Journal of Natural Remedies

A. Saraswathy , R. V. Pradeep Chandran

Abstract

Objective: The effect of Amukkarac curanam (AC), a widely used Siddha medicine was evaluated for acute and chronic toxicity in rats. Material and methods: Amukkarac is botanically equated to Withania somnifera Dunal. Acute dosages were 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 5.0 g/kg body weight while the chronic dosage was 500 mg/kg body weight /day. All external morphological, hematological, serum parameters, histopathological, in addition to body weight and vital organ weights were recorded. Results and conclusion: During this investigation no significant mortality was observed. The results showed that AC at the given dose of 500 mg/kg body weight did not produce any significant toxic effect in rats during 90 days period of the treatment.

Keywords

Chronic Toxicity, Hematology, Marker Enzymes, Lipid Profile

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H. R. Vasanthi , A. Jaswanth , A. Saraswathy , G. V. Rajamanickam

Abstract

Objective: In view of the continued screening of seaweeds of the Gulf of Mannar for biological activity Padina boergesenii, the most common species along the Mandapam coast was identified to study the various biological effects. Padina spp, exhibits diuretic effect hence, the antiurolithiatic effect of Padina boergesenii was tested in hyperoxaluric male albino rats. Methodology: Urolithiasis was induced in rats by feeding 3% glycolic acid along with pyridoxine deficient diet. The effect of the seaweed extract (ethanolic) at different doses was determined by comparing with the controls. Results: The ethanolic extract of Padina boergesenii at a dose of (150 & 200mg /kg p.o) significantly reduced the calcium excretion to normal level and significantly decreased oxalate excretion, thus reducing the risk of calcium oxalate super-saturation in urine as compared to the pyridoxine deficient control rats. The extracts also slightly elevated phosphorous, decreased uric acid and raised the magnesium excretion. Protein and creatinine elimination was effectively normalized by the extracts. Conclusion: The antiurolithiatic activity exhibited by the ethanolic extract is related to the chemical constituents in the algae which is discussed.

Keywords

Padina boergesenii, Brown Algae, Urolithiatic Activity, Pyridoxine, Magnesium

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A. Saraswathy , R. V. Pradeep Chandran , S. Nandini Devi

Abstract

Objective: The hepatoprotective action of Amukkarac curanam (AC), a widely used Siddha medicine was evaluated using acetaminophen-induced hepatic damage in rats. Material and methods: AC was administered orally at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight for 7 days. Serum levels of transaminase (AST, ALT), alkaline phosphate (ALP), bilirubin, Total protein (TP) and albumin (Alb) were used as the biochemical markers of hepatotoxicity. Liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and histopathological studies were also done to confirm the biochemical changes. Results and Discussion: The results of the study indicate that pretreatment with AC significantly reversed the increased levels of serum marker enzymes such as AST, ALT, ALP and bilirubin, when compared to acetaminophen-induced group. The level of liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was also brought to near normal. AC has protected the liver from acetaminophen-induced damage. Probable mechanism of action is by protection against oxidative damage produced by acetaminophen.

Keywords

Acetaminophen, Amukkarac Curanam, Marker Enzymes, Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances, Histopathological Studies

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