Haji Muhammad Shoaib Khan

Investigation of the effects of extraction solvent/technique on the antioxidant activity of Cassia fistula L.

Cheaper and safer antioxidants of natural origin is the focus of research in recent times due to increased in safety concerns about synthetic antioxidants. The effects of four extracting solvents that is, ethanol, methanol, n-Hexane and pet ether and two extraction techniques that is, simple maceration and hot percolation (Soxhlet apparatus) were investigated on the antioxidant activity of pods, leaves, barks and flowers of Cassia fistula. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) was used as standard free radical while ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and Quarcetin were used as standard anti oxidants. Experiments revealed that extracts have solvent-dependent and technique-dependent antioxidant effects. Using the simple maceration technique, 70% methanolic v/v leaf extract showed 89% DPPH scavenging activity when ascorbic acid was taken as standard and 84.7% when quercetin was taken as standard. However, the percentage inhibition of a similar concentration of pods, barks and flowers extract were 66, 81 and 83.4%, respectively, using simple maceration and ascorbic acid as a standard. However, extraction carried out by Soxhlets apparatus showed less free radical scavenging activities.

Changes in skin mechanical properties after long-term application of cream containing green tea extract

Background and aims: We studied longterm application of cream containing green tea extract, to obtain knowledge of its effects on epidermal mechanics by 2-mm diameter Cutometer probe. Methods: Using this non-invasive device, we assessed the effects of green tea extract cream on skin mechanical properties. Healthy male volunteers (n=10) were included in this study, which lasted 60 days. The biomechanical properties of the skin were examined by a non-invasive suction device (Cutometer) and the cheeks were defined as the test area. Results: Statistically significant (p<0.05) results were notable for the R6 (Uv/Ue) parameter with respect to time (ANOVA); R0, R2 (Ua/Uf) and R7 (Ur/Uf) parameters were found statistically not significant by ANOVA. This study demonstrates that green tea formulation has a certain effect on R6 (Uv/Ue) parameter when applied regularly for a certain period of time. Conclusions: These results indicate that the formulation has no pronounced overall effects on skin elastic or biological properties, but significant R6 (Uv/Ue) values indicate that it does have definite effects on the viscoelastic properties of the skin.

Assessment of anti erythmic and skin whitening effects of milk thistle extract

This study was intended to explore the effects of a topical cream (w/o emulsion) of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) extract against its vehicle as control on skin erythma and skin melanin. Milk thistle extract was entrapped in the inner aqueous phase of w/o emulsion. The vehicle (base without extract) and the active formulation (containing 4% extract) were applied by volunteers (n = 11) for a period of 12 weeks. Skin erythma and melanin were measured fortnightly to determine any effect produced by these topical creams. Base showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase while active formulation showed significant decrease in skin melanin content. In the case of skin erythma, the base showed insignificant decrease (P ≥ 0.05), whereas the formulation showed statistically significant decrease. The study showed that active formulation containing extract of milk thistle reduced skin melanin due to the presence of silymarin flavonoids. The formulation also possessed anti-inflammatory effects and was found to be suitable for topical application.

Preliminary 1 month stability screening of cosmetic multiple emulsions (W/O/W) prepared using cetyl dimethicone copolyol and Polysorbate 80.

The objective of this work was to develop W/O/W emulsions with different concentration of paraffin oil, lipophilic (cetyl dimethicone copolyol) and hydrophilic emulsifiers (polysorbate 80) and to check their stability at different storage conditions.

Formulation and Characterization of a Cream Containing Terminalia chebula Extract

Background: This study aimed to formulate a water-in-oil emulsion (formulation) of Terminalia chebula versus its vehicle (base) as control, and investigate its effects on skin melanin, skin erythema, skin moisture content, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Material and Methods: Base containing no active material, and formulation containing 5% concentrated extract of T. chebula, were developed. Different stability parameters were monitored at 8, 25, and 40 °C, as well as 40 °C + 75% relative humidity, for a period of 4 weeks. It was concluded that the creams remained stable at all storage conditions. Both base and formulation were applied to the cheeks of human volunteers for a period of 8 weeks. Different skin parameters were monitored every week to measure any effect produced by these creams. Results: Changes in TEWL produced by base and formulation were insignificant (p > 0.05) with respect to time while significant (p ≤ 0.05) with respect to base and formulation. The skin moisture content increased after the application of formulation throughout the study period; this effect was insignificant (p > 0.05) with respect to time while significant (p ≤ 0.05) with respect to base and formulation. Both base and formulation showed insignificant (p > 0.05) effects on skin melanin content with respect to time. Skin erythema was reduced by the formulation. Both base and formulation produced statistically insignificant (p > 0.05) effects on skin sebum. Conclusion: Both creams were aesthetic with respect to sensory evaluation. T. chebula topical cream showed a positive rejuvenating effect on human skin. Hopefully, this study will encourage more attention towards the research and utilization of herbal medicines.

Aglycone solanidine and solasodine derivatives: A natural approach towards cancer

Over the past few years, it was suggested that a rational approach to treat cancer in clinical settings requires a multipronged approach that augments improvement in systemic efficiency along with modification in cellular phenotype leads to more efficient cell death response. Recently, the combinatory delivery of traditional chemotherapeutic drugs with natural compounds proved to be astonishing to deal with a variety of cancers, especially that are resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs. The natural compounds not only synergize the effects of chemotherapeutics but also minimize drug associated systemic toxicity. In this review, our primary focus was on antitumor effects of natural compounds. Previously, the drugs from natural sources are highly precise and safer than drugs of synthetic origins. Many natural compounds exhibit anti-cancer potentials by inducing apoptosis in different tumor models, in-vitro and in-vivo. Furthermore, natural compounds are also found equally useful in chemotherapeutic drug resistant tumors. Moreover, these Phyto-compounds also possess numerous other pharmacological properties such as antifungal, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, and hepatoprotection. Aglycone solasodine and solanidine derivatives are the utmost important steroidal glycoalkaloids that are present in various Solanum species, are discussed here. These natural compounds are highly cytotoxic against different tumor cell lines. As the molecular weight is concerned; these are smaller molecular weight chemotherapeutic agents that induce cell death response by initiating apoptosis through both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways.

