Manik Ghosh

Estimation of Heavy Metal in Vegetables From Different Market Sites of Tribal Based Ranchi City Through ICP-OES and to Assess Health Risk

Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to estimate and evaluate the levels of heavy metals in vegetables collected from various sites of Ranchi city (tribal dominated population) followed by health risk assessment by determining Metal Pollution Index (MPI), Daily intake of metal (DIM) and Health Risk Index (HRI). The concentration levels of Pb, Cd and Ni in vegetables were found to contain beyond than the permissible PFA limit. All sites showed quite a few higher concentrations of Lead (Pb), than the permissible PFA limit. Among thirteen vegetables, Beet, Cucumber, Pea, Beans, Ladys finger, Corriender leaves and Tomato showed high levels of Pb in vegetables collected from all sites. Health Risk Index was also found > 1 for Cd, Co and Pb. Health Risk Index for Cadmium was 1.64 and 2.38 in Cucumber from Site-6 and Site-8 respectively. In Spinach it was 2.19 and 2.15 respectively for Site-6 and Site-8. Health Risk Index for Pb was > 1 in Cucumber (All sites; 3.54 in Site-8), Pea (All sites except Site10; 2.45 in Site-7), Beans (All sites; 1.38 in Site-9), Ladys finger (All sites; 2.03 in Site-7), and Tomato (All sites except Site-10; 2.79 in Site-8). Lead and cadmium were among the most abundant heavy metals in the selected vegetables. The excessive content of these heavy metals in food may causes number of diseases. HRI more than 1 is considered to be not safe for human health. In present study, HRI indicates considerable risk and negative impact on human health.

Ficus religiosa L. bark extracts inhibit infection by herpes simplex virus type 2 in vitro

Ficus religiosa extracts have been used in traditional Indian medicine to treat sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and genital ulcers. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiviral activity of F. religiosa extracts against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), the main causative agent of genital ulcers and sores. Water and chloroform bark extracts were the most active against HSV-2, and also against an acyclovir-resistant strain. We demonstrate that the water extract has a direct virus-inactivating activity. By contrast, the chloroform extract inhibits viral attachment and entry and limits the production of viral progeny.

Simultaneous Determination and Pharmacokinetic Study of Losartan, Losartan Carboxylic Acid, Ramipril, Ramiprilat, and Hydrochlorothiazide in Rat Plasma by a Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method.

The monitoring of the plasmatic concentrations of cardiovascular drugs is crucial for understanding their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. A simple, sensitive, specific, and high-throughput liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation and pharmacokinetic study of losartan (LOS), losartan carboxylic acid (LCA), ramipril (RAM), ramiprilate (RPT), and hydrochlorothiazide (HCZ) in rat plasma using irbesartan (IBS) and metolazone (MET) as internal standards (ISs). After solid phase extraction (SPE), analytes and ISs were separated on an Agilent Poroshell 120, EC-C18 (50 mm × 4.6 mm, i.d., 2.7 μm) column with a mobile phase consisting of methanol/water (85:15, v/v) containing 5 mmol/L ammonium formate and 0.1% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The precursor → product ion transitions for the analytes and ISs were monitored on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, operating in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode and switching the electrospray ionization (ESI) mode during chromatography from positive (to detect LOS, LCA, RAM, RPT, and IBS) to negative (to detect HCZ and MET). The method was validated as per the FDA guidelines and it exhibited sufficient specificity, accuracy, and precision. The method was found to be linear in the range of 3–3000 ng/mL for LOS and LCA, 0.1–200 ng/mL for RAM and RPT, and 1–1500 ng/mL for HCZ. The described method was successfully applied to the preclinical pharmacokinetic study of analytes after oral administration of a mixture of LOS (10 mg/kg), RAM (1 mg/kg), and HCZ (2.5 mg/kg) in rats.

