Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of probiotic on carrageenan-induced paw edema in Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE: Probiotic strain Lactobacillus sporogenes and Bifidobacteria bifidum were used to assess the anti-inflammatory properties in Carrageenan induced acute inflammatory model. METHODS: Non-encapsulated and encapsulated Probiotic strain of Bifidobacteria bifidum and Lactobacillus sporogenes was given orally. Diclofenac sodium was used as standard drug at a concentration of 150 mg/kg of body weight. Edema was induced with 1% carrageenan to all the groups except group A after half an hour of the oral treatments. Paw thickness was checked at t = 1, 2, 4 and 24 h. Stair climbing score and motility score were assessed at t = 24 h. RESULTS: Non-encapsulated and encapsulated Probiotic Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus showed a statistically significant decrease in paw thickness at P < 0.05. The percentage inhibition in paw thickness of non-encapsulated and encapsulated probiotic L. sporogenes and B. bifidum is 37 ± 3% and 43 ± 2% after 24 h of treatment. They both significantly increased stair climbing and motility score. CONCLUSION: Probiotic B. bifidum and L. sporogenes significantly decreased the inflammatory reactions induced by carrageenan.

Carrageenan: a natural seaweed polysaccharide and its applications.

Polysaccharides have been gaining interesting and valuable applications in the food and pharmaceutical fields. As they are derived from the natural source, they are easily available, non-toxic, cheap, biodegradable and biocompatible. Carrageenan is one among them, which fulfills the criteria of polysaccharide; it is a natural carbohydrate (polysaccharide) obtained from edible red seaweeds. The name Carrageenan is derived from the Chondrus crispus species of seaweed (Rhodophyceace) known as Carrageen Moss or Irish Moss, and Carraigin. A demand based on its application has been widely increasing in food and pharmaceutical sectors. Carrageenan has gained wide applications in experimental medicine, pharmaceutical formulations, cosmetics, and food industries. Through keen references of the reported literature on carrageenan, in this review, we have described about carrageenan, its properties, extraction and refining, and its food and pharmaceutical applications.

Development of microencapsulation delivery system for long-term preservation of probiotics as biotherapeutics agent.

The administration of probiotic bacteria for health benefit has rapidly expanded in recent years, with a global market worth $32.6 billion predicted by 2014. The oral administration of most of the probiotics results in the lack of ability to survive in a high proportion of the harsh conditions of acidity and bile concentration commonly encountered in the gastrointestinal tract of humans. Providing probiotic living cells with a physical barrier against adverse environmental conditions is therefore an approach currently receiving considerable interest. Probiotic encapsulation technology has the potential to protect microorganisms and to deliver them into the gut. However, there are still many challenges to overcome with respect to the microencapsulation process and the conditions prevailing in the gut. This review focuses mainly on the methodological approach of probiotic encapsulation including biomaterials selection and choice of appropriate technology in detailed manner.

Development of modified release gliclazide biological macromolecules using natural biodegradable polymers.

Modified release biological macromolecules (beads) of gliclazide using sodium alginate combined with either gellan gum or pectin in different ratios were prepared by Ionotropic gelation method. Biological macromolecules were evaluated for different physico-chemical parameters. Increase in polymers proportion showed difficulty in production of biological macromolecules due to high viscosity of dispersion. As the polymer concentration increases, the swelling and entrapment efficiency of drug increased. Compared to all other batches and commercial modified release gliclazide tablet, formulated biological macromolecules of sodium alginate with pectin (2:1 ratio) and with gellan gum (6:0.75 ratio) exhibited spherical shape, biphasic in vitro release profile and initial high drug release followed by moderate release up to 12 h as matrix diffusion kinetics and Higuchi model as well as Korsmeyer model.

Remedial Prospective of Hippophae rhamnoides Linn. (Sea Buckthorn).

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) constitutes thorny nitrogen fixing deciduous shrub. Sea buckthorn(SBT) is primarily valued for its very rich vitamins A, B(1), B(12), C, E, K, and P; flavonoids, lycopene, carotenoids, and phytosterols. and therapeutically important since it is rich with potent antioxidants. Scientifically evaluated pharmacological actions of SBT are like inflammation inhibited by reduced permeability, loss of follicular aggregation of lymphocytes from the inflamed synovium and suppress lymphocyte proliferation. SBT-reduced recurrence of angina, ischemic electrocardiogram which might be due to decreased myocardial oxygen consumption and inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by collagen. SBT can kill both cancer cells of S180, P388, SGC7901 and lymphatic leukemia (L1200). The antiulcer activity may be related to reduce gastric empty time, inhibiting proteolytic activity and promoting wound reparation processes of mucosa. SBT exerts antihypertensive effect in part by blocking angiotensin-2 receptor on cell surface. SBT decreased the level of stress hormones and enhanced hypoxic tolerance in animals indicating its anti-stress, adaptogenic activity. A lot of research work is still needed to find cellular and molecular mechanisms of these activities and also yet to be explored for its activity in osteoporosis, hemorrhage, cataract, urinary stone, acne, psoriasis, polyneuritis, cheilosis, glossities, baldness, anti-obesity, gout, and chronic prostitis.