Purpose: Traditionally, Amorphophallus campanulatus tuber is used for the treatment of enlarged spleen, rheumatism and tumour. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of the plant material. Method: The effect of the methanol extract (ME) of Amorphophallus campanulatus tuber on immunological function in mice was studied using charcoal clearance, spleen index and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response models. The extract was administered orally at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg. Results: The extract exhibited immunomodulatory activity by causing a significant decrease in charcoal clearance, spleen index and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response. Conclusion: Amorphophallus campanulatus caused decreases in the charcoal clearance rate and cellular immunity by facilitating the footpad thickness response to sheep red blood cell (RBC) in sensitized mice.

Aim:The aim of this study was to analyze the ethyl acetate extract of Nerium indicum (NIE) flower for its antioxidant effect in anxious Sprague–Dawley rats.Materials and Methods:Animals were divided into six groups (n = 6) and treated with 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg p.o. of NIE for 21 days to assess its preventive and curative effects. Anxiety was induced by isolating animals socially for 21 days. Elevated plus maze (EPM) and light and dark model were used for measuring anxiety in animals. Oxidative stress parameters such as lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) in blood and brain tissue homogenate were monitored after 21 days of social isolation in animals.Results:Rats were treated with NIE 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg p.o. Both the treatments showed a significant (P < 0.001) increase in the number of open arm entries and time spent in open arm in EPM when compared with the negative control. Results also demonstrated that there was a significant (P < 0.001) increase in the number of lightbox entries and time spent in light box in light and dark model when compared with negative control. There was a significant (P < 0.001) improvement in endogenous anti-oxidants such as SOD, CAT, reduced GSH, and decreased levels of LPO in blood and brain tissue when compared with the negative control.Conclusion:The present study suggests the role of NIE in the treatment of anxiety, possibly by modulating the oxidative stress.

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Present study deals with the investigation of beneficial effects of different fraction of Melilotus officinalis (M. officinalis) on the toxic effects of iron on different blood parameters in iron overloaded sprague dawley rats. The six IP injections of iron dextran (12.5 mg/100g) were administered uniformly over a period of 30 days to induce iron overload. Different fractions of M. officinalis were given orally and Deferoxamine (DFO) subcutaneously for 30 days. The blood parameters were estimated on 15th and 30th day of treatment. Rats exposed to iron showed significant (p < 0.01) decrease in RBC counts, Total and Differential WBC counts and Platelet counts. This indicates that excess of iron in iron overloaded disease can leads to bone marrow suppression. The animals treated with methanolic fraction of methanolic extract (MFME) and methanolic fraction of aqueous extract (MFAE) of M. officinalis shows significant (P<0.01) improvement in haematological parameters as compared to disease control (DC) rats. Greater beneficial effects were observed on 30th day and at higher dose (300 mg/kg) as compared to 15th day and at lower dose (150 mg/kg). These results suggested that M. officinalis have beneficial effects on blood parameters in iron intoxicated rats.

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