Antioxidant, free radical scavenging and invitro cytotoxic studies of ethanolic extract of Leucas indica var lavandulifolia and Leucas indica var nagalapuramiana

Objective: The main focus of the study is to determine antioxidant, free radical scavenging and cytotoxic effect of ethanolic extract of whole plant of Leucas indica var lavandulifolia and Leucas indica var nagalapuramiana using various in vitro assay methods as well as to estimate the amount of total phenol and flavonoid contents. Methods: Leucas indica var lavandulifolia and Leucas indica var nagalapuramiana were collected in February 2008 from Thirumala hills and standard procedure from the literature were used to estimate the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity. Results: The results suggest that both the extracts can be considered as a valuable source of antioxidants products as the obtained values are more or less near to the used standard compound. Conclusions: The characterization of leucas for antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities are new to literature in this context this extensive in vitro study of the selected two species of leucas for antioxidant activity will be a valuable study for further in vivo activities.

In vitro and invivo evaluation of hepato protection and anti ulcer activities of piperine gastro retentive micropspheres

Objective: In the recent years of research, the interest on herbal medicine is continuously increasing. Piperine is an alkaloid extracted from ripen fruits of Piper nigram and was proved in literature for its hepato protective and anti ulcer properties majorly through anti oxidant capability. Methods: In the present investigation gastro retentive, both floating and mucoadhessive microspheres are evaluated for the hepato protection in paracetamol induced model and gastric protection in rats and a comparison was done with conventional microspheres and pure form of piperine. Results: The results clearly showed the significant decrease in the serum levels of the marker enzymes in hepato protective study supported by histopathology along with reduced ulcer index in anti ulcer activity. Conclusion: This clearly indicates that there is an increase in both activities of floating microspheres, mucoadhessive microspheres when compared with the PP and conventional microspheres.