Ethnomedicinal plants used for snakebite in India: a brief overview

Sughosh V. Upasani,Vishal G. Beldar,Anil U. Tatiya,M.S. Upasani,Sanjay J. Surana,Divyata S. Patil 한국한의학연구원 2017 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.6 No.2

The result of human interface and assortment of the most desirable, influential, and successful plant species found in the immediate environment at a precise circumstance is attributable to indigenous knowledge of plant species. India has a rich variety of medicinal plants growing under different geographical and ecological conditions; 1500 out of 15,000 privileged plant species have been reported to have medicinal uses. Snakebite is a severe medical, social, and economic problem in many parts of the world, chiefly in tropical and subtropical nations where majority of the world’s dangerous snakes are found and where access to treatment is limited. In India, a range of medicinal plants are used as antidotes for snakebites, used either singly or in combination with other agents. The present study makes an effort to assemble information on medicinal plants that are grown and used for snakebite treatment in India. From a range of literature sources, data have been compiled with emphasis on the plants, family, parts used, etc., depending on the availability of information. This paper enumerates 523 plant species belonging to 122 families that act as antidotes against snakebites. We believe this study of herbal antidotes against snake venom is of substantial significance to society.

Infrequent use of medicinal plants from India in snakebite treatment

Manali Sughosh Upasani,Sughosh Vishweshwar Upasani,Vishal Gokul Beldar,Chetana Gokul Beldar,Pranjal P. Gujarathi 한국한의학연구원 2018 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.7 No.1

Snakes have fascinated humankind for millennia. Snakebites are a serious medical, social, and economic problem that are experienced worldwide; however, they are most serious in tropical and subtropical countries. The reasons for this are 1) the presence of more species of the most dangerous snakes, 2) the inaccessibility of immediate medical treatment, and 3) poor health care. The goal of this study was to collect information concerning rare, less utilized, and less studied medicinal plants. More than 100 plants were found to have potential to be utilized as anti-snake venom across India. Data accumulated from a variety of literature sources revealed useful plant families, the parts of plants used, and how to utilize them. In India, there are over 520 plant species, belonging to approximately 122 families, which could be useful in the management of snakebites. This study was conducted to encourage researchers to create herbal antidotes, which will counteract snake venom. These may prove to be an inexpensive and easily assessable alternative, which would be of immense importance to society. Plants from families such as Acanthaceae, Arecaceae, Apocynaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Rubiaceae, and Zingiberaceae are the most useful. In India, experts of folklore are using herbs either single or in combination with others.

Antihypertensive effect of Silymarin on DOCA salt induced hypertension in unilateral nephrectomized rats

Jadhav, G.B.,Upasani, C.D. 경희한의학연구센터 2011 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.11 No.2

The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Silymarin in DOCA salt induced hypertension in unilateral nephrectomized rats. Unilateral nephrectomy was performed in female Wistar rats (150-200 g). A week after unilateral nephrectomy, hypertension was induced by DOCA (25 mg/kg, once a week; s.c; for 4 weeks) dispersed in cottonseed oil. The effect of Silymarin (300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, p. o., for 4 weeks) was evaluated in DOCA salt induced hypertensive rats. Systolic blood pressure (BP) was measured once every week during the treatment schedule. After completion of treatment schedule, heart rate, arterial blood pressure and vascular reactivity to various drugs were recorded. Rats from individual group were sacrificed, the heart was dissected out and antioxidant enzyme level SOD, CAT, GSH and TBARS were measured. Urine excretions were measured by flame photometer. Silymarin (300, 500 mg/kg/day, p.o.) significantly ($p$ <0.05) reduced systolic blood pressure, heart rate, basal arterial blood pressure and pressor responses to NA, Adr, PE and 5-HT in animals treated with DOCA salt as compared with DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. Silymarin significantly increased antioxidant enzyme level of SOD, CAT, GSH, urinary $Na^+$ excretion and decreased TBARS level, urinary $K^+$ excretion compared with DOCA hypertensive group. Silymarin exhibits significant antihypertensive activity in DOCA salt model of hypertension.

Spinal Growth Modulation with Use of a Tether in an Immature Porcine Model :

Newton, Peter O,Upasani, Vidyadhar V,Farnsworth, Christine L,Oka, Richard,Chambers, Reid C,Dwek, Jerry,Kim, Jung Ryul,Perry, Andrew,Mahar, Andrew T Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 2008 Journal of bone and joint surgery Vol.90 No.12

<P>BACKGROUND: Spinal growth modulation by tethering the anterolateral aspect of the spine, as previously demonstrated in a nonscoliotic calf model, may be a viable fusionless treatment method for idiopathic scoliosis. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the radiographic, histologic, and biomechanical results after six and twelve months of spinal growth modulation in a porcine model with a growth rate similar to that of adolescent patients. METHODS: Twelve seven-month-old mini-pigs underwent instrumentation with a vertebral staple-screw construct connected by a polyethylene tether over four consecutive thoracic vertebrae. The spines were harvested after six (n = 6) or twelve months (n = 6) of growth. Monthly radiographs, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans (made after the spines were harvested), histologic findings, and biomechanical findings were evaluated. Analysis of variance was used to compare preoperative, six-month postoperative, and twelve-month postoperative data. RESULTS: Radiographs demonstrated 14 degrees +/- 4 degrees of coronal deformity after six months and 30 degrees +/- 13 degrees after twelve months of growth. Coronal vertebral wedging was observed in all four tethered vertebrae and progressed throughout each animal's survival period. Disc wedging was also created; however, in contrast to the findings associated with vertebral wedging, the tethered side was taller than the untethered side. Magnetic resonance images revealed no evidence of disc degeneration; however, the nucleus pulposus had shifted toward the side of the tethering. Midcoronal undecalcified histologic sections showed intact bone-screw interfaces with no evidence of implant failure or loosening. With the tether cut, stiffness decreased and range of motion increased in lateral bending away from the tether at both time-points (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this porcine model, mechanical tethering during growth altered spinal morphology in the coronal and sagittal planes, leading to vertebral and disc wedging proportional to the duration of tethering. The resulting concave thickening of the disc in response to the tether was not anticipated and may suggest a capacity for the nucleus pulposus to respond to the compressive loads created by growth against the tether.</P>

