Pharmacological properties of mangiferin: bioavailability, mechanisms of action and clinical perspectives

This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the pharmacological properties of mangiferin, focusing primarily on its bioavailability and mechanisms of action, and its potential therapeutic applications, especially in the context of chronic diseases. We conducted a comprehensive examination of in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as clinical trials involving mangiferin or plant extracts containing mangiferin. The primary source of mangiferin is Mangifera indica, but it's also found in other plant species from the families Anacardiaceae, Gentianaceae, and Iridaceae. Mangiferin has exhibited a myriad of therapeutic properties, presenting itself as a promising candidate for treating various chronic conditions including neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, renal and pulmonary diseases, diabetes, and obesity. Despite the promising results showcased in many in vitro studies and certain animal studies, the application of mangiferin has been limited due to its poor solubility, absorption, and overall bioavailability. Mangiferin offers significant therapeutic potential in treating a spectrum of chronic diseases, as evidenced by both in vitro and clinical trials. However, the challenges concerning its bioavailability necessitate further research, particularly in optimizing its delivery and absorption, to harness its full medicinal potential. This review serves as a comprehensive update on the health-promoting and therapeutic activities of mangiferin.

Major Targets Involved in Clinical Management of Migraine

BACKGROUND

There has been a protracted effort to identify reliable targets for migraine. It is believed that each year, hundreds of millions of individuals worldwide suffer from migraines, making this widespread neurological ailment the second leading cause of years of disability worldwide. The rationale of this study is to identify the major targets involved in migraine attacks.

METHODS

For this review, specialized databases were searched, such as PubMed, EMBASE, DynaMed Plus, and Science Direct databases that included the pathophysiological mechanisms of migraine, focusing on in vitro and in vivo studies in the clinical management of migraine.

RESULTS

Calcitonin gene-related peptide, Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), NOD-like receptor Protein (NLRP3), Serotonin, and some other neuroinflammatory biomarkers are collectively responsible for the cerebral blood vessel dilation and involved in the nociceptive pain which leads to migraine attack.

CONCLUSION

Migraine biomarkers such as CGRP, PACAP, NLRP3, Nitric oxide synthase, MMP9, and Serotonin could be targets for developing drugs. Present marketed medications temporarily reduce symptoms and pain and have serious cardiovascular side effects. It is suggested that herbal treatment may help prevent migraine attacks without adverse effects. Natural biomolecules that may give better treatment than the present marketed medication and full fledge research should be carried out with natural biomarkers by the Network Pharmacological approach.

Theoretical evaluation of Cleome species' bioactive compounds and therapeutic potential: A literature review

The species of Cleome genus are taxonomically included in the family of Cleomaceae and in the order of Brassicales, representing flowering plants with a long history of use in traditional medicine. Phytochemical screening experiments revealed that Cleome species contain a wide range of beneficial bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, essential oils, fatty acids, flavonoids, terpenes, sterols, and anthocyanins, indicating a therapeutic potential. Furthermore, due to the presence of these phytocompounds, there are various plant species in this genus that have demonstrated a wide range of genotypic, chemo typic, and biological activity in several ecological settings around the world. The potential biological actions and pharmacological effects, such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, anti-diabetic, antidepressant, antibacterial, anti-arthritic, anticancer, and hepatoprotective are closely related to the active substances contained in various parts of the plants. By centralizing medical data provided by the scientific literature, we offer in the present work a comprehensive perspective on a wide range of bioactive compounds identified from diverse Cleome species, emphasizing the correlation of natural active substances with potential pharmacological activities that can contribute to the improvement of therapeutic management for a range of pathologies. In addition, this review suggests future research perspectives to improve the use of phytochemicals contained in the species of Cleome genus, both in terms of increasing therapeutic efficacy and safety profiles, but also in terms of identifying a possible new pharmacological effect.

Computer Aided Drug Design Approach to Screen Phytoconstituents of Adhatoda vasica as Potential Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Enzyme

A novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was identified as one of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2) and emerged as a pandemic in 2020. Thus, there is an urgent need to screen and develop an agent to suppress the proliferation of viral particles of SARS-CoV-2, and several drugs have entered clinical trial phases to assess their therapeutic potential. The objective of the present study is to screen phytochemicals against the main viral protease using molecular docking studies. The phytochemicals vasicine, vasicinone, vasicinolone, vasicol, vasicolinone, adhatodine, adhavasicinone, aniflorine, anisotine, vasnetine, and orientin from Adhatoda vasica were selected, and the compounds were docked with various viral protein targets, including specific SARS-CoV-2 main protease (PDBID:6Y84), using AutoDock, Schrodinger, Biovia discovery studio, and virtual screening tools. Adhatodine and vasnetine showed a better binding affinity of −9.60 KJ/mol and −8.78 KJ/mol, respectively. In molecular docking simulations for 10 ns, these compounds illustrated strong hydrogen-bonding interactions with the protein active site and induced a potential conformational change in the ligand-binding site. The results were compared with the antiviral drugs nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. These results suggest that these phytochemicals can be studied as potential inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 protease and may have an antiviral effect on coronavirus. However, further in vitro and in vivo efficacy activity needs to be investigated for these phytochemicals.

