Objectives:The antiulcer activity of Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. fruit was evaluated in rats against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage, pylorus ligated (PL) gastric ulcers, and cold restraint-stress (CRS)-induced gastric ulcer models.Methods:Petroleum ether and methanol extracts were administrated orally at the dose of 300 mg/kg, and omeprazole (reference standard) at the dose of 20 mg/kg. Ulcer index was common parameter studied in all the models. Further, vascular permeability was evaluated in ethanol model, and effect on lipid peroxidation, viz. melondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) levels were studied in CRS model.Results:Both the extracts produced significant reduction in ulcer index (P < 0.05) in all the models and the results were comparable with that of omeprazole-treated group. Further, significant reduction in vascular permeability (P < 0.05) was observed. In CRS model, MDA content was significantly reduced along with increase in CAT levels as compared to control group.Conclusions:Petroleum ether and methanol extracts of B. hispida possess significant antiulcer as well as antioxidant property.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a novel group of universally present small noncoding endogenous RNAs that regulate gene expression and protein coding by base pairing with the 3’ untranslated region (UTR) of target mRNAs. So they have been associated with several physiological processes and play an important role in the manifestation of diverse diseases. miRNAs expression is associated with the normal and diverse pathophysiological state including cardiac hypertrophy, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and its complication, and cancer because individual miRNAs are associated with the regulation of the expression of multiple target genes. Modulating the expression of a single miRNA can influence an entire gene network and thereby modify complex disease phenotypes. From recent studies, it has been confirmed that miRNA has a potential physiological role in various body systems. But in some specialized condition over expression of miRNA within the cytoplasm also leads to some pathological condition in the body. Here, we summarize the roles of miRNAs in various pathological conditions and consider the advantages and potential challenges of miRNA-based therapeutic approaches compared to conventional drug-based therapies.

Aim:To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of antiplatelet agent, clopidogrel, in experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Materials and Methods:TNBS induced Crohn's disease model and oxazolone induced ulcerative colitis model were used to evaluate the role of clopidogrel in IBD. Spargue Dawley female and Wistar male rats were used respectively. The colitis was induced by a single intra-colonic application of TNBS (0.25 ml, 120 mg/ml in 50% ethanol) and oxazolone (450 μl 5% oxazolone in 50% ethanol). Rats were divided into four groups (n=6) in each model namely normal control, sham control, test and standard group. Drug treatment was carried out for 21 days. After 21 days, animals were sacrificed and evaluated for weight change, colon mucosal damage index (CMDI), disease activity Index (DAI) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity.Results:Results showed that clopidogrel provided significant protection against mucosal damage in both the models of IBD. It significantly reduced (P<0.05) the decrease in body weight and CMDI, DAI and MPO scores.Conclusion:The results indicate that clopidogrel may be effective in treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Platelet inhibition may be one of the mechanism for effectiveness of clopidogrel in the treatment of IBD.

The current study was designed to investigate the effect of a 50% alcohol extract of Chlorophytum arundinaceum Baker (CAE) against ethanol-induced pylorus ligation and cold stress-induced experimental gastric ulcer. The CAE was given at the dose of 100 mg=kg, p.o., in all the models, and results of those were compared with that of animals treated with omeprazole 20 mg=kg, p.o. (reference standard). Ulcer index was a common evaluating parameter in all the models. In the pylorus ligation model, acid secretory parameters (total acid, pepsin activity, and total acid output) and mucoprotective parameters (total carbohydrate, total protein, and mucin activity) were studied. In addition, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activity were specifically studied in cold stress-induced gastric ulcer model. Effects on vascular permeability as well as gastric emptying were also studied. CAE has shown significant protection in gastric ulceration as evident from reduction (p < 0.05) in ulcer index in all the models. In the pylorus ligation model, CAE showed significant increase in mucin activity, but no significant change was observed on acid secretory parameters. Besides, CAE has shown antioxidant activity in gastric mucosal homogenate where it reversed the increased level of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the decreased level of catalase content. Further, CAE has shown reduction in vascular permeability and gastric emptying. Hence, it is suggested that Chlorophytum arundinaceum possesses significant antiulcer activity. The mechanism of its activity is associated with strengthening of the gastric mucosal barrier.

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