Morphoanatomy and phytochemical screening of entire fruits of Momordica tuberosa Cogn. (Cucurbitaceae)

Momordica tuberosa (Cucurbitaceae) is traditionally used as abortifacient in India. Morphoanatomy, physicochemical and phytochemical nature of fruits and seeds of this plant were studied in order to contribute to complete the profile of these parts to aid in their identification and avoid confusion in taxanomic species. Macroscopic and microscopic characters were established using light microscopy, WHO recommendations and standard physicochemical and phytochemical procedures. Fruits presented the typical characters of Cucurbitaceae plants possessing ridges with 1 mm thickness and pericarp 550 µm thick. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, steroids, triterpenes and alkaloids in various extracts. The findings from morphoanatomy, microscopy and physicochemical characters may be used to establish the authenticity of fruits of this plant.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of tubers of <i style="">Momordica tuberosa</i> Cogn. against CCl₄ induced liver injury in rats

510-513Hydro alcoholic extract of tubers of M. tuberosa was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and evaluated for in vitro and in vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced liver damage in rats. Pretreatment with 70% ethanolic extract of M. tuberosa reversed CCl4 induced elevation of levels of serum biomarkers to near normal levels, suggesting that the tubers of M. tuberosa possess hepatoprotective property and this property may be attributed to the antioxidant property of the plant

Evaluation of anti-ulcer effect of root of <i>Curcuma zedoaria </i>in rats<i> </i>

375-377Curcuma zedoaria is the chief ingredient in several Unani preparations used to treat peptic ulcer. Therefore antiulcer activity of root of C. zedoaria was studied in pyloric-ligated albino rats. The effect of root powder (200mg/kg oral) on the volume of gastric juice, gastric pH, total acid, free acid and ulcer index in the pyloric-ligated rats was studied for the assessment of antiulcer activity. The root powder (200 mg/kg) reduced the gastric pH, free acid, total acid and ulcer index significantly and the results were comparable to that of standard drug omeprazole (30 mg/kg i.p.). It may be concluded that the root is effective in protecting against hyperacidity and gastric ulcers. This study justifies the use of C. zedoaria in various formulations of Unani system of medicine for the treatment of peptic ulcer

Pharmacognostical studies on tubers of Momordica tuberosa Cogn., Cucurbitaceae

The study was aimed at establishing pharmacognostical profile for the tubers of plant Momordica tuberosa Cogn., Cucurbitaceae. Morphoanatomy of tubers of this plant were studied in order to establish its complete profile to aid in its identification and avoid confusion in its taxanomic species. These were established using light microscopy, WHO recommended physicochemical and phytochemical procedures. The parameters presented here may be used to establish the authenticity of tubers of this plant as this part has been used traditionally in India and also to differentiate between closely related Momordica species

Formulation of stomach-specific floating microparticles of nizatidine and their radiographic evaluation

Nizatidine is an anti-secretogogue and a gastroprotective drug with a half-life of 1-2 h and is well absorbed in the stomach. This study aimed to optimize the process and develop floating microparticles of nizatidine that are based on low methoxyl pectin. Oil-in-oil dispersion method and Taguchi orthogonal array design were employed, and the prolonged residence time of the microparticles in the stomach was demonstrated. The constraints for independent variables, viz. A-polymer, B-internal solvent volume, C-surfactant, D-stirring rate and E-stirring time were set to generate the experimental runs. Particle size, percentage yield, micromeritic properties, entrapment efficiency,&nbsp;in vitro&nbsp;buoyancy and&nbsp;in vitro&nbsp;release were characterized. Surface morphology, zeta potential,&nbsp;in vitro&nbsp;release kinetics and&nbsp;in vivo&nbsp;floating performance of the optimized formulation was examined. The microparticles were free-flowing, irregular in shape and had a mean particle size distribution of 73-187 μ. Low methoxyl pectin played a predominant role in achieving buoyancy and optimum gastric retention for the modified release of the drug, suggesting Korsmeyer-Peppas model as the possible release mechanism.&nbsp;In vivo&nbsp;radiographic study in rabbits revealed that the drug was retained in the stomach for a period of 6 h. These results indicate that nizatidine floating microparticulate system provides modified drug release for the effective treatment of gastric ulcer

Phytochemical and pharmacological evaluation of leaves of <i>Abutilon indicum</i>

79-83The leaves of Abutilon indicum Linn. were traditionally used to treat bronchitis, gonorrhoea, and as mouthwash in toothache, etc. However local practitioners have claimed that the leaves are highly useful in controlling diabetes mellitus. Hence the present study was planned to verify this claim and also to screen for the analgesic property. In addition, an attempt was made to identify the class of phytochemicals present in the leaves and also attribute the pharmacological property of the leaves to the particular type of phytochemicals. The results revealed that the leaves contain steroids, sapogenins, carbohydrates and flavonoids. It was also observed that different extracts have shown significant hypoglycaemic activity at 400 mg/kg dose, but aqueous extract was most potent in reducing the blood glucose levels. Similarly pet, ether extract and benzene extract were found to possess very good analgesic property. In addition all the extracts have shown CNS depressant activity. The results revealed that the use of leaves in controlling diabetes mellitus is justifiable. However present study failed to attribute this property to any class of the phytoconstituent present in the leaves.</span

Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective activity of Madhuca longifolia (koenig) bark against CCl 4 -induced hepatic injury in rats: In vitro and In vivo studies

ABSTRACT The antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of 70% ethanolic extract of bark of Madhuca longifolia (koenig) (EEMLK) were studied. The antioxidant property of 70% EEMLK was tested by using reducing power and free radical (hydroxyl and superoxide) scavenging models (invitro); the in-vivo antioxidant activity was assessed by determining the tissue GSH and lipid peroxidation levels. The 70% EEMLK at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg and silymarin 100mg/kg were administered to the CCl 4 challenged rats. The effect of 70% EEMLK and silymarin on wet liver weight, liver volume, serum biomarkers like SGOT, SGPT, ALP, direct and total Bilirubin were measured in CCl 4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Similarly hepatic tissues were subjected to histopathological observations. The test extract has shown dose dependant antioxidant activity in all the models. The altered biochemical and physical markers by the CCl 4 induced rats brought back to near normal level by the 70% ethanolic extract of MLK in a dose dependent manner