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Background: Honey bee propolis is one of the natural product reported in various traditional systems of medicines including Ayurveda. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is an active constituent of propolis which is well known for its anticancer potential. The therapeutic effects of CAPE are restricted owing to its less aqueous solubility and low bioavailability. Objective: In this study CAPE loaded folic acid conjugated nanoparticle system (CLFPN) was investigated to enhance solubility, achieve sustained drug release and improved cytotoxicity of CAPE. Methods: Formulation development, characterization and optimization were carried out by design of experiment approach. In vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity study was carried out for optimized formulations. Results: Developed nanoparticles showed particle size and encapsulation efficiency of 170 ± 2 - 195 ± 3 nm and 75.66 ± 1.52 - 78.80 ± 1.25 % respectively. Optimized formulation CLFPN showed sustained drug release over a period of 42 h. GI50 concentration was decreased by 46.09% for formulation as compared to CAPE in MCF-7 cells indicating targeting effect of CLFPN. An improved in vitro cytotoxic effect was reflected in in-vivo Daltons Ascites Lymphoma model by reducing tumor cells count. Conclusion: The desired nanoparticle characteristic with improved in vivo and in vitro cytotoxicity was shown by developed formulation. Thus it can be further investigated for biomedical applications.

The aim of the study was to investigate the herb–drug interaction of Andrographis paniculata Nees (Acanthaceae) and Andrographolide (AN) with nabumetone (NAB) in wistar rats. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions were studied after co-administration of APE and AN with NAB in Wistar rats. In pharmacokinetic studies, significant decrease in Cmax, AUC0–t and AUC0–∞ of 6-MNA after co-administration with pure AN and APE has been observed. Tmax of 6-MNA has been increased to 2 h from 1.5 h in AN + NAB treated group. Changes in mean residential time, clearance and volume of distribution of 6-MNA in APE + NAB treated group and AN + NAB treated group indicated interference of other components of APE other than AN. In pharmacodynamic study, significant decrease in antiarthritic activity of NAB on concomitant administration with APE and AN has been observed. The study concludes that NAB exhibits pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions with APE and AN in rats thus alarms the concomitant use of herbal preparations containing APE and AN with NAB. Further study is needed to understand the mechanism and predict the herb–drug interaction in humans.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Andrographis paniculata Nees (Acanthacae) is commonly used medicinal plant in the traditional. Unani and Ayurvedic medicinal systems. It has broad range of pharmacological effects such as hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antivenom, antifertility, inhibition of replication of the HIV virus, antimalarial, antifungal, antibacterial, antidiabetic, suppression of various cancer cells and anti-inflammatory properties. Andrographolide (AN) is one of the active constituent of the A. paniculata Nees extract (APE). They have been found in many traditional herbal formulations in India and proven to be effective as anti-inflammatory drug Aim of the study To evaluate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (anti-arthritic) herb–drug interactions of A. paniculata Nees extract (APE) and pure andrographolide (AN) with etoricoxib (ETO) after oral co-administration in wistar rats. Materials and methods After oral co-administration of APE (200 mg/Kg) and AN (60 mg/kg) with ETO (10 mg/kg) in rats, drug concentrations in plasma were determined using HPLC method. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of C max , t max , t 1/2 , MRT, Vd, CL, and AUC were calculated by non-compartment model. Change in paw volume, mechanical nociceptive threshold, mechanical hyperalgesia, histopathology and hematological parameters were evaluated to study antiarthritic activity. Results Co-administration of ETO with APE and pure AN decreased systemic exposure level of each compound in vivo . The C max , AUC, t 1/2 of ETO was decreased whereas Vd and CL of ETO was increased significantly after co-administration of ETO with pure AN and APE. In pharmacodynamic study, ETO alone and ETO+APE (10+200 mg/kg) groups exhibited significant synergistic anti-arthritic activity as compared to groups ETO+AN, APE and AN alone. Conclusion The results obtained from this study suggested that ETO, APE and pure AN existed pharmacokinetic herb–drug interactions in rat which is correlated with anti-arthritic study. Physicians and patients using A. paniculata should have the knowledge about its possible herb–drug interaction with ETO.

The study aimed at the investigation of neuroprotective activity of macerated ethanolic extract of Indian propolis (MEEP) against β-Amyloid 25–35 (Aβ25-35) induced memory impairment in Alzheimer’s disease. MEEP was administrated orally to Wistar rats at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg. Behavioral performances were evaluated using morris water maze and radial arm maze. At the end of behavioral study, the brains were removed and antioxidant parameters and brain monoamines were estimated. Further acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibition and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) were evaluated. In addition hematological parameters and histopathological tests were also carried out. In behavioral models, MEEP significantly (P The study concludes that MEEP has anti-Alzheimer potential in rats through multiple mechanisms and further studies are ongoing for fractionation and biological screening.

