OBJECTIVETo evaluate the anti-inflammatory property of the leaf exacts of Gendarussa vulgaris (G. vulgaris) Nees.

METHODSG. vulgaris Nees of the family Apocynaceae is a medium sized tree grown in semishade or no shade and is common in the Ernad and Nilambur taluks of Kerala.Various parts of this plant have been used in the treatment of ulcers, sores, inflammation, dyspepsia, healing of wounds, etc. The present study aimed at the evaluation of anti-inflammatory property of the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the leaves by both in vitro and in vivo methods. In vitro method was estimated by human red blood cell membrane stabilisation (HRBC) method and in vivo method was estimated on the carrageenan induced paw oedima.

RESULTSBoth the methods showed significant anti-inflammatory property of the different extracts tested.

CONCLUSIONSThe alcoholic extract at a concentration of 300 mg/mL showed potent activity on comparing with the standard drug diclofenac sodium.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; administration & dosage ; Apocynaceae ; chemistry ; Edema ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Trees ; chemistry

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of death. Inflammatory processes play an important role in atherosclerosis, which is intimately related to AMI. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines ratios and AMI. METHODS: A total of 90 AMI patients and 90 age-and sex-matched controls were recruited in this study. Plasma cytokines and conventional risk factors were determined by standard methods. RESULTS: Patients with AMI showed increased interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels and lower anti- to pro-inflammatory cytokine ratios as compared with controls. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that IL-10 to IL-6 ratio was independently associated with the occurrence of AMI (odds ratio [OR], 5.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.39 to 12.17; p < 0.0001). In contrast, IL-6 levels were no longer significant in the multivariate model (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.932 to 1.12; p = 0.603). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that IL-6 levels and IL-10 to IL-6 ratios were a significant predictor of AMI (area under ROC curve, 0.892 and 0.851, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the ratio of IL-10 to IL-6 is independently associated with AMI, and reduced levels of this ratio may favor the development of AMI.
Adult ; Atherosclerosis/blood/epidemiology/immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-10/*blood ; Interleukin-6/*blood ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; *Myocardial Infarction/blood/epidemiology/immunology ; Predictive Value of Tests ; ROC Curve ; Risk Factors