A Review on Oxadiazoles as a Pharmacologically Active Nucleus

The structure of the oxadiazole skeleton is a biologically and biochemically active nucleus that has a multiple number of biological activities. The oxadiazole structure is a five-membered aromatic ring that has been used in numerous studies and molecules synthesised in laboratories. The principle structure of the Oxadiazole ring with a pair of Pyridine-type nitrogen atoms has been confirmed to be valuable for Oxadiazole analogues for having efficacious protein interactions with a large number of enzyme proteins and receptor proteins present in the organ system of the human body through different types of interactions, like Vander Wall interactions, thereby producing a huge variety of biological activities or pharmacological properties. Due to the variety in the pharmacological activity of Oxadiazole and their derivatives and analogues, they have been termed as one of the important pharmacological aspects to study. Multiple numbers of oxadiazole related synthetic compounds possessing high potent action and therapeutic activity are being widely incorporated for treatment and management of multiple diseases and disorders, giving immeasurable progression and establishment value. Oxadiazole derivatives express a multiple number of pharmacological activities like antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antifungal, antipyretic, antidepressant, anti-tubercular, anticonvulsant, anticholinesterase, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antitumor/anticancer, anti-HIV, antioxidant, etc. The history of 1,3,4-Oxadiazole is also very interesting. It shows that it attracted many chemists, researchers, and scientists to explore the Oxadiazole nucleus as a biologically active molecule having promising potency. This review article mainly focuses on the pharmacological profile of 1,3,4-Oxadiazole with various activities and examples (in the form of figures and structures). Expectations are that this article will be like a path showing torch to help and serve as guidance for new innovations/ideas along the progression of research for the evolution of more active/potent and less poisonous/toxic Oxadiazole-based derivatives.

Development and characterization of a nano-drug delivery system containing vasaka phospholipid complex to improve bioavailability using quality by design approach

Background and purpose

Vasicine is a potential bronchodilator and can be used for the effective management of asthma and bronchitis. It has low absorption in the gastrointestinal tract due to its poor solubility thereby low bioavailability. The objective of this research was to develop a novel drug delivery system of vasaka extract to improve its bioavailability by enhancing the solubility and absorption of vasicine.

Experimental approach

Vasaka-loaded phytosomes were developed and optimized by thin-layer hydration technique using systematic quality by design approach. Box-Behnken design (3² factorial design) using Design-Expert software was employed to optimize phytosome wherein phosphatidylcholine concentration (X₁), stirring temperature (X₂), and stirring time (X₃) were selected as independent variables. Yield (%), particle size (nm), and entrapment efficiency (%) were evaluated as responses. The optimized phytosome was characterized by studying the surface morphology such as FE-SEM and TEM analysis, thermal characteristics by thermal gravimetric analysis and spectral and diffraction studies by FTIR and XRD analysis and studying the dissolution behaviour of phytosome by in vitro release study.

Findings/Results

The percentage yield, particle size, and entrapment efficiency values of the phytosomes were found in the range of 30.03-97.03%, 231.0-701.4 nm, and 20.02-95.88% w/w, respectively. The optimized phytosome showed the zeta potential of -23.2 mV exhibited good stability and SEM and TEM analysis revealed the spherical shape and smooth particles with the uniform particle size distribution of phytosomes. The comparative in vitro drug release study of vasaka extract and phytosome revealed the sustained release characteristics of phytosome which reached 68.80% at 8 h compared to vasaka extract reached a maximum of 45.08% at 4 h.

Conclusion and implication

The results highlighted the importance of optimization of formulation development using quality by design strategy to achieve consistent quality of pharmaceutical products.

Occurrence, sources and risk assessment of fluoroquinolones in dumpsite soil and sewage sludge from Chennai, India

Soil and sludge are major reservoirs of organic compounds such as fluoroquinolones (FQs) which are broad-spectrum antibacterial agents. Hence, we monitored three major FQs, namely, ciprofloxacin (CIP), norfloxacin (NOR), and ofloxacin (OFL), in surface soil from two major dumpsites and dry and wet sludge from sewage treatment plants in Chennai city. The mean concentration of FQs in soil and sludge samples were 20 μg/g and 26 μg/g, respectively. Nearly 50% of the total FQs in dumpsite soil was contributed by CIP followed by NOR (32%) and OFL (13%). Similarly, CIP was the major contributor in sludge samples followed by NOR and OFL. The concentration of FQs was two folds higher in wet sludge than dry sludge most likely indicating that water solubility of these compounds might play an important role for elevated level of FQs in wet sludge. Solid waste from pharmaceutical industries, households, and sludge from wastewater treatment plants were expected to be the major source of FQs in dumpsite soil. Predicted risk assessment using soil to water migration concentrations via surface run off indicated high risk to aquatic organisms. However, risk quotient (RQ) was found less to earthworm in most of the soil samples. The findings from this study might help in future policies on disposal of household antibiotics in the solid waste stream.

