Antioxidant, carbonic anhydrase inhibition and diuretic activity of Leptadenia pyrotechnica Forssk. Decne.

Background: Leptadenia pyrotechnica Forssk. Decne is a member of family Apocynaceae and locally known as 'Khipp'. It is found in dry, sandy habitat of Pakistan and in several other regions around the world including Asia, Tropical Africa, Western Gulf and Mediterranean countries. It has nutritional value, containing 4 % lipids, 23 % proteins, 28 % carbohydrates, 4 % fibers, vitamin E and several minerals. Traditionally, this plant has been used by several communities for pain, different inflammatory and kidney disorders. Ethno-botanical studies have reported the use of L. pyrotechnica in nephrolithiasis, kidney disorders and induction of diuresis, which requires a detailed pharmacological study to validate the folkloric use of L. pyrotechnica as diuretic. Methods: The 70 % methanolic L. pyrotechnica (Lp.Cr) extract was prepared and qualitatively checked for the presence of various phytochemicals. Phenolic, flavonoid, tannin and saponin contents were quantified. GC-MS analysis of Lp.Cr was also performed. Antioxidant potential of Lp.Cr was evaluated by DPPH, ABTS and nitrite radical scavenging assays. CUPRAC and FRAP assay described the reducing potential of Lp.Cr. Diuretic activity was performed in both acute and prolonged models at different doses followed by the estimation of electrolytes, urea and creatinine levels. The mechanism of diuresis was described by pre-treatment with atropine, l-NAME, indomethacin and carbonic anhydrase inhibition. Results: Lp.Cr. indicated high phenolic and flavonoid contents which correlated with good antioxidant activity. GC-MS analysis showed the presence of 104 compounds from different phytochemical classes. Diuretic activity was performed at 10-300 mg/kg concentrations where the dose of 100 and 300 mg/kg showed good diuretic and saluretic activity comparable to furosemide. Lp.Cr exhibited diuresis both in acute and prolonged study protocols which can be attributed to carbonic anhydrase inhibition, effect on prostaglandins and cholinergic pathways. Conclusion: L. pyrotechnica contained several phytochemicals and exhibited good antioxidant activity. It induced diuresis and saluretic activity which was comparable to furosemide at higher doses. Diuretic activity can be attributed to carbonic anhydrase inhibition, prostaglandin synthesis and cholinergic pathways.

Anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and anti-pyretic activities of Cenchrus ciliaris L.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cenchrus ciliaris L. belongs to the family Poaceae and is found all over the world. It is native to the Cholistan desert of Pakistan where it is locally known as 'Dhaman'. Owing to high nutritional value, C. ciliaris is used as fodder while seeds are used for bread making which are consumed by locals. It also possesses medicinal value and is extensively employed to treat pain, inflammation, urinary tract infection, and tumors. AIM OF STUDY: Studies on the pharmacological activities of C. ciliaris are scarce in spite of its several traditional uses. To the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive study has been conducted on anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic activity of C. ciliaris until now. Here we employed an integrative phytochemical and in - vivo framework to evaluate the potential biological activities of C. ciliaris against inflammation, nociception and pyrexia experimentally induced in rodents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: C. ciliaris was collected from the desert of Cholistan, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Phytochemical profiling of C. ciliaris was done by employing GC-MS analysis. Anti-inflammatory activity of plant extract was initially determined by various in - vitro assays including albumin denaturation assay and RBC membrane stabilization assays. Finally, rodents were utilized to evaluate in - vivo anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and anti-nociceptive activities. RESULTS: Our data revealed the presence of 67 phytochemicals in methanolic extract of C. ciliaris. The methanolic extract of C. ciliaris provided RBC membrane stabilization by 65.89 ± 0.32% and protection against albumin denaturation by 71.91 ± 3.42% at 1 mg/ml concentration. In in - vivo acute inflammatory models, C. ciliaris exhibited 70.33 ± 1.03, 62.09 ± 8.98, 70.24 ± 0.95% anti-inflammatory activity at concentration of 300 mg/ml against carrageenan, histamine and serotonin induced inflammation. In CFA induced arthritis, inhibition of inflammation was found to be 48.85 ± 5.11% at 300 mg/ml dose after 28 days of treatment. In anti-nociceptive assays C. ciliaris exhibited significant analgesic activity in both peripheral and centrally mediated pain. The C. ciliaris also reduced the temperature by 75.26 ± 1.41% in yeast induced pyrexia. CONCLUSION: C. ciliaris exhibited anti-inflammatory effect against acute and chronic inflammation. It also showed significant anti-nociceptive and anti-pyretic activity which endorses its traditional use in the management of pain and inflammatory disorders.

