Rheumatoid arthritis – Pharmacology and its management with traditional herbs

284-289Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is chronic, debilitating disease that follows a progressive course characterized by persistent inflammation and erosive joints damage leading to functional disability. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis remains unknown. Several disadvantages like serious side effects, high cost and requirement of parenteral administration still invite more research in this area to provide a convenient, affordable therapy with lesser or no side effects. The medicinal properties of plants have been investigated in the light of recent scientific developments throughout the world, due to their potent pharmacological activities, low toxicity and economic viability. The present review focuses on pharmacology of rheumatoid arthritis and traditional herbs which are potential candidate for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Due to effectiveness, safety, economical reasons herbal treatments will open doors for advanced research in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Immobilization of Pectinesterase in Genipin-Crosslinked Chitosan Membrane for Low Methoxyl Pectin Production

In this study, an environmentally friendly method for preparation of chitosan crosslinked membranes with different genipin concentrations (0, 125, 250, and 500 mg/L) was developed. Genipin-crosslinked chitosan membranes were used for the immobilization of fungal pectinesterase (PE). PE was efficiently immobilized in chitosan membranes and used for modification of high-methoxylated pectins into low-methoxylated pectins. The charge density (ζ-potential), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ion-exchange chromatography (IEC) revealed the modification of pectin for immobilized PE in genipin-crosslinked chitosan membrane. The ζ-potential results indicated a decrease of -5.2 mV in the pectin control solution, whereas using the PE immobilized in chitosan and genipin-chitosan membranes, the obtained values were -30.45 mV and -36.38 mV, respectively. Genipin-crosslinked chitosan membrane jointly with the immobilized PE represents an eco-friendly support to prepare tailor-made low-methoxylated lime pectin.Peer reviewe