Comparative evaluation of A1A2 and A2A2 cow milk-containing diets on biochemical and histological parameters of Wistar rats

This Research Communication aims to compare the effect of A1A2 and A2A2 cow milk diets on the biochemical and histological parameters of rats. The rats were divided into four groups and fed with a normal diet, A2 milk powder, A1A2 or A2A2 cow milk diets for 90 d. Blood glucose, kidney function, liver function and lipid profile were examined during the experimental period. The study showed an increase in the body weight of the A1A2 group whereas a slight decrease in the A2A2 group, and blood glucose levels increased from d 0 to day 90 in all experimental groups. However, none of these changes were found to be statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). Moreover, no significant changes were recorded in other parameters (serum glutamic pyruvic transferase and serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase for liver function, bilirubin direct, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine and uric acid). The histology of the liver, kidney and pancreas also showed no changes in all groups. Overall, this study revealed no significant difference in the nutritional values of A1A2 and A2A2 milk types and hence equally beneficial for health. Although the present study showed no significant difference in the effect of both milk types in 90 d, further studies might be conducted to evaluate their longer term effects.

Nanoparticle formulations: A smart era of advanced treatment with nanotoxicological imprints on the human body

In the modern era, nanoparticles are the preferred dosage form, and maximum research is going on in the field of nanoparticle formulations. But as they are so small, nanoparticles are able to slip through the body's defenses and cause damage to the organs and tissues deep inside. In recent years, most researchers have focused solely on the therapeutic value of drugs or, at times, the performance of dosage forms, but few have given toxicity studies equal weight in their research. This review demonstrates that nanoparticle formulations are not suitable from a safety standpoint. So, researchers should be focused on alternative formulations like nanoemulsion, nanogel, and other liquids as well as semisolid formulations.

Recent Developments and Potential for Clinical Use of Casein as a Drug Carrier

BACKGROUND

The development of drug delivery carriers is the key area of research in the field of novel drug delivery systems. To date, a long list of carriers has been identified for this purpose but the deliveries of poorly water-soluble active substances are still facing challenges and hence, such substances are pharmacologically unsafe and economically incompetent.

OBJECTIVE

This article aims to review the applications of casein as a drug carrier and its potential for clinical use.

METHODS

The relevant literature on the casein protein was collected from authentic online scientific databases like PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar using different keywords including "casein", "drug delivery system", "drug carrier" and "bioavailability". The articles and books accessed online have been thoroughly reviewed and the most relevant reports on casein as a drug carrier have only been included in the present study.

RESULTS

Casein is a milk protein that has many structural and physicochemical properties which facilitate its functionality in delivery systems. Moreover, its amphiphilic nature makes it the most suitable carrier for both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs without showing any toxic effects. The carriers obtained from natural sources are trustworthy over synthetic carriers and in the demand of the market due to their easy availability, low-cost factor, bio-friendly and nontoxic nature.

CONCLUSION

Casein was found to be an effective natural drug carrier in various delivery systems due to its unique applications in improving the bioavailability and efficacy of a drug.

A gastroretentive drug delivery system of lisinopril imbibed on isabgol-husk

The gastroretentive drug delivery system is site-specific and allows the drug to remain in the stomach for a prolonged period of time so that it can be released in a controlled manner in gastrointestinal tract. The present study was carried out to develop a gastroretentive drug delivery system using isabgol as an excipient to prolong the residence time of the model drug lisinopril in the stomach. The gastroretentive ability of isabgol was increased by addition of NaHCO3 as a gas-generating agent while its mucoadhesive property was enhanced by incorporation of HPMC-K4M. The drug, NaHCO3 and HPMC-K3M were imbibed on isabgol-husk as per entrapment efficiency of the isabgol-husk. After drying, the product was filled in a hard gelatin capsule and evaluated for its buoyancy, mucoadhesive properties, swelling index and in vitro drug release. The lisinopril released through isabgol was delayed by 12 hours when compared to a preparation available on the market which released the complete drug in 0.5 hours. The drug release study of lisinopril from the formulation follows first order kinetics using a diffusion controlled mechanism. The results from the present study revealed that isabgol can be used as a potential excipient for the formulation of gastroretentive drug delivery systems in the near future.

Recent trends in oral transmucosal drug delivery systems: an emphasis on the soft palatal route

INTRODUCTION

The oral mucosa is an appropriate route for drug delivery systems, as it evades first-pass metabolism, enhances drug bioavailability and provides the means for rapid drug transport to the systematic circulation. This delivery system offers a more comfortable and convenient delivery route compared with the intravenous route. Although numerous drugs have been evaluated for oral mucosal delivery, few of them are available commercially. This is due to limitations such as the high costs associated with developing such drug delivery systems.

AREAS COVERED

The present review covers recent developments and applications of oral transmucosal drug delivery systems. More specifically, the review focuses on the suitability of the oral soft palatal site as a new route for drug delivery systems.

