Enhancement of Amygdaloid Neuronal Dendritic Arborization by Fresh Leaf Juice of Centella asiatica (Linn) During Growth Spurt Period in Rats

Centella asiatica (CeA) is a creeping herb, growing in moist places in India and other Asian Countries. Ayurvedic system of medicine, an alternate system of medicine in India, uses leaves of CeA for memory enhancement. Here, we have investigated the role of CeA fresh leaf juice treatment during growth spurt period of rats on dendritic morphology of amygdaloid neurons, one of the regions concerned with learning and memory. The present study was conducted on neonatal rat pups. The rat pups (7-days-old) were fed with 2, 4 and 6 ml/kg body of fresh leaf juice of CeA for 2, 4 and 6 weeks. After the treatment period, the rats were killed, brains removed and amygdaloid neurons impregnated with Silver nitrate (Golgi staining). Amygdaloid neurons were traced using camera lucida and dendritic branching points (a measure of dendritic arborization) and intersections (a measure dendritic length) quantified. These data were compared with those of age-matched control rats. The results showed a significant increase in dendritic length (intersections) and dendritic branching points along the length of dendrites of the amygdaloid neurons of rats treated with 4 and 6 ml/kg body weight/day of CeA for longer periods of time (i.e. 4 and 6 weeks). We conclude that constituents/active principles present in CeA fresh leaf juice has neuronal dendritic growth stimulating property; hence it can be used for enhancing neuronal dendrites in stress and other neurodegenerative and memory disorders

Galangoflavonoid Isolated from Rhizome of Alpinia galanga (L) Sw (Zingiberaceae)

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to isolate novel flavonoids from Alpinia galanga rhizomes. Methods: The methanol extract of Alpinia galanga was subjected to column chromatography and eluted with ethyl acetate-methanol (9:1) to yield a compound, galangoflavonoside (AG 11). The structure of the compound was elucidated by various spectral techniques (UV, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and MS). Results: Chemical investigation of the extract furnished a new flavonoid galangoflavonoside (AG 11). Conclusion: The isolated compound, galangoflavonoside (AG 11,) could be a potential therapeutic compound as well as serve as a lead compound in the synthesis of other useful flavonoids. Isolation of the galangoflavonoside from Alpinia galanga rhizomes is being reported, to the best of our knowledge, for the first time

Galangoflavonoid Isolated from Rhizome of Alpinia galanga (L) Sw (Zingiberaceae)

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to isolate novel flavonoids from Alpinia galanga rhizomes. Methods: The methanol extract of Alpinia galanga was subjected to column chromatography and eluted with ethyl acetate-methanol (9:1) to yield a compound, galangoflavonoside (AG 11). The structure of the compound was elucidated by various spectral techniques (UV, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and MS). Results: Chemical investigation of the extract furnished a new flavonoid galangoflavonoside (AG 11). Conclusion: The isolated compound, galangoflavonoside (AG 11,) could be a potential therapeutic compound as well as serve as a lead compound in the synthesis of other useful flavonoids. Isolation of the galangoflavonoside from Alpinia galanga rhizomes is being reported, to the best of our knowledge, for the first time

Formulation Design and Optimization of Fast Disintegrating Lorazepam Tablets by Effervescent Method

Fast disintegrating tablets of lorazepam were prepared by effervescent method with a view to enhance patient compliance. A 32 full factorial design was applied to investigate the combined effect of two formulation variables: amount of crospovidone and mixture of sodium bicarbonate, citric acid and tartaric acid (effervescent material) on in vitro dispersion time. Crospovidone (2-8% w/w) was used as superdisintegrant and mixture of sodium bicarbonate, citric acid and tartaric acid (6-18% w/w) was used as effervescent material, along with directly compressible mannitol to enhance mouth feel. The tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, thickness, drug content uniformity and in vitro dispersion time. Based on in vitro dispersion time (approximately 13 s); the formulation containing 8% w/w crospovidone and 18% w/w mixture of sodium bicarbonate, citric acid and tartaric acid was found to be promising and tested for in vitro drug release pattern (in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer), short-term stability and drug-excipient interaction. Surface response plots are presented to graphically represent the effect of independent variables (concentrations of crospovidone and effervescent material) on the in vitro dispersion time. The validity of the generated mathematical model was tested by preparing two extra-design check point formulations. The optimized tablet formulation was compared with conventional marketed tablet for drug release profiles. This formulation showed nearly eleven-fold faster drug release (t50% 2.8 min) compared to the conventional commercial tablet formulation (t50% >30 min). Short-term stability studies on the formulation indicated that there were no significant changes in drug content and in vitro dispersion time (P<0.05)