Nitrosamine Impurities in Herbal Formulations: A Review of Risks and Mitigation Strategies

Nitrosamines are a class of chemical compounds that have been found to be impurities in a variety of pharmaceutical products. These impurities have raised concerns due to their potential carcinogenic effects. Recent studies have identified nitrosamines as impurities in a number of pharmaceutical products including angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The presence of nitrosamines in these products has led to recalls and market withdrawals. In addition to pharmaceuticals, nitrosamines have also been found in some herbal medicines particularly those containing traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients. The presence of nitrosamines in herbal formulations poses a significant risk to public health and highlights the need for quality control and regulations in the herbal drug industry. The present review article aims to discuss nitrosamine impurities (NMI) prominent causes, risks and scientific strategies for preventing NMI in herbal formulations. The primary objective of this study is to examine the origins of nitrosamine contamination in herbal formulations, the risks associated with these contaminants, and the methods for reducing them. The significance of thorough testing and examination before releasing herbal products to the public is also emphasized. In conclusion, the presence of nitrosamines is not limited to pharmaceutical products and poses a significant threat to the safety of herbal drugs as well. Adequate testing and extensive research are crucial for producing and distributing herbal medicines to the general population.

Anti-nucleolin Aptamer as a Boom in Rehabilitation of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. It is important to target the complex pathways using a suitable targeted delivery system. Targeted delivery systems can effectively act on cancer cells and lead to the annihilation of tumor proliferation. They mainly employ targeting agents like aptamers linked to the formulation. Based on the expression of the receptors on the surface of the cancer cells, suitable aptamers can be developed. AS1411 is one such aptamer that has the ability to bind to the over-expressed nucleolin present in breast cancer cells. Nucleolin is a phosphoprotein that is involved in various aspects, like cell growth, differentiation and survival. Mostly they are found in the nucleolus, nucleus, cytoplasm and cell surface. The shuttling effect of the nucleolin between the nucleus and cytoplasm serves as a bonus for the AS1411 aptamer. Because of the shutting effect, the internalization of the drug compound or chemotherapeutic drug inside the cell can be achieved. In this article, we have discussed nucleolin, anti-nucleolin aptamer, namely, AS1411, and its application in exhibiting various anticancer activities, including apoptosis, anti-angiogenesis, anti-metastasis, stimulation of tumor suppressor (i.e., P53), and inhibition of tumor inducer. Further, the ways of internalization, namely macropinocytosis, are also discussed. Additionally, we have also discussed the superiority of the aptamer compared to the antibodies as well as the limitations of the aptamers. By considering all the above parameters, we hope this aptamer will be effective in the management and eradication of breast cancer cells.

Folklore Herbal Plants as a Safe and Natural Hair Depilatories

Hair is one of the distinguishing characteristics of mammals, and it serves a variety of functions including protection from external forces, production of sebum, apocrine sweat, and pheromones. However, the unwanted hair growth is always a worrying aspect among teenage girls and women. The present study is the need of selecting herbal depilatories over chemical depilatories due to its high efficacy, safety and lesser side effects. The various types of hair removal process, herbs showing depilatory action and their composition for herbal cream are studied. According to statistics, the use of depilatories has been steadily expanding, and the global hair removal products market was valued at USO 2.2 billion in 2018, with a CAGR of 5.5 percent predicted from 2019 to 2025. Depilatories are the cosmetic preparation which is used to remove the hair from skin, in chemical depilatories the main active ingredients are salts of thioglycolic acids, sulphides and stannites which can produce rashes and side effects on long time usage, whereas herbal depilatories include active ingredients like Turmeric, Indian neetle, Neem, Tanner’s cassia, Apple cider vinegar, Paw-paw extract etc. which are tremendously safe to use. Hence in this study we have been discussed about importance of few folklore herbal medicine and preparation methods of both chemical and herbal depilatories.

