Microwave Assisted Extraction, Optimization using Central Composite Design, Quantitative Estimation of Arjunic Acid and Arjunolic Acid using HPTLC and Evaluation of Radical Scavenging Potential of Stem Bark of Terminalia arjuna

The optimization and microwave assisted extraction of stem bark of Terminalia arjuna, quantitative estimation of the marker compounds arjunic acid and arjunolic acid using HPTLC and the evaluation of free radical scavenging activity has been performed in this study. The central composite design was used for optimization and the values of parameters for optimized batch of microwave assisted extraction were 1000W (Power), 3 minutes (Time) and 1/120 (Solid/solvent ratio). The solvent system to carry out the HPTLC was toluene: acetic acid: ethyl acetate (5: 5: 0.5) and quantitative estimation was done using standard equations obtained from the marker compounds. The in-vitro free radical scavenging activity was performed spectrophotometrically using ascorbic acid as standard. The value of estimated percentage yield of arjunic acid and arjunolic acid was 1.42% and 1.52% which upon experimentation was obtained as 1.38% and 1.51% respectively. The DPPH assay of the different batches of microwave assisted extraction and marker compounds taken suggested that the marker compounds arjunic acid and the arjunolic acid were responsible for the free radical scavenging activity as the batch having the maximum percentage yield of the marker compounds showed best free radical scavenging effect as compared to standard ascorbic acid. The IC₅₀ value of the optimized batch was found to be 24.72 while that of the standard ascorbic acid was 29.83. Hence, the yield of arjunic acid and arjunolic acid has direct correlation with the free radical scavenging activity of stem bark extract of Terminalia arjuna and have potential to serve as active lead compounds for free radical scavenging activity.

Ultrasonic assisted extraction a promising extraction tool for; medicinal plant research

Since the last decade, there is enhanced interest for the use of Ultrasound for the extraction of the constituents from plant: material. The traditional techniques like maceration, percolation, decoction, etc., are time- and solvent-consuming, and thermolabile constituents are difficult to extract using such conventional methods. This review brings into prominence the importance of extraction for delivering high quality product. The Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction [UAE] technique is a promising technique which is highlighted by increased extraction yield, decreased time and solvent consumption; moreover the thermolabile constituents can be safely extracted. UAE also offers some peculiar advantages, such as inhibiting the extraction of protein and pectin, which improve the sensory quality of the tea beverage. A brief theoretical background of the principles involved and the types of instruments used has been presented. The main parameters like ultrasonic intensity, extraction time, solvent nature and volume, temperature, ultrasonic pulsation and matrix characteristics, etc., which influence the UAE have been discussed. The application of optimization techniques, such as Factorial Design, to UAE has been highlighted, with examples. The potential applications of this technique and its performance vis-a-vis that of classical techniques have been elucidated

Pharmacognostical evaluation of Grewia asiatica leaves

Grewia asiatica is a common medicinal plant in Ayurveda and it is used in several parts of the country for various medicinal properties. The present work attempts to demonstrate the pharmacognostical characters of the leaves. HPTLC histological colour reactions and fluorescence analysis as carried out in this study

Coagulopathy after spider bites in a six-year-old boy: case report

Spider bites are common in most parts of the world. In some areas, where snake or scorpion bites are common, spider bites may not be considered a significant problem by the general public and those who have been bitten by spiders may not go to a hospital. However, significant problems are observed in the victims of certain species of spiders including: widow spider [of the genus Latrodectus], including the black widow and brown spiders [of the genus Loxosceles], such as the brown recluse. We report a six-year-old boy, admitted to the hospital two weeks after suffering a spider bite. The patient presented with a severe nose bleed, ecchymosis and purpura, as well as anemia, indicating a clotting disorder. Laboratory results revealed abnormal values for prothrombin time [PT] > 50 sec, partial thromboplastin time [PTT] > 120 min and fibrinogen = 0 mg/dl, whereas factor VIII was normal according to a mixing study, with a normal platelet count of 350,000/micro l. The patient was managed with fresh frozen plasma every 12 h, and was discharged one week after hospital admission. At present, the patient is well with more normal laboratory results one month after treatment: PT = 13.4 sec, PTT = 34 sec, fibrinogen = 105 mg/dl. Although spider bites are uncommon in Iran, severe systemic reactions may occur in the pediatric population requiring admission to the pediatric intensive care unit. These systemic reactions may include hemolytic anemia coagulopathy and renal failure

