Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of Flemingia tuberosa Dalzell in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Flemingia tuberosa Dalzell is an endemic species of the Western Ghats. It is an ethnomedicinal plant used to curedysentery and vaginal discharge. However, in this study, the hepatoprotective potency of the plant has been evaluatedas it contains flavonoids like kaempferol. The present study was conducted to investigate the hepatoprotective activityof the ethanolic extract of aerial parts of F. tuberosa against Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced toxicity in rats.The extract was standardized using a validated HPTLC method for kaempferol content. The antioxidant activityof the ethanolic extract of aerial parts of F. tuberosa was assessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl method. Thehepatoprotective activity was assessed against CCl4-induced liver intoxication, wherein the CCl4-induced albino Wistarrats were treated with three different doses of the standardized extract for 3 days. The results were compared with theestablished positive control, Silymarin. The protective effect on the liver was also monitored histopathologically usinglight and electron microscope and biochemically through observing the levels of biochemical enzymes. The extractshowed potent hepatoprotective activity. This study confirms the protective effect of the ethanolic extract of aerialparts of F. tuberosa against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity

Bioavailability of curcumin from a novel mouth dissolving lozenge

Background: Cucurmin is the main component of curcuminoids in turmeric (Curcuma longa). Turmeric, popularly used as food colourant, is traditionally used as a medicinal herb owing to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. The gastric absorption of curcumin is poor and therefore various forms like encapsulation in liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, cyclodextrin encapsulation, lipid complexes, polymer-curcumin complex etc. have been evaluated.Methods: In the current study, a novel lozenge of 100mg turmeric extract in mouth dissolving formulation is evaluated for bioavailability of curcumin as compared with the conventional hard gelatin capsule containing 475mg curcumin. Fourteen healthy male subjects of Indian origin are dosed in a two way, two treatments, two sequence cross-over balanced, randomized design. Blood samples are collected sequentially to cover the plasma concentration-time curve to obtain a reliable estimate of the extent of absorption. Blood plasma is processed and analyzed using a validated isocratic HPLC-MS/MS method to estimate the concentration of curcumin.Results: Curcumin is detected at m/z 369à177, while the internal standard diazepam is detected as m/z 285à193 to quantify curcumin. Results indicate a significant increase in bioavailability of curcumin from the lozenge (Cmax188.863±22.9620ng/ml; AUC0-t 897.026±65.4844ng/mL*hr) as compared to the hard gelatin capsule (Cmax 96.458±15.8272ng/ml; AUC0-t 440.744±77.3470ng/ml*hr).Conclusions: Mouth dissolving lozenge could be a pragmatic approach to circumvent the low bioavailability of curcumin from therapeutic formulations.

Improved RP-HPLC Method for Quantitation of Swertiamarin from Swertia Densifolia Leaves and Marketed Herbal Formulations.

Objective: Present study aims at developing and validating an improved RP-HPLC method for determination of Swertiamarin from extracts of Swertia densifolia (Griseb.) Kashyap leaves and marketed herbal formulations. Methods: Developed RP-HPLC method is validated and is used for determination of Swertiamarin from hydroalcoholic extracts of test plant material and marketed herbal formulations. The separation is carried out on C18 column. The mobile phase used is 10 mM Ammonium acetate: Acetonitrile: Formic acid in ratio 90:10:0.2% (v/v/v/). The wavelength selected is 237 nm using UV detector. Results and Discussion: A seven-point calibration curve over the concentration range of 50.00 –20000.00 ng/mL for Swertiamarin provides an optimum linear detector response (with r2>0.9970). The % R.S.D. (n = 6) for the low, middle and high quality control samples are within <6.44 and < 9.04 for inter-day and intra-day precision and accuracy respectively. Conclusion: A simple, sensitive and precise method is developed for quantitation of SWM. Method is validated as per International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines and its applicability is demonstrated by successful measurement of Swertiamarin from hydroalcoholic extracts of Swertia densifolia leaves and selected marketed herbal formulations.

Bioavailability of karanjin from Pongamia pinnata L. in Sprague dawley rats using validated RP-HPLC method.

Pongamia pinnata L. (fabaceae) is a small evergreen tree reported in traditional literature as ‘Karanj’. Seeds of this plant have been used in the management of skin diseases, ulcer, piles, bronchitis; leprosy etc. Seeds are reported to possess phytoconstituents like pongapin, pongamol, pongaglabrone, kanjone, karanjin etc. The therapeutic activities of seeds are mainly attributed to its major furanoflavone karanjin. Thus, in the present research work the pharmacokinetics of karanjin was determined in Sprague dawley female rats using a validated RP-HPLC method from the ethanolic extract of P. pinnata (p.o.). The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using non compartmental model of analysis. Findings of the present work would be applicable for the future investigation on P. pinnata and karanjin for their different therapeutic uses and would be useful for justifying their dosage and route of administration from their allied formulations.

In Vivo Evaluation of Mimosa Pudica Linn. In the Management of Polycystic Ovary Using Rat Model.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Mimosa pudica Linn. (MP) in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using a Letrozole induced PCOS rat model. PCOS was induced in albino wistar female rats by daily oral administration of Letrozole for 21 days. The low (250 mg/kg), mid (500 mg/kg) and high dose (1000 mg/kg) of MP was given orally to the PCOS induced rats for 15 days post Letrozole induction to determine the effective dose of MP in the treatment of PCOS. The biomarkers of ovarian function, plasma testosterone, estrogen and progesterone were analyzed to determine the fluctuations in sex steroid levels in PCOS induced rats. The plasma testosterone levels were found to be increased significantly in rats with PCOS whereas plasma estrogen and progesterone levels were significantly decreased. When compared with control, the PCOS induced rats showed characteristic ovary with high incidence of ovarian cysts with a diminished granulosa layer, significant number of atretic follicles and absence of corpora lutea. All the end points assessed were significantly improved after the treatment with mid and high dose of MP and achieved levels close to normal levels. The mid dose (500 mg/kg) and high dose (1000 mg/kg) of MP were found to be effective in the treatment of PCOS induced by Letrozole in rats. This effect of MP significantly reduced histopathological changes in ovary and endocrinological and biochemical changes induced by hyperandrogenism. Thus MP was found to have a good potential to be a very good alternative therapy in the treatment of PCOS.

Effect of Asteracantha longifolia Nees. against CCl4 induced liver dysfunction in rat.

Significant recovery after treatment with the whole plant slurry of A.longifolia Nees. was observed in plasma AST, ALT and cholesterol levels in CCl4 induced hepatotoxic rats. This was amply supported by electron micrographs, which indicated normalization of cytoarchitecture of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. The results suggest that the slurry of the plant is useful as a liver tonic.