Glitazones, PPAR-γ and Neuroprotection

The transcriptional factor PPAR-γ belongs to the nuclear receptor family, which has become a potential therapeutic target for several neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders. Interestingly, PPAR-γ has been reported to have beneficial effects in various chronic neurological conditions via upregulation of its transcriptional co-activator PGC-1α and followed by regulation of multiple molecular events. Although several factors contribute to the progression of neurodegeneration, the dysfunction of PGC-1α expression is primarily interlinked with the pathogenesis of major neurodegenerative diseases. This review gives an insight that ligand-dependent activation of PPAR-γ by glitazones could initiate the structural conformational changes of the secondary proteins, thus recruiting the PGC-1α to form a stable regulatory complex that hampers the various molecular pathways contributing to neurodegeneration. The promising outcomes of the preliminary in silico studies included in this review support that PPAR-γ dependent activation of central PGC-1α signaling by novel glitazones is an encouraging strategy to enhance the oxy-radicals detoxifying system, antiinflammatory responses, and mitochondrial biogenesis required for neuroprotection in various neurodegenerative conditions.

Two Rationally Identified Novel Glitazones Reversed the Behavioral Dysfunctions and Exhibited Neuroprotection Through Ameliorating Brain Cytokines and Oxy-Radicals in ICV-LPS Neuroinflammatory Rat Model

The present study has planned to evaluate the neuroprotective activity of two novel glitazones in a neuroinflammatory rat model. Two novel glitazones were selected from an in-house virtual library of glitazones based on their docking scores against peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) protein and other parameters studied in in silico computational studies. Initially, an acute oral toxicity study was carried out for glitazones in rats to assess the toxicity profile and to determine the therapeutic range for neuroprotective evaluation. Prior to induction of neuroinflammation, the treatments with glitazones (G1 and G2) and standard pioglitazone were made for four consecutive days to respective groups. On the fifth day, the neuroinflammation was induced by intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) (2 μg/μl) using stereotaxic apparatus. After 7 days, the rats were subjected to behavioral assessment followed by neurobiochemical evaluation and histopathological studies. The pre-treatment with glitazones at two dose levels (15 and 30 mg/kg) has significantly reversed behavioral dysfunctions. Glitazones have shown significant reduction in the levels of LPO, NO, TNF-α, and IL-1β and also increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, and GSH in the brain of LPS-administered rats. The neuroprotection exhibited by two novel glitazones is comparable with standard pioglitazone. The PPAR-γ-dependent amelioration of cytokines and oxy-radicals released by novel glitazones during neuroinflammatory conditions may be attributed to the reversal of behavioral dysfunctions through preventing the degeneration of neurons in major regions of the brain.

Minutes of PPAR-γ agonism and neuroprotection

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) is one of the ligand-activated transcription factors which regulates a number of central events and considered as a promising target for various neurodegenerative disease conditions. Numerous reports implicate that PPAR-γ agonists have shown neuroprotective effects by regulating genes transcription associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration. In regards, this review critically appraises the recent knowledge of PPAR-γ receptors in neuroprotection in order to hypothesize potential neuroprotective mechanism of PPAR-γ agonism in chronic neurological conditions. Of note, the PPAR-γ's interaction dynamics with PPAR-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) has gained significant attention for neuroprotection. Likewise, a plethora of studies suggest that the PPAR-γ pathway can be actuated by the endogenous ligands present in the CNS and thus identification and development of novel agonist for the PPAR-γ receptor holds a vow to prevent neurodegeneration. Together, the critical insights of this review enlighten the translational possibilities of developing novel neuroprotective therapeutics targeting PPAR-γ for various neurodegenerative disease conditions.

Solubility of Calcium Phosphate Crystallization In vitro in Presence of Basella rubra Deproteinized Concoction used in Non-codified Medicine for Urinary Stone

The solubility of calcium phosphate crystallization in vitro by an deproteinized concoction of Basella rubra plant was investigated by weight reduction assay. Soluble oxalate of the plant are partially removed prior to extraction of plant material. The weight variation and dissolution results reveals that the concoction showed considerable increased activity at the highest concentration used. The results indicate that the calcium phosphate crystal inhibition activity exhibited by the plant material may be due to their calcium phosphate solubilising capacity of phytoconstituents present in them. Regular consumption of an concoction of our plant would be helpful in calculi prophylaxis.

Pharmacological STING Activation Is a Potential Alternative to Overcome Drug-Resistance in Melanoma

Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer and resistance to the conventional chemotherapy is the major cause for its poor prognosis. Metabolic perturbations leading to increased production of reactive oxygen species activate NRF2-dependent anti-oxidative responses to survive oxidative stress. This protective function of NRF2 is the primary cause for therapy resistance in cancer as anti-cancer agents such as BRAF inhibitors also induce NRF2-dependent antioxidative response. We had reported that type I interferons produced upon activation of STING, abrogates NRF2 function. Therefore, we investigated if STING agonists such as the newly developed dimeric aminobenzimidazole (diABZI) could sensitize melanoma cells to the clinically used BRAF inhibitors. Our results reveal that pharmacological activation of STING by diABZI, down regulates NRF2-dependent anti-oxidative responses and potentiates cell-death in melanoma cells when used in combination with BRAF inhibitors.

