Isolation and characterization of antihypertensive peptides from soy bean protein

Proteins and peptides are the most diverse biomolecules found in nature and make our interest due to their wide applications in food and pharmaceutical industry. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) plays a major role in controlling blood pressure. The inhibition of ACE with peptides is a main target in the regulation of hypertension. The objective of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of soy bean. This was accomplished by isolation of ACE inhibitory peptides using response surface methodology (RSM) and characterization of these bioactive peptides by mass spectrometry. 31 hydrolyzed fractions were isolated and evaluated for their ACE inhibition potential. Hydrolyzed fraction having highest ACE inhibitory activity was characterized by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technique. RSM results showed maximum ACE inhibition potential (64%) by hydrolyzate was obtained at 45 ºC temperature, pH 8.0, E/S 0.2 in 2 hours hydrolysis time. Results of LC-MS analysis revealed Ser-Gly, Ser-Pro, Met-Ala, His-Ala, Lys-Pro, Phe-Thr, Met-Leu, Pro-Arg, Ala-Pro-Val, Pro-Ala-Leu, Val-Met-Gly, Pro-Leu-Val, Pro-Pro-Gln, His-Arg-Gly, Ser-Phe-Val-Leu, Ala-Val-His-Try, Arg-Thr-Val-Arg, His-His-Tyr-Leu-Val, Asp-Gly-Ala-Cys-Ser-Ala-Asn and MetVal-Thr-Gly-Pro-Gly-Cys-His bioactive peptides in hydrolyzed fraction of soy bean. Our data provide evidence that response surface methodology is a good approach for isolation of antihypertensive bioactive peptides with more potent activity as nutraceuticals or pharmaceuticals. Therefore soy bean can be use for industrial production of pharmaceutical grade natural medicines for handling high blood pressure.

Nanosuspension enhances dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of Terminalia arjuna bark extract in vivo and in vitro

Objective: To enhance the dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of Terminalia arjuna bark extract by formulating its nanosuspension. Methods: Nanoprecipitation approach was used for the formulation of nanosuspension using polysorbate-80 as a stabilizer. The formulated nanosuspension was assessed for particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential value and for in vitro dissolution study. Oral bioavailability studies were carried out in Wistar male albino rats by administering a single dose (50 mg/kg. b. wt) of the formulated nanosuspension and coarse suspension. The storage stability of the formulated nanosuspension was determined after three months of storage at room temperature and under the refrigerated condition. Mutagenicity assay was carried out to evaluate the toxicity of the formulated nanosuspension using two mutant strains (Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and Salmonella typhimurium TA98).Results: The mean particle size of the formulated nanosuspension was 90.53 nm with polydispersity index and zeta potential values of 0.175 and ?15.7 mV, respectively. Terminalia arjuna nanosuspension showed improved dissolution rate and 1.33-fold higher oral bioavailability than its coarse suspension. The formulated nanosuspension also showed better stability under the refrigerated condition and was non-mutagenic against both strains. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that nanosuspension technology can effectively enhance the dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of Terminalia arjuna bark extract.

Cardioprotective and Antilipidemic Effect of Gemmotherapeutically Treated Glycyrrhiza glabra against Isoproterenol Induced Myocardial Injury.

Aims: To evaluate preventive (pre- treated) and curative (post treated) potential of gemmomodified and native extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra for alleviating harmful changes in lipid profile (HDL, LDL, TG, TC) and cardiac enzymes (CK-MB, LDH, SGOT, SGPT) against isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial injury in rabbits. Study Design: In vivo study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, between February 2011 and April 2011. Methodology: Thirty six rabbits weighing 1.25 ± 0.2 Kg were allocated into six groups (Control, Ischemia, Gemmo curative, Native curative, Gemmo preventive and Native preventive) having six animals each. Rabbits were fed normal diet for 20 days. Gemmo preventive and Native preventive groups were also given gemmo modified and native extract (100 mg kg-1). On 20th day and 21st day rabbits were given ISO (50 mg kg-1). Five days after the ischemia the Gemmo curative and Native curative groups were given gemmo and native extracts (100 mg kg-1). Serum activities of lipid profile and cardiac enzymes were determined. Results: ISO administration significantly lowered (P=.05) HDL level and increased (P=.05) LDL, TG and TC as compared with control rabbits. ISO injury significantly increased (P=.05) the levels of cardiac enzymes CK-MB. LDH, SGOT and SGPT as compared with control rabbits. Curative treatment with gemmo and native extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra significantly increased (P=.05) level of HDL and lowered (P=.05) the level of LDL, TG, TC and cardiac enzymes as compared with ischemic rabbits. Pre treatment with gemmo and native extracts prevented the reduction (P=.05) in HDL level and resisted the rise (P=.05) in other lipid parameters and cardiac enzymes as after ISO induced myocardial injury. Pretreatment with extracts was significantly better (P=.05) than curative treatment. Gemmo extract was significantly better (P=.05) than native extract in preventive and curative treatment in normalizing serum levels of lipid parameters and cardiac enzymes in ISO injured rabbits. Conclusion: The results provide evidence for the first time that gemmo extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra prevents myocardial injury induced by ISO in rabbits.