Ficus religiosa L. bark extracts inhibit human rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus infection in vitro.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ficus religiosa L. is one of the most relevant members of the family of Moraceae. It is the most sacred tree of South Asia, and it is used in traditional Ayurvedic and Unani medicine to cure respiratory disorders like cough, wheezing and asthma. Some studies were performed to investigate the anti-asthmatic potential of F. religiosa bark, leaves and fruit extracts but none of them tested their antiviral activity against viruses responsible for the exacerbation of wheezing and asthma. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study was undertaken to investigate the antiviral activity of F. religiosa L. extracts against respiratory viruses such as human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human rhinovirus (HRV). MATERIALS AND METHODS The antiviral activity of F. religiosa L. was tested in vitro by plaque reduction and virus yield assays and the major mechanism of action was investigated by virus inactivation and time-of-addition assays. RESULTS F. religiosa L. methanol bark extract was the most active against HRV with an EC50 of 5.52 µg/mL. This extract likely inhibited late steps of replicative cycle. Water bark extract was the most active against RSV with an EC50 between 2.23 and 4.37 µg/mL. Partial virus inactivation and interference with virus attachment were both found to contribute to the anti-RSV activity. Replication of both viruses was inhibited in viral yield reduction assays. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study demonstrate that F. religiosa L. is endowed with antiviral activity against RSV and HRV in vitro. Further work remains to be done to identify the active components and to assess the therapeutic potential in vivo.

Simultaneous Determination and Pharmacokinetics of Metolazone, Losartan and Losartan Carboxylic Acid in Rat Plasma by HPLC–ESI–MS-MS

For the first time, we developed and validated a highly sensitive, selective and rapid HPLC-ESI-MS-MS method for simultaneous quantification of metolazone (MET), losartan (LOS) and its metabolite losartan carboxylic acid (LCA) in rat plasma. After solid-phase extraction, the analytes and internal standard (irbesartan) were extracted from 100 µL plasma sample on an Agilent Poroshell 120, EC-C18 (50 × 4.6 mm, i.d., 2.7 µm) column using 5 µL injection volume with a total run time of 3 min. Acidified methanol/water mixture was used as a mobile phase. The parent → product ion transitions for MET (m/z 366.0 → 258.9), LOS (m/z 423.2 → 207.0), LCA (m/z 437.0 → 235.1) and IS (m/z 429.2 → 207.0) were monitored on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, operating in the multiple reaction monitoring and positive ion mode. The method was found to be linear in the range of 0.05-250 for MET, 2-3,000 for LOS and 4-3,500 ng/mL for LCA. The method was validated with respect to selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery and stability according to accepted regulatory guidelines. The described method was successfully applied to preclinical pharmacokinetic studies of analytes after an oral administration of mixture of MET (1 mg/kg) and LOS (10 mg/kg) in rats.

A rapid and sensitive determination of hypoxic radiosensitizer agent nimorazole in rat plasma by LC-MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study.

A highly sensitive, accurate and robust LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for determination of nimorazole (NMZ) in rat plasma using metronidazole (MNZ) as internal standard (IS). The analyte and IS were extracted from plasma by precipitating protein with acetonitrile and were chromatographed using an Agilent Poroshell 120, EC-C18 column. The mobile phase was composed of a mixture of acetonitrile and 0.1 % formic acid (85:15 v/v). The total run time was 1.5 min and injection volume was 5 μL. Multiple reaction monitoring mode using the transitions of m/z 227.1 → m/z 114.0 for MNZ and m/z 172.10 → m/z 128.1 for IS were monitored on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, operating in positive ion mode. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.25-200 ng/mL (r(2)  > 0.9996) and the lower limit of quantification was 0.25 ng/mL in the rat plasma samples. Recoveries of NMZ ranged between 88.05 and 95.25%. The precision (intra-day and inter-day) and accuracy of the quality control samples were 1.25-8.20% and -2.50-3.10, respectively. The analyte and IS were found to be stable during all sample storage and analysis procedures. The LC-MS/MS method described here was validated and successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study in rats.