A new pyrimidine alkaloid from the roots of Tadehagi triquetrum (L.) H.Ohashi

Tadehagi triquetrum (L.) H.Ohashi, also known as Desmodium triquetrum (Fabaceae) is the most important plant in the herbal remedies. The present study focus on the isolation, in-silico and in-vitro studies of the two alkaloids C₁ (5-(4-[(methylcarbamoyl) amino]-2-oxopyrimidin-1(2H)-yl) tetrahydrofuran-2-yl) methyl methyl carbamate is novel alkaloid and C₂ 13-Docosenamide is a known alkaloid. The chemical structures of compounds have been elucidated based on comprehensive techniques like GCMS, IR and NMR. In order to know the molecular mechanisms for the two compounds, in silico molecular docking study has been performed. Both compounds have shown perfect binding affinity to the enzymes TNF α, IL-4, IL-13 and 5 LOX Enzyme. The compounds also exhibited comparable G-scores and Glide energy values in comparison with the standard dexamethasone. In addition both the compounds have been tested for in vitro antioxidant assay by using ABTS and DPPH method and the results were compared with standard ascorbic acid.

Investigation of Antihyperglycaemic Activity of Banana (Musa sp. Var. Nanjangud rasa bale) Flower in Normal and Diabetic Rats

Background

The vital enzymes of starch digestion and absorption are intestinal α-glucosidases and their inhibition improves postprandial hyperglycaemia, constituting an effective mode of therapy in diabetes.

Objectives

The present study was designed to assess the inhibitory potential of ethanol extract of banana flower (EF) on mammalian α-glucosidases and its pharmacological effects on postprandial hyperglycaemia in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods

EF was evaluated for its inhibitory potential and mode of inhibition on mammalian α-glucosidases. Further, the role of EF and its constituents Umbelliferone (C1) and Lupeol (C2) on glucose uptake using isolated rat hemi-diaphragm and insulinotropic activity using RINm5F (rat insulinoma) cell lines were determined. The phytocomponents in EF were also evaluated using GC-MS.

Results

EF illustrated a dose-dependent inhibition for rat intestinal sucrase, maltase and p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (pNPG) hydrolysis (IC₅₀ values: 18.76±0.22, 25.54±0.10 and 76.42±1.12 µg/ml, respectively) and the mode of inhibition was non-competitive with low Ki values. Oral administration (100-200 mg/kg b.wt.) of EF significantly improved the maltose/glucose-induced postprandial hyperglycaemia in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. EF, C1 and C2 exhibited stimulation of glucose uptake and a dose-dependent glucose-induced insulin secretion at both 4.5 and 16.7 mM glucose concentrations. Further, GC-MS analysis revealed significant levels of steroids (25.61%), diazoprogesterone (21.31%), sesquiterpene (11.78%) and other phytocomponents.

Conclusion

EF inhibited α-glucosidases besides promoting glucose uptake and insulin secretion, resulting in antihyperglycaemic effect determining EF as a potent anti-diabetic agent.Abbreviations used: mg/dl: milligramsper deciliter, mM: millimolar, b.wt.: body weight.

Cocculus hirsutus: Molecular Docking to Identify Suitable Targets for Hepatocellular Carcinoma by In silico Technique

Background:

Protein–ligand interaction plays a major role in identification of the possible mechanism by which a ligand can bind with the target and exerts the pharmacological action.

Objective:

The aim is to identify the best candidate of Cocculus hirsutus which binds with the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) targets by docking studies.

Materials and Methods:

The reported phytoconstituents such as coclaurine, hirsutine, cohirsine, cohirsinine, lirioresinol, cohirsitinine, haiderine, jamtinine, isotrilobine, shaheenine, jamtine, and cocsoline present in the plant, C. hirsutus were docked with the HCC targets such as Aurora kinase, c-Kit, fibroblast growth factor, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), B-cell lymphoma-extra large, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) using in silico technique with the software Grid-Based Ligand Docking with Energies.

