The suspending properties of Cissus rubiginosa fruit mucilage in paracetamol suspension formulation

Background: Materials with suspending properties like mucilage have been obtained from natural sources and used to stabilize liquid formulations containing poorly dispersible solids.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the suspending properties of Cissus rubiginosa fruit mucilage (CRM) in paracetamol oral suspension.Materials and Methods: Paracetamol suspensions containing 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 %w/v CRM were prepared and compared with suspensions formulated with same concentrations of compound tragacanth (CT). The sedimentation volume, ease of re-dispersibility, effect of shear rate on viscosity, flow rate and drug release pattern were studied as assessment parameters.Results: Characterization studies of the suspensions revealed that there was a corresponding increase in the viscosity of the suspension with increase in the concentration of the gum. Paracetamol suspension having CRM had significantly higher viscosity (p<0.05) compared to those containing CT. The viscosities of all suspensions decreased with increase in shear rate. There was decrease in flow rate as the viscosity of the suspension increased.Paracetamol suspensions containing CRM were easily re-dispersible with minimum agitation at concentration less than 1.0 %. Drug release from the suspension containing 0.5 % CRM was rapid while release from suspension containing higher concentrations of CRM occurred at a later time, eliciting a delay in drug release.Conclusion: This study has been able to elucidate the ability of Cissus rubiginosa fruit mucilage to act as a suspending agent in pharmaceutical suspensions

Petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis (Linn. ) enhances bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and facilitates osteoblastogenesis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis on the proliferation rate of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, the differentiation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts (osteoblastogenesis) and extracellular matrix calcification. This study also aimed to determine the additive effect of osteogenic media and Cissus quadrangularis on proliferation, differentiation and calcification. METHODS: MSCs were cultured in media with or without Cissus quadrangularis for 4 weeks and were then stained for alkaline phosphatase. Extracellular matrix calcification was confirmed by Von Kossa staining. marrow mesenchymal stem cells cultures in control media and osteogenic media supplemented with Cissus quadrangularis extract (100, 200, 300 µg/mL) were also subjected to a cell proliferation assay (MTT). RESULTS: Treatment with 100, 200 or 300 µg/mL petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis enhanced the differentiation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells into ALP-positive osteoblasts and increased extracellular matrix calcification. Treatment with 300 µg/mL petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis also enhanced the proliferation rate of the marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Cells grown in osteogenic media containing Cissus quadrangularis exhibited higher proliferation, differentiation and calcification rates than did control cells. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Cissus quadrangularis stimulates osteoblastogenesis and can be used as preventive/alternative natural medicine for bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

Free radical scavenging profile and myeloperoxidase inhibition of extracts from antidiabetic plants: Bauhinia forficata and Cissus sicyoides

There is abundant evidence that reactive oxygen species are implicated in several physiological and pathological processes. To protect biological targets from oxidative damage, antioxidants must react with radicáis and other reactive species faster than biological substrates do. The aim of the present study was to determine the in vitro antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts from leaves of Bauhinia forficata Link (Fabaceae - Caesalpinioideae) and Cissus sicyoides L. (Vitaceae) (two medicinal plants used popularly in the control of diabetes mellitus), using several different assay systems, namely, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) decolorization, superoxide anión radical (0(2)•-) scavenging and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. In the ABTS assay for total antioxidant activity, B. forficata showed IC50 = 8.00±0.07 μg/mL, while C. sicyoides showed IC50 = 13.0±0.2 μg/mL. However, the extract of C. sicyoides had a stronger effect on 0(2)•- (IC50 = 60.0±2.3 μg/mL) than the extract of B. forficata (IC50 = 90.0±4.4 μg/ mL). B. forficata also had a stronger inhibitory effect on MPO activity, as measured by guaiacol oxidation, than C. sicyoides. These results indicate that aqueous extracts of leaves of B. forficata and C. sicyoides are a potential source of natural antioxidants and may be helpful in the prevention of diabetic complications associated with oxidative stress.

Petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis (LINN) stimulates the growth of fetal bone during intra uterine developmental period: a morphometric analysis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect Cissus quadrangularis plant petroleum ether extract on the development of long bones during the intra-uterine developmental stage in rats. METHODS: Pregnant rats (n=12) were randomly assigned into either a control group (n=6) or a Cissus quadrangularis treatment (n=6) group. Pregnant rats in the Cissus quadrangularis group were treated with Cissus quadrangularis petroleum ether extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight from gestation day 9 until delivery. The animals in the control group received an equal volume of saline. Newborn pups were collected from both groups for alizarin red S - alcian blue staining to differentiate ossified and unossified cartilage. The ossified cartilage (bone) was morphometrically analyzed using Scion image software. RESULTS: Morphometric analysis revealed that the percentage of the total length of ossified cartilage (bone) in pups born to treated dams was significantly higher (P<0.001- -0.0001) than that of the control group. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that maternal administration of Cissus quadrangularis petroleum ether extract during pregnancy can stimulate the development of fetal bone growth during the intra-uterine developmental period.

Gastroprotective effect of Cissus quadrangularis extract in rats with experimentally induced ulcer.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Most of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including aspirin cause gastric ulcer. In order to study the gastroprotective effect of Cissus quadrangularis extract (CQE), this study was undertaken on aspirin-induced ulcerogenesis in pyloric ligated (ASP-PL) model in rats. METHODS: To assess the possible antiulcer effect of CQE, lesion index, gastric secretions glycoprotein levels, non-protein sulphydryls (NPSH) and adherent mucus content were determined in ASP-PL induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. RESULTS: Pretreatment with CQE significantly prevented the gastric mucosal lesion development and decreased the gastric toxicity produced by ulcerogen. In addition, ulcerated rats showed depletion of gastric wall mucus, glycoproteins and NPSH levels whereas treatment with CQE reverted this decline in ASP-PL induced rats. Histological studies confirmed the results. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The present finding suggests that CQE promotes ulcer protection by the decrease in ulcer index, gastric secretions and increase in the glycoprotein level, gastric mucin content and NPSH concentration. CQE may protect the gastric mucosa against ulceration by its antisecretory and cytoprotective property.