Antiepileptic potential of Anisomeles indica (Linn.) Kuntze aerial parts in pentylenetetrazole-induced experimental convulsions in Wistar rats.

The chloroform (4.20% w/w), ethyl acetate (4.23% w/w) and aqueous decoction (12.11% w/w) extracts of the aerial parts of A. indica were screened for the antiepileptic activity against maximal electroshock (MES) model and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) models at doses of 200, 400 mg/kg, po once. Phenytoin and diazepam (25 and 2 mg/kg, ip) were used as standard drugs in MES and PTZ model, respectively. Further, ethyl acetate extract (active extract) was fractionated into flavonoid and tannin fraction, which were subsequently evaluated for the antiepileptic potential against both MES and PTZ models at a dose of 50 mg/kg, po. Pretreatment with ethyl acetate extract 200, 400 mg/kg, po, for 1 week showed significant antiepileptic activity against PTZ induced convulsions only. Isolated flavonoid fraction showed more potent antiepileptic activity as compared to ethyl acetate extract, without any neurotoxic effect. However, tannin fraction did not produce antiepileptic activity against PTZ induced convulsions. It may be concluded that the flavonoids fraction of ethyl acetate extract of aerial parts of A. indica, but not the aqueous decoction has antiepileptic potential, without producing neurotoxic effects.

Nanovaccines: A game changing approach in the fight against infectious diseases.

The field of nanotechnology has revolutionised global attempts to prevent, treat, and eradicate infectious diseases in the foreseen future. Nanovaccines have proven to be a valuable pawn in this novel technology. Nanovaccines are made up of nanoparticles that are associated with or prepared with components that can stimulate the host's immune system. In addition to their delivery capabilities, the nanocarriers have been demonstrated to possess intrinsic adjuvant properties, working as immune cell stimulators. Thus, nanovaccines have the potential to promote rapid as well as long-lasting humoral and cellular immunity. The nanovaccines have several possible benefits, including site-specific antigen delivery, increased antigen bioavailability, and a diminished adverse effect profile. To avail these benefits, several nanoparticle-based vaccines are being developed, including virus-like particles, liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, nanogels, lipid nanoparticles, emulsion vaccines, exomes, and inorganic nanoparticles. Inspired by their distinctive properties, researchers are working on the development of nanovaccines for a variety of applications, such as cancer immunotherapy and infectious diseases. Although a few challenges still need to be overcome, such as modulation of the nanoparticle pharmacokinetics to avoid rapid elimination from the bloodstream by the reticuloendothelial system, The future prospects of this technology are also assuring, with multiple options such as personalised vaccines, needle-free formulations, and combination nanovaccines with several promising candidates.

Antiepileptic effects of antioxidant potent extract from Urtica dioica Linn. root on pentylenetetrazole and maximal electroshock induced seizure models.

Urtica dioica Linn. (Urticaceae) is a medicinal plant that has shown various therapeutic utilities in folklore medicine along with its use in the treatment of epilepsy. The entire plant has a sensible reservoir of nutritional elements and micronutrients. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antiepileptic effect of antioxidant potent extract of Urtica dioica root on animal models. Antioxidant activity of various solvent extracts i.e. Petroleum ether extract (PEE), Ethyl acetate extract (EAE), Chloroform extract (CE) and Ethanolic extract (EE) were screened by DPPH radical scavenging assay using Ascorbic acid as the standard. Further the most potent antioxidant extract was subjected to antiepileptic activity against MES and PTZ model. The IC50 values of different Urtica dioica extracts (PEE, CE, EAE, and EE) in antioxidant assay were found to be 167.54 ± 1.97, 134.41 ± 0.82, 88.15 ± 1.39 and 186.38 ± 1.91 µg/ml in DPPH radical scavenging assay, respectively. The EAE has showed the potent antioxidant activity. In experimental study the EAE (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o) has found to be effective and significant against MES and PTZ induced seizures. The present study also suggested that antioxidant potent extract (EAE) of Urtica dioica root has antiepileptic effect against MES and PTZ induced seizures. However, further research studies will investigate the active component(s) of Urtica dioica responsible for the observed anticonvulsant effects.