Results:

Haiderine, shaheenine, and coclaurine had good interaction with Aurora kinase with the glide score and glide energy of − 7.632, −7.620, −7.464; and − 56.536, −55.203, −52,822, respectively. Coclaurine, lirioresinol, and haiderine possess good binding with c-Kit with the glide score and glide energy of − 8.572, −6.640, −6.478; and − 56.527, −57.138, −20,522, respectively. Lirioresinol, hirsutine, and coclaurine exhibit good binding with c-Kit with the glide score and glide energy of − 5.702, −5.694, −5.678; and − 48.666, −35.778, −41,673, respectively. Similarly, coclaurine, haiderine, and hisutine had good interaction with NF-kB. Haiderine, jamtinine, and coclaurine had good binding with VEGF receptors (VEGFR) and coclaurine, lirioresinol, and haiderine exhibit good bonding with VEGFR.

Conclusion:

Coclaurine, haiderine, and lirioresinol exibited good hydrogen bonding interactions and binding energy with the select targets. Hence, these compounds have to be taken up for experimental work against hepatocellular carcinoma.

SUMMARY

Compounds of interest showed good interaction and binding with the selected targets. Hence these compounds has to be explored further to study their anticancer potentials.

Abbreviations used: HCC: Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Bcl-xL: B-cell lymphoma-extra large, FGF: Fibroblast Growth Factor, VEGF: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, DLA: Dalton's Lymphoma Ascites.

Antioxidant studies on ethanol extracts from two selected genera of Indian Lamiaceae

The present work is targeted to evaluate antioxidant activity of ethanol extracts from the leaves of Plectranthus mollis and Salvia officinalis belonging to family Lamiaceae using nitric oxide scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power assay and lipid peroxidation methods. The results of the study indicate that the leaf extracts of both the plants possess in vitro antioxidant activity. The higher amount of flavanoids and phenolic compounds may correspond to their greater antioxidant activity.

In vitro cytotoxic activity of menispermaceae plants against HeLa cell line

BACKGROUND

Menispermaceae, a family of flowering plants, is a medium-sized family of 70 genera totaling 420 extant species, mostly of climbing plants. It has various medicinal properties, which are used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Plants belonging to this family are rich in alkaloids, especially bisbenzylisoquinoline type. The hypothesis of this study is that the bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids present in the selected plants may exhibit in vitro cytotoxic property.

AIM

The present study is aimed at estimating the total alkaloidal content of methanolic extract of Cocculus hirsutus and Cissampelos pareira and evaluating the in vitro cytotoxic activity of both the extracts on the HeLa cell line.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Methanolic extracts of both the plants in the concentrations of 500, 250, 125, 62.5, and 31.25 μg/ml were assessed for its cytotoxic activity by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Total alkaloidal content was studied for both the plants using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy method. Methanol extracts of both the plants were tested for its inhibitory effect on HeLa cell line. Cytotoxicity of the plant extracts was evaluated by MTT assay. Nonlinear regression graph was plotted between % cell inhibition and Log10 concentration, and IC50 was determined using GraphPad Prism software.

RESULTS

Preliminary phytochemical studies confirm the presence of alkaloids in both the plants. The total alkaloids present in C. hirsutus and C. pareira were found to be 0.252%w/w and 0.1656%w/w respectively. The IC50 values of C. hirsutus and C. pareria were found to be 111 μg/ml and 129.3 μg/ml respectively.

CONCLUSION

From this study, it is observed that C. hirsutus and C. pareira have in vitro cytotoxic activity against HeLa cell line.

Anticancer activity of cissampelos pareira against dalton's lymphoma ascites bearing mice

BACKGROUND

Cissampelos pareira (Menispermaceae) is used in folk Indian system of alternative medicine, for its analgesic, antipyretic, diuretic, antilithic, and emmenagogue properties.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate Cissampelos pareira (C. pareira) for in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo antitumor activity against Dalton's Lymphoma Ascites (DLA) cells in Swiss mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cissampelos pareira was successively extracted using different solvents. In vitro cytotoxicity was assessed by the MTT assay. An in vivo study was carried out in methanol extract. Twenty-four hours after intraperitoneal inoculation of the DLA cells in mice, the methanol extract of C. pariera (MECP) was administered at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight for 14 consecutive days. On day 14, six mice were sacrificed and the rest were kept alive for assessment of increase in life-span. The antitumor effect was assessed by evaluating the packed cell volume, viable tumor cell count, increase in body weight, and increase in life-span. The hematological and serum biochemical parameters and anti-oxidant properties were assessed by estimating the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lipid peroxidation.

