Screening of hair growth promoting activity of Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) leaves extracts and its potential to exhibit antidandruff and anti-lice effect.

The intent of the present investigation was to explore the utility of alcoholic and aqueous extract of Punica granatum L. as hair growth promoter along with anti-lice and antidandruff activity. A filter paper diffusion approach was employed for screening of the pediculocidal and ovicidal activity. Albino mice, preselected for their telogen phase of hair growth were used during the study. The prepared extracts, Minoxidil and control were applied over shaved skin surface on to the backs of mice to assess telogen to anagen transition. The qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed. The outcome of the studies revealed that Punica granatum L. alcoholic and aqueous extracts exhibited prominent anti-lice activity. The transition of telogen to anagen phase of the number of anagen hair follicle was observed in approximately 45, 27 and 51% of animals treated with alcoholic and aqueous extract of Punica granatum L., and Minoxidil, respectively, which suggest the hair growth promoting potential of the extract of Punica granatum L. Also, 3 % Punica granatum L. alcoholic extracts exhibited a potent antidandruff activity against fungal strains tested. Maltol, was identified as a principal phytoconstituent in the alcoholic extract. The findings greatly suggest anti-lice, antidandruff and hair growth promoting potential of the extract of Punica granatum L.

Green synthesis of silver, iron and gold nanoparticles of lycopene extracted from tomato: their characterization and cytotoxicity against COLO320DM, HT29 and Hella cell.

Our study aimed at development of Silver, Iron and Gold nanoparticles of Lycopene isolated from tomato by using green synthesis technique and to evaluate its anticancer potential against colorectal and cervical cancer. Lycopene was extracted by benzene extraction method and the silver, iron and gold nanoparticles were developed by green synthesis method. 1% aqueous extract of isolated Lycopene was mixed with 1% solutions of AgNO3, FeCl3 and HAuCl4 solutions and incubated at ambient temperature for 3-4 h separately and observed for the color change which is an indicative of formation of the nanoparticles. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by FTIR, SEM, XRD analysis and evaluated for their antimicrobial potential. The cytotoxicity studies were carried out by in vitro assay like MTT, SRB and Tryphan blue method against Colo 320 DM, HT 29, and Hella. SEM showed nanosized particles of 50-100 nm range, whereas no antimicrobial activity was exhibited by the prepared nanoparticles. In MTT assay the LyAgNP showed maximum 41.41 ± 0.4124% inhibition against COLO320DM, whereas LyGNP exhibited 41.47 ± 0.4469% inhibition against HT 29 and LyAgNP showed 40.9 ± 0.6908% inhibition against Hella cells. In SRB assay LyAgNP showed maximum 82.68 ± 1.1798% inhibition against COLO320DM, whereas LyGNP exhibited maximum 91.21 ± 0.2372% inhibition against HT29 and 87.98 ± 0.5878% inhibition against Hella cells. In tryphan blue assay against COLO320DM, HT29 and Hella cells, the maximum inhibition exhibited by the prepared nanoparticles were observed as LyGNP 83.45 ± 0.4694%, LyAgNP 88.05 ± 0.1870% and LyAgNP65.47 ± 0.4766%. We conclude that the developed nanoparticles of Lycopene exhibited potential anticancer activity against Colorectal and cervical cancer cell as compared with pure Lycopene.

In vivo and in vitro hair growth-promoting effect of silver and iron nanoparticles synthesized via Blumea eriantha DC plant extract.

BACKGROUND: Blumea eriantha DC is the Indian medicinal remedy, mainly distributed in the States of India. It possesses wide array of medicinal properties. AIM: To execute green synthesis approach for the preparation of silver and iron nanoparticles by using alcoholic Blumea ErianthaDC extract and to verify the biological potential of the prepared nanoparticles as a hair growth promoter. PATIENTS/METHOD: Extract was mixed with silver nitrate and ferric chloride for synthesis of silver and iron nanoparticles, respectively. Prepared nanoparticles were confirmed by UV, FT-IR, SEM, X-ray diffraction, and TEM. The qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed namely hair growth initiation, hair growth completion, hair length, hair weight, histopathological studies, skin thickness, and length of the hair follicle. RESULTS: The prepared nanoparticles were observed as a blend of spherical and irregular shape with an average particle size of 35nm. The transition of anagen hair follicles was observed in approximately 63.43 % of animals treated with Minoxidil, whereas 2% and 5% Blumea erianthasilver nanoparticles treated animal group exhibited 33.02% and 60.93%, respectively. The animal groups treated with 2% and 5% iron nanoparticles of Blumea Eriantha showed 44.09 and 38.89% in anagen induction, respectively, which suggest the hair growth-promoting potential of the extract of Blumea erianthaDC. CONCLUSION: Thus, it can be concluded that silver nanoparticles of Blumea Eriantha exhibit promising hair growth promoting activity.

