Antioxidant & anticancer activities of isatin (1H-indole-2,3-dione), isolated from the flowers of Couroupita guianensis Aubl.

Background & objectives: Derivatives of isatin are known to have cytotoxicity against human carcinoma cell lines. This compound therefore, has a potential to be used as a chemotherapeutic agent against cancer. This study was done to investigate the antioxidant and anticancer activities of isatin, extracted from flower of a folklore medicinal plant Couroupita guianensis against human promylocytic leukemia (HL60) cells. Methods: Active fractions demonstrating anticancer and antioxidant activities were isolated from the extracts of shade-dried flowers of C. guianensis by bioassay guided fractionation. The free radical scavenging activity was determined using lipid peroxidation assay. Cytotoxicity against human promylocytic leukemia HL60 cells was determined by MTT assay. Apoptotic activity was analyzed by DNA fragmentation and flowcytometry. Results: Isatin isolated from the active fraction showed antioxidant activity with the EC50 value of 72.80 μg/ml. It also exhibited cytotoxicity against human promylocytic leukemia HL60 cells in dose-dependant manner with the CC50 value of 2.94 μg/ml. The isatin-treated cells underwent apoptosis and DNA fragmentation. Apoptosis was confirmed by the FACS analysis using FITC-annexin V markers. Interpretation & conclusions: Isatin showed antioxidant activity and was cytotoxic to the HL60 cells due to induction of apoptosis. The isatin can be further evaluated to be used as a prophylactic agent to prevent the free radical-induced cancer and as a chemotherapeutic agent to kill the cancer cells.

Simultaneous determination of azathioprine and its metabolite 6-mercaptopurine in human plasma using solid phase extraction-evaporation and liquid chromatography–positive electrospray tandem mass spectrometry.

A simple, rapid, specific, sensitive and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrophotometric method was developed and validated for the estimation of azathioprine and its metabolite 6-mercaptopurine in human plasma by using lamivudine and 6-mercaptopurine D3 as the internal standard. Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine were extracted from human plasma by solid-phase extraction (SPE)-Evaporation method, using Oasis MCX cartridge for cleaning procedure. The stationary phase was chromatographed on a ZORBAX SB CN, (75X50 mm, 5 μ) column where as mobile phase constitutes of acetonitrile: 2mM ammonium acetate (70:30 v/v) at a flow rate of 0.800 ml/min. The detection was performed with an Applied Biosystems Sciex API 4000 mass spectrome-ter by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The method validation proofs were carried out as per the USFDA guidelines as described, showing a linearity system (r2 > 0.99) over a range of 2.455 ng/mL to 106.568 ng/mL for azathioprine and 1.165 ng/mL to 101.143 ng/mL concentrations for 6-mercaptopurine and a recovery shows 99.36% and 100.44% for azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine respectively. The results show that this proposed approach is effective and can be applied to the extraction and analysis of other pharmaceutical compounds.

Simultaneous determination of azathioprine and its metabolite 6-mercaptopurine in human plasma using solid phase extraction-evaporation and liquid chromatography–positive electrospray tandem mass spectrometry.

A simple, rapid, specific, sensitive and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrophotometric method was developed and validated for the estimation of azathioprine and its metabolite 6-mercaptopurine in human plasma by using lamivudine and 6-mercaptopurine D3 as the internal standard. Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine were extracted from human plasma by solid-phase extraction (SPE)-Evaporation method, using Oasis MCX cartridge for cleaning procedure. The stationary phase was chromatographed on a ZORBAX SB CN, (75X50 mm, 5 μ) column where as mobile phase constitutes of acetonitrile: 2mM ammonium acetate (70:30 v/v) at a flow rate of 0.800 ml/min. The detection was performed with an Applied Biosystems Sciex API 4000 mass spectrome-ter by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The method validation proofs were carried out as per the USFDA guidelines as described, showing a linearity system (r2 > 0.99) over a range of 2.455 ng/mL to 106.568 ng/mL for azathioprine and 1.165 ng/mL to 101.143 ng/mL concentrations for 6-mercaptopurine and a recovery shows 99.36% and 100.44% for azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine respectively. The results show that this proposed approach is effective and can be applied to the extraction and analysis of other pharmaceutical compounds.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima.

Present study evaluates the Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of various extracts of pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima using various experimental models. The analgesic activity pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima carried out using acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and tail flick test in rats. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and cotton pellet-granuloma formation in rats. The effects of the administration of reference standard (diclofenac) were also evaluated. Two different extracts (Petroleum ether and Methanolic) of Caesalpinia pulcherrima at the dose level of 100,200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. were tested. Treatment with Methanol extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant (p<0.01) inhibition of carrageenan induced rat paw edema. Maximum inhibition was observed at 400 mg/kg dose as compared to the control ,cotton pellet granuloma formation and acetic acid-induced writhing; however, pet ether and methanolic extracts (400 mg/kg, p.o.) were found to be more effective in increasing latency period in tail flick method. The results obtained indicate that C. pulcherrima has analgesic and antiinflammatory activities that supports the folk medicinal use of the plant.