International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research

274-279

Authors: N. Singh1*, P. Verma1, B. R. Pandey1, M. Gilca2

Cancer is hyperproliferative disorder that involves transformation, dysregulation of apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis. Millions of people die every year with different types of cancer such as lung cancer and mesothelioma from inhaling asbestos fibers and tobacco smoke, or leukemia from exposure to benzene at their workplaces. In the last century, great advances were made in modern medical system in cure and prevent of this disease. However, success rates are very low. Withania somnifera (WS) has been used as traditional medicine for decades for the treatment of various ailments. The various parts of WS and its constituents are effective in prevention and treatment of different kinds of cancer like colon cancer, lung cancer, blood cancer, skin cancer, breast cancer, renal cancer, fibrosarcoma, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer. We are conducting clinical studies to prove the efficacy of WS in prevention and treatment of different forms of cancer including prostate and lung cancers, especially in last stages, and this wonder medicinal herb is found to be beneficial in many patients. We have some cases of lung cancer that were refused modern therapy and recovered clinically and radiologically with our therapy of Ashwagandha. Clinical studies suggest its use as anti-tumor and immunomodulatory agent in sarcoma, brain cancer, uterine tumor, fibroids and other tumors including endodermal carcinoma. Therefore, this medicinal herb WS alone can be used as alternative medicine in the treatment of cancer patients or it can also be used as adjunct/ complimentary medicine along with chemotherapy or radiotherapy to patients. As the causative factors in formation and development of cancerous conditions can be multifactorial eg. stress- physical, chemical, biological and emotional, viral infection like Herpes cause several time more cancer of bladder, low immune syndrome plays major role in spread and causation of cancer, environmental chemical toxins, allopathic drugs, pesticide infected food with heavy metals and some not properly developed metallic preparation of Ayurvedic or other Folk Medicine can be a causative factor, leave aside genetic processes of the Individual for the development of the risk of cancer. If we look in the properties of WS like adaptogen/ anti-stress agent, immunomodulator, antioxidant (reducing free radical damage, anabolic effect, improving resistance of body, reducing fatigue and detoxificant effects, we are inclined to suggests that WS works through all above mechanisms in controlling the dreaded cancer, rather than its effect on stopping the cell division. As during radio and chemotherapy body’s natural normal cells are also killed and low immunity develops, WS helps prevent these adverse effects of both and helps patients better recovery and life styles. However, multicentric long term clinical studies by oncologists, although deviated from their routine, must be carried out on WS to prove our contentions.

287-291

Authors: Vivek Sharma*

Ageing is a universal biological fact and a natural process. It begins from the day we are born, or perhaps even before. Of the world’s 580 million elderly, 77 million (22% of total) live in India. The increasing life expectancy of Indians, in the last decade, is likely to result in an increase in age-related disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common disorder of geriatric population, is a chronic, progressive, untreatable neurodegenerative disorder characterized by apraxia, aphasia, agnosia and severe cognitive deficits. Several behavioural changes like anxiety, hallucinations, depression and delusions are also experienced. Lot of progress has been made regarding understanding the pathological pathways involved, yet the available therapy only provide symptomatic relief but do not stop progression of disease. Several of key areas have been recognised and out of them inflammation has been regarded as inseparable and crucial factor involved. Interleukin-1 is a key molecule in systemic immune responses in health and disease and has analogous roles in the brain where it contributes to neuronal degeneration by energy dysfunction and triggering production of other cytokines, nitric oxide and others. IL-1 over expression is also associated with rheumatoid arthritis, vascular dementia, diabetes mellitus, periodontitis, systemic sclerosis, autoimmune encephalomyelitis and cerebral infarction. Present review is an effort to present IL-1 as potential therapeutic target in treatment of Alzheimer’s disease by linking it with several of pathological factors like amyloidβ, neurofibrillary tangles, neuron loss and cholinergic dysfunction.

