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Medicinal plants have long history of being using as traditional medicines in almost every corner of the earth. Various chemical constituents of the plant are responsible for the activities. The plant Trewia nudiflora, belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and is found abundantly in South Asia and Eastern Australia. Almost all parts of the plant such as root, stem bark, leaf, fruit and seed possess bioactive chemical constituents. The major chemical constituents are taraxerone, betasitosterol, nudiflorine, trewiasine, dehydrotrewiasine and maytanbutine. Although various parts of the plant have potential activity against cancer, tuberculosis, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer and antimicrobial activities, but many activities like diabetes, arthritis, analgesic, anticoagulant has not yet been studied. So, this plant could be a potential source for the future research.

During neuronal development, synapse formation is an important step to establish neural circuits. To form synapses, synaptic proteins must be supplied in appropriate order by transport from cell bodies and/or local translation in immature synapses. However, it is not fully understood how synaptic proteins accumulate in synapses in proper order. Here, we present a novel method to analyze presynaptic formation by using the combination of neuron ball culture with beads to induce presynapse formation. Neuron balls that is neuronal cell aggregates provide axonal sheets far from cell bodies and dendrites, so that weak fluorescent signals of presynapses can be detected by avoiding overwhelming signals of cell bodies. As beads to trigger presynapse formation, we use beads conjugated with leucine-rich repeat transmembrane neuronal 2 (LRRTM2), an excitatory presynaptic organizer. Using this method, we demonstrated that vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (vGlut1), a synaptic vesicle protein, accumulated in presynapses faster than Munc18-1, an active zone protein. Munc18-1 accumulated translation-dependently in presynapse even after removing cell bodies. This finding indicates the Munc18-1 accumulation by local translation in axons, not transport from cell bodies. In conclusion, this method is suitable to analyze accumulation of synaptic proteins in presynapses and source of synaptic proteins. As neuron ball culture is simple and it is not necessary to use special apparatus, this method could be applicable to other experimental platforms.

During neuronal development, synapse formation is an important step to establish neural circuits. To form synapses, synaptic proteins must be supplied in appropriate order by transport from cell bodies and/or local translation in immature synapses. However, it is not fully understood how synaptic proteins accumulate in synapses in proper order. Here, we present a novel method to analyze presynaptic formation by using the combination of neuron ball culture with beads to induce presynapse formation. Neuron balls that is neuronal cell aggregates provide axonal sheets far from cell bodies and dendrites, so that weak fluorescent signals of presynapses can be detected by avoiding overwhelming signals of cell bodies. As beads to trigger presynapse formation, we use beads conjugated with leucine-rich repeat transmembrane neuronal 2 (LRRTM2), an excitatory presynaptic organizer. Using this method, we demonstrated that vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (vGlut1), a synaptic vesicle protein, accumulated in presynapses faster than Munc18-1, an active zone protein. Munc18-1 accumulated translation-dependently in presynapse even after removing cell bodies. This finding indicates the Munc18-1 accumulation by local translation in axons, not transport from cell bodies. In conclusion, this method is suitable to analyze accumulation of synaptic proteins in presynapses and source of synaptic proteins. As neuron ball culture is simple and it is not necessary to use special apparatus, this method could be applicable to other experimental platforms.

Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), a causative gene (FMR1) product of Fragile X syndrome (FXS), is an RNA-binding protein to regulate local protein synthesis in dendrites for postsynaptic functions. However, involvement of FMRP in local protein synthesis in axons for presynaptic functions remains unclear. Here we investigated role of FMRP in local translation of the active zone protein Munc18-1 during presynapse formation. We found that leucine-rich repeat transmembrane neuronal 2 (LRRTM2)-conjugated beads, which promotes synchronized presynapse formation, induced simultaneous accumulation of FMRP and Munc18-1 in presynapses of axons of mouse cortical neurons in neuronal cell aggregate culture. The LRRTM2-induced accumulation of Munc18-1 in presynapses was observed in axons protein-synthesis-dependently, even physically separated from cell bodies. The accumulation of Munc18-1 was enhanced in Fmr1-knockout (KO) axons as compared to wild type (WT), suggesting FMRP-regulated suppression for local translation of Munc18-1 in axons during presynapse formation. Using naturally formed synapses of dissociated culture, structured illumination microscope revealed that accumulation of Munc18-1 puncta in Fmr1-KO neurons increased significantly at 19 days in vitro, as compared to WT. Our findings lead the possibility that excessive accumulation of Munc18-1 in presynapses at early stage of synaptic development in Fmr1-KO neurons may have a critical role in impaired presynaptic functions in FXS.