Pharmacognostic evaluation of the stem bark of balanites aegyptiaca delile "Hingot"

Balanites aegyptiaca [Hingot] is one of the important Kasthausadhi of Indian System of medicine, which is botanically identified as Balanites aegyptiaca of family Simaroubaceae. All the parts of this plant as well as its extracts are particularly useful to mankind. According to Ayurvedic concept it is pungent bitter, purgative, anthelmintic and is useful in cough and colic, ulcer as well as in hypertension. Chemically it contains a lot of saponins whose concentration varies in different parts of the plant. The present paper deals with its literature survey regarding distribution, cultivation, chemical information, and medicinal importance. The detailed botanical and pharmacognostical parameters have been performed on the stem bark, for the identification of the genuine sample, detection of the adulteration in the market sample and study of the quality control parameters of the drug

Antifungal activity of calendula officinalis flowers

The in vitro antifungal activity of Calendula officinalis Linn, flowers extract [ethanol 95%] was studied against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Malassezia furfur [strain No. 1374], and Malassezia furfur [strain No. 1765]. The ethanol extract showed considerable and statistically significant activity against all test fungal strains. The inhibitory effect of the ethanol extract is very close and identical in magnitude and comparable with the standard antifungal agent used. Thus justifying its use as natural antifungal agent in traditional medicine

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of ruinex maritimus

Anti-inflammatory activity of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the seeds of Rumex maritimus was determined in the rat paw oedema test. At doses of 100 mg/kg both alcoholic and aqueous extracts were found to exhibit significant activity compared with Indomethacin [20 mg/kg]. The extracts also showed marked analgesic activity in mice, compared with acetylsalicylic acid [100 mg/kg] in acetic acid induced writhing test

Pharmacognostical, phytochemical and biological evaluations of the stem bark of bombax ceiba linn. [semul]

Bombax ceiba Linn. [Semul], a tall deciduous tree is a very common medicinal plant used for the treatment of various ailments. The present paper deals with the standardization of its stem bark on the basis of various pharmacognostical parameters. A new compound BC-1 has been isolated as colourless crystals from the ethanolic extract of the air-dried stem bark of Bombax ceiba Linn. Its structure has been elucidated as lup-20 [29] cn-beta-ol through extensive spectroscopic methods [IR, UV, MS, [1]H-NMR and [13]C-NMR]. The aqueous extract of this bark showed antimicrobial and antifungal activity

Three phytoconstituents from rutnex maritimus seeds

Three new aliphatic compounds have been isolated and identified from Rnmex maritimus seeds. These have been characterized as n-dotriaconta-3-one [1], n-heptacos-18, 20, 22-trien-l-ol [2] and 22-hexyl-12-[alpha-tetradecahydroanthracenyl]-undecan-3-ol-l-oic acid [3] by spectral and chemical analyses

Common ethnomedicinal uses of leaves of some less known plants occurring in South Delhi, India

The present study takes into account the medicinal value of leaves of forty two plant species belonging to thirty families of angiosperms. Plants are listed in the alphabetical order alongwith the significant macroscopic characters of leaves, prominent therapeutic uses and their mode of administration

Pharmacognostical studies on the bark ofalstonia scholaris R.Br. [Chatiun]

Alstonia scholaris R.Br. [Chatiun] is an important evergreen tree used in the disorders of heart and blood. Its bark is used in various ailments like asthma, leucoderma, ulcers, tumors and dysentery in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Therefore, in the present communication the detailed pharmacognostical studies have been carried out for the standardization of the stem bark of this species. The study includes qualitative and quantitative microscopy of the stem bark; its powder analysis; moisture content determination; ash and total extractive values determination. The histochemical tests of the stem bark and preliminary phytochemical screening of different extracts have shown the presence of starch, lignins, alkaloids, flavonoids and proteins. In the successive extractive values determination, the maximum extract was observed in water and minimum in chloroform; in quantitative estimation of the organic components, 0.200% total alkaloids, 0.07% steroids and 0.44% resins have been determined in the studied bark. Thin layer chromatographic studies show maximum six spots in methanolic extract and minimum two spots in acetone extract. The above pharmacognostical parameters of the drug may be helpful in the identification of genuine sample, as there are increasing incidences of adulteration of this drug in the market samples

Antimicrobial activity of parmelia perlata

Petroleum ether, chloroform and alcoholic extracts of lichen Parmelia perlata showed inhibitory activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria namely Streptococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively and fungus Malassezia furfur

