PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF THE PLANT LEUCAS ASPERA

ABSTRACTObjective: Leucas aspera (Willd.) Linn. is a herbaceous annual distributed throughout India from the Himalayas down to Ceylon. This study was aimedto investigate the pharmacognostical, phytochemical characteristics, and heavy metal content of the aerial parts of L. aspera.Methods: The aerial parts of the plant were subjected to macroscopical and microscopical characterization, followed by physicochemical evaluationsusing standardized procedures. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) of the dried plant powder was done to determine the metal and mineralcontent. Preliminary phytochemical screening and metabolite analysis of the hydroalcoholic extract of L. aspera (HAELA) were also performed toanalyze the various phytoconstituents.Results: In this study, the microscopic characteristics of L. aspera were found to be consistent with earlier reports. The total ash value was relativelyhigh (11.5% w/w). Alcohol soluble and water-soluble extractive values were found to be 6.5% and 9%, respectively. AAS indicated the plant tocontain insignificant quantities of heavy metals and considerable amounts of copper, sodium, potassium, and iron. Phytochemical analysis revealedthe presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, lignins, phenols, saponins, sterols, and tannins in HAELA.Conclusion: The pharmacognosy - anatomical, physicochemical, heavy metal characteristics, and the preliminary phytochemical studies of the aerialparts of L. aspera have revealed the presence of phytoconstituents such as triterpenoids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and glycosides; insignificantquantities of heavy metals and significant content of phenolics and tannins in the plant.Keywords: Leucas aspera, Ash value, Heavy metal content, Atomic absorption spectroscopy

ANTIPROLIFERATIVE EFFECTS OF PSIDIUM GUAJAVA LEAF EXTRACT ON ORAL SQUAMOUS CARCINOMA CELLS

Objective: Cancer is the major cause of mortality affecting population irrespective of age. Oral cancer is one among the various cancers affecting major population in India. To overcome toxicity of chemotherapy and disfiguration by surgical procedures, researchers are targeting phytochemicals for their anticancer properties. This study evaluates the antiproliferative effects of Psidium guajava leaf extract against OSC cells. Methods: KB cells were purchased from NCCS, Pune. Extract from leaves of P. guajava was prepared with ethanol and evaluated with high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Antiproliferative effects of the extract were assessed with 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl--tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry. Results: HPTLC revealed the presence of quercetin in the extract. MTT assay showed decreasing pattern in cell viability with the increasing dose of extract. Flow cytometry revealed the seizing of cycle by the extract. Conclusion: The study results conclude the presence of antiproliferative properties in the leaf extract of P. guajava

Ghrelin and its Association with Nutritional and Inflammatory Status of Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis in a South Indian Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Malnutrition and inflammation are associated with morbidity and mortality in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Ghrelin, an orexigenic peptide hormone, is speculated to be associated with nutritional and inflammatory status in MHD. Aim: To assess the serum total ghrelin levels and its possible relationship with inflammation and nutritional status in patients on MHD. Subjects and Methods: The study was conducted on 90 patients on MHD for 6 months and above (56 males, 34 females, mean age 52.6 [11.7] years; mean dialysis vintage 20.9 [12.1] months) and 70 healthy volunteers as control (5 males, 25 females, mean age 50.6 [9.7] years). Demographics were obtained for the study population, and dialysis‑related data were collected for cases. Anthropometry, biochemical parameters, serum total ghrelin and inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor‑alpha (TNF‑α), and high‑sensitivity C‑reactive protein (hsCRP) were assessed for cases and control. Self‑reported appetite (five questions of appetite and diet assessment tool) and nutritional status (subjective global assessment‑dialysis malnutrition score) were assessed for cases. Results: Ghrelin (242.5 [62.3] pg/mL vs. 80.2 [19.6] pg/mL; P < 0.001), TNF‑α (39.8 [15.2] pg/mL vs. 6.5 [1.2] pg/mL; P < 0.001), hsCRP (10.2 [2.8] mg/L vs. 2.7 [0.54] mg/L; P < 0.001) were significantly elevated in cases versus control, anthropometry, and biochemical parameters were significantly decreased in hemodialysis patient. Of 90 cases, (13/90 [14.4%]) were well‑nourished, (28/90 [31%]) mild to moderately malnourished, and (49/90 [54.4%]) were moderate to severely malnourished. Appetite was very good for 14.4%, good and fair for 47.8%, poor and very poor for 37.8% patients. There was a significant difference in appetite with respect to nutritional status (P < 0.001). Ghrelin had positive correlation with inflammatory markers and negative correlation with nutritional status (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The study identified the association of ghrelin with appetite, nutritional, and inflammatory status of the patients on MHD.Keywords: Appetite, Ghrelin, Hemodialysis, Inflammation, Nutritional statu

