The antioxidant activity of wild medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) fruit, stem bark and leaf

The medlar is an edible fruit. Modern medicine has recognized its healing properties in the treatment of some diseases. There is no scientific data in the literature about the antioxidant activity of methanol or aqueous extract of medlar fruit, leaf or stem bark. Antioxidant activities of these parts were evaluated by employing six test systems. Stem bark extract (aqueous and methanol) showed best activity in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity with IC50 = 10.7 ± 0.6 and 11.4 ± 0.8 μgml-1, respectively. All extracts showed weak Fe2+ chelating ability. Methanol extract of fruit had better activity in nitric oxide scavenging model than others (IC50 = 247 ± 12.2 μgml-1). The leaves and bark extracts showed good reducing power than fruit extract. In reducing powers, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) among the stem bark and leaves extracts that were comparable with vitamin C (p< 0.05). Extracts exhibited good antioxidant activity in the ferric thiocyanate (FTC) method. They manifested almost the same pattern of activity as vitamin C and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) at different incubation times (until 72nd hour) but stem bark extract showed higher peroxidation inhibition than vitamin C and BHA at the 96th hour (p < 0.05). The extracts were capable of scavenging H2O2 in a concentration-dependent manner. Leaves methanol extract showed good activity that was comparable with quercetin (p > 0.05). Bark and leaf extracts had higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents than fruit.Keywords: Antioxidant activity, free radical scavenging, Mespilus germanica, medlar, phenolic contents, flavonoids content

Evaluation of the compression process diagram in presence of magnesium stearate

In the pharmaceutical industry is no longer worked without instrumented tablet presses. The recording of the press information at different parameters of each test series and batches in the development of tablets and an online measurement and control of pressing forces during the production process is becoming increasingly important. Eccentric tablet presses were equipped with sensors for the upper and lower punch force and upper punch way. As sample quantity 100g were selected. All fillers lubricant mixtures were prepared in Turbula lab mixtures with 68 rpm. The bulk and tap density of the excipients were determined according to DIN of 53912 and 53194 on a tap density testers into a 250 ml graduated cylinder. It is to be expected that compression diagrams are changed by lubricant additives. This should give itself to recognize in the different section of the force relationship. This study also showed that the lubricant properties of a lubricant can be greatly influenced by the interaction between the lubricant and ingredient formulation to be exposed

Preparation and Characterization of Paracetamol Solid Dispersions Using Opened Ring PVP and PEG 4000

Background & Objective: Solid dispersions (SDs) have been traditionally used as an effective method for improving the dissolution properties and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. The aim of this study was to improve the solubility and dissolution rate of paracetamol by SD technique. Materials & methods: The prepared SDs were evaluated by saturation solubility test, In-vitro drug release test, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: The prepared SDs exhibited a statistically significant increase in the solubility of paracetamol compared to that of the free drug (p < 0.05). After 15 min SD tablets had an enhanced cumulative drug release compared to tablets of the free drug (p < 0.05). FTIR study revealed that paracetamol was stable in polymeric dispersions. DSC and SEM microscopy showed that the drugs crystallinity was decreased during the preparation process (amorphous crystal formation). Conclusion: The FTIR spectroscopic test revealed the presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding between paracetamol and the polymers in the SDs, which could increase the aqueous solubility of the drug. The DSC analysis indicated that the drug was in the amorphous state when dispersed in the polymers. Dissolution studies indicated that the dissolution rates were markedly increased in the SDs compared with those of paracetamol alone, and Better results were obtained with PVP K25

Antibacterial Activities of Gel Containing 5% Hydroalcoholic Extract of Rhamnus cathartica L. bark

