PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF PIPER BETLE LINN LEAF

Objective: The present work has been done to establish various pharmacognostical, physicochemical and phytochemical parameters of the leaf of Piper betle Linn. (Bangla variety) belonging to family Piperaceae. This could serve as a measure of authentication and quality control of the crude drug. Methods: Organoleptic, anatomical, microscopic, physicochemical analysis and preliminary phytochemical investigation of leaves were performed. Petroleum ether (40-60 °C), chloroform, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of P. betle dried leaves powder were prepared by using continuous hot percolation technique for phytochemical screening. Results: Presence of cyclocytic stomata and abundant secretory cells in mesophyll cells are main diagnostic characters of the leaf. Various physicochemical parameters like ash values and extractive values were determined. Phytochemical investigation of an ethanolic and aqueous extract of leaves showed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, phytosterols, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, volatile oil, tannins and phenols. However, petroleum ether and chloroform extract of leaves showed positive tests only for phytosterols and alkaloids. Conclusion: Study of various macroscopic, histological characters and physicochemical constants can serve as a rapid, effective, inexpensive method for identification and standardization of P. betle Linn leaves. the qualitative phytochemical investigation revealed ethanolic and aqueous extract of leaf contained a large number of plant secondary metabolites, which are of great therapeutic value. Therefore, aqueous and ethanolic extracts of P. betle Linn. leaves of Bangla variety can be used for isolating useful secondary plant metabolites for future drug discovery purpose. Keywords: Epidermis, Mesophyll cells, Microscopy, Piperaceae, Piper betle, Standardizatio

Effect of predrying treatments on the retention of quality characteristics of green peas (Pisum sativum L.) cv. Lincoln during mechanical drying

An experiment was conducted to standardize the predrying treatments with minimum loss to physicochemical characteristics of green peas (Pisum sativum L.) cv. Lincoln during drying process. In this study, moisture content (73%), TSS (15oB), chlorophyll content (28mg/100g) and ascorbic acid (54mg/100g) were recorded in green peas. Different predrying treatments used in this study for quality preservation of peas were T0, T1 and T2. From this study, it was concluded that Na2CO3, NaCl and sugars were responsible for the preservation of green color/ chlorophyll in peas during drying. On the basis of sensory evaluation T2 was found best among all because maximum green color was retained in this treatment. Therefore, it was further selected for physico-chemical analysis After drying there was decrease in moisture content (4%), chlorophyll content (17mg/100g) and ascorbic acid content (37.6mg /100g) while increase in TSS (22oB), reducing sugars (8.3%) and total sugars (20%) of peas. A rehydration ratio of 3:1 was observed for this treatment. This is a low cost technology for preservation of quality of peas. Dried peas can further be utilized for the preparation of various value added instant products round the year

Studies on development and storage stability of dehydrated pumpkin based instant soup mix

The study was carried out to develop and standardize Instant Soup Mix (ISM) from dehydrated pumpkin powder and to evaluate nutritional (moisture, sugars, protein, ?-carotene, fat, fibre and water activity) and sensory qualities (colour, texture, flavour and overall acceptability) for determining its shelf-life during a period of six month. It was packed in aluminium laminated pouches and was analyzed periodically for changes in quality. Among various recipes optimized for the development of soup mix, soup mix containing 20g pumpkin powder, 5g moong dhal, 15g tomato powder, 11.4g spices (salt and black pepper) and condiments (onion, garlic and ginger powder), 2g dried pea, 2g dried spinach, and 2g dried carrot was selected as base recipe for addition of different starch source viz. rice, corn and potato @ 10 g. From the nutritional analysis, it was observed that corn based Instant Soup Mix had higher ?-carotene (7.01 mg/100 g) and protein (12.65 %) content, while fibre (2.09 %) was higher in soup mix containing rice starch. It was observed that on the basis of sensory evaluation corn based soup mix was more acceptable. Therefore, results of nutrition and sensory evaluation indicated that a good quality ISM can be prepared by using corn starch. During the six month of storage, there was about 5.49 per cent increase in moisture, 3.16 and 5.27 per cent decrease in protein and ?-carotene, respectively, along with slight losses in total sugars, fat and sensory quality. Further, the product was stable for 6 months under ambient condition

Optimization of pulping method for extraction of pulp from ripe persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) and its stability during storage

