Journey of Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam.: From traditional utilization to modern therapeutics-A review.

Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam. (Araliaceae) is a short and edible medicinal herb, which is used in the traditional system of medicines. The review aims to report the current information of H. sibthorpioides on the basis of its botanical and taxonomical description, traditional use, active phytoconstituents, pharmacological use and toxicity. The information on H. sibthorpioides with respect to its journey from traditional uses to scientific validation was gathered based on the online survey. The results from the review signify that the plant is used by the different tribes of the world for the treatment of patients suffering from fever, edema, dysentery, rheumatalgia, whooping cough, jaundice, throat pain, psoriasis, herpes zoster infection, hepatitis-B infection, soothing pain, dysmenorrhoea and carbunculosis. It is also used as a brain tonic, detoxifying agent and hepatoprotective agent. Scientific investigation reported that the plant has a significant pharmacological activity, viz. cognitive agent, anti-cancer, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal and hepatoprotective. Moreover, based on the phytochemical aspects, a total of 50 phytoconstituents was identified and isolated from the plant. In conclusion, the outcome of this review will be useful for (a) developing a comprehensive plant profile; (b) assist investigators for exploring further research; and (c) to fulfil the gaps lacking in terms of clinical studies.

Albumin nanoparticles coated with polysorbate 80 for the targeted delivery of antiepileptic drug levetiracetam into the brain.

The aim of the study was to target levetiracetam (LEV) into the brain by albumin nanoparticles. The levetiracetam-loaded albumin nanoparticles (LEV-NPs) were formulated by desolvation. The particle size of LEV-NPs was 153.7 ± 44.8 nm and the zeta potential was - 10.8 mV. The in vitro LEV release, in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer, was determined by dialysis and showed a biphasic pattern of drug release and ranged in between 40.42 ± 2.6% w/w and 63.61 ± 2.12% w/w. The biodistribution study was conducted on male Wistar rats. The LEV was given as i.v. injection in tail vein, and the formulations were the free drug, LEV-NPs, and levetiracetam-loaded albumin nanoparticles further coated with 1% polysorbate 80 (LEV-NPs-PS 80). A significant increase in LEV concentration was achieved in the brain for LEV-NPs-PS 80 when compared with LEV free drug. The LEV concentration achieved in the brain after administering free drug and LEV-NPs-PS 80 was 5.28 ± 1.79 and 18.54 ± 2.38 µg/gm respectively. The LEV-NPs-PS 80 enhanced LEV concentration in the brain by 3.51-fold when compared with the free drug. Graphical abstract.