Scientific validation of cardioprotective attribute by standardized extract of Bombyx mori against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in murine model

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an excellent antineoplastic agent used for the treatment of hematological and solid malignancies. The aqueous extract of Bombyx mori (BMAE) contains amino acids and some flavonoids with obvious cardioprot ective effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective effect of BMAE against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and its underlying mechanisms on murine model. The metabolic profiling of BMAE was carried out by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS) and the amino acid profiling by HPLC method using fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). The biochemical parameter like caspase-3, tumor necrosis factor–alpha (TNF—α), interleukin -6 (IL-6), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were studied. Tissue damage was further evaluated by histopathological studies. The metabolic profiling of BMAE exhibited presence of quercetin 7-O-β-D-glucoside, kaempferol7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, coumaric acid glucoside, 2-hydroxy-nonadecanoic acid and 9,12-dihydroxy stearic acid as important constituents. The amino acid profile by HPLC-FLD showed presence of 17 amino acids. The BMAE showed prominent free radical scavenging activity when assessed by the H2O2 and super-oxide method. The results of present investigation showed protection against DOX-induced oxid ative stress (lipid peroxidation), by reverting activities of apoptotic markers (caspase-3 and TNF-α), cardiac markers (CK-MB and LDH activities) as well as pro-inflammatory marker IL-6 followed by oral administration of BMAE. In addition, results of histopathology also supported well the above results. It was observed that BMAE protects DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by virtue of its antioxidants possibly by flavonoids and amino acids

<span style="font-size:15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-US">Quality assessment and evaluation of <i>in-vitro</i> antioxidant potential of <i>Phyllanthus</i> <i>emblica </i>L.</span>

265-272Phyllanthus emblica L. syn. Emblica officinalis Gaertn. commonly known as amla is a well known drug in India having nutritional value with various health related benefits and employed in various herbal formulations due to the presence of high levels of vitamin C along with valuable phenolic constituents and amino acids. In the present study, quality assessment of amla fruit was carried out by studying macro and microscopic characters along with physicochemical tests for the identification of drug. Chemoprofiling was achieved with thin layer chromatography by optimizing the mobile phase for different extracts. Total phenolic contents and in-vitro antioxidant efficacy was also determined as the drug is well known for protective role in human body as antioxidant. The contaminant evaluation was carried out by analyzing the samples for the determination of heavy metals, pesticides and aflatoxins. The results of quality control and anatomical studies found useful for its identification with significant antioxidant efficacy. The drug was found free of contaminant when analyzed for pesticides and aflatoxins whereas heavy metals were found in safe limits. The work embodied in the present research can be utilized for the quality control and for the identification of the drug samples. </span

Standardization and in vitro antioxidant activity of jatamansi rhizome

Background: Nardostachys jatamansi Linn. commonly known as jatamansi is a well notorious drug in Indian systems of medicines having various health-related benefits and employed in various herbal formulations due to the presence of high levels of valuable phenolic constituents. The present study was aimed to quality assessment of Jatamansi rhizome by studying macro- and micro-scopic characters along with physicochemical tests, chemo-profiling using thin layer chromatography (TLC), and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), in vitro antioxidant activity. Materials and Methods: Standardization was carried out as per the pharmacopeial guidelines and contaminant estimation was carried out by analyzing the samples for the determination of heavy metals, pesticides, and aflatoxins. Chemo-profiling was done with TLC by optimizing the mobile phase for different extracts. The GC-MS chemo-profiling was also carried out by using hexane soluble fraction of the hydroalcoholic extract. The drug is well known for a protective role in the human body as an antioxidant, so total phenolic contents and in vitro antioxidant efficacy was also determined by using established methods. Results:The results of quality control and anatomical studies were very much useful for its identification, whereas significant antioxidant efficacy was also observed. The drug was found free of contaminants when analyzed for pesticides and aflatoxins, whereas heavy metals were found under the pharmacopeial limit. Conclusion: The findings of the present research can be utilized for the identification and quality control of the jatamansi rhizome

A high performance thin layer chromatographic method for the estimation of colchicine in different formulations

Background: Colchicine is a main alkaloid present in bitter and sweet variety of colchicum (Colchicum luteum Baker), which have been reported to possess anti-rheumatic, anti-gout, and anticancer potential. Colchicum is an important ingredient of several Unani and Herbal formulations. Quantification of colchicine will play a great role in quality control of these formulations. Hence, a high-performance thin layer chromatographic (TLC) method has been developed for the analysis of colchicine in Unani formulations of various dosage forms such as hubb (tablet) and capsules. Materials and Methods: The samples were applied on aluminum TLC plates precoated with silica gel 60-F254and developed using mobile phase toluene-dichloromethane-methanol in equal proportions. Quantification was done by densitometric scanning at 350 nm, which showed a linear response in the range of 50–500 ng/spot. The developed method was validated as per the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines for linearity, precision, accuracy, specificity, robustness, limit of detection, and limit of quantification. Results and Conclusion: The developed method was applied for quantitative estimation of colchicine in different Unani and Herbal formulations. The method was found simple, selective, accurate with a wide range of linearity, hence suitable for the quality control of different formulations and varieties of colchicum with respect to colchicine content

