OBJECTIVETo investigate the pharmacological effect of Nyctanthes arbortristis (NAT) leaf extract in the prevention of lung injury induced by silica particles.

METHODLung injury was induced in Swiss mice through inhalation exposure to silica particles (< 5 mu) using a Flow Past Nose Only Inhalation Chamber at the rate of -10 mg/m3 respirable mass for 5 h. Lung bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid collected between 48 and 72 h was subjected to protein profiling by electrophoresis and cytokine evaluation by solid phase sandwich ELISA. Lung histopathology was performed to evaluate lung injury.

RESULTSInhalation of silica increased the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and of the 66 and 63 kDa peptides in the BAL fluid in comparison to sham-treated control. Pre-treatment of silica exposed mice with NAT leaf extract significantly prevented the accumulation of TNF-alpha in the BAL fluid, but the 66 and 63 kDa peptides remained unchanged. The extract was also effective in the prevention of silica-induced early fibrogenic reactions like congestion, edema and infiltration of nucleated cells in the interstitial alveolar spaces, and thickening of alveolar septa in mouse lung.

CONCLUSIONNAT leaf extract helps in bypassing silica induced initial lung injury in mice.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Disease Models, Animal ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Inhalation Exposure ; Male ; Mice ; Oleaceae ; chemistry ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; etiology ; prevention & control ; veterinary ; Silicon Dioxide ; adverse effects ; Silicosis ; prevention & control ; veterinary

OBJECTIVETo study the modulation effect of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines following long term use of water soluble ethanol extracts from different organs of Nyctanthes arbortristis (NAT) in mouse model of arthritis.

METHODSArthritis was induced in mice by two injections of Freund's complete adjuvant on days 0 and 12 in the sub-planter surface of the right hind paw.

RESULTSInjection of adjuvant resulted in a maximum primary edema of the footpad with erythema, and edema and distortion of joints of the right hind paw after 24-48 hours. Second injection of FCA led to the formation of secondary swellings persisting more than four weeks that spread onto the other hind limb but to a lesser extent. Histological analysis of the ankle on day 47 showed marked evidence of cartilage destruction in association with pannus formation and moderate bone resorption. Proinflammatory cytokine levels in the inflamed joint homogenate were elevated on days 2, 14, and 47. Oral administration of leaf and fruit extracts in arthritic mice reduced joint homogenate levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6 on days 2, 14, and 47 in comparison to untreated arthritic mice. Interleukin-10 level was elevated in the inflamed joint on days 2, 14, and 47 in comparisons to untreated arthritic mice.

CONCLUSIONEvidence of lesser inflammation of the footpad and joint and associated histological observation support the therapeutic benefit of leaf and fruit extracts from Nyctanthes arbortristis. This study helps in understanding the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action of Nyctanthes arbortristis in the light of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine balance.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Oleaceae ; chemistry ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use