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Background: The ethano-pharmacological survey on two Indian medicinal plants Alternanthera ficoidea and Ludwigia octovalvis revels that both plants are biologically potential and effective in the management of various diseases. Despite the both the plants as whole are used traditionally by the local people in Indian subcontinent but the toxicity studies on whole plant extract of both plant has not explored scientifically. Objective: The toxicity study was designed to explore the toxicity potential associated to hydroalcoholic extract of whole plant of Alternanthera ficoidea and Ludwigia octovalvis according OECD guidelines. Material and methods: Healthy Charles Foster albino female rats of 8-12 weeks’ old were divided in 3 groups. Group I, group II, and group III received vehicle (0.5% CMC, p.o., single dose), hydroalcoholic extract of whole plant of Alternanthera ficoidea (HAF) (Single dose of 2000 mg/kg, given orally), and hydroalcoholic extract of whole plant of Ludwigia octovalvis (HLO) (Single dose of 2000 mg/kg, given orally), respectively. After 14 days, all rats were anesthetized with chloroform and blood were collected by retro-orbital capillary puncture for the study of haematological and biochemical parameters. After blood collection, rats were sacrificed; organs were carefully collected, weighted and examined for changes. Results: The acute toxicity study on Charles foster female rats showed that there was no sign and symptoms of toxicity were seen in rats of all group. Haematological parameters, biochemical parameters and histopathological architectures of various organs of treated groups were found to be non-significant and normal in range when compared with normal control groups. Conclusion: The study found that no mortality occurred at a dosage of 2 g/kg of HAF and HLO, and it came to the conclusion that the IC50 of HAF and HLO was higher than that level.

The study aimed to enhance the solubility, dissolution, and oral bioavailability of standardized Piper longum fruits ethanolic extract (PLFEE) via fourth-generation ternary solid dispersion (SD) for melanoma therapy. With the use of solvent evaporation method, the standardized PLFEE was formulated into SD, optimized using Box-Wilson's Central Composite Design (CCD), and evaluated for pharmaceutical performance and in-vivo anticancer activity against melanoma (B16F10) bearing C57BL/6 mice. The optimized SD showed good accelerated stability, high yield, drug content, and content uniformity for bioactive marker piperine (PIP). The X-ray diffraction (XRD), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) analysis revealed its amorphous nature. The Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) revealed the compatibility of excipients with the PLFEE. The contact angle measurement and in-vitro dissolution study revealed good wetting of SD and improved dissolution profile as compared to the plain PLFEE. The in-vivo oral bioavailability of SD reflected a significant (prel = 188.765%) as compared to plain extract. The in-vivo tumor regression study revealed the improved therapeutic activity of SD as compared to plain PLFEE. Further, the SD also improved the anticancer activity of Dacarbazine (DTIC) as an adjuvant therapy. The overall result revealed the potential of developed SD for melanoma therapy either alone or as an adjuvant therapy with DTIC.

Uterine fibroids (UFs) or leiomyoma is the most common gynaecological disorder affecting 70% of premenopausal women and one of the leading causes of infertility. To date, there is no specific therapy available except surgical intervention including hysterectomy or myomectomy. However, to manage UFs, lot of high cost medications are prescribed although they have serious side effects on women’s reproductive health. Recently an increasing trend has been seen on consuming dietary phytochemicals to control diverse gynaecological ailments. This review's goal is to provide a summary of the knowledge that is currently available regarding the mechanisms of action of various botanical medications with anti-uterine fibroid efficacy. The present results showed that dietary phytocompounds (Dehydroxyelephantopin, Butein, Capsaicin, Fisetin, Kaempferol, Resveratrol, Silibinin and Curcumin) could probably be effective as therapeutic compounds for uterine leiomyoma. These phytochemicals indicated their capability to regulate main fibroid promoting and initiating events for instance, proliferation, inflammation, angiogenesis and fibrosis in various experimental setup through modulating various signalling pathways, such as Smad 2/3, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, ERK 1/2 and β-catenin indicating that they could serve as targets for prevention and/or treatment of ULM. This review provides key molecular insights for development of phytochemical based novel personalized therapy for non-surgical management of ULMs which may help to avoid hysterectomy.

