Background: Holarrhena antidysenterica L. (Apocynaceae) has been traditionally used in Indian system of medicine for the treatment of different diseases though there is no available information regarding the antioxidant activity of this plant. In this respect, the present study was carried out to search out the antioxidant effect of the seeds of H. antidysenterica using in vitro models. Materials and Methods: Hydro-methanolic (2:3) extract of seeds of H. antidysenterica and its fractionations were performed as per standardized method using different solvents. Antioxidant effi cacy of chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and residual fractions were studied biochemically by in vitro model using hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, nitric oxide scavenging activity and inhibition in lipid peroxidation. Results: Chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and residual fractions showed inhibitory activity on the different models when compared with control. Ethyl acetate fraction showed a promising activity compared with other fractions having IC 50 values of 3.38, 15.6, 16.5 and 30.6 μg/mL for the hydroxyl radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, nitric oxide scavenging and inhibition in lipid peroxidation respectively. The results were compared with butylated hydroxy anisole, an established antioxidant. Conclusion: The results indicated that the seeds of H. antidysenterica contain natural antioxidants. Ethyl acetate fraction is most effective in this purpose.

Background: Natural products are considered to be effective and safe alternative treatment for the management of diabetes. So, the aim of this study was to fi nd out the antihyperglycemic and antioxidative effi cacy of the hydro-methanolic (2:3) extract of the bark of Tectona grandis in experimental diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: All chemicals were purchased from Sigma (USA). Diabetes was induced in rats by a single intramuscular injection of streptozotocin. The hydro-methanolic extract of the bark of T. grandis was prepared according to the standard method. The fasting blood glucose (FBG) level was measured by a glucometer. Activities of carbohydrate metabolic enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, and glycogen levels in liver, kidney, and skeletal muscular tissues were measured biochemically. Activities of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase were assessed spectrophotometrically. Results: The FBG level, activities of carbohydrate metabolic enzymes like glucose-6-phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, hexokinase in liver along with the quantity of glycogen in the liver and skeletal muscles were signifi cantly (P < 0.05) recovered by the extract compared to untreated diabetic rats. A signifi cant recovery (P < 0.05) was observed in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, i.e. catalase, peroxidase as well as the levels of conjugated diene and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the liver and kidney of extract-treated diabetic rats compared with untreated diabetic rats. Extract-treated diabetic animals also showed a signifi cant (P < 0.05) correction in the activities of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase in the serum compared to untreated diabetic animals. The antidiabetic effi cacy of the extract was compared with glibenclamide. Conclusion: The results indicated that the hydro-methanolic extract of the bark of T. grandis has remedial effects on hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in diabetic rats.

Objective:The present study was designed to investigate the antihepatotoxic efficacy of "Livshis," a polyherbal formulation against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced hepatocellular injury in male albino rats. Materials and Methods: Wistar male albino rats (170 ± 10 g) were divided equally into 10 groups (n = 6, in each group). Liver necrosis was produced by the intraperitoneal injection of CCl 4 (0.1 ml/100 g body weight, 50% v/v with olive oil). Results: The final body weight, glycogen content, activities of hepatic antioxidant key enzymes, i.e. catalase, peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase, and the hepatic level of vitamin C decreased significantly (P < 0.001) along with the elevation in the hepatic lipid peroxidation level, i.e., thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in CCl 4 -injected animals in comparison to vehicle-treated control animals. Hepatocellular necrosis leads to an elevation in the serum marker enzymes, i.e., serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase, and also total bilirubin, urea, uric acid, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen along with a decrease in the serum total protein level. The histoarchitecture of the liver and hematological parameters were significantly affected in CCl 4 -treated animals in respect to the control and vehicle-treated control animals. The administration of "Livshis" (5 mg/0.5 ml distilled water/100 g body weight/rat/day) to the CCl 4 -treated animals resulted in a significant recovery in changes observed in the above-mentioned parameters. Insignificant variations in the levels of above-mentioned parameters were noted in "Livshis" pretreated cum CCl 4 -treated animals in respect to the control and vehicle-treated control animals. The levels of above parameters in water pretreated cum CCl 4 -treated group which were deviated significantly from the control group were recovered significantly toward the control group in "Livshis" pretreated cum CCl 4 -treated animals. Conclusion: Our study suggests that "Livshis" significantly protects the liver against CCl 4 -induced toxicity.