Shubhini A. Saraf

Crocus sativus L.: A comprehensive review

Crocus sativus L. belonging to the family Iridaceae (syn - kesar) comprises the dried red stigma and is widely cultivated in Iran and other countries such as India and Greece. Saffron contains more than 150 volatile and aroma-yielding compounds mainly terpenes, terpene alcohol, and their esters. The bitter taste and an iodoform or hay-like fragrance are caused by chemicals picrocrocin and safranal. C. sativus possesses a number of medicinally important activities such as antihypertensive, anticonvulsant, antitussive, antigenototoxic and cytotoxic effects, anxiolytic aphrodisiac, antioxidant, antidepressant, antinociceptive , anti-inflammatory, and relaxant activity. It also improves memory and learning skills, and increases blood flow in retina and choroid. The present review explores the historical background, chemical constituents, pharmacological actions, uses, substitutes and adulterants, and toxicity. It also deals with its evaluation, formulations, and chemical tests in detail.

Fullerenes: From Carbon to Nanomedicine

Fullerenes, the third carbon allotrope, have emerged as agents which could revolutionize the treatment of many diseases. Fullerenes possess different biological applications like neuroprotective agents, antioxidants, anti-HIV activity, enzyme inhibition, antiapoptotic activity and the list is ever increasing. Moreover, they are being utilized as drug carrier systems and also for many non-biological applications like superconductors, catalysis and so on. Their size has made them promising agents for nanotechnology. This article aims at outlining the chemistry, properties and non-biological applications of fullerenes and their evolution to biological applications, thereby traversing their evolution from simple carbon allotropes to present day nano-medicinal agents.

Herbs–Are they Safe Enough? An Overview

Drugs based on herbs have become a common form of therapy as well as for prophylaxis because they are often perceived as being natural and therefore harmless. Today they are one of the hottest trends and most sought after in the field of nutrition or herbal therapeutics. As the use of complementary medicine grows, so does the knowledge that many compounds in common use not only have a significant effect on the body but may also interact with pharmaceuticals and also with other alternative products. Concurrent use of herbs with drugs may mimic, magnify, or oppose the effect of drugs leading to herb-drug interactions. Currently, there is very little information published on herb-herb or herb-drug interactions as compared to the use of herbs which is progressively growing across the world. Many reports of herb-drug interactions are sketchy and lack laboratory analysis of suspect preparations. Health-care practitioners should caution patients against mixing herbs and pharmaceutical drugs. The article reviews the recent literature on the adverse effects of herbal remedies including the most widely sold herbal medicinal products, like liquorice, garlic, ginger, green tea, and turmeric, etc., and reinforce the safety aspect of herbal products, which are considered to be relatively safe by common people.

Zinc: The Metal of Life

The importance of zinc was 1st reported for Aspergillus niger. It took over 75 y to realize that zinc is also an essential trace element for rats, and an additional 30 y went by before it was recognized that this was also true for humans. The adult body contains about 2 to 3 g of zinc. Zinc is found in organs, tissues, bones, fluids, and cells. It is essential for many physiological functions and plays a significant role in a number of enzyme actions in the living systems. Bioinformatics estimates report that 10% of the human proteome contains zinc-binding sites. Based on its role in such a plethora of cellular components, zinc has diverse biological functions from enzymatic catalysis to playing a crucial role in cellular neuronal systems. Thus, based on the various published studies and reports, it is pertinent to state that zinc is one of the most important essential trace metals in human nutrition and lifestyle. Its deficiency may severely affect the homeostasis of a biological system. This review compiles the role of zinc in prophylaxis/therapeutics and provides current information about its effect on living beings.

Rheological studies on solid lipid nanoparticle based carbopol gels of aceclofenac

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) of aceclofenac were prepared using Taguchi experimental design by Trotta method. The prepared SLN were formulated into a gel preparation, using carbopol 940. Gels were evaluated for drug content, bioadhesion and their stability against change of temperature and shear. The viscosity of prepared gels was found to be temperature independent. Rheological behavior of gels with changing shear was rather complex. Viscosity varied inversely with shear but remained almost constant during short spans of time when shear was kept constant. Viscosity of the gels did not change if shear was not varied. In vitro diffusion studies exhibited an immediate release followed by a sustained release. This could help in maintaining the concentration of bioactives such as aceclofenac in desirable levels at sites of inflammation and injury.

Development of cellulosic polymer based gel of novel ternary mixture of miconazole nitrate for buccal delivery.

