Pulok K. Mukherjee

Bioactive compounds from natural resources against skin aging

Skin aging involves degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in both the epidermal and dermal layers, it leaves visible signs on the surface of skin and the physical properties of the skin are modified. Chronological aging is due to passage of time, whereas premature aging occurred due to some environmental factors on skin produces visible signs such as irregular dryness, dark/light pigmentation, sallowness, severe atrophy, telangiectases, premalignant lesions, laxity, leathery appearance and deep wrinkling. There are several synthetic skincare cosmetics existing in the market to treat premature aging and the most common adverse reactions of those include allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, phototoxic and photo-allergic reactions. Recent trends in anti-aging research projected the use of natural products derived from ancient era after scientific validation. Ample varieties of phytomolecules such as aloin, ginsenoside, curcumin, epicatechin, asiaticoside, ziyuglycoside I, magnolol, gallic acid, hydroxychavicol, hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, etc. scavenges free radicals from skin cells, prevent trans-epidermal water loss, include a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher contribute to protect skin from wrinkles, leading to glowing and healthy younger skin. Present era of treating aging skin has become technologically more invasive; but herbal products including botanicals are still relevant and combining them with molecular techniques outlined throughout this review will help to maximize the results and maintain the desired anti-skin aging benefits.

Screening of anti-diarrhoeal profile of some plant extracts of a specific region of West Bengal India.

Ethanol extract of four different plants of the Khatra region of the Bankura district of West Bengal, India were evaluated for anti-diarrhoeal activity against different experimental models of diarrhoea in rats. The extracts of Ficus bengalensis Linn. (hanging roots), Eugenia jambolana Lam. (bark), Ficus racemosa Linn. (bark) and Leucas lavandulaefolia Rees (aerial parts) showed significant inhibitory activity against castor oil induced diarrhoea and PGE2 induced enteropooling in rats. These extracts also showed a significant reduction in gastrointestinal motility in charcoal meal tests in rats. The results obtained establish the efficacy of all these plant materials as anti-diarrhoeal agents.

Evaluation of in-vivo wound healing activity of Hypericum patulum (Family: Hypericaceae) leaf extract on different wound model in rats

The methanol extract of Hypericum patulum Thumb. leaves were investigated for the evaluation of their wound healing potential on different experimental models of wounds in rats. The methanol extract of leaves (HPM), in the form of an ointment with two different concentrations (5% and 10% w/w ointment of leaf extract in simple ointment base) was evaluated for wound healing potential in an excision wound model and an incision wound model in rats. Both concentrations of the methanol extract ointment showed significant responses in both the wound types tested when compared with the control group. The effect produced by the extract ointment, in terms of wound contracting ability, wound closure time, regeneration of tissues at wound site, tensile strength of the wound and histopathological characteristics were comparable to those of a standard drug nitrofurazone ointment.

Effect of Nelumbo nucifera rhizome extract on blood sugar level in rats

Oral administration of the ethanolic extract of rhizomes of Nelumbo nucifera markedly reduced the blood sugar level of normal, glucose-fed hyperglycemic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, when compared with control animals. The extract improved glucose tolerance and potentiated the action of exogenously injected insulin in normal rats. When compared with tolbutamide, the extract exhibited activity of 73 and 67% of that of tolbutamide in normal and diabetic rats, respectively.

Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of Cassia fistula leaf extract.

Hepatoprotective activity of the n-heptane extract of Cassia fistula leaves was investigated in rats by inducing hepatotoxicity with carbon tetrachloride:liquid paraffin (1:1). The extract has been shown to possess significant protective effect by lowering the serum levels of transminases (SGOT and SGPT), bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The extract of C. fistula at a dose of 400 mg/kg showed significant hepatoprotective activity which was comparable to that of a standard hepatoprotective agent.

EXPLORING BOTANICALS IN INDIAN SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE REGULATORY PERSPECTIVES

Abstract India has a rich heritage of traditional medicine constituting with its different components like Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani and traditional health care has been flourishing in this country for many centuries. Botanicals constitute of major part of these traditional medicines. With the emerging world wide interest, in adopting traditional practices, in the health care systems by exploiting their potential, the evaluation of the botanicals in these systems of medicine in India is utmost essential. Various regulations and control on use of botanicals has come up with their use in traditional medicine which will not only help to cure different ailments through indigenous resources but also will help in screening and evaluation of the natural resource in a better way to use them in traditional health care program.

