Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Evaluation ofFlacourtia RamontchiL. Herit

Development and Validation of Chromatographic Method for the Standardization of Homeopathic Formulation of Syzygium Cumini

BACKGROUND

 Syzygium cumini (Lam.), family Myrtaceae, has a long history of use in folk and traditional systems of indigenous medicine. Many homeopathic formulations of Jamun seeds are available in the market for their crucial usage as an anti-diabetic. Despite the popularity of homeopathic products, a lack of standard quality is a significant impediment in their acceptance. The present study aimed to develop and validate a chromatographic method for the standardization of the homeopathic formulation of Syzygium cumini.

METHODS

 The seeds of Syzygium cumini were studied for physicochemical evaluation and preliminary phytochemical screening. Also, the in-house standard and marketed homeopathic formulations of Syzigium cumini were standardized for pH, total fatty content, total phenolic and flavonoid content, with quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography- photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA) analysis by using ellagic acid as a marker.

RESULTS

 The physicochemical characteristics of crude material were found to be within pharmacopeial limits. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of various secondary metabolites. The total phenolic and flavonoid content was higher in the in-house standard than in marketed formulations. A validated quantitative HPLC-PDA analysis showed variations of ellagic acid content in different homeopathic formulations.

CONCLUSION

 Physicochemical analysis and the HPLC method for quantitative estimation of ellagic acid can be used to standardize a homeopathic formulation of Syzygium cumini.

Four new phenolics and antiparasitic secondary metabolites from Flacourtia rukam Zoll. & Mortizi

Phytochemical investigation of Flacourtia rukam Zoll. & Mortizi (F. rukam) leaves and bark led to the isolation and characterization of seventeen compounds of which four phenolics were not previously described; 2-[(benzoyloxy)methyl]-phenyl-O-β-xylosyl-(1→2)-β-glucopyranoside (1), 2-[(benzoyloxy)methyl]-4-hydroxyphenyl-O-β-xylosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), 2-hydroxy-5-(2-hydroxyphenoxy)phenoxy-β-glucopyranoside (3) and biphenyl-1,1',2,2'-tetraol (5). Interestingly, the later compound is known as a synthetic but this is the first report for its isolation from nature. Chemical structures were established using extensive analysis of spectroscopic data (1 D and 2 D NMR and HRESIMS). Biphenyl-1,1,2,2'-tetrol (5) exhibited a good activity against Trypanosoma brucei trypomastigotes with IC₅₀= 6.66 ug/mL. Compounds 2, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12 showed a good in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity using proteinase inhibitory assay. On the contrary, all tested compounds were inactive as antileishmanial or antimalarial.

Evaluation of wound healing potential of Bhallatakadi Ghrita - cow ghee based polyherbal formulation: in-vivo excision and incision wound model

OBJECTIVES

Ghee is widely considered as the Indian name for clarified butterfat and processing of ghee with therapeutic herbs i.e., ghrita is renowned for augmenting their medicinal properties. The wound is considered as a challenging clinical problem with early and late complications. To reduce the burden of wounds with the shortest period and minimum scaring, an attempt was made to prepare and evaluate the wound healing potential of ghee based polyherbal formulation.

METHODS

Based on local ethnic tribal claims, Semecarpus anacardium L., Argemone mexicana L., Cocculus hirsutus L., and Woodfordia fruticosa K. were collected from Western Ghats of India. The polyherbal Bhallatakadi Ghrita (BG) formulation was prepared as per Ayurvedic procedure and assessed for its wound healing potential using incision and excision wound animal models.

RESULTS

BG treated group showed a complete contraction of wounds (99.82 ± 0.10%) (p<0.001) with 15.17 ± 0.40 days re-epithelization time and breaking strength (531.50 ± 5.89) (p<0.05). The hydroxyproline content of BG was found to be significantly higher i.e., 4.23 ± 0.21 (p<0.05). Quantitative estimation of BG exhibited 54.7 ± 3.7 mg100 g^-1 of polyphenols and 42.3 ± 5.4 mg.100 g^-1 flavonoids in terms of gallic acid and quercetin respectively. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of gallic acid and quercetin whereas the presence of fatty acids was confirmed by GC-MS analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

It may conclude that the presence of quercetin, gallic acid, and fatty acids could have accelerated the healing rate of the ghrita formulation, as they have already been known for their potential wound healing properties.

Development and evaluation of aphrodisiac potential of a classical ayurvedic formulation, 'Kaamdev ghrita' in rat model

BACKGROUND

Ghee is widely considered as the Indian name for clarified butterfat and processing of ghee with therapeutic herbs i.e. ghrita is renowned for augmenting their medicinal properties. Kaamdev ghrita (also known as 'VajikaranaRasayana') is cow ghee based classical Ayurvedic formulation from the aphrodisiac category, which is used to ameliorate and potentiate sexual performance and also in the treatment of sexual dysfunctions, infertility, and premature ejaculation.

