PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS, HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY, AND EX VIVO ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF A HERBAL FRUIT EXTRACT

Objective: The objective of the present investigation was to determine the presence of various phytochemicals in an ethanolic herbal fruit extract (HFE) made up by a blend of fruits of Phyllanthus emblica (PE), Ananas comosus (AC), Punica granatum (PG), and Terminalia chebula (TC). Followed by a qualitative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis for standardization of the extract using ascorbic acid and gallic acid as standards, this study was also aimed at the determination of ex vivo antioxidant potential and calculation of inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of HFE. Methods: The analysis of phytochemicals present in HFE was done qualitatively by methods as described by various researchers. Reversed-phase HPLC was carried out on a C-18 column on gradient mode, using methanol and acetic acid as mobile phase. Ex vivo antioxidant potential was evaluated by inhibition of lipid peroxidation (LPO) method by the preparation of packed cell volume. Results: The results revealed the presence of multiple phytoconstituents in the HFE, and through the chromatographic analysis, the presence of gallic and ascorbic acid as marker compounds was achieved. IC50 values calculated after LPO inhibition method was found to be 21.87 μg/ml and 25.63 μg/ml for ascorbic acid (as standard) and ethanolic HFE, respectively. Conclusion: The use of herbal antioxidants can provide protection to the human body by fighting against multiple diseases caused as a result of the accumulation of free radicals, generated in the normal metabolic processes going on inside the body. Nowadays, researchers are amused to see the long-term positive effects of using a combination of antioxidants, for example, a polyherbal formulation, rather than single entities

Chitosan nanoparticles as Carrier of Immunorestoratory plant extract: synthesis, characterization and Immunorestoratory efficacy

Various medicinal plants are rich in certain bioactive compounds that can help in restoration of immune system but these compounds may be unstable in gastro intestinal tract due to elevated pH and harsh conditions that render the biotherapeutic compound ineffective in GI tract. Various particulate systems such as nanoparticles had been used to improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of various drugs. In our present research we have used chitosan, a biodegradable polymer as carrier of plant extract (i.e Ethanolic extract of leaves of Ziziphus mauritiana) having immunomodulatory property and checked its immunorestorative efficacy in immunosuppressed hostIt was found that the oral administration of leaf extract of plant loaded in chitosan nanoparticles is an efficient immunorestorer in Swiss albino mice whose immune system had been suppressed by giving intraperitoneal injection of hydrocortisone(10mg/Kg body weight).The nanoparticles system enhances stability in harsh conditions in GI tract and may be a better vehicle in future for efficient drug delivery.Keywords: Chitosan, nanoparticles, immunorestoration, Ziziphus mauritiana, Hydrocortisone, Immunosuppressio

APPLICATION OF NANOSTRUCTURES IN ANTIMICROBIAL THERAPY

There are many infectious diseases that may be biofilm mediated, medical device-mediated or from some other agent, are now becoming life-threatening. Despite of availability of many antimicrobial agents, new drugs or therapeutics, these infections have continued to be a global health challenge. Nowadays, conventional antimicrobial agents have failed against many infections due to the emergence of multiple drug-resistant strains. Even, if there is a therapeutic efficacy of these drugs, there inappropriate amounts are resulting in an adequate therapeutic index, local and systematic side effects, including irritation, reduction in gut flora and other manifestations. To overcome such situations, nanostructures have exclusive physicochemical properties as they are ultra small, their size can be controlled, greater surface area to mass ratio, high reactivity and functionalizable structure. Encapsulation of antimicrobial drugs in these nanoparticle systems helps in reducing many side effects. It also helps in the sustained release of drug for a larger time period. Several metal and metal oxide nanoparticles such as silver, gold, zinc, etc. have shown a promising antimicrobial activity. Liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and solid lipid nanoparticles have achieved great success as efficient antimicrobial drug delivery systems. These nanoparticles use multiple biological pathways to exert their antimicrobial mechanism such as cell wall disruption, inhibition of RNA synthesis, protein synthesis, etc. Moreover,these preparations of nanoparticles are more cost-effective than that of antibiotic synthesis with lesser or no side effects

