Pradeep Singh

Antiinflammatory, Analgesic and Antipyretic Activities of Aerial Parts of Costus speciosus Koen

In the present study, methanol extracts of Costus speciosus Koen. aerial parts were assessed for antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities in experimental animals. The antiinflammatory activity of methanol extract of Costus speciosus (400 and 800 mg/kg, p.o.) was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema test. Analgesic effect was evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing and Eddy’s hot-plate models and antipyretic activity was assessed by Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. The methanol extract of aerial parts of Costus speciosus in a dose of 400 and 800 mg/kg showed significant antiinflammatory activity (19.36 and 40.05% reduction) at 5 h postmedication. In analgesic models extract treated animals at (400 and 800 mg/kg) inhibited writhing’s caused by acetic acid by 14.24 and 31.90%, respectively, and it also increased the latency period at both high and low doses which showed the mean reaction time at 16.60±0.355 s and 14.12±0.355 s, respectively, when compared to control in hot-plate test. It also reduces the rectal temperature of the animals at low and high doses significantly 37.03±0.108° and 36.63±0.098°, respectively, in Brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia. The obtained results of the present investigation revealed that methanol extract of Costus speciosus has significant antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities.

Evaluation of anti-arthritic potential of the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Costus speciosus

Objective: Costus speciosus Koen. (Keu, Crape ginger), an ornamental plant, widely distributed in India is traditionally used as astringent, aphrodisiac, purgative, anthelmintic, depurative, febrifuge and expectorant. The plant is also used in rheumatism, dropsy, urinary diseases and jaundice. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Costus speciosus (CS) in experimental animal models. Materials and Methods: The powdered drug was subjected to successive solvent extraction, with solvents in increasing order of polarity to obtain the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of the plant. CS was evaluated for anti-arthritic action by Freunds adjuvant induced arthritis test in adult Albino rats (150-200 gm). Rats were injected 0.1 ml of complete Freunds adjuvant into the planter region of the left hind paw. Statistical analysis was performed using One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferonni test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The methanolic extract of CS in doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg showed 75.50% and 68.33% protection against increase in paw edema, respectively. CS showed dose-dependent action in all the experimental models. Conclusion: The present study indicates that CS has significant anti-arthritic properties.

Hepatoprotective potential of ethanolic extract of Pandanus odoratissimus root against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Background: Pandanus odoratissimus (Pandanaceae) is popular in the indigenous system of medicines like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy. In the traditional system of medicine various plant parts such as leaves, root, flowers, and oils are used as anthelmintic, tonic, stomachic, digestive and in the treatment of jaundice and various liver disorders. Objective: The aim was to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of the root of P. odoratissimus against paracetamol (PCM) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: Hepatotoxicity was induced in male Wistar rat by PCM (2 g/kg b.w. p.o. for 7 days). The ethanolic extract of P. odoratissimus root was administered at the dose level of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg b.w. orally for 7 days and silymarin (100 mg/kg b.w. p.o.) as standard drug was administered once daily for a week. The hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic extract was evaluated by assessment of biochemical parameters such as serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase, total and direct bilirubin and triglycerides. Histopathological study of rat liver was also done. Results: Experimental findings revealed that the extract at dose level of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of b.w. showed dose dependant hepatoprotective effect against PCM induced hepatotoxicity by significantly restoring the levels of serum enzymes to normal that was comparable to that of silymarin, but the extract at dose level of 400 mg/kg was found to be more potent when compared to that of 200 mg/kg. Besides, the results obtained from histopathological study also support the study. Conclusion: From the results, it can be concluded that ethanolic extract of the root of P. odoratissimus afforded significant protection against PCM induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Anti-diabetic activity of methanolic extract of Alpinia galanga Linn. aerial parts in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Introduction: Alpinia galanga Linn. belongs to the family Zingiberaceae has been used as a traditional medicine in China for relieving stomach ache, treating cold, invigorating the circulatory systems, diabetes, and reducing swelling. Aim: To evaluate the antidiabetic activity of methanolic extract of A. galanga aerial parts on streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of STZ at a dose of 60 mg/kg bodyweight. Test drug methanolic extract of A. galanga (200 and 400 mg/kg b.w.) and glibenclamide (10 mg/kg b.w.) as standard drug was administered orally for 21 consecutive days in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Fasting blood glucose level, serum lipid profiles, as well as initial and final changes in body weight were assessed along with histopathology. All the parameters were statistically analyzed by using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni t-test. Results: Experimental findings showed significant dose dependent antidiabetic potential of methanolic extract in terms of reduction of fasting blood glucose level and various biochemical parameters in diabetic rats when compared with that of the diabetic control group, which might be due to the stimulatory effect of methanolic extracts on the regenerating β-cells and also on the surviving β-cells. Conclusion: Methanolic extract of aerial parts of A. galanga was effective in controlling blood glucose level and improve lipid profile in euglycemic as well as diabetic rats.

