Dry ripe fruit of Aegle marmelos as anti-ulcer agent against ethanol induced gastric mucosal injury.

Aegle marmelos is cost-effective valuable South Asian tree. The folklore data reported its wide range pharmacological effects. In spite of vast reported work on various parts, the dry ripe fruit extract has not yet been studied for gastric ulcers. Present study is planned to investigate its potential protective effects against ethanol-induced gastric injury in rats. In current study the gastro protective effect of ethanolic crude extract of A. marmelos dried ripe fruit at 200, 400 and 800mg/kg body weight were studied in albino rats. Ranitidine used as standard drug (50mg/kg body weight). Absolute ethanol increase the degree of ulceration (UI) in rats while a significant improvement in the level of inhibition against ulceration was observed in test and standard groups as compare to control. Pre-fed test drug exhibited a significant reduction in the sore area (UI), accelerate % age protection and increased of gastric content in dose dependence manner. Test drug at 800mg/kg dose showed marked deduction in mean UI 3.0, significant increase in protection 83% with pH 7.3 (p<0.01). Standard drug exhibited 3.25 UI, 81% protection with pH 7.1. In conclusion, it was found that dry ripe fruit of A. marmelos possesses a significant anti-ulcer effect in rats.

FORMULATION AND ASSESSMENT OF SEMI-SOLID CARRIER INCORPORATED WITH HERBAL EXTRACT OF LAWSONIA INERMIS.

The development of an optimal microemulsion of lawsone for transdermal delivery was the core objective of the study. Effects of formulation variable including oils, surfactants and co-surfactants on the per- cutaneous delivery of lawsone microemulsion have also been inspected. Pseudotemary phase diagrams with oil, cosurfactant-surfactant mixtures (Smix) were constructed to recognize the microemulsion areas. Microemulsion prepared was of 5%. The in vitro transdermal penetration of microemulsion of lawsone was determined by Franz diffusion cell. These profiles indicated that the absorption and rate of penetration of lawsone microemul- sion was far better than the saturated solution of lawsone. The formulation was characterized for pH, conduc- tivity, viscosity and passed stability tests. A non-irritant formulation to skin was prepared in this way. The out- comes specify that the transdermal drug delivery ability and phase behavior of microemulsion is affected by the type of cosurfactant and surfactant.

Ethno-medicinal survey of important plants practiced by indigenous community at Ladha subdivision, South Waziristan agency, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Medicinal flora plays a vital role in treating various types of ailments in living beings. The present study was planned to investigate and document systematically the indigenous knowledge in a scientifically little explored area of Ladha sub-division, South Waziristan agency, Pakistan. Hence, this study would contribute positively to the field of ethnopharmacology. METHODS: Prior to ethnomedicinal data collection, regular field visits were conducted during the month of May and June 2015 to locate the sites and respondents from where the traditional knowledge was to be recorded. Ethno-medicinal data was collected during the month July and August 2015 through rapid appraisal approach (RAA) based on direct interaction with the indigenous communities by making group discussions, corner meetings and semi-structured interviews. Data was evaluated statistically by using the index of Use value (UV) and Frequency of citations (FC). RESULTS: A total of 82 medicinal plants belonging to 42 families were reported in the study. Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts. Highest use values were recorded for Peganum harmala (0.93), Punica granatum (0.91), Thymus mongolicus (0.90), Chenopodium album (0.89), Coriandrum sativum (0.87), Mentha longifolia (0.87), Lactuca serriola (0.87) and Portulaca oleracea (0.87). Medicinal plants used for the gastro intestinal complexities and respiratory diseases were more than 9% followed by skin and diarrhea (7% each), liver disorders (5%) cough and cold fever (5%). CONCLUSION: People of the area mostly still rely on traditional herbal therapies. Keeping in mind the dependence of the indigenous community for their primary health care on such herbal remedies, pharmacological and critical toxicological investigation of certain flora is necessary. Moreover, projects should be designed to analyze the existing issues and problems related with medicinal plants conservation.