In this article, we present the synthesis of Piper longum leaves-derived ethanolic carbon dots (PLECDs) using the most simplistic environmentally friendly solvothermal carbonization method. The PLECDs fluoresced pink color with maximum emission at 670 nm at 397 nm excitation. Additionally, the dried PLECDs dissolved in water showed green fluorescence with higher emission at 452 nm at 370 nm excitation. The UV spectra showed peaks in the UV region (271.25 nm & 320.79 nm) and a noticeable tail in the visible region, signifying the efficient synthesis of nano-sized carbon particles and the Mie scattering effect. Various functional groups (-OH, -N-H, -C-H, -C = C, -C-N, and -C-O) were identified using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Its nanocrystalline property was revealed by the sharp peaks in the X-ray diffraction (XRD). High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) photomicrograph displayed a roughly-spherical structure with a mean size of 2.835 nm. The Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDAX) spectra showed the presence of C, O, N, S, and P. The High-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprint of PLECDs showed an altered pattern than its precursor (Piper longum leaves ethanolic extract or PLLEE). The PLECDs sensed Cu2+ selectively with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.11 µM. It showed excellent cytotoxicity towards MDA-MB-231 (human breast cancer), SiHa (human cervical carcinoma), and B16F10 (murine melanoma) cell lines with excellent in-vitro bioimaging outcomes. It also has free radical scavenging activity. The PLECDs also showed outstanding bacterial biocompatibility, pH-dependent fluorescence stability, photostability, physicochemical stability, and thermal stability.

Putranjiva rouxburghii is an herbal plant that has been used to improve female reproductive health in ancient Indian ayurveda based medicinal system. Despite the widespread use, no scientific evidence is available to support its safety. In this study, we evaluated the acute and sub acute toxicity of P. roxburghii hydro-alcoholic leaf extracts in rat animal model. In acute toxicity, healthy rats were given 2000mg/kg body weight of P.roxburghii leaf extract for 14 days. In a sub acute toxicity experiment, healthy rats were divided into four groups and group A was given plane water whereas, group B, C and D was given 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg bodyweight leaf extract for 28 days. At intervals of 7 days, bodyweight, feed consumption, water intake, biochemical, pathological and molecular parameters were evaluated. The dose 2000mg/kg bodyweight used in acute toxicity study showed there were no clinical signs of toxicity. The LD50 of the P.roxburghii extract was anticipated to be above 2000mg/kg. All experimental groups had no significant differences (P

Most drugs' poor aqueous solubility has emerged as a significant challenge in achieving proper therapeutic response following oral administration. Herbal drugs are being used from time immemorial to prevent, mitigate, and cure multiple diseases. However, most of the bioactives phytoconstituents possess limited aqueous solubility & poor oral bioavailability. Solid dispersion (SD) has been realised as an efficient formulation to overcome hydrophobic candidates' solubility issues and improve their oral bioavailability. The current review mainly explores the potential of SD for improving solubility, dissolution & bioavailability of herbal extracts, enriched fractions, and isolated bioactives. Hence, basics of SD, selection of excipients, need for SD of plant products, SD of plant products, selection of preparation method, the chemistry of phytoconstituent-excipient interaction, and hurdles associated with SD of herbal extract/enriched fraction were explored in this review. The SD has the potential to overcome solubility, dissolution, and oral bioavailability issues of poorly soluble phytoconstituents.

The present study identified the probable mechanism behind the anti-cancer activity of the hexane fraction of Pleurotus osteratus (HFPO) using network pharmacology and experimental validation. HFPO myco-metabolites targets and targets related to the cancer were mined from the online web server, and overlapping targets were screened. Out of the 74 overlapping targets, 33 targets were identified in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway of cancer. Furthermore, the main active myco-metabolites and hub targets were identified by network analysis of the compound-targets network and protein-protein interaction (PPI), respectively. Molecular docking results showed good binding affinity of the hub targets with their respective myco-metabolites. HFPO induced in-vitro anti-cancer activity by affecting the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway, besides time-dependent cell cytotoxicity and apoptotic cell body formation. Additionally, tumor volume reduction was observed in HFPO-treated Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) bearing Swiss albino mice. Overall, HFPO induces anti-cancer potential by modulating the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway.

Natural products have contributed conspicuously to the development of innovative nanomedicines. Hence, the interface between nanomaterial science and plant natural products may bestow comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for tackling diseases such as cancer and neurological disorders. Natural product-derived carbon dots (NPdCDs) have revealed noteworthy attributes in the fields of cancer theranostics, microbial imaging, drug sensing and drug delivery. As plants consist of a cocktail of bioactive phytomolecules, the NPdCDs can be anticipated to have medicinal properties, biocompatibility, photo-stability and easy functionalization. NPdCDs have wide-ranging applications. The primary objective of this review is to comment on recent developments in the use of NPdCDs, with special reference to their application in cancer biology. The future of the use of NPdCDs has also been considered.