Evaluation of bi/oligoclonal rearrangement of immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes in Iranian children suffering B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Clonal gene rearrangement of immunoglobulin and T cell receptor may have mono, bi or oligoclonal pattern. Significance of these patterns were studied at diagnosis and follow up of MRD in many countries, however, similar studies have not been conducted among Iranian patients. We investigated the bi/oligoclonal pattern and their association with quantitative and qualitative parameters especially MRD in Iranian children suffering from B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In our prospective study, bone marrow aspirates of 140 patients with B-precursor ALLs were selected. Mononuclear cells including leukemic blasts isolated by density gradient. Having DNA extracted, hypervariable regions of IgH, IgK, TCR-delta [D delta 2-D delta 3, V delta 2-D delta 3] and TCR-lambda [V lambda, V lambda I, V lambda II] were amplified by consensus primers using PCR. PCR products were analyzed after heteroduplex analysis and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [silver stain]. The DNA sequences were compared and aligned to the sequences homologous for IgH and IgK published by Gene Bank. Bone marrow aspirates of days 14, 28 and 45, as well as months 3 and 6 were treated similarly. IgH gene rearrangements were reported in 114 [90.5%] patients using consensus primers for CDR-III and CDR-I regions [monoclonal: 57.8%, biclonal:34.9% and oligoclonal:5.5%]. Clonal pattern of IgK-Kde were present in 59 cases [67%] [biclonal:10%] Clonal rearrangement of TCR-lambda [V lambda] and V lambda I/II were present in 79.3% and 64.9% of patients, respectively, however, only 5% of cases showed biclonal pattern. The V lambda II rearrangement was the most common [46.8%] type in TCR-lambda. 47 [45.2%] and 11 [16.6%] patients had V delta 2-D delta 3 and D delta 2-D delta 3 partial gene rearrangements, respectively. Biclonal/oligoclonal pattern were present in 13 [27.7%] and 2 [4.3%] cases with V delta 2-D delta 3 rearrangement. Only one patient had biclonal D delta 2-D delta 3 rearrangement. No significant difference regarding the quantitative and qualitative parameters and MRD was observed between the two groups. Bi/oligoclonal rearrangement of IgH, IgK, TCR-delta [D delta 2-D delta 3, V delta 2-Ddelta 3] and TCR-lambda [V lambda, V lambda I, Vlambda II] genes had comparable pattern to other populations. Results of MRD study showed no significant differences between the two groups

Traditional wound healing plant drugs

Various aspects of the treatment of human wounds are presented and the different approaches to wound healing have been described in this paper. The part of naturals [Leaf, Stem, Root, Flower, Seed, Fruits, etc.] to fight against wound is elaborated and isolation of novel wound healing agents from the natural sources has been presented. In Unani System of Medicine most of the drugs are obtained from herbs and used either in single or compound form, used locally or orally. Argyreia nervosa, Centella asiatica, Euphorbia neriifolia and Rubia cordifolia are some of the important wound healing drugs. In addition to wound healing, these are also used as diuretic, laxative, for dysentery, bronchitis, leucoderma, and in different tumors in Unani System of Medicine

Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in patients with haematological malignancies

To report the initial data on allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for haematological malignancies in Pakistan. Design: A single centre descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: Bismillah Taqee Institute of Health Sciences and Blood Diseases Centre from September 1999 to June 2004. Patients and Patients with haematological malignancies were included who had received allogeneic PBSC transplantation of Filgrastim [rhG-CSF] mobilized peripheral blood stem cells from HLA-identical siblings [except one 5/6 antigen sibling] with Busulphan and Cyclophosphamide standard conditioning therapy in all patients. No patient received antibiotics for gut decontamination. Empirical antibiotics included Ceftriaxone and Amikacin for febrile neutropenia, oral Itraconazole for antifungal prophylaxis while oral acyclovir was used for antiviral prophylaxis. All donors and recipients were CMV IgG positive Cyclosporin A / Methotrexate were given for graft versus host disease [GvHD] prophylaxis. Stem cells were harvested using Haemonetics MCS+ cell separator. All patients received G-CSF starting from day +4 until their neutrophil count rose to normal. There were 21 patients with age range of 8-38 years and male to female ratio of 2:1. Engraftment was achieved in all patients; median time to absolute neutrophil count of > 0.5 x 109 /l was 10 days [range 8 ' 12 days] and platelet count of > 20 x 109 /l was 14 days [12'17 days]. Acute graft versus host disease [aGvHD] was seen in 7 patients; one patient had grade IV skin and hepatic GvHD; another patient had grade III gut GvHD, grade II GvHD was seen in 3 patients while grade I skin aGvHD was seen in 2 patients. Median hospital stay was 34 days. Treatment related mortality was seen in 3 patients [18%]. Chronic GvHD was seen in 5 patients. Four more patients died during the follow-up period. Malaria was seen in 2 while tuberculosis developed in one case. Relapse was seen in 2 patients. The estimated probability of survival at one hundred day, at one year and five years was 82, 47 and 40% respectively. Haematopoietic stem cell transplant programme can be developed in a developed country setting. Post transplant complications are similar to what have been reported in the developed countries. In endemic areas malaria could prove to be fatal if not recognised and treated early