Pharmacognostical study and establishment of quality parameters of aerial parts of Costus speciosus-a well known tropical folklore medicine

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the diagnostic pharmacognostical characters of Costus speciosus (aerial parts) along with their physico-chemical parameters and fluorosence analysis. METHOD The pharmacognostical characters were determined in terms of macroscopy, microscopy, powder microscopy, leaf constant, fluorescence analysis and preliminary phytochemical investigation. RESULTS The findings of macroscopy revealed that leaves elliptic to oblong or oblong-lancoelate, thick, spirally arranged, with stem clasping sheaths up to 4 cm, flowers large, white, cone-like terminal spikes, with bright red bracts. Transverse section of leaflet showed the presence of cuticularised epidermis with polygonal cells on adaxial surface and bluntly angled cells on abaxial surface of lamina, mesophyll cells differentiated in to single layered palisade cells on each surface and 2-3 layered spongy parenchyma, unicellular and uniseriate multicellular covering trichomes, paracytic stomata and vascular bundles surrounded by sclerenchymatous multicellular sheath. Preliminary phytochemical screening exhibited the presence of various phytochemical groups like alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, phenolic constituents. Further, the leaf constants, powder microscopy and fluorescence characteristics indicated outstanding results from this investigation. CONCLUSIONS Various pharmacognostical and physico-chemical parameters have pivotal roles in identification, authentication and establishment of quality parameters of the species.

Antidiabetic activity of ethanolic extract of Cyperus rotundus rhizomes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Objective: In the present investigation, ethanolic extract of Cyperus rotundus (EECR) rhizomes was evaluated for antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic swiss mice. Materials and Methods: After administration of EECR extract for 3 weeks, the body weight, blood glucose, biomarker enzymes (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase [SGPT] and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT]), and plasma lipid levels were measured in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Results: The ethanolic extract at dose levels of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight revealed significant antidiabetic activity, improvement in body weight, and reduction in elevated biochemical parameters such as SGPT, SGOT, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Conclusion: These experimental findings seemed to indicate the use of this plant in traditional Indian medicine for the treatment of diabetes.

Volatile Constituents and Antimicrobial Activity of Aerial parts of Ocimum gratissimum Linn.

Aromatic compounds in the steam distilled volatile oil obtained from aerial parts of Shrubby basil (Hindi - Ramtulasi), Ocimum gratissimum Linn. (Lamiaceae) were identified by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The volatile oil mainly comprises of twenty (20) components, out of which all twenty constituents comprising 100 % of the oil were identified. The volatile oil mainly contains 13 monoterpenes (68.10 %) and bornyl acetate (14.5 %) was found to be predominant constituents followed by β-pinene (10.8 %), camphor (9.0 %), c-tagetone (8.6 %), t-tagetone (7.4 %), αpinene (4.2 %), myrtenal (4.1 %), α-thujene (3.0 %), α-camphene (1.8 %), O-methyl eugenol (1.6 %), ctagetone isomer (1.4 %), sabinene (0.9 %) and α-terpineol (0.8 %). Five sesquiterpene comprising (20.2 %) i.e. α-Selinene (5.9 %), t-caryophyllene (5.5 %), β-guaiene (4.0 %), β-gurjunene (2.0 %) and bicyclo germacrene (2.8 %). The two non terpenic components comprise (11.7 %) i.e. ethyl cyclohexenal ketone (7.1 %), n-butyl benzoate (4.6 %). The antimicrobial activity of O. gratissimum oil was studied by cup plate method against both Gram-positive and negative bacterial strains and pathogenic fungal species. Antimicrobial activity was concentration dependent on Shigella flexineri, Bacillus cereus and Candida albicans.