The aim of the study was to investigate the herb-drug interaction of Andrographis paniculata Nees (Acanthaceae) and Andrographolide (AN) with nabumetone (NAB) in wistar rats. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions were studied after co-administration of APE and AN with NAB in Wistar rats. In pharmacokinetic studies, significant decrease in Cmax, AUC

Ethnopharmacological relevance Andrographis paniculata Nees (Acanthacae) have broad range of pharmacological effects such as hepatoprotective, antifertility, antimalarial, antidiabetic, suppression of various cancer cells and anti-inflammatory properties and is widely used medicinal plant in the traditional Unani and Ayurvedic medicinal systems. Andrographolide (AN) is one of the active constituent of the A. paniculata Nees extract (APE). They have been found in many traditional herbal formulations in India and proven to be effective as anti-inflammatory drug. Aim of the study To evaluate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (anti arthritic) herb-drug interactions of A. paniculata Nees extract (APE) and pure andrographolide (AN) with naproxen (NP) after oral co-administration in wistar rats. Materials and methods After oral co-administration of APE (200 mg/Kg) and AN (60 mg/kg) with NP (7.5 mg/kg) in rats, drug concentrations in plasma were determined using HPLC method. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of C max , t max , t 1/2 , MRT, Vd, CL, and AUC were calculated by non-compartment model. Change in paw volume, mechanical nociceptive threshold, mechanical hyperalgesia, histopathology and hematological parameters were evaluated to study antiarthritic activity. Results Co-administration of NP with APE and pure AN decreased systemic exposure level of NP in vivo. The C max , t max, AUC 0−t of NP was decreased. In pharmacodynamic study, NP (10 mg/kg) alone and NP+AN (10+60 mg/kg) groups exhibited significant synergistic anti-arthritic activity as compared to groups NP+APE, APE and AN alone. Conclusion The results obtained from this study suggested that NP, APE and pure AN existed pharmacokinetic herb–drug interactions in rat which is correlated with anti-arthritic study. The knowledge regarding possible herb–drug interaction of NP might be helpful for physicians as well as patients using AP. So further studies should be done to understand the effect of other herbal ingredients of APE on NP as well as to predict the herb–drug interaction in humans.

Centella asiatica Linn leaves extract are reported to have promising antidepressant activity in acute animal models of depression. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of standardized extract of Centella asiatica L leaves (INDCA) in rats using chronic stress medicated depression model in rats i.e. olfactory bulbectomy model. INDCA was extracted from Centella asiatica L. leaves and standardized to its bioactive constituent, asiaticoside, by HPLC. Effects of 14-day (subacute) oral pretreatment of INDCA (3, 10, or 30 mg/kg), imipramine (20 mg/kg), fluoxetine (30 mg/kg) and desipramine (15 mg/kg) were evaluated after behavioral depression induced by olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) in rats. Separate sham and vehicle control groups were also maintained. Food intake and body weight were measured 1 h prior to treatment (day 1, baseline), and on 7th day and 14th day of treatment. Behavioral and physiological parameters in open field and elevated plus maze were recorded on 14th day of treatment. Dose-dependent reversal of reduction of body weight, body temperature, and heart rate with the normalization of elevated food intake that was observed in OBX rats treated with INDCA. Hyperactivity shown by OBX rats in open field and elevated plus maze paradigm was significantly reversed by INDCA. In conclusion, INDCA exerts antidepressant effects in OBX model in rats.

Aim of the study Phyllanthus amarus Schum. and Thonn. (PA) (Euphorbiaceae) is a herb which is reported to have anti-inflammatory activity. In view of its potent anti-inflammatory activity, the present study was designed to evaluate its anti-arthritic activity. Materials and methods The standardized aqueous extract of P. amarus extract (PAE) (2.5% Phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin) was tested against Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) induced arthritic rats. Arthritis assessment, paw volume, joint diameter, mechanical hyperalgesia and nociceptive threshold were measured. On day 28, the animals were sacrificed, tibiotarsal joint was extracted for histopathology. Results PAE significantly decreased the arthritis which was evident with arthritis index, paw volume and joint diameter. It also significantly increased the mechanical hyperalgesia and nociceptive threshold. The histopathology also revealed the control in inflammation with PAE. Conclusion The present study is suggestive that PAE has prominent anti-arthritic activity which may be attributed to its anti-inflammatory activity.