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Naringenin is a naturally occurring flavanone, possessing a variety of biological activity. Due to its rapid elimination, naringenin needs frequent administration to maintain an effective plasma concentration. We have evaluated the therapeutic potential of naringenin-phospholipid complex under oxidative stress conditions compared with free naringenin. Naringenin-phospholipid complex was prepared and assessed for antioxidant activity in carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats at a dose level of 100 mg kg-1 (p.o.). Liver function tests were studied by assessing serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin. Marker enzymes of liver, namely glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, were measured to evaluate the antioxidant potential at the same dose level. The plasma concentration of naringenin was also measured. It was observed that the naringenin-phospholipid complex enhanced the antioxidant activity of the biomolecule and protected the liver significantly for a longer time as compared with free naringenin at the same dose level. Phospholipid complex of naringenin produced better antioxidant activity than the free compound with a prolonged duration of action, which may be helpful in reducing the fast elimination of the molecule from body.

The methanol extract of the rhizome of Bergenia ciliata Sternb. (Saxifragaceae) has been evaluated for anti-inflammatory potential using two acute rat models (carrageenan- and serotonin (5-HT)-induced rat paw oedema) and a chronic rat model (cotton pouch-induced granuloma). Phenylbutazone (100 mg kg(-1)), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, was used as a standard. The methanol extract (100, 200 or 300 mg kg(-1)) exhibited significant (P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity in all the animal models. At 300 mg kg(-1) the methanol extract exhibited maximum inhibition of 32.4+/-2.89% in carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema while the standard showed an inhibition of 44.1+/-2.7% after 3 h of drug treatment. In the serotonin-induced rat paw oedema model, 300 mg kg(-1) methanol extract suppressed oedema by 45.33+/-2.09%, whereas the standard produced an inhibition of 53.5+/-4.3%. In the cotton pouch granuloma model the methanol extract inhibited significantly (P < 0.001) the granuloma weight in a dose-dependent manner. In this model, 300 mg kg(-1) extract produced a maximum inhibition of 31.4+/-1.09% in granuloma weight compared with 41.1+/-1.32% reduction in granuloma weight for the standard. The methanol extract of B. ciliata exhibited significant anti-inflammatory potential at the dose levels examined.