Effect of Linum usitatissimum (linseed/flaxseed) fixed oil on experimental esophagitis in albino rats.

INTRODUCTION: The present study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of Linum usitatissimum fixed oil on experimental esophagitis in albino rats. METHODS: Group of rats (n = 6), treated with vehicle control (0.9% NaCl, 3 mL/kg, i.p.) or L. usitatissimum fixed oil (1, 2, 3 mL/kg, i.p.) or omeprazole (30 mg/kg, i.p.). Rats were subjected to pylorus and forestomach ligation to induce esophagitis and were compared to a control sham group. Animals were sacrificed after 6 h and evaluated for the gastric pH, gastric volume, total acidity and esophagitis index. Esophageal tissues were further subjected to estimations of sialic acid, collagen, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, tissue glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase. RESULTS: Treatment with fixed oil significantly inhibited the gastric secretion, total acidity and esophagitis index. The oil also altered the levels of sialic acid and collagen towards normal with significant antioxidant activity in esophageal tissues. CONCLUSION: The lipoxygenase inhibitory, histamine antagonistic, antisecretory (anticholinergic) and antioxidant activity of the oil was attributed for its effect in reflux esophagitis.

Applications of novel drug delivery system for herbal formulations.

Over the past several years, great advances have been made on development of novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) for plant actives and extracts. The variety of novel herbal formulations like polymeric nanoparticles, nanocapsules, liposomes, phytosomes, nanoemulsions, microsphere, transferosomes, and ethosomes has been reported using bioactive and plant extracts. The novel formulations are reported to have remarkable advantages over conventional formulations of plant actives and extracts which include enhancement of solubility, bioavailability, protection from toxicity, enhancement of pharmacological activity, enhancement of stability, improved tissue macrophages distribution, sustained delivery, and protection from physical and chemical degradation. The present review highlights the current status of the development of novel herbal formulations and summarizes their method of preparation, type of active ingredients, size, entrapment efficiency, route of administration, biological activity and applications of novel formulations.

Preparation and characterization of herbal creams for improvement of skin viscoelastic properties.

The aim of this study was to formulate and evaluate herbal cosmetic creams for their improvement of skin viscoelastic and hydration properties. The cosmetic cream formulations were designed by using ethanolic extracts of Glycyrriza glabra, Curcuma longa (roots), seeds of Psorolea corlifolia, Cassia tora, Areca catechu, Punica granatum, fruits of Embelica officinale, leaves of Centella asiatica, dried bark of Cinnamon zeylanicum and fresh gel of Aloe vera in varied concentrations (0.12-0.9%w/w) and characterized using physicochemical and physiological measurements. The ethanolic extracts of herbs were incorporated in a cream base that is prepared by a phase inversion emulsification technique. The cream base was prepared by utilizing oil of Prunus amagdalus, Sesamum indicum, honey, cetyl alcohol, stearic acid, polysorbate monoleate, sorbitan monostearate, propylene glycol and glycerin. Physicochemical assessments and microbiological testing were completed for all formulations according to the methods of the Indian Standard Bureau. The studies were carried out for 6 weeks on normal subjects (6 males and 12 females, between 22 and 50 years) on the back of their volar forearm for evaluation of viscoelastic properties in terms of extensibility via a suction measurement, firmness using laboratory fabricated instruments such as ball bouncing and skin hydration using electric (resistance) measurement methods. The physicochemical parameters of formulations CAA1-CAA6, i.e. pH, acid value, saponification value, viscosity, spreadability, layer thickness microbial count and skin sensitivity were found to be in the range of 5.01 +/- 0.4-6.07 +/- 0.6, 3.3-5.1 +/- 0.2, 20-32, 5900-6755 cps, 60-99%, 25-50 mum, 31-46 colony-forming units (CFU) and a 0-1 erythema score. The formulations, CAA4 and CAA5, showed an increase in percentage extensibility (32.27 +/- 1.7% and 29.89 +/- 1.64%, respectively), firmness (28.86 +/- 0.86% and 29.89 +/- 2.8%, respectively) and improved skin hydration (15.97 +/- 0.55 and 18.27 +/- 0.99%, respectively) and were found more effective compared with the control product (C7) after the 6- week study.

Hypolipidemic activity of seeds of Cassia tora Linn.

Ethanolic extract of seeds of Cassia tora L. and its fractions were investigated for hypolipidemic activity on triton induced hyperlipidemic profile. Ethanolic extract and its ether soluble and water soluble fraction decreased serum level of total cholesterol by 42.07, 40.77 and 71.25%, respectively. On the other hand ethanolic extract, ether soluble fraction and water soluble fraction increased the serum HDL-cholesterol level by 6.72, 17.20 and 19.18%, respectively. Ethanolic extract, ether fraction and water fraction decreased triglyceride level by 26.84, 35.74 and 38.46%, respectively. The reduction in LDL-cholesterol level by ethanolic extract, ether soluble fraction and water soluble fraction were 69.25, 72.06 and 76.12%, respectively.

Peripheral nerve complications in hemophilia.

AIM: Muscle bleed in hemophilics can result in compressive neuropathy and permanent disability if not treated properly in time. Twenty cases of peripheral nerve involvement in hemophilics are presented with an aim to highlight its features and the role of pulsed ultrasound in the management. METHODOLOGY: Between January, 1999 and 2000 June, 134 patients of bleeding disorders were examined. Twenty of them presented with features of nerve palsy. In addition to usual conservative treatment, pulse ultrasound electrotherapy of 10-15 sittings was used in all the cases. RESULTS: Femoral nerve was involved in majority (15), followed by sciatic (4) and peroneal nerve in one case. Femoral nerve involvement was associated with iliacus bleed in 13 patients and inguinal bleed in two cases. All the four cases of sciatic nerve palsy were associated with gluteal hematoma. Only case of peroneal nerve palsy was associated with hematoma at upper leg and calf. Twelve cases improved completely within six months whereas another four recovered around 10 months. Remaining four showed only partial recovery even when followed up to 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of nerve complications in hemophilics is important to avoid long-term disability. Conservative therapy starting early was associated with favourable results. Pulsed ultrasound therapy at the site of haematoma helped in early regression of hematoma and neural recovery.