Formulation and evaluation of topical herbal gel for the treatment of arthritis in animal model

ABSTRACT The objective of the study is to formulate and evaluate a topical herbal gel containing Cardiospermum halicacabum and Vitex negundo leaf extracts for their anti-arthritic activity in rats. Twelve herbal gel formulations were prepared using 1.5% of gelling agents carbopol 934 (F1-F6) and carbopol 940 (F6-F12) and they were evaluated for physical appearance, net content, viscosity, extrudability, pH, spreadability, in vitro diffusion profile and primary skin irritation tests. The stability study for the topical herbal gel formulation was done as per ICH guidelines and anti-arthritic activity was evaluated by Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA) induced arthritis method. Assessment of body weight, paw volume, hematological and biochemical parameters, histopathological examination and In vitro determination of serum biomarkers were also carried out. Formulated gels were homogenous, stable and complied with the guidelines. Among the formulations, F4 showed better release (98.4 %) characteristics than other formulations. No erythema or edema was observed in the skin irritation test confirming the gel was non-toxic and safe. Topical application of the herbal gel F4 containing carbopol 934 displayed significant (p < 0.001) anti-arthritic activity compared to diseased rats. Reduction in paw volume, no agglutination in C - reactive protein and rheumatic factor, reduction in TNF level, regaining of normal hematological, and biochemical parameters, reduction in spleen and thymus weight and histopathological examination supported the anti-arthritic activity of the gel formulation.

Quantitative Determination of Cerberin in Seed Extract of Cerbera odollam and Rat Serum by High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography.

Cerberin (2-o-Acetyl neriifolin) is the principal cardiac glycoside present in the seeds of Cerbera odollam (Fig 1) belonging to Apocynacea family. The seeds of Cerbera odollam are used as a poison for suicidal as well as homicidal purpose by people around the world. Its detection in the body fluids is somewhat difficult. The present study aims to develop a HPTLC method to identify and quantify Cerberin present in the seeds of Cerbera odollam and Cerberin present in Rat Serum. Chloroform and methanol in the ratio of 9.6:0.4 v/v was employed as mobile phase for Cerberin. Linear ascending development was carried out in a 10 x 10 cm twin trough glass chamber (CAMAG) saturated with the mobile phase. Detection and quantitation was performed by densitometric scanning at 254 nm, using deuterium lamp. The proposed HPTLC method provided a good resolution of Cerberin in ethylacetate/ethanol extract of seeds of Cerbera odollam and Cerberin present in rat serum, confirmed by overlaying UV absorption spectra with standard cerberin marker. The method found to be rapid, simple and precise and may be employed for the detection and quantification of cerberin in human serum, aspirates and other body fluids.

Antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant potential of methanol extract of Tectona grandis flowers in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activity of methanol extract of Tectona grandis (T. grandis) flowers (METGF) in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats to supports its traditional use.@*METHODS@#Acute toxicity study of METGF was carried out in rat to determine its dose for the antidiabetic study. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed to evaluate METGF effect on elevated blood glucose level. Diabetes was induced in rats by administration of STZ (60 mg/kg, ip.) and it was confirmed 72 h after induction. METGF was orally given to the diabetic rats up to 28 days and blood glucose level were estimated each week. On 28 day of the experiment, diabetic rats were sacrificed after the blood collection for the biochemical parameters analysis and liver, kidney was collected to determine antioxidants levels.@*RESULTS@#In acute toxicity, METGF did not show toxicity and death up to a dose 2 000 mg/kg in rats. Administration of METGF 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly (P<0.001) reduced blood glucose levels in OGTT and STZ-induced diabetic rats. Both doses of METGF treatment significantly (P<0.001, P<0.01 and P<0.05) increased body weight, serum insulin, haemoglobin (Hb) and total protein levels in diabetic rats. Also, MEGTF treatment reduced elevated glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and other biochemical parameters levels significantly (P<0.001) in diabetic rats. Altered lipid profiles and antioxidants levels were reversed to near normal in diabetic rats treated with METGF.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These results concluded that METGF possesses antidiabetic, antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activity which supports its traditional use.