Comparative Phytochemical investigation and Antioxidant study of Narcicuss tazetta, Nymphaea mexicana zucc. And Indigofera heterantha.

The study was intended to investigate the presence of phytoconstituents in the bulbs of Narcicuss tazetta, flowers of the plant Nymphaea mexicana, and roots of Indigofera heterantha. The present study provides evidence that methanolic extracts of Narcicuss tazetta, Nymphaea mexicana and Indigofera heterantha contain important compounds with marked bioactivity. Maximum phenolic content was observed in Nymphaea mexicana and maximum flavonoid content was observed in extract of Indigofera heterantha. Keywords: Phytoconstituents, Antioxidant, Nymphaea mexicana, Narcicuss tazetta, Indigofera heteranth

MULTIPLE TREATMENT OF EREMURUS HIMALAICUS EXTRACTS AMELIORATES CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN RATS

Objective: Eremurus himalaicus Baker, an edible herb of North Western Himalayas, has not been scientifically assessed for hepatoprotective potential. The ethyl acetate extract (EHE), methanolic extract (EHM) and aqueous extract (EHA) of Eremurus himalaicus were therefore evaluated for potential hepatoprotective activity in Wistar strain albino rats.Methods: Carbon tetrachloride (1.5 ml/kg) was employed as hepatotoxin and was given on Day 1 of the experiment. The extracts at a dose of 300 mg/kg bw (EHE, EHM and EHA) and the standard at a dose of 10 mg/kg bw (Liv 52) were given for following 7 d and the biochemical parameters (SGOT, SGPT, ALP, TP, bilirubin and UA) were estimated in order to assess the liver function. Moreover, the liver tissue samples were examined for histopathological changes.Results: The results for serum biochemical analysis in rats showed a rise in SGOT, SGPT, ALP and bilirubin levels and a decrease in TP and UA levels upon giving hepatotoxin. The administration of the extracts and standard drug, for a period of 7 d, showed a significant decrease in SGOT, SGPT, ALP and bilirubin levels and an increase in TP and UA levels for EHM when compared to the toxic group. These results correlated well with the histopathological findings of liver for normal, toxic and extract treated groups. The EHM treatment decreased the extent of fat deposition and necrosis caused by CCl4. The results were almost similar to the standard drug Liv 52.Conclusion: Collectively; the results indicate that EHM exhibits significant hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity

Evaluation of phytochemical, antioxidant, and In-vitro antidiarrhoeal, activity of Euphorbia hirta

Background:  The current study was carried out to evaluate the phytochemical, antioxidant, and In-vitro antidiarrheal properties of Euphorbia hirta Methods: Extracts were obtained using cold extraction, hot extraction and autoclave extraction methods using Methanol, Chloroform, Petroleum ether and distilled water as solvents. Crude extracts were screened for different phytochemical constituents like sugars, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and glycosides etc. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using spectrophotometric method. The in-vitro antidiarrheal activity was elucidated by the antimicrobial activity using agar diffusion method. Results: Methanol proved to be a good solvent for extraction. In-vitro antidiarrheal activity was shown by all extracts on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhi bacteria which are mainly responsible for diarrhea. Conclusion: From the phytochemical screening it shows presence of phytochemicals like alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, and saponins. The plant also shows antioxidant activity, methnolic extracts shows higher activity and it shows In-vitro antidiarrhoeal activity which clearly indicates that the plant can be used for the treatment of diarrhea. Further studies should be done to isolate the compound responsible for activity in the experimental animals. Keywords: Euphrobia hirta, autoclave extraction, antidiarrheal, phytochemicals

Hybrid Polymer Composite of Prussian Red Doped Polythiophene for Adsorptive Wastewater Treatment Application

