Evaluation of Caripill™ as a component of platelet storage solution

ABSTRACT Background Carica papaya Linn. has high nutraceutical and pharmacological values. The leaves possess antimicrobial, anti-tumor and antioxidant properties. They are used to treat thrombocytopenia during dengue fever and the leaf extract is commercially available as tablets under the name Caripill™ (MicroLabs, Bengaluru). Nevertheless, platelet transfusion is recommended in severe cases of thrombocytopenia, but the platelet storage is limited to 5-7 days at 22−24 °C. Reducing oxidative stress (OS) during platelet storage might help in prolonging the shelf-life, since the OS is known to cause platelet storage lesion. Hence, this study investigated the effects of Caripill™ as an additive in Tyrode's buffer during extended platelet storage. Methods Platelets isolated from 4 months old male Wistar rats were stored with Caripill™ (50 and 100 µg/ml) at 22 °C for 12 days. Platelet functional and metabolic markers and various OS markers were analyzed on days 0, 4, 8 and 12. Results Caripill™ (50 and 100 µg/ml) maintained platelet functions and lactate dehydrogenase, elevated nitrites, reduced glucose consumption, protected proteins and up-regulated the antioxidant enzymes. However, the CP100 up-regulated catalase from day 4, elevated nitrites from day 8, prevented the formation of secondary products of lipid peroxidation and increased the total antioxidant capacity on day 4. Conclusions Caripill™ reduced platelet storage lesion up to day 8 of storage. Results suggest that a higher concentration of Caripill™ was more effective in combating the oxidative damage during platelet storage. This study throws light on the beneficial effects of Caripill™ in combating oxidative stress during platelet storage.

Radical scavenging and antibacterial activity of three Parmotrema species from Western Ghats of Karnataka, India.

Western Ghats are one of the biodiversity hotspots in the world. The present study was conducted to determine antibacterial and radical scavenging potential of three Parmotrema species viz., P. tinctorum, P. grayanum and P. praesorediosum from Maragalale and Guliguli Shankara, Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. The powdered lichen materials were extracted using methanol. Antibacterial activity of lichen extracts was tested against three Gram positive and five Gram negative bacteria by Agar well diffusion assay. Radical scavenging activity of lichen extracts was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Total phenolic content of lichen extracts was estimated by Folin-Ciocalteau reagent method. The lichen extracts showed dose dependent antibacterial activity. Overall, the lichen extracts were more inhibitory to Gram positive bacteria than Gram negative bacteria. P. grayanum displayed high inhibitory activity against test bacteria. Scavenging of DPPH radicals by lichen extracts was concentration dependent. Among the lichen species, P. grayanum showed higher scavenging potential as indicated by lower IC50 value. Total phenolic content was also high in P. grayanum. Thin layer chromatogram revealed the presence of Lecanoric acid, Orsellinic acid, Protolichesterinic acid, Chloroatranorin, Protopraesorediosic acid and Praesorediosic acid in lichen samples. The observed bioactivities of lichens could be ascribed to the presence of secondary metabolites. These lichens can be considered as suitable candidates for development of bioactive agents active against pathogenic microbes and oxidative damage.

Antibacterial efficacy of Pimenta dioica (Linn.) Merill and Anacardium occidentale L. against drug resistant urinary tract pathogens.

The aim of the present study was to determine antibacterial effect of leaf and bark extracts of Pimenta dioica (Linn.) Merill (Myrtaceae) and Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae) against drug resistant clinical isolates of urinary tract infection viz., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. Agar well diffusion method was employed to assess inhibitory activity of leaf and bark extracts. Among extracts, bark extract of P. dioica and leaf extract of A. occidentale exhibited high inhibitory activity. The bark extract of P. dioica showed high inhibition of clinical isolates than other extracts. Among bacteria, E. faecalis and K. pneumoniae were inhibited to high and least extent respectively. The inhibitory potential of extracts could be attributed to the presence of bioactive secondary metabolites. Isolation of inhibitory principles from crude extracts and their inhibitory activity against UTI pathogens are to be carried out.

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant activity of leaf and flower extract of Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Delonix regia and Peltaphorum ferrugineum.

The present study was undertaken to determine antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of leaf and flower extracts of Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Delonix regia and Peltaphorum ferrugineum. Antimicrobial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans by Agar well diffusion assay. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay, ABTS free radical scavenging assay, Ferric reducing assay and Total antioxidant capacity determination. Total phenolic content of extracts was estimated by Folin-Ciocalteau Reagent method. S. typhi and C. neoformans were susceptible to extracts to greater extent than S. aureus and C. albicans among bacteria and fungi respectively. Except C. pulcherrima extract, the leaf extracts were more effective in inhibiting bacteria than flower extracts. Leaf extracts have shown high antifungal activity than flower extracts. The extracts have shown dose dependent scavenging of DPPH and ABTS radicals. Scavenging of ABTS radicals was more efficient than that of DPPH radicals as revealed by low IC50 values. All leaf extracts except C. pulcherrima displayed stronger scavenging activities than flower extracts. Similar results were observed in ferric reducing assay and total antioxidant capacity determination. Total phenolic content was found to be higher in leaf extracts (except C. pulcherrima) than flower extracts. A correlation has been observed between phenolic content of leaf and flower extracts and the antioxidant activity. A marked antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of leaf and flower extracts was observed which may be attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds and other phytochemicals. The plants can be used to control infectious diseases and oxidative damage.

Newer Hypolipidemics on the Block.

Hypolipidemics, are much widely used in the present day scenario as the sure prophylactic to tackle cardiovascular diseases and stroke, which are leading causes of death across the world. Moreover, hyperlipidemia is not just a metabolic disorder, it also runs in families, making hypolipidemics more important and necessary. Hence, newer and more efficient drugs are being released. The statins and fibrates, especially rosuvastatin and fenofibrate are associated with much fewer complications then their early counterparts. Ezetemibe or orlistat reduce absorption of cholesterol, beclibrinic acid has a unique action. Chinese red yeast rice has a hyoplipidemic action. Our study has explored in detail the status of newer drugs like micronized fenofibrate, 1-methyl-4-piperidyl bis (chlorophenoxy) acetate, lentysine and gugulipid.