This study was undertaken to evaluate cardio protective effect of rutin against sodium fluoride (NaF)-induced oxidative stress-mediated cardiotoxicity and blood toxicity. Cardiac injury was induced by daily administration of NaF 600 ppm in distilled water for four weeks. The animals exposed to NaF exhibited a significant increase in levels of cardiac serum markers, lipid peroxidative markers, serum total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides and decrease in HDL levels. Decrease in hematological parameters, namely hemoglobin, red blood cells, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), MCH count and increase in white blood cells and erythrocyte sedimentation levels were also observed. Marked histopathological lesions and increased DNA fragmentation in cardiac tissues were observed. Activity of antioxidants-catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione contents were decreased (p < 0.01), whereas lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde) was increased. A significant decrease in body and heart weight was also observed. Treatment with rutin effectively ameliorated the alterations in the studied parameters of rat through its antioxidant nature. There was also significant improvement in hematological parameters. Thus, results of this study clearly demonstrated that treatment with rutin against NaF intoxication has a significant role in protecting F-induced cardiotoxicity, blood toxicity and dyslipidemia in rats.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the ethanol extract of leaves of Bauhinia purpurea and unripe pods of Bauhinia purpurea for its protective effects on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Nephrotoxicity was induced in Wistar rats by intraperitoneal administration of gentamicin 100 mg/kg/d for eight days. Effect of concurrent administration of ethanol extract of leaves of Bauhinia purpurea and unripe pods of Bauhinia purpurea at a dose of 300 mg/kg/d given by oral route was determined using serum creatinine, serum uric acid, blood urea nitrogen and serum urea as indicators of kidney damage. The study groups contained six rats in each group. It was observed that the ethanol extract of leaves of Bauhinia purpurea and unripe pods of Bauhinia purpurea significantly protect rat kidneys from gentamicin-induced histopathological changes. Gentamicin-induced glomerular congestion, blood vessel congestion, epithelial desquamation, accumulation of inflammatory cells and necrosis of the kidney cells were found to be reduced in the groups receiving the leaf and unripe pods extract of Bauhinia purpurea along with gentamicin. The extracts also normalized the gentamicin-induced increase in serum creatinine, serum uric acid and blood urea nitrogen levels. This is also evidenced by the histopathological studies.

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The aim of this research was to explore the in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer activities of flavonoid rich fraction from the leaves of Enicostemma axillare. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were assessed by Folin-Ciocalteu and Aluminium chloride method respectively. Antioxidant activities of this plant was confirmed on the source of ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethyl benzthiazoline-6sulphonic acid), Radical scavenging assay, Inhibition of lipid peroxidation, Super oxide radical scavenging activity, Nitric oxide radical scavenging activity and Metal chelating activity. Correspondingly, antibacterial activities were accomplished by disc diffusion method and MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pnemoniae, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis and anticancer activity was performed against human breast cancer cell MCF-7. The total phenolic and flavonoid content in flavonoid rich fraction of E. axillare was 136.8±13.00 mg GAE/g and 75.2±1.23 μg RE/g respectively. The flavonoid rich fraction of the leaves of E. axillare exhibited significant antioxidant activity. Similarly, the study on antibacterial activity of flavonoid rich fraction of E. axillare exposed inhibitory activity. However flavonoid rich fraction of E. axillare showed high inhibitory zone against E. coli, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae (18, 15 and 14 mm). The flavonoid rich fraction of E. axillare also unveiled strong cytotoxic effect with IC 50 values of 15.39 μg/ml against MCF-7. This research work has made it clear that E. axillare possess excellent antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic activity and the extracts can be more extensively used in developing countries for the prevention and treatment of ageing and infective associated diseases and may be considered as good source for drug discovery.