Chemistry and anticancer activity of cardiac glycosides: A review.

The objective of this review is an attempt to emphasize the development in the chemistry and to display review of diverse therapeutic actions of cardiac glycosides. Anticancer activity of cardiac glycosides is the main activity as discussed in this review. The aim of the review is to gather the recent researches on cardiac glycosides. The present manuscript gives the platform for the researcher to have complete literature on the topic.

Development of photochemoprotective herbs containing cosmetic formulations for improving skin properties.

Botanical photochemoprotectives are used because they act on various stages to prevent skin cancer and photoaging. The aim of this study was to prepare herbal creams from various photochemoprotective herbs and to perform efficacy studies on them by using physicochemical, microbiological, safety, psychometric, biophysical, and sun protection factor measurements. Herbal creams were prepared by incorporating hydroalcoholic extracts of Curcuma caesia (rhizome), Areca catechu (seeds), Centella asiatica (leaves) Cinnamon zeylanicum (dried bark), and Tamarindus indica (fruit pulp) in varied concentrations (1-5% w/w) in a base cream. The efficacy of all formulations was checked out for four weeks on 60 normal subjects on the volar forearm for evaluation of biophysical properties, and for psychometric evaluations (fragrance, lathery feel, softness, irritation, stickiness, smoothness, and aftereffect on the skin) and safety measurements. In the biophysical characterization, a cutometer for viscoelasticity, a mexameter for melanin content, a corneometer for hydration, and a sebumeter for sebum determination were used. All the cream formulations with 1% and 3% w/w extracts showed positive results and passed physicochemical, microbiological, and safety tests. The SPF values increased as the concentration of extract was increased up to a limit in the formulations. The SPF values were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in formulations with 3% herbal extract than with 1% herbal extract. Increased skin hydration, sebum levels, viscoelasticity, and decreased melanin values were obtained. The Cinnamon, Centella, and Tamarindus formulations were found more effective as photoprotectives than the Areca and Curcuma formulations.

Influence of end groups on in vitro release and biological activity of lysozyme from a phase-sensitive smart polymer-based in situ gel forming controlled release drug delivery system.

Phase-sensitive in situ gel forming controlled release formulations of lysozyme were prepared using poly lactic acid (PLA) and/or poly glycolic acid (PGA) based polymers differing in end groups in addition to composition, and a solvent system consisting of various ratios of benzyl benzoate (BB) and benzyl alcohol (BA). The amount of lysozyme in the released samples was determined by measuring absorbance at 280 nm using suitable controls to nullify the effect of absorption of formulation degradation products. Biological activity of lysozyme was studied by an enzyme activity assay using Micrococcus lysodeikticus as substrate. Polymers bearing carboxylic acid end group were not soluble in 100% BB but polymers having ester end groups were soluble up to 27% (w/v) except polymer 4. A biphasic release profile consisting of slower first phase followed by faster second phase was observed. Formulations prepared from polymer with carboxylic acid groups showed significantly (p<0.05) lower burst release (4%) than those containing ester end groups (20-30%). However, formulations consisting of polymer with carboxylic acid end groups showed significantly (p<0.05) faster release rate of incorporated lysozyme, although the total amount released was less in comparison to the total amount released from formulations prepared using polymers containing ester end groups. The mean percentage specific enzyme activity (MPSEA) data were supported by the release profiles. In conclusion, polymer end groups may influence the release profiles of a protein from an in situ gel depot forming controlled release formulations.

Attenuation of benzodiazepine dependence in mice by a tri-substituted benzoflavone moiety of Passiflora incarnata Linneaus: a non-habit forming anxiolytic.

PURPOSE: A tri-substituted benzoflavone moiety (BZF) recently isolated from the methanol extract of aerial parts of the plant Passiflora incarnata Linneaus had exhibited encouraging results in countering the dependence produced by addiction-prone substances like morphine, nicotine, cannabinoids and ethyl alcohol, during the studies performed by the authors. Since the BZF moiety had exhibited significant anxiolytic properties at 10 mg/kg p.o. dose in mice, therefore, it was desirable to evaluate this potential phyto-moiety (BZF) for its own dependence-liabilities It was also deemed viable to evaluate BZF moiety for its possible usefulness in countering the dependence-liabilities associated with the chronic use of benzodiazepines keeping in light their tremendous clinical use in the management of anxiety and insomnia. METHODS: Different groups of mice were administered BZF alone (10, 50 or 100 mg/kg, p.o.), and concomitantly with diazepam (20 mg/kg, p.o.) in a 21-days treatment regimen, followed by no treatments for the next 72-hours. The withdrawal effects in the form of ambulatory behavior of the treated animals were recorded on the 25th day using an Actophotometer. RESULTS: The BZF-alone (three doses) treated mice exhibited a normal ambulatory behavior on 25th day. Mice groups receiving co-treatments, i.e., BZF-diazepam concomitantly, also exhibited a normal ambulatory behavior in a dose-dependent manner, i.e., the higher dose of BZF (100 mg/kg) being more effective in countering the withdrawal effects of chronically administered diazepam than the lower doses (10 or 50 mg/kg). CONCLUSIONS: The studies revealed that the chronic administration of the BZF moiety (three doses), did not exhibit any dependence-liability of its own, even upon an abrupt cessation. Additionally, the BZF co-treatments with diazepam also prevented the incurrence of diazepam-dependence, which might be because of the aromatase enzyme inhibiting properties associated with the BZF moiety.