EXPERT OPINION

The novelistic oral soft palatal platform is a promising mucoadhesive site for delivering active pharmaceuticals, both systemically and locally, and it can also serve as a smart route for the targeting of drugs to the brain.

Chemical constituents from the stem bark of Symplocos paniculata Thunb. with antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The stem bark of Symplocos paniculata Thunb. has been used to check abortion in folk medicine in India.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was undertaken to isolate the phytochemicals from the plant together with the evaluation of antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the plant extract and isolated compounds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The plant extract was subjected to column chromatography for isolation of phytochemicals. The agar diffusion method was adopted for antimicrobial activity to determine MICs. Ethanolic extract and isolated compounds were selected for investigating their analgesic activity on acetic acid-induced writhing response in mice. The anti-inflammatory activity was performed on carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats.

RESULTS

The stem bark of the plant afforded seven compounds, 4-(8-hydroxyethyl) cyclohexan-1-oic acid (1); androst-5(6)-ene 17-one 3β-O-(β-d-glucopyranoside) (2); 9β,25-cyclo 3β-O-(β-D glucopyranosyl)-echynocystic acid (3); 9β,19-cyclo 24-methylcholan-5,22-diene 3β-O-{β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→6) α-L-rhamnopyranoside} (4); 30-ethyl 2α,16α-dihydroxy 3β-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl) hopan-24-oic acid (5); 32,33,34-trimethyl-bacteriohopan-16-ene 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6) and flavone 3',4',5',6-tetramethoxy 7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→3) β-D-glucopyranoside (7). The extract and isolated compounds exhibited antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.

CONCLUSION

The present study concludes that ethanolic extract of the plant and its constituents having significant antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.

The genus Stephania (Menispermaceae): chemical and pharmacological perspectives

The plants of the genus Stephania (Menispermaceae) are widely distributed, and have long been used in folk medicine for the treatment of various ailments such as asthma, tuberculosis, dysentery, hyperglycemia, malaria, cancer and fever. Over 150 alkaloids together with flavonoids, lignans, steroids, terpenoids and coumarins have been identified in the genus, and many of these have been evaluated for biological activity. This review presents comprehensive information on the chemistry and pharmacology of the genus together with the traditional uses of many of its plants. In addition, this review discusses the structure-activity relationship of different compounds as well as recent developments and the scope for future research in this aspect.

Anti-hyperglycemic effect of 11-hydroxypalmatine, a palmatine derivative from Stephania glabra tubers

A palmatine derivative, named 11-hydroxypalmatine (4), has been isolated from the tubers of Stephania glabra, together with three known alkaloids, palmatine (1), dehydrocorydalmine (2), and stepharanine (3). The structures of the compounds were elucidated by means of spectroscopic analysis including 2D NMR experiments. The hypoglycemic activity of 4 was evaluated against alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The test compound was administered at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, p.o., 36 h after alloxan injection (60 mg/kg, i.v.). The alloxan-induced diabetic mice showed significant reduction in blood glucose after treatment with the test compound by 52% as compared to the positive control glibenclamide (54%) and the diabetic control (27%).

Chemical constituents from the leaves of Boehmeria rugulosa with antidiabetic and antimicrobial activities

Three new flavonoid glycosides, named chalcone-6'-hydroxy-2',3,4-trimethoxy-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), isoflavone-3',4',5,6-tetrahydroxy-7-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside] (2), and isoflavone-3',4',5,6-tetrahydroxy-7-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside] (3), were isolated from the leaves of Boehmeria rugulosa, together with five known compounds, beta-sitosterol, quercetin, 3,4-dimethoxy-omega-(2'-piperidyl)-acetophenone (4), boehmeriasin A (5), and quercetin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by means of chemical and spectral data including 2D NMR experiments. The ethanolic extract of leaves showed significant hypoglycemic activity on alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Glibenclamide, an oral hypoglycemic agent (5 mg/kg, p.o.), was used as a positive control. The ethanolic extract of the plant as well as the isolated compounds 1-3 (25 microg/ml) showed potent antimicrobial activity against two bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans) and three fungus pathogens (Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum canis, and Trichophyton rubrum). The activities of the isolated compounds 1-3 have been compared with positive controls, novobiocin, and erythromycin (15 microg/ml).

Anti-hyperglycemic Effect of Stephania Glabra Tubers in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Mice

Different doses of ethanolic extract of Stephania glabra tuber were evaluated for antihyperglycemic activity in alloxan induced diabetic mice. The oral administration of 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg body weight showed significant hypoglycemic activity. Glibenclamide (oral hypoglycemic agent, 25 mg/kg, p.o.) has been used as standard. Key words: Stephania glabra, Menispermaceae, hydroxypalmatine, alloxan, glibenclamide, hypoglycemic activity DOI:10.3329/jom.v11i1.4262 J Medicine 2010: 11: 17-19