Evaluation of antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiurolithiatic potential of different solvent extracts of Aerva lanata linn flowers

Introduction: Aerva lanata (Linn) of family Amaranthaceae is an important and commonly used plant for its medicinal and pharmacological properties and proving the traditional uses of flowers of A. lanata Linn. Objective: All extracts of A. lanata were further evaluated for antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiurolithiatic potential to scientifically prove the traditional uses. Materials and Methods: In the present investigation, different solvent extracts of flowers were obtained using a Soxhlet extractor. Microorganisms were obtained from IMTECH, Chandigarh. Antiurolithiatic study was carried out in Albino Research and Training Centre, Hyderabad. Results: Regardless of the antioxidant studied, the methanolic extract presented the highest antioxidant activity and the aqueous extracts offered the lowest, following the order: methanolic extract > ethyl acetate > chloroform > aqueous. The results of this antimicrobial study indicate that methanolic extract of A. lanata could be used as antimicrobial agents. Overall, the methanolic flower extract of A. lanata (Linn) was significantly more promising as antiurolithiatic spectrum. This result also suggested the potential usefulness of the methanolic extract as an antiurolithiatic agent. Conclusion: Henceforward, this research can be acknowledged as a prime new report that focuses on the application of A. lanata (Linn) as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiurolithiatic agent. Abbreviations used: IMTECH Chandigarh: Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh; IMMT: Institute of Mineral and Material Technology; CSIR: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research; DPPH: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; MTCC: Microbial Type Culture Collection; BHT: Butylated Hydroxyl Toluene.

The traditional use of Vachellia nilotica for sexually transmitted diseases is substantiated by the antiviral activity of its bark extract against sexually transmitted viruses

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Vachellia (Acacia) nilotica and other plants of this genus have been used in traditional medicine of Asian and African countries to treat many disorders, including sexually transmitted diseases, but few studies were performed to validate their anti-microbial and anti-viral activity against sexually transmitted infections. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study was undertaken to explore whether the ethnomedical use of V.nilotica to treat genital lesions is substantiated by its antiviral activity against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and the human papillomavirus (HPV). MATERIALS AND METHODS The antiviral activity of V.nilotica was tested in vitro by virus-specific inhibition assays using HSV-2 strains, sensible or resistant to acyclovir, HIV-1IIIb strain and HPV-16 pseudovirion (PsV). The potential mode of action of extract against HSV-2 and HPV-16 was further investigated by virus inactivation and time-of-addition assays on cell cultures. RESULTS V.nilotica chloroform, methanolic and water bark extracts exerted antiviral activity against HSV-2 and HPV-16 PsV infections; among these, methanolic extract showed the best EC50s with values of 4.71 and 1.80µg/ml against HSV-2 and HPV-16, respectively, and it was also active against an acyclovir-resistant HSV-2 strain with an EC50 of 6.71µg/ml. By contrast, no suppression of HIV infection was observed. Investigation of the mechanism of action revealed that the methanolic extract directly inactivated the infectivity of the HPV-16 particles, whereas a partial virus inactivation and interference with virus attachment (EC50 of 2.74µg/ml) were both found to contribute to the anti-HSV-2 activity. CONCLUSIONS These results support the traditional use of V.nilotica applied externally for the treatment of genital lesions. Further work remains to be done in order to identify the bioactive components.

Determination of Deltamethrin in Mice Plasma and Immune Organs by Simple Reversed-Phase HPLC

Deltamethrin, a well-known type 2 synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, is a widespread environmental toxicant. It has potential to accumulate in body fluids and tissues due to its lipophilic characteristics. The immune system is among the most sensitive targets regarding toxicity of environmental pollutants. Various methods are available in the literature to analyze deltamethrin (DLM) concentration in plasma and tissues, but regarding the immune organs, only one gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) method (on spleen tissues) has been reported. In the present investigation, a rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed and validated to determine DLM concentration in plasma, thymus, and spleen using zaleplone as an internal standard. Liquid chromatography (LC) separation is performed on an Agilent Zorbax® C8 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, i.d., 5 μm) with isocratic elution using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile–5 mM KH2PO4 (70:30, v/v) at a f...

Microwave assisted synthesis of 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride

The ionic liquid 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride was prepared in a fast and efficient way by solventless microwave irradiation of allyl chloride and N-methylimidazole in a sealed vessel.