Glimepiride is an antidiabetic drug of sulfonylurea group and indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The present study was conducted to enhance the dissolution rate of glimepiride solid lipid nano particle dispersions using hot homogenization method and glimepiride solid dispersion by precipitation method. Solid lipid nanoparticles have been used as suitable carriers for delivery of drug with poor solubility. In this investigation glyceryl monostearate and stearic acid were used as solid lipid, Lutrol F-68 as surfactant, Tween 80 as stabilizer and the used polymer were urea crystal and ?-cyclodextrin. Three formulations were prepared in different ratios for two methods and were designated as GMLN1 to GMLN3 in case of hot homogenization method and GMP1 to GMP3 for precipitation method. The evaluation of all the dispersions were done by in vitro dissolution studies using US Pharmacopeia type II apparatus (paddle method) in 900ml distilled water at 50 rpm to a temperature of 37°C ± 0.5°C for 45 minutes. In situ and externally sink method revealed the release pattern of drug was found to follow zero order, first order and Korsmeyer-Peppas equations. Improved dissolution profile was observed in all the solid lipid nano particle dispersions as compared to pure drug as well as market preparation. Thus, glyceryl monostearate and ?-cyclodextrin can be successfully used as carrier for improvement of dissolution and bioavailability of glimepiride.Rafshanjani et al., International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, September 2015, 4(10): 436-441

The present work was accomplished to explore the antibacterial activity and cytotoxic potentials of ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves using d isc diffusion method and brine shrimp lethality test respectively. Four Gram - positive and eight Gram - negative human pathogenic bacteria were u sed for antibacterial screening. Ethanolic extract of leaves showe d prominent activity against all the microbes with the zo ne of inhibition ranging from 10.1 to 26 .3 mm. Comparatively hi gher activity was exhibited by G ram negative bacteria, in that case Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae showed 26 .3 mm and 25 .2 mm zone of inhibition. The MIC values for Gram negative bacteria ranged from 62.5 to 125 µg/ml while for Gram posi tive bacteria ranged from 125 - 250 µg/ml. Cytoto xic potentials were evaluated f r om leaves extract against Artemia salina Leach at concentration s of 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 µg/ml and vincristine sulph at e was used as positive control. The extract s showed significant brine shrimp lethality having LC 50 value of 8.12 µg/ml in comparison wi th the standard vincristine sulph ate having LC 50 value of 6.76 µg/ml . The results suggest that ethanol extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves can be considered as a source of natural antibacterial and anticancer agent.

Dexamethasone is a type of steroid medication having anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects. One of the major problems with this drug is its low solubility in water which results into poor bioavailability after oral administration. So the objective of the present work is to improve the solubility and dissolution rate of dexamethasone using its solid lipid nano particles (SLNPs) with stearic acid as solid lipid, lutrol F-68 as surfactant and tween-80 as stabilizer. SLNPs are prepared by hot homogenization method at different ratio of drug, lipid, surfactant and stabilizer and designated as DNP1 to DNP6. In vitro dissolution study was performed using the USP type II apparatus (paddle method) at 50 rpm to a temperature of 37°±0.5°C in distilled water containing 0.75% w/v SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate). The absorbance of sample was measured spectrophotometrically at ?max 239nm on a UV-Visible spectrophotometer. Release pattern of drug was found to follow zero order, first order and Korsmeyer-Peppas equations. Improvement of dissolution was observed in all the solid lipid nano particles as compared to pure drug. Pure drug showed only 27.25% release in 50 min whereas the dexamethasone SLNPs showed faster (66.19%) in vitro drug release. Hence, this finding indicates that dexamethasone SLNPs prepared by hot homogenization method can be used to enhance the dissolution rate and to show novel application to this drug delivery system.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v3i12.20829 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, November 2014, 3(12): 331-335

D exibuprofen is a poorly water soluble nonsteroidal anti - inflammatory drug, prescribed for moderate to severe p ain and inflammation. It is the active dextrorotatory enantiomer of ibuprofen and has better anti - in flammatory effect . Hence present study was carried out to enhance dissolution properties of dexibuprofen through the preparation of solid lipid nano particl es (SLNPs) using stearic acid as lipid, lutrol F - 68 (Poloxamer) as surfactant and tween - 80 as stabilizer by hot homogenization method. Six formulations were prepared in different ratios and were designated as DNP1 to DNP6 . USP type II rotating paddle disso lution studies in 900 ml distilled water at 50 rpm to a temperature of 37°C ± 0.5°C were performed for evaluation of solid lipid nano particles. UV s pectrophotometric method was selected for assay as well as in - vitro dissolution studies at λ max 222 nm. The drug release profil e followed zero order and first order kinetics. In - vitro studies showed that solubility and dissolution rate of dexibuprofen were significantly improved by SLN formulation than the d rug alone . This result may trigger mor e research in the intension of exploiting this feature to develop a novel drug delivery system for dexibuprofen with enhanced bioavailability.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial and insecticidal activities of plant Sanchezia speciosa Hook. F . extract against pathogenic bacteria and fungi by disc diffusion method and insect by surface film activity test. Fifteen different species of Gram - positive and Gram - negative bacteria, six species of fungi an d Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) insect were used for this screening. The result revealed that among the three fractions obtained by solvent solvent pa rtitioning, chloroform fraction was the best extractive for antibacterial and antifungal properties than ot her two fractions (pet - ether, ethyl acetate). The ranges of zone of inhibition were 8 ± 0.01 to 23 ± 0.02 mm using 500 μg/disc. In addition the minimum inhib itory concentrations (MICs) of different solvent fraction s tested were found to be in the range from 16 µg/ ml to 128 µg/ml against fifteen pathogenic bacteria depending on isolates and extracting solvent . The insectici dal assay also indicated reasonable activity with 60 %, 40 % and 20 % mortality rate of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) at a dose of 50 mg/ml in 48 hours for chloroform, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether extract respectively. This is the first report of antib acterial, antifungal and insecticidal activities of the ethanolic extract and it ’ s fractionates (Chloroform, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether fraction) of Sanchezia speciosa Hook. F .

