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β-sitosterol (BS), a phytosterol, exhibits ameliorative effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to its antioxidant activities. However, its poor aqueous solubility and negotiated bioavailability and short elimination half-life is a huge limitation for its therapeutic applications. To overcome these two shortcomings, BS-loaded niosomes were made to via, film hydration method and process parameters were optimized using a three-factor Box-Behnken design. The optimized formulation (BSF) was further surface-modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The resulting niosomes (BSMF) have spherical shapes, particle sizes, 219.6 ± 1.98 nm with polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential of 0.078 ± 0.04 and -19.54 ± 0.19 mV, respectively. The drug loading, entrapment efficiency, and drug release at 24 h of the BSMF were found to be 16.72 ± 0.09%, 78.04 ± 0.92%, and 75.10 ± 3.06%, respectively. Moreover, BSMF showed significantly greater cytotoxic potentials on Hep G2 cells with an enhanced cellular uptake relative to pure BS and BSF. The BSMF also displayed potentially improved curative property of HCC in albino wistar rat. Thus, the BSMF could be one of the promising therapeutic modalities for HCC treatment in terms of targeting potential resulting in enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

β-sitosterol (BS), a phytosterol, exhibits ameliorative effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to its antioxidant activities. However, its poor aqueous solubility and negotiated bioavailability and short elimination half-life is a huge limitation for its therapeutic applications. To overcome these two shortcomings, BS-loaded niosomes were made to

In this study, we isolated two compounds from the leaves of Salacia oblonga (SA1, mangiferin and SA2, naringenin), and their structures were confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. SA1 and SA2 were orally administered to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats at 50 and 100 mg/kg daily for 15 days. Blood glucose level, serum lipid profile, oxidative stress parameters, histopathology, docking, molecular parameters, and NMR-based metabolic perturbation studies were performed to investigate the pharmacological activities of SA1 and SA2. Results suggested that both compounds reduced blood glucose level, restored body weight, and normalized lipid concentrations in the serum and oxidative stress biomarkers in the liver and pancreas. In addition, the docking study on several diabetes-associated targets revealed that both compounds had a strong binding affinity towards peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4). Further real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses were performed to confirm the gene and protein expression levels of PPARγ and GLUT4 in the pancreatic tissues. Data obtained from the molecular studies showed that both compounds exhibited antidiabetic effects through dual activation of PPARγ/GLUT4 signaling pathways. Finally, the NMR-based metabolic studies showed that both compounds normalized the diabetogenic metabolites in the serum. Altogether, we concluded that SA1 and SA2 might be potential antidiabetic lead compounds for future drug development.

Aims: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), among the most commonly used drugs worldwide, are associated with gastrointestinal (GI) complications that severely limit the clinical utility of this essential class of pain medications. Here, we mechanistically dissect the protective impact of a natural product, malabaricone C (Mal C), on NSAID-induced gastropathy. Results: Mal C dose dependently diminished erosion of the stomach lining and inflammation in mice treated with NSAIDs with the protective impact translating to improvement in survival. By decreasing oxidative and nitrative stress, Mal C treatment prevented NSAID-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death; nuclear factor κ-light-chain enhancer of activated B cell induction, release of proinflammatory cytokines and neutrophil infiltration; and disruptions in the vascular endothelial growth factor/endostatin balance that contributes to mucosal autohealing. Importantly, Mal C failed to impact the therapeutic anti-inflammatory properties of multiple NSAIDs in a model of acute inflammation. In all assays tested, Mal C proved as or more efficacious than the current first-line therapy for NSAID-dependent GI complications, the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole. Innovation: Given that omeprazole-mediated prophylaxis is, itself, associated with a shift in NSAID-driven GI complications from the upper GI to the lower GI system, there is a clear and present need for novel therapeutics aimed at ameliorating NSAID-induced gastropathy. Mal C provided significant protection against NSAID-induced gastric ulcerations impacting multiple critical signaling cascades contributing to inflammation, cell loss, extracellular matrix degradation, and angiogenic autohealing. Conclusion: Thus, Mal C represents a viable lead compound for the development of novel gastroprotective agents.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwideand haslimited treatment options. In view of this, zafirlukast (ZAF) was administered orally to DEN-induced HCC rats to evaluate its antineoplastic properties. ELISA, qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the molecular mechanism associated with ZAF therapy for HCC. We found that HCC developed as a result of lower expression of caspases 3 and 9, but their levels returned to normal when the expression of eNOS, BAX, BAD, and Cyt C was decreased and when the expression of iNOS, Bcl-xl, and Bcl-2 was increased. Again, ZAF (80 mg/kg dose) treatment normalized the expression of caspase-mediated apoptotic factors, i.e. BAX and Bcl-2 proteins, as established through Western blot analysis. Later, 1H NMR-based serum metabolomics study revealed that levels of perturbed metabolites in DEN-induced rat serum returned to normal after ZAF administration. Altogether, the antineoplastic potential of ZAF was found to be comparable, and to some degree better, than the marketed chemotherapeutic 5-flurouracil, which may be beneficial for anti-HCC treatment from a future drug design perspective.

