Effect of Tectona grandis Linn. seeds on hair growth activity of albino mice

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles mediated Azadirachta indica extract and study of their characterization, molecular docking, and antibacterial activity

The green production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) produces AgNPs with minimum influence on the environment by using plant components such as alkaloids, carbohydrates, lipids, enzymes, flavonoids, terpenoids, and polyphenols as reducing agents. In the present investigation, Azadirachta indica leaf extract was used to form AgNPs from a 1 mM silver nitrate solution. The plan proved to be incredibly straightforward, cost-effective, and effective. The production of the nanoparticles was observed visually, where the colorless fluid turns into a brown-colored solution. Further research was carried out using x-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in addition to UV-visible spectroscopy. The size range of AgNPs determined by TEM was 10-30 nm. When the diffusion technique was employed to demonstrate the antibacterial effect of AgNPs on various pathogens, the zones of inhibition for Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Escherichia coli, when 50 g of AgNPs were used were 16, 12, and 17 mm, respectively. By examining the leakage of reducing sugars and proteins, the mechanism by which nanoparticle antibacterial properties were explored, showed that AgNPs were capable of lowering membrane permeability.

Isolation and HPLC Quantitative Determination of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors from Tectona grandis L.f. Leaf Extract

Steroid 5α-reductase plays a crucial role in catalyzing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which is involved in many androgen-dependent disorders. Leaf-hexane extract from Tectona grandis L.f. has shown promise as a 5α-reductase inhibitor. The objectives of this current study were to isolate and identify 5α-reductase inhibitors from T. grandis leaves and to use them as the bioactive markers for standardization of the extract. Three terpenoid compounds, (+)-eperua-8,13-dien-15-oic acid (1), (+)-eperua-7,13-dien-15-oic acid (2), and lupeol (3), were isolated and evaluated for 5α-reductase inhibitory activity. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited potent 5α-reductase inhibitory activity, while 3 showed weak inhibitory activity. An HPLC method for the quantitative determination of the two potent inhibitors (1 and 2), applicable for quality control of T. grandis leaf extracts, was also developed. The ethanolic extract showed a significantly higher content of 1 and 2 than found in the hexane extract, suggesting that ethanol is a preferable extraction solvent. This study is the first reported isolation of 5α-reductase inhibitors (1 and 2) from T. grandis leaves. The extraction and quality control methods that are safe and useful for further development of T. grandis leaf extract as an active ingredient for hair loss treatment products are also reported.

Isolation and identification of hair growth potential fraction from active plant extract of Blumea eriantha DC grown in Western Ghat of India: In silico study

BACKGROUND

In Aayurveda, Blumea eriantha DC has been used in the management of various diseases and is found to exhibit antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic, hypoglycemic, anti-diarrhoeal, larvicidal, antimicrobial properties.

OBJECTIVE

The present study has focused on isolation of the active fraction from B. eriantha DC extract and to investigate its effect as a hair growth promoter along with identification of phytoconstituent(s) responsible for hair growth activity and its probable mechanism of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our work introduces an effective isolation protocol for the active fraction from B. eriantha DC extract using chromatographic techniques. Fraction A was isolated by using mobile phase toluene:acetone (9:1). In-vitro and in-vivo methods were executed for the evaluation of hair growth activity. Moreover, the docked conformations of the isolated phytoconstituent Dimethyl sulfone was compared to Minoxidil for selected proteins namely 2FGF, 2PVC and 4U7P. The PDB identifications 2PVC (DNMT3L recognizes unmethylated histone H3 lysine 4), 4U7P (Crystal structure of DNMT3A-DNMT3L complex and 2FGF (Human Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor) were downloaded from Protein Data Bank.

RESULTS

The study data revealed that B. eriantha DC alcoholic extracts exhibited prominent hair growth activity and it was affirmed that Dimethyl sulfone a phyto-constituent isolated from B. eriantha DC alcoholic extract contributed for the same.

CONCLUSION

The findings strongly suggest hair growth promotion potential of the extract of B. eriantha DC.

Tectona grandis L.f: A comprehensive review on its patents, chemical constituents, and biological activities

Tectona grandis L.f is a timber plant that is commonly referred to as teak. Its wide use as a medicine in the various indigenous systems makes it a plant of importance. A wide gamut of phytoconstituents like alkaloids, phenolic glycosides, steroids, etc. has been reported. A renewed interest in this plant has resulted in scientific investigations by various researchers towards the isolation and identification of active constituents along with scientific proof of its biological activities. The different parts of the plant have been scientifically evaluated for their antioxidant, antipyretic, analgesic, hypoglycemic, wound healing, cytotoxic, and many more biological activities. Documentation of this scientific knowledge is of importance to have consolidated precise information encompassing the various aspects of this plant, which could provide a base for future studies. This review is a compilation of the salient reports on these investigations concerning phytochemistry, the methods used to identify and quantify the constituents, the evaluation methods of the biological activity, toxicological studies, allergies and the patent/patent applications. This will further help researchers to find an area of the gap for future studies.