Context: Plants as therapeutics are popularized for thousands of years and people continue to rely on them for health care until now due to their effectiveness, easy availability, low cost and comparatively being devoid of serious toxic effects. Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and insects are developing resistance to the current therapies very easily and the currently available antibacterial, antifungal agents and pesticides are very much costly and toxic. So the current shift to the use of herbal antibacterial, antifungal agents and pesticides may be more effective, economic and advantageous. Objectives: The present research was performed to investigate the antibacterial, antifungal and insecticidal activities of the methanolic extract of the dried root of the plant Ruellia tuberosa (L.). Materials and Methods: Five Gram (+) ve bacteria namely Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus agalactiae, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis ; five Gram (-) ve bacteria namely Pseudomonus aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella sonnei were used as test bacteria for testing the antibacterial activity of the plant extract. Antifungal activity was observed against six fungi namely Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus ochreus, Aspergillus ustus, Rizopus oryzae and Trichophyton rubrum . The disc diffusion assay method was used in both the cases and standard Kanamycin disc (30μg/disc) was used as the reference standard. The test for insecticidal activity was performed by using surface film activity testing method and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) was used as the test insect. Results : The methanol extract was active against all the bacteria and fungi tested and showed significant antibacterial and antifungal properties with the zone of inhibition 9 to 23 mm for antibacterial screening and 8 to 15 mm for antifungal screening. The insecticidal assay by surface film activity test also revealed strong insecticidal activity with 80% mortality rate of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) at a dose of 50 mg/ml in 48 hours. Conclusion: From our experiment it is informed that Ruellia tuberosa (L.) may be used to treat bacterial and fungal diseases and also as insect repellant and it is also possible to isolate antibacterial, antifungal and insecticidal drug from this plant. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbs.v20i0.17720 J. bio-sci. 20: 91-97, 2012

Background: Sanchezia speciosa Hook.f is an important medicinal plant with several ethnomedicinal properties. In the present experiment the leaves of this plant were screened for the presence of major phytochemical groups. The phytochemicals are the wide variety of compounds produced by plants manipulated widely in the pharmacognostic drug development and in the treatment of the major ailments. Methods: Phytochemical screenings were performed by various functional group tests. All the leaves extracts were subjected to brine shrimp lethality bioassay and standard anticancer drug vincristine sulphate was used as positive control. Results: Phytochemical investigation of the leaves extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, triterpenoids, carbohydrates, steroids, phenolic compounds, saponins and tannins. The ethyl acetate fractionates of the leaves extracts were positive for all the phytochemicals tested while n-hexane fractionates were negative for flavonoids and phenolic compounds. The n-hexane and ethyl acetate soluble fractionates showed significant cytotoxic activities with median lethal concentrations (LC 50 ) 19.95 µg/mL and 12.88µg/mL while LC 50 for the vincristine sulphate was 10.96 µg/mL. Conclusion: This study shows that the leaves of Sanchezia speciosa Hook. f may have potentials in control of carcinogenesis in the field of pharmacology.

Nuclear and chromosome characteristics of seven varieties of Colocasia esculenta were studied. Interphase chromosome value was found to range from 2119.85 (cytotype-3) to 5346.12 (cytotype-7). Heterochromatin values varied from 23.17 (cytotype-2) to 44.52% (cytotypt-6) in meristematic cells. Karyotype studies revealed that somatic chromosome number was 28 in cytotype-1, 2, 5, 6 and 7; 42 in cytotype-3 and 21 in cytotype-4. The longest chromosome (5.54 μm) was observed in cytotyopt-2 and shortest (1.3 μm) in cytotype-3 and 6. Key words: Karyotype, Nuclear phenotype, Colocasia esculenta. DOI:10.3329/jbs.v16i0.3735 J. bio-sci. 16: 15-18, 2008

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