Aim: This work aimed to develop Tinospora cordifolia stem-derived carbon dots (TCSCD) for cancer cell imaging, free radical scavenging and metal sensing applications. Method: The TCSCDs were synthesized by a simple, one-step, and ecofriendly hydrothermal carbonization method and characterized for their optical properties, morphology, hydrodynamic size, surface functionality, crystallinity, stability, bacterial biocompatibility, in vitro cellular imaging, free radical scavenging and metal sensing ability. Results: The TCSCDs exhibited excellent biocompatibility with dose-dependent bioimaging results in melanoma (B16F10) and cervical cancer (SiHa) cell lines. They exerted good free radical scavenging, Fe3+ sensing, bacterial biocompatibility, photostability, colloidal dispersion stability and thermal stability. Conclusion: The results reflect the potential of TCSCDs for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.

Herein, we report the fabrication of Tinospora cordifolia leaves-derived carbon dots (TCLCDs) from aqueous extract of leaves as carbon source via simple, environmentally friendly, hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) technique. The synthesized TCLCDs were characterized for their physicochemical properties and further explored for in-vitro cancer cell bioimaging, radical scavenging, and metal ion sensing. The synthesized TCLCDs showed excitation-dependent emission property with maximum emission at 435 nm under the excitation of 350 nm. The High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) results revealed a roughly spherical shape with an average diameter of 5.47 nm. The diffused ring pattern of Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) and halo diffraction pattern of X-ray diffraction (XRD) disclosed their amorphous nature. The Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) showed the existence of C, N, and O. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the presence of -OH, -NH, -CN, and -CH groups. The TCLCDs showed excellent cellular biocompatibility with dose-dependent bioimaging results in melanoma (B16F10) and cervical cancer (SiHa) cell lines. Also, they exhibited excellent scavenging of free radicals with an IC

Natural products and leads inspired by them have acted as a probe for successful drug discovery for many decades. Pain is an obnoxious sensory and emotional experience associated with potential tissue damage. It affects the quality of life of patients to a greater extent. Despite the availability of several agents targeting TRP receptors, none of them can proficiently alleviate neuropathic pain. TRPV1 is a prospective target for treating neuropathic pain as it is recognized to modulate the pain circuitry at the periphery and the central level. In this review, we have discussed several natural molecules, such as Capsaicinoids, Capsinoids, Piperine, Eugenol, Scutigeral, Ginsenosides, Cinnamaldehyde, Camphor, Shogaol, Gingerols, Zingerone, Allicin, Evodiamine, Allylisothiocyanate, Cannabidiol, Ricinoleic acid, Isovelleral, Capsazepine, Thapsigargin, Pellitorine, Yohimbine, Curcumin and some semi-synthetic analogues that activate TRPV1 channels and consequently, can be further harnessed for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

The combination of an Ayurvedic wisdom and nanotechnology may help us to resolve the complex healthcare challenges. A facile and economical one-pot hydrothermal synthesis method has been adopted for preparing a blue fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) with a quantum yield of 15.10% from an Ayurvedic medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata (AP). The Andrographis paniculata derived CDs (AAPCDs) were then characterized using different techniques. Through High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) profiling of the AP extract and the CDs, it was found that some of the phytoconstituents are retained as such while others may have been converted into their derivatives during the process of formation of CDs. The CDs are designed to possess cellular imaging of human breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7), apart from free radicals sensing and scavenging capabilities. AAPCDs showed minimal cytotoxicity in Multi Drug Resistant clinically isolated strains of gram positive and gram negative bacteria which may be employed for microbiology oriented experiments. These results suggest potential of multi-functional AAPCDs as nano-probes for various pharmaceutical, biomedical and bioengineering applications.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic relapsing disorder, which enforces a person to compulsively seek alcohol, restricting control over alcohol intake leads to emergence of an undesired emotional state during abstinence. There are recent advances for better understanding of neurocircuitry involved in the pathophysiology of AUD. Alcohol interaction with neuronal membrane proteins results in changes in neuronal circuits. It is also linked with the potential medication and their clinical validation concerning their pharmacological targets for alcoholic abstinence. This review covers research work from the past few decades on the therapeutic advances on treatment of alcohol dependence; further detailing the fundamental neurochemical mechanisms after alcohol administration. It also covers interaction of alcohol with GABAergic, glutaminergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic and opioid systems. This review further elaborated the neurobiology of noradrenergic, cholinergic and cannabinoid systems and their interaction with AUD. Elaborative information of potential drug targets under current exploration for AUD treatment with their mechanisms are reported here along with clinical outcomes and the associated side effects.

