Deciphering Genetic Diversity in Spathodea campanulata Beauv. from South India Based On Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers

The African tulip (Spathodea campanulata) is a monophyletic species native to tropical forests of sub-Saharan Africa belonging to family Bignoniaceae. Although its endemism in sub-Saharan Africa, it is listed as potential alien invasive species in Pacific, Indian and Caribbean, but also Singapore, Papua New Guinea and Australia. The expansion of its range from ornamental to invasive is being observed in South India. In this study, RAPD based DNA markers have been used to determine genetic diversity of the monophyletic species. About 14 populations were studied from 6 states of South India using 41 random decamer primers. The total number of 517 bands were scored which are generated by 41 primers producing 12.6 bands on an average per primer, of these 517 bands produced 379 were polymorphic showing 73% polymorphism revealing higher level of genetic polymorphism in the study population. The similarity coefficient ranged from 0.312 to 0.837 and the dendrogram constructed by the UPGMA based on Jaccard\u27s similarity matrix farmed two clusters. In the present study, results showed the high degree of genetic diversity within the populations of S. campanulata supporting high degree of adaptation and its range expansion from ornamental to possible invasive species in South India

A single robust stability-indicating RP-HPLC analytical tool for apigenin quantification in bulk powder and in nanoliposomes: a novel approach

Abstract Background Apigenin (4′, 5, 7-trihydroxyflavone), a flavonoid, is present usually in fruits and vegetables possessing numerous biological properties like antioxidant, anti-viral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and chemoprevention activity. So present study was aimed to prepare and characterize nanoliposomes of apigenin and estimate its encapsulation efficiency by stability-assisted reverse-phase (RP)-HPLC method. Results The stability indication of the RP-HPLC method developed for apigenin-loaded nanoliposomes was successfully demonstrated and parameters were mainly the retention time which was 4.21 min, limit of detection (LOD) 0.49 μg/mL, limit of quantification (LOQ) 1.48 μg/mL, and %relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 2%. Therefore, the stability indication of the developed reverse-phase HPLC method for apigenin-loaded nanoliposomes was demonstrated successfully and parameters like accuracy, linearity, LOD, LOQ, precision, and %RSD were within the limit range and found to be satisfactory. Conclusion The developed RP-HPLC method was found to be suitable for the quantification or estimation of apigenin with its stability in apigenin-loaded nanoliposomes, and this method will be a powerful tool in the future for the estimation of apigenin present in any pharmaceutical preparations

Effect of Curcuma zedoaria Rosc root extracts on behavioral and radiology changes in arthritic rats

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of petroleum ether, chloroform, and methanol root extracts of Curcuma zedoaria Rosc (Family: Zingiberaceae) on behavioral and radiology aspects of Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA)-induced monoarthritis in left ankle joint of rats using open-field test. Traditionally, Curcuma zedoaria root has been used as anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic drug. Behavioral aspects include latency time to explore, ambulatory, rearing, grooming, urination, and defecation. Animals were divided into ten groups each of six rats, all the animals were subjected to open-field test before the induction of arthritis at 0 day and thereafter 3, 7, 14 21, 28, 35, and 42 days of postinoculation FCA injection. The rat was placed in an open field and observed all behavioral aspects for 5 minutes and radiography analysis was made on day 42. Selected doses were 10 mg/kg.i.p. Indomethacin 200 mg/kg.p.o. marketed herbal drug Rumalaya forte and 200 and 400 mg/kg.p.o. of each extracts, respectively. The results showed significant decrease in ambulation and rearing; however, increase in latency time to explore and grooming, urination, and defecation in control group, but in contrast, drug-treated groups showed significant recovery in all behavioral aspects except methanol groups. On the basis of radiography examination, control and methanol groups showed highest swelling compared with normal group; however, all drug-treated groups showed significant reduced swelling. Treatments with petroleum ether and chloroform extracts recovery were observed in behavioral and radiological aspects in arthritic rats

