IN VIVO STUDY ON DIURETIC AND LAXATIVE THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES OF HYDRO - ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF LU HUI (LILLIACEAE) ON EXPERIMENTAL RODENTS (RATTUS NORVEGICUS).

Objective: In furtherance to the rising evidences for therapeutical potential of Lu Hui (Aloe vera), the existing study was carried out to evaluate thediuretic and laxative activity of its hydro-alcoholic extract on rodents.Materials and Methods: The hydro-alcoholic extract of leaves of Lu Hui (HALL) was prepared by using Soxhlet extractor and subjected to analysis bystandard preliminary phytochemical tests. Assessment of both the diuretic and laxative activity was carried out using standard methods. Furosemide(20 mg/kg) was functioned as a positive control for diuretic activity, whereas gaviscon (10 mg/kg) worked as a reference drug for laxative activity.Results: The HALL showed weight diuretic activity and found to be the most potent in increasing the urinary output at 600 mg/kg when the effectwas comparable to that of the standard furosemide. Besides, this extract found to be most effective in increasing urinary electrolyte concentration(sodium, potassium, chloride) at both the doses tested. On the other hand, the results for laxative activity exhibited incredible increase of feces outputat the dose of 600 mg/kg, and the increase was similar to that of standard drug gaviscon.Conclusion: Altogether, the above major findings validate and support its folkloric diuretic and purgative use and lend pharmacological credence tothe ethnomedical use of this leaves in the traditional system of medicine, stresses further studies to intricate its active constituents, uses and safety.Keywords: Bioassay, Diuretic, Laxative, Furosemide, Gaviscon, Ethnomedicine

Antibiotic sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from fishery products

During the course of an investigation on the incidence of Staphylococcus aureus contamination in frozen crab meat, frozen prawns and dried fishes from Cochin, 116 strains of S. aureus were isolated. The sensitivity of the isolated strains towards nine antibiotics showed that all the S. aureus strains were sensitive to kanamycin and streptomycin (100%). Sensitivity to other antibiotics like chloramphenicol, polymyxin-B, erythromycin, tetracycline, neomycin, penicillin and ampicillin were shown by 98.28, 93.10, 87.93, 68.10, 67.24, 56.90 and 55.17 percent of the isolates respectively

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-DIABETIC POTENTIALS OF PERSEA AMERICANA MILL. (LAURACEAE) FRUIT EXTRACT

Objective:  Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and the management of blood glucose level is an important strategy in the control of the disease and complications associated with it. Therefore, components that cause uptake of glucose from the bloodstream and inhibitors of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes can be useful in treatment of DM and medicinal plants are often used to achieve this aim. Avocado fruit is rich in phytochemicals necessary for treatment of DM. The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of Persea americana fruit extracts on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Methods: The percentage yield, phytochemical screening (both qualitative and quantitative), in vitro antioxidant and anti-diabetic assays, and kinetic studies were performed with different solvent extracts of Avocado fruit pulp. Results:  Avocado had great and promising potential as pharmaceutical agent, particularly to be developed as anti-diabetic through the inhibition of α-glucosidase and α- amylase enzymes.  In vitro studies of the antioxidant activity of the fruit extract gave an evidence and strong biochemical rationale of their therapeutic potential. Conclusion: The fruit extract of P. americana may play an important role in the development of nutraceuticals and also in the management of oxidative stress induced DM.                                        Peer Review History: Received 4 October 2018;   Revised 22 October; Accepted 3 November, Available online 15 November 2018 Academic Editor: Dr. Gehan Fawzy Abdel Raoof Kandeel, Pharmacognosy Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, 12622,  Giza, Egypt, [email protected]  UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file:        Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 7.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 8.5/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Sabah Hussien El-Ghaiesh, Tanta University, Egypt, [email protected]  Dr. Mohamed Derbali, Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir, Tunisia, [email protected] Similar Articles: COMPARATIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTIOXIDANT PROFILE OF VITAMIN-E AND RED DATES IN PLACEBO AND TESTED GROUPS OF HYPERLIPIDEMIC PATIENTS PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY POTENTIAL EVALUATIONS OF METHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF COCOS NUCIFERA (L.) LEAVES This article has been cited by: Tafesse TB, Bule MH, Khoobi M, Faramarzi MA, Abdollahi M, Amini M. Coumarin-based Scaffold as α-glucosidase Inhibitory Activity: Implication for the Development of Potent Antidiabetic Agents. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2020;20(2):134-151. Pubmed Khosravi, A., Vaezi, G., Hojati, V. et al. Study on the interaction of triaryl-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with α-glucosidase. DARU J Pharm Sci 28, 109–117 (2020). Pubmed Arirudran, B., Krishnan, V., Rao, U.M. Preliminary phytochemical analysis and isolation and identification of active principle components of petroleum ether extract from leaves of Lawsonia inermis L. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology 12(8), 3629-3636. Pubme

EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT AND CHEMOPREVENTIVE POTENTIAL OF METHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF LEAF OF AEGLEMARMELOS ATTRIBUTES TOWARDS DUCTAL CARCINOMA STUDIED IN MCF7 CELLS

Objective: The objective of the present research work had been made to evaluate the antioxidant potential along with anti-cancer activity of methanolic extracts from the leaf of A. marmelos. Methods: Standard methods for antioxidant potential in terms of DPPH and nitric oxide scavenging assay, and anticancer activity in vitro method (Cytotoxicity/MTT assay and % of cell viability) by using MCF7 cell line. Results: Results of antioxidant efficacy revealed that the IC50 value for DPPH and nitric oxide scavenging assay was considered to be 62.032%, and 20.69% respectively. The methanolic extract of A. marmelos was found to possess enhanced anticancer potential against MCF7 cells. Cytotoxicity activity of MCF7 cells, when treated with methanolic extract of A. marmelos, was found to be 43.42% at 25µg, 52.31% at 50µg, 56.31% at 75µg, 58.38% at 100µg, 62.25% at 125µg. The IC50 value was found as 49.36µg. Toxicity was significantly increased with increased concentration and viability significantly decreased with the increased concentration of methanolic extract of leaf from A. marmelos for MCF7 cell when compared to cyclophosphamide. Conclusion: From the studies, it was postulated that methanolic extract of leaf from A. marmeloshas significant chemopreventive activity. These specific identities will be useful for the identification and authentication of raw drug

Occurrence of enterotoxigenic staphylococci in frozen fishery products

Sixty six samples of frozen fishery products consisting of frozen crab meat, frozen prawns, frozen cuttlefish and frozen mussel collected from nine cold stores situated in and around Cochin city were examined for coagulase positive staphylococci. Forty eight samples (72.72%) revealed the presence of coagulase positive staphylococci, which were then tested for enterotoxigenity, employing cellophane-over-agar method for toxin production and optimum-sensitivity-plate (OSP) method for toxin detection. Seventy seven out of one hundred and two (75.49%) coagulase positive staphylococcal isolates from the above products produced enterotoxins A, B, C, D and E either singly or in combinations. Enterotoxin A and D were detected more often than others. The occurrence of enterotoxigenic staphylococci in frozen fishery product is reported for the first time in this country

PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY AMONG ADULT AT THE KAMPUNG KOLAM, EAST COAST MALAYSIAN PENINSULA-A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: This study assesses the prevalence of obesity and its associated factors among adults aged 18 y and above at the Kampaung kolam, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.Methods: This cross-sectional survey comprised of a semi-structured face to face interview questionnaire and collected anthropometric measurements and sex specific waist circumference in cm. The study population was 70 in total with 21 (30%) males and 49 (70%) females aged 18 y and above were selected by universal sampling. Body mass index (BMI) was used for weight status and sex specific waist circumference (WC) in cm was used for assessment of abdominal or central obesity at risk of metabolic complications associated with obesity.Results: Among men, the prevalence of underweight was 9.5%, normal weight 57.1%, overweight 14.3% and obesity 19.1%, while among women, the prevalence of underweight was 12.2%, normal weight 53.1%, overweight 14.3% and obesity 20.4%. Overall, 18 (25.7%) was obese and 52 (74.3%) was non-obese while sex specific WC in cm 19 (27.1%) was abdominal obese who were at risk of metabolic complication associated with obesity and 51 (72.9%) was not at risk. In chi-square association tests revealed that among respondents, currently married, unemployed and having family history with obesity were associated with generalized obesity while respondents who were currently married and having fast food frequently were associated with abdominal obesity and respondents who being currently married, unemployed and having fast food frequently were more likely to obese in generalized as well as abdominally.Conclusion: There was no association between generalized, abdominal and generalized and abdominal obesity with age, gender, education, flat floor structure, dietary patterns and habits, physical activities, sleep pattern and knowledge and attitude level towards obesity but those factors can be utilized in effective health promotion programmers of weight management strategies by targeting those factors in design for prevention of hypertension, diabetes and related cardio vascular diseases CVD

Impact of sand organic carbon and climatic changes on the population density and morphometric characters of Emerita asiatica in the East Coast of Southern India

