Medicinal oils, including fixed and essential oils, are one of the most ancient forms of medicines. Animals and plants are the major source of fixed oils which have been reported to treat various ailments, such as urinary, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal disorders, bacterial, fungal and protozoal infections etc. Medicinal oils, especially of animal origin are; however, ignored and rarely investigated in contemporary modern medical research. This study was aimed to investigate the various pharmacological activities of fixed oil of Gallus gallus domesticus (Egg oil, Fo.Gg). Fo.Gg was investigated for its wound healing potential by using excisional wound model, anti-arthritic activity by following turpentine oil-induced acute arthritis model, antipyretic activity by yeast-induced pyrexia, anxiolytic activity by adopting hole board, light/dark exploration and elevated plus maze models, antidepressant activity by forced swim test and tail suspension model and antiamnesic activity by Y-maze model. Fo.Gg showed significant healing potential as evident from increase in percent wound contraction and decrease in period of epithelialization and also the significant decrease in paw and ankle joint diameter in anti-arthritic activity. It showed dose-dependent (i.e. 10, 30 and 50%) decrease in rectal temperature when compared to the control group, also showed significant anxiolytic, antidepressant and anti-amnesic activities. These pharmacological activities may be attributed to the antioxidant as well as radical scavenging potential of oil components especially polyphenols, oleic acid and linoleic acid. Thus, the results of the study conclude that egg oil possesses wound healing, anti-arthritic, antipyretic, anxiolytic, antidepressant and anti-amnesic potential. The study provides scientific ground for the folkloric use of the oil in traditional system of medicine; however, further studies are required to explore the possible mechanism(s) of action.

Obesity, a chronic metabolic condition, is an increase in fat mass and blood lipid levels mainly causing atherosclerosis and hypertension, which further lead to cardiovascular complications. The objective of the study was to investigate the crude extract of Caralluma edulis (CE.Cr) for its potential against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and its related complications. Hyperlipidemia was induced in Wistar albino rats with HFD (1% cholesterol + 0.5% cholic acid) for 28 days. Treatment groups were administered with different doses of CE.Cr (100, 300 and 500 mg/Kg, p.o.) and the standard group received atorvastatin. At the end of study, sera were analyzed for biochemical markers and the aorta was dissected for microscopic examination. Antioxidant potential was evaluated and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed. The hypotensive potential of CE.Cr was evaluated through an invasive technique. HPLC analysis of CE.Cr showed the presence of chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, apigenin and naringenin. Histological examination of the aorta section showed anti-atherosclerotic effects which were also evident from decrease in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins levels. CE.Cr decreased mean arterial blood pressure and evoked significant hypotensive effects. The crude extract of C. edulis showed anti-obesity, antihypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic and antioxidant potential.

Moringa oleifera Lam. (Sohanjna, Drumstick tree, Horseradish tree; family, Moringaceae) is a well-known plant, native to Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Africa. It is known as miracle tree as well as mother's best friend. Almost every part of plant (i.e., leaves, seeds, bark, root and wood) is a rich source of vitamins, minerals (calcium, magnesium and phosphorus), carotenes and folic acid. Various parts of M. oleifera such as pods, roots and bark have been reported for kidney stone disease; however, no such data is available to show the antiurolithiatic potential of seeds. The aim of the study was to validate the antiurolithiatic potential of Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds against ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis.Aqueous alcoholic extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds (MoS.Cr) was prepared and phytochemical screening was carried out to assess the medicinally important phytoconstituents. To evaluate the antiurolithic potential, Wistar albino male rats were divided into different groups. All the groups except normal control group received lithogenic treatment (1% ammonium chloride +0.75% EG) for 21 days. Normal control and intoxicated groups received D. W (5ml/kg; p.o.), treatment groups received MoS. Cr at the doses of 100, 300 and 500mg/kg; p.o. while the standard group received cystone (500mg/kg; p.o.) for the next 14 days. After 21 and 35 days, animals were placed individually in metabolic cages and urine samples were analyzed for different parameters, i.e., crystal count, urine pH, urine volume, uric acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and total protein levels. After the completion of study (at 35th day), blood samples were collected via retro-orbital technique, serum was separated and analyzed to determine serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. Histological studies were performed to evaluate the protective effects of MoS.Cr against ethylene glycolinduced urolithiasis. MoS.Cr was found safe upto the dose of 10 g/kg when tested for toxicity. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides and coumarins. MoS.Cr showed dose-dependent effects and restored the biochemical parameters towards normal. The results conclude that the seeds of M. oleifera possess stone inhibiting potential mediated possibly due to antioxidant potential, urine alkalinizing and diuretic effects, thus providing scientific background for its use against urolithiasis.

As the prevalence of endocrine dysfunction is increasing and is associated with many complications including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which, itself is a risk factor of thyroid dysfunction. Although the causality of this association is uncertain, the two conditions share a bidirectional relationship. Both syndromes share certain common characteristics, risk factors and pathophysiological abnormalities, which can be managed by lifestyle changes as well as pharmacological treatment. Polycystic appearing ovaries are a clinical feature of hypothyroidism as well as hyperthyroidism in a few case studies. Adiposity, evidence of deranged autoimmunity, increased insulin resistance and disturbed leptin levels are present in both the disease states, seeming to play a complex role in connecting these two disorders. Major endocrine pathways including hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis (HPTA) and HP-gonadal axis are involved in parallel relationship of PCOS and thyroid dysfunction. This chapter helps to explore all the dimensions of the relationship between PCOS and thyroid dysfunction.