Co-processed extracts of Cassia angustifolia Vahl, Fabaceae, and Maytenus ilicifolia (Schrad.) Planch., Celastraceae, for production of high load tablets

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a co-processing technique for improving the manufacturing properties of Maytenus ilicifolia (Schrad.) Planch., Celastraceae, and Cassia angustifolia Vahl, Fabaceae, extracts in order to obtain tablets containing a high dose of such extracts. An experimental mixture design was used to optimise the formulation composition. Flowability parameters, such as compressibility index, time flow and angle of repose, were determined. Additional important industrial parameters, such as granulometry, bulk density and moisture stability, were also studied. The results demonstrated that co-processing technique was able to improve the flowability of vegetal extracts, making these materials suitable for a direct compression process. The contour plots revealed that formulations with a higher amount of lactose produced the best flow results as well as a larger particle size and a greater bulk density. Tablets from co-processed extracts containing lactose as majority diluent showed appropriate physical-chemical characteristics and presented a more stable moisture sorption behaviour compared to commercial gelatine capsules.

An experimental model to study the effects of a senna extract on the blood constituent labeling and biodistribution of a radiopharmaceutical in rats

Cassia angustifolia Vahl (senna) is a natural product that contains sennosides, which are active components that affect the intestinal tract and induce diarrhea. Authors have shown that senna produces DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) lesions in Escherichia coli cultures and can act as an antifungal agent. Natural drugs can alter the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m (99mTc) and can affect the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals. In this work, we have evaluated the influence of a senna extract on the radiolabeling of blood constituents and on the biodistribution of the radiopharmaceutical sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4)in Wistar rats. Twelve animals were treated with senna extract for 7 days. Blood samples were withdrawn from the animals and the radiolabeling procedure was carried out. The senna extract did not modify the radiolabeling of the blood constituents. A biodistributional assay was performed by administering Na99mTcO4 and determining its activity in different organs and in blood. The senna extract altered the biodistribution of Na99mTcO4 in the thyroid, liver, pancreas, lungs and blood. These results are associated with properties of the chemical substances present in the aqueous senna extract. Although these assays were performed in animals, our findings suggest that caution should be exercised when nuclear medicine examinations using Na99mTcO4 are conducted in patients who are using senna extract.

Avaliação do potencial citotóxico dos chás de Camellia sinensis L. e Cassia angustifolia vahl em sistema teste vegetal / Cytotoxic potencial evaluation from the Camellia sinensis and Cassia angustifolia vahl teas, in vegetal test system

Os chás de Camellia sinensis (chá verde) e Cassia angustifolia (chá sene) são amplamente consumidos pela população brasileira, em função de suas propriedades antioxidantes e laxativas, respectivamente. Neste trabalho, foi avaliada a citotoxicidade do chá de Camellia sinensis e do chá de Cassia angustifolia, dos quais se obteve três amostras (soluções-tratamento) para cada chá: chá verde - 0,57; 1,15 e 2,30%m/V e chá sene - 0,85; 1,70 e 3,40%m/V. Para esta avaliação, utilizou-se as células meristemáticas de raiz de Allium cepa L. e estabeleceram-se 3 grupos: CO (0h), TR (24h) e RE (24h). Foram analisadas 5.000 células por grupo, para o cálculo do índice mitótico médio de cada grupo e a análise estatística foi feita pelo teste do Qui-quadrado. A partir dos resultados obtidos, verificou-se que as amostras testadas dos chás das duas plantas não causaram ação citotóxica, estatisticamente significativa, e nem alterações cromossômicas no sistema teste utilizado.

The Camellia sinensis (green tea) and Cassia angustifolia (sene tea) teas are very consumed by the Brazilian population for its antioxidants and laxative properties, respectively. In this work it was evaluated the Camellia sinensis tea and Cassia angustifólia cytotocity, where it was obtained three samples (treatment-solutions) for each tea: green tea - 0,57; 1,15 e 2,30%m/V e sene tea - 0,85; 1,70 e 3,40%m/V. For this evaluation it was used the embryonic tissue from the Allium cepa roots and it was established three groups: CO (0h), TR (24h) and RE (24h). 5.000 cells were analyzed in each group and the statistic was made by the Qui-square test. As of the obtained results, it was verified that the both plants tested samples tea didn?t cause cytotoxic action, statistically significant, not even chromosome alterations, in the used test system.

Studies on scavenge of hydroxyl radical and protection of DNA damage by 5 defferent Uighur medicinal herbs / 中草药

Object To study the hydroxyl radical scavenging and DNA damage protecting activities of 5 Uighur herbal medicines Euphorbia humifusa Willd , Borago officinalis L, Cassia angustifolia Vahl, Terminalia chebula Retz. and Fomes officinalis (Vill ex Fr ) Bres Methods The hydroxyl radical scavenging action and DNA damage protection action were determined by CuSO 4 Vit C H 2O 2 yeast and CuSO 4 Vit C H 2O 2 phen DNA chemiluminescence systems respectively Results All 5 Uighur medicinal herbs showed hydroxyl radical scavenging and DNA damage protection activities in dose dependent manners Conculsion The hydroxyl radical scavenging and DNA protective effects may possibly be the mechanisms of their antiaging and therapeutic effects against various diseases