Background and purpose: Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous glands caused by opportunistic microorganisms. The Rhamnus cathartica is known to have biological and antioxidant properties. This research aimed at investigating the in vitro effect of gel containing 5% R. cathartica extract on acne vulgaris. Materials and methods: The gel formulation contained 25g of dried R. cathartica bark extract, 0.5 liters distilled water, glycerin 50g, carbopol 940 5g, methyl paraben 0.75g, and propyl paraben 0.5g. After 24 hours, the formulation was put outside the refrigerator. Then, triethanolamine was added to the formulation under stirring with 500 rpm to solidify the gel. The effect of the product was measured against Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus aureus and MIC and MBC values were also determined. Results: Total phenolic content of R. cathartica was 351.6±4.5 mgGA/g/DW, total flavonoid content was 23.15±1.355 mgCE/g/DW, and total anthraquinone content was 1.85 ± 0.05 mgAE/g/DW. The pH of the product was 5.5-6. The MIC values of R. cathartica 5% gel were 195.3 µg/ml, 24.41 µg/ml, and 97.65 µg/ml against C. acnes, S. epidermidis and S. aureus, respectively. The MBC testing showed 25000 µg/ml, 25000 µg/ml, and 12500 µg/ml against C. acne, S. epidermidis and S.aureus. Conclusion: R. cathartica is believed to contain active ingredients and can act as an antibiotic against acne causing microorganisms

Efficacy of a Gel from the Seed of Trigonella foenum-graceum L. in Preventing Trichoptilosis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Background and purpose: Trichoptilosis with fragility and hair loss is a common disorder, but, still there is no specific and effective treatment for this condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of gel from the seed of Trigonella foenum-graceum L. in prevention of trichoptilosis in people with trichoptilosis. Materials and methods: A double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial was carried out in 60 people with trichoptilosis in Sari Touba Clinic affiliated with Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. The participants received either T. foenum-graceum seed gel or placebo gel. The extract was prepared at 500 μg/ml and the treatment period was two months. Data were analyzed using Independent t-test, Paired t-test, Fisher's exact test, and Generalized estimating equations. Results: In this study, the average rate of hair splitting in experimental group decreased significantly compared with the placebo group (P<0.001). Other factors such as dryness, fragility, and hair loss showed considerable decreasing rate in experimental group compared to the placebo group (P≤0.001, P<0.001, and P=0.042, respectively) Conclusion: The positive effects of the herbal gel in reducing the incidence of trichoptilosis may probably be due to the presence of diosgenin and other steroidal saponins with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. (Clinical Trials Registry Number: IRCT20130911014630N4

Effect of a Herbal Medicine Containing Satureja hortensis L., Hypericum perforatum L. and Foeniculum vulgare L. on Patients with COVID-19 Infection

Background and purpose: This research aimed at investigating the effect of herbal medicine on reduction of pulmonary complications in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Materials and methods: Forty patients with COVID-19 infection older than 18 years of age (60% men) with the average age of over 55 years old enrolled in this study. Written consent was obtained and participants with the following symptoms were divided into experimental group and control group: body temperature higher than 38℃, lymphocyte counts of less than 1200, positive CRP, respiratory symptoms, and pulmonary involvement in lung CT scan. The control group was treated with 400 mg Kaletra® and 200 mg hydroxychloroquine oral every 12 hours, and the experimental group, in addition to this regimen, received 5 ml of a herbal medicine (consisting of Satureja hortensis L., Hypericum perforatum L. and Foeniculum vulgare L.) three times a day. Statistical analysis was done in SPSS applying Chi-square test and t-test. Results: The herbal medicine was found to be significantly effective in decreasing the time of hospitalization and recovery from the disease (8.5 days in control group vs. 5 days in experimental group, (P<0.05). Also, CRP levels decreased significantly in experimental group and CRP level changes in the control group were 4.75 times higher than the experimental group (P<0.05). Furthermore, pulmonary involvement improved by 8.34% in experimental group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The herbal drug administered in this study, considerably improved lung symptoms and decreased the course of treatment of COVID-19 infection.   (Clinical Trials Registry Number: IRCT20200404046935N1