Pharmacological In vivo test to evaluate the antidepressant activity of polyherbal formulation

The antidepressant effects of the polyherbal formulation (PF) (contain four extracts of medicinal plants namely: Nyctanthes arbortristis, Hippophae salcifolia, Ocimum tenuiflorum and Withania somnifera ) was examined by evaluating the extent of reduction of behavioural alterations and neurotransmitter in the rats stressed by forced swim test (FST). In the present study, compared with the model control group (FST), the altered behavioural parameters were attenuated significantly (P < 0.05) in the group treated with the PF (100, 200 and 400 mg•kg−1), comparable with the standard drug treated group, Sertraline (10mg•kg−1). The PF and Sertraline significantly (P < 0.05) increased the level of the neurotransmitter such as serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine and noradrenalin whereas decreased the level of monoamine oxidase along with oxidant in the brain of the stressed rats. PF and Sertraline were also involved in the reduced oxidant and generated antioxidant in the stressed rats. The results indicated that polyherbal formulation exhibited significant antidepressant activity, as indicated by its ability to decrease force swim stress, induced immobility time in rats as well as restoring the biogenic amines to normal level that were altered by the swim induced stress in whole rat brain. Therefore, PF can be a potential candidate for treatment of depression as well as a potent antidepressant. However, further studies are required to substantiate the same.

Rosmarinic acid attenuates hepatic steatosis by modulating ER stress and autophagy in oleic acid-induced HepG2 cells

Non-alcoholic fatty acid disease (NAFLD) has become an emerging entity of liver disorders worldwide. Oxidative stress and deranged autophagy-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has recently been recognized as one of the prime factors involved in the pathological mechanism underlying NAFLD and progressive non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis (NASH). Epidemiological and experimental data reveal the potency of dietary polyphenols in averting NAFLD. In this line, to analyse and address the underlying pathogenic mechanisms, in the present study, oleic acid-induced HepG2 cells were treated with rosmarinic acid (RA), a dietary polyphenol with well-established cytoprotective properties. Treatment with rosmarinic acid (20 μg) was found to potently counter the elevated levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG). Additionally, exposure of oleic acid-induced HepG2 cells to rosmarinic acid showed reduced levels of ROS and increased activity of enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants. The steatotic HepG2 cells presented a pronounced increase in the expression of key ER stress markers such as p-PERK, p-IRE-1, ATF-6, p-eIF-α and CHOP, which was considerably reduced upon treatment with rosmarinic acid. Moreover, exposure to rosmarinic acid altered the deranged autophagic mechanism in oleic acid-induced HepG2 cells, which was observed via the protein expression of Beclin 1, LC31, ATG5 and ATG7. This study demonstrates that rosmarinic acid abrogates NAFLD via diminishing ER stress by nullifying oxidative stress and restoring deranged autophagy and can be used as a potent adjunct in the treatment of NAFLD, thus illustrating the valuable application of polyphenols in combating NAFLD.

Non-alcoholic fatty acid disease (NAFLD) has become an emerging entity of liver disorders worldwide.

Inhibition of New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase 1 (NDM-1) Producing Escherichia coli IR-6 by Selected Plant Extracts and Their Synergistic Actions with Antibiotics

Improper use of antibiotics has led to a great concern in the development of pathogenic microbial resistance. New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1 (NDM-1) producing bacteria are resistant to most of the β-lactam antibiotics, and so far, no new compounds have been clinically tested against these bacteria. In this study, ethanol extracts from the leaves of 240 medicinal plant species were screened for antibacterial activity against an NDM-1 Escherichia coli strain. The extracts that showed antibacterial activity were then tested for minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and zones of inhibition. The extract from Combretum albidum G. Don, Hibiscus acetosella Welw. ex Hiern, Hibiscus cannabinus L., Hibiscus furcatus Willd., Punica granatum L., and Tamarindus indica L. showed bactericidal activity between 5 and 15 mg/ml and the MIC was between 2.56 and 5.12 mg/ml. All six plant extracts inhibited activity of the NDM-1 enzyme in vitro, and the IC50 value ranged between 0.50 and 1.2 ng/μl. Disruption of bacterial cell wall integrity by the plant extracts was clearly visible with scanning electron microscopy. Increases in membrane permeability caused 79.4–89.7% bacterial cell deaths as investigated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. All the plant extracts showed synergistic effects when combined with colistin [fractional inhibitory concentration (ΣFIC) = 0.125–0.375], meropenem (ΣFIC = 0.09–0.313), and tetracycline (ΣFIC = 0.125–0.313). Thus, the plant extracts can be fractionated for the identification of active compounds, which could be used as new antibacterial compounds for the development of drugs against NDM-1 E. coli in addition to their use in combination therapy.

