Pharmacognostic and physicochemical analysis of the leaves of Fadogia andersonii Robyns (Rubiaceae)

Fadogia andersonii has long been used in Africa in treatment of diseases including inflammation, arthritis, malaria and as aphrodisiac. The use and demand of this medicinal plants has been growing over long period of time. This study was carried out to determine some important pharmacognostic parameters of F. andersonii leaf. Evaluation of the fresh, powdered leaves was carried out to determine the macro-morphological, qualitative and quantitative microscopic, chemomicroscopic features, physicochemical properties and elemental analysis of the leaves. The leaves are pinnate opposite arranged, oblique lamina, glabrous appearance, elliptical in shape, entire margin with reticulate venation. The microscopy revealed straight polygonal wall of epidermal cells, paracytic stomata, unicellular trichomes, xylem, phloem, prismatic & druse crystals, and starch grains. Chemomicroscopy revealed presence of cellulose, cutin, lignin, tannins, starch, calcium oxalate crystals and gum & mucilage. The physicochemical parameters for the leaves estimated include moisture contents (13.11%), total ash value (5.67%), water soluble ash (1.33%), acid insoluble ash (2.00%), water extractive values (13.33%) and alcohol extractive values (10.67%). Elemental analysis revealed the presence of iron, copper, manganese, zinc, nickel, and lead. The pharmacognostic standard observed in this study will be of help in correct identification and quality control of F. andersonii

Evaluation of phytochemicals and anti-inflammatory effects on methanol extracts of Aeschynomene uniflora

Studies on Aeschynomene uniflora was carried out with the aim to establish scientific validation by evaluating the phytochemical constituents, toxicity and anti-inflammatory effects of the Methanol extract in order to probe its ethnomedical uses. Various phytochemical constituents from the plant were evaluated using standard method which reveals the presence of carbohydrates, cardiac glycoside, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, triterpenes and tannins were present in the crude extract. Toxicity studies by using oral route showed no death in any group even at 5000 mg/ kg indicating its safety. Anti- inflammatory effects indicates its efficacy in which the dose at 1000 mg/kg showed more activity compared to Control followed by 250 mg/kg and then 500 mg/kg. The results obtained in this present study indicates the plant to have the potential to act as a source of useful drugs because of the presence of various primary and secondary metabolites. The results were very much encouraging but more scientific validation is necessary before being put into practice.Keywords: Aeschynomene uniflora, Anti-inflammatory, Phytochemicals, Toxicit

Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease among African migrant and refugee adults in Melbourne

Migration to industrialised countries poses a &ldquo;double whammy&rdquo; for type 2 diabetes among sub-Saharan African migrant and refugee adults. This population group has been found to be at an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, which may be further aggravated by inadequate vitamin D status. Thus, this study aimed to describe the demographics of vitamin D insufficiency, obesity, and risk factors for type 2 diabetes among sub-Saharan African migrants and refugees aged 20 years or older living in Melbourne, Australia (n=49). Data were obtained by a questionnaire, medical assessment, and fasting blood samples. The mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 27.3 nmol/L (95% CI: 22.2, 32.4 nmol/L); with 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels &lt;50 nmol/L occurring in 88% of participants. Participants displayed a cluster of risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease: 62% were overweight or obese, 47% had insulin resistance (HOMA-IR &ge;2), 25% had low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels &ge;3.5 mmol/L, 24.5% had high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels &le;1.03 mmol/L, 34.6% had borderline or high levels of total cholesterol (&ge;5.2 mmol/L), 18.2% had borderline or high levels of triglyceride (&ge;1.7 mmol/L), and 16% had hypertension (systolic blood pressure &ge;140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure &ge;90 mmHg). These findings suggest that sub-Saharan African migrants and refugees may be at risk of type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis-related diseases such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Well-designed vitamin D interventions that incorporate lifestyle changes are urgently needed in this sub-population.<br /

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF RITONAVIR HOLLOW MICROBALLOONS FOR FLOATING DRUG DELIVERY

Objective: Ritonavir is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitor used as the antiretroviral agent. The objective of the present investigation was to formulate and evaluate Ritonavir gastro-retentive floating microballoons for controlled release. Methods: Five batches of microballoons were prepared by the emulsion solvent diffusion method. The resultant microballoons were evaluated for percentage yield, entrapment efficiency, particle size, and in vitro drug release, stability study. Results: The densities of floating microspheres were found to be less than the density of gastric fluid (1.004 g/cm3). The entrapment efficiency of prepared floating microspheres was satisfactory (68.37 to 88.52%). Among all formulations, FM1 prepared with polymer HPMC was found to be the best as it exhibited highest drug release (89.07%) in 12 hrs and was stable for three months at ambient conditions. Conclusion: Study concludes that Ritonavir can be delivered in the form of floating hollow microballoons in an efficient way. Based on different evaluation parameters, formulations of batch FM1 were found to an optimum formulation. Peer Review History: Received 5 April 2017; &nbsp;&nbsp;Revised 9 May; Accepted 12 May, Available online 15 May 2017 Academic Editor: Ahmad Najib, Universitas Muslim Indonesia,&nbsp; Indonesia, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 3.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.5/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Maha Khalifa Ahmed Khalifa, Al-Azhar Universit - Cairo, Egypt, [email protected] Prof. Dr. Amani S. Awaad, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj. KSA., [email protected] Similar Articles: FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ETORICOXIB MICROBEADS FOR SUSTAINED DRUG DELIVERY FORMULATION AND IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF FLOATING MICROBALLOONS OF STAVUDINE FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF IBUPROFEN GASTRO-RETENTIVE FLOATING TABLET