Screening of in-vitro hypoglycemic activity of Murraya koenigii and Catharanthus roseus / Cribado de la actividad hipoglucémica in vitro de Murraya koenigii y Catharanthus roseu

Objective: The study aimed to verify the hypoglycemic effect of Murraya koenigii (M. koenigii) and Catharanthus roseus (C. roseus) by using various in-vitro techniques. Method: The extracts were studied for their effects on glucose adsorption capacity, in-vitro glucose diffusion, in-vitro amylolysis kinetics and glucose transport across the yeast cells. Results: It was observed that the extracts of M. koenigii and C. roseus adsorbed glucose and the adsorption of glucose increased remarkably with an increase in glucose concentration. There were no significant (p≤0.05) differences between their adsorption capacities. In the amylolysis kinetic experimental model the rate of glucose diffusion was found to be increased with time from 30 to 180 min and both the plant extracts exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the movement of glucose into external solution across the dialysis membrane as compared to control. The extracts also promoted glucose uptake by the yeast cells and the enhancement of glucose uptake was dependent on both the sample and glucose concentration. The extract of M. koenigii exhibited significantly higher (p≤0.05) activity than the extract of C. roseus at all concentrations used in the study. Our report suggests the mechanism(s) for the hypoglycemic effect of M. koenigii and C. roseus. Conclusion: The said effect was observed to be mediated by inhibiting alpha amylase, inhibiting glucose diffusion by adsorbing glucose and by increasing glucose transport across the cell membranes as revealed by in-vitro model of yeast cells. However, these effects need to be affirmed by using different in vivo models and clinical trials

Objetivo: El estudio tuvo como objetivo verificar el efecto hipoglucémico de Murraya koenigii (M. koenigii) y Catharanthus roseus (C. roseus) mediante el uso de diversas técnicas in vitro. Método: Los extractos se estudiaron por sus efectos sobre la capacidad de adsorción de glucosa, la difusión de glucosa in vitro, la cinética de amilolisis in vitro y el transporte de glucosa a través de las células de levadura. Resultados: se observó que los extractos de M. koenigii y C. roseus adsorbieron glucosa y la adsorción de glucosa aumentó notablemente con un aumento en la concentración de glucosa. No hubo diferencias significativas (p≤0.05) entre sus capacidades de adsorción. En el modelo experimental cinético de amilolisis, se encontró que la velocidad de difusión de glucosa aumentaba con el tiempo de 30 a 180 min y ambos extractos de planta exhibían efectos inhibitorios significativos sobre el movimiento de la glucosa hacia la solución externa a través de la membrana de diálisis en comparación con el control. Los extractos también promovieron la absorción de glucosa por las células de levadura y la mejora de la captación de glucosa dependió tanto de la muestra como de la concentración de glucosa. El extracto de M. koenigii exhibió una actividad significativamente mayor (p≤0.05) que el extracto de C. roseus en todas las concentraciones utilizadas en el estudio. Nuestro informe sugiere el mecanismo (s) para el efecto hipoglucemiante de M. koenigii y C. roseus. Conclusión: Se observó que dicho efecto estaba mediado por la inhibición de la alfa amilasa, la inhibición de la difusión de glucosa por la adsorción de glucosa y el aumento del transporte de glucosa a través de las membranas celulares según lo revelado por el modelo in vitro de células de levadura. Sin embargo, estos efectos deben ser afirmados mediante el uso de diferentes modelos in vivo y ensayos clínicos