Investigation of phytoconstituents of Cardiospermum halicacabum and its efficacy as a potential anti-cancer drug candidate

On the basis of the traditional knowledge of treating solid tumor using Cardiospermum halicacabum gained attention to carry out the present work. The preliminary screening for determination of cytotoxicity of successive extract of C halicacabum (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol) was performed through brine shrimp lethality assay and yeast growth rate cytotoxicity assay. Among the extracts, chloroform extract of C halicacabum exhibited highest cytotoxicity which was further investigated for anti-proliferative and cytotoxicity property in A-549 lung cancer cell line. Correspondingly, dose dependent effects on reduction of cell proliferation with prominent morphological abnormalities of A-549 cells were observed under treatment with chloroform extract. Hemocompatibility assessment of chloroform extract, by hemolysis assay, revealed its compatibility towards RBC which in turn may prevent heamolytic anemia (myelosuppression) the most adverse effects of cancer chemotherapy.  Phytoconstituents of chloroform extract responsible for the cytotoxicity, anti-proliferative and hemocompatibiltiy was assessed by several chromatographic methods such as TLC, Column chromatography and HPLC which revealed the presence of flavonoids in chloroform extract of C halicacabum. Apparently the isolated flavonoids, in consistence with chloroform extract, exhibited similar effect on inhibition of proliferation of tumor cell line A-549. Therefore it could be evidenced from the current study that the C halicacabum, with its predisposed flavonoids, possesses anti-cancer property with least adverse effect on heamolysis. However detailed investigation on regulation of tumor cell proliferation and hemocompatability is required to bring C halicacabum as a potential candidate for cancer therapy.    Keywords: C halicacabum, Anti-cancer, Toxicity, Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay, Hemolysis

Identification of Patala (Stereospermum colais and Stereospermum suaveolens roots) by pharmacognostic parameters - A plant drug in Dasamula

Stereospermum colais and Stereospermum suaveolens are known as "Patala" in Ayurveda and also a constituent of Dasamula. It is difficult to distinguish between the two species and hence it is difficult to identify genuine Patala. Both Stereospermum species looks alike in morphology with the exception of flower-color. So collection of the plant material from wild source as well as differentiating from the marketed sample is a challenge for the herbal industries to identify the genuine Patala. Hence, an attempt was made to compare the pharmacognostical and phytochemical parameters of the roots of S. colais and S. suaveolens. Macroscopy, microscopy, physico-chemical analysis and elemental analysis were carried out to standardize the roots. The salient diagnostic features identified to distinguish the plant species are heterocellular periderm and calcium oxalate druses in S. colais and multitype (Rhytidome) periderm and calcium oxalate raphides in S. suaveolens. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis and comparative HPTLC fingerprint analysis of various extracts of roots revealed their phytochemical composition. The standardization parameters developed here can be used as reference standard for correct identification of the plant. Further, it will act as a tool to detect adulterants and substituents consequently maintains the quality, reproducibility and efficacy of the plant material.

Free radical scavenging activity of Lantana aculeata root extract in hyperlipidemic rats.