Alstonia scholaris [L.] R. Br. A review on its chemistry and biological activities

Aistonia scholaris [L.] R. Br., locally known as Saitan ka jhad, is a traditional medicinal plant and is widely used by our traditional healers. The literature on the chemical constituents and the biological activities of A. scholaris bark, leaves, root, latex and flowers have been reviewed. Chemical studies show the presence of many compounds belonging mainly to the groups of alkaloids, glycosides, hydrocarbons and amino acids. Biological studies reveal significant antimalarial, anti-diarrhoeal, antifilarial, antileishmanial and protective effects against cell necrosis and inflammatory cell filtration and support the use of the leaves and bark in the folk medicine

Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in children with B-thalassemia major

To share the preliminary data on stem cell transplantation in Pakistan. Design: This is a single center retrospective analysis of the outcome of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell [PBSC] transplantation in b-thalassemia major patients. Place and Duration of Study: Bismillah Taqee Blood Diseases Centre, Karachi; a tertiary care hematology center from September 1999 to September 2002. Patients and Twelve patients with b-thalassemia major received allogeneic PBSC transplantation from HLA identical sibling donors except in one case where mother was the donor. All patients received busulphan and cyclophosphamide conditioning therapy and cyclosporin A / methotrexate for graft versus host disease [GVHD] prophylaxis. Donors were primed with G-CSF for 4 days and stem cells were harvested using Haemonetics MCS + cell separator on 5th day. All patients received G-CSF starting from day + 4 until their neutrophil count rose to normal. Engraftment was achieved in all patients except one who required a second dose of bone marrow graft on day +21. Median time to achieve absolute neutrophil count of > 0.5 x 109 /l was 9.0 days [range 8 ' 31 days] and platelet count of > 20 x 109 /l was 14 days [12 ' 35 days]. Acute GVHD was seen in 3 patients, one patient had grade IV gut GVHD; another patient had grade III gut GVHD while third patient had grade II skin GVHD. Median hospital stay was 29 days. Six patients were well and transfusion independent 3 to 36 months posttransplant. One episode of primary graft failure required a second dose of bone marrow harvest. Another episode of graft rejection received two doses of donor lymphocytes infusion. There were 4 deaths due to grade IV gut GVHD because of uncontrolled systemic Candida infection and one due to hepatic veno-occlusive [VOD] disease. Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation can be safely and economically carried out in Pakistan. Although there had been 4 deaths during 36 months follow-up, with increasing understanding and experience the outcome is expected to improve

Antifungal activity of alcoholic extracts of zizyphus vulgaris and acacia concinna

Despite the development in the management of fungal infections with modern drugs, search for the natural antifungal agents is underway. Keeping the above fact in mind, we tested the alcoholic extracts of Z. vulgaris and A. concinna for their antifungal activity by an in vitro trial method. The alcoholic extracts showed significant activity against the tested fungal organisms at the concentration of 2000 micro g/ml which was comparable to the standard, Nystatin at 1000 micro g/ml

Towards rational regulation and legislation of herbal medicines

Though modern medicine is well developed in most of the world, large sections of the population in developing countries still rely on heral medicines and other natural products for their primary care. In recent years public interest in Industrialized countries has increased greatly towards the natural therapies with the expanding use of medicinal plants and herbal medicine. Traditional medicinal products have evolved against widely different ethnological, cultural, climatic, geographical and even philosophical backgrounds; nevertheless they face many regulatory challenges in ensuring their safety and efficacy. The efforts of WHO in the development of modern guidelines in this field have been very helpful in recognition of the role of herbal remedies in health care and in supporting their potential use in national health care system in different parts of the world