Drug-drug interaction between voriconazole and oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetic rats

Tree Turmeric: A Super Food and Contemporary Nutraceutical of 21st Century - A Laconic Review

Since ancient times the medicinal plants have been under use as food and potential therapeutic agent for the management of overall health and the use of all plant parts including fruits, seeds, is well reported in the literature. One such plant is Berberis aristata which is rich in vitamins, minerals, and various phytochemicals amongst which Berberine is the principal bioactive compound with a range of reported health benefits, and some of the commercial formulations like Rasaut, Darvyadi Leha are being used for the treatments of jaundice, malaria, typhoid fever, inflammation, eye infection, diarrhea, wound healing, etc. The hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, antitumor, anti-cancerous, properties are the recent additions to its functional importance. Berberine has significant bioactivities in the treatments of different diseases. Besides its remarkable applications, the berberine has low efficacy due to its low solubility in water, poor absorption, and low bioavailability. This problem can be solved by using some techniques like Nanotechnology which has been found to increase its solubility in water, bioavailability, and absorption and hence provide a better delivery system of berberine. This review illuminates the therapeutic applications of the plant Berberis aristata, scientific validation to its traditional uses, role of berberine in the treatment of various diseases through its different bioactivities, major flaws in berberine treatment, and the role of nanotechnology in minimizing those flaws and increasing its overall efficacy. Key teaching pointsPlant Berberis aristata has been used since ancient times for the treatment of various ailments like jaundice, hepatitis, fever, bleeding, inflammation, diarrhea, malaria, skin and eye infections, chronic rheumatism, and urinary disorders.Berberine is the major and most significant phytochemical among numerous phytochemicals present in plant Berberis aristata.Berberine has significantly shown many potent effect against emerging diseases like cancer and diabetes. Besides that, it has also shown antioxidant, anti-inflamation, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and anti-gastrointestinal disorder properties.Berberine can be very effective in overcoming the demerits of berberine treatment like poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, and poor absorption in the human body in the treatment of various diseases.

Raphanus Sativus Seeds OilArrested In Vivo Inflammation and Angiogenesis Through Down-Regulation of TNF-a

BACKGROUND

Raphanus sativus is traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory agent.

OBJECTIVES

The current study was designed to explore the in vivo anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic properties of Raphanus sativus seeds oil.

METHODS

Cold press method was used for the extraction of oil (RsSO) and was characterised using GC-MS techniques. Three in vitro antioxidant assays (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) were performed to explore antioxidant potential of RsSO. Disc diffusion methods were used to study in vitro antimicrobial properties. In vivo anti-inflammatory properties were studied in both acute and chronic inflammation models. In ovo chicken, a chorioallantoic membrane assay was performed to study antiangiogenic effects. Molecular mechanisms were identified using serum TNF-α ELISA kit and docking tools.

RESULTS

GC-MS analysis of RsSO revealed the presence of hexadecanoic and octadecanoic acid. Findings of DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP models indicated relatively moderate radical scavenging properties of RsSO. Oil showed antimicrobial activity against a variety of strains tested. Data of inflammation models showed significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory effects of RsSO in both acute and chronic models. 500 mg/kg RsSO halted inflammation development significantly better (p < 0.05) as compared with lower doses. Histopathological evaluations of paws showed minimal infiltration of inflammatory cells in RsSO-treated animals. Findings of TNF-α ELSIA and docking studies showed that RsSO has the potential to downregulate the expression of TNF-α, iNOS, ROS, and NF-κB, respectively. Moreover, RsSO showed in vivo antiangiogenic effects.

CONCLUSION

Data of the current study highlight that Raphanus sativus seeds oil has anti-inflammatory, and antiangiogenic properties and can be used as an adjunct to standard NSAIDs therapy to reduce its dose and side effects.

Anti-allergy and anti-tussive activity of Clitoria ternatea L. in experimental animals

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Clitoria ternatea flower is traditionally used in the treatment of respiratory disorders including bronchitis and is one of the ingredients in different Ayurvedic preparations that are used in respiratory disorders. However, till date there is no scientific report on the anti-asthmatic activity of this flower.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Ethanolic extract of Clitoria ternatea flowers (ECT) was evaluated for its anti-allergy and anti-tussive potential in experimental animals. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory potential of ECT was carried out to draw a plausible mechanism of action of the drug.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In-vitro anti-asthmatic activity of ECT was evaluated in goat tracheal chain and isolated guinea pig ileum preparations. Acute and chronic anti-asthmatic activity of ECT (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg; p.o.) was estimated in histamine aerosol exposed guinea pigs and in OVA sensitized and challenged mice respectively. Anti-tussive activity of ECT (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg; p.o.) was evaluated against sulfur dioxide- and citric acid-induced cough in experimental animals. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity of ECT (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg; p.o.) was evaluated against carrageenan- and acetic acid-induced inflammation in rats.

RESULTS

ECT attenuated histamine-induced contraction in both goat tracheal chain and isolated guinea pig ileum preparations. ECT (400 mg/kg) attenuated histamine-induced dyspnoea and OVA-induced changes in differential cell count in broncheoalveolar fluid, levels of interleukins (IL-1beta and IL-6) and immunoglobulin (OVA-sensitive IgG1) in animals. ECT (400 mg/kg) further ameliorated sulfur dioxide- and citric acid-induced cough in experimental animals. Additionally, ECT (400 mg/kg) attenuated inflammation in carrageenan and acetic acid challenged rodents.

CONCLUSIONS

Standardized ECT could be considered as a potential therapeutic alternative in the management of allergy-induced asthma.