Abstract: Lantana aculeata is a common weed that grows abundantly in many parts of India. The aerial part of the plant is reported to be toxic while the roots were found to be non-toxic when tested in albino rats. The alcoholic extract of the roots showed a significant hypolipidemic activity in normal rats. Hence the roots were studied for their free radical scavenging potential in hyperlipidemic animals by administering the alcoholic extract (LAR) in doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg for 30 days. The levels of LPO, non-enzymatic antioxidant (TRG) and enzymatic antioxidants viz. SOD, CAT and GPx that showed changes in diseased condition were reverted back to near normal values by LAR extract treatment of plasma, liver and heart tissues. The presence of flavonoids besides oleanolic acid in large amounts might have caused the observed effect

LABELING OF CLUSTERS BASED ON CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF TEXTURE MEASURES

It is well known that unsupervised classification of a single polarized SAR image is accomplished mainly by two steps i.e., (i) Clustering the SAR image into groups or clusters on the basis of backscattering coefficient and textures present in SAR image, and (ii) Labeling the various clusters in their respective class (For example, land cover types such as water, urban, agriculture or any other areas). In this context, labeling is termed as naming the various clusters or groups of pixels according to nature of the terrain as a certain land cover type it belongs to. Labeling of various clusters is a crucial and important aspect to identify various clusters in their original class (here, land cover class is assumed as class, whereas, in general, class may refer to any group of targets). It is still a challenging task to label the cluster without any a priori information. So, it is important to develop such a technique by which clusters can be labeled according to their class. Therefore, focus in this paper is to induct surface roughness with backscattering coefficient to label various clusters (i.e. major land cover types). We have proposed an empirical relation to estimate roughness parameters from the SAR image. Labeling of clusters was carried out on the basis of roughness parameters and backscattering coefficient

EFFECT OF CRUDE SULPHATED POLYSACCHARIDE FROM MARINE BROWN ALGAE IN TPA INDUCED INFLAMMATION ON POLY MORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTES

Objective: The present study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of crude sulphated polysaccharide from marine brown algae sargassum ilicifoliumMethods: The present study involves the investigation of crude sulphated polysaccharide from marine brown algae sargassum ilicifolium for anti-inflammatory activity by TPA [12- O- Techanoyl 13 – Myristate] induced inflammation in Polymorphonuclear leukocytes [PMNL]. T.h.e cell viability by Trypan blue dye exclusion assay, MTT assay, release of Cathepsin D, Nitrite, TNF-α levels was assessed. Diclofenac was used as the standard drug for comparison.Results: Crude sulphated polysaccharide were isolated from brown seaweed sargassum ilicifolium. Crude sulphated polysaccharide showed the significant increase in the number of viable PMNL cells. It has further reduced the release of Cathepsin D, Nitrite and TNF-α. The levels of which are increased during inflammatory conditions.Conclusion: Therefore our studies support the isolation and the use of sulphated polysaccharide in treating inflammation and rheumatism.Â

Identification of Patala (Stereospermum colais and Stereospermum suaveolens roots) by pharmacognostic parameters - A plant drug in Dasamula

547-556Stereospermum colais and Stereospermum suaveolens are known as "Patala" in Ayurveda and also a constituent of Dasamula. It is difficult to distinguish between the two species and hence it is difficult to identify genuine Patala. Both Stereospermum species looks alike in morphology with the exception of flower-color. So collection of the plant material from wild source as well as differentiating from the marketed sample is a challenge for the herbal industries to identify the genuine Patala. Hence, an attempt was made to compare the pharmacognostical and phytochemical parameters of the roots of S. colais and S. suaveolens. Macroscopy, microscopy, physico-chemical analysis and elemental analysis were carried out to standardize the roots. The salient diagnostic features identified to distinguish the plant species are heterocellular periderm and calcium oxalate druses in S. colais and multitype (Rhytidome) periderm and calcium oxalate raphides in S. suaveolens. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis and comparative HPTLC fingerprint analysis of various extracts of roots revealed their phytochemical composition. The standardization parameters developed here can be used as reference standard for correct identification of the plant. Further, it will act as a tool to detect adulterants and substituents consequently maintains the quality, reproducibility and efficacy of the plant material