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Carissa opacaStapf ex Haines is an edible fruit plant (Apocynaceae) traditionally used for the treatment of asthma, fever, diarrhea, hepatitis and cardiac problems. Five compounds named Naringin, Prunin, Ursolic acid, Uvaol and Procrim a, were isolated from C. opacaand tested for their antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Antioxidant activity was performed against various radicals i.e. DPPH, ABTS, –O2, –OH and non-radical e.g. H2O2. Naringin, Prunin and Ursolic acid were highly active against these radicals with significant IC50values. All compounds were tested for their antibacterial activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. All compounds were displaying MIC values in promising ranges. Antifungal activity was also determined using various fungal strains e.g. Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatusand Fusarium solani. Naringin and Ursolic acid expressed significant inhibition of growth all fungal strains. It is concluded that these biologically active compounds isolated from edible plant C. opacacan be used against various free radical and infectious diseases.

We have investigated the protective potential of methanol extract of Iphiona aucheri(IAM) on the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress associated genes and inflammatory genes on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic toxicity in rats. Hepatic damage markers: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin were elevated while the content of antioxidants: catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were decreased significantly (p< 0.05) in CCl4treated rats as compared to the control group. The CCl4intoxication induced a higher expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 kDa (GRP78), X-box-binding protein 1 total (XBP1t), spliced X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1s), unspliced X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1u), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and genes involved in inflammation and fibrosis: tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), mothers against DPP homolog 3 (SMAD3), alpha skeletal muscle actin (αSMA) and collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1). The intoxicated rats showed a low expression of the glutamate–cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) like-2 (Nrf2). The administration of IAM to intoxicated rats restored the expression of ER stress, inflammatory, fibrosis and antioxidant genes in a dose dependent manner. Our results indicated that IAM can impede the ER stress and inflammatory genes and it could be a complementary and alternative therapeutic agent for oxidative stress associated disorders.

The aim of present study was to access the antioxidant and ameliorative efficacy of Wendlandia heyneistem bark's crude methanol extract (WHBM) against bisphenol A (BPA)-induced hepatotoxicity in the rat moel. WHBM and its derived fractions exhibited promising activity for the scavenging of DPPH, hydroxyl and nitrite radicals, iron chelation, and for the inhibition of β-carotene oxidation. The administration of BPA to Sprague Dawley rats (25 mg kg−1) for 28 days resulted in an elevated (p< 0.01) level of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and globulin, and at the same time a decrease (p< 0.01) in the level of total protein and albumin in the serum of the rats. In hepatic samples, the levels of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, and reduced glutathione were decreased (p< 0.05), whereas thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydrogen peroxide, and the nitrite content were increased (p< 0.05) with BPA treatment to the rats. The administration of WHBM to BPA-intoxicated rats restored the altered levels of these parameters toward the control animals. Histopathological alterations of the hepatic tissues induced with BPA were restored with WHBM co-treatment to the rats. HPLC-DAD analysis ensured the occurrence of rutin, catechin, and caffeic acid in WHBM and WHBE. The results of this study suggested that the presence of phenolics and flavonoids in W. heyneibark might be responsible for it exhibiting antioxidant potential during the in vitroand in vivostudies and hence it has potential to be used as a therapeutic agent against oxidative stress associated diseases.

BackgroundEthyl acetate extracts of Launaea procumbensis used for the treatment of liver dysfunction as an herbal medicine in Pakistan. In this study, the protective effects of ethyl acetate extracts were evaluated against CCl4-induced liver injuries in rat.MethodsTo examine the protective effects against oxidative stress of carbon tetrachloride in rats, 30 male rats were equally divided into 5 groups (6 rats). Among five groups, one was treated with CCl4(3 ml/kg i.p. in olive oil b.w.) twice a week for 4 weeks. Others were orally fed with extracts (100, 200 mg/kg b.w.), with CCl4twice a week for 4 weeks.ResultsAdministration of CCl4altered the serum marker enzymes, lipid profile, CYP 2E1, p53 expression, antioxidant enzymes, nuclear organizer regions (AgNORs), and DNA. Supplement of L. procumbensameliorated the effects of CCl4, improved CYP 2E1, p53, and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes while activity of liver marker enzymes (ALP, ALT, AST, g-GT) and contents of lipid per oxidation contents (TBARS), AgNORs, and DNA fragmentation were decreased. Similarly body weight was increased while liver and relative liver weight was decreased with co-administration of various extracts, suggesting that L. procumbenseffectively protect liver against the CCl4-induced oxidative damage in rats.ConclusionThe hepatoprotective and free radical scavenging effects might be due to the presence of bioactive constituents in the extract.

BackgroundCarbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a potent nephrotoxin, as it causes acute as well as chronic toxicity in kidneys. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the pharmacological potential of different fractions of Carissa opacafruits on CCl4-induced oxidative trauma in the kidney.MethodsThe parameters studied in this respect were the kidney function tests viz, serum profile, urine profile, genotoxicity, characteristic morphological findings, and antioxidant enzymatic level of kidneys.ResultThe protective effects of various fractions of C. opacafruits against CCl4administration were reviewed by rat renal function alterations. Chronic toxicity caused by 8-week treatment of CCl4to the rats significantly decreased the pH level, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and glutathione contents, whereas a significant increase was found in the case of specific gravity, red blood cells, white blood cells, level of urea, and lipid peroxidation in comparison to control group. Administration of various fractions of C. opacafruit with CCl4showed protective ability against CCl4intoxication by restoring the urine profile, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and lipid peroxidation in rat. CCl4induction in rats also caused DNA fragmentation and glomerular atrophy by means of dilation, disappearance of Bowmen's space, congestion in the capillary loops, dilation in renal tubules, and foamy look of epithelial cells of tubular region, which were restored by co-admiration of various fractions of C. opaca. ConclusionResults revealed that the methanolic fractions of C. opacaare the most potent and helpful in kidney trauma.