Arunava Gantait

Enhanced therapeutic potential of naringenin‐phospholipid complex in rats

Naringenin is a naturally occurring flavanone, possessing a variety of biological activity. Due to its rapid elimination, naringenin needs frequent administration to maintain an effective plasma concentration. We have evaluated the therapeutic potential of naringenin‐phospholipid complex under oxidative stress conditions compared with free naringenin. Naringenin‐phospholipid complex was prepared and assessed for antioxidant activity in carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats at a dose level of 100 mg kg−1 (p.o.). Liver function tests were studied by assessing serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin. Marker enzymes of liver, namely glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, were measured to evaluate the antioxidant potential at the same dose level. The plasma concentration of naringenin was also measured. It was observed that the naringenin‐phospholipid complex enhanced the antioxidant activity of the biomolecule and protected the liver significantly for a longer time as compared with free naringenin at the same dose level. Phospholipid complex of naringenin produced better antioxidant activity than the free compound with a prolonged duration of action, which may be helpful in reducing the fast elimination of the molecule from body.

3.14 – Ayurveda in Modern Medicine: Development and Modification of Bioactivity

Natural products play an important role in the development of several therapeutic leads. Ayurveda, one of the oldest systems of Indian medicine, has a great traditional importance in therapeutics. Recent advances in analytical and biological sciences along with innovations in genomics and proteomics can play an important role in validation of this age old system of medicine. This article highlights various aspects of ayurveda, their development, and the modern tools for enhancement of their bioactivity.

Quantification of α-Asarone in Acorus calamus by Validated HPTLC Densitometric Method

Acorus calamus L. (family Araceae), commonly known as “sweet flag” or “calamus”, is native to central Asia, North America, and Europe [1]. The rhizomes of the plants are used in Ayurveda and other Indian system of medicine (ISM) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for its potential effect on memory disorder, lipid peroxide content, anti-aging and anti-cholinergic activity [2, 3]. Due to therapeutic and aromatic property, the plant is utilized both in phytotherapy and alimentary industry for preparation of food and beverages [4]. α-(1,2,4Trimethoxy-5-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]benzene) and β-asarone is the major bioactive component of A. calamus and it possesses wide range of pharmacological activity. α-Asarone (Figure 1) possesses sedative, neuroleptic, spasmolytic, anti-ulcerogenic, antiatherogenic, and anti-helminthic activity [1].

Marker Profiling: An Approach for Quality Evaluation of Indian Medicinal Plants

A key point in choosing the appropriate method to guarantee the quality and safety of herbal products is to develop suitable methodology for their standardization with a sufficient degree of specificity in ensuring the desired endpoint. The unique differences in the constituents of herbal drugs create distinct challenges based on their identity, quality, and consistency of efficacy. The differentiation of conventional medicines and herbal drugs can be minimally considered from regulatory, economic, and technical perspectives. Health risks associated with herbal products are considered in three categories: extrinsic (accidental, deliberate), intrinsic (bioavailability, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic), and consumer-dependent causative factors (therapeutic failure, adverse drug reaction, hypersensitivity). A change in these categories through regulation using designated approaches can minimize the health risks. Chemical fingerprinting of natural products and their ability to interact with physiological substrates of the human body are the mainstay of their therapeutic efficacy. This requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving analytical techniques and methodologies common to ethnomedicine, botany, pharmacology, pharmacotherapy, toxicology, and pharmacoepidemiology. An attempt has been made through this article to highlight the use of marker profiling of natural products with special reference to Indian herbal medicine.

Isolation of Taraxerol from Coccinia grandis, and its Standardization

Coccinia grandis (L). Voigt (family: Cucurbitaceae) is widely used in the Indian system of medicine for various skin diseases, bronchial catarrh, and bronchitis. It is also used as a carminative, antipyretic, galactagogue, antiemetic, antispasmodic, and expectorant. In this study we isolated taraxerol (a triterpenoid) from the aerial parts of the plant. The structure of taraxerol was confirmed by spectroscopic methods and comparison with the standard. An HPTLC method was established for quantitative quality-control analysis of taraxerol in C. grandis. Taraxerol standard and C. grandis extract were chromatographed on silica gel with hexane-ethyl acetate 9:1 as mobile phase. Plates were scanned at 540 nm after spraying with anisaldehyde-sulfuric acid reagent and subsequent heating. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, and specificity. Average recovery was between 99.64 and 100.26%. For both intraday and interday precision RSD was <2%. The limits of quantification and detection were 140 and 47 ng per band, respectively, and the linear range was from 0.5–2.5 µg per band. The amount of taraxerol in the extract was approximately 0.1%.

Estimation of capsaicin through scanning densitometry and evaluation of different varieties of capsicum in India.

Capsicum annuum L. (family: Solanaceae) possesses therapeutic benefits for the treatment of rheumatism, neuropathy, psoriasis, flatulence and so on. In this study fruits of four different varieties of C. annuum from four different geographical regions in India were evaluated based on their total content of capsaicin. Ethanol extracts of the fruits were used. HPTLC plates were developed in a mobile phase containing benzene, ethyl acetate and methanol (75 : 20 : 5). Densitometric scanning was performed at a wavelength of 283 nm in the absorbance mode. The calibration curve was described by the equation Y = 393.587 + 3.836*X with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.99890. The content of capsaicin in Nagaland, Manipur, West Bengal and Shimla varieties was found to be 3.71%, 1.78%, 0.54% and 0.06%, respectively. The developed densitometric method was found to be specific, accurate and precise. A recovery study and precision showed low levels of %RSD values. The linearity range of the curve for capsaicin was found to be 300–900 ng per spot. The limit of detection and the limit of quantification values were determined to be 31 and 94 ng, respectively, proving the sensitivity of the method. Thus the method can be used to control the total content of capsaicin on an industrial scale.