Ayurvedic Herb Research-Immunopharmacological studies on Picrorhiza kurroa Royle-ex-Benth. Part IV:
Cellular mechanisms of anti-inflammatory action.

ABSTRACT: In this work abrogation of anti-inflammatory effect of Picrorhiza kurrora extract (PK) by beta-adrenergic blockade was confirmed, which suggests alteration in cell-surface biology by PK treatment. Blockade of protein synthesis by cycloheximide pretreatment reduced PK effect, suggesting protein mediation. Metabolic inhibitor dinitrophenol inhibited inflammatory cedema equally in control and PK treated animals, and masking of PK effect was concluded. Discriminations of anti-inflammatory mechanism(s) of PK and the latter two cytotoxic agents were inferred from these observations and from existing knowledge. Selective PK influence on membrane linked activation events in inflammatory effector cells could be the basis of anti-inflammatory and perhaps other biological activities reported with the herb Picrorhiza kurrora.

Pandy, B.L.; Das, P.K. Department of Pharmacology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. J Physiol Pharmacol 1989 Jan-Mar;33(1):28-30. NLM CIT. ID:89291011

Ayurvedic Herbs Research-Mechanism of anti-inflammatory actions of curcumine and boswellic acids.

Curcumine from Curcuma longa and the gum resin of Boswellia serrata, which were demonstrated to act as anti-inflammatories in in vivo animal models, were studied in a set of in vitro experiments in order to elucidate the mechanism of their beneficial effects. Curcumine inhibited the 5-lipoxygenase activity in rat peritoneal neutrophils as well as the 12-lipoxygenase and the cyclooxygenase activities in human platelets. In a cell free peroxidation system curcumine exerted strong antioxidative acitvity. Thus, its effects on the dioxygenases are probably due to its reducing capacity. Boswellic acids were isolated from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata and identified as the active principles. Boswellic acids inhibited the leukotriene synthesis via 5 lipoxygenase, but did not affect the leukotriene synthesis and the cyclooxygenase activities. Additionally, boswellic acids did not impair the peroxidation of arachidonic acid by iron and ascorbate. The data suggest that boswellic acids are specific, non-redox inhibitors of leukotriene synthesis either interacting directly with 5-lipoxygenase or blocking its translocation.

Ammon, H.P.; Safayhi, H.; Mack, T,; Sabieraj, J. Department of Pharmacology, Eberhard-Karls University, tubingen, FRG. Ethnopharmacol 1993 Mar;38(2-3): 113-119

Ayurvedic Herbs Research-Effects of Centella asiatica extract on mucopolysaccharide metabolism in subjects with varicose veins.

ABSTRACT: The effects were studied of the total triterphenic fraction of Centella asiatica on serum levels of the uronic acids and lysosomal enzymes involved in mucopolysaccharide metabolism (beta-glycyronidase, beta-glycuronidase, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, arylsulfatase) in patients with varicose veins. The basal levels of uronic acids (467.7 +/69.3 micrograms/ml) and of lysosomal enzymes (beta-glycuronidase 1.8+/0.4 microM/min/l, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase 23.1+/-0.4 microM/min/l, arysulfatase 0.078+/-0.003 microM/min/l) were elevated, indicating an increased mucopolysaccharide turnover in subjects with varicose veins. During treatment with Centella asiatica extract (60 mg/day for three months), these levels fell progressively. At the end of treatment the serum uronic acid (231.8+/-51.5 micrograms/ ml), beta-glycuronidase (1.2+/-0.05 microM/min/l), beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (17.7+/-0.7 microM/min/land arysulfatase (0.042+/-0.003 microM/min/l) levels were highly significantly lower than the basal levels (p less than 0.01). The results of this trial provide an indirect confirmation of regulatory effects of the extract of Centella asiatica on metabolism in the connective tissue of the vascular wall.

Arpia, M.R.; Ferrone, R.; Amitrano, M.; Nappo, C.; Leonardo, G.; del Guercio, R. Institute of General Medicine and Clinical Methodology, Department and Service of Medical Angiology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples, Italy. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1990;10(4):229-33. NLM CIT.ID: 91177616

Ayurvedic Herbs Research-Suppression of glucose absorption by some fractions extracted from Gymnema sylvestre leaves.

Extracts containing gymnemic acids, which were extracted from the leaves of Gymnea sylvestre (GS) as nine fractions, were evaluated for their effects on a high K(+)-induced contraction of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscles, on glucose-evoked transmural potential difference (delta PD) in the inverted intestine of guinea-pig and rat, and on blood glucose in rat. Among nine fractions obtained by high performance liquid chromatography from the extract, f-2 and f-4 strongly suppressed the high K(+)-induced contraction of the ileal muscle, f-3 and f-5 did so moderately, and f-8 and f-9 did so weakly, whereas the other fractions did not affect it. The degree of suppression of high K(+)-induced contraction by f-2 at 74% was almost the same as that of f-4 at 67%, at concentrations of 0.1 mg/ml. The suppressed contraction by f-2 or f-4 was recovered by adding 5.5 mM pyruvate. The delta PD increased by 5.5 mM glucose in the inverted intestines of guinea-pig and rat were equally suppressed by 0.1 mg./ml of 2 or f-4 to 40%. In a rat sucrose tolerance test, f-2 and f-4 suppressed the elevation of blood glucose level. Both f-2 and f-4 suppressed the contraction of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle, interfered with the increase in delta PD induced by glucose in the inverted intestines of guinea-pig and rat, and inhibited the elevation of blood glucose level. In conclusion, it is suggested that some of the extracts containing gymnemic acids from Gymnea sylvestre (GS)  leaves suppress the elevation of blood glucose level by inhibiting glucose uptake in the intestine.

