Rubia cordifolia, Fagonia cretica linn and Tinospora cordifolia exert anti-inflammatory properties by modulating platelet aggregation and VEGF, COX-2 and VCAM gene expressions in rat hippocampal slices subjected to ischemic reperfusion injury.

Abstract

Summary: The formation of cerebral edema and central nervous system (CNS) inflammation are a result of cerebral ischemia. Pharmacological strategies to reverse or minimize acute ischemic brain injury include antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, and thrombolytics. However, these therapies have either exhibited undesirable side effects or are not cost-effective for the common people. We report here the neuroprotective effects of three herbs Rubia cordifolia (RC), Fagonia cretica linn (FC) and Tinospora cordifolia (TC) as potent anti-inflammatory agents in view of their ability to downregulate the expressions of COX2 and VCAM genes and upregulate VEGF expression and inhibit platelet aggregation induced by multiple agonists in hypoxic-ischemic hippocampal slices. All the three herbs exhibited appreciable anti-inflammatory properties. Industrial relevance: The above work will lead to development of new anti-inflammatory drugs with less toxic preparations and has the potential to generate employment among people who will go farming of such medicinal plants.