Allelopathic potential of 73 weed species in Pakistan

Introduction: Use of allelochemicals as inexpensive, biodegradable and eco-friendly substitutes for the management of weeds in crops is a central topic nowadays. Objective: The current study represented the comprehensive screening of allelopathic activity of 73 weeds in Pakistan by the Sandwich method and dish pack method. To investigate the allelochemical compound in top most allelopathic weed. Methods: Allelopathic effects of selected weeds leaves leachate were determined through sandwich technique, while volatile allelopathic effects through dish pack techniques. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical techniques were applied to investigate allelochemical potential of Melilotus indicus. The statistical analysis of the data described the allelopathic effect of 73 weed plants on lettuce seedling growth in terms of radicle and hypocotyl elongation. Results: Elongation percentage of radicle and hypocotyl ranged 0-74 % to 0-148 % and 0-75 % to 0-84 % respectively at 10 mg concentration of dry plant powder in sandwich method while it was 2-234 % and 7-150 % at in Dish Pack method. Among the plants screened for phytotoxic activity, M. indicus contained the strongest allelochemicals. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of M. indicus showed the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compound along with other allelochemical. Conclusions: Selected weeds may have strong allelochemical potential that can help in the development of bioactive compounds from plant species to be used as natural herbicides and pesticides for sustainable management of weeds and pest.

Introducción: El uso de aleloquímicos como sustitutos baratos y amigables con el ambiente para el manejo de hierbas en plantaciones es un tema central actualmente. Objetivo: En el presente estudio se midió la actividad alelopática de 73 hierbas en Pakistán a través de los métodos "sandwich" y "dish pack", con el fin de investigar los compuestos aleloquímicos más importantes en las hierbas analizadas. Métodos: A través del método "sandwich" se determinaron los efectos alelopáticos de los lixiviados de hojas en las hierbas analizadas, mientras que el efecto alelopático volátil a través de la técnica "dish pack". Para investigar el potencial aleloquímico de Melilotus indicus se aplicaron técnicas fitoquímicas tanto cualitativas como cuantitativas. El análisis estadístico de los datos describió el efecto alelopático de 73 especies de hierbas sobre el crecimiento radicular y del hipocótilo en plántulas de lechuga. Resultados: El porcentaje de elongación radicular y del hipocotilo varió entre 0-74 % hasta 0-148 % y 0-75 % hasta 0-84 % respectivamente, con una concentración de 10 mg de polvo de planta seca con el método "sandwich". Además, fue entre 2-234 % y 7-150 % con el método "dish pack". Entre las plantas analizadas para actividad fitotóxica, M. indicus presentó los aleloquímicos más fuertes. Los análisis cualitativos y cuantitativos de M. indicus mostraron la presencia de flavonoides y compuestos fenólicos, junto con otros aleloquímicos. Conclusiones: Las hierbas seleccionadas pueden tener un potencial aleloquímico fuerte que ayude al desarrollo de compuestos bioactivos de plantas, para usar como hierbicidas y pesticidas naturales en el manejo sostenible de plagas y malas hierbas.

Authentication of herbal drug Tukhm-e-balango (Lallemantia royleana Benth.) using microscopic, pharmacognostic, and phytochemical characterization.

The study is aimed to provide a comprehensive account on authentication of herbal drug named as Tukhm-e-balango (Lallemantia royleana Benth.) from the seeds of Ocimum basilicum by using microscopic, pharmacognostic, and phytochemical characterization. The crude medicinal plants and their parts are often adulterated or substituted in market due to improper identification by the consumers while among herbal plant sellers, taxonomic confusion is caused due to morphological similarities of the plant parts and lack of a standard identification system.In microscopy, both herbarium and fresh specimens were studied using qualitative and quantitative morphological characteristics of leaves, seeds, and pollen. For pharmacognosy, solubility, fluorescence, and physicochemical characterizers were analyzed whereas a total phenolic and flavonoids contents was determined in addition to DPPH radical scavenging activity. In current study, microscopic, pharmacognostic, and phytochemical characterization clearly differentiated L. royleana from O. basilicum. The major problem in herbal drug industry is caused due to confusion and controversy of certain synonyms used for more than one or two drugs. Sometimes, under the same common or local name, entirely different taxa are being sold in herbal markets. It is concluded that correct and proper identification of medicinal plants is very crucial to ensure the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines, as many medicinal plants are intentionally or unintentionally adulterated with similar species or varieties. In herbal market, the seeds of L. royleana are adulterated with seeds of O. basilicum due to their similar morphology.

