oppositifolius (EEGO) in different behavioral models in mice. The sedative activity of EEGO was investigated using hole cross, open field, rotarod, and thiopental sodium- (TS-) induced sleeping time determination tests, where the elevated plus maze (EPM) and light-dark box (LDB) exploration tests were employed to justify the anxiolytic potentials in mice at the doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg. The results demonstrated that EEGO significantly inhibited the exploratory behavior of the animals both in hole cross and in open field tests in a dose-dependent manner. It also decreased motor coordination and modified TS-mediated hypnosis in mice. In addition, EEGO showed anxiolytic potential by increasing the number and time of entries in the open arm of EPM, which is further strengthened by increase in total time spent in the light part of LDB. Therefore, this study suggests the sedative and anxiolytic properties of the leaves of G. oppositifolius and supports the traditional use of this plant in treatment of different psychiatric disorders including insomnia.

Neuroprotective effect of centella asiatica leaves extract on substantia Nigra neurons -a quantitative study in mice

Centella asiatica is a small medicinal herb, growing in damp soil. In Ayurvedic medicine, Centella asiatica is used extensively as brain tonic to enhance learning and memory power. In the present study, the neuroprotective role of Centella asiatica (CeA) leaf extract on substantia nigra neurons against stress induced neurodegeneration in mice was investigated. Mice were divided into four groups and treated as follows: (i) Normal control (NC) - remained undisturbed in the cage, (ii) Saline control (SC) - treated with saline, (iii) Stressed group (S) – remained in the restrainer for 6 hours/day for 6 weeks, (iv) Stress + Centella asiatica treated group (S+CeA) - stressed and received orally CeA leaf extract throughout the stress period (n=6 in all groups). After 6 weeks, brain was removed and processed for Golgi staining. Substantia nigra neurons were traced using camera lucida focused at 400X magnification. The concentric circle method of Sholl was used to quantify the dendrites. The results showed less number of dendritic branching points and dendritic intersections in stressed group. On the other hand, the number of dendritic branching points and dendritic intersections of substantia nigra neurons in group (iv) were significantly more. The results conclude that, oral intubation of centella asiatica leaves extract increased dendritic branching points and dendritic intersections of substantia nigra neurons. Keywords: Restraint stress, Substantia nigra, Dendritic branching points, Dendritic intersections

POLAR BIOACTIVE CONSTITUENTS FROM AERIAL PARTS OF THYMUS LONGICAULIS C. PRESL

Thymus longicaulis C. Presl., belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is a small aromatic perennial herb typical of the Mediterranean vegetation. This species, known in traditional phytoteraphy of Italy, has been extensively investigated in terms of chemical analysis and biological activity of its essential oils. Nevertheless, few data are available in the literature, regarding the chemical characterization of polar components of T. longicaulis. In this study, the phytochemical investigation of methanol extract of T. longicaulis through different chromatographic techniques, led to the isolation of thirteen compounds. The structures of rosmarinic acid and two derivatives, as well as that of flavones, triterpenes and a lignan have been elucidated on the basis of extensive NMR spectroscopic analyses. The evaluation of DPPH radical scavenging activity of pure compounds has been performed.

Phytochemical and pharmacological investigation of Kickxia ramosissima

Kickxia ramosissima (Wall.) Janch. (Scrophulariaceae) is a small herb that is highly appreciated as a traditional medicine in the Indian subcontinent [1 – 2]. The scientific data reporting its constituents are poor and therefore the present investigation was undertaken to discover the main constituents. A double maceration was performed at room temperature with methanol 90%, followed by liquid-liquid partition with various solvents. Each fraction was then tested for claimed biological activities including antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic and antiglycation assays. The microorganisms used were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Microsporum canis and MRC-5 cells as a cytotoxicity control. The n-hexane fraction showed notable antibacterial (IC50 8 µg/mL) and antifungal (IC50 24.40 µg/mL) activity. All other fractions were considered as inactive (IC50> 64 µg/mL). The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest anti-glycation (Advanced Glycation Endproducts, AGEs) activity (IC50 87.14 µg/mL), followed by the n-butanol (IC50 144.62 µg/mL), methanol 90% (IC50 167.16 µg/mL) and chloroform (IC50 175 µg/mL) fractions. In order to provide adequate phytochemical information all extracts were further fractionated using repetitive flash chromatography and analysed by TLC and HPLC-DAD. For the isolation of major compounds, a semi preparative HPLC(RP)-DAD-MS system was used. Subsequently NMR and mass spectra were recorded to elucidate the structure of the isolated compounds, which could be identified as iridoids (1 – 4) flavonoids (5 – 6),p-hydroxy-coumaric acid methyl ester (7) and p-hydroxy-benzoic acid methyl ester (8). Compound 4 was a new iridoid. Biological evaluation of isolated compounds is in progress.

