RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Seeds of plant Scaphium Affine are traditionally used by the healers of "India" for the treatment of piles. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of the study was to assess the anti-hemorrhoidal potential of the ethanolic seed extract of Scaphium affine. METHODS: After the soxhlet extraction method, the seed extract from Scaphium affine was first submitted to phytochemical standardization and then GC-MS analysis. Rats were given Croton oil and Jatropha oil to develop hemorrhoids, and Scaphium affine seed extract (ESA) was administered orally for 5 days and 3 days, respectively, at doses of 1000 and 500 mg/kg. The Rectoanal coefficient (RAC) was calculated as an inflammatory marker. The hemorrhoidal tissues were also subjected to cytokine profiling, biochemical estimation and histopathology. RESULTS: ESA demonstrated the presence of flavonoids, saponins, phytosterols, phenols, and tannins. GCMS analysis elucidated the presence of hexadecanoic acid 2 hydroxy -1,3 propane diyl ester,9 Octadecanoic acid ethyl ester, Cyclohexane 1,4 di methyl cis, Farnesol isomer,1, E-11, Z-13 octa decatriene, Stigmasterol, N-(5 ethyl -1,3,4-thiadiazol-yl) benzamide, N, N Dinitro 1,3,5,7 tetraza bicyclo 93,3,1) as major phytoconstituents. The results depicted more potent anti-hemorrhoidal activity of ESA at 1000 mg/kg, p.o., which was evident through a decrease in RAC. A significant decline in the levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α expression was observed, along with the restoration of altered antioxidants and enzymes. Histopathological analysis confirmed the tissue recovery as it revealed minimal inflammation and decreased dilated blood vessels in treated animals. CONCLUSION: Based on the results it can be concluded that seeds of Scaphium affine showed significant anti-hemorrhoid agents which may be attributed to their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant potential due to the presence of certain phytoconstituents in it. The study also supports the traditional use of seeds of Scaphium affine for the first time in the treatment of hemorrhoids.
RESUMO
The aim was to formulate and evaluate Gel/PVA hydrogels as a pH-sensitive matrix to deliver methotrexate (MTX) to colon. The primed Gel/PVA hydrogels were subjected to evaluation for swelling behavior, diffusion coefficient, sol-gel characteristic and porosity using an acidic (pH 1.2) and phosphate buffer (PBS) (pH 6.8 & pH 7.4) media. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed to evaluate the chemical compatibility of the Gel/PVA hydrogel. The shape alteration and release of Gel/PVA hydrogel was conducted at pH 1.2, pH 6.8 and pH 7.4. The drug release kinetic mechanism was determined using various kinetic equations. The physicochemical evaluation tests and drug release profile results were found to be significant (p < 0.01). However, it was dependent on the polymers' concentration, the pH of the release media and the amount of the cross-linking agent. Hydrogels containing the maximum amount of gel showed a dynamic equilibrium of 10.09 ± 0.18 and drug release of 93.75 ± 0.13% at pH 1.2. The kinetic models showed the release of MTX from the Gel/PVA hydrogel was non-Fickian. The results confirmed that the newly formed Gel/PVA hydrogels are potential drug delivery systems for a controlled delivery of MTX to the colon.
RESUMO
This study depicts a profile of existence of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd, Hg, Mn, Fe, Na, Ca, and Mg) in some important herbal plants like (H. Integrifolia, D. regia, R. communis, C. equisetifolia, N. oleander, T. populnea, M. elengi, H. schizopetalus, P. pterocarpum) from Pakistan and an antidiabetic Malaysian herbal drug product containing (Punica granatum L. (Mast) Hook, Momordica charantia L., Tamarindus indica L., Lawsonia inermis L.) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Heavy metals in these herbal plants and Malaysian product were in the range of 0.02-0.10 ppm of Cu, 0.00-0.02 ppm of Ni, 0.02-0.29 ppm of Zn, 0.00-0.04 ppm of Cd, 0.00-1.33 ppm of Hg, 0.00-0.54 ppm of Mn, 0.22-3.16 ppm of Fe, 0.00-9.17 ppm of Na, 3.27-15.63 ppm of Ca and 1.85-2.03 ppm of Mg. All the metals under study were within the prescribed limits except mercury. Out of 10 medicinal plants/product under study 07 were beyond the limit of mercury permissible limits. Purpose of this study is to determine heavy metals contents in selected herbal plants and Malaysian product, also to highlight the health concerns related to the presence of toxic levels of heavy metals.