SummaryThe present study investigated if the presence of encircling granulosa cells protected against di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)-induced oxidative stress in rat oocytes cultured in vitro. Denuded oocytes and cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were treated with or without various doses of DEHP (0.0, 25.0, 50.0, 100, 200, 400 and 800 μM) in vitro. Morphological apoptotic changes, levels of oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential, and expression levels of apoptotic markers (Bcl2, Bax, cytochrome c) were analyzed. Our results showed that DEHP induced morphological apoptotic changes in a dose-dependent manner in denuded oocytes cultured in vitro. The effective dose of DEHP (400 µg) significantly (P>0.05) increased oxidative stress by elevating ROS levels and the mitochondrial membrane potential with higher mRNA expression and protein levels of apoptotic markers (Bax, cytochrome c). Encircling granulosa cells protected oocytes from DEHP-induced morphological changes, increased oxidative stress and ROS levels, as well as increased expression of apoptotic markers. Taken together our data suggested that encircling granulosa cells protected oocytes against DEHP-induced apoptosis and that the presence of granulosa cells could act positively towards the survival of oocytes under in vitro culture conditions and may be helpful during assisted reproductive technique programmes.

This study aims to develop a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) based on non-ionic surfactant mixtures to improve the oral bioavailability of efavirenz (EFZ) categorized as a class II according to the BCS, for HIV- therapy. The result of solubility studies of EFZ in various excipients utilized for construction of the pseudo ternary phase diagram containing surfactant mixtures. Surfactants in 1:1 combination are used with different co-surfactants in different ratio to delineate the area of monophasic region of the pseudo ternary phase diagram. Different accelerated physical stability studies and self-emulsification assessment were performed on the formulations. The formulations clearing the above studies are considered for percentage transmittance and turbidity analysis. The globule size distributions of post diluted SNEDDS having percentage transmittance above 90 were estimated. The TEM analysis of two optimized post diluted SNEDDS formulations further confirm the size in nanometric range (below 50nm). FT-IR studies showed the retention of the characteristic peaks of EFZ in the preconcentrate. The in vitro dissolution profile of SNEDDS established advantages of SNEDDS over plain drug as more than 80% drug was released within 30min in case of optimized SNEDDS while it was approximately 18.3% in the case of plain drug powder. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated after performing the in vivo studies of best optimized formulation in rats. The Pharmacokinetic data reveal a 2.63 fold increase in AUC(0-∞) in comparison to plain EFZ suspension. The designed delivery system showed the faith in generating an effective formulation of EFZ for HIV treatment.

Increased oxidative stress (OS) due to ubiquitous exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) can affect the quality of oocytes by inducing apoptosis and hampering granulosa cell mediated steroidogenesis. This study was carried out to investigate whether DEHP induced OS affects steroidogenesis and induces apoptosis in rat ovarian granulosa cells. OS was induced by exposing granulosa cells to various concentrations of DEHP (0.0, 100, 200, 400 and 800 μM) for 72 h in vitro. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress (OS), mitochondrial membrane potential, cellular senescence, apoptosis, steroid hormones (estradiol & progesterone) and gene expression were analyzed. The results showed that an effective dose of DEHP (400 μg) significantly increased OS by elevating the ROS level, mitochondrial membrane potential, and β-galactosidase activity with higher mRNA expression levels of apoptotic genes (Bax, cytochrome-c and caspase3) and a lower level of an anti-apoptotic gene (Bcl(2)) as compared to the control. Further, DEHP significantly (P > 0.05) decreased the level of steroid hormones (estradiol and progesterone) in a conditioned medium and this effect was reciprocated with a lower expression (P > 0.05) of steroidogenic responsive genes (Cyp11a1, Cyp19A1, Star, ERβ1) in treated granulosa cells. Furthermore, co-treatment with N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) rescues the effects of DEHP on OS, ROS, β-galactosidase levels and gene expression activities. Altogether, these results suggest that DEHP induces oxidative stress via ROS generation and inhibits steroid synthesis via modulating steroidogenic responsive genes, which leads to the induction of apoptosis through the activation of Bax/Bcl-2-cytochrome-c and the caspase-3-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in rat granulosa cells.

