PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF AERIAL PARTS OF TRICHODESMA INDICUM R. BR.

Objective: This study was undertaken to carry out pharmacognostical studies and phytochemical studies on aerial parts of Trichodesma indicum R. Br belonging to the family Boraginaceae.Methods: The aerial parts of plant leaf and stem were evaluated for pharmacognostical studies such as macroscopy, microscopy, powder study, and quantitative microscopy. The powder was evaluated for proximate analysis like ash vale, extracting value, moisture content, swelling index, elemental analysis, fluorescence analysis, and preliminary phytochemical studies.Results: Transverse section of leaf of T. indicum R. Br. showed presence of covering trichomes with bulbous base upper and lower epidermis, collenchyma, prisms of calcium oxalate, vascular bundle and palisade cells. Surface preparation showed the presence of wavy epidermal cells, anomocytic stomata, anisocytic stomata, trichomes. Transverse section of Stem of Trichodesma indicum R. Br showed the presence of trichomes with, epidermis, hypodermis, cortex, xylem and pith. Powder study of aerial parts of T. indicum R. Br showed the presence of trichomes, xylem vessels, parenchyma, epidermal cells, fibres, calcium oxalate crystals. The powder of aerial parts was evaluated for proximate analysis such as ash value, extractive value, moisture content, total solid content, and the swelling index, which give idea about the presence of siliceous material, and amount of constituents extracted into different solvent. The elemental analysis of aerial parts showed that plant was free from heavy metal contamination i.e. arsenic, lead. The fluorescence analysis of plant powder showed that plant contains phenolic compounds. Qualitative chemical examination showed that the aerial parts of Trichodesma indicum R. Br, is credited with phytosterol, triterpenoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, fixed oil, fatty acids mucilage.Conclusion: The study reveals specific identifying characteristics for the particular crude drug which will be of significant use in identification and control to adulteration of the raw drug and can serve as a reference for any further investigations.Â

PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF TREMA ORIENTALIS LEAF

Trema orientalis (Ulmaceae) is native to India. This tree species has been of interest to researchers because it is a medicinal plant employed in the Indian indigenous system of medicine. Pharmacognostic standardization, physic-chemical evaluation of the leafs of Trema orientalis was carried out to determine its macro-and micro-scopical characters and also some insoluble ash and sulphated ash values, alcohol-and water-soluble extractive values were determined for phytochemical evaluations. Preliminary phytochemical screening was also done to detect different phytoconstituents. Microscopically, Leaf showed trichomes, Lamina, midrib regions, stomata and calcium oxalate crystals. Powder microscopy showed mesophyll region, abundant xylem vessels with annular thickenings and xylem vessels, Unicellular, multiseriate covering trichomes and glandular trichomes, Rosette and prism shape calcium oxalate crystals, Anomocytic stomata. Total ash was approximately two times and four times more than acid insoluble and water soluble as, respectively Ethanol soluble extractive was approximately two times higher than water soluble extractive. TLC of petroleum ether and ethanol extract showed five spots using Hexane: Ethyl acetate (12:4) and four spot using Choloroform: Ethyl acetate (5:4). Phytochemically, root exhibited phytosterols, Flavanoids, Tannin and phenolic compounds

Experimental animal models used for evaluation of potential immunomodulators: A mini review

Preclinical models of immunomodulatory studies are indispensable part in the process of drug discovery and development. Still, they are mimeo of human immunostimulation/suppression provided heterogeneity of latter. This review discusses various preclinical models of immunomodulatory studies viz. cell lines for immunomodulatory studies, murine models include humoral antibody (HA) response, delayed type hypersensitivity response, macrophage phagocytosis by carbon clearance method, effect on total leucocytes count, leucocyte mobilization studies, mice lethality test Fish models include phagocytosis by fish blood lymphocytes, specific and non-specific response in fish and intestinal bacterial colonization; whereas pathogen infestation model includes immunomodulation against Eimeria vermiformis.A portfolio of these biological models has to be utilized strategically as the specific stage of process of drug discovery. During selection of such model it has to be kept in mind that the model must be physiologically relevant. At the same time, it should be able to aid in prediction of human response. Never the less, apart from being âphysiologically relevantâ, the decisive âproofâ regarding safety and efficacy of test drugs lies human studies. Still, sensible construal and envision of data resulting from these models to humans, and a conformingly more prominence placed on medical research during early stage of clinical trials, are therefore indispensable to mend on the clinical study rates for discovery of novel immunomodulatory agents. Keywords: Immunomodulator, Animal model, Rodent, Fish, Cell lin

The Pharmacological Potential

The contemporary scientific community has presently recognized flavonoids to be a unique class of therapeutic molecules due to their diverse therapeutic properties. Of these, rutin, also known as vitamin P or rutoside, has been explored for a number of pharmacological effects. Tea leaves, apples, and many more possess rutin as one of the active constituents. Today, rutin has been observed for its nutraceutical effect. The present review highlights current information and health-promoting effects of rutin. Along with this, safety pharmacology issues and SAR of the same have also been discussed

Physicochemical and pharmacological assessment of a traditional biomedicine: Mukta shouktic bhasma

Mukta shouktic bhasma (MSB) is a traditional Ayurvedic medicinal preparation. This biomedicine is synthesized through special calcination of mother of pearl as mentioned in the classical Ayurvedic text. Physicochemical characterization of MSB was carried out using modern techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma analysis, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. The study showed that the raw material mukta shouktic (mother of pearl) is an organo-mineral matrix containing calcium carbonate in aragonite form. The aragonite form of calcium carbonatetransforms to a stable calcite form during the process of bhasma formation and forms the main crystalline component of MSB. The heat treatment does result in partial conversion of calcite to calcium oxide, which appears as calcium hydroxide(not more than 2% w/w) in the final product. The organic content of processed material degraded gradually. Physical evaluation revealed that MSB is a fine grayish white powder having a poor flow property with narrow particle size distribution of 1.22 to 22.52 m having a mean particle size of 10.20±0.45 m. A clearly identifiable fraction of MSB particles was below 50 nanometer. The presence of nanosized particles in MSB might impart the therapeutic property of this medicine. Trace element analysis of MSB revealed the presence of metals, like arsenic, lead, chromium, cadmium, mercury, and tin under regulatory acceptable limits at the prescribed dose of MSB. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis revealed calcium as the major element (40.22 wt %) in MSB. Microbial load for the formulation was found to be within limits. Animals were found to be safe up to a maximum dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight in acute toxicity studies. A significant (P<0.05) reduction in hyperpyrexia in rat was produced by MSB