Screening of hair growth promoting activity of Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) leaves extracts and its potential to exhibit antidandruff and anti-lice effect

The intent of the present investigation was to explore the utility of alcoholic and aqueous extract of Punica granatum L. as hair growth promoter along with anti-lice and antidandruff activity. A filter paper diffusion approach was employed for screening of the pediculocidal and ovicidal activity. Albino mice, preselected for their telogen phase of hair growth were used during the study. The prepared extracts, Minoxidil and control were applied over shaved skin surface on to the backs of mice to assess telogen to anagen transition. The qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed. The outcome of the studies revealed that Punica granatum L. alcoholic and aqueous extracts exhibited prominent anti-lice activity. The transition of telogen to anagen phase of the number of anagen hair follicle was observed in approximately 45, 27 and 51% of animals treated with alcoholic and aqueous extract of Punica granatum L., and Minoxidil, respectively, which suggest the hair growth promoting potential of the extract of Punica granatum L. Also, 3 % Punica granatum L. alcoholic extracts exhibited a potent antidandruff activity against fungal strains tested. Maltol, was identified as a principal phytoconstituent in the alcoholic extract. The findings greatly suggest anti-lice, antidandruff and hair growth promoting potential of the extract of Punica granatum L.

In vivo and in vitro hair growth-promoting effect of silver and iron nanoparticles synthesized via Blumea eriantha DC plant extract

BACKGROUND

Blumea eriantha DC is the Indian medicinal remedy, mainly distributed in the States of India. It possesses wide array of medicinal properties.

AIM

To execute green synthesis approach for the preparation of silver and iron nanoparticles by using alcoholic Blumea ErianthaDC extract and to verify the biological potential of the prepared nanoparticles as a hair growth promoter.

PATIENTS/METHOD

Extract was mixed with silver nitrate and ferric chloride for synthesis of silver and iron nanoparticles, respectively. Prepared nanoparticles were confirmed by UV, FT-IR, SEM, X-ray diffraction, and TEM. The qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed namely hair growth initiation, hair growth completion, hair length, hair weight, histopathological studies, skin thickness, and length of the hair follicle.

RESULTS

The prepared nanoparticles were observed as a blend of spherical and irregular shape with an average particle size of 35nm. The transition of anagen hair follicles was observed in approximately 63.43 % of animals treated with Minoxidil, whereas 2% and 5% Blumea erianthasilver nanoparticles treated animal group exhibited 33.02% and 60.93%, respectively. The animal groups treated with 2% and 5% iron nanoparticles of Blumea Eriantha showed 44.09 and 38.89% in anagen induction, respectively, which suggest the hair growth-promoting potential of the extract of Blumea erianthaDC.

CONCLUSION

Thus, it can be concluded that silver nanoparticles of Blumea Eriantha exhibit promising hair growth promoting activity.

Flurbiprofen loaded ethosomes - transdermal delivery of anti-inflammatory effect in rat model

Background

Ethosomes have been widely used in Transdermal Drug Delivery System (TDDS) as they increase the permeation of drug across the skin.

Methods

Flurbiprofen loaded vesicular ethosomes were formulated, optimized and characterized for particle size, entrapment efficiency, poly dispersive index (PDI), microscopy using Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Interaction of drug and excipients were studied using Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, Differential scanning colorimetry (DSC), Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). Further, ethosomal formulations of flurbiprofen were evaluated for stability study of three months and in vitro drug permeation study was carried out using albino rat skin. In addition, skin irritation test was evaluated by Draize test and in vivo study of prepared formulation was examined through paw edema assay by inducing carrageenan and cold plate method.

Results

Amongst all formulations, EF5 formulation exhibited ideal surface morphology, with maximum entrapment efficiency (95%) with optimal excipient concentration i.e. 200 mg phospholipid and 35% ethanol. The ideal vesicle size was achieved as 162.2 ± 2 nm, with zeta potential − 48.14 ± 1.4 mV with the PDI of 0.341. In-vitro permeation study shows a release of 82.56 ± 2.11 g/cm² in 24 h and transdermal flux was found as 226.1 μg/cm²/h. Cold plate test indicates that the formulation EF5 showed a marked analgesic activity and Carrageenan induced paw edema test indicates that the formulation EF5 inhibits the increase in paw edema. Ethosomal suspension at 4 °C showed maximum stability.

Conclusions

The overall study concluded that this ethosomal approach offers a new delivery system for sustained and targeted delivery for flurbiprofen.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12944-019-1064-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.