Antihypertensive effect of Silymarin on DOCA salt induced hypertension in unilateral nephrectomized rats

G. B. Jadhav,C. D. Upasani 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2011 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.11 No.2

The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Silymarin in DOCA salt induced hypertension in unilateral nephrectomized rats. Unilateral nephrectomy was performed in female Wistar rats (150–200 g). A week after unilateral nephrectomy,hypertension was induced by DOCA (25 mg/kg, once a week; s.c; for 4 weeks) dispersed in cottonseed oil. The effect of Silymarin (300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, p. o., for 4 weeks) was evaluated in DOCA salt induced hypertensive rats. Systolic blood pressure (BP) was measured once every week during the treatment schedule. After completion of treatment schedule, heart rate, arterial blood pressure and vascular reactivity to various drugs were recorded. Rats from individual group were sacrificed, the heart was dissected out and antioxidant enzyme level SOD, CAT, GSH and TBARS were measured. Urine excretions were measured by flame photometer. Silymarin (300, 500 mg/kg/day, p.o.)significantly (p<0.05) reduced systolic blood pressure,heart rate, basal arterial blood pressure and pressor responses to NA, Adr, PE and 5-HT in animals treated with DOCA salt as compared with DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. Silymarin significantly increased antioxidant enzyme level of SOD, CAT, GSH, urinary Na^+ excretion and decreased TBARS level, urinary K^+ excretion compared with DOCA hypertensive group. Silymarin exhibits significant antihypertensive activity in DOCA salt model of hypertension.

Effect of ammonium glycyrrhizinate on haloperidol- and reserpine- induced neurobehavioral alterations in experimental paradigms

Otari, Kishor Vasant,Shete, Rajkumar Virbhadrappa,Bhutada, Rupesh Nandkumar,Upasani, Chandrashekhar Devidas 경희한의학연구센터 2011 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.11 No.3

The present work was aimed to assess the effect of ammonium glycyrrhizinate, $AG$ (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg, i.p.) on haloperidol induced catalepsy in mice; reserpine induced orofacial dyskinesia in rats; and reserpine antagonism in mice. Additionally the effect of $AG$ on lipid peroxidation (LP) in cataleptic mice brain and monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) levels in normal mice brain was assessed. Administration of $AG$ 100 and 150 mg/kg showed significant reduction in the duration of cataleptic behavior at 60 to 180 min and dose dependent decrease in LP induced by haloperidol. $AG$ showed significant decrease in frequency of vacuous chewing movements at 150 mg/kg and frequency of tongue protrusion at 100 and 150 mg/kg in reserpine induced orofacial dyskinesia test. $AG$ showed significant increase in frequency of horizontal movement and rearing behavior at 150 mg/kg and increase in grooming behavior at 100 and 150 mg/kg in reserpine antagonism test. $AG$ showed dose dependent inhibition of MAO-B in the normal mice brain. These results suggested that $AG$ prevented the haloperidol- and reserpine- induced neurobehavioral alterations possibly by acting as free radical scavenger or inhibiting MAO-B thereby increasing dopaminergic transmition consequently decreasing dopamine metabolites and ultimately preventing the generation of free radicals.

Effect of ammonium glycyrrhizinate on haloperidol- and reserpine- induced neurobehavioral alterations in experimental paradigms

Kishor Vasant Otari,Rajkumar Virbhadrappa Shete,Rupesh Nandkumar Bhutada,Chandrashekhar Devidas Upasani 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2011 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.11 No.3

The present work was aimed to assess the effect of ammonium glycyrrhizinate, AG (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg,i.p.) on haloperidol induced catalepsy in mice; reserpine induced orofacial dyskinesia in rats; and reserpine antagonism in mice. Additionally the effect of AG on lipid peroxidation (LP) in cataleptic mice brain and monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) levels in normal mice brain was assessed. Administration of AG 100 and 150 mg/kg showed significant reduction in the duration of cataleptic behavior at 60 to 180 min and dose dependent decrease in LP induced by haloperidol. AG showed significant decrease in frequency of vacuous chewing movements at 150 mg/kg and frequency of tongue protrusion at 100 and 150 mg/kg in reserpine induced orofacial dyskinesia test. AG showed significant increase in frequency of horizontal movement and rearing behavior at 150 mg/kg and increase in grooming behavior at 100 and 150 mg/kg in reserpine antagonism test. AG showed dose dependent inhibition of MAO-B in the normal mice brain. These results suggested that AG prevented the haloperidol- and reserpine- induced neurobehavioral alterations possibly by acting as free radical scavenger or inhibiting MAO-B thereby increasing dopaminergic transmition consequently decreasing dopamine metabolites and ultimately preventing the generation of free radicals.