Caspase Mediated Synergistic Effect of Boswellia serrata Extract in Combination with Doxorubicin against Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The study investigated the growth-inhibiting and apoptosis mediating effects of B. serrata extract as monotherapy and combination therapy with DOX against hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Boswellic acid rich fraction of B. serrata extract was prepared. MTT assay on HepG2 and Hep3B cells was carried out using B. serrata alone and in combination with DOX. Further, caspase-3 activity, TNF-α level, and IL-6 level were estimated. Isobolographic analysis was carried out to evaluate the effect of combination therapy. Additionally, protective effect of B. serrata extract on DOX induced hepatic toxicity was also evaluated in Wistar rats. B. serrata extract inhibited growth of HepG2 (IC50 value of 21.21±0.92 μg/mL) as well as HepG2 (IC50 value of 18.65±0.71 μg/mL). DOX inhibited growth in HepG2 and Hep3B cells with an IC50 of 1.06±0.04 μg/mL and 1.92±0.09 μg/mL. Isobolographic analysis showed combination index (CI) of DOX and B. serrata extract of 0.53±0.03 to 0.79±0.02 suggesting synergistic behavior against the two cell lines. B. serrata extract also caused dose dependent increase in caspase-3 activity, TNF-α level, and IL-6 level which was higher (P<0.001) with DOX (1 μM) and B. serrata extract (20 μg/mL) combination. B. serrata extract also protected Wistar rats against DOX induced hepatic toxicity

A phyto-pharmacological overview on <i>Adhatoda zeylanica </i>Medic. syn. <i>A. vasica </i>(Linn.) Nees

549-554Adhatoda zeylanica Medic. syn A. vasica (Linn.) Nees (Vasaka), a popular Indian medicinal plant, has long been used commonly in Ayurvedic system of medicine. The plant has been found to possess diverse number of pharmacological activities. The present paper gives an account of updated information on its phytochemical and pharmacological activities. The review reveals that wide range of phytochemical constituents have been isolated from the plant and it possesses important activities like antitussive, antibacterial, abortifacient, anti-inflammatory and antiulcer. Various other activities like radiomodulation, hypoglycaemic, cardiovascular protection, antitubercular, antiviral, hepatoprotective, antimutagenic and antioxidant have also been reported. These reports are very encouraging and indicate that herb should be studied more extensively for its therapeutic benefits. Clinical trials using vasaka for a variety of combinations in different formulations should also be conducted

Establishment of quality and safety markers for the identification of Amomum seed and Cinnamon leaf

A crucial and essential prerequisite is the standardization of crude drugs for the purpose of authenticating their effectiveness, safety, and quality. To ensure the scientific significance of two traditional medicinal plants, standardization and quality assessment of two traditional medicines have been done in the current work. The Pharmacognostical evaluation, microscopy, HPTLC profiling, and safety assessment of Amomum subulatum Roxb seed and Cinnamomum cassia Blume leaf have been carried out. The evaluation was carried out by using standard World Health Organization (WHO) protocol along with HPTLC profiling of different extracts by developing suitable solvent systems. Microscopy has been carried out using advanced techniques. The quantitative estimation of harmful heavy metals and aflatoxins is also achieved by using prescribed protocol. The outcomes have been collated and set up in a tabular format for HPTLC profiling and physicochemical evaluation of Cinnamomum cassia and Amomum subulatum. Both the drugs underwent for safety assessment by estimating aflatoxin (B1, B2, and G1, G2) using HPLC, and heavy metals (Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, and Arsenic) by applying atomic absorption spectrometer, whereas pesticidal residue were estimated by using recommended GC-MS method the results have been compared with reference values and discussed, respectively. All the procedures repeated thrice and the average reading with standard deviation has been represented. The recommended standardization methods are valuable for ensuring the scientific significance of herbal drugs. The study demonstrated the microscopic cellular identification of both the plant species, TLC profiling is an acceptable technique to know the phytoconstituents present in particular extracts (polar or non-polar), whereas safety assessment by performing heavy metals, aflatoxins, and pesticide analysis which all collective work can be remarkable for ensuring the quality