Coexisting Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Mucormycosis in a Patient with Aplastic Anemia Post Allogenic Stem Cell Transplantation

Infections are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in allogenic stem cell transplant recipients. Survival of the patient depends on the accurate diagnosis of the infectious agents and prompt and effective management of the infection alongwith maintenance of adequate immunosuppression post transplantation. We here reported a case of aplastic anemia who developed left upper lobe consolidation post allogenic stem cell transplantation and was found to have combined infection with tuberculosis and mucormycosis. This is the first case of combined infection with tuberculosis and mucormycosis reported in such a host, with a favourable outcom

Clinical Profile of Dengue Infection in Patients with Hematological Diseases

Managing hematological disorders in a tropical country presents several unique diagnostic and management problems. Apart from the disease process, we need to be aware of infections that can exacerbate or mimic serious hematological problems. We present here a series of five patients with pre-existing hematological diseases who were infected by dengue virus. These cases highlight the need to keep a strong suspicion of common endemic diseases in tropical countries before considering extensive workup for the basic hematological disease. There was no mortality and all patients recovered without any significant impact on their pre-existing hematological condition inspite of their low baseline blood counts. There was no excessive bleeding, prolonged stay in the hospital or relapse of underlying hematological disease in these patients and the only major concern was the increased anxiety among both the patient and treating physician regarding the relapse/progression of pre-existing hematological disease

Pulseless Right Upper Limb: An Unusual Manifestation of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract Aspergillus is the most common cause of fungal pneumonia in acute leukemia patients receiving chemotherapy or undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Despite a high index of suspicion and prompt institution of specific antifungal therapy, it causes significant morbidity and mortality in patients with hematological malignancies. It has to be differentiated from mucormycosis because the treatment differs. Histological confirmation obtained by lung biopsy is ideal, but is difficult to obtain in those patients who often have thrombocytopenia. We report a case of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia with typical manifestations of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis who developed pulseless right arm due to invasion of the right subclavian artery. When total leucocyte counts recovered, patient also developed immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome and massive pulmonary hemorrhage, which was managed by bronchial artery embolization

Betelvine (Piper betle L.): A comprehensive insight into its ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacological, biomedical and therapeutic attributes

Piper betle L. (synonym: Piper betel Blanco), or betel vine, an economically and medicinally important cash crop, belongs to the family Piperaceae, often known as the green gold. The plant can be found all over the world and is cultivatedprimarily in South East Asian countries for its beautiful glossy heart-shaped leaves, which are chewed or consumed as betelquidand widely used in Chinese and Indian folk medicine, as carminative, stimulant,astringent, against parasitic worms, conjunctivitis, rheumatism, wound, etc., andis also used for religious purposes. Hydroxychavicol is the most important bioactive compound among the wide range of phytoconstituents found in essential oil and extracts. The pharmacological attributes of P. betle are antiproliferation, anticancer, neuropharmacological, analgesic, antioxidant, antiulcerogenic, hepatoprotective, antifertility, antibacterial, antifungal and many more. Immense attention has been paid to nanoformulations and their applications. The application of P. betle did not show cytotoxicity in preclinical experiments, suggesting that it could serve as a promising therapeutic candidate for different diseases. The present review comprehensively summarizes the botanical description, geographical distribution, economic value and cultivation, ethnobotanical uses, preclinical pharmacological properties with insights of toxicological, clinical efficacy, and safety of P. betle. The findings suggest that P. betle represents an orally active and safe natural agent that exhibits great therapeutic potential for managing various human medical conditions. However, further research is needed to elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms of action, clinical aspects, structure–activity relationships, bioavailability and synergistic interactions with other drugs.This research was funded by projects APOGEO (Cooperation Program INTERREG-MAC 2014–2020, with European Funds for Regional Development-FEDER, ‘Agencia Canaria de Investigación, Innovación y Sociedad de la Información (ACIISI) del Gobierno de Canarias’ (project ProID2020010134), and CajaCanarias (project 2019SP43).Peer reviewe