Persimmon fruit (Diospyros kaki L.) is a highly nutritious fruit with bestowed antioxidant properties. But due to its perishable nature, it is produced for a very shorter period of time. Preservation of fruit in the form of pulp acts as a suitable method to provide availability of the fruit throughout the year. The main objective of this investigation was to develop persimmon pulp from the cold and hot pulping method and to assess the best preservation method for storage. Among six different treatments in cold pulping method (T1 to T3 x 2), treatment T2 (10 % water) and among 18 different treatment in hot pulping method (T1 to T9 x 2), treatment T5 (10 % water + 10 minutes cooking time) using fruit with peel was selected on the basis of nutritional and sensory attributes. Further, the pulp was preserved via heat and chemical methods. Among six different treatments, T5 (Pulp + pasteurization + 1000 ppm potassium metabisulphite (KMS) in glass bottles) was found to be best in the type of pulp. This treatment was able to retain the maximum amount of ascorbic acid (13.733 and 8.043 mg/100 g), ?-carotene (173 and 86 µg/100 g) and total phenols (3.093 and 2.873 mg/100 g), respectively during storage of 6 months. Hence, it can be suggested from the study that nutritionally rich persimmon pulp can be prepared with better storage stability which can be used by both small and large scale industries at a lower cost of production

Advances in Solid Dispersion Techniques for Enhancing Drug Solubility, Bioavailability and Controlled Release

Solid dispersion (SD) refers to the dispersion of active ingredients, whether one or more, within inert carriers in a solid state. This is achieved through methods like fusion, solvent, or solvent fusion. The solid dispersion technique is particularly valuable for enhancing the solubility of inadequately soluble drugs, particularly those falling under BCS Class II. This technique involves the utilization of carriers such as polyethylene glycol 4000, urea, and polyvinylpyrrolidone K 30 to improve the drug's solubility and dissolution properties. The method of solid dispersion has been utilized to improve the solubility, dissolution, and bioavailability of various natural drug components. Furthermore, solid dispersion has been investigated as a strategy for developing natural drug products with controlled or sustained release characteristics. The mechanism of action of this delivery system relies on the specific type of solid dispersion, as well as the interactions among the drugs, carriers, and other components incorporated into the formulation. Currently, there are various methods accessible for characterizing SDs, including X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, FTIR spectroscopy, and dissolution testing, among others. The pharmaceutical uses of the Solid Dispersion technique encompass: augmenting drug absorption, achieving a uniform distribution of a small drug quantity in a solid state, and safeguarding unstable drugs by mitigating processes like hydrolysis, oxidation, and photooxidation

Magnesium Sulfate and Fentanyl for Facilitating Awake Fiberoptic Nasotracheal Intubation: A Randomized Study

Background: Various drugs have been used to facilitate awake fiberoptic intubation (AFOI). Although fentanyl is probably used most frequently, magnesium sulfate can provide muscle relaxation without respiratory depression and attenuate hemodynamic responses. Methods: We randomly allocated 20 patients of both sexes, aged 18 - 60 years, and ASA status I-II to receive fentanyl 2 g/kg (group F) ormagnesiumsulfate 45mg/kg (groupM) before AFOI. The intubating conditionswere evaluated by Ramsay sedation score (RSS), cough score, post-intubation score, additional topicalization requirement, and hemodynamic response. Oxygen desaturation, airway morbidity, recall of procedure, and the patient’s willingness to return for the same kind of anesthesia, if required, were also studied. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS V. 17.0 software. Numerical data were analyzed using independent and paired t-tests and categorical data using the chi-square test. P values of < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: RSS, cough score, post-intubation score, lignocaine dose, airway-related morbidity, and willingness to undergo the same kindof anesthesia for a secondtimewere comparablebetweenthe twogroups. Bothdrugshadcomparable effectsonhemodynamic response to intubation. However, the incidence of recall of the procedure was significantly lower in group F (P = 0.003). Conclusions: The degree of coughing during fiberoptic bronchoscopy, tolerance of the endotracheal tube after intubation, and the hemodynamic response to intubationwere similar after the administration of either fentanyl 2 g/kg ormagnesiumsulfate 45 mg/kg

Photocatalytic Study of Mo/N co-doped Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Nanoparticles Under Visible Light Irradiation

