Acanthus ilicifolius Linn. - Lesser Known Medicinal Plants with Significant Pharmacological Activities

Acanthus ilicifolius Linn. (Acanthaceae) is relatively lesser-known, yet important medicinal plant of Herbal Materia Medica. The plant is used in traditional systems of medicine, including Traditional Indian Medicine (TIM) or Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The plant is reported to contain phytochemicals including alkaloid and wide range of glucosides (lignan and phenylethanoid). In traditional medicine, the plant is used in the treatment of diseases ranging from snake bite to skin diseases. Laboratory investigations on extracts of the plant have demonstrated significant pharmacological activities like antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-osteporotic and hepatoprotective. The review analyses traditional medicinal usage, and phyto-pharmacological investigations done on the medicinal plant

Acanthus ilicifolius linn.-lesser known medicinal plants with significant pharmacological activities

Acanthus ilicifolius Linn. (Acanthaceae) is relatively lesser-known, yet important medicinal plant of Herbal Materia Medica. The plant is used in traditional systems of medicine, including Traditional Indian Medicine (TIM) or Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The plant is reported to contain phytochemicals including alkaloid and wide range of glucosides (lignan and phenylethanoid). In traditional medicine, the plant is used in the treatment of diseases ranging from snake bite to skin diseases. Laboratory investigations on extracts of the plant have demonstrated significant pharmacological activities like antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-osteporotic and hepatoprotective. The review analyses traditional medicinal usage, and phyto-pharmacological investigations done on the medicinal plant.Keywords: Acanthus ilicifolius, traditional medicine, phytochemistry, pharmacology, glucoside

COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF IN VITRO ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF CURCUMA CAESIA ROXB. AND CURCUMA AMADA ROXB

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the in vitro antimicrobial activity of Curcuma caesia Roxb. and Curcuma amada Roxb. family Zingiberaceae. Both plants have been used traditionally for curing a number of diseases and ailments. The plants have been specifically used in skin problems and inflammatory conditions.Methods: Each plant material was extracted with dichloromethane (DCM) and ethanol. All extracts were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was tested against two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes), and two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) using the cup-plate method. The standard drug used was ofloxacin (0.2 ml) at a concentration of 5 mg/ml. The antifungal activity was tested against Aspergillus fumigatus, and Candida albicans using the cup-plate method and clotrimazole (10 mg/ml) was taken as standard reference.Results: Phytochemical screening performed on the extracts has shown the presence of various constituents such as glycosides, carbohydrates, saponins, phytosterols, resins, flavonoids, and diterpenoids. On comparing both species, C. amada was found to be stronger growth inhibitor against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. C. caesia ethanol extract at a dose of 200 mg/ml was most effective and C. amada DCM extract 100 mg/ml was least effective in case of antifungal activity against C. albicans. In case of A. fumigatus, C. caesia DCM extract 100 mg/ml was least effective and C. caesia ethanol extract 200 mg/ml was most effective.Conclusion: The present study provides the information on phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activities of extracts prepared from two plants of family Zingiberaceae, i.e., C. caesia Roxb. and C. amada Roxb

RP-HPLC method development and validation of Albendazole and its impurity

Oxibendazole is a type of benzimidazole that is commonly used as an antiparasitic medication for both humans and animals. However, it is also a significant impurity found in albendazole, and it is crucial to follow the ICH Q3B criteria when analysing oxibendazole impurities. Therefore, it is recommended to use a simple, fast, sensitive, and precise RP-HPLC approach to identify oxibendazole impurities in bulk and pharmaceutical formulations of albendazole.To separate the oxibendazole impurity, acetonitrile and 10 nM potassium phosphate were used as a mobile phase. Orthophosphoric acid was used to accurately adjust the pH of the mobile phase to 2.03, ensuring optimal conditions. A nucleosil C18 column (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 µm) was used for the separation process, and it effectively provided the necessary separation. The gradient elution was set at a wavelength of 235 nm and a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The analytical technique was successfully designed and validated. The AQbD technique was used to optimize the analytical conditions for the suggested methodology, and the Design Expert 13® trial version was used for the central composite design optimization of analytical conditions. The procedure's linearity was verified using a regression coefficient of 0.999 within a working range of 0.5 to 3 μg/ml. Accuracy research showed results of 99.94–100.10% at 50, 100, and 150% levels of the working concentration. The oxibendazole impurity's average retention time was found to be 6.40 minutes, with a relative standard deviation of less than 2%, indicating high accuracy. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were found to be 0.073 and 0.091 μg/ml, respectively. Following the ICH Q2(R1) criteria, other validation criteria, such as robustness, were also evaluated. In conclusion, the proposed approach is suitable for analysing albendazole and oxibendazole in bulk and pharmaceutical formulations, making it ideal for detecting oxibendazole impurities

EVALUATION OF ANTIANXIETY EFFECT OF DRIED FRUITS OF PRUNUS AMERICANA MARSH

Objective: To evaluate antianxiety effect of dried fruits of Prunus americana Marsh. Family Rosaceae.Methods: Phytochemical screening was performed on various extracts of the fruits. Elevated plus maze and light/dark choice tests were used for screening of antianxiety activity. Diazepam (2 mg/kg) was used as the standard drug.Results: Phytochemical screening has shown the presence of various constituents such as flavonoids, carbohydrates, tannins, alkaloids, phenols, and saponins. Different concentrations (100 and 200 mg/kg) of the ethanolic extract of P. americana have shown promising results. Significant antianxiety activity was observed in ethanol extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg in both models.Conclusion: The present study suggests that ethanolic extract of P. americana contains certain chemical components that are responsible for the antianxiety effect of the fruits of the plant. The plant may be considered for the management of various disorders related to anxiety