Coordination compounds as dopants to conducting polymers combine desirable properties of individual components for a synergistic effect. Prussian red (PR) a low spin iron (III) coordination compound was doped in polythiophene (PTP) matrix to explore propensity of this inorganic-organic hybrid composite material towards wastewater treatment. PR doping was observed to improve mechano, thermal, electrical, and photocatalytic attributes of pure PTP. PTP/PR composite characterization was attempted using the powder X-ray diffraction, TEM, TGA, FTIR, BET analysis and UV-Visible spectroscopy. Optimization of adsorption conditions, adsorbent regeneration, adsorption thermodynamics studies of PTP/PR were carried out using malachite green (MG) dye as a model system. Under optimized conditions 92% MG dye adsorption was observed over 20 mg PTP/PR nanocomposite in 20 minutes at pH 7. PTP/PR nanocomposite also demonstrated a complimentary performance with real wastewater samples. Thermodynamic studies indicate spontaneous process with electrostatic attraction as the predominant noncovalent interaction. This study highlights designing catalysts capable of synergistic adsorption and photocatalytic activities for effective wastewater treatment

Amelioration of experimental hyperlipidemia in rats by Portulaca oleracea Linn from Kashmir Himalaya

Background: Traditionally, Portulaca oleracea Linn. treats abscesses and dysentery as well as liver disease. Additionally, recent studies have reported its effectiveness as a neuroprotective, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and curative, in addition to its pharmacological effects. Aim and Objective: To assess the phytochemical constituents quantitatively & qualitatively and lipid-lowering potential of different extracts of Portulaca oleracea L. from Kashmir Himalaya. Methods: Portulaca oleracea L. was extracted with chloroform, methanol, and aqueous solvents. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening was carried and antihyperlipidemic activity was evaluated in experimental hyperlipidemic rats fed with cholesterol in coconut oil for 14 days. Results: Chloroform, methanol, and aqueous extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, sapon ins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, terpenes, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, proteins, and carbohydrates. Quantitatively the dried plant powder contains alkaloids 0.72 g%, saponins 1.0 g%, phenolics 1.09 g%, tannins 0.91 g%, carbohydrates 0.53 g%, proteins 0.25 g% and lipids 0.87 g%. The aqueous extract was found to decrease the plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very lowdensity lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and significantly elevated the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels as compared to methanol and chloroform extracts against cholesterol-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Conclusions: The results reveal that the Portulaca oleracea L. from the Kashmir region possesses alkaloids, saponins, phenolics, tannins, carbohydrates, proteins and lipids and aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea L. at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight possess highly significant antihyperlipidemic action than methanolic and chloroform extracts at similar doses

Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective Potential and Chemical Profiling of Propolis Ethanolic Extract from Kashmir Himalaya Region Using UHPLC-DAD-QToF-MS

The aim of this study was to examine hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic extract of propolis (KPEt) from Kashmir Himalaya against isoniazid and rifampicin (INH-RIF) induced liver damage in rats. Hepatic cellular injury was initiated by administration of INH-RIF combination (100 mg/kg) intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection for 14 days. We report the protective effects of KPEt against INH-RIF induced liver oxidative stress, inflammation, and enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants. Oral administration of KPEt at both doses (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) distinctly restricted all modulating oxidative liver injury markers and resulted in the attenuation of INH-RIF arbitrated damage. The free radical scavenging activity of KPEt was evaluated by DPPH, nitric oxide, and superoxide radical scavenging assay. The components present in KPEt identified by ultra high performance liquid chromatography diode array detector time of flight-mass spectroscopy (UHPLC-DAD-QToF-MS) were found to be flavonoids and phenolic acids. The protective efficacy of KPEt is possibly because of free radical scavenging and antioxidant property resulting from the presence of flavonoids and phenolic acids

In-vitro evaluation of Indigofera heterantha extracts for antibacterial, antifungal and anthelmintic activities