240-244A population density of Emerita asiatica in relation to sand organic carbon in the Nemmeli beach, East coast, Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu was studied. Specimens were collected once in a fortnight from April 2017 to March 2018 by hand picking method in the intertidal region of Nemmeli beach. The total sand organic carbon level was recorded once in a fortnight. The population presented a smaller incidence of males in relation to females (48.66:51.34); however, in May 2017 an inverse pattern occurred (73:27). Ovigerous females were present in all samples with greater frequencies in October and November 2017 whereas, the highest juveniles were present in May and September 2017. The variation noted in a population of Emerita asiatica showed there is a relationship to sand organic carbon fluctuations; it can be determined that the sand organic carbon fluctuations have an influence on the population density of this species in Nemmeli beach. Hence, the rather stable sand organic carbon throughout the year and moderate changes in the sand may well be conducive to population biology of Emerita asiatica

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It is great honor and privilege for me to be appointed as Member - Editorial Board, Universal Journal of Pharmaceutical Research (UJPR). My heartiest salutations to Prof. Dr. Kapil Kumar, Editor-in-Chief and the other board members for their accomplishment of today through their hard work and persistence. Indeed, UJPR is now recognized as an international rather than a domestic journal with a considerable proportion of manuscripts being contributed from outside the country. UJPR will continue to adhere to its original philosophy of promoting the sharing of basic medical science experience by our members.    I believe that the most critical components of any scientific journal's success are the submission of high-quality manuscripts, the dedication of members of its editorial board, and excellence of those reviewing the manuscripts. We will take utmost care for rigorous peer review of all submitted manuscripts to accept only quality contents without any fringe of conflict for publication. I will take this opportunity to appeal to all authors to prepare their manuscripts strictly according to journal instructions so as to avoid any undue delay in its editorial processing and disappointment of rejection.                                                                           Now we are in the epoch of Cross disciplinary research based publications within the (preclinical) boulevards which usually assimilates information, data, techniques, tools, perspectives, concepts and / or theories from two or more disciplines of focused knowledge to progress rudimentary understanding or to decipher glitches whose solutions are outside the scope of a single discipline or area of research practice. Interdisciplinarians publish the manuscripts by mixing the best elements of disciplinary insights by crossing their parent discipline in order to generate a more wide-ranging appreciation of the issue at hand. Interdisciplinary publication allows for the synthesis of ideas and the synthesis of characteristics from many fields. Hopefully, UJPR Chief with support from editorial ­team will strive to generate an impact factor for which we invite submission of more original articles and citation of relevant literature published in this journal in your future publications

Impact of sand organic carbon and climatic changes on the population density and morphometric characters of Emerita asiatica in the East Coast of Southern India

A population density of Emerita asiatica in relation to sand organic carbon in the Nemmeli beach, East coast, Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu was studied. Specimens were collected once in a fortnight from April 2017 to March 2018 by hand picking method in the intertidal region of Nemmeli beach. The total sand organic carbon level was recorded once in a fortnight. The population presented a smaller incidence of males in relation to females (48.66:51.34); however, in May 2017 an inverse pattern occurred (73:27). Ovigerous females were present in all samples with greater frequencies in October and November 2017 whereas, the highest juveniles were present in May and September 2017. The variation noted in a population of Emerita asiatica showed there is a relationship to sand organic carbon fluctuations; it can be determined that the sand organic carbon fluctuations have an influence on the population density of this species in Nemmeli beach. Hence, the rather stable sand organic carbon throughout the year and moderate changes in the sand may well be conducive to population biology of Emerita asiatica

CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY OF SYRINGIN, A NOVEL BIOGLYCOSIDE: A REVIEW

Syringin, a phenylpropanoid glycoside belongs to eleutheroside derivative. This bioactive compound was identified in several plants including Musaparadisiaca, Jasminum mesnyi, Edgeworthia chrysantha, Acanthopanax senticosus, etc. According to Nair et al., syringin is synthesized from the precursorphenylalanine by a series of reactions. Zhao has described a rapid extraction method based on the ultrasound-assisted extraction of syringin fromthe bark of Ilex rotunda thumb using response surface methodology. Based on the findings made by Jizhong et al., the bioactive compound syringinwas separated from the n-butanol extract of the stems and barks of E. chrysantha Lindl by high-speed counter-current chromatography. Accordingto Choi et al., the enrichment and purification of syringin from A. senticosus was performed based on the adsorption and desorption properties ofcommercial macroporous resins. The pharmacological properties of syringin includes scavenging the free radicals, protection against neuronal celldamage, inhibition of apoptosis, anti-diabetic effect, anti-inflammatory potential, anti-nociceptive action, anti-allergic effect, etc.Keywords: Phenylpropanoid glycoside, Eleutheroside, Apoptosis, Nociceptive