OBJECTIVE

Present research work deals with the organoleptic, physicochemical, and biological assessment of Kaamdev ghrita for its aphrodisiac activity using in-vivo animal models.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Kaamdev ghrita was prepared using Indian cow's ghee as per standard Ayurvedic classical texts and subjected to organoleptic (color, odor, taste, texture, touch), physicochemical (acid value, peroxide value, iodine value, saponification value, unsaponifiable matter, extractive values, refractive index, and specific gravity) analyses as per the standard pharmacopeial procedures. The aphrodisiac potential of ghrita in rat model was evaluated by monitoring sexual behavioral performance using different parameters (mount frequency and latency, intromission frequency and latency, anogenital grooming and sniffing) at the dose of 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight.

RESULTS

The physicochemical evaluation of Kaamdev ghrita showed higher acid value, iodine value, refractive index, and specific gravity whereas the lower saponification and peroxide value than the plain ghee. Kaamdev ghrita revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, sterols, terpenoids, coumarins, tannins, and showed remarkable antioxidant activity by in-vitro assays. It augmented the sexual performance in a dose-dependent manner as indicated by significant improvement (P < 0.05) in mount frequency and latency, intromission frequency and latency, anogenital grooming, and sniffing as compared to plain ghee treated control group. The present investigation has corroborated the ethnopharmacological claim of Kaamdevghrita for its aphrodisiac potential.

CONCLUSION

Kaamdev ghrita exhibited aphrodisiac activity which may be attributed to the presence of antioxidant herbs present in it. It is the first scientific report on validation of the traditional claim of Kaamdev ghrita for its aphrodisiac potential.

Bhallatakadi Ghrita: Development and evaluation with reference to Murcchana and Shata-Dhauta process

BACKGROUND

Ayurveda is primarily based upon use of herbs either singly or in combination (polyherbal). The cow ghee (clarified butterfat) is considered as a precious base for preparing medicines in Ayurveda. Processing of ghee with plant ingredients is renowned for enhancing their therapeutic efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

In present research work, the attempt was made to develop cow ghee based Polyherbal Bhallatakadi Ghrita formulations and evaluate them with reference to 'Murcchana' and 'Shata-Dhauta' process.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The research plants were identified, procured, authenticated and processed. The extracts of plant materials were prepared and used for development of Polyherbal Bhallatakadi Ghrita (PHBG), Polyherbal Bhallatakadi Murcchita Ghrita and Polyherbal Bhallatakadi Shata-Dhauta Ghrita formulations as per Ayurvedic procedures. The prepared ghrita formulations were subjected to organoleptic (colour, odour, taste, appearance and touch), physicochemical (pH, viscosity, moisture content, specific gravity, refractive index, acid value, saponification value, iodine value, peroxide value, Rechert Meissl value and Polenske value) evaluation, in-vitro antioxidant and GC-MS analysis. The accelerated and real time stability studies were carried out to determine shelf life of ghrita formulations.

RESULTS

The results of evaluations indicate that, developed PHBG formulations retained the organoleptic and physicochemical characteristics of ghee. The shelf life of formulations was found to be in the range of 1.6 to 3.3 years at accelerated and 2.2 to 3.8 years at real time stability conditions. All ghrita formulations exhibited antioxidant activity in dose dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

The standardization or evaluation of Polyherbal Bhallatakadi Ghrita formulations was found to be crucial for the establishment of a steady biological, chemical or simply a quality assurance profile of the drugs.

Studies on Ashwagandha Ghrita with reference to murcchana process and storage conditions

Background

Withania somnifera (L.) (family-Solanaceae), known as ‘Indian ginseng’ or ‘Ashwagandha’ is acclaimed as an effective adaptogen, immunomodulator, aphrodisiac and sedative. Ashwagandhaghrita is a recognized ghee based Ayurvedic formulation. Few ancient texts suggest murcchana process for preparation of Ashwagandha ghrita.

Objective

The study was undertaken to evaluate probable effects of murcchana process on ghrita preparation with reference to time and storage conditions.

Materials and Methods

Ashwagandha ghrita samples were prepared separately using plain ghee (Indian cow's ghee) and murcchana ghee. These formulations were stored separately in different glass bottles at room temperature and 400C/75%RH. Organoleptic characters (colour, odour, taste, texture and touch) and physicochemical parameters (acid value, peroxide value, iodine value, saponification value, unsaponifiable matter, refractive index and specific gravity) were determined after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Plain ghee and prepared ghrita were subjected for antioxidant evaluation by various in vitro methods.

Results

Changes were observed in organoleptic characters and physicochemical parameters of plain ghee and Ashwagandha ghrita formulations. Alterations in these parameters were more pronounced at high temperature and on long storage. Ashwagandha ghrita prepared with murcchana process exhibited better antioxidant potential in all in vitro methods.

Conclusion

The murcchana process was found to be beneficial towards quality of ghrita. Hence, Ashwagandha ghrita may be prepared along with murcchana herbs and stored in a good quality glass bottle to ensure improved shelf life of ghrita.