Aims and objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous root bark extract of Aegle marmelos (Bilwa) in experimental acute and chronic inflammatory animal models. Materials and Methods: Aqueous extract of root bark of Bilwa was prepared and tested for anti-inflammatory activity in albino rats weighing 150-280 grams. The animals were randomly divided into 3 groups of 6 each; one group served as control and other two groups received indomethacin and Bilwa orally 1 hour prior to experimentation. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity was studied using the acute (Carrageenan induced paw edema) and chronic (Cotton pellet induced granuloma) animal models. Anti-inflammatory activity was expressed as Percent inhibition (PI). Statistical analysis was performed using One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Scheffe's post hoc test. P Results: The PI with indomethacin and Bilwa in carrageenan induced paw edema were 52.7% and 46% and in cotton pellet induced granuloma were 24.7% and 9.2% respectively. Indomethacin showed highly significant anti-inflammatory activity in both the models. However, Bilwa showed highly significant activity in acute model and but a trend of anti-inflammatory activity in chronic model studied. Conclusions: As Bilwa showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in the models studied, it can be a promising anti-inflammatory agent.

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of Aegle marmelos (Bilwa) root

Umbelliferone β-D-galactopyranoside (UFG) (benzopyrone) is a member of the coumarin family, found in many plants exhibiting numerous pharmacological actions. The current experiments were carried out to exemplify the anti-inflammatory potential of UFG on chronic inflammation induced by Complete Freund Adjuvant (CFA) (heat killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis) in experimental rats. Arthritis in rats was induced by intradermal administration of CFA (0.05 ml) in the right hind paw, and confirmed by development of paw edema and arthritic index in comparison with normal controls. The anti-arthritic activity of UFG was determined by its ability to inhibit various biochemical markers, viz., pro-inflammatory, antioxidant enzymes, and hematological parameters elevated upon administration of CFA. UFG was also tested for its inhibitory activity against cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and COX-2 via enzyme inhibition assay and the results were monitored spectrophotometrically with a 96-well plate reader. The results of the study showed that UFG in a dose of 10, 20 or 40 mg kg−1 per day, p.o., helps to prevent paw edema and arthritic score development for arthritis in rats. It markedly alters hematological and oxidative stress induced by the adjuvant. Moreover, the changes brought about in inflammation/arthritis serum markers were reverted back to a near normal level upon UFG treatment in a dose dependent manner. Histopathological analysis of the joints of subjects showed UFG significantly decreases mononuclear infiltration and synovial hyperplasia, which confirms the utility of UFG as an anti-arthritic agent. In a COX inhibition assay UFG was found to act prominently to inhibit COX-2 then COX-1, which suggests its plausible mechanism of action. The current study clearly indicates that UFG possesses anti-inflammatory effects against CFA induced arthritis via suppressing COX-2 inhibition.

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Umbelliferone β-d-galactopyranoside exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by attenuating COX-1 and COX-2

Incidences of arthritic diseases in human have seen recent increases which are thought to have resulted from a complex interplay of several factors, such as changes in lifestyle, nutritional insufficiencies, aging and genetic factors. These putative factors possibly lead to different arthritic diseases in humans affecting 2-5% of the total population in India. This group of diseases results in serious malfunction and structural abnormalities in the patient body leading to permanent and substantial immovability of joints. Conventional medicinal systems usually elicit various side effects in which the defence mechanism of the body i.e. the immune system is compromised. In the last few decades many alternative medicinal systems have been developed that show promising effects on treating such diseases. Many purified compounds from natural origin, both from plants and animal sources have shown promise and many new compounds are continuingly being identified which have no marked side effects. In the light of modern science and technology, different natural products and ethnic practices that ensure health, seem to be the best weapon to combat these diseases. Endemic as well as naturalized plants from India have been screened by several groups for their anti-arthritic activities. The review summarizes our current knowledge on the molecular basis of Rheumatoid Arthritis and discusses the efficacious roles of those natural products, especially of plant origin, in arthritic conditions.

Rheumatoid arthritis: molecular basis and cures from nature

Ayurveda is the oldest existing complete medical system in the world. Its origins go back nearly 5000 years. This review make known on some Medicinal plants have therapeutic potential due to the presence of natural antioxidants functioning as reducing agents, free radical scavengers and quenchers of singlet oxygen. Majority of their antioxidant activity is due to bioactive compounds namely, flavones, isoflavones, flavonoids, anthocyanins, coumarins, lignans, catechins and isocatechins.

	 

	Key words: Few anticancer medicinal plants.

Certain medicinal plants have anticancer potential

Cancer is a most important public health problem in equally developed and developing countries. Plant derived agents are being used for the healing of cancer. In this review we focused about some Medicinal plants have therapeutic potential due to the occurrence of natural antioxidants carrying out as reducing agents, free radical scavengers and quenchers of singlet oxygen. Superior part of their antioxidant action is due to bioactive compounds present in plant as secondary metabolites.

Green source: a power of nature to cure cancer

Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of five medicinal plants have been screened for in vivo antiinflammatory activity in albino rats. Methanol extract of Aegle marmelosand ethyl acetate extract Atalantla monophylla showed significant antiinflammatory activity at a dose of 100 mg/kg.

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M. S Hallur

Papers

Antiinflammatory Assays Of Extracts Of Medicinal Plants