• Guzman Tillman posted an update 3 hours, 56 minutes ago

    Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia [Willd.] Miers) is a flagship rejuvenating herb of Ayurveda with reported anti-diabetic potential. In the present study, different dosage forms of Guduchi stem (growing on neem tree) were developed by adopting Ayurvedic pharmaceutical process of Bhavana (levigation). Guduchi Churna (GC) was subjected to 07 times Bhavana separately with its own extracted juice, decoction and potable water, and dosage forms namely Svarasa Bhavita Guduchi Churna (SBGC), Kwatha Bhavita Guduchi Churna (KBGC), and Jala Bhavita Guduchi Churna (JBGC) were prepared. The present study was aimed to evaluate the role of Bhavana on the potentiation of therapeutic properties of Guduchi. Sequential solvent extracts (5, 10, 15 and 25%) of GC, SBGC, KBGC and JBGC were prepared in different solvents [phosphate buffer, hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), chloroform] and screened for the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The results revealed that phosphate buffer and DCM extracts of SBGC exhibited strong αby HPTLC fingerprint analysis. Findings of the present study indicate that SBGC and KBGC can be used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and gives supporting evidence to Ayurvedic claims that the Bhavana process has pharmaceutico-therapeutic significance in Ayurvedic drug development.Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf (Parmeliaceae) is a well-known epiphytic lichen commonly used in Indian spice mixtures and food preparations such as curries. This study is an attempt to find the best extraction methodology with respect to extractive yield, total polyphenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content and antioxidant activities of lichen P. furfuracea. Two phenolic compounds, atraric acid and olivetoric acid were isolated and quantified in their respective extracts with the aid of reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The highest concentration of both the compounds, atraric acid (4.89 mg/g DW) and olivetoric acid (11.46 mg/g DW) were found in 70% methanol extract. A direct correlation was also observed between the concentrations of these compounds with the free radical scavenging potential of the extracts which might contribute towards the antioxidant potential of the extract. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy and HPLC analysis which was used to study the effect of pre-processing on extraction process highlighted the capacity of a mixer grinder technique for improved separation of surface localized metabolites and enrichment of the fraction. An investigation of the chemical profile of the bioactive extract 70% methanol extract using UHPLC-DAD-MS lead to tentative identification of forty nine compounds. Bromelain molecular weight This extract was also assessed towards HEK 293 T cell line for cytotoxicity analysis. Concentration range of 0.156 to 100 µg/ml of PF70M extract exhibited no significant cell death as compared to control. Further, the active extract showed protective effect against hydroxyl radical’s destructive effects on DNA when assessed using DNA nicking assay. Based upon this, it can be concluded that optimization of extraction solvent, sample pre-proceesing and extraction techniques can be useful in extraction of specific antioxidant metabolites.The increasing risks of radiological or nuclear attacks or associated accidents have served to renew interest in developing radiation medical countermeasures. The development of prospective countermeasures and the subsequent gain of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval are invariably time consuming and expensive processes, especially in terms of generating essential human data. Due to the limited resources for drug development and the need for expedited drug approval, drug developers have turned, in part, to the strategy of repurposing agents for which safety and clinical data are already available. Approval of drugs that are already in clinical use for one indication and are being repurposed for another indication is inherently faster and more cost effective than for new agents that lack regulatory approval of any sort. There are four known growth factors which have been repurposed in the recent past as radiomitigators following the FDA Animal Rule Neupogen, Neulasta, Leukine, and Nplate. These four drugs were in clinic for several decades for other indications and were repurposed. A large number of additional agents approved by various regulatory authorities for given indications are currently under investigation for dual use for acute radiation syndrome or for delayed pathological effects of acute radiation exposure. The process of drug repurposing, however, is not without its own set of challenges and limitations.Oldenlandia hedyotidea (DC.) Hand.-Mazz (OH), also known as sweet tea, is a valuable functional food with medicinal properties and is used for the treatment of cold, cough, gastroenteritis, heatstroke, herpes zoster, and rheumatoid arthritis. The phytochemicals in plant-based foods are responsible for the occurrence of these diseases to some extent. However, there is a scarcity of information on the chemical components of OH. We, therefore, aimed to investigate the phytochemical components of OH using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) and UHPLC triple time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Triple-TOF-MS). The main component of the OH extract, asperulosidic acid, was additionally quantified using UHPLC with ultraviolet detection (UHPLC-UV). The anticancer activity of the OH extract was assessed by a cell proliferation assay and a scratch assay using an esophageal cancer cell line. Ten compounds were tentatively identified in the aqueous extract of OH, including five iridoids, two anthraquinones, and one phenolic acid. The content of asperulosidic acid in the aqueous extract of OH was approximately 42 μg ml-1, and the extract exerted definite in vitro anticancer effects. The results can be used for quality control and assessment of the OH extract, which can serve as a promising source of functional ingredients for potential use in the food and drug industries.The presented study was designed to probe the toxicity potential of newly identified compound naphthalen-2-yl 3,5-dinitrobenzoate (SF1). Acute, subacute toxicity and teratogenicity studies were performed as per Organization of economic cooperation and development (OECD) 425, 407, and 414 test guidelines, respectively. An oral dose of 2000 mg/kg to rats for acute toxicity. Furthermore, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg doses were administered once daily for 28 days in subacute toxicity study. Teratogenicity study was performed with 40 mg/kg due to its excellent anti-Alzheimer results at this dose. SF1 induced a significant rise in Alkaline Phosphatases (ALP), bilirubin, white blood cells (WBC), and lymphocyte levels with a decrease in platelet count. Furthermore, the reduction in urea, uric acid, and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels and an increase in total protein levels were measured in subacute toxicity. SF1 increased spermatogenesis at 5 and 10 mg/kg doses. Teratogenicity study depicted no resorptions, early abortions, cleft palate, spina bifida and any skeletal abnormalities in the fetuses.