Design, synthesis and α-amylase inhibitory activity of novel chromone derivatives

Quercetin is one of the naturally occurring polyphenol flavonoid predominantly known for antidiabetic activity. In the present study, by considering the structural requirements, twenty two novel chromone derivatives (5-26) as α-amylase inhibitor were designed and subsequently in silico evaluated for drug likeness behavior. Designed compounds were synthesized, characterized by spectral analysis and finally evaluated for the inhibition of α-amylase activity by in vitro assay. Tested compounds exhibited significant to weak activity with IC₅₀ range of 12-125µM. Among the tested compounds, analogues 5, 8, 12, 13, 15, 17 and 22 exhibited significant human α-amylase inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values <25µM, which can be further explored as anti-hyperglycemic agents. Putative binding mode of the significant and least active α-amylase inhibitors with the target enzyme was also explored by the docking studies.

A modified formulation of Huanglian-Jie-Du-Tang reduces memory impairments and β-amyloid plaques in a triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degenerative disorder typified by progressive deterioration of memory and the appearance of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ)-rich senile plaques. Recently we have identified a novel function of a patented formulation of modified Huanglian-Jie-Tu-Tang (HLJDT-M), a Chinese herbal medicine, in treating AD in in vitro studies (US patent No. 9,375,457). HLJDT-M is a formulation composed of Rhizoma Coptitis, Cortex Phellodendri and Fructus Gardeniae without Radix Scutellariae. Here, we assessed the efficacy of HLJDT-M on a triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3XTg-AD). Oral administration of HLJDT-M ameliorated the cognitive dysfunction of 3XTg-AD mice and lessened the plaque burden. In addition, biochemical assays revealed a significant decrease in levels of detergent-soluble and acid-soluble Aβ via decreasing the levels of full length amyloid-β precursor protein (FL-APP) and C-terminal fragments of APP (CTFs) in brain lysates of HLJDT-M-treated mice. HLJDT-M treatment also significantly reduced the levels of FL-APP and CTFs in N2a/SweAPP cells. In contrast, treatment using the classical formula HLJDT did not reduce the memory impairment of 3XTg-AD mice and, rather, increased the Aβ/Fl-APP/CTFs in both animal and cell culture studies. Altogether, our study indicates that HLJDT-M is a promising herbal formulation to prevent and/or cure AD.

Rosmarinic Acid Mediates Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Insulin Resistant Skeletal Muscle Through Activation of AMPK

Rosmarinic acid (RA), a polyphenol, is known to improve hepatic insulin sensitivity in experimental type 2 diabetes. However, its effect on skeletal muscle insulin resistance is meagerly understood. The present study was aimed to investigate the up- and downstream mediators of the molecular targets of RA in attenuating insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle both in vivo and in vitro. We found that supplementation of RA increased the expression of key genes involved in the mitochondrial biogenesis like PGC-1α, SIRT-1, and TFAM via activation of AMPK in the skeletal muscle of insulin resistant rats as well as in L6 myotubes. Further, RA treatment increased the glucose uptake and decreased the phosphorylation of serine IRS-1 while increasing the translocation of GLUT 4. Together, our findings evidenced that RA treatment significantly inhibit insulin resistance in skeletal muscle cells by enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1839-1848, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Novel hybrids of drug with bioactive heterocycles for enhancing biological activity

A novel series of aceclofenac hybridised with 1,2,4-triazolo-[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazoles were designed using molecular hybridization approach and synthesised 6a-j. The structural integrity was confirmed by analytical methods. The hybrid molecules were subjected to in vitro cytotoxic studies against four human cancer cell lines PA-1, OAW-42, T47-D and MCF-7 by MTT assay method. The results indicate that the hybrid molecules bearing halogen on phenyl ring in 6th position of triazolo-thiadiazole exhibited significant cytotoxic activity. The test compounds were also screened for antifungal activity against two strains.

Design of low dielectric constant polybenzoxazine nanocomposite using mesoporous mullite

In this present work, porous mullites (PM0–5) were synthesized through a template-assisted method using various weight percentages of pluronic (P-123). PM5 obtained using 10 wt% of P-123 was found to show maximum porosity (3.8 Å) and low dielectric constant value (2.4). PM5 was functionalized using glycidyl-terminated silane and denoted as FPM and various weight percentages of FPM were reinforced with polybenzoxazine (PBZ) matrix in order to develop FPM/PBZ nanocomposites. The thermal studies indicate that 1.5 wt% of FPM/PBZ nanocomposite showed improved thermal stability with 34% char yield at 800°C and 162°C as glass transition temperature. It also exhibits low dielectric constant (2.6) than that of the neat PBZ matrix and other FPM/PBZ nanocomposites. The microscopic analysis confirms the homogenous dispersion of FPM into the PBZ polymer that has a porous morphology. The results suggest that the as-synthesized mesoporous mullite with low dielectric constant ( k), synthesized via template-assisted method can be used as a reinforcement to decrease the dielectric constant of polymeric material, which is of industrial significance.

