Polyamines: Potential anti-inflammatory agents and their possible mechanism of action.

Objective: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of exogenously administered polyamines on experimentally induced acute and chronic inflammation in wistar rats and to elucidate their possible mechanism of action.

Materials And Methods: The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of polyamines was studied using acute (carrageenin paw edema), sub-acute (cotton pellet granuloma) and chronic (Freund's adjuvant induced arthritis) models of inflammation. The biochemical parameters like liver lipid peroxides, SGOT and SGPT were also measured.

Polyamines in inflammation and their modulation by conventional anti-inflammatory drugs.

Significant increase in polyamines levels in inflamed tissue was observed in the experimental animal models of inflammation. Treatment with dexamethasone positively modulated the levels of polyamines whereas non-steroidal drugs, diclofenac and valdecoxib negatively modulated their levels.

Evaluation of adaptogenic activity profile of herbal preparation.

The herbal formulation, AVM is a proprietary formula that consists of extracts of herbs that have been used in Indian traditional medicine to promote physical and mental health, improve defense mechanisms of the body and enhance longevity. AVM (500 and 1000 mg/kg) was tested for its adaptogenic activity by determining antistress, anabolic and immunomodulatory effects. In antistress activity, pretreatment with AVM significantly attenuated the changes in ascorbic acid (from blood and adrenal), cortisol (from plasma and adrenal) and adrenal gland weights induced due to restrain stress (physical immobilization).