This work was done for the investigations of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of methanolic extract of dried leaves of Ficus benghalensis Linn. by oral administration at doses of 10, 20 and 100 mg/kg of body weight to healthy animals. The extract was studied for anti-inflammatory activity by using carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats. The mean increases in paw volume and % inhibition in the edema were measured plethysmometrically at different time intervals after carrageenan (1% w/v) injection. The extract was also evaluated for analgesic activity using acetic acid-induced writhing and Eddy's hot plate method in albino mice. The methanolic extract of F. benghalensis showed significant (P<0.05) reduction in carrageenan-induced paw edema and analgesic activity evidenced from decreased acetic acid-induced writhings and increased reaction time in Eddy's hot plate method. Results of present studies suggest that methanolic extract of F. benghalensis possesses significant (P<0.05) anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities.

The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Silymarin in DOCA salt induced hypertension in unilateral nephrectomized rats. Unilateral nephrectomy was performed in female Wistar rats (150-200 g). A week after unilateral nephrectomy, hypertension was induced by DOCA (25 mg/kg, once a week; s.c; for 4 weeks) dispersed in cottonseed oil. The effect of Silymarin (300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, p. o., for 4 weeks) was evaluated in DOCA salt induced hypertensive rats. Systolic blood pressure (BP) was measured once every week during the treatment schedule. After completion of treatment schedule, heart rate, arterial blood pressure and vascular reactivity to various drugs were recorded. Rats from individual group were sacrificed, the heart was dissected out and antioxidant enzyme level SOD, CAT, GSH and TBARS were measured. Urine excretions were measured by flame photometer. Silymarin (300, 500 mg/kg/day, p.o.) significantly (p<0.05) reduced systolic blood pressure, heart rate, basal arterial blood pressure and pressor responses to NA, Adr, PE and 5-HT in animals treated with DOCA salt as compared with DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. Silymarin significantly increased antioxidant enzyme level of SOD, CAT, GSH, urinary Na + excretion and decreased TBARS level, urinary K + excretion compared with DOCA hypertensive group. Silymarin exhibits significant antihypertensive activity in DOCA salt model of hypertension.

Background: Streptozotocin (STZ) induced neuropathy is widely used preclinical model for diabetic neuropathy (DN). DN is majorly resulted due to nitrosative and oxidative stress induced by hyperglycemia. Phenolic acids are polyphenols with free radical scavenging anti-inflammatory and neuroprotectiveaction. Methods: In this study STZ (55mg/kg, i.p) was administered in male Wistar rats and animals with hyperglycemia (fasting blood glucose ≥ 200mg/dl) were used for further study. Behavioural changes cold allodynia, mechanical hyperalgesia, heat hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia were assessed weekly. Motor Nerve Conduction Velocity (MNCV) was also evaluated. Reduced Glutathione and Malondialdehyde were estimated to indicate oxidative stress. C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Insulin assay, serum electrolytes (Na + , K +), TNF-α, IL-6 and INF-γ were also estimated. Isolated sciatic nerve was histopathologically studied to support the results. Results: Treatment with syringic acid (SY) 12.5, 25, 50 mg/kg and of Sinapic acid (SP) 5, 10, 20 mg/kg orally for 5 weeks has shown to reduce blood glucose level. Behavioural changes were found to be improved weekly by SY and SP in dose dependent manner. 5 weeks treatment with SY and SP was able to increase antioxidant GSH and reduce MDA level in cell. Gabapentin, SY and SP treated animals have shown decrease in TNF-α, IL-6 and INF-γ and CRP. Insulin and serum electrolytes were found to be normalised in treated groups. Histopathological study has revealed protective effect of gabapentin, SY and SP by showing reverted neuronal damage. Conclusion: In conclusion, syringic acid and sinapic acid have antihyperglycemic, antioxidant and neuroprotective effect in diabetic neuropathy.

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. Genetics, excessive exposure to environmental pollutants as well as unhealthy life style practices are often linked to development of AD. No therapeutic approach has achieved complete success at treating AD; however, early detection and management with appropriate drugs is key to improving prognosis. Interventions: The pathogenesis of AD was extensively discussed in order to understand the reasons for the interventions suggested. The interventions reviewed include the use of different therapeutic agents and approaches, gene therapy, adherence to healthy dietary plans (Mediterranean diet, Okinawan diet and MIND diet), as well as the use of medicinal plants. The potentials of nanotechnology as a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach in the design of nanoformulations of AD drugs and the use of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as theranostic tools for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease were also discussed.

Background: Neuropathy can be induced in rats by peripheral injuries, depending on compression of complete or a section of sciatic nerve and chemically by Streptozotocin (STZ). Materials and Methods: In the present study neuropathic pain were induced in rats by two methods, chronic constriction injury (surgical model) and STZ (40mg/kg/i.p.) induced diabetes (drug induced model). In both the models, behavioural as well as markers of oxidative stress were studied. Behavioural parameters were tested using vonfrey hair and Randall Selitto analgesiometer whereas biochemical parameter includes glycosylated haemoglobin and markers of oxidative stress. The study was further supported by histopathology of sciatic nerve. Flavonoid rich extract of Allium cepa Lam. leaves was administered at three different doses viz. 25, 50 and 100mg/kg/p.o to the rats with neuropathic pain. Both the models of neuropathic pain showed significant alteration in behavioural as well as oxidative stress parameters. Results: Treatment of Allium cepa leaves extract showed dose dependent improvement in behavioural and biochemical parameters towards normal (p value <0.001, <0.05 and <0.01). The altered histopathological changes in sciatic nerve were also significantly improved as compared to rats with neuropathic pain. Conclusion: The neuroprotective effects of the Allium cepa leaves extract is a virtue of its strong antioxidant activity.