RESULTS

Methanol Extract of Cissampelos pariera (MECP) showed a potent cytotoxic activity, with an IC50 value of 95.5 μg/ml and a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in packed cell volume, viable cell count, and an increased lifespan (54 and 72%). The hematological and serum biochemical profiles were restored to normal levels in MECP-treated mice. The MECP-treated group significantly (P < 0.001) decreased SOD, lipid peroxidation, and CAT to normal.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that C. pariera exhibited significant in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activities and that it was reasonably imputable to its increasing endogenous mechanism of antioxidant property.

Hydnocarpus: an ethnopharmacological, phytochemical and pharmacological review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Hydnocarpus (Flacourtiaceae) includes forty species that are spread across the globe. In the Indian System of Medicine, Hydnocarpus pentandrus (Buch.-Ham.) Oken. is primarily used for treating leprosy and other skin disorders. It is known as "Chaulmoogra" and is also used to treat other indications including constipation, inflammation, blood disorders, and worm infestations. Various species of Hydnocarpus are also used in traditional medicine in China, Thailand, Malaysia, and Myanmar for several skin disorders. To assess the therapeutic potential of species from the Hydnocarpus genus and to determine future avenues for research.

METHODS

All relevant scientific literature published up to the end of December 2013 was retrieved via a library and electronic search (SciFinder, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar). Manual searches of traditional books like to ancient classics, including Vaidya Yoga Ratnavali, Siddha Materia Medica, and contemporary references including The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and The Ayurveda Formulary, were also performed.

RESULTS

Seed oil from species of the Hydnocarpus genus is used for medicinal purposes, predominantly for various skin disorders. This oil is reported to contain a characteristic class of compounds known as cyclopentenyl fatty acids. Furthermore, seeds of this genus are reported to contain triglycerides of fatty acids, sterols, flavonoids, and flavonolignans. Hydnocarpin, a flavonolignan, is reported to potentiate antimicrobial and anticancer activity. The extracts and compounds isolated from this plant show a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties, including antibacterial, antileprotic, antitubercular, antipsoriatic, antirheumatic, hypolipidemic, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. The antileprotic activity is postulated to be due to the cyclopentenyl fatty acids present in the seed oil.

CONCLUSION

Flavonolignans have an interesting chemical motif, and hydnocarpin and its congeners should be investigated for their activities and the mechanism underlying these activities. Multi-drug-resistant microbes are on the increase, and the possible inhibitory effect of these compounds when used with current antimicrobials should also be evaluated. Furthermore, unique cyclopentenyl fatty acids should also be investigated to understand the exact mechanism of action underlying antileprotic activity. Additional in depth phytochemical investigations of seed oil and extracts are required to tap the true potential of species from the Hydnocarpus genus.

Relationship between Antioxidant Properties and Chemical Composition of Abutilon Indicum Linn

Aim of this paper is to find out the relationship between antioxidant activity of Abutilon indicum Linn and their phytochemical composition especially phenols and flavonols. Successive extractions were carried out for the Abutilon indicum plant with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, ethanol and water. All these extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant activities. Their antioxidant activities were correlated with their total phenol and flavonol content present in the plant. Ethyl acetate showed maximum free radical scavenging activity. IC₅₀ value for various antioxidant methods for all extract showed no significance with total antioxidant capacity except IC₅₀ value of LPO (r² = 0.7273). Correlation between total antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content was not significant with r² = 0.2554, P<0.3065. Total antioxidant capacity and total flavonol content showed similar correlation with r² = 0.2554, P<0.0962.

Evaluation of the antipsoriatic activity of Aloe vera leaf extract using a mouse tail model of psoriasis

Aloe vera gel is used traditionally for the treatment of skin diseases, including psoriasis. An ethanolic extract of the gel was assessed for antipsoriatic activity using a mouse tail model of psoriasis. The extract produced a significant differentiation in the epidermis, as seen from its degree of orthokeratosis (85.07 ± 3.36%) when compared with the negative control (17.30 ± 4.09%). This was equivalent to the effect of the standard positive control, tazarotene (0.1%) gel, which showed a 90.03 ± 2.00% degree of orthokeratosis. The ethanolic extract of Aloe vera leaf gel also produced a significant increase in relative epidermal thickness when compared with the control group, whereas the standard tazarotene showed no change. Taken together, the extract showed an overall antipsoriatic activity of 81.95%, compared with 87.94 for tazarotene, in the mouse tail model for psoriasis.