Undoped TiO2 and Mo/N co-doped TiO2 nanoparticles have been fabricated by sol gel technique. The average particle size of nanoparticles was calculated from the line broadening of (101) peak of XRD pattern and further verified by High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) are in good agreement. The decrease in particle size 28.5 to 15.0 nm was observed with increase of molybdenum concentration. The surface morphology of all samples was studied by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy shows small agglomeration. The optical band gap energy was calculated using UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and found to decrease in increase of doping concentration. The presence of defect levels caused by oxygen vacancies has been confirmed by Photoluminescence spectra. The emission bands observed at 453.9, 470.6, 485.7, 495.8 and 535 nm could be arising from surface states. The phase composition and elemental analysis of synthesized samples was estimated from Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The effect of doping concentration on structural formation was studied by FTIR spectroscopy. The Photocatalytic activity of synthesized samples for degradation of Congo red (CR) and Methyl orange (MO) dyes as standard pollutants was investigated under visible light source. The increase in doping concentration causes enhance in photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanoparticles which is attributed from the decrease in electron-hole pair recombination rates. The degradation efficiency against congo red dye is very high compared to methyl orange dye. These observations suggest that co-doped synthesized nanoparticles are suitable for complete degradation of congo red dye and are not able to degrade methyl orange dye

Photocatalytic Degradation of Congo Red and Methyl Orange Dye Under Visible Light Using Silver and Iron co-doped TiO2 Nanoparticles

325-334In the present report TiO2 nanoparticles co-doped with iron and different mol % of silver have been successfully synthesized by sol-gel route and studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), UV-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and FTIR spectroscopy. The XRD data analysis confirms the formation of mixed phases of TiO2 (anatase) and Ag2O phase. The crystalline size was vary from 48.0 nm to 44.6 nm determined from XRD further verified from TEM micrograph. The EDXS measurements suggest that iron is completely incorporated however silver has not incorporated into TiO2 matrix. The optical band gap of the prepared nanoparticles was calculated by UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy using Tauc-Davis and Mott expression and found to varying from 2.92 to 2.30 eV. The absorption bands in the UV-visible spectra shift towards higher wave length region and appearance of emission bands in PL spectra confirms the formation of energy substates in the forbidden gap of the prepared samples. TEM micrographs showed that prepared nanoparticles are somewhat spherical in shape. The formation of different functional groups and bonds in the structure of synthesized nanoparticles as observed in FTIR spectra helps in degradation of organic dyes (congo red and methyl orange) and enhance the photocatalytic activity under visible light. It is observed that the higher doping concentration of silver causes to decrease the band gap energy as a result the carrier recombination rate decreases and therefore enhance the degradation efficiency

Comparative study on physical characteristics and nutritional composition of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) at different stages of maturity

Present day scientists are paying more attention towards developing new value-added products from underutilized crops for economic growth in agriculture system. Therefore, present experiment was undertaken to explicate the nutritional potential of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) at different stage of maturity until it is fully mature and ripe. Variation in different physico-biochemical properties,for example moisture content, sugars, titratable acidity (TA), crude proteins, crude fat, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, pectin and fibre in flesh, peel and seeds of fruit provides the better understanding for its utilization in preparation of various products. The firmness of pumpkin increased from 4.94 lbs/inch2 at 15 DAA (Days after antesis) to 22.50 lbs/inch2 at ripe stage during maturity. β-carotene content of flesh increased from 1.34 to13.30 mg/100g and 26.26 while quantity ascorbic acid in flesh of fruit declined from 26.46 to 13.16 mg/100 g at 15 DAA to ripe stage.In seeds crude fat increased from 5.43 to 50.24% and protein increase was found to be from 4.10 to 19.56%. Pectin content (as calcium pectate) of flesh and peel increased from 0.56 to 1.89 and 0.78 to 2.15%, respectively from 15 DAA to 45 DAA and at later stage it decreased. The knowledge about physic-chemical quality of pumpkin at different stage of maturity would help in selecting right stage of fruit maturity for its utilization in acceptable manner

A quest for staunch effects of flavonoids: Utopian protection against hepatic ailments

The role of flavonoids as the major red, blue and purple pigments in plants has gained these secondary products a great deal of attention over the years. Flavonoids are polyphenols and occur as aglycones, glycosides and methylated derivatives. Flavonoids are the main components of a healthy diet containing fruits and vegetables and are concentrated especially in tea, apples and onions. Till date, more than 6000 flavonoids have been discovered, out of which 500 are found in free state. They are abundant in polygonaceae, rutaceae, leguminosae, umbelliferae and compositae. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants. In addition to their role in nutrition, flavonoids possess many types of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, hepatoprotective, vasorelaxant, antiviral and anticarcinogenic effects. The present review is focused on flavonoids derived from natural products that have shown a wise way to get a true and potentially rich source of drug candidates against liver ailments. The present review initially highlights the current status of flavonoids and their pharmaceutical significance, role of flavonoids in hepatoprotection, therapeutic options available in herbal medicines and in later section, summarizes flavonoids as lead molecules, which have shown significant hepatoprotective activities