Evaluation of antioxidant and neuroprotective effect of Hippophae rhamnoides (L.) on oxidative stress induced cytotoxicity in human neural cell line IMR32

AIM AND OBJECTIVE

Hippophae rhamnoides is an edible, nutrient rich plant found in the northern regions of India. It belongs to the family Elaeagnaceae and is well known for its traditional pharmacological activities. The present study was aimed to investigate the antioxidant and neuroprotective activities of H. rhamnoides.

METHODOLOGY

The hydroalcoholic extract of H. rhamnoides was evaluated for free radical scavenging activity using DPPH, hydroxyl radical scavenging and ferric thiocyanate assays. In vitro neuroprotective activity was assessed on human neuroblastoma cell line-IMR32 against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced cytotoxicity. The neuroprotective effect was determined by measuring the cell viability through tetrazolium dye MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) reducing assay and propidium iodide (PI) staining. Also the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity was assessed using dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) assay by flowcytometer.

RESULTS

The results of the study demonstrated that H. rhamnoides extract possesses potential free radical scavenging activity. The IC50 value for DPPH and OH radical scavenging assay was 70.92 μg/ml and 0.463 mg/ml, also the extract was also found to have considerable level of lipid peroxidation activity. The neuroprotective effect of H. rhamnoides was confirmed by its cell viability enhancing capacity against hydrogen peroxide induced cell cytotoxicity. The extract acted on IMR32 cells in a dose dependent manner as observed through PI and MTT assays. The percentage intracellular ROS activity was reduced by 60-70% in treated cells compared to H2O2 control.

CONCLUSION

Thus the outcome of the study suggests that H. rhamnoides acts as a neuroprotectant against oxidative stress induced neurodegeneration.

Management of cognitive determinants in senile dementia of Alzheimer's type: therapeutic potential of a novel polyherbal drug product

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The enigmatic etiology of neurodegenerative diseases poses a challenge for the development of novel and efficient drugs. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a polyherbal (test) formulation on cognitive functions, inflammatory markers and oxidative stress in healthy elderly as well as senile dementia of Alzheimer's type (SDAT) patients.

METHOD

A randomized double-blind placebo- and active-controlled clinical trial was performed in healthy elderly subjects and SDAT patients with an age range of 60-75 years. The polyherbal test formulation along with a placebo was given to healthy elderly subjects while the SDAT patients received either the test formulation containing extracts of Bacopa monnieri (whole plant), Hippophae rhamnoides (leaves and fruits) and Dioscorea bulbifera (bulbils) at a dose of 500 mg or donepezil drug (Aricept) at a dose of 10 mg, twice daily, for a period of 12 months. After every three months, cognitive functions were assessed by determining the mini mental state examination (MMSE) score, digital symbol substitution (DSS; subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised), immediate and delayed word recall (digital memory apparatus-Medicaid systems, Chandigarh, India), attention span (Attention Span Apparatus-Medicaid systems, Chandigarh, India), functional activity questionnaire (FAQ) and depression (geriatric depression scale) scores. Further inflammatory markers and level of oxidative stress were analyzed using standard biochemical tests.

RESULTS

The trial was performed in 109 healthy subjects and 123 SDAT patients of whom 97 healthy subjects and 104 SDAT patients completed the study. Administration of the test formulation for a period of 12 months was effective in improving cognitive functions in the SDAT patients, when compared to the donepezil-treated group, as determined by the DSS (38.984 ± 3.016 vs 35.852 ± 4.906, P = 0.0001), word recall immediate (3.594 ± 1.003 vs 2.794 ± 0.593, P < 0.0001) and attention span (4.918 ± 1.239 vs 4.396 ± 0.913, P = 0.0208) scores. A significant improvement in the FAQ (11.873 ± 2.751 vs 9.801 ± 1.458, P < 0.0001) and depression (16.387 ± 2.116 vs 21.006 ± 2.778, P < 0.0001) scores was also observed, whereas no significant differences were observed in the MMSE and word recall delayed scores. The level of inflammation and oxidative stress was markedly reduced in the SDAT patients treated with the test formulation when compared to the donepezil-treated group indicating a likely mechanism of action of the test formulation (homocysteine 30.22 ± 3.87 vs 44.73 ± 7.11 nmol/L, P < 0.0001; C-reactive protein [CRP] 4.751 ± 1.149 vs 5.887 ± 1.049 mg/L, P < 0.0001; tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α] 1139.45 ± 198.87 vs 1598.77 ± 298.52 pg/ml, P < 0.0001; superoxide dismutase [SOD] 1145.92 ± 228.75 vs 1296 ± 225.72 U/g Hb, P = 0.0013; glutathione peroxidase [GPx] 20.78 ± 3.14 vs 25.99 ± 4.11 U/g Hb, P < 0.0001; glutathione [GSH] 9.358 ± 2.139 vs 6.831 ± 1.139 U/g Hb, P < 0.0001; thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] 131.62 ± 29.68 vs 176.40 ± 68.11 nmol/g Hb, P < 0.0001). Similarly, when healthy elderly subjects treated with the test formulation for 12 months were compared to the placebo group, a significant (P < 0.001) improvement in cognitive measures (MMSE, DSS, word recall delayed but not immediate, attention span, FAQ and depression scores) and a reduction in inflammation (reduction in homocysteine, CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α levels) and oxidative stress levels (reduction in SOD, GPx and TBARS and increase in GSH) was observed. This indicated a protective effect of the test formulation in managing cognitive decline associated with the ageing process.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study demonstrate the therapeutic potential of this novel polyherbal formulation for the management and treatment of SDAT.

