Posted by admin on Dec 1, 2011 in |
The ethanolic extracts and its different partitioning fractions of roots of Leea macrophylla (Leeaceae) were evaluated for their analgesic and preliminary cytotoxic activities. The analgesic activity was evaluated using the acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice while the screening of cytotoxic activity was done using brine shrimp lethality bioassay. In acetic- acid induced writhing test, the ethanolic extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg body weight significantly (p<0.001) reduced the number of writhes with 62.37% of inhibition when compared to the control group which was comparable to that of the standard drug diclofenac sodium (61.85% inhibition, p<0.001). The petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of the ethanolic extract at the same dose exhibited moderate anti-nociceptive activities with 36.59, 30.92 and 27.83 % inhibition of writhing compared to control, respectively. In Brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the LC50 values of the ethanolic extract and carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and ethyl acetate soluble fractions were found to be 2.39, 0.049, 4.53 and 0.09 mg/ml, respectively which were comparable to the...
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Posted by admin on Dec 1, 2011 in |
Studies have been demonstrating that Vismia guianensis (Aubl.) Choisy, popularly known as seal, a species native to South America has high anticancer and antimicrobial potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the ethanolic extract obtained from the leaves of V. guianensis, and trace its chemical profile. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of different phenolic compounds in the extract. The high performance liquid chromatography performed on the sub-fractions A and B from the ethyl acetate fraction traced the chemical composition profile of the ethanol extract, composed by benzophenone, xanthones and anthraquinones. The antimicrobial activity of the extract evaluated by agar diffusion method showed inhibition against Gram-positive bacteria: Streptococcus mitis (ATCC 903), Streptococcus sanguis (ATCC 10557) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and the fungi: Candida albicans (ATCC 40175), Candida krusei (ATCC 40147) and Candida parapsilosis (ATCC...
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Posted by admin on Dec 1, 2011 in |
Crinum latifolium L. is a rosette-like herb showing promising results as rubefacient, tonic, for treatment of allergic disorders, benign prostatic hyperplasia, cancer and others. The present study deals with pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical evaluation of leaves of Crinum latifolium (Amaryllidaceae). The pharmacognostical studies were carried out as organoleptic, microscopic and physical parameters such as moisture content, ash value, fluorescence analysis and extractive value were determined. For phytochemical evaluation, Crinum latifolium leaves were subjected to successive solvent extraction using petroleum ether, chloroform, hydroalcoholic solution and water. These extracts were then screened for presence of different chemical constituents. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) of the tested extracts was also performed to determine the active principles. These studies are useful in identification and chemical characterization of Crinum latifolium and to explore its phytochemical and pharmacological...
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Posted by admin on Dec 1, 2011 in |
The availability of numerous brands of co-trimoxazole in our local market today places health professionals in a difficult situation of choice of a suitable brand or the possibility of alternative use. The aim of the study was to predict the physicochemical and in-vitro bioavailability equivalence of six brands of co-trimoxazole tablets marketed in Tigray, Ethiopia. Weight uniformity, friability, hardness, disintegration, assay and dissolution profile were performed using methods described in British and United State Pharmacopoeias and all these tablets passed compendial specifications. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) of thickness, weight and disintegration data showed a significant difference (p<0.05) between generic and innovator brands. Similarly, a significant difference was found between the mean % release of trimethoprim (p<0.0002) and sulfamethoxazole (p<0.0001) of the generic and innovator brands at the pharmacopoeia specified time, 60 min. These statistical results indicated that the brands were not equivalent with respect to their in-vitro release profile. All products showed a trimethoprim % release of greater than 85% within 15 min. Model independent approach of similarity factor (f2)...
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Posted by admin on Dec 1, 2011 in |
Safer antioxidants suitable for long term use are needed to prevent or stop the progression of free radical mediated disorders. In this study, the antioxidant activity of hydroethanolic extract of stem bark of Ougeinia oojeinensis (Roxb.) (HEBO) was studied using various in vitro assays. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by using the free radical scavenging activity assay (DPPH method), reducing power assay. The findings indicated promising antioxidant activity of the hydroethanolic extract of stem bark of Ougeinia oojeinensis (Roxb.) and needs further exploration for its effective use in both modern and traditional system of...
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