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Alpinia officinarum

Alpinia officinarum is a rhizome belonging to the family zingeberaeceae. Hydro alcoholic extract by hot and cold maceration and methanol extract by percolation process Qualitative phytochemical analysis of extract of Alpinia officinarum rhizome showed a majority of the compound including tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins. Hydroalcoholic extract prepared by hot maceration process was found to contain more phenol and flavonol and it was measured as 50.1 mg/g and 54.02 mg/g, respectively. All the three extracts showed moderate to potent antimicrobial activity against the Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureas, Pseudomonas auroginosa, Escherichia coli. None of the extracts showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. All the three extracts showed a concentration dependent radical scavenging activity by inhibiting diphenylpicrylhydrazyl free radical at the same time hydroalcoholic extract prepared by hot maceration process showed better reducing and total antioxidant activity.

Hepatoprotective activity of petroleum ether, diethyl ether, and methanol extract of Scoparia dulcis L. against CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice

Objectives:

The present study was aimed at assessing the hepatoprotective activity of 1:1:1 petroleum ether, diethyl ether, and methanol (PDM) extract of Scoparia dulcis L. against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in mice.

Materials and Methods:

The PDM extract (50, 200, and 800 mg/kg, p.o.) and standard, silymarin (100 mg/kg, p.o) were tested for their antihepatotoxic activity against CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice. The hepatoprotective activity was evaluated by measuring aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total proteins in serum, glycogen, lipid peroxides, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase levels in liver homogenate and by histopathological analysis of the liver tissue. In addition, the extract was also evaluated for its in vitro antioxidant activity using 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging assay.

Results:

The extract at the dose of 800 mg/kg, p.o., significantly prevented CCl4-induced changes in the serum and liver biochemistry (P < 0.05) and changes in liver histopathology. The above results are comparable to standard, silymarin (100 mg/kg, p.o.). In the in vitro 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging assay, the extract showed good free radical scavenging potential (IC 50 38.9 ± 1.0 μg/ml).

Conclusions:

The results of the study indicate that the PDM extract of Scoparia dulcis L. possesses potential hepatoprotective activity, which may be attributed to its free radical scavenging potential, due to the terpenoid constituents.

Antidiabetic Activity of Clerodendron phlomoidis Leaf Extract in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Ethanol extract of leaves of Clerodendron phlomoidis L. subjected to preliminary qualitative phytochemical investigations showed the presence of alkaloids, phytosterols, glycosides, saponins, phenolic compounds, proteins and flavonoids. The extract was screened for hypoglycemic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats (120 mg/kg, i.p.) at two dose levels, viz., 100 and 200 mg/kg. The ethanol extract at 200 mg/kg dose level exhibited significant (p<0.05) hypoglycemic activity and also correction of altered biochemical parameters viz., cholesterol and triglycerides (p<0.05).

Screening of Caesalpinia bonduc leaves for antipsoriatic activity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Leaves of Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb. (Caesalpiniaceae) have been used by traditional Siddha healer of Malabar region for psoriasis treatment.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the Caesalpinia bonduc decoction (CBD), Caesalpinia bonduc hydroalcoholic extract (CBHA) for antipsoriatic activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mouse tail test for psoriasis was used for the evaluation of antipsoriatic activity. Extracts were tested at a dose of 500 mg/kg b.w. and fractions at 250 mg/kg b.w. in Swiss albino mice. Parameters studied in the mouse tail test were changes in epidermal thickness and percentage orthokeratotic values. In vitro antiproliferant assay on HaCaT cell lines and in vitro lipoxygenase inhibition were also carried out.

RESULTS

Butanol fraction of Caesalpinia bonduc hydroalcoholic extract (CBHAB) and water fraction of Caesalpinia bonduc hydroalcoholic extract (CBHAW) produced significant orthokeratosis (p<0.001). In relative epidermal thickness, a significant (p<0.05) reduction with respect to control was observed in groups treated with retinoic acid, CBD, butanol fraction of Caesalpinia bonduc decoction (CBDB), water fraction of Caesalpinia bonduc hydroalcoholic extract (CBHAW). Maximum antiproliferant activity was shown by CBHA (IC(50), 77.5±12.7 μg/ml). In lipoxygenase inhibition assay, water fraction of Caesalpinia bonduc decoction (CBDW) showed maximum activity with an IC(50) value of 164.71±4.57 μg/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

Among all the tested samples only CBHAW showed good activity in the mouse tail test, antiproliferant activity in HaCaT cells and lipoxygenase inhibition assay. Other extracts and fractions showed varying degrees of activity. The present study supports the traditional use of Caesalpinia bonduc leaves for psoriasis treatment.