Shimizu, K.; Lino, A; Nakajima, J.; Tanaka, K.; Nakajyo, S.; Urakawa, N.; Atsuchi, M,; Wada, T.; Yamashita, C. Division of Veterinary Pharmacology, Nippon Veterinary and Animal Science University, Tokyo, Japan. J Vet Med Sci 1997 Apr;59(4):245-251

Ayurvedic Herbs Research-Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of Commiphora mukul as an adjunct to dietary therapy inpatients with hypercholesterolemia.

The effects of the administration of 50 mg of Guggulipid or placebo capsules twice daily for 24 weeks were compared as adjuncts to a fruit and vegetable-enriched prudent diet in the management of 61 patients with hypercholesterolemia (31 in the Guggulipid group and 30 in the placebo group) in a randomized, double-blind fashion. Guggulipid decreased the total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio by 11.1% from the postdiet levels, whereas the levels were unchanged in the placebo group. The HDL cholesterol level showed no changes in the two groups. The lipid peroxides, indicating oxidative stress, declined 33.3% in the Guggulipid group without any decrease in the placebo group. The compliance of patients was greater than 96%. The combined effect of diet and Guggulipid was at 36 weeks was a great as the reported lipid-lowering effect of modern drugs. After a washout period of another 12 weeks, changes in blood lipoproteins were reversed in the Guggulipid group without such changes in the placebo group. Side effects of Guggulipid were headache, mild nausea, eructation, and hiccup in a few patients.

Singh, R.B.; Niaz, M.A.; Ghosh, S. Heart Research Laboratory, Medical Hosptial and Research Centre, Moradabad, India. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 1994 Aug;8(4):659-664.

Ayurvedic Herbs Research-Induction of tumor cytotoxic immune cells using a protein from the bitter melon (Momordica charantia).

ABSTRACT: The fruit and seeds of the bitter melon (Momordica charantia) have been reported to have anti-leukemic and antiviral activities. This anti-leukemic and antiviral action was associated with an activation of murine lymphocytes. A partially purified protein factor from the bitter melon caused an infiltration and activation of peritoneal exudate cells in C57B1/6J, C3H/HeJ, and C3H/HeN mice. When the extract was injected twice a week at 8 micrograms of protein per ip injection for 0-4 weeks, the peritoneal exudate cells from the treated mice were cytotoxic in a long-term (18-hr) 51 Cr-release assay against a range of labeled targets: L1210, P388, and MOLT-4 tumor cells. Cytotoxicity was also observed against TAC-1 targets in a short-term (4-hr) assay. Fractionation of the cytotoxic immune cells implicated a nonadherent cell population which was capable of killing an NK-sensitive cell line in a 4-hr 51 Cr-release assay. Unit gravity sedimentation studies indicated that the cytotoxicity was due to either a neutrophil or a large lymphocyte. Antibody depletion experiments using antibody to asialo GM1, an NK cell-specific antibody, depleted cytotoxicity observed in nonadherent, Ficoll/Hypaque-separated PEC. This suggests that at least part of the anti-leukemic activity of the bitter melon extract (Momordica charantia) is due to the activation of NK cells in the host mouse.

Cunnick, J.E.; Sakamoto, K.; Chapes, S.K.; Fortner, G.W. Takemoto, DJ Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506. Cell Immunol 1990 Apr 1;126(2):278-89. NLM CIT.ID: 90182679

Ayurvedic Herbs Research-Therapeutic efficacy of Ashwagandha against experimental aspergillosis in mice.

ABSTRACT: Therapeutic efficacy of an Indian Ayurvedic medicinal preparation, Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera L. Dunal (Solanceae; root)] was evaluated against experimental aspergillosis in Balb/c mice. Ashwagandha given orally once daily for 7 consecutive days in a dose of 100 mg/kg after intravenous infection of Aspergillus fumigatus prolonged the survival period of infected mice. This protective acitvity was probably related to the observed increases in phagocytosis and intracellular killing of peritoneal macrophages induced by Ashwagandha treatment. The number of peripheral leukocytes was not modified, excluding a possibility of mobilization of cells from other compartments. On the basis of these findings, the probable mechanism underlying the protective action of Ashwagandha against systemic Aspergillus infection was discussed in relation with its possible activity to activate the macrophage function.

Dhuley, J.N. Pharmacology and Toxicology Division, Hindustan Antibiotics Limited, Pimpri, Pune, India. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 1998 Feb;20(1):191-8 NLM CIT. ID: 98205290