Design and Toxicity Evaluation of Novel Fatty Acid-Amino Acid-Based Biocompatible Surfactants.

Surfactants occupy an important place owing to their wide application, but primarily compromised due to its toxicity issues. This raises the need for exploration of newer surfactants with increased biocompatibility. Novel fatty acid- and amino acid-based surfactants were prepared using standard carbodiimide chemistry. Pyrene assay was implemented to confirm the amphiphilic nature of the surfactants and to calculate their CMC (critical micellar concentration). In vitro hemolytic and cell culture study in MCF-7 and HEK cell line were done to check the in vitro biocompatibility of the developed surfactants in comparison to marketed surfactants Triton X-100 and Tween ® 80. In vivo biocompatibility test in female Swiss albino mice was carried out in comparison to marketed surfactants with respect to serum markers, organ histology, and RBC morphology. Surfactant synthesis provided more than 60% yield in all the conjugates. Pyrene assay concluded the amphiphilic nature of the surfactants with lowest CMC of 0.083% w/v in the case of stearic acid and valine conjugate. In vitro hemolytic and cell culture study depicted highest biocompatibility in vitro as compared to marketed surfactants. Similar results were obtained in in vivo biocompatibility with respect to AST (aspartate transaminase), ALT (alanine transaminase), BUN (blood urea nitrogen), and creatinine serum levels and histology of spleen, liver, and kidney in comparison to marketed surfactants Triton X-100 and Tween ® 80. The developed surfactant also depicted least RBC morphology changes in vivo. Stearic acid valine conjugate thus depicted potential for further application in formulation development replacing the commercially available surfactants.

Antiasthmatic related properties of Abrus precatorius leaves on various models.

OBJECTIVE: Asthma is a multifaceted inflammatory disorder which results into narrowing of airway with broncho-constriction and spasm. As the complex pathophysilogy of asthma, various animal models are generally used to investigate the immunological and physiological pathogenesis of disease. Abrus precatorius Linn (Fabacease) is a climbing shrub. The leaves and roots are sweet in taste and traditionally used for the treatment of asthma, bronchititis, and inflammation. A. precatorius possesses different pharmacological activities. Hence the objective of this study was to evaluate antiasthmatic activity of ethanol extract of A. precatorius leaves using various models. METHODS: In present study ethanol extract of A. precatorius leaves was evaluated for antiasthmatic activity using carrageenan induced paw edema in rats [100-150 mg/kg], histamine induced bronchospasm in guinea pig [200-400 mg/kg] and histamine induced contraction of goat tracheal chain [2.5-25 µg/ml]. RESULTS: Result of study revealed that ethanol extract of A. precatorius significantly exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in rats, oral treatment of extract on guinea pig significantly increases histamine induced preconvulsive dysponea times and the ethanol extract of plant increases got tracheal chain precontracted with histamine. CONCLUSION: Hence present study concludes that ethanol extract of A. precatorius possesses antiasthmatic activity.

Evaluation of antidiabetic and related actions of some Indian medicinal plants in diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate antidiabetic activity of chloroform extracts of Acacia arabica bark, Benincasa hispida fruit, Tinispora cordifolia stem, Ocimum sanctum areal parts and Jatropha curcus leaves. METHODS: The chloroform extracts of Acacia arabica bark, Benincasa hispida fruit, Tinospora cordifolia stem, aerial part of Ocimum sanctum and Jatropha curcus leaves were evaluated at different doses (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight.) for antidiabetic potentials in alloxan induced diabetic albino rats. The extracts were administered for two weeks in different groups whereas tolbutamide (80 mg/kg body weight) was used as reference standard throughout study. RESULTS: The result of present study showed test compounds significantly decreases elevated level of serum glucose and also caused to reverse the cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL values when compared to untreated diabetic rats. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding indicates that different test extracts were able to ameliorate the derangements in lipid metabolism caused by diabetes mellitus in alloxan induced diabetic rats towards normal level.

Evaluation of antiasthmatic activity of Clitoria ternatea L. roots.

AIM OF STUDY: Clitoria ternatea L. (Family: Fabaceae) is being used in traditional medicine for the treatment of severe bronchitis and asthma. So the aim of study was to evaluate antiasthmatic activity of ethanol extract of Clitoria ternatea roots. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study ethanol extract of Clitoria ternatea root (ECTR) was evaluated for preliminary phytochemical screening, acute toxicity studies and antiasthmatic activity using milk induced leucocytosis and eosinophilia in mice, egg albumin induced mast cell degranulations in rats and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats at doses (100-150 mg/kg ip). RESULTS: The results of present investigation showed that the LD(50) of ECTR is more than 1,300 mg/kg. ECTR significantly decreases milk induced leucocytosis and eosinophilia, protects egg albumin induced degranulations of mast cells in mice and inhibits area of blue dye leakage in passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats at (100-150 mg/kg, i.p.). Phytochemical studies observed the presence of steroids, saponin, flavonoids, and glycosides. CONCLUSION: The present investigation concludes that the antiasthmatic activity of ECTR may be due to the presence of flavonoids or saponins.

Antinociceptive activity of Ricinus communis L. leaves.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antinociceptive activity of the methanol extract of Ricinus communis leaves (MRCL). METHODS: Antinociceptive activity was evaluated using acetic acid induced writhing test, formalin induced paw licking and tail immersion method in mice at doses of 100, 125 and 150 mg/kg bw. RESULTS: The results indicated that MRCL exhibited considerable antinociceptive activity against three classical models of pain in mice. Preliminary phytochemical analysis suggested the presence of saponin, steroids and alkaloids. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that MRCL possesses antinociceptive potential that may be due to saponin, steroids and alkaloids in it.

Some medicinal plants with antiasthmatic potential: a current status.

Asthma is a common disease that is rising in prevalence worldwide with the highest prevalence in industrialized countries. Asthma affects about 300 million people worldwide and it has been estimated that a further 100 million will be affected by 2025. Since the ancient times, plants have been exemplary sources of medicine. Current asthma therapy lack satisfactory success due to adverse effect, hence patients are seeking complementary and alternative medicine to treat their asthma. Ayurveda and other Indian literature mention the use of plants in various human ailments. India has about 45,000 plant species and among them several thousand are claimed to possess medicinal properties. Researches conducted in the last few decades on the plants mentioned in ancient literature or used traditionally for asthma have shown antiasthmatic, antihistaminic and antiallergic activity. This review reveals that some plants and their extract have antiasthmatic, antihistaminic, anticholinergic and antiallergic activity.

Antihistaminic activity of Clitoria ternatea L. roots.

Clonidine, a α2 adrenoreceptor agonist induces dose dependent catalepsy in mice, which was inhibited by histamine H1 receptor antagonists but not by H2 receptor antagonist. Clonidine releases histamine from mast cells which is responsible for different asthmatic conditions. Clitoria ternatea L. (Family: Fabaceae) is a perimial twing herb. The roots have anti-inflammatory properties and are useful in severe bronchitis, asthma. In present study ethanol extract of Clitoria ternatea root (ECTR) at doses 100, 125 and 150 mg/kg i.p were evaluated for antihistaminic activity using clonidine and haloperidol induced catalepsy in mice. Finding of investigation showed that chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) and ECTR inhibit clonidine induced catalepsy significantly P < 0.001 when compare to control group, while CPM and ECTR fail to inhibit haloperidol induced catalepsy. Present study concludes that ECTR possesses antihistaminic activity.