The results clearly demonstrate that gallic acid possesses promising hepatoprotective effects.

In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effect of piperine was investigated on monosodium urate crystal-induced inflammation in mice, an experimental model for gouty arthritis, and compared it with that of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, indomethacin. The levels of lysosomal enzymes, lipid peroxidation, tumor necrosis factor-α, and paw volume were increased significantly, and the activities of antioxidant status were in turn decreased in monosodium urate crystal-induced mice, whereas these changes were reverted to near normal levels upon piperine (30 mg/kg b.wt, i.p.) treatment. In vitro, piperine (50/100 ug/ml) suppressed the level of β-glucuronidase and lactate dehydrogenase in monosodium urate crystal-incubated polymorphonuclear leucocytes in concentration-dependent manner when compared to control cells. Thus, the present study clearly indicated that piperine inhibit the monosodium urate crystal-induced inflammation and can be regarded as therapeutic drug for the treatment of acute gouty arthritis.

In the present study, attempts have been made to evaluate the antiarthritic effect of the Indian Ayurvedic herbal formulation Triphala on adjuvant-induced arthritis in mice and to compare it with that of the non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug indomethacin. Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (0.1 mL) into the right hind paw of Swiss albino mice. Triphala (1 g/kg/bxwt) and indomethacin (3 mg/kg/bxwt) were administered orally for 8 days (from day 11 to 18) after adjuvant injection. The levels of lysosomal enzymes, tissue marker enzymes, glycoproteins and paw thickness were increased in adjuvant-induced arthritic animals. The body weight was found to be reduced when compared with the control animals. These physical and biochemical changes observed in arthritic animals were altered significantly to near normal conditions after oral administration of Triphala (1 g/kg/bxwt). The results obtained clearly indicate the fact that the Indian Ayurvedic herbal formulation Triphala has promising antiinflammatory activity.

No abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) has become the most important infectious disease to see resurgence worldwide. In 2014, there were 9.6 million documented cases worldwide with a mortality of almost 1.5 million (Global Tuberculosis Report 2014). One of the Millennium Development Goals set by the United Nations was the reversal of the TB epidemic, which has been achieved worldwide with an 18% lower incidence of TB globally compared to the incidence in the year 2000. Though efficient intervention has brought down the relative incidence and mortality of TB globally, the fact remains that one third of the world population has latent TB infection, and 10% of people with latent TB infection develop active TB at some point in their life (The Facts about Tuberculosis 1995). Risk factors that prompt the reactivation of latent TB into active TB are a compromised immune system, HIV, malnutrition, and use of tobacco. In developing and underdeveloped economies, malnutrition and undernutrition play a major role in subverting the immune system and reactivating the latent TB infection. Undernutrition is one of the major factors in India and Southeast Asia leading to an increase in TB infections. Once tuberculosis sets in, it leads to an increase in metabolism and a decrease in appetite that compounds the already present malnutrition. Drawing on previous studies, we have aimed at understanding the relationship between malnutrition and TB infection and making minimal recommendations for corrective action.