Vinod Rangari

Evaluation of immunomodulatory potential of ethanolic extract of Roscoea procera rhizomes in mice

Purpose: The aim of present study was to evaluate immunomodulatory potential of ethanolic extract of Roscoea procera (Zingiberaceae) rhizomes by using delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and carbon clearance method in comparison to standard established immunosuppressant drug, cyclophosphamide (30 mg/kg, i.p.) in mice. Material and Methods: The extract was comprised to acute toxicity (OECD-423 guideline), DTH and carbon clearance method for their immunomodulatory potential. Ethanolic extract of Roscoea procera rhizomes administered orally at doses 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg, p.o. to mice. Result and Conclusion: Result of our study revealed that, the foot pat thickness of ethanolic extract group (P<0.05) significantly enhanced the production of circulating antibody titre in response to Sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and phagocytic functions of mononuclear macrophages and non-specific immunity. Result were also supported by serological and haematological tests data. Hence, the present investigation reveals that, ethanolic extract of Roscoea procera rhizomes possesses immunostimulant properties. Further studies to identify the active moieties and elucidation of the mechanism of action are recommended.

Development and evaluation of formulations of microbial biotransformed extract of tobacco leaves for hair growth potential.

Background: Extensive researches are going on to explore the effective and safe drug for their hair growth. Tobacco leaves are traditionally known to potentiate hair growth promotion. Therefore, the aim of present study was to formulate and evaluate the microbial biotransformed extract of tobacco leaves for hair growth potential in male albino wister rats. Materials and Methods: The extract of was prepared by microbial biotransformation of tobacco leaves in cow urine for 28 days. The herbal formulations (lotion) were formulated by general method using o/w type base in various rations or concentrations such as 10%, 20% and 30% of extract. These lotions were applied on shaved skin area of rats for 30 days once in a day and hair length, serum total protein, and total testosterone were measured. Results: Our formulations show increase in hair growth and serum total protein at concentration dependent manner with effect to standard and control groups. Serum total testosterone decreases according to a concentration dependent manner. Conclusion: Further, series of investigations are, however, necessary to remain exploration, which includes their structural elucidation, characterization, clinical safety, reliability and molecular mechanism involved in this pharmacological activity.

A review on pharmacology and toxicology of Elephantopus scaber Linn.

Elephantopus scaber Linn., family Asteraceae, is a small herb found in the Neotropics, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. The parts of this plant have been used traditionally for the treatment of number of diseases in many countries. The plant has been extensively screened for anticancer activity. Sesquiterpene lactones such as deoxyelephantopin, isodeoxyelephantopin, scabertopin and isoscabertopin. have been found to be prominent anticancer constituents. Many other biological activities such as antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiasthamatic, antiplatelet and wound healing ability have been reported in various research articles. This review has been envisaged with an intention to provide the scientific information about the pharmacological and toxicological profile of E. scaber.

Immunomodulatory Study of Different Solvent Extract of Elephantopus scaber Linn

The aim and objective of present study is that to provide a scientific evidence for the immunomodulatory potential of Elephantopus scaber in vivo. The immunomodulatory activity was performed in petroleum ether, solvent ether, methanol and aqueous extract of aerial part and root of E. scaber by using models such as delayed type hypersensitivity, humoral antibody response to SRBC and carbon clearance test for phagocytic activity in Wistar rat. The observation and results of present study suggested that among the total 8 extract, only the petroleum ether and solvent ether aerial part extract of E. scaber significantly decreased in delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), humoral antibody (HA) titre and phagocytic index thereby indicating significant immunosuppressant activity in experimental animals.

4-Hydroxyisoleucine: A Potential Antidiabetic Agent from Trigonella foenum-graecum

Trigonella foenum-graecum, commonly known as fenugreek, has been widely used all over the world for its multifarious medicinal activities; the most promising among these is its antidiabetic activity. 4-Hydroxyisoleucine is one of the bioactive compounds of fenugreek that is responsible for its antidiabetic activity. 4-Hydroxyisoleucine is an unusual nonproteinogenic amino acid which significantly improves lipid profile and glucose-induced insulin release in human and rat pancreatic islet cells. This chapter illustrates the overall properties, isolation, synthesis, antidiabetic activity, pharmacological profile, and mode of action of 4-hydroxyisoleucine.

Antihyperglycemic Activity of Bioactive Compounds from Soybeans

Soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr) are widely distributed in East Asia, Australia, and Africa. Seeds contain high amount of components with health benefits, such as proteins, isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, and glycitein), coumestrol, phytate, saponins, lecithin, phytosterols, vitamin E, and dietary fibers. Soy protein and genistein (one of the main isoflavones in soybeans) supplements were reported to be beneficial for correcting hyperglycemia. Germinated soaked Glycine max seeds showed α-glucosidase activity. This chapter focused on soybeans’ bioactive compounds used in diabetes treatment.

Phytochemical, antimicrobial investigation and formulations development of extract of Semicarpus anacardium seed for their antidandruff potential

Background: Dandruff is one of the most commercially exploited skin disease by the personal care industry all over the world, which affects 5% of the global population. Plant kingdom is a gold mine for novel and affordable skin care acting through novel mechanisms against skin pathogens. Identification of these remedies for such skin care is an important study for the preservation of traditional knowledge for the antimicrobial treatments. Semicarpus anacardium Linn. (Anacardiaceae) has been used for the skin care since ancient times. Aim of the Study: The aim of the present study was to investigate the antidandruff potential of S. anacardium seed extract and development of phytochemical, antimicrobial, and formulations. Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial activity of petroleum ether extract of S. anacardium seed was studied by agar well diffusion method using Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans strains. Two herbal antidandruff shampoo formulations were developed and evaluated using parameters, physical evaluation, that is, color and consistency, pH, washability, homogeneity, spreadability, and skin irritation tests. The developed herbal shampoo formulations were assessed for their antidandruff potential manually on the human volunteers, respectively. One phenolic compound was isolated using preparative column chromatography, followed by thin layer chromatography. Results: Results of present studies revealed that there was a concentration-dependent antimicrobial effect compared with standard antibiotic disc, that is, gentamicin. S. aureus showed more zone of inhibition than E. coli . The inhibitory zone of all isolates was determined as 0-23 mm. The observed antimicrobial activity was due to the potent bioactive phytoconstituents present in the extract. Our formulations were found to be semisolid consistency, brownish black color with very slightly alkaline pH, that is, 7.3 and 7.1, which is compatible with normal skin physiology, easily washable, homogenous aggregations, good spreadabilty along with free from skin irritation. The developed antidandruff herbal shampoo formulations were manually checked for its safety and efficacy on human volunteers for a week and were found that complete irradication of dandruff within a time period of 7 days. These formulations were also softening the hairs. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of the petroleum ether extract of S. anacardium was showed the presence of phenolic compounds, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, carbohydrates, and alkaloids. Further, two compounds were detected in the thin layer chromatographic analysis of extract of S. anacardium which having their R f values 0.9 and 0.6. One phenolic compound was isolated which has R f value 0.85. Conclusion: The petroleum ether extract of S. anacardium seed possessed a broad spectrum of activity against a panel of bacteria and fungi responsible for the most common microbial diseases. This plant can be used as a cheap source of active therapeutics. Further, exploration of plant derived antimicrobials as well as their identity is needed. However, further series of scientific studies are required to prove its clinical reliability, safety, and efficacy for the beneficial of mankind.