Design, synthesis and QSAR studies on a series of 2, 5-disubstituted- 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives of diclofenac and naproxen for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity

A series of twenty molecules belonging to 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives of Diclofenac and Naproxen were designed, synthesized and their structures were confirmed by spectroscopy. The target compounds were evaluated for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. The result indicates that the compounds 12, 4, 6, 7 and 15 were found to have good analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, while the compounds 12 and 14 were found to have good analgesic and the compound 22 were found to have good anti-inflammatory activities. HQSAR and Topomer QSAR studies were performed to get insights in the structures contributing for biological activity. The compounds bearing mono-substitution such as Cl, OCH3 and NO2 in the phenyl ring were found to have maximum analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.

Assessment of various second-line medications in addition to inhaled corticosteroid in asthma patients: a randomized controlled trial

Many patients with persistent asthma cannot achieve the treatment goal for asthma with a single controller medication. The aim of the present study was to assess lung function and rescue medication use in asthma patients receiving four different categories of drugs in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid. Patients recruited to the study were randomized into four groups to receive budesonide with either formoterol, doxofylline, montelukast or tiotropium for a period of 3 months. Lung function (i.e. forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 )) and rescue medication use were determined at baseline and on Day 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 of treatment. A total of 297 patients completed the study. At baseline, no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in any of the outcome measures. Significant within-group improvement in FEV1 was observed in all groups. On Day 90, between-group differences showed that the improvement in FEV1 was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for patients receiving budesonide + formoterol, followed by budesonide + montelukast and budesonide + doxofylline, and least for those receiving budesonide + tiotropium. Similarly, within- and between-group comparisons showed significant (P < 0.05) reductions in rescue medication use in all groups. However, the magnitude of the decrease was greater in the budesonide + formoterol group, followed by the budesonide + montelukast, budesonide + doxofylline and budesonide + tiotropium groups. Based on our findings, among the second-line treatment regimens, budesonide with either montelukast or doxofylline was found to be better than budesonide + tiotropium in patients with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma. Further studies with a longer duration are likely to be useful.

Assessment of montelukast, doxofylline, and tiotropium with budesonide for the treatment of asthma: which is the best among the second-line treatment? A randomized trial

PURPOSE

Data comparing various second-line treatments for asthma with subjective and objective assessment are lacking. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of montelukast, doxofylline, and tiotropium with a low-dose budesonide in patients with mild to moderate persistent asthma.

METHODS

Patients, all of whom were concurrently using inhaled budesonide (400 µg), were treated for 6 months with formoterol (12 µg), montelukast (10 mg), doxofylline (400 mg), or tiotropium (18 µg). Outcomes included forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores, asthma symptom scores (daytime and nighttime), and assessment of tolerability and rescue medication use.

FINDINGS

A total of 297 patients completed the study. In all 4 groups, significant improvements were observed in all the outcome measures, with formoterol treatment having greater and earlier improvements than the other 3 second-line controller medications with budesonide. Among the second-line treatments, monteradlukast improved the FEV1 from day 45 (P < 0.01), SGRQ scores from day 30 (P < 0.0001), daytime scores from day 30 (P < 0.05), nighttime scores from day 30 (P < 0.0001), and rescue medication use from day 15 (P < .0001) at a faster rate than doxofylline or tiotropium with budesonide. No patients discontinued the treatment because of adverse reactions.

IMPLICATIONS

Among the tested second-line treatment regimens, the budesonide/montelukast combination was found to be superior to either the budesonide/doxofylline or budesonide/tiotropium combination in all the outcome measures without adversely affecting the tolerability of the patients. Further clinical studies with blinding techniques are likely to be useful.

