Comparison of the antidepressant like activity of homeopathic remedies (Argentum nitricum, Staphysagria and Ignatia amara) and their effect on the behavior of rodents.

The majority of the world population suffers from mental and behavioral disorder. It is the need of the time to find an alternate of presently available medicines in order to decrease the medical expense. Homeopathic remedies are available and prescribed by homeopaths for treatment of anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, no data are available that proves its potential to relieve mental illness. The current study is designed to assess neuro behavioral and antidepressant like effects of homeopathic remedies Staphysagria, Argentum nitricum and Ignatia amara in comparison with standard drug (escitalopram). Different neuro behavioral activities were analyzed. The animals were administered the doses of all homeopathic remedied (60 µl to the rats) and escitalopram (0.042 mg to rats) through the oral route. The activities were observed on day 30th and day 60th. Our result suggests that the swimming time in Staphysagria treated group were significantly improved (p<0.001) after day 60th and significance rise was observed (p<0.01) in Ignatia amara treated animals, whereas significant decline (p<0.05) in struggling time was observed in Argentum nitricum administered animals after the 60th day as compared to 30th day. The central square crossings were improved highly significantly (p<0.001) after the 30th day dosing, by all three remedies and peripheral squares crossing were found highly significantly increased (p<0.001) after chronic dosing in Staphysagria and Ignatia amara treated groups. It is concluded from the results that all three homeopathic remedies produce comparable effects like standard drug while among all three remedies Staphysagria possess a potent antidepressant activity. To the best of our knowledge the current study reports first time the anti-depressant potential of homeopathic remedies in rodents.

Drug development of herbomineral capsule (ALG-06) used for hypopigmentation specially in vitiligo.

Many herbomineral preparations in traditional medicines are being used from time immemorial like Kushta Abrak Safaid, Busoor-e-Labinyah etc. as therapeutics remedies in common ailments such type of preparations are known to have additive and pronounced effects to cure any obstinate disease condition. The main objective of this research study is the formulation of herbomineral capsule (ALG-06) to treat such type of condition like hypopigmentation in case of vitiligo. In order to achieve the best quality of this formulation physicochemical analysis i.e. fluorescence test, ash values, extractive values and moisture content of combined powdered drug of herbs and minerals were performed followed by phytopharmaceutical calculation of flow ability of blended powder by means of angle of repose, porosity, bulk and tap density, compressibility and hausner ratio, these properties assisted to estimate the best form of powdered material filled in right size of capsule for the desired strength i.e.500mg. Accelerated stability studies were also performed to establish the efficacy of the formulation. In this regard organoleptic properties (color, odor, appearance and taste), weight variation, disintegration and bio burden of ALG-06 formulation were monitored at 40°C/75% relative humidity (RH) along with a room temperature (RT) for a period of one month.