EVALUATION OF IN VITRO INHIBITION OF PROTON􀇧PUMP BY NANOSILVER PARTICLES SYNTHESIZED USING SEEDS OF ANETHUM GRAVEOLENS

Objective: The green synthesis of nanoparticles is gaining popularity owing to its several advantages over the chemical methods. This study reports the biosynthesis of nanosilver mediated by the extract of the seeds of Anethum graveolens.Methods: Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was carried out using the aqueous extract of the seeds of A. graveolens (AESE). Microwave irradiation was done to hasten the process. The AgNPs synthesized were physically characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The potential of the nanosilver particles in inhibiting H+ K+ adenosine triphosphatase (proton pump) was evaluated.Results: The nanosilver particles were initially subjected to characterization studies to ascertain their shape, size and surface composition. The particles were found to be crystalline, spherical of size 30-35 nm. The nanosilver particles inhibited the activity of proton pump by 67 % and thus were as potential as the standard drug, omeprazole.Conclusion: The seeds have several pharmacological benefits including its gastroprotective potential and hence the nanosilver particles synthesized using AESE was assessed for its gastroprotective potential. The results of this study prove that the nanosilver synthesized by green technology can inhibit proton-pump and thus act as promising gastroprotective agents

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

HEAVY METAL ANALYSIS OF BLEPHARIS MADERASPATENSIS (L.) HEYNE EX ROTH

Objective: The objective of the study was to execute systematic heavy metal assessment of the plant to ensure its safe usage in herbal medicine or as nutraceuticals. Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.)Heyne ex Roth commonly called as Nethiramooli in Tamil is a widely distributed medicinal herb with a long history of traditional usage in the treatment of many ailments.Method: The plant material was collected from Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India, duly authenticated and heavy metal content investigated by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.Results: Results indicated that the toxic metal, mercury was not detectable even in traces; other metals such as cadmium, chromium, molybdenum, manganese, nickel, and lead were found at very low quantities while trace elements such as iron, zinc, copper, and cobalt in fairly significant concentrations.Conclusions: These results thus substantiate the safe usage of this plant and may be used to set new standards for prescribing the dosage of the herbal drugs prepared from it, ensuring a better understanding of the risks associated with its usage