Comparative inhibitory potential of selected dietary bioactive polyphenols, phytosterols on CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 with fluorometric high-throughput screening

Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) inhibition by the bioactive molecules of dietary supplements or herbal products leading to greater potential for toxicity of co-administered drugs. The present study was aimed to compare the inhibitory potential of selected common dietary bioactive molecules (Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, β-Sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Quercetin and Rutin) on CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 to assess safety through its inhibitory potency and to predict interaction potential with co-administered drugs. CYP450-CO complex assay was carried out for all the selected dietary bioactive molecules in isolated rat microsomes. CYP450 concentration of the rat liver microsome was found to be 0.474 nmol/mg protein, quercetin in DMSO has shown maximum inhibition on CYP450 (51.02 ± 1.24 %) but less when compared with positive control (79.02 ± 1.61 %). In high throughput fluorometric assay, IC50 value of quercetin (49.08 ± 1.02-54.36 ± 0.85 μg/ml) and gallic acid (78.46 ± 1.32-83.84 ± 1.06 μg/ml) was lower than other bioactive compounds on CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 respectively but it was higher than positive controls (06.28 ± 1.76-07.74 ± 1.32 μg/ml). In comparison of in vitro inhibitory potential on CYP3A4 and CYP2D6, consumption of food or herbal or dietary supplements containing quercetin and gallic acid without any limitation should be carefully considered when narrow therapeutic drugs are administered together.

Anticancer activity of Moringa oleifera mediated silver nanoparticles on human cervical carcinoma cells by apoptosis induction

Silver nanomaterial plays a crucial role in the growing field of nanotechnology as there is an increasing commercial demand for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) owing to their wide biological applications. The present investigation aims at developing anti-cancerous colloidal silver using Moringa olifera stem bark extract. Electron and atomic force microscopic images were taken to analyze the surface morphology of the synthesized AgNPs. The effects of synthesized AgNPs were tested against human cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa) and cell morphology was further evaluated using 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. The efficiency of green synthesized AgNPs was studied with the help of fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and was shown to induce apoptosis through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in HeLa cells.

Application of a Stability-Indicating HPTLC Method for Simultaneous Quantitative Determination of Olmesartan Medoxomil and Hydrochlorothiazide in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms

A rapid, precise, sensitive, economical, and validated high performance thin layer chromatographic method is developed for simultaneous quantification of olmesartan medoxomil and hydrochlorothiazide in combined tablet dosage form. The method used amlodipine as internal standard (IS). Chromatographic separations were achieved on silica gel 60 F254 plates using toluene-methanol-ethyl acetate-acetone (2.5 : 1 : 0.5 : 2, v/v/v/v) as mobile phase. Densitometric analysis was carried out in the reflectance mode at 258 nm. Calibration curves were linear over a range of 80-480 ng/band for olmesartan medoxomil and 25-150 ng/band for hydrochlorothiazide. The detection and quantification limits were found to be 18.12 and 56.35 ng/band for olmesartan medoxomil and 6.31 and 18.56 ng/band for hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. Intra- and interassay precision provided relative standard deviations lower than 2% for both analytes. Recovery from 99.60 to 101.22% for olmesartan medoxomil and 98.30 to 99.32% for hydrochlorothiazide show good accuracy. Both the drugs were also subjected to acid, alkali, oxidation, heat, and photodegradation studies. The degradation products obtained were well resolved from pure drugs with significantly different R f values. As the method could effectively separate the drugs from their degradation products, it can be used for stability-indicating analysis. Validation of the method was carried out as per international conference on harmonization (ICH) guidelines.

Assessment of serum leptin and resistin levels in association with the metabolic risk factors of pre- and post-menopausal rural women in South India

OBJECTIVES

Menopausal status is related with weight gain, abnormal lipid and glucose metabolism leading to metabolic syndrome susceptibility. The aim of this study is to determine circulating serum leptin and resistin levels and to correlate these levels in relationship with the metabolic factors in pre- and post-menopausal women.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study has been carried out for 34 subjects who were in post-menopause and 31 subjects who had regular menstruation in south Indian rural women. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar (FBS), fasting lipid profile, fasting leptin and resistin levels were measured.

RESULTS

In a total of 65 subjects, the mean age of pre-menopausal group was 38.65±6.21 and that of post-menopausal group was 55.32±6.32. Fasting serum leptin level was increased considerably in post-menopausal women when compared to pre-menopausal women (P=0.018). Resistin has no significant relationship with metabolic factors except Body Mass Index (BMI) in both the groups. Triglycerides and FBS were lower in pre-menopausal group when compared to post-menopausal group (P<0.001). Leptin was well correlated with BMI in pre-menopausal women (r(2)=0.7120, P<0.0001) as well as post-menopausal women (r(2)=0.2470, P=0.0028). Leptin also had significant correlation with FBS in both pre (r(2)=0.1373, P=0.0402) and post-menopausal women (r(2)=0.2141, P=0.0401). Systolic blood pressure was positively associated with the leptin levels in post-menopausal women (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Leptin was found to have significant association with metabolic factors when compared to resistin in pre- and post-menopausal women and there is no doubt that association of BMI and FBS elevates the level of leptin in both the category.

Validated spectrophotometric methods for the simultaneous determination of telmisartan and atorvastatin in bulk and tablets

Aim:

Three simple, accurate, and reproducible spectrophotometric methods have been developed and validated for simultaneous estimation of telmisartan (TELM) atorvastatin (ATV) in combined tablet dosage form.

