Palm olein emulsion: a novel vehicle for topical drug delivery of betamethasone 17-valerate

This study aims to investigate the use of palm olein as the oil phase for betamethasone 17-valerate (BV) emulsions. The physicochemical properties of the formulations were characterized. In vitro drug release study was performed with the Hanson Vertical Diffusion Cell System; the samples were quantified with HPLC and the results were compared with commercial products. Optimized emulsion formulations were subjected to stability studies for 3 months at temperatures of 4, 25, and 40°C; the betamethasone 17- valerate content was analyzed using HPLC. The formulations produced mean particle size of 2–4 μm, viscosities of 50–250 mPa.s, and zeta potential between −45 and −68 mV. The rheological analyses showed that the emulsions exhibited pseudoplastic and viscoelastic behavior. The in vitro release of BV from palm olein emulsion through cellulose acetate was 4.5 times higher than that of commercial products and more BV molecules deposited in rat skin. Less than 4% of the drug was degraded in the formulations during the 3-month period when they were subjected to the three different temperatures. These findings indicate that palm olein-in-water emulsion can be an alternative vehicle for topical drug delivery system with superior permeability

Microencapsulation of Cassia alata extract for topical application

Cassia alata has been known to provide relief from various types of abnormal skin conditions. Ointments containing this plant extract can be found in a limited market as most have not been properly registered with regulating bodies. However, it is anticipated that a systematic study may result in commercialisation and be prescribed by health professionals. So far, incorporation of the extract in palm olein-in-water emulsion had been carried out with minimal adverse effect on the stability of the emulsion if the concentration of the plant extract is below a certain concentration. This research aims to use the plant extracts of cassia alata using known extraction procedures, followed by microencapsulation. The advantage of doing as such is that the release of the extracts onto the skin can be controlled and can be prolonged. This will ensure continuous delivery of the active ingredient and thereby will very much facilitate the therapy. Stability of the preparation is characterised by sizing of the particles using laser diffraction technique and both transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The extent of diffusion is simulated using a diffusion cell tester to confirm the delivery of the extract into the skin

Haplophytin B from maclurodendron porteri

An alkaloid from Maclurodendron porteri has been isolated and characterized. Extraction process was conducted by acid-base extraction method followed by column chromatography. The structure was established by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The compound was identified as haplophytin B which occurs commonly in the Rutaceae family. However, this is the first time this alkaloid was isolated and reported from the species. The compound showed no inhibition against Staphylococus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli and no cytotoxic activity against H199 and A549 cell lines

Pharmacological properties of Centella asiatica hydrogel in accelerating wound healing in rabbits

Background: Various extracts of Centella asiatica (Apiaceae) and its active constituent, asiaticoside, have been reported to possess wound healing property when assessed using various in vivo and in vitro models. In an attempt to develop a formulation with accelerated wound healing effect, the present study was performed to examine in vivo efficacy of asiaticoside-rich hydrogel formulation in rabbits. Methods: Asiaticoside-rich fraction was prepared from C. asiatica aerial part and then incorporated into polyvinyl alcohol/polyethylene glycol (PVA/PEG) hydrogel. The hydrogel was subjected to wound healing investigation using the in vivo incision model. Results: The results obtained demonstrated that: i) the hydrogel formulation did not cause any signs of irritation on the rabbits’ skin and; ii) enhanced wound healing 15% faster than the commercial cream and > 40% faster than the untreated wounds. The skin healing process was seen in all wounds marked by formation of a thick epithelial layer, keratin, and moderate formation of granulation tissues, fibroblasts and collagen with no fibrinoid necrosis detected. Conclusion: The asiaticoside-rich hydrogel developed using the freeze-thaw method was effective in accelerating wound healing in rabbit

Development of Palm olein-in-water emulsion containing extracts of Derris elliptica Benth as insecticide

Some cancer cases have been related to the adverse effects of pesticides and insecticides. People with high levels of pesticides and chemicals in their blood streams are far more likely to develop for instance genetic mutations linked to cancer. There is a possibility of using more environmental and human friendly substance to prevent the attack of insects to our plants and perhaps alleviating other undesirable symptoms which would reduce the yield. In view of the increasing trend of using plant-based products worldwide, it is vital that the farming of these precious plants would not be hampered by diseases affecting them and more importantly will not harm the farmers. A stable and effective formulation should be explored to replace harmful pesticides and insecticides which have been linked to the various ailments. Rotenone found in extracts of Derris elliptica Benth is known to be effective against insects and pests such as having molluscicidal activity. The potential use of the extract as insecticide was also reported. However, it was also found that the problem with the extract is the short shelf-life. Crude extracts of Derris elliptica from various types of solvent were obtained and these were added into palm olein-in-water emulsions used as a carrier. The emulsions were diluted and were used by spraying onto the leaves of the plants. The stability of the emulsions was monitored. The effectiveness of the formulations was tested on the leaves of Plecthrantus amboinicus Lour.. Known locally as bangun-bangun, it is used for post-natal therapy by natives in Indonesia and Malaysia, among its many other medicinal benefits. P. amboinicus is susceptible to Valanga nigricornis. Our preliminary results showed that palm olein-in-water emulsion containing both ethanolic and ethanol/water extracts of D. elliptica has the potential in curbing V. nigricornis from harming P. amboinicus. However, the stability of the emulsions must be enhanced for prolonged storage