Antimicrobial Screening of Euphorbia hirta L. and Pedalium murex L. - A Comparative Study

Medicinal plants have been used for centuries as remedies for human diseases because they contain components of therapeutic value.Herbal medicine is still mainstay of about 75-80 % of the whole population, mainly in developing countries, for primary health care because of better cultural acceptability, better compatiability with the human body and fewer side effects.Euphorbia hirta (amman pacharisi) is a small perennial herb which belongs to the family of Euphorbiaceae and it is used to treat bronchitic asthma, ameoboidal dysentry and laryngeal spasm.Pedalium murex (yanai nerunjil) is a much-branched annual herb. This belongs to the family of Pedaliaceae and is used to treat gonohorrea, urinary track infections and spermatohorrea.The present study is to compare the antibacterial and antifungal activity of aqueous and organic solvent leaf extracts of Euphorbia hirta and Pedalium murexThe antimicrobial assay is done by disc diffusion method []against bacterial species (Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Aeromonas liquefaciens and lcaligenes spp.) and fungal species (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus erythrocephalus and Fusarium spp.).

Chemical Constituents of Dichrocephala integrifolia

Dichrocephala integrifolia (Asteraceae) is a small herb widely distributed in many countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Many species of the genus Dichrocephala are used as folk medicines for ulcer, fever, hypertension, and pneumonia. In addition, the leaves of D. integrifolia are used for treating malaria and hepatitis. The composition of the essential oil from the leaves and flowers of D. integrifolia has been reported [1, 2]. There are also some studies on the aerial parts of D. integrifolia, and some of its compounds show inhibitory effects on NO production and induced NO synthase inhibitory activities [3]. In our continuing studies on bioactive compounds from plants [5–9], we investigated the aerial parts of Dichrocephala integrifolia. A review of the literature shows that several chemical compounds have been isolated from this plant, including diterpene lactones, sesquiterpene lactones, sterols, dicaffeoylquinic acid, and flavonoids [3, 4]. In continuation of our investigation on this plant, eight compounds were isolated and elucidated here. The dried and chopped aerial parts of Dichrocephala integrifolia (6 kg) were extracted three times with EtOH (24 L) and successively fractionated into petroleum ether, CH2Cl2, EtOAc, and n-BuOH fractions. The four fractions were subjected to all kinds of column chromatography and Prep-TLC to obtain eight compounds characterized as 3-O-methyleupatorin (1), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (2), N-benzoylphenylalaninyl-N-benzoylphenylalaninate (3), aurantiamide acetate (4), 2-hydroxyolean-12-ene-23,28-dioic acid-3-O--D-glucopyranoside (5), 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid (6), dichrocephol B (7), and dichrocephol C (8) by analyzing their spectral data and by comparing with published data in the literature. Compound 1, yellow needle crystals (acetone), characterized as 3-O-methyleupatorin [10].

Potential Beneficial Effects of<i> Tulbaghia violacea</i> William Henry Harvey (Alliaceae) on Cardiovascular System - A Review

Tulbaghia violacea William Henry Harvey (Harv. Alliaceae) is a small bulbous herb belonging to the family Alliaceae. It is used in South Africa to treat fever, colds, asthma, paralysis, and hypertension. Meanwhile, cardiovascular disease accounts for about 30 % of total global death, with most of these deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries. Furthermore, people in low-income countries are still largely dependent on plants in their surroundings for both prophylaxis and treatment of diseases, partly due to limited access to and cost of pharmaceuticals, and folkloric evidence of the potency of medicinal plants and/or local belief systems. Therefore, the present review aims to proffer possible ways by which T. violacea may improve cardiovascular outcomes. An extensive and systematic review of the literature was carried out, and relevant findings presented in this review. There is evidence that T. violacea may modulate the renin-angiotensin system, the autonomic nervous system, oxidative stress and haemostasis, with resultant protection of the cardiovascular system in both health and disease.

The identity of Roscoea cauteoides var. pubescens (Z. Y. Zhu) T. L.Wu based on molecular and morphological evidences

Roscoea cautleoides Gagnepain is a small herb and mainly distributed in Sichuan and Yunnan province. According to the Flora of China, this species includes two varieties, namely R. cautleoides var. cautleoides and R. cautleoides var. pubescens (Z. Y. Zhu) T. L. Wu. The later had initially been proposed as a new species (R. pubescens Z. Y. Zhu), but it was then treated as one variety of R. cautleoides. In the present study, we found that R. cautleoides var. pubescens was obviously distinguishable from R. cautleoides var. cautleoides in the maximum parsimony (MP) tree. And this result was also supported by morphological characters of these two taxa. So we suggest that R. cautleoides Z. Y. Zhu should be recovered and regarded as valid name for the species.

