Chemical composition and anti-angiogenic activity of the essential oil from Blumea eriantha D.C.

Blumea eriantha D.C is a weed from Asteraceae family and is reported to have anticancer activity. The essential oil from the aerial parts was extracted by steam distillation method with the yield of 0.36%. Through GC-MS analysis of the oil, seventeen compounds could be identified by comparing with linear retention indices with the library. Out of the seventeen compounds ß-Caryophylline oxide was isolated by column chromatography with gradient elution and the structure was determined through FT-IR, MS, 1HNMR, 13 C NMR and DEPT. The oil was evaluated for its effect on angiogenesis using Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay (CAM Assay). The concentration dependent antiangiogenic effect was observed with IC 50 value of 19.28 ppm.

Preparation and evaluation of wound healing activity of phytosomes of crocetin from Nyctanthes arbor-tristis in rats.

Background and aim: Orange colored tubular calyx of the flowers of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis contains an apocarotenoid crocin as a major ingredient, which is originally detected to be major colouring principle of saffron stigma. Saffron stigma exhibits good wound healing activity owing to the presence of crocin. The present study is aimed at isolation of crocetin, from tubular calyx of N. arbortristis and improve stability through entrapping in vesicles followed by evaluation of wound healing activity of the topical formulation thereof. Experimental procedure: Crocetin was isolated by treating ethanolic extract of tubular calyx of N. arbor-tristis with sodium bicarbonate followed by regeneration of crocetin using hydrochloric acid. The phytosomes were prepared by lipid film hydration technique. The gel containing phytosomes equivalent to crocetin 1% w/w, was then evaluated for wound healing activity through applications on incision and excision wounds inflicted in Wister albino rats. Results: Stability of crocetin was found to be increased due to entrapment into phytosomes. The studies revealed that both types of wounds upon treatment with gel containing crocetin phytosomes, indicated good wound healing potential, as the epithelization period was significantly (P < 0.001)decreased as compared to the control group from 26 to 9 days, in excision wound model and significant (P < 0.001)increase in breaking strength of repaired skin, as compared to control from 328.8 to 857.0 gm in incision wound model. Conclusion: Crocetin from tubular calyx of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis indicated to be potential wound healing phytoconstituent.

Pharmacokinetic Profile and Oral Bioavailability of Diosgenin, Charantin, and Hydroxychalcone From a Polyherbal Formulation.

Background: Diosgenin, charantin, and hydroxychalcone are utilized for standardization of popular antidiabetic herbal drugs Trigonella foenum-graecum L. belonging to family Fabaceae, Momordica charantia L. belonging to family Cucurbitaceae, and Cinnamomum verum J. Presl belonging to family Lauraceae. However, no reports on the bioavailability of these markers were available. The present study was undertaken to determine the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic profile of the markers and formulations containing the herbs. Methods: The pharmacokinetic profile and absolute bioavailability of the pure active markers were determined in male Wistar rats by administrating individually the doses of 1.5 mg/kg i.v. and 15 mg/kg p.o., followed by estimation of serum levels of the markers at 0, 10, 30, 60, 120, and 240 mins till 24 h time points by a validated bioanalytical HPTLC method. Two standardized antidiabetic capsule formulations containing spray dried hydroalcoholic extracts of seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (42.8 mg equivalent to 0.95%w/w of diosgenin), fresh fruits of Momordica charantia L. (21.4 mg equivalent to 0.4% w/w of charantin), and bark of Cinnamomum verum J. Presl (10.71 mg equivalent to 0.079 %w/w hydroxychalcone) were prepared. In one formulation, piperine 1.5 mg was added along with the other herbal extracts mentioned. Bioavailability and pharmacokinetic profile of these two formulations were determined in male Wistar rats through estimating serum levels of active markers diosgenin, charantin, and hydroxychalcone at 0, 10, 30, 60, 120, and 240 mins till 24 h later oral administration of the formulations (Formulation without piperine F1 and formulation with Piperine F2). Results: Plasma concentrations were found to decline mono-exponentially following intravenous administration, and the mean elimination half-life (t1/2) was observed to be 7.93, 8.21, and 4.66 h, respectively. The absolute oral bioavailability of pure markers was observed to be 9.0 ± 0.2%, 8.18 ± 0.36%, and 10.54 ± 0.52% by the dose normalization method. The oral bioavailabilities of the formulations with respect to diosgenin, charantin, and hydroxychalcone were found to be 9.78, 10.743, and 8.07%, respectively. The formulation containing piperine indicated a significant (p < 0.01) increase in the bioavailabilities of all the marker compounds. Conclusion: In conclusion, diosgenin and charantin have low bioavailabilities as compared to hydroxychalcone. The bioavailabilities of all the three marker compounds can be increased exponentially with the addition of piperine.

Evaluation of genotoxic and modulatory effects of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis calyx extract and the isolated crocin in Ames' assay.

Flowers of the plant Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (NAT) are widely used in the traditional medicinal systems of several Asian countries. In the present study, potential genotoxicity and modulatory effects of ethanolic extract of NAT flower calyx (NAT FCE) and crocin, a carotenoid principle were evaluated employing standard Salmonella assay. Experiments evaluating the genotoxic potential of NAT FCE and crocin, with and without the S9-activation in TA 98, TA 100 and TA 102 showed a lack of increase in revertant mutants. Evaluation of modulatory effects of NAT FCE and crocin, without the S9, showed significant decrease in the number of 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine-, sodium azide- and ethyl methanesulfonate-induced revertants. However, with S9, NAT FCE and crocin moderately increased the 2-aminoanthracene-induced revertants in TA 98; they moderately decreased revertants in TA 100 and TA 102. Both NAT FCE and crocin have been shown to be non-genotoxic and to be able to modulate responses of standard mutagens.

Crocetin from the tubular calyx of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis.

A carotenoid aglycone Ag-NY1 was isolated from the orange coloured tubular calyx of flowers of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis. The elucidation of the structure through a detailed spectroscopic study revealed that the carotenoid molecule is crocetin, which is the major aglycone present in the stigma of Crocus sativus. The compound exhibited a good membrane stabilising activity as compared to the corresponding glycoside crocin.

Evaluation of wound healing activity of root of Mimosa pudica.

ETHNO PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Mimosa pudica, commonly known as touch-me-not, is used in folklore medicine in arresting bleeding and in skin diseases. AIM: There was no scientific evidence justifying the use of Mimosa pudica, therefore the present study was aimed at evaluation of wound healing activity of the plant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study the roots of Mimosa pudica were studied for wound healing activity by incorporating the methanolic and the total aqueous extract in simple ointment base B.P. in concentration of 0.5% (w/w), 1% (w/w) and 2% (w/w). Wound healing activity was studied in three types of model in rats viz. excision, incision and estimation of biochemical parameter. In case of the excision wound model wound contraction and period of epithelization was studied while in incision wound model was evaluated by determining tensile strength and hydroxyproline content in the scab. RESULTS: Treatment of wound with ointment containing 2% (w/w) the methanolic and 2% (w/w) the total aqueous extract exhibited significant (P<0.001) wound healing activity. The methanolic and total aqueous extracts were analyzed for total phenols content equivalent to Gallic acid. The content of total phenols was 11% (w/w) and 17% (w/w) in methanolic and total aqueous extract respectively. CONCLUSION: The methanolic extract exhibited good wound healing activity probably due to phenols constituents.