The plant Argyreia speciosa Sweet (Syn: Argyreia nervosa Burm. f.), is a woody climber which belongs to the family Convulvulaceae. The plant is commonly known as Elephant creeper in English and in Hindi, it is known as ‘Vryddhadaru”. It has been used as a “ R asayana” drug (rejuvenating drugs) in the traditional Ayurvedic system of medicines. Authentication and identification has been done taxonomically. The quality control studies of the leaves have been perf ormed as per WHO guidelines - 1998. The lea f has been heart - shaped up to 1 foot across, back with silvery hairs on the lower surface, glabrous above, white tomentose beneath and long stalked. The most distinct anatomical ch aracter in TS of petiole has been the occurrence of intra - xylary phloem, where the xylem is above and the phloem is below. Unicellular trichomes are numerous and are present in the dorsal side only. These palisade cells are rectangular in nature where the length is twice its breadth. Total ash (15.5% w/w), acid insoluble ash (3.6 % w/w), water soluble ash (2.18 % w/w), a lcohol soluble extractive (1.66 % w/w), water soluble extractive (3.56 % w/w) and moisture content (14.07%) of the crude drug have been obtaine d. A fingerprint of fluorescence has been observed in fluorescence analysis. Chlorinated pesticide in first and second elute from c olumn have been 0.034 and 0.081 mg/kg of the crude drug respectively. Phosphated pesticides are found to be 0.012 , 0.095 and 0 .004 mg/kg

Background: Evidences from ethnopharmacological practices have shown that combination of Abutilon indicum and Piper longum are traditionally used to treat symptoms of the liver disorder. The hypothesis is phytosomes of a combination of both crude drug extract will be more effective and safe as hepatoprotective agent. Aim: Present work is aimed at development and characterization of phytosomes containing ethanolic extract of both drugs to meet the need for better effectiveness and safety. Materials and Methods: Phytosomes were formulated by using Indena's patented process. Characterization involved following parameters: Particle size determination, percentage yield, entrapment efficiency, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscope, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and high performance thin liquid chromatography. Liver damage was induced in adult Charles foster rats (150 ± 10 g) with CCl4 in olive oil (1:1 v/v, i.p) 1 ml/kg once daily for 7 days. LIV 52 (1 ml/kg per oral [p.o]), ethanolic extract of A. indicum and P. longum combination (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg p.o) and phytosomes (100 mg/kg p.o.) was given 3 days prior to CCl4 administration. Estimation of liver marker enzymes and histopathological studies were done. Result was analyzed by using (analysis of variance) followed by Student-Newman–Keuls test. Result: Combined extract has shown hepatoprotective activity but phytosomal formulation has more potent hepatoprotective effect on CCl4 induced liver toxicity at very low dose comparative to a higher dose of combined extract. Conclusion: Novel approach for herbal drug delivery is more prominent than conventional which improves bioavailability of polar extract and also patient compliance. SUMMARY Standardised ethanolic extract of leaves of abutilon indicum and piper longum fruits by microwave assisted extraction was used for phytosomal complex formation and phytosomal complex was characterised by various parameters and finally the hepatoprotective activity of phytosomes and crude extract was evaluated by different biochemical markers and histopathological study. Abbreviations Used: DSC: Differential scanning calorimetry, SEM: Scanning electron microscope, FTIR: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, HPTLC: High performance thin liquid chromatography, p.o: Per oral, A. indicum: Abutilon indicum, P. longum: Piper longum.

Cytomorphological and physicochemical evaluations of rhizomes of Cryptocoryne spiralis, used as a substitute of Aconitum heterophyllum for treatment of diarrhea in the Indian Siddha medicine, were carried out. The study included macroscopical and microscopical description of rhizomes of plant. Physicochemical parameters including ash values, extractive value loss on drying, foaming index, swelling index, and foreign matter were evaluated. Pesticide residue, starch grains, total saponin content, total hemolytic activity, fluorescence drug analysis, and phytochemical screening of rhizomes extracts were done. Total phenols, tannins, flavonoids, flavonols, and total alkaloids were quantified from the ethanolic extract. In vitro antioxidant activity of the extract was determined by total antioxidant capacity, reducing power assay, and scavenging methods including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, nitric oxide, H2O2, and deoxyribose. The parameters obtained in the present study may be used as referential informati...

