ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF AN AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF JUSTICIA FLAVA (FORSK) VAHL (ACANTHACEAE) IN RATS

Objective: Justicia flava is a plant commonly used in traditional medicine for the treatment of frictions, convulsions, body aches, pains, and fever. The aim of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory properties of an aqueous extract of J. flava (AEJf) in rats. Methods: Thus, 36 rats were divided into six groups of six rats each for each test. Acute anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by induction of plantar edema following injections of egg albumin, carrageenan, or histamine. AEJf and aspirin (100 mg/kg bw) were orally administered to rats with doses ranged from 62.5 to 500 mg/kg bw before (preventive study) and after (curative study) the induction of edema. The rat’s paw edema was measured using a digital caliper thereafter. For a sub-chronic anti-inflammatory activity, sterilized cotton pellets (20±0.5 mg) were implanted in the anterior dorsal region for granuloma formation. Animals received the different doses of AEJf (62.5–500 mg/kg bw) for 7 days and on the 8th day, cotton pellets were removed and weighed, dried, and weighed again. Results: The results of the oral administration of AEJf at doses of 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg bw to rats showed similar acute anti-inflammatory properties such as aspirin (100 mg/kg bw) on carrageenan (1%), fresh egg albumin, and histamine injection-induced rats’ paw edema. AEJf caused 77.63% (preventive study) and 28.1% (curative study) inhibitions of carrageenan (1%) solution-induced paw edema and 61% (preventive study) and 29.62% (curative study) inhibitions of fresh egg albumin-induced paw edema. AEJf also inhibited histamine-induced edema (1 mg/mL) by 83.67% compared to the control group. AEJf significantly reduced the weight of granuloma tissue elicited by the insertion of sterile cotton pellets from 34.53 to 46.98% for wet cottons and from 45.73 to 59.45% for dry cottons. Conclusion: AEJf possessed anti-inflammatory activity on acute and sub-chronic inflammations in rats.

Purification of Stem Cells from Oral Pyogenic Granuloma Tissue

Introduction: The isolation of stem cells from pathologically damaged dental tissues has been examined only by a few studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of isolation of stem cells from pyogenic granuloma. Methods: Pyogenic granuloma tissues were enzymatically digested and the resulting single cells were cultured. Then, the cultured cells differentiated into adipocytes and osteoblasts cells. Flow cytometry analyses were performed on markers such as CD 90, CD 73, CD105, CD 45 and CD14. Other features were also analyzed including the effect of colony formation and potentials of differentiation into adipocytes and osteoblasts. Results: The cells derived from pyogenic granuloma tissue formed higher colonies similar to typical spindle-shaped fibroblasts. The cells were positive for mesenchymal markers such as CD 44, CD 271, CD 90, and CD 73, and negative for surface molecules such as CD 14, CD 34 and CD 45. Moreover, they successfully differentiated into adipocytes and osteoblasts. Conclusion: The cells isolated from pyogenic granuloma could form CFU fibroblastic units expressing an appropriate marker panel of the cell surface antigen and adequate differentiation potential, all of which met the Cell Therapy International Association criteria for the definition of mesenchymal stromal cells. Pyogenic granuloma contains cells with stem cell properties.

Comparative anti-inflammatory activity of Clerodendrum serratum (Linn) Moon and Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad and Wendl in wistar ablino rats

C. serratum and S. xanthocarpum plants are used as folk remedies for inflammations, arthritis, cough, asthma and bronchitis. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the comparative anti-inflammatory activity in Wistar albino rats. The group specific rats were treated for seven consecutive days and subjected to carrageenan induced paw oedema and cotton pellet implanted granuloma tissue formation tests at a dose of 8.64ml/kg (p.o). Both the test drugs have shown reduced paw volume during third and sixth hour readings and a moderate decrease in the granuloma tissue formation. CRP enzyme was found to be reduced significantly and a moderate elevation in white pulp of spleen from both the test groups were observed. The present findings suggest that both the drugs have moderate anti-inflammatory activity as ascertained by the comparative decrease in carrageenan induced paw volume, decreased granuloma tissue formation and normal histological profile of important organs.