Abstract Background Multidrug-resistant bacterial strains cause several serious infections that can be fatal, such as Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacteriaceae (often referred to as ESKAPE pathogens). Since ancient times, several indigenous medical systems in India have utilized diverse medicinal plants (approximately 80,000 species) as conventional treatments for a variety of illnesses. A member of the Fabaceae family, also referred to as “Himalayan indigo,” Indigofera heterantha Wall, is well known for its therapeutic properties. Methods The present study investigated the antibacterial, antifungal and antihelmintic properties of the roots, bark, leaves, and flowers of I. heterantha from the Kashmir Himalayas. The effectiveness of the extracts against bacteria, fungi, and earthworms. Three of the tested organisms for bacteria were ESKAPE pathogens, as they are responsible for creating fatal bacterial infections. The antifungal potency of I. heterantha aqueous and methanolic extracts was evaluated using the Agar Well Diffusion Assay. The antihelmintic activity was carried out on an adult Pheretima posthuma Indian earth worm, which shares physiological and anatomical similarities with human intestinal roundworm parasites. Results The methanolic extracts of root and bark have shown prominent activity against all bacterial strains, whereas aqueous extracts of flower, root, and leaves have shown promising activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The aqueous extract demonstrated good activity against S. cerevisiae at a concentration of 200 mg/ml with a zone of inhibition of 16 mm, while the methanolic extract displayed comparable activity against the fungal strains. The remaining two strains, P. crysogenum and A. fumigatus, were only moderately active in response to the extracts. All the extracts have shown anthelmintic activity except aqueous flower. Conclusion These results will pave the way for the bioassay-guided isolation of bioactive constituents that may act as hits for further development as potential antibacterial agents against drug-resistant microbial and helminthic infections

Promising Role of Silk-Based Biomaterials for Ocular-Based Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering

Silk is a wonderful biopolymer that has a long history of medical applications. Surgical cords and medically authorised human analogues made of silk have a long history of use in management. We describe the use of silk in the treatment of eye diseases in this review by looking at the usage of silk fibroin for eye-related drug delivery applications and medication transfer to the eyes. During this ancient art endeavour, a reduced engineering project that employed silk as a platform for medicine delivery or a cell-filled matrix helped reignite interest. With considerable attention, this study explores the present usage of silk in ocular-based drug delivery. This paper also examines emerging developments with the use of silk as a biopolymer for the treatment of eye ailments. As treatment options for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, and other retinal diseases and degenerations are developed, the trans-scleral route of drug delivery holds great promise for the selective, sustained-release delivery of these novel therapeutic compounds. We should expect a swarm of silk-inspired materials to enter clinical testing and use on the surface as the secrets of silk are unveiled. This article finishes with a discussion on potential silk power, which adds to better ideas and enhanced ocular medicine delivery

Zingerone (4-(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl) butan-2-one) protects against alloxan-induced diabetes via alleviation of oxidative stress and inflammation: Probable role of NF-kB activation

Diabetes is considered as the most common metabolic disease affecting millions of people all around the world. Use of natural herbal medicines can be effective in treating diabetes. Zingerone (4-(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl) butan-2-one) a polyphenolic alkanone extracted from ginger has a broad spectrum of pharmacological properties and thus can be used as a promising candidate against various ailments. In the current study we aimed at demonstrating the protective effect of zingerone against diabetes mellitus and elucidating its possible mechanism. Five groups of animals (I-V) were made with ten animals each. Group I (control) was given normal saline orally. Group II (diabetic positive control) was given alloxan at the dose rate of 100 mg/kg bwt once. Group III and IV was given alloxan once at the dose rate of 100 mg/kg bwt. and received oral treatment of zingerone at a dose rate of 50 and 100 mg/kg bwt respectively daily for 21 days. Group V was given alloxan at the dose of 100 mg/kg bwt. and was treated with standard drug glibenclamide at the dose rate of 4.5 mg/kg bwt. daily for 21 days. According to our findings we confirmed that zingerone restrained the alloxan induced oxidative stress by increasing the activity of reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and reducing the peroxidative damage. We also confirmed that zingerone suppressed the level of redox sensitive transcription factor NFκB and downregulated other downstream inflammatory cytokines like interleukins (IL1-β IL-2, IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Moreover, the experimental findings suggested that zingerone improved the insulin levels. Taken together our results indicated that zingerone effectively ameliorated the diabetes induced complications which provide a strong theoretical basis for zingerone to be used clinically for treatment of diabetes. Keywords: Alloxan, Diabetes, NFκB, Cytokines, Zingeron