Objective To evaluate different physicochemical parameters and in-vitro antioxidant activity of Aconitum heterophyllum ( A. heterophyllum ), having great medicinal value in treatment of diseases associated to nervous system, digestive system, rheumatism, fever and also in case of bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Methods Various physicochemical parameters such as extractive values, haemolytic activity, foaming index, swelling index, heavy metal analysis and pesticide content as per the guidelines of WHO were included. Determination of starch grains, crude fiber, fluorescence powder drug analysis and preliminary phytochemical analysis of root of A. heterophyllum were also included. Various phytoconstituents such as total phenols, tannins, flavonoids, flavonols, alkaloids and saponins were quantified in the present study. The ethanolic extract was further screened for in-vitro antioxidant activity using different models. Results The result depicted a higher extractive value in case of aqueous extract which decreased as the polarity decreased. The haemolytic activity of A. heterophyllum was found to be 212.5 units/g of plant material while chlorinated and phosphate pesticides along with heavy metals were found to be within the standard limits of WHO. The quantitative estimations demonstrated the root to be highly rich in alkaloids while phenols, tannins, flavonoids and saponins were found in less quantity. The in-vitro antioxidant study showed a moderate to low activity in all models which may be attributed to low phenolic and flavonoid content. Conclusion The valuable information provided in the study will ascertain the identity and authenticity of A. heterophyllum and will help in maintaining quality and purity thus, preventing its adulteration.

Medicinal plants are widely being used by the traditional medical practitioners for curing various diseases in their day-to-day practice. Biophytum sensitivum DC (Oxalidaceae) is used as a traditional folk medicine in ailments such as inflammation, arthritis, wounds, tumors and burns, gonorrhea, stomach ache, asthma, cough, degenerative joint disease, urinary calculi, diabetes, snake bite, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea. It is a small, flowering, annual herb with sensitive leaves. It grows throughout tropical Africa and Asia, especially in Philippines and the hotter parts of India and Nepal. Phytochemical studies have shown that the major pharmacologically active constituents are amentoflavone and a polysaccharide fraction, BP100 III. Recent pharmacological study shows that it has antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, chemoprotective, antidiabetic and wound healing potential. This review attempts to describe the ethnobotany, pharmacognosy, traditional uses, chemical constituents, and various pharmacologic activities and other aspects of B. sensitivum.

Asparagus Racemosus (AR) is an Ayurvedic rasayana possessing multiple neuropharmacological activities. The adpatogenic and antidepressant activity of AR is well documented. The present study was undertaken to assess nootropic and anti-amnesic activities of MAR in rats. The Morris water maze (MWM) and elevated plus maze (EPM) models were employed to evaluate learning and memory activity. Subsequently, the anti-amnestic activity was evaluated in scopolamine and sodium nitrite (NaNO(2))-induced amnestic models in rats. Rats pre-treated with MAR (50, 100 and 200mg/kg, p.o) for 7 days showed significant decrease in escape latency in the MWM test indicating nootropic activity. MAR also significantly reversed scopolamine and sodium nitrite-induced increase in transfer latency on EPM indicating anti-amnesic activity. Further, MAR dose-dependently inhibited acetylcholinesterase enzyme in specific brain regions (prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus). Thus, MAR showed nootropic and anti-amnesic activities in the models tested and these effects may probably be mediated through augmentation of cholinergic system due to its anti-cholinesterase activity.

Nanophytomedicines are prepared from active phytoconstituents or standardized extracts. The world market for nanomedicine is estimated to reach $130.9 billion by the fiscal year 2016. Liposome nanoparticle (NP) with entrapped doxorubicin has been reported to be 300 fold more effective because of better pharmacokinetic ability in treatment of Kaposi sarcoma. NP of paclitaxel is used in the treatment of breast cancer. It has increased water solubility, reduced toxicity and improved therapeutic index. Nanotized herbal drug containing active principles of veteh root, seawort, cassia twig and liquorice root is found to be effective in pulmonary, liver, bone, brain and skin cancer. The in-vivo pharmacokinetic parameters of polymeric nanoparticles containing curcumin reveal at least 9 fold increase in oral bioavailability when compared to curcumin administered with piperine as absorption enhancer. The green nanotechnology utilizes plant based phytochemicals in the overall synthesis and architecture of NP. Cumin and gum arabic are used for synthesis of gold NP that has reduced toxicity to living organism and environment. Bhasma used in Ayurveda is ancient but ultra modern nanomedicine prepared from metal. Swarna bhasma has particle size of 56 nm. NP in cosmetics has been used safely and effectively. NP ingredients like Zno and TiO2 have properties that provide greater degree of protection from sun. Liposome containing Aloe vera extract in size range less than 200 nm diameter has shown higher rate of cell proliferation and increased synthesis of collagenase in in vitro test using human skin fibroblast and epidermal keratinocytes.

