Role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase IA (PI3K-IA) activation in cardioprotection induced by ouabain preconditioning.

Acute myocardial infarction, the clinical manifestation of ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, is a leading cause of death worldwide. Like ischemic preconditioning (IPC) induced by brief episodes of ischemia and reperfusion, ouabain preconditioning (OPC) mediated by Na/K-ATPase signaling protects the heart against IR injury. Class I PI3K activation is required for IPC, but its role in OPC has not been investigated.

Phytochemical evaluation of the wild and cultivated varieties of Eranda Mula (Roots of Ricinus communis Linn.).

In Ayurveda, the roots of Eranda (Ricinus communis Linn.) are used in the treatment Amavata (rheumatism), Sotha (inflammation), Katisula (backache), Udararoga (disease of abdomen), Jwara (fever), etc, Due to high demand, root of the cultivated variety is mainly used in place of wild. But, a comparative phytochemical profile of both varieties is not available till date.

Anti-inflammatory activity of root bark and stem bark of Shyonaka.

Background: Shyonaka (Oroxylum indicum Vent.; Bignoniaceae) root bark is one of the ingredients of dashamoola (a group of 10 roots), and is used for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic action in a number of compound formulations in Ayurveda.

Aim: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) recommends using the stem bark instead of root bark.