Kidney stones are responsible for about 3.66 million medical consults each year with treatment costing about $2 billion annually in medical bills. The main objective of the study was to analyze the quality of life of patients by existing renal calculi. The study would be focused on providing better therapeutic, cost-effective and safe treatment in renal calculi patients. The study was conducted in a urology department of Tulasi Multi-Super Speciality Hospitals (300 bedded hospital), ECIL ‘X’ Road, Hyderabad, India. This study was conducted on 60 patients to study the quality of life of patients with renal calculi for the duration of 6 months. We collected information from patients from 10-80 years of age. For our logical and rational observational study, divided the patient in different age groups, male-female, alcoholic-nonalcoholic, working-nonworking, vegetarian-nonvegetarian, married-unmarried etc. Through our observational study we can reach to a logical conclusion that smoking, alcoholism etc. adversely affects the quality of life of patients of renal calculi. Moreover, vegetarian diet may also indirectly help to improve the quality life of the patients with renal caliculi. Finally, it was found that, if the patient leads hygienic and disciplined life quality of such patients will be somewhat better. If situation permits and open surgery can be avoided by using medicines, modern approach of therapy or modern better surgery, quality of life of patients with renal caliculi will be somewhat better.

In this study, we isolated two compounds from the leaves of Salacia oblonga (SA1, mangiferin and SA2, naringenin), and their structures were confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. SA1 and SA2 were orally administered to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats at 50 and 100 mg/kg daily for 15 days. Blood glucose level, serum lipid profile, oxidative stress parameters, histopathology, docking, molecular parameters, and NMR-based metabolic perturbation studies were performed to investigate the pharmacological activities of SA1 and SA2. Results suggested that both compounds reduced blood glucose level, restored body weight, and normalized lipid concentrations in the serum and oxidative stress biomarkers in the liver and pancreas. In addition, the docking study on several diabetes-associated targets revealed that both compounds had a strong binding affinity towards peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR

Coccinia grandis, family-Cucurbitaceae, a perennial tendril climber plant, possessing significant antidiabetic property. Other plants in the family Cucurbitaceae possessing diuretic, aphrodisiac, bitter stomachic, purgative and emetic properties. But antimicrobial activity of C. grandis has not been evaluated extensively. We have paid more importance on antimicrobial activities against various fungal strains and different gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Aqueous and ethanolic extract were used to evaluate antifungal and antibacterial activities. Antifungal activity was observed on Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger and antibacterial activity was observed on gram positive bacteria like Bacillus subtilis UC564, Bacillus pumilus-8241, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC-29212, Bacillus licheniformis, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC6571, Streptococcus faecalis-52 and gram negative bacteria like Shigella boydii-Type12, Shigella flexneri E03429, Shigella dysenteriae-3 , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Escherichia coli-K88, Salmonella typhi-62 , Salmonella choleraesuis-36 , Shigella boydii-8, Shigella flexneri NICED, Shigella sonnei E08869. Key words: Coccinia grandis, MIC, antifungal and antibacterial activities Bolay Bhattacharya et al. Evaluation of Antifungal and Antibacterial Activities of the Plant Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt. (Family- Cucurbitaceae). J Phytol 2/11 (2010) 52-57

SUMMARY Cassia tora L. (Family Leguminosae/Caesalpinioideae), is a plant with enormous medicinal values. The chloroform, methanol and aqueous extract of leaves of Cassia tora L. showed antibacterial activity (0-5000 μg/ml) against 38, 58 and 29 bacterial strains respectively out of 120 various bacterial strains and also methanol extracts showed antifungal activity (0-64mg/ml) against 3 strains out of 4 strains. Five strains of Shigella dysenteriae, four strains of Staphylococcus aureus, and three strains of Escherichia coli, have shown sensitivity against in vitro treatment of the methanol extracts up to 2000 μg/ml concentration. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranges from 2–64 mg/ml for dermatophytes. Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) value lies in the range of 2000-2500 μg/ml against Escherichia coli ATCC25938 and Shigella dysenteriae 1. Phytochemical study indicates that the leaf extract contains flavonoids, saponins, resins, phytosterol, alkaloids and carbohydrates. The traditional claim of leaves of C. tora as an antimicrobial property have been confirmed as the extracts displayed activity against some bacteria and fungi which cause skin infection and gastro-intestinal disorder. Key words: Cassia tora plant, Phytochemical study, Antimicrobial activity, MIC and MBC Gouranga Das et al. Evaluation of Antimicrobial Potentialities of Leaves Extract of the Plant Cassia tora Linn. (Leguminosae/Caesalpinioideae). J Phytol 2/5 (2010) 64-72.