Delpinium uncinatum mediated green synthesis of AgNPs and its antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, cytotoxic and antimicrobial potentials.

Green synthesis of nanoparticles is becoming a method of choice for biological research due to its environmentally benign outcomes, stability and ease of synthesis. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using stem (S-AgNPs), root (R-AgNPs) and mixture of stem and root (RS-AgNPs) of Delphinium uncinatum. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by standardized techniques and evaluated for their antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, cytotoxic and antimicrobial potentials. The AgNPs exhibited efficient antioxidant activities and considerable enzyme inhibition potential against alpha amylase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes. S-AgNPs showed strong cytotoxicity against human hepato-cellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) and high enzyme inhibitory effect (IC50 values 27.5µg/ml for AChE and 22.60 µg/ml for BChE) compared to R-AgNPs and RS-AgNPs. RS-AgNPs showed significant inhibition of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Aspergillus flavus and exhibited higher biocompatibility (<2% hemolysis) in human red blood cells hemolytic assays. The present study showed that biologically synthesized AgNPs using the extract of various parts of D. uncinatum have strong antioxidant and cytotoxic potentials.

Toxicity Profiling and Antihyperuricemic Activity of Goubion: A Polyherbal Formulation.

The objective of the present study was to determine the acute and subacute toxicity profile of a polyherbal formulation called "Goubion" in addition to the in vivo antihyperuricemic study using fructose-induced hyperuricemia. Goubion is a combination of Colchicum autumnale (tuber), Tribulus terresteris (fruit), Vitex negundo (leaves), Smilax chinensis (root), Glycyrrhiza glabra (root), and Curcuma amada (rhizome). The acute toxicity study revealed no signs of mortality and morbidity at a single dose of 2000 mg/kg. Similarly, the results of the subacute repeated dose toxicity study exhibited no signs of mortality at any of the doses. However, significant changes in hematological, biochemical, and renal parameters were recorded at the dose of 60 mg/kg. Antihyperuricemic activity was tested at the dose of 15 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg of Goubion, respectively against 5 mg/kg Allopurinol. Based on the antihyperuricemic study, we infer that the Goubion has a significant hypouricemic action, as it remarkably decreased the elevated uric acid levels. The results also suggest the potential inhibitory capability of Goubion on xanthine oxidase dehydrogenase might be the mechanism behind the hypouricemic effect.

Chewable cough tablets with improved palatability: A comparative phase II clinical trial.

Cough is the common disease condition which affects patients of every age. Numerous OTC medications available in community pharmacies however no antiviral treatment and even antibiotics has been shown to be effective without pre-existing lung infection. The treatment approach of medicinal herbs has been recognized for many decades and even longer for the treatment and prevention of cough. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Mukalbion poly herbal chewable tablets for the treatment of cough with improved palatability against a marketed brand (Poly herbal). For the formulation development of test group, the herbs were supplied by the Procurement department of Herbion Pakistan Pvt. Ltd. Althea officinalis (roots), Hedera helix (leaves) and Sisymbrium irio (seeds) were used for the manufacturing of Mukalbion (poly herbal, test group) chewable tablet. The comparative control clinical trial was carried out during a time frame of 07 months with sample size of 70 patients as per epidemiological software for sample size and each group contained 35 (±5) patients. Chewable tablets were administered and evaluated for effectiveness after 15 days of treatment. The data were collected by the patients through clinical trial questionnaire. The validated quality of life questionnaire (LCQ) was also used for assessment. The results were analyzed by applying paired sample T test by using IBM SPSS version 20.00. The p value was <0.005 at 95% confidence interval for cough variables including cough bouts, viscosity of sputum, chest congestion, sore throat and shortness of breath. The LCQ cough scale score was higher in test group as compared to control group. The test group also showed well tolerated in term of palatability. None of the patient claimed any of the side effects and no compliance were observed against the marketed brand.

An interquartile relationship between polyherbal extract based lozenges linkus a phase IV comparative randomised control trial.

The aim of the study is to determine the efficacy of polyherbal linkus with the other pharmaceutical marketed syrup having Acefyllin Piperazine, Diphenhydramine group and Aminophylline Diphenhydramine group on the basis of interquartile ranges on children. It was open label multi centric randomize control trial. The study was conducted on different private schools of East and West Malir, Karachi Pakistan with the special approval from the school's honors .informed consent and assents were taking before the enrollment of the study subjects .The study enrolled participants were 147 who evaluate on cough. Participants were divided into 3 interventional group according to the treatment regimen .One group of participant received Linkus Syrup however the 2nd group received Acefyllin Piperazine and 3rd group received Aminophylline Diphenhydramine group. The frequency of the cough on linkus syrup was considered to be achieved on the basis of interquartile relationship and impact has been observed on child and parent sleep and found significant (p <0.01).Poly herbal Linkus Syrup has the significant impact on cough frequency and associated problem on children and parent's sleep with minimum side effects (p<0.01) however the pharmacological treatments are considered to be more unwanted effects on human subjects.

Effect of rhubarb (Rheum emodi) in primary dysmenorrhoea: a single-blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the efficacy of Rheum emodi in the management of primary dysmenorrhoea. METHODS: A randomized, single-blind, standard controlled trial compared efficacy of R. emodi against mefenamic acid on diagnosed subjects of primary dysmenorrhoea for three consecutive cycles. Experimental group (n=30) received capsules of R. emodi powder two times a day, two days before the expected date of menstruation, and continued first three days of menstruation, while control group (n=15) participants received mefenamic acid capsules three times a day on the same protocol. The primary outcome measures were reduced in severity and duration of pain, assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) and verbal multidimensional scoring system (VMSS), and secondary outcome measures were overall improvement of dysmenorrhoea and improved in quality of life (QOL). Statistical analysis was done by repeated measures analysis of variance and Chi-square/Fisher Exact test. RESULTS: The menstrual pain was significantly decreased in both groups after three-cycle intervention. Significant changes were observed in VAS (p<0.001) and VMSS (p<0.001) in the experimental group. There is a significant (p<0.001) reduction in duration of pain in both the groups. Associated symptoms and QOL were markedly improved after treatment (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It has been clear from the above result that R. emodi is an effective herb in alleviating symptoms of primary dysmenorrhoea. It can serve as an alternative treatment without any apparent side effects. These results deserve further investigations.