Protective effect of Sida cordata leaf extract against CCl_4 induced acute liver toxicity in rats

Objective:To investigate the hepatoprotective potential of Sida cordata（Malvaceae）（S.cordata） in experimental rats to validate its traditional claim.Methods:Wister albino rats were divided into 6 groups:Croup 1 served as control;CroupⅡserved as hepatotoxic（CCl4 treated） group; CroupⅢ,Ⅳand V served as（100,200 and 400 mg/kg b.w.） S.cordata leaf extract（SCLE） treated groups;CroupⅥserved as positive control（Silymarin） treated group.Liver marker enzymes serum glutamate oxyloacetic transaminase,serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase,pancreatic enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase（SOD）,lipid peroxidation,catalase（CAT）,reduced glutathione（CSH） were measured and compared along with histopathological studies.Results: Obtained results show that the treatment with SCI.E significantly（P【0.05-【0.001） and dosedependently reduced CCl4 induced elevated serum level of hepatic enzymes.Furthermore, SCLE significantly（up to P【0.001） reduced the lipid peroxidation in the liver tissue and restored activities of defence antioxidant enzymes CSH,SOD and CAT towards normal levels,which was confirmed by the histopathological studies.Conclusions:The results of this study strongly indicate the protective effect of SCLE against CCl4 induced acute liver toxicity in rats and thereby scientifically support its traditional use.

Anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic activities of ion-channel modulators:In-ovo,in-vitro and in-vivo study

Objective:Angiogenesis is the development of new blood vessels.The ion channels on endothelium play a vital action in cell proliferation and so in the related angiogenesis.We aimed to investigate the anti-angiogenic effects of Mefloquine(Cl-channel blocker) and4-Aminopyridine(K+ channel blocker).Methods:The anti-angiogenic activities of Mefloquine and 4-Aminopyridine(4-AP)were investigated by in-vivo(sponge implantation method),in-vitro(aortic ring assay)and in-ovo(CAM,Chick Chorioallantoic membrane) methods.The standard antiangiogenic drug used was Bevacizumab.Results:In the CAM assay,both the ion channel blockers exhibited noticeable antiangiogenic activity at the concentrations of 10-5M and 10-4M where they significantly exhibited ant proliferative activity by inhibiting the new blood vessel formation.For the further confirmation anti-angiogenic activity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo.In Rat aortic ring assay reduction in the area of sprouts were observed with 40 m M of 4-AP and7 m M of Mefloquine.A significant reduction in weight of sponges,number of blood vessels formed and hemoglobin content were observed at 4.2 mg/kg of 4-AP and 20 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg of Mefloquine.Conclusions:These scientific findings indicate the use of Mefloquine and 4-Aminopyridine in pathological situations involving excessive angiogenesis.Negative regulation of cell volume,cell migration and proliferation of blood vessels may be the underlying molecular mechanisms.