Rapid qualitative and quantitative analysis of bioactive compounds from Phyllanthus amarus using LC/MS/MS techniques

Phyllanthus amarus is a small herb belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family. It is well known for its potent medicinal properties and widely used worldwide. The chromatographic method was developed for rapid screening of phytochemicals using high-pressure liquid chromatography hyphenated with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (HPLC/ESI-QTOF-MS/MS). Fifty two compounds were identified and characterized out of which forty three phenolics and nine lignans were successfully characterized based on retention time, exact mass, molecular formula and their fragmentation patterns. Among them, six bioactive compounds namely phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, and quercetin, were further quantified in 3.6min by developing ultra high performance liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-MS/MS) method in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) acquisition mode. It was found that the calibration curves for all analytes showed good linearity (R2>0.9986) within the test ranges. The overall limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.18–1.82ng/mL and 0.44–3.82ng/mL, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for intra- and inter-day precisions were below 1.12% and 1.92%, respectively. Remarkable differences were observed in contents of the bioactive compounds in all samples. Principle component analysis was used for samples discrimination obtained from different geographical locations. On the basis of PC scores, samples MP and WB were closer and lying in the same quadrant, while UP was much far apart.

Hepatoprotective and antibacterial activity of Lippia nodiflora Linn. against lipopolysaccharides on HepG2 cells.

Background:Lippia nodiflora (LN) Linn is a small herb distributed throughout the world. The plant extracts of LN is used traditionally as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antipyretic, antitumor, antidiabetic, and possess hepatoprotective properties.Materials and Methods:To study the antibacterial and hepatoprotective effect of LN, we used methanolic extracts of leaves on HepG2 cells. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) is a well-characterized hepatotoxin, so toxicity was induced on liver cells using LPS. Up-regulation of inflammation genes were quantified.Results and Conclusions:In our present study, we have showed that LN reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production against LPS induced toxicity on HepG2 cells, and ther by decreased the apoptotic gene expression and protect the liver cells against toxicity.

Evaluation of antinociceptive effect of ethanol extract of Hedyotis corymbosa Linn. whole plant in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevanceHedyotis corymbosa (Linn.) Lam. is a small herb commonly called as khetpapra, traditionally used to treat a wide range of diseases including abdominal pain, arthritis and inflammation. This study was conducted to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of ethanol extract of Hedyotis corymbosa (EEHC) whole plant. Materials and methodsThe antinociceptive activity of EEHC was evaluated in mice using both chemical- and heat-induced pain models such as acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate, tail immersion, formalin, and glutamate tests at 50, 100, and 200mg/kg doses. In order to verify the possible involvement of opioid receptors in the central antinociceptive effect of EEHC, the effects found in hot plate and tail immersion tests were antagonized with naloxone. ResultsEEHC produced a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect against the chemical- and heat-induced pain in mice, significantly at 100 and 200mg/kg doses. These findings suggest that the action of EEHC involves both peripheral and central antinociceptive mechanisms. The antinociceptive activity of EEHC was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with naloxone, indicating the influence of opioid receptors on the exertion of EEHC action centrally. ConclusionsThis study reports the antinociceptive activity of Hedyotis corymbosa and possible underlying mechanism(s) that supports the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of different painful conditions.

GASTRO PROTECTIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT EFFECT OF EUPHORBIA PROSTRATA AGAINST INDOMETHACIN INDUCED GASTRIC ULCERS IN HEALTHY ADULT MALE ALBINO RABBITS

Euphorbia prostrate belongs to family Euphorbiaceae locally known as Doodhi is small annual herb. Current study was conducted t o evaluate the gastro protec tive and antioxidant effectiveness of the aerial parts of E . prostrata in indomethacin induced ulcer in adult male albino rabbits. A total 36 mice were taken and divided into 6 equal groups . At day 0 and 14 of experiment the blood sample was collected from each animal and serum was separated from blood which was used for the determination of Total oxidant status (TOS) , Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) , catalase (CAT) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) . At the end of the experiment, all of the rabbits were slaughtere d . The gastric content s were collected to total acid output , gastric pH and gastric volume . To confirm the data results was subjected to one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results when compared with the extensive mucosal damage in the indomethacin trate d group , gross evaluation revealed a marked protection of the gastric mucosa in the experimental groups, with significantly reductio n in gastric pH, gastric volume and acid output. In these groups, CAT and TAC levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05) and while MDA and TOS significantly reduced (P < 0.05) which indicate reduction in gastric damage. In conclusion to these results E. prostrata has potent antioxidant properties at dose rate of 240 mg/kg and it is also very effective for the treatment of g astric ulcer at the same dose.