Materials and Methods:

The first method is based on first-order derivative spectroscopy. The sampling wavelengths were 223 nm (zero crossing of TELM) where ATV showed considerable absorbance and 272 nm (zero crossing of ATV) where TELM showed considerable absorbance. The second method Q-analysis (absorbance ratio), involves formation of Q-absorbance equation using respective absorptivity values at 280.9 nm (isobestic point) and 296.0 nm (λmax of TELM). The third method involves determination using multicomponent mode method; sampling wavelengths selected were 296.0 and 246.9 nm.

Results:

TELM and ATV followed linearity in the concentration range of 5–40 and 4–32 μg/ml for method I, 5–30 μg/ml and 2–24 μg/ml for method II and III, respectively. Mean recoveries for all three methods were found satisfactory. All methods were validated according to International Conference on Harmonization Q2B guidelines.

Conclusion:

The developed methods are simple, precise, rugged, and economical. The utility of methods has been demonstrated by analysis of commercially available tablet dosage form.

Design and Microwave-assisted Synthesis of 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Derivatives for Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activity

1,3,4-Oxadizoles form a biologically important group of compounds having activities like analgesic, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, antifungal, anticonvulsant, psychotropic, plant growth regulating and mono amino oxidase inhibition. This research has focused on the incorporation of the oxadiazole moiety into isoniazid because of their versatile biological action, to get 2-aryl-5-(4-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole to explore the possibilities of some altered biological action. 1,3,4-Oxadiazole derivatives were synthesized by microwave-assisted synthesis and screened for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory activities. The synthesized compounds were characterized by Melting point, Thin layer chromatographyInfra red, Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, etc. Almost all the synthesized compounds possessed good activity as compared to the standard.

Ethylenediamine: an effective reagent for deacetylation of natural products

The use of ethylenediamine in methanol is described for the selective cleavage of the acetate group in nimbin (1) to 6-deacetyl nimbin (1a) under microwave irradiation. This method enables to deacetylate without affecting other functional groups such as α,β-unsaturated ketone, ester, ether, etc. in certain tetranortriterpenoids and other acetate-containing natural compounds.

Larvicidal activity of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf. and Croton macrostachyus Del. against Anopheles arabiensis Patton, a potent malaria vector

Methanol leaf extracts of two Ethiopian traditional medicinal plants viz., Lomisar [vernacular name (local native language, Amharic); Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf. (Poaceae)] and Bisana [vernacular name (local native language, Amharic); Croton macrostachyus Del. (Euphorbiaceae)] were screened for larvicidal activity against late third instar larvae of Anopheles arabiensis Patton, a potent malaria vector in Ethiopia. The larval mortality was observed 24 h of post treatment. Both plant extracts demonstrated varying degrees of larvicidal activity against Anopheles arabiensis. Cymbopogon citratus extract has exhibited potent larvicidal activity than Croton macrostachyus at lower concentrations. The LC50 and LC90 values of Cymbopogon citratus were 74.02 and 158.20 ppm, respectively. From this data, a chi-square value 2.760 is significant at the P < 0.05 level. While, the LC50 and LC90 values of Croton macrostachyus were 89.25 and 224.98 ppm, respectively and the chi-square value 1.035 is significant at the P < 0.05 level. The present investigation establishes that these plant extracts could serve as potent mosquito larvicidal agents against Anopheles arabiensis. However, their mode of actions and larvicidal efficiency under the field conditions should be scrutinized and determined in the near future.

A taxonomic reassessment of the Phlebotomus argentipes species complex (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae)

The taxonomic status of the sand fly Phlebotomus (Euphlebotomus) argentipes Annandale & Brunette 1908, which transmits Leishmania (Leishmania) donovani (Laveran & Mesnil 1903) in southern Asia, is reassessed, because variation in morphology, behavior, and distribution suggests it to be a complex of sibling species. The putative complex is composed of the nominotypical member Phlebotomus argentipes sensu stricto, Phlebotomus annandalei Sinton 1923 status revived and Phlebotomus glaucus Mitra & Roy 1953 new status. An allolectotype is designated for the female of P. argentipes as well as neotypes for the males of P. annandalei and P. glaucus. Morphological descriptions, illustrations, and keys are presented to allow identification of adult males and females. Based on female morphological characters, P. argentipes s.s., P. annandalei and P. glaucus can be distinguished from each other using principal component analysis. P. glaucus is widespread in India, occurring sympatrically with P. argentipes s.s. in L. donovani-endemic foci, whereas P. annandeli is peripatric to the type species in Chennai, southern India. "In copula" is a process of postcopulatory sexual selection occurring as correlated coevolution of male and female reproductive traits, which drives species isolation. This pattern has been implicated in reproductive isolation among the members of the P. argentipes complex. Further research on adult behavior and larval biology of the P. argentipes complex is needed to understand the epidemiology and control of visceral leishmaniasis.