Objective To scientifically validate the traditional substitution of roots of highly expensive Aconitum heterophyllum (AH) with rhizomes of Cryptocoryne spiralis (CS) in the treatment of diarrhoea. Methods Different fractions from root/rhizome extract of both the plant were subjected to faecal excretion rate and castor oil-induced diarrhoea models. Further, bioactive fractions from both plants, i.e. chloroform (CAH) from AH at 50 mg/kg p.o. and ethyl acetate (EACS) from CS at 100 mg/kg p.o., were examined for small intestinal transit, intestinal fluid accumulation and PGE2-induced enteropooling models in rats. Biochemical estimations and Na+ and K+ concentration in intestinal fluid were also determined along with antibacterial studies. Phytochemical standardisation of AH and CS was performed by quantifying aconitine for the former and stigmasterol for the latter using HPLC. Key findings CAH and EACS illustrated a significant reduction in faecal output rate and demonstrated a protection of 63.068% at CAH 50 and 59.090% at EACS 100 mg/kg p.o. in castor oil-induced diarrhoea model. The fractions also persuaded promising effects in all the other models, restored alterations in biochemical parameters and showed potential antibacterial activity. Conclusion The antidiarrhoeal potential of AH and CS may be attributed to an antimotility and antisecretory type of effect.

The antidiarrhoeal activity of Cryptocoryne spiralis rhizomes extract (250, 500, 750 mg/kg, po) was evaluated using faecal excretion, castor oil-induced diarrhoea, small intestinal transit, intestinal fluid accumulation, gastric emptying and PGE2 induced enteropooling models in rats. In addition, various biochemical estimations, histopathological studies and antibacterial evaluations on strains responsible for diarrhoea were also performed. The results illustrated a significant reduction in normal faecal output rate after 5th and 7th h of treatment, while castor oil-induced diarrhoea model depicted a protection of 55.44% at same dose level from diarrhoea. The other models except, gastric emptying test demonstrated more pronounced effect at same dose level. A significant inhibition in nitric oxide, increase in carbohydrates, protein, DNA, Na(+) and K(+) level with minimum degeneration of colonic fibrous tissues and potent antibacterial activity were also observed. The antidiarrhoeal potential of C. spiralis may be as a result of antimotility and antisecretory type effect mediated through nitric oxide pathway.

Aim: The roots of the plant Aconitum heterophyllum (EAH) are traditionally used for curing hysteria, throat infection, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, diabetes, and diarrhea. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine the mechanism involved in the anti-diarrheal activity of roots of A. heterophyllum. Materials and Methods: Ant-diarrheal activity of ethanol extract at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg p.o. was evaluated using fecal excretion and castor oil-induced diarrhea models, while optimized dose, that is, 100 mg/kg p.o. was further subjected to small intestinal transit, intestinal fluids accumulation, PGE2-induced enteropooling and gastric emptying test. To elucidate the probable mechanism, various biochemical parameters and Na+, K+ concentration in intestinal fluids were also determined. Further, antibacterial activity of extract along with its standardization using aconitine as a marker with the help of HPLC was carried out. Results: The results depicted a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in normal fecal output at 100 and 200 mg/kg p.o. of extract after 5th and 7th h of treatment. Castor oil-induced diarrhea model demonstrated a ceiling effect at 100 mg/kg p.o. with a protection of 60.185% from diarrhea. EAH at 100 mg/kg p.o. also showed significant activity in small intestinal transit, fluid accumulation, and PGE2-induced enteropooling models, which also restored the altered biochemical parameters and prevented Na+ and K+ loss. The extract with 0.0833% w/w of aconitine depicted a potential antibacterial activity of extract against microbes implicated in diarrhea. Conclusion: The study concluded antisecretory and antimotility effect of A. heterophyllum, which mediates through nitric oxide path way.