Hygeia journal for drugs and medicines

14-21

Authors: D. Varghese, N. Sabarwal P, Mane. N Jonwal .S. Jain

In the present study three medicinal plants Vitex negundo Linn (Verbenaceae), Bryophyllum pinnatum Linn (Crassulaceae) and Centella asiatica (Umbelliferae) reported to have significant analgesic potential were selected to be formulated as polyherbal gels with and without permeation enhancers and were investigated for their antinociceptive potential. The dried finely ground herbs were extracted in distilled water and combined in different ratios and incorporated in 5% gel base of carbopol 934 (GF1-GF15). Antinociceptive activity was evaluated using two animal models, viz. acetic acid induced a writhing response and formalin-induced hind paw licking and was compared against control and standard diclofenac diethylamine gel (1.16%). All the formulations significantly (P<0.001) reduced the number of abdominal constrictions and stretching of hind limbs induced by the injection of acetic acid. The topical application of polyherbal gel formulations GF1-GF15 significantly (P<0.001) inhibited the licking time induced by the injection of formalin. The study established these polyherbal gels as suitable alternatives to synthetic analgesic agents.

28-38

Authors: Shanish Antony A*, Partha DebRoy , Vadivelan R , Jaysankar K , Vikram M , Nandini S , Sundeep M , Elango K , Suresh B .

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, primarily affecting people of ages over 45-55 years, although young adults and even children can also be affected. The gold standard drug for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease is L-DOPA, but various studies have proved that the treatment with L-DOPA leads to the death of surviving dopaminergic neurons in the CNS1. Hence we have approached to counteract the toxicities of L-DOPA therapy by co-administration of Tinospora cordifolia crude powder. On the zero-day each animal were given with an intraperitoneal (ip) injection of 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) (20mg/kg) and after 48 hours the animals were treated with L-DOPA or L-DOPA plus Tinospora cordifolia crude powder up to 30 days. At the end of the study period, we have evaluated the level of anxiety, grip strength, and mitochondrial complex-I activity. The results revealed that the co-administration of Tinospora cordifolia crude powder protected the dopaminergic neurons when compared with Sham operated control group. In conclusion, we would like to state that the treatment with Tinospora cordifolia crude powder could reduce the toxicities of L-DOPA therapy for Parkinson’s disease.

46-53

Authors: Lakshmi devi .S*, Madhu. C. Divakar

The research work was conducted with the leaf solvent extracts of Wrightia arborea and Wrightia tinctoria to make toxicological profiles by employing Brine Shrimp Assay method (BSA) (Artemia Salina LEACH).. The LC50 values were determined for both the plant solvent extracts respectively in mg/ml of active compounds and extracts. It was found that the leaf ethanolic and methanolic extracts were toxic for the Brine Shrimp Naupli. The results indicated that Wrightia tinctoria leaf ethanol (70%) extract and methanolic extract showed LC50 values of 471.604 and 517.038 mg/ml respectively.While the Wrightia arborea leaf ethanol (70%) extract and methanolic extracts showed LC50 values of 498.213 and 531.082 mg/ml respectively. The remaining solvent extracts showed no toxicity (as found more than 1000 mg/ml) in BSA method.

57-62

Authors: Gayathri P, *Gayathri Devi S, Sivagami Srinivasan, Saroja S

Helicteres isora is a medium sized tree abundantly found in the hills and forests, well known for its use in traditional medicine. The fruit and bark are said to possess several medicinal values. Hence the present study was designed to screen and quantify selected phytochemicals (polyphenols, tannins, total carotenoids, flavonoids) and proximate principles (carbohydrates, protein, fiber, minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron). Results indicate that the fruit contained more amounts of polyphenols (317.7 mg/100g), ascorbic acid (80.0 mg / 100g) and carotenoids (1.7 mg / 100g) than the bark. The bark contained more amounts of tannins (205.1mg / 100g), flavonoids (42.0 mg / 100 g), α-tocopherol (44.0 mg / 100g) and reduced glutathione (184.6 mg / 100g) when compared to the fruit. Among the nutrients, the fruit contained more phosphorus (103.6 mg / 100g) and the bark contained appreciable quantities of total carbohydrates (41.8 mg / 100g), calcium (526.7 mg / 100g) and iron (35.2 mg / 100g) than the fruit. Appreciable quantities of the phytochemicals and nutraceuticals may attribute to the medicinal and nutritive values of Helicteres isora.