Morphological, anatomical and molecular characterisation of the leaves of Isoberlinia doka Craib and Stapf and Isoberlinia tomentosa (Harms) Craib and Stapf

Background: Isoberlinia (Craib and Stapf) is a genus with high economic and pharmacological values. Aim: This study aimed at establishing the morphological, anatomical and molecular characterisation of the leaves of I. doka and I. tomentosa, which were conducted for proper authentication. Setting: The leaves of I. doka and I. tomentosa were obtained from Shika, kaduna State, Nigeria. Method: Morphological and anatomical characters were determined according to standard procedures, while molecular identifications were performed using ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcl) gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) DNA barcode’s region. Result: Morphological studies revealed similar features for both species except for the shiny leaves of I. doka and rough abaxial surfaces of I. tomentosa because of the presence of trichomes. Variations were observed in their epidermal features, stomatal index, stomata frequency, presence or absence of trichomes, trichomes frequency and their quantitative anatomical features. The quantity and quality of DNA measured at A260/280 ratio using nanodrop spectrophotometer were 29.1 ng/μL and 1.74 ng/μL for I. doka, respectively, while the I. tomentosa concentration and purity were 71.1 ng/μL and 1.85 ng/μL, respectively. Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed two DNA bands with 700 bp (rbcl) and 600 bp (ITS). The sequence analysis revealed maximum identity with National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) GeneBank Isoberlinia species. Evolutionary analysis supported the monophyletic origin of the genus Isoberlinia. The morphological and anatomical characters of I. doka and I. tomentosa leaves have provided a significant taxonomy tool for proper authentication of this plant. Conclusion: The findings ascertained that ITS and rbcl served as an improved and efficient tool for species identification of these studied species and could serve as potential DNA barcodes for these taxa. Contribution: This article suggests that further studies the on screening of these plants, for various pharmacological potentials, might be useful for new drug development

Overview of IFMIF-DONES diagnostics: Requirements and techniques

The IFMIF-DONES Facility is a unique first-class scientific infrastructure whose construction is foreseen in Granada, Spain, in the coming years. Strong integration efforts are being made at the current project phase aiming at harmonizing the ongoing design of the different and complex Systems of the facility. The consolidation of the Diagnostics and Instrumentation, transversal across many of them, is a key element of this purpose. A top-down strategy is proposed for a systematic Diagnostics Review and Requirement definition, putting emphasis in the one-of-a-kind instruments necessary by the operational particularities of some of the Systems, as well as to the harsh environment that they shall survive. In addition, other transversal aspects such as the ones related to Safety and Machine Protection and their respective requirements shall be also considered. The goal is therefore to advance further and solidly in the respective designs, identify problems in advance, and steer the Diagnostics development and validation campaigns that will be required. The present work provides an overview of this integration strategy as well as a description of some of the most challenging Diagnostics and Instruments within the facility, including several proposed techniques currently under study

Pharmacognostic Studies and Elemental Analysis of the Surface Structures of the Seeds of Colocynthis Citrullus (Thunb)

The plant Colocynthis citrullus Thunb. family Cucurbitaceae, found in northern Nigeria and in most tropical and sub-tropical countries, is eaten as food as well as employed ethno-medically in the treatment of various ailments. These include; remedy for jaundice, ascites and rheumatism. The aim of this study is to determine some of the pharmacognostic characters of the seeds of Colocynthis-citrulus. The macroscopic, microscopic, organoleptic and chemomicroscopic characters as well as the numerical standards, preliminary phytochemical screening and elemental analysis of the seeds were determined. The microscopical studies using electron microscope (SEM) shows the general characteristic of the seeds with presence of parenchyma cells having irregular polygonal cells, the anticlinal cell walls having undulated boundaries and the periclinal cell walls having flat micro papillae. The results of the numerical standards showed the moisture content, total ash, acid insoluble ash, water and alcohol extractive values of 13.5, 6.8, 1.4, 22 and 11 respectively. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroidal glycosides and flavonoids while the elemental analysis shows the presence of important metals such as lead, nickel and zinc. The study of the pharmacognostic-characters, elemental analysis and phytochemical assessment of C. citrullus-may be useful towards the standardization of the plant

Metal constituents and effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on some haematological parameters in rats

The air–dried powdered leaf of Moringa oleiferawas analysed using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) transmission emission technique. It was found to contain Ca (1.29X 104±500ppm), K (7.2X103±600ppm), S (3.8X1014±500ppm), Fe (4.53 X 102±21ppm) and Cl (1.44X102±15 ppm). A total of 24 albino rats (Wistar strain) Rattus norvegecus, were grouped into four A, B, C, D and fed orally with modified diet containing 25% w/ w, 50% w/w and 75% w/w powdered leaves of Moringa oleifera, mixed with standard livestock feed (Feed Master® grower mash) for 93 days. The control group D, was fed with standard diet alone. At the end of the experiment, it was observed that the mean parked cell volume (%) were 54.2 and 47.6 for 50%and 75% group respectively and the control was 51.5; the mean Haemoglobin (gm/ dl) were 17.9 and 15.8 for 50% and 75% groups respectively, the control group was 17.1; the mean total protein (mg/ 100ml) were 8.2 and 7.3 for the 50% and 75% groups respectively with 9.0 for the control group; the mean neutrophils (%) were 19.8 and 24.6 for 50% and 75% respectively and the control was 16.7. Even though these results revealed no significant difference between the treated and the controlled group animals (