Aim of the present investigation was to develop cellulosic polymer based mucoadhesive antifungal gel comprising novel ternary mixture of miconazole nitrate (MN) for buccal delivery. Crosslinking of gel was made by adjusting pH with triethanolamine (TEA) and gel formulation was optimized on the basis of flux of MN (0.562-1.751 mg/cm(2)/h) calculated from ex vivo permeation study. Based on statistically validated polynomial equation and plotted response surfaces, B17 was found to be the optimum batch. Texture profile in terms of adhesiveness (3.24 ± 0.012 g), firmness (10.83 ± 0.067 g), spreadability (3.63 ± 0.033 mJ) and extrudability (35.6 ± 0.1 mJ) of B17 was evaluated using a novel instrumental approach. The texture parameters were found to be consistent over 90 days. Ternary mixture containing gel showed broader zone of growth inhibition (32.67-47.33 mm) in comparison to marketed formulation containing pure MN (17.50-40.33 mm) against selected strains of fungi. In conclusion, consistent and effective mucoadhesive antifungal gel of MN with extended residence time in oral mucosa was developed.

Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology of Spilanthes acmella: A Review

Spilanthes acmella is an important medicinal plant, found in tropical and subtropical countries mainly India and South America. Popularly, it is known as toothache plant which reduces the pain associated with toothaches and can induce saliva secretion. Various extracts and active metabolites from various parts of this plant possess useful pharmacological activities. Literature survey proposed that it has multiple pharmacological actions, which include antifungal, antipyretic, local anaesthetic, bioinsecticide, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, analgesic, pancreatic lipase inhibitor, antimicrobial, antinociception, diuretic, vasorelaxant, anti-human immunodeficiency virus, toothache relieve and anti-inflammatory effects. This review is elaborately describing the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of this plant. This review would assist researchers to search scientific information in the future.

Properties and Formulation of Oral Drug Delivery Systems of Protein and Peptides

Although most protein pharmaceuticals are usually formulated as a solution or suspension and delivered by invasive routes such as subcutaneous injections, major efforts in both academic and industrial laboratories have been directed towards developing effective oral formulations and increasing the oral absorption of intact protein through the use of formulations that protect the macromolecule and/or enhance its uptake into the intestinal mucosa. However, in spite of these major attempts, relatively little progress has been made. For the efficient delivery of peptides and proteins by non-parenteral route, in particular via the gastrointestinal tract, novel concepts are needed to overcome significant enzymatic and diffusion barriers. The properties of protein and peptides, which are of major interest in oral delivery, are highlighted in the article. This article reviews the various problems associated and novel approaches for formulation and development of oral protein and peptide drug delivery systems.

Antidiabetic effects of isolated sterols from Ficus racemosa leaves

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and toxic effects of isolated sterols from Ficus racemosa (FR) leaves using streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by the administration of streptozotocin (50 mg kg−1) intraperitoneally to albino rats. Three sterols were administered once a day for a period of seven days at a dose of 100 mg kg−1 body weight. Blood glucose and body weight changes were measured at different (1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th) days of the experiment. Serum lipid profiles and hepatic biomarker enzymes levels were measured and various antioxidant parameters in the liver and pancreas were also determined at the end of the experiment. Our results collectively suggested that the oral administration of sterols significantly reduced blood glucose level and restored body weight. Sterols also reduced serum lipid parameters and improved HDL (high density lipoprotein) as compared to a diabetic control group, signifying hypolipidemic action. They increased glutathione and various enzyme levels in the pancreas at the same time. Various oxidative stress parameters in the liver were decreased after sterols administration with respect to the diabetic control rats. Three sterols possessed antidiabetic, antioxidant, and hypolipidemic activities in STZ induced diabetic rats, which supported the use of FR as a supplement for future drug design perspectives.

SLN approach for nose-to-brain delivery of alprazolam

In the present study, alprazolam-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles were prepared and characterized. They were evaluated for their efficiency in nose-to-brain targeting and biodistribution in a suitable animal model after intranasal delivery. Solid lipid nanoparticles may offer an improvement to nose-to-brain drug delivery since they are able to protect the encapsulated drug from biological and/or chemical degradation. The distribution of the drug to different organs was recorded through biodistribution studies in male Wistar rats and gamma scintigraphy imaging in New Zealand rabbits by tagging the formulation with radioactive substance 99mTc. The radioactivity count of various organs was taken as a function of the drug concentration. The study reveals that alprazolam can be rapidly transferred to the brain via intranasal route, bypassing the blood–brain barrier and a direct nose-to-brain transfer. The enhanced rate and extent of transport may help in reducing the dose and dosing frequency, thereby providing ease for ambulatory patients.