Antiurolithiatic activity of natural constituents isolated from Aerva lanata

Background: Pashanabheda is used as antiurolithiatic in Ayurveda. In the present study, Aerva lanata (L) Juss. ex. Schult (Amaranthaceae) from Western Ghats of India was selected for isolation of active constituents and screening for antiurolithiatic potentials. Objective: Screening of compounds isolated from A. lanata for antiurolithiatic potentials. Materials and methods: Ethylene glycol (0.75% v/v) induced urolithiasis model was used to study the antiurolithiatic activity in male Wistar albino rats. The animals were divided into five groups containing six each. Based on the LD50 of the plant extract (2000 mg/kg b.w) equivalent dose was calculated from their yield. Two isolated compounds (quercetin and betulin) of A. lanata were screened for antiurolithiatic potentials in calculi induced (ethylene glycol 0.75% v/v) male Wistar albino rats by administering 2 mg/kg b.w/day orally as test dose for 28 days. Results: The urine volume was found to be significantly increased from 12.76 ± 0.10 ml to 21.35 ± 0.20 ml in the rats treated by quercetin and 21.50 ± 0.21 ml in rats treated by betulin. Urine microscopy revealed significant reduction (p < 0.001) in the size of calculi and significantly enhanced (p < 0.001) excretion of calcium, oxalate, phosphate, whereas the level of magnesium was increased. SEM of kidney sections has revealed reduction in the calculi in treated animals. Serum analysis has revealed significant reduction in the level of BUN and creatinine in treated rats. Conclusion: The isolated quercetin and betulin from A. lanata have shown mild diuretic effect as well as antiurolithiatic effect by significantly reducing the size of calculi in the kidneys and enhancing the excretion of calcium, phosphate, oxalate while maintaining the level of magnesium, which is reported to be one of the calculi inhibiting factors

Pharmacognostic and In-vitro Antioxidant Antimicrobial potentials of Jayanti Veda (Tridax procumbens L.)

Ayurveda is one of the oldest holistic traditional systems of medicine. Tridax procumbens known as “Jayanti Veda” which is weed found throughout India. It shows number of pharmacological activities like Hepatoprotective, Anti-inflammatory, Wound healing, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antidiabetic. The present study was carried out to evaluate antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of hydroalcoholic extract and fractions of Tridax procumbens in order to find possible sources for future novel pharmaceutical formulations. The plant material was subjected for extraction and the extract was further fractionated. Hydroalcoholic extract and fractions were analyzed for different phytocomponents. Fraction 2 was analyzed for phenolic content, Fraction 3 was analyzed for its antimicrobial activity. Fraction 4 was analyzed for its flavonoid content, and antioxidant potentials. The crude extract showed the presence of various phytocompounds whereas F1 contains lipids &amp; waxes. F2 contains phenolics, terpenes &amp; sterols. F3 contains alkaloids. F4 contains flavonoids. The total flavonoid contents of F4 was compared with crude extract (51.19±0.412 and 45±0.073 respectively), antioxidant activity of F4 was compared with crude extract (IC50 - 22.7795±0.8208 and 23.247±0.7344 respectively), total phenolic contents of F2 was compared with crude extract (82.24±0.871 and 47.43±0.37 respectively) and antimicrobial activity of F3 [IZD- 1.0cm- (S. aureus), 0.9cm (E.coli) and crude-0.6cm- (S, aureus), 0.5cm (E.coli)] Results were found significantly higher for all the fractions as compared to crude extract. The present results revealed that the Tridax procumbens acts as a powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial agent.

Ventoluft Polyherbal formulation modulates Freund’s Complete Adjuvant induced arthritis in experimental rats

Background: Ventoluft Polyherbal formulation composes multiple traditional medicinal plants composed of various anti-inflammatory agents. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of Ventoluft Polyherbal formulation on Freund’s complete adjuvant-induced arthritic male Wistar rats. Materials and methods: The study included thirty-six rats, containing six in each. Arthritis was induced by injecting FCA (0.1ml) in joints of the right sub-plantar region of rats in negative control and all test groups i.e. (20, 40, and 80mg/kg p.o) for 28 days except normal group. A positive control, indomethacin (10mg/kg, i.p.) was also tested for 28 days. During the treatment, paw volume was measured weekly once. At the end of the experiment, physical, hematological, and biochemical effects were evaluated. Results:Administration of Ventoluft at the doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg b.w. p.o exhibited statistically significant (p &lt; 0.001) inhibition of the paw edema and joint swelling, along with an increase in body weight, decrease in rheumatoid and spleen index factors. Conclusion: The results from hematological and biochemical parameters have shown that Ventoluft possesses potent anti-arthritic activity, Results obtained in the present study indicate that Ventoluft formulation has exhibited, dose-dependent improvement in FCA induced rheumatoid arthritis.&nbsp

Pharmacoinformatics Analysis Reveals Flavonoids and Diterpenoids from Andrographis paniculata and Thespesia populnea to Target Hepatocellular Carcinoma Induced by Hepatitis B Virus

