Investigating the therapeutic potential of aqueous extraction of curry plant (Murraya koenigi) leaves supplementation for the regulation of blood glucose level in type 2 diabetes mellitus in female human subjects.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. It is spreading around the globe like a pandemic. Major factors behind the development of diabetes can be genetics, environmental factors, dietary choices and obesity. Many medicinal plants have anti-diabetic potential. This study has investigated the anti-diabetic effect of curry leaves extract. This study also investigated the chemical characterization of curry leaves. Phytochemicals including saponins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and glycosides were also investigated. Encapsulated 5mg per kg of the body weight and 10mg per kg of the body weight were given to treatment groups I and II. Random blood sugar, fasting blood sugar and HbA1c of 45 diabetic female adults were measured on the 0-day and 45th days. All results were analyzed using the two-sample t-test in IBM SPSS Statistics 20. Curry leaves contained moisture (24.1±1.78)%, ash (17.82±2.13)%, nitrogen free extract (36.12±3.52)%, crude protein (8.32±0.83)%, crude fiber (6.98±2.31)% and crude fat (6.87±0.21)%. Mineral analysis showed that magnesium and calcium were major minerals present in curry leaves. Curry leaves extract contained saponins 2.71±0.23, flavonoids 7.84±0.42, tannins 0.91±0.09, glycosides 0.17±0.01, phenols 3.89±0.12, alkaloids 2.01±0.87. These phytochemicals were expressed in mg/100 g of the sample. Curry leaf extract showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in fasting blood sugar, random blood sugar and glycated hemoglobin in both treatment groups.

Formulation and in vitro evaluation of carbopol 934-based modified clotrimazole gel for topical application.

The aim of present study was to enhance topical permeation of clotrimazole gel preparation by using various permeability enhancers such as coconut oil, pistachio oil and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). Clotrimazole gel preparations were prepared and optimized by using three factor, five level central composite design. A second-order polynomial equation was generated in order to estimate the effect of independent variables i.e. coconut oil (X1), pistachio oil (X2) and sodium lauryl sulphate (X3) at various dependent variables i.e. flux (Y1), lag time (Y2), diffusion coefficient (Y3), permeability coefficient (Y4), and input rate (Y5) of clotrimazole gel formulations. Ex vivo skin permeation study was performed through rat skin by using modified Franz diffusion cell system. Optimized formulation F8 exhibited highest flux 2.17 µg/cm2/min, permeability coefficient 0.0019 cm/min and input rate 1.543 µg/cm2/min, along with moderate lag time 77.27 min and diffusion coefficient 0.063 cm2/min, which is further supported by anti-fungal activity that exhibited more prominent zone of inhibition against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Mucor. Thus, it can be concluded that permeation of clotrimazole gel was enhanced by various combination of coconut oil, pistachio oil and sodium lauryl sulphate but optimized formulation F8 containing 0.4 ml pistachio oil, 0.8 ml coconut oil and 0.04 g of SLS exhibited more pronounced and promising effect through rat skin.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles via plant extracts: beginning a new era in cancer theranostics.

With the development of the latest technologies, scientists are looking to design novel strategies for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer. Advances in medicinal plant research and nanotechnology have attracted many researchers to the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles due to its several advantages over conventional synthesis (simple, fast, energy efficient, one pot processes, safer, economical and biocompatibility). Medicinally active plants have proven to be the best reservoirs of diverse phytochemicals for the synthesis of biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). In this review, we discuss mechanistic advances in the synthesis and optimization of AgNPs from plant extracts. Moreover, we have thoroughly discussed the recent developments and milestones achieved in the use of biogenic AgNPs as cancer theranostic agents and their proposed mechanism of action. Anticipating all of the challenges, we hope that biogenic AgNPs may become a potential cancer theranostic agent in the near future.

Naja naja karachiensis envenomation: biochemical parameters for cardiac, liver, and renal damage along with their neutralization by medicinal plants.

Naja naja karachiensis envenomation was found to hit more drastically heart, liver, and kidneys. 400 µg/kg of venom-raised moderate serum levels of ALT (72 ± 4.70 U/L, 0.1 > P > 0.05), AST (157 ± 24.24 U/L, 0.1 > P > 0.05), urea (42 ± 3.08 mg/dL, 0.05 > P > 0.02), creatinine (1.74 ± 0.03 mg/dL, 0.01 > P > 0.001), CK-MB (21 ± 1.5 U/L, 0.05 > P > 0.02), and LDH (2064 ± 15.98 U/L, P < 0.001) were injected in experimental rabbits. However, lethality was enhanced with 800 µg/kg of venom in terms of significant release of ALT (86 ± 5.0 U/L, 0.05 > P > 0.02), AST (251 ± 18.2 U/L, 0.01 > P > 0.001), urea (57.6 ± 3.84 mg/dL, 0.02 > P > 0.01), creatinine (2.1 ± 0.10 mg/dL, 0.02 > P > 0.01), CK-MB (77 ± 11.22 U/L, 0.05 > P > 0.02), and LDH (2562 ± 25.14 U/L, P ≪ 0.001). Among twenty-eight tested medicinal plant extracts, only Stenolobium stans (L.) Seem was found the best antivenom (P > 0.5) compared to the efficacy of standard antidote (ALT = 52.5 ± 3.51 U/L, AST = 69.5 ± 18.55 U/L, urea = 31.5 ± 0.50 mg/dL, creatinine = 1.08 ± 0.02 mg/dL, CK-MB = 09 ± 0.85 U/L, and LDH = 763 ± 6.01 U/L). Other plant extracts were proved less beneficial and partly neutralized the toxicities posed by cobra venom. However, it is essential in future to isolate and characterize bioactive compound(s) from Stenolobium stans (L.) Seem extract to overcome the complications of snake bite.