Formulation and characterization of Anacyclus Pyrethrum Emulgels and its in vitro and in vivo evaluation as cosmeceutical product.

BACKGROUND: Plants containing high phenolic and flavonoids contents used widely as antioxidant agent by reducing skin photo damaging effects and play important role in skin rejuvenating. AIMS: This study was performed to explore the cosmetic effects of Anacyclus Pyrethrum extract and to develop stable oil in water (O/W) emulsion base gel loaded with Anacyclus Pyrethrum 10% extract. OBJECTIVE: To explore and quantify phenols and flavonoids present in Anacyclus Pyrethrum extract and determine its cosmetic effects on human skin. METHOD: Emulgel formulation were developed by mixing o/w emulsion with carbopol gelling agent loaded with Anacyclus Pyrethrum (AP) extract and base gel without AP extract. In vitro study was done for the evaluation of color change, liquefaction, hardness, and pH change at different storage condition for the duration of 12 weeks. For in vivo study, emulgel applied on 13 healthy human volunteer's cheeks to evaluate its cosmetics effects and compared with placebo (base). Facial parameters including skin melanin, redness, sebum, moisture content, and skin elasticity were determined by using mexameter, sebumeter, corneometer, elastometer for the study duration of 12 weeks. RESULTS: Total phenolic content in Anacyclus Pyrethrum extract was 80.04 ± 0.0043 mg GAE/g, and flavonoids were 54.64 ± 0.0076 mg QE/g. Anacyclus Pyrethrum extract found significantly effective in reducing skin photo-damage effects (p ≤ 0.05) as compared base gel. CONCLUSION: Anacyclus Pyrethrum extract being rich source of flavonoid and phenolic content, acts as strong antioxidant to protect skin against photo-damaging effect and improve skin conditions.

Phytochemical, antimicrobial and time-kill kinetics potentials of Euphorbia nivulia Buch.-Ham.: A Cholistan desert medicinal plant.

Euphorbia nivulia a locally occurring plant species possesses antiseptic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and is ethnopharmacologically used in various ailments like skin, ear disorders, boils, and worm infestation. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed presence of flavonoids, polyphenolics, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins and triterpenoids in (70% aqueous-ethanolic) Euphorbia nivulia crude extract (En cr) and its four fractions, i.e., hexane fraction (En hex), butanol fraction (En bt), chloroform fraction (En ch), and aqueous fraction (En aq). In current study, Agar well diffusion and time-kill kinetic assays were performed for antimicrobial activity. 300 mg/ml concentration showed maximum inhibitory zone. Highest zone of inhibition (15.5mm) was demonstrated by En ch fraction against Proteus mirabilis. Staphyllococcus aureus was the most sensitive bacteria against whom all fractions except En aq fraction were active. Maximum MIC (15.3 mg/ml) was shown by En ch fraction against Proteus mirabilis. Similarly, En ch fraction showed (15.1 mg/ml) remarkable MIC against Candida albicans. Significant higher antibacterial and antifungal activity was revealed in high concentration. Time-kill kinetics studies revealed bacteriostatic action. Noteworthy antimicrobial activity may be due to bioactive compounds of extract which may be a potential antibacterial and antifungal agent.

Vicissitudes in polyphenolic extract-based high internal phase creams (HIPCs)- effect of storage temperature dependent characteristics.

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the vicissitudes in polyphenolic extract- based high internal phase creams (HIPCs) and effect of storage temperature dependent characteristics. Rheological parameters, that is, power law and IPC analysis with its physical characteristics were exploredat different storage temperatures (8°, 25°, 40° and 40° with 75% relative humidity- RH) with different time intervals up to 2 months of newly formulated poly-phenolic extract- based high internal phase cream and its comparison with base. Polyphenolic- based HIPCs showed non-Newtonian-pseudo plastic tendencies in vicissitudes with time and storage temperatures. Data analysis with Power Law and IPC paste was found to fit to all the rheograms. Flow index, shear sensitivity factor, consistency Index and 10 RPM of freshly prepared HIPCs with and without encapsulated polyphenolic extract were found to be 0.5,0.53, 386.4 cP, and 432.9 cP, respectively.The viscosities were fallen with rise in shear stress.There was no change in color, electrical conductivity, liquefaction and phase separation after centrifugation in any sample of polyphenolic extract-based HIPCs and its base. Polyphenolic- based extract HIPCs behaved non-Newtonian- pseudo plastic tendencies and showed stability up to 2 months and can be directed absolutely to shield skin against ultraviolet radiation (UV) intervened oxidative mutilation.