Assessment of Physical Stability and Antioxidant Activity of Polysiloxane Polyalkyl Polyether Copolymer-Based Creams

The purpose of the present work was to investigate the changes on physical stability (color, creaming, liquefaction, pH, conductivity, centrifugation, viscosity and rheological parameters) by non-ionic surfactant polysiloxane polyalkyl polyether copolymer based creams following inclusion of plant extract containing phenolic compounds. The antioxidant activity of the plant extract alone and after addition in the cream was assessed using the stable free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Physical stability was assessed by submitting the creams to storage at 8°C, 25°C, 40°C, and at 40°C with 70% RH (relative humidity) for a period of two months. Physical characteristics of polysiloxane polyalkyl polyether copolymer based creams, that is, color, creaming, liquefaction, centrifugation and pH were noted at various intervals for 2 months. The viscosities and rheological behavior of creams were determined using a rotational rheometer. Data were analyzed by using Brookfield Software Rheocalc version (2.6) with IPC Paste and Power Law (PL) math models. Cream with plant extract showed pseudo plastic behaviour with decreasing on viscosity. The Acacia nilotica (AN) extract alone and the cream containing this extract showed great antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. Power Law and IPC analysis were found to fit all the rheograms.

Evaluation for antierythmic and depigmenting effects of a newly formulated emulsion containing basil extract

This study was designed to find out the effects of newly formulated topical cream (w/o emulsion) of basil ( Ocimum basilicum ) against its base as control on skin erythma and skin melanin. Concentrated basil extract was entrapped in the inner aqueous phase of w/o emulsion. Newly formulated and formerly evaluated base (containing no extract) and a formulation (containing 3% concentrated extract of basil) were applied. Both the base and formulation were applied to the cheeks of 11 healthy human volunteers for a period of 12 weeks. Skin erythma and melanin were determined every two weeks to measure any effect produced by these topical creams. The base showed insignificant (p ≥0.05) whereas the formulation showed statistically significant decrease in skin erythma. Skin melanin content was significantly (p ≤0.05) increased by the base but decreased by the formulation. The newly formulated cream of basil extract reduced skin melanin without causing any irritation and was found to be suitable for application on skin as determined by efficacy perception.

Assessment of Combined Ascorbyl Palmitate (AP) and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) on Facial Skin Sebum Control in Female Healthy Volunteers

The skin is fortified with a setup of lipophilic and hydrophilic, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems. Ascorbyl palmitate (AP) and sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP) are reported as lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidants, respectively used for skin care. Present study was aimed to assess the combined AP (in oil phase) and SAP (in aqueous phase) via multiple emulsion (ME1) for controlling sebum secretions in healthy human females. FTIR analysis of AP and SAP was performed for identification. Multiple emulsions (ME1 and control) were prepared and analyzed for physical stability. Antioxidant activities of AP, SAP as well as ME1 (with combination of these compounds) were determined by DPPH method. 11 female volunteers were included in a single-blinded, placebo-controlled, split-face comparative study. Volunteers were instructed to apply ME1 on left cheek while control (without AP and SAP) on right cheek, for a period of 90 days. A non-invasive photometric device (Sebumeter®) was used for the measurement of sebum secretions on both sides of the face with subsequent time intervals. A good antioxidant activity of ME1 was observed. ME1 treatments reduced significant facial sebum secretions as compared with control/placebo treatments. It was concluded that combined AP and SAP supplementations to skin proved a promising choice for controlling facial sebum secretions and could be evaluated for undesired oily skin and acne reductions for beautifying the facial appearance.

Phytocosmeceutical formulation development, characterization and its in-vivo investigations

Several plants found rich in flavonoid, polyphenols, and antioxidants reported antiaging, oppose inflammation and carcinogenic properties but have rarely been applied in dermatology. The present study was an active attempt to formulate a stable phytocosmetic emulsion system loaded with 2% pre-concentrated Prosopis cineraria bark extract, aiming to revive facial skin properties. In order to obtain potent therapeutic activities, we first prepared extracts of stem, leaves, and bark and screen them on basis of phenolic, flavonoids contents and antioxidant, antibacterial, lipoxygenase and tyrosinase inhibition activities. Furthermore, cytocompatibility of the extract was also determined prior starting in vivo investigations. Then the in vivo performance of 2% bark extract loaded emulsion formulation was determined by using non-invasive probe cutometer and elastometer with comparison to base formulation. The preliminary experiment showed that bark extract has a significant amount of phenolic and flavonoid compounds with eminent antioxidant potential. Furthermore, indicated an efficient antibacterial, lipoxygenase, and tyrosinase enzyme inhibition activities. Importantly, the bark extract did not induce any toxicity or apoptosis, when incubated with HaCat cells. Moreover, the in vivo results showed the formulation (size 3 μm) decreased the skin melanin, erythema and sebum contents up to 2.1-,2.7-and 79%, while increased the skin hydration and elasticity up to 2-folds and 22% as compared to the base, respectively. Owing to enhanced therapeutic effects the phytocosmetic formulation proved to be a potential skin whitening, moisturizer, anti-acne, anti-wrinkle, anti-aging therapy and could actively induce skin rejuvenation and resurfacing.