Changing scenario for promotion and development of Ayurveda – way forward ☆

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ayurveda, derives from the Sanskrit words Ayus (life) and Veda (knowledge) is the most ancient system of traditional medicine of the world. It has been practiced in Indian peninsula since 5000 BC to offer natural ways to treat diseases and to promote healthcare. METHODOLOGY We reviewed the literature on the history, principles and current status of Ayurveda. The data have been presented systematically including the initiatives from Government of India. Several aspects of administrative management, education, teaching and related aspects for promotion and development of Ayurveda and other Indian systems of traditional medicine have been discussed. RESULTS This paper reviews on different aspects of development of Ayurveda. Presently, there are 2420 hospitals with about 42271 beds, 15017 dispensaries, 429246 registered practitioners, more than 320 educational institutions, 7699 drug-manufacturing units to promote Ayurveda into the health care delivery system in the country. Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India is the official document for single Ayurvedic drugs (540 monographs) and different formulations (152 monographs). Several aspects in this regard for development of Ayurveda have been discussed. CONCLUSION Considering the widespread use and popularity of Ayurveda worldwide, administrative management and infrastructure facilities, indigenous practices and standards for quality control and its evaluation have been highlighted. In India, all such efforts for integration of Ayurveda provide potential role in the health care benefits.

Plant products with hypocholesterolemic potentials

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on plant products with hypocholesterolemic potentials. C. arietinum has been found to have highly significant hypocholesterolemicaction in rats and rabbits. The hypocholesterolemic property is detected in lipid extracts of the plant, as well as in the defatted portion, the former being more potent in this respect. Its lipid-lowering action could possibly be attributed to inhibition of the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver and increased catabolism and excretion of cholesterol end products in the feces. In patients fed a high-fat diet, the supplementation of C. arietinum has been reported to lower serum lipids significantly. The hypocholesterolemic effect has been found to be associated with a statistically significant increase in 24-h fecal excretion of total bile acids, without any significant increase in neutral sterols. From the reports on their potential effectiveness against hypercholesterolemia, it is assumed that the botanicals have a major role to play in the management of hyperlipidemia, which needs further exploration for necessary development of drugs and nutraceuticals from natural resources. However, many herbal remedies used today have not undergone careful scientific assessment and some have the potential to cause serious toxic effects and major drug-to-drug interactions. Continuing research is necessary to elucidate the pharmacological activities of the many herbal remedies now being used to treat hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular diseases.

Enhancing bioavailability and hepatoprotective activity of andrographolide from Andrographis paniculata, a well-known medicinal food, through its herbosome.

BACKGROUND Andrographis paniculata is a health food used extensively in Southeast Asia, India and China and contains the pharmacologically important phytochemical andrographolide. Although andrographolide has antihepatotoxic activity, its bioavailability from A. paniculata is restricted by its rapid clearance and high plasma protein binding. The aim of this study was to formulate a herbosome of andrographolide with a naturally occurring phospholipid in order to enhance the bioavailability and hepatoprotective activity of andrographolide in rats. RESULTS Andrographolide herbosome equivalent to 25 and 50 mg kg(-1) andrographolide significantly protected the liver of rats, restoring hepatic enzyme activities with respect to carbon tetrachloride-treated animals (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively). The rat plasma concentration of andrographolide obtained from the complex equivalent to 25 mg kg(-1) andrographolide (C(max) = 9.64 microg mL(-1)) was higher than that obtained from 25 mg kg(-1) andrographolide (C(max) = 6.79 microg mL(-1)), and the complex maintained its effective plasma concentration for a longer period of time. CONCLUSION The results proved that the andrographolide complex produced by this method has better bioavailability and hence improved hepatoprotective activity compared with andrographolide at the same dose. Andrographolide complexation is therefore helpful in solving the problem of rapid clearance and low elimination half-life associated with andrographolide from A. paniculata.

Studies on antiinflammatory effect of Cassia tora leaf extract (fam. Leguminosae)

The antiinflammatory effect of the methanol extract of the leaves of Cassia tora was investigated against carrageenin, histamine, serotonin and dextran‐induced rat hind paw oedema. It exhibited significant antiinflammatory activity against all these agents. The extract (400 mg/kg) showed maximum inhibition of oedema of 40.33%, 31.37%, 53.57% and 29.15% at the end of 3 h with carrageenin, dextran, histamine and serotonin‐induced rat paw oedema, respectively. Using a chronic test, the granuloma pouch in rats, the extract exhibited a 48.13% reduction in granuloma weight.