Microscopic investigations and pharmacognostic techniques used for the standardization of herbal drug Nigella sativa L.

A comprehensive account on standardization of herbal drug Nigella sativa L. (Tukhm-e-Kalonji) by using microscopic as well as pharmacognostic parameters. In the field of herbal medicines, the main issues are quality, purity, and effectiveness, as in many cases herbal drugs are knowingly or unknowingly substituted or adulterated with similar species or varieties. In herbal market the seeds of N. sativa are commonly adultered with seeds of Allium cepa L. intentionally or accidentally due to their similar morphology. In the present study, the microscopic characterization of herbal drug was done by morphological, palynological, and anatomical features. A great diversity was found in anatomical features of two species, as irregular epidermal cells, actinocytic stomata, and nonglandular trichomes were found in N. sativa while in A. cepa epidermal cells were rectangular in shape, stomata type was paracytic, and trichomes were absent. Pharmacognostic characterization was made by fluorescence analysis and physiochemical parameters. Physicochemical parameters like moisture content, total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash, and water insoluble ash were also evaluated. The above parameters, being reported to the first time for the studied plant species, and are significant towards establishing the microscopic and pharmacognostic standards for future identification and authentication of genuine herbal drug. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Microscopic Investigations for the standardization of herbal drug Nigella sativa L. (Tukhm-e-Kalonji). Pharmacognostic techniques are potentially significant for the standardization of herbal drug Nigella sativa in comparison with its adulterant. Useful for preparation of standards for herbal pharmacopeia.

A randomized, control and comparative study of polyherbal formulation use for Malaria (Plasmodium falciparum).

Plasmodium falciparum is the most well-known reason for extreme and life-debilitating malaria. Falciparum malaria causes more than 1 million deaths annually. Malaria remains a noteworthy reason for major morbidity and mortality in the tropics, with Plasmodium falciparum accountable for the mainstream of the disease weight and Plasmodium vivax being the geologically greatest broadly dispersed cause of malaria. The controlling of severe malaria comprises quick direction of suitable parenteral anti-malarial agents and initial acknowledgement and treatment of the complications. This clinical trial was piloted in 100 patients, in which 50 received the test drug (Malarina) and 50 received the control drug (Quinine Bisulphate). The age range of patients was 12 years to above 50 years. The sample paired t-test was applied to evaluate the significant level. Malarina was very effective in treating malaria sign and symptoms. The new treatment Malarina was safe and well tolerated in all patients.

Pharmaceutical equivalent dissertation of Metformin hydrochloride brands.

The aim of study is to establish pharmaceutical equivalence of different brands of Metformin tablets available in Karachi, Pakistan. The quality control parameters which are studied are weight variation test, hardness test, thickness, friability, disintegration and dissolution specified by BP/USP (British and United State Pharmacopoeia). Weight variation and hardness value requirement was complied by all brands. Disintegration time for all brands was within range i.e. 15 minutes and also complies with the BP/USP recommendation. All brands showed more than 90% drug release within forty five minutes. The present conclusion suggests that almost all the brands of Metformin that are available in Karachi meet the specification for quality control analysis. Assay performed by HPLC by keeping flow rate of 1.0 ml/min of the mobile phase and the quantitative evaluation at 225 nm was performed. The retention time of Metformin was found to be 2.5min. Method suitability for the quantitative determination of the drugs was proved by validation according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines.

Estimation of simvastatin and cetirizine by RP-LC method: Application to freeze and thaw (FT) stability studies.

Sensitive, simple, reliable and rapid HPLC technique for the estimation of simvastatin (SMV) and cetirizine has been designed in this study. The chromatographic conditions were set using Shimadzu LC-10 AT VP pump, with UV detector (SPD-10 AV-VP). System integration was performed with CBM-102 (Bus Module). Partitioning of components was attained with pre-packed C-18 column of Purospher Star (5 µm, 250 x 4.6 mm) at ambient conditions. Injected volume of sample was 10 µl. Mobile phase was composed of 50:50 v/v ratio of Acetonitrile/water (pH 3.0 adjusted with ortho-phosphoric acid) having 2 ml/minutes rate of flow. Compounds were detected in UV region at 225 nm. Percent Recovery of simvastatin was observed in the range of 98-102%. All results were found in accept table range of specification. The projected method is consistent, specific, precise, and rapid, that can be employed to quantitate the SMV along with cetirizine HCl. It was estimated by 3 successive cycles of freeze and thaw stability. Results of FT samples were found within accept table limits the method was developed and validated in raw materials, bulk formulations and final drug products.