Search

Byline: Sutharson. Lingadurai, Soma. Roy, Rajan. Joseph, Lila. Nath Objective : Leaves of Bichofia javanica (BJ) have been traditionally used for many ailments including cancer. In the present study, antileukemic [...]

Context: Erythrina variegata Linn. (Fabaceae), commonly known as Tiger''s Claw, is a thorny deciduous tree grown in tropical and subtropical regions of Eastern Africa, Southern Asia, and Northern Australia. In India, its leaves are traditionally used for diabetes mellitus. Objective: To evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of methanol extract of E. variegata leaf (MEEV) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Materials and methods: Hyperglycemia was induced in rats by single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (55 mg/kg body weight). Three days after STZ induction, the hyperglycemic rats were treated with MEEV orally at the doses of 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg body weight daily for 21 days. Glibenclamide (1 mg/kg, orally) was used as reference drug. The fasting blood glucose levels were measured on every 7th day during the 21 days of treatment. Serum biochemical parameters including lipid content were estimated. Results and discussion: MEEV at the doses of 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg orally significantly ( P < 0.01) and dose-dependently reduced and normalized blood glucose levels as compared to that of STZ control group; the dose 900 mg/kg being the most potent showing complete normalization of blood glucose levels. Serum biochemical parameters including lipid profile were significantly ( P < 0.01) restored toward normal levels in META-treated rats as compared to STZ control animals. Conclusion: This study concludes that E. variegata leaf demonstrated promising hypoglycemic action in STZ-induced diabetic rats substantiating its ethnomedicinal use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fraxinus floribunda Wallich (Family-Oleaceae) is a wide green tree in the sub-alpine region of Sikkim, India. The methanolic extract of the leaves of Fraxinus floribunda (MEFF) at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/p.o was screened in rats for anti-inflammatory activity by acute-carrageenan induced paw edema, sub-acute cotton pellet induced granuloma and chronic Freund's adjuvant induced arthritis models. In all the three models of anti- inflammatory studies 200 and 400 mg/kg/p.o doses of the extract showed significant effect (P<0.001). Antinociceptive evaluation was performed by writhing and tail-immersion tests in mice. Anti-nociceptive evaluation revealed that MEFF at the dose of 400 mg/kg/p.o had significant activity against the control. The relieving effect was through the peripheral and central mechanism of action of the extract. This study rationalized the ethno medicinal use of the plant for relieving pain in inflammatory pathological conditions like fracture and dislocation.