Quantification of Phytochemicals and Metal Ions as well as the Determination of Volatile Compounds, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Antacid Activities of the Mimosa pudica L. Leaf: Exploration of Neglected and Under-Utilized Part.

Mimosa pudica L. (MP) is well-known plant in traditional medicinal system, especially in India. Unfortunately, leaves of MP are less explored. To determine the food and nutritional value of the neglected part of Mimosa pudica L. (MP), that is MP leaves, phytochemicals and metal ions of MP were quantified by newly developed HPLC and ICPOES-based methods. The content of phytochemicals observed using HPLC analysis for chlorogenic acid, catechin, and epicatechin was 141.823 (±8.171), 666.621 (±11.432), and 293.175 (±12.743) µg/g, respectively. Using GC/MS/MS analysis, fatty acid like oleic acid were identified. In ICP-OES analysis, a significant content of Na, K, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn was observed. The observed TPC and TFC for MP leaf extracts was 44.327 (±1.041) mg GAE/ g of wt. and 214.217 (±4.372) mg QCE/ g of wt., respectively. The DPPH assay depicted a strong antioxidant activity of MP leaf extracts with IC50 values of 0.796 (±0.081) mg/mL and a TEAC value of 0.0356 (±0.0003). A significant antacid activity (666 mg MP+400 mg CaCO3 >400 mg CaCO3 ≫666 mg Gelusil) of MP leaves was noticed. The methanolic extract of MP leaves demonstrated anti-microbial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (15±2mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12±2mm) and Escherichia coli (10±2mm). In silico studies confirmed the in vitro results obtained for antioxidant, antiacid, and anti-microbial activities. In addition, in silico studies revealed the anti-cancerous and anti-inflammatory potential of the MP leaves. In summary, this study demonstrated the medicinal significance of MP leaves and the conversion of agro-waste or the under-utilized part of MP into pharmaceutical potent materials. Consequently, the present study highlighted that MP leaves alone have medicinal importance with good nutritional utility and possess large promise in the pharma industry along with improving bio-valorization and the environment.

Chemoprofiling and medicinal potential of underutilized leaves of Cyperus scariosus.

Agro-waste is the outcome of the under-utilization of bioresources and a lack of knowledge to re-use this waste in proper ways or a circular economy approach. In the Indian medicinal system, the root of Cyperus scariosus (CS) is used at a large scale due to their vital medicinal properties. Unfortunately, the aerial part of CS is treated as agro-waste and is an under-utilized bioresource. Due to a lack of knowledge, CS is treated as a weed. This present study is the first ever attempt to explore CS leaves as medicinally and a nutrient rich source. To determine the food and nutritional values of the neglected part of Cyperus scariosus R.Br. (CS), i.e. CS leaves, phytochemicals and metal ions of CS were quantified by newly developed HPLC and ICPOES-based methods. The content of the phytochemicals observed in HPLC analysis for caffeic acid, catechin, epicatechin, trans-p-coumaric acid, and trans-ferulic acid was 10.51, 276.15, 279.09, 70.53, and 36.83 µg/g, respectively. In GC-MS/MS analysis, fatty acids including linolenic acid, phytol, palmitic acid, etc. were identified. In ICPOES analysis, the significant content of Na, K, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn was observed. The TPC and TFC of the CS leaves was 17.933 mg GAE eq./g and 130.767 mg QCE eq./g along with an IC50 value of 2.78 mg/mL in the DPPH assay and better antacid activity was measured than the standard (CaCO3). The methanolic extract of CS leaves showed anti-microbial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (15 ± 2 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12 ± 2 mm) and Escherichia coli (10 ± 2 mm). In silico studies confirmed the in vitro results obtained from the antioxidant, antiacid, and anti-microbial studies. In addition, in silico studies revealed the anti-cancerous and anti-inflammatory potential of the CS leaves. This study, thus, demonstrated the medicinal significance of the under-utilized part of CS and the conversion of agro-waste into mankind activity as a pharmaceutical potent material. Consequently, the present study highlighted that CS leaves have medicinal importance with good nutritional utility and have a large potential in the pharmaceutical industry along with improving bio-valorization and the environment.

Sublingual Delivery of Frovatriptan: An Indication of Potential Alternative Route.

Frovatriptan, a 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptor agonist, is used for the treatment of acute migraine attack. This molecule is classified into second line therapy because of its slow onset of action (peak response obtained after 4 hours of administration) and low bioavailability (25%). Moreover, its therapy is the most costly among all triptans. Attempt has been made in present work to suggest a way out to fasten its onset of action and to enhance its bioavailability. Prepared tablets were evaluated by physicochemical tests, in vitro permeation studies, ex vivo permeation studies, and histopathological studies. Suitable mathematical calculations were performed to calculate the minimum amount of bioavailability that could be enhanced. Tablets containing chitosan (5% w/w) were found to give optimum results. Prepared tablets can double the bioavailability of frovatriptan and can initiate its response within 10 minutes of its administration. Suggestive alternative has the potential to increase the efficacy of frovatriptan for treating acute migraine attack.