297-302

Authors: Aliasgar J. Kundawalaa*, Vishnu A. Patelb, Harsha V. Patela, Dhaglaram Choudharya

The objective of the present study was to prepare microspheres with small size and good sphericity by spray drying technology using Isoniazid (INH) as model drug, chitosan as encapsulating polymer; lactose and L Leucine as bulking and dispersing agent respectively. Influence of formulation components on physical properties and aerosol performance were studied. The spray dried powders obtained were characterized for morphological characteristics, compatibility using scanning electron microscopy and Differential Scanning calorimetery respectively. Tapped density; bulk density and aerosol properties like Fine particle fraction, mass median aerodynamic diameter etc were also evaluated. The smooth microspheres with particle size ranging between 4 to 6 µm were obtained. The drug content of chitosan microspheres loaded with Isoniazid were in the range of 88 % to 108 %. The drug release studies showed that more than 90% of drug released from the chitosan microsphere matrix within one hour. The fine particle fraction observed between 55 to 67 % which indicate good lung deposition. Results of Fine particle fraction also revealed addition of L Leucine found to enhance powder dispersibility.

309-312

Authors: V. Vanitha, K. J. Umadevi, K. Vijayalakshmi*

Annona squamosa Linn, commonly known as Sugar apple, belonging to the family Annonaceae, is said to show varied medicinal effects, including insecticide, antiovulatory and abortifacient. Hence the present investigation was carried out to determine the chemical composition of Annona squamosa leaf extract using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry technique, while the mass spectra of the compounds found in the extract was matched with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library. GC-MS analysis of Annona squamosa leaf extract revealed the existence of Sodium benzoate (27.50%), 4, 4-Tert- Butylcalix(4)arene (12.34 %), 4, 4- Dimethylcholesterol (10.30%), Butyloctylpthalate (9.67%), stigmasterol acetate (2.92%), isoamylacetyate (2.29%) justifying the use of this plant to treat many ailments in folk and herbal medicine.

319-322

Authors: Vijay Nigam1, Padmaa M Paarakh2*

The effect of alcoholic extract of Chenopodium album Linn. (Chenopodiaceae) was investigated in rats to evaluate the anti-ulcer activity by using three models, i.e., pyloric ligation, ethanol and cold restraint stress induced ulcers. Ranitidine was used as reference standard. The parameters taken to assess anti-ulcer activity were volume of gastric secretion, pH, free acidity, total acidity and ulcer index. The results indicate that the alcoholic extract significantly decreases the volume of gastric acid secretion, free acidity, total acidity and ulcer index with respect to control. Sections of ulcerated area revealed that there was a significant increase in regenerated glandular epithelium width after treatment with the alcohol extract. The collagen content in the ulcerated tissue was significantly increased by alcohol extract and ranitidine, showing the maximum effect. No significant difference on capillary density in scar tissue was observed after treatment with alcohol extract or ranitidine.

327-330

Authors: H. Sumathy, J. Sangeetha, K. Vijayalakshmi*

Ixora coccinea (R.) belonging to the Rubiaceae family is an ornamental plant claimed for the management of oral cancer and one of ingredients in curing different ailments. The present investigation was carried out to determine the chemical composition of Ixora coccinea methanolic flower extract using HPLC, HPTLC and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry technique. HPLC analysis of Ixora cocccinea methanolic flower extract revealed the presence of Biochin A, Myricetin, Quercetin, Rutin, Diadzein and formononetin, HPTLC fingerprint revealed the presence of ursolic acid and GC-MS with 24 phytochemicals among which some are of biological importance. The result of this study offers a platform for using Ixora coccinea pharmacologically.

338-341

Authors: Mohammad Khalid*, Hefazat H. Siddiqui

Saccharum spontaneum L. known as Kasa (Family: Poaceae) is a traditional herb, it has excellence medicinal value; has been advocated in the treatment gynaecological troubles, respiratory disease. Roots are used as galactagogue and diuretic and in ayurveda system roots are also used as astringent, emollient, refrigerant, diuretic, purgative, tonic, aphrodisiac and useful in treatment of dyspepsia, burning sensation, piles and sexual weakness. Various parameters like macroscopy, microscopy, fluorescence analysis as well as extractive value and quantitative phytochemical screening of different extractives were studied. The major components of the extractives like total phenolic, total flavonoids were also estimated respectively. The characteristic of microscopy, physicochemical, fluorescence analysis and quantitative chemical screening were performed in root extractives of the plant material as a mean of authentication.