Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera L. Dunal.) is an important “ Rasayana ” of Ayurveda. The roots are extensively used as an adaptogen and for different health issues. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-stimulating effects of Ashwagandha are well-documented. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Ashwagandha root extract as an adaptogen against various types of stress in horses. A total of 24 Kathiawari horses were selected and randomly divided into four groups. All the horses were provided with normal feed and water ad libitum . Group 1 (G1) was treated as the control group, and the horses were given a normal diet. Group 2 (G2), Group 3 (G3), and Group 4 (G4) horses received varying doses of Ashwagandha root extract along with the normal diet. All the animals were subjected to different types of stress including exercise-induced stress, separation, and noise stress on three different days and evaluated for various hematological, biochemical, hormonal, and immunological parameters. Over the 21 days, a statistically significant ( p < 0.05) increase in total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count, hemoglobin content, lymphocyte percentage, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase activities was observed. A statistically significant ( p < 0.05) decrease in cortisol, epinephrine, glucose, triglycerides, creatinine, IL-6, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase was observed in the Ashwagandha treated groups (G2, G3, and G4) when compared to the control group (G1). The results suggest that Ashwagandha root extract has potent hemopoietic, antioxidant, adaptogenic, and immune-stimulant properties.

Background:Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Alarmingly, the incidence of breast cancer is rising rapidly in India.Aim:The present research was focused to assess the role of myricetin; a bioflavonoid in 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer in female Wistar rats.Materials and Methods:A total of 36 female Wistar rats (total 6 groups, n = 6 per group) 6 - 8 weeks old, weighing 150 gm were used in the study. DMBA was given at the dose of 7.5 mg/kg subcutaneously in the mammary region once a week for 4 consecutive weeks in group 2. Vincristine was given in the dose of 500 μg/kg intraperitonially every week for 4 consecutive weeks in group 3. Myricetin was given orally in a dose of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg in group 4, 5, and 6 respectively. The statistical significance of the data was determined using one way analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range test.Results:The result showed that myricetin increased the antioxidant levels in plasma, erythrocyte lysate, and breast tissue and was effective in preventing the oxidative damage induced by the carcinogen DMBA. Myricetin 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/oral for 120 days treated animal resulted comparable results to that of standard vincristine and control groups.Conclusions:Myricetin was found to be either equieffective or more effective than vincristine in all the parameters studied. Myricetin proved the capacity of flavonols to act as antioxidant in cells represents a potential treatment in the field of oncology.

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Background: Cisplatin is one of the most remarkable solutions in ‘the war on cancer’. Although cisplatin has been a mainstay for cancer therapy, its use is mainly limited by nephrotoxicity. The current study was aimed to evaluate the ameliorative potential of Terminalia arjuna (TA) in comparison to taurine against cisplatin toxicity. Methods: A total of 36 male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups of 6 rats in each. Group 1 was normal control. Cisplatin @ 5 mg/kg b.wt was injected on day 1 to groups 2, 5 and 6. Aqueous leaf extract of Terminalia arjuna was administered orally @ 400 mg/kg b. wt to groups 3, 5 and Groups 4, 6 recieved taurine orally @ 1000 mg/kg b.wt for 14 days. Blood samples were collected from animals to assess Kidney function tests, oxidative stress and cytokines and renal tissues were examined for histological changes, if any. Result: Antioxidant profile, serobiochemical and cytokine parameters were significantly (P less than 0.05) increased and histopathological studies revealed degenerative changes and marked infiltration in the kidney of group 2 when compared to groups 1, 3 and 4. However, These changes were reversed in groups 5 and 6 that were administered with Terminalia arjuna and taurine, respectively. In conclusion, the results of the present investigation elucidated that both Terminalia arjuna and taurine have potent nephroprotective activity in cisplatin injected Wistar rats.