Selected natural agents used for cholesterol controls

Purpose – Various studies suggest that some of natural agents create a specific action of hypocholesterolemic effect. Considering this fact, the aim of this paper is to work on describing selected natural agents that may reduce cholesterol concentrations by different mechanism of actions. Design/methodology/approach – The advantages, phytochemical components and the mechanisms of the agents were reviewed and supported from the findings of the in vitro, double-blind and clinical studies from published journals, books and articles. The journals used in this review were published between 1987 and 2016, and are available from PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar. Findings – Plant stanols and sterols, turmeric, fenugreek, avocado, tomato, artichoke, red yeast rice and garlic showed a positive effect in maintaining cholesterol levels by specific mechanisms or actions. These agents each had a specific action in creating a hypocholesterolemic effect either by inhibition of the enzyme significant to the synthesis process, disturbing the absorption of cholesterol, conversion of cholesterol to other related forms and through the reduction of the oxidative stress. Research limitations/implications – However, this field still needs more studies as, currently, there is not any detailed information regarding the main active ingredients responsible for the mechanism to reduce cholesterol levels in humans. Originality/value – This paper enlightens the authors’ understanding of some natural agents that have the potential to be used in controlling cholesterol

α-glucosidase inhibitors isolated from Mimosa pudica L.

The aim of the study was to isolate digestive enzymes inhibitors from Mimosa pudica through a bioassay-guided fractionation approach. Repeated silica gel and sephadex LH 20 column chromatographies of bioactive fractions afforded stigmasterol, quercetin and avicularin as digestive enzymes inhibitors whose IC50 values as compared to acarbose (351.02 ± 1.46 μg mL−1) were found to be as 91.08 ± 1.54, 75.16 ± 0.92 and 481.7 ± 0.703 μg mL−1, respectively. In conclusion, M. pudica could be a good and safe source of digestive enzymes inhibitors for the management of diabetes in future

In-vitro antifungal and antibacterial activities of rhizomes extracts of Alpinia galanga and Alpinia conchigera griff

Alpinia galanga and Alpinia conchigera are belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, distributed in Asia and particularly in the Southeast Asia. The rhizomes of A. galanga have been extensively used as condiment for flavoring and local medicines for the stomach ache, carminative and treating diarrhea. In traditional medicine A. conchigera has been used to treat illnesses such as muscle pain and to stop bleeding. The aims of this study to evaluate the antifungal and antibacterial activities of A. galanga and A. canchigera on several strains of microbes including those which are associated with skin infection. To determine the antibacterial and antifungal activities of A. galanga and A. conchigera, disc diffusion method was used. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of hexane, dichloromethane and methanolic extracts of A. galanga and A. conchigera have been evaluated against gram positive and gram negative bacteria including multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and fungi such as Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum canis and Candida albicans, using daptomycin, streptomycin and nystatin as standards respectively. The hexane and methanol extracts showed significant antibacterial and antifungal activities with the zone of inhibition ranging from 14-26 mm, while MRSA was the most susceptible to the hexane extract of A. conchigera. The MIC of both plant A. galanga and A. conchigera were found 35.61 and 30.5 ug/mL respectively against MRSA

Formulation of PVA and PEG hydrogel via Freeze-Thaw method

The Hydrogels are three dimensional, water swollen structure composed of mainly hydrophilic homopolymers or copolymers like polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Poly ethylene glycol (PEG) etc., utilized as a part of various biomedical fields, and are as yet producing for new encouraging applications. Physically cross-linked synthetic polymers, PVA and PEG, hydrogels are excellent materials owing to their biological tissue like nature. Transparent PVA and PEG hydrogels with varying polymer concentrations were obtained by using freeze-thaw method.gel fraction and swelling behavior were investigated. PVA (Mw 195,000, Sigma-Aldrich), PEG 400 (Merck) hydrogels prepared by dissolving PVA in deionized water with concentrations (6%, 8%, and 10%), PEG with concentrations (1%, 3%, and 5%) were added and the gel were autoclaved at 121°C for 15min. The clear solution was poured into a Petri dish to undergo four consecutive cycles of 16 h freezing at -80°C and 8 h thawing at RT. Gel properties such as gel fraction, swelling index, water vapour transmission rate and mechanical strength were investigated. Four consecutive cycles of freezing and thawing formed an insoluble and entangled hydrogel. Present study demonstrates a systematic variation in physico-chemical properties of the developed using the freezing–thawing method with PVA and PEG as a function of polymer concentration. From the results with increasing PVA there is an increase in the gel fraction while increasing PEG concentration decreased gel fraction. However, increasing PVA decreased the swelling, and by adding PEG increases the swelling ratio and the water vapour transmission rate. The developed hydrogel using the freezing–thawing method with PVA and PEG was more swellable and flexible

Swelling index, gel fraction, thermal and rheological properties of Centella asiatica hydrogel

The Hydrogels are three dimensional, water swollen structure composed of mainly hydrophilic homopolymers or copolymers like polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Poly ethylene glycol (PEG) etc., utilized as a part of various biomedical fields, and are as yet producing for new encouraging applications. Hydrogel from PVA and PEG with Centella asiatica methanolic fraction was obtained by using freeze-thaw method. Gel fraction, swelling behavior, thermal and rheological properties were investigated. Five consecutive cycles of freezing and thawing formed an insoluble and entangled hydrogel. The developed hydrogel using the freezing–thawing method with PVA and PEG polymers and Centella asiatica methanolic extract was swellable, flexible and stable