Herbs are widely utilized in the Western Ghats region of India to treat liver diseases and viral-like infections. However, such practices lack scientific evidence at the molecular level and may often pose adverse drug reactions. This study intends to identify phytocompounds with druggability and non-toxic profiles with potential activity against hepatitis B virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. The details of phytocompounds in traditionally utilized herbs in the Western Ghats region were collated from chemical databases and publications. The druggability and toxicity of these compounds were predicted using MolSoft and ADVERpred, respectively. The probable targets of these phytocompounds were predicted using BindingDB. Moreover, compound-gene set pathways, cellular processes, and functional enrichment analyses were also performed using STRING and KEGG pathway databases. Subsequently, herb&ndash;compound&ndash;target&ndash;disease pathway networks were constructed using Cytoscape. The potential hub protein was virtually screened against the ligand dataset using the POAP pipeline. Finally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the most potential protein&ndash;ligand complexes were performed in triplicate using Schr&ouml;dinger Desmond. Amongst 274 compounds from 16 herbs studied, 36 showed drug-likeness with nontoxic properties and were also predicted to modulate 16 potential targets involved in the pathogenesis of HBV-induced HCC. Among all the molecules screened, flavonoids and diterpenoids from Andrographis paniculata and Thespesia populnea scored the highest edge count via modulating multiple targets and pathways. Moreover, molecular docking and MD simulation (100ns) also inferred that the top-ranking Andrographin and Gossypetin exhibit stable intermolecular interactions with EGFR protein, which was identified as a highly connected hub protein in the constructed network. All these findings are suggestive of identified moieties as potential therapeutics for targeting HBV-associated HCC sans adverse drug reactions

Single robust RP-HPLC analytical method for quantification of curcuminoids in commercial turmeric products, Ayurvedic medicines, and nanovesicular systems

<p>A single robust reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was developed and validated as per International Conference on Harmonization guidelines for the accurate quantification of curcuminoids in commercial turmeric products, Ayurvedic medicines, and nanovesicular systems. The proposed chromatographic method was found to be specific, linear (<i>r</i>² ≥ 0.999), precise at intra- and inter-day levels (percentage relative standard deviation <2.0%), accurate (percentage recovery 99.14–102.29%), and robust. The limits of detection and quantification were found to be 7.40 and 24.70 ng mL⁻¹ for curcumin, 9.24 and 30.80 ng mL⁻¹ for demethoxycurcumin, and 6.48 and 21.61 ng mL⁻¹ for bisdemethoxycurcumin, respectively. Among different commercial turmeric products and Ayurvedic medicines tested, the contents of curcumin (3.54 ± 0.06–25.8 ± 0.08 mg g⁻¹), demethoxycurcumin (1.28 ± 0.02–9.97 ± 0.03 mg g⁻¹), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (0.50 ± 0.01–5.97 ± 0.01 mg g⁻¹) varied significantly. The developed method was effectively applied to the determination of encapsulation efficiency of curcuminoids (ranged between 84.33 ± 3.50 and 96.59 ± 2.53%) in the nanovesicular systems. In conclusion, the reported method is suitable for the analysis of curcuminoids in a wide variety of turmeric products and used for the quality control of products that contain curcuminoids.</p

Quality standardization, Phytosome formulation and in vitro antioxidant activity of Moringa oleifera Lam: An Ayurvedic medicinal plant

Aim: To formulate and evaluate Moringa oleifera loaded phytosome for its in vitro antioxidant activity. Method: The plant material was analyzed for its quality by analyzing various pharmacognostical properties. The plant material was subjected for extraction by using maceration followed by soxhlet extraction using ethanol: water as solvent. The resultant extract was subjected for phytochemical investigations to assess the presence of plant metabolites. Furthermore, novel lipid based nano formulation such as phytosome was prepared by thin film hydration method. The prepared phytosomes loaded with Moringa oleifera extract was analysed for DSC, FTIR, particle size and entrapment efficiency. The optimized formulation (F3) was subjected for in vitro antioxidant activity. Thin Layer Chromatography was performed using Quercetin as standard and Methanol: Water as mobile phase. Results: The organoleptic evaluation revealed the plant is green, aromatic odour, slightly bitter taste erect stems, thick grey bark, flowers are white. Physicochemical parameters such as Moisture content, Total ash, Acid Insoluble ash, Water soluble ash values, Aqueous, Alcohol and Petroleum ether extractive values are found to be 8.5, 10.5, 5, 12.5, 12.5 and 2.5% respectively. The phytochemical investigation confirmed the presence of Alkaloids, Glycosides, Steroids, Terpenoids and Phenols. The compatibility study confirms that the excipients and drugs are compatible with each other. Among four prepared phytosomes with different ratios, formulation 3 exhibited smaller particle size such as 141nm&nbsp;&nbsp; and entrapment efficiency as 81%.Hence, formulation 3 is subjected for further antioxidant activity. With the IC50 value of 17.82µg/ml, formulation 3 showed promising antioxidant activity which was compared with standard ascorbic acid with IC50 33.53 µg/ml. Conclusion: The present work can be utilized for plant identification and standardization of Moringa oleifera for further research .Based on the results, it can be concluded that novel lipid based nanoformulation loaded with Moringa oleifera exhibited promising Antioxidant properties. The limitations arising from conventional dosage forms will be overlooked by the novel lipid based phytosomes with greater bioavailability and remarkable therapeutic effects