S. D. Pawar

In vivo efficacy of a synthetic coumarin derivative in a murine model of aspergillosis.

Despite advances in therapeutic modalities, aspergillosis remains a leading cause of mortality. This has necessitated the identification of effective and safe antifungal molecules. In the present study, in vivo safety and antifungal efficacy of a coumarin derivative, N, N, N-Triethyl-11-(4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-benzopyran-7-yloxy)-11-oxoundecan-1-aminium bromide (SCD-1), was investigated. The maximum tolerable dose of compound was determined according to OECD 423 guidelines. The compound could be assigned to category IV of the Globally Harmonized System and its LD50 cut-off was found to be 2000 mg/kg body weight. The survival increased in Aspergillus fumigatus-infected mice treated with a dose of 200 mg/kg, orally or 100 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally, of SCD-1 in comparison to infected-untreated animals. The SCD-1 treatment resulted in significant reduction in colony counts in vital organs of the animals. Its protective effect was also observed on day 14 as there was marked reduction in fungal colonies. The treatment with SCD-1 also reduced the levels of serum biochemical parameters with respect to infected-untreated animals. It could be concluded that SCD-1 is a quite safe antifungal compound, which conferred dose dependent protection against experimental aspergillosis. Therefore, SCD-1 holds potential for developing new formulations for aspergillosis.

Ayurvedic Plants with Antidiabetic Potential

Since ancient period in India, Madhumeha (diabetes mellitus) has been treated using indigenous medicines. A rapid increase in the occurrence of diabetes is a serious threat to the humankind. The drugs originated from new bioactive plants have shown more efficacy than oral hypoglycemic agents used in the clinical therapy. Recently attention has been directed toward the selection and confirmation of plants with antidiabetic potential. A number of studies have confirmed the benefits of Ayurvedic plants with hypoglycemic effects in the management of this disorder. These plants usually delay the diabetic complications and rectify the metabolic abnormalities. The present chapter reviews the Ayurvedic perspective of diabetes and the various plants used in diabetes treatment with their mechanism of action and pharmacological test results. Also, the article emphasizes the rational use of traditional as well as indigenous natural medicines.