Bioavailability and pharmacokinetic study of Metformin 500 mg tablet (SR formulations) in healthy human volunteers

Bioavailability and Bioequivalence studies have become an important part of the clinical research in India. This study was performed to find out the safety and efficacy of two Metformin 500 mg tablet (SR formulations). This study was an open label, balanced, randomized, two treatment, two periods, two sequences, single dose, cross over bioequivalence study under fasting condition. Metformin Hydrochloride (SR) 500 mg tablet was the Test formulation and Dibeta SR tablet [containing Metformin Hydrochloride (SR) 500 mg] was the Reference standard. Volunteers were randomly given a single oral dose of the test and the reference formulation under fasting condition, with a washout period of 07 days. Drug concentration in the plasma samples were quantified by using a validated method on LC/MS/MS. Win Nonlin Version 5.2 software was used for statistical calculations. Cmax, AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ values of the test formulation and reference standard were 89.13%, 87.46%, 88.29%, and 112.44%, 123.85% and 123.87%, respectively. Cmax, AUC0-t and AUC0∞ values of the test formulation and reference standard fall within the acceptable range of 80–125%. So, the present study concludes that the test formulation is bioequivalent to the reference standard. Received: 29-52017

Pharmacognostical evaluation of aerial parts of Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff. (Syn: Justicia picta Linn.): A well-known folklore medicinal plant.

Objective: Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff. (Family-Acanthaceae) occupies a key role in traditional system of medicine. Since an extensive literature survey did not provide any information about studies on its standardization. Therefore, we designed the current study to establish the quality control parameters of G. pictum aerial parts. Materials and Methods: The investigation included determination of various standardization parameters such as macroscopic and microscopic studies, physicochemical parameters as well as phytochemical analysis of the crude drug. Results: The microscopy study of aerial parts revealed that stem shows typical dicotyledonous characters with prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate in the cortical region and dorsiventral leaf. Physicochemical constants such as moisture content, ash values, fluorescence analysis, and extractive values were established. Preliminary phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, etc. Conclusion: The present study suggests establishing the parameters for pharmacopoeial standardization of G. pictum.

Hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Leea indica (Burm.f.) Merr. (Leeaceae) stem bark against paracetamol induced liver toxicity in rats

Background: Liver diseases have become one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality all over the world. Among them, synthetic drug-induced liver injury is one of the most common causative factor that poses a major clinical and regulatory challenge. The herbal medicinal plants have pivotal role in management of various diseases including liver disorders. Therefore, it is inevitable to discover novel hepatoprotective agents from natural sources. Objective: To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Leea indica stem bark against paracetamol (PCM) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: Hepatotoxicity was induced by PCM (2 g/kg b.w., p.o.) and biochemical parameters such as serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum alkaline phosphatase (SALP), serum bilirubin (total and direct), and triglyceride level were estimated. Silymarin (100 mg/kg b.w.) was employed as standard hepatoprotective agent. Histopathological changes in liver were also studied. Results: The ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg b.w.) treatment exhibited significant decrease in elevated level of serum marker enzymes, bilirubin (total and direct), and triglycerides when compared to positive control group. The ethanolic extract at dose of 400 mg/kg b.w. was found to be more potent than 200 mg/kg. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of Leea indica bark seems to justify the promising hepatoprotective effect on PCM induced liver damage in rats.