Hypoglycemic activity of Nymphaea stellata leaves ethanolic extract in alloxan induced diabetic rats

The ethanolic extract of leaves of Nymphaea stellata given by oral route to diabetic rats at dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day for seven days reduced significantly by 31.6 and 42.6 % the plasma glucose level increased by intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/day of alloxan. Moreover, the treatment significantly affected the plasma level of cholesterol and triglyceride.

Hypoglycaemic activity of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb

The antidiabetic activity of various subfractions of the alcohol extract of the bark of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. was evaluated in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The effect of these extracts on lipid profile and liver function tests were also assessed to evaluate their activity in controlling diabetes related metabolic alterations. The parameters measured were plasma glucose, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase, SGOT and SGPT. The results indicate the effective role of Pterocarpus marsupium on the above mentioned parameters indicating that Pterocarpus marsupium can also control the diabetes related metabolic alterations apart from controlling the glucose levels. Among the fractions tested the butanol subfraction was found to be more active in comparison with other subfractions. It can be concluded that the butanol subfraction of the alcohol extract of Pterocarpus marsupium exhibits significant antidiabetic activity and corrects the metabolic alterations in diabetic rats and this activity may resemble insulin-like properties.

Hepatoprotective activity of the Indian medicinal plant Polygala arvensis on d-galactosamine-induced hepatic injury in rats

The suspensions of chloroform extract of leaves in 0.3% carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) was evaluated for hepatoprotective activity in Wistar albino rats by inducing hepatic injury with d-galactosamine (400 mg/kg). The chloroform extract of Polygala arvensis at an oral dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg exhibited a significant (P<0.001, P<0.01 and P<0.05) protection effect by normalizing the levels of aspartate amino transferase (ASAT, GOT), alanine amino transferase (ALAT, GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGL), albumin, total protein (TP) which were significantly (P<0.001) increased in rats by treatment with 400 mg/kg i.p. of d-galactosamine. Silymarin (25 mg/kg), a known hepatoprotective drug used for comparison exhibited significant activity (P<0.001).

Hypoglycemic effect of ethanolic extract of Musa sapientum on alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in rats and its relation with antioxidant potential

The antihyperglycemic effect of ethanolic extract of flowers of Musa sapientum (Musaceae), a herb (used in Indian folklore medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus) in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of the ethanolic extract showed significant (p < 0.001) blood glucose lowering effect at 200 mg/kg in alloxan induced diabetic rats (120 mg/kg, i.p.) and the extract was also found to significantly (p < 0.001) scavenge oxygen free radicals, viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and also protein, malondialdehyde and ascorbic acid in vivo. Musa sapientum induced blood sugar reduction may be due to possible inhibition of free radicals and subsequent inhibition of tissue damage induced by alloxan. The antidiabetic activity observed in this plant may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, steroid and glycoside principles.

Hypoglycemic effect of ethanolic extract of Musa sapientum on alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in rats and its relation with antioxidant potential

The antihyperglycemic effect of ethanolic extract of flowers of Musa sapientum (Musaceae), a herb (used in Indian folklore medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus) in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of the ethanolic extract showed significant (p < 0.001) blood glucose lowering effect at 200 mg/kg in alloxan induced diabetic rats (120 mg/kg, i.p.) and the extract was also found to significantly (p < 0.001) scavenge oxygen free radicals, viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and also protein, malondialdehyde and ascorbic acid in vivo. Musa sapientum induced blood sugar reduction may be due to possible inhibition of free radicals and subsequent inhibition of tissue damage induced by alloxan. The antidiabetic activity observed in this plant may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, steroid and glycoside principles.

Pharmacognostical studies on leaves of ataiantia monophyia correa

Leaves of Atalantia monophylla are used in chronic rheumatism and paralysis. The Pharmacognostical studies like histological characters, leaf constants, ash values and extractive values of leaves of Atalantia monophylla Corr were carried out. The preliminary phytochemical analysis were also carried out.