Posted by admin on Dec 31, 2018 in |
Crocus pallasii subsp. haussknechtii grows in the west of Iran where local people consume the corm. It belongs to a saffron family (Iridaceae), which has shown several biological activities including cytotoxic and anti-angiogenesis properties. The corm (the nut and the surrounding fibers) and aerial parts of the species have shown anti-angiogenesis properties in HUV-EC-C cells previously; in the present study, the cytotoxic activity of different parts of the plant was evaluated. As people consumed the nuts, the aerial parts, nuts, and fibers were dried and ground and extracted separately. The methanol extract and petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol fractions were prepared by maceration and evaluated in A-549, HepG-2, MCF-7 and HT-29 cancer cell lines through MTT assay. The aerial parts showed no toxicity to any of the cancer cell lines up to the concentration of 100 μg/mL. The methanol extract and fraction of the fibers showed cytotoxicity to all cell lines while the methanol extract and fraction of the nuts and the chloroform fraction showed cytotoxicity to HepG-2 and...
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Posted by admin on Dec 31, 2018 in |
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of a methanolic extract of Porphyra vietnamensis in the TNBS model of intestinal inflammation in rats. Methods: The study included (i) Identification and quantification of Porphyra-334 in P. vietnamensis, (ii) investigation of the effect of methanolic extract on DNA cleavage induced by H2O2 UV-photolysis, (iii) 500 µg/ml Porphyra methanolic extract (PE) loaded 20% pluronic F127 gel was prepared, and its gelation, gel melting temperatures as well as bio-adhesive strength were determined, (v) anti-inflammatory potential of PE against the intestinal inflammatory process induced by TNBS (trinitro-benzesulphonic acid) in rats was evaluated. The protective effects were evaluated as follows: evaluation of intestinal damage (damage score, colon weight) and adherence to adjacent organs, colon malondialdehyde (MDA) estimation. Results: 0.0317% w/w of P-334 with Rf value of 0.48 was calculated from the methanolic extract of Porphyra. PE showed a dose-dependent (300-500 µg/L) protective effect on DNA cleavage. In contrast with Mesalamine (a standard anti-inflammatory drug), treatment with purified P-334 and gel (500 µg/L)...
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Posted by admin on Dec 31, 2018 in |
Ten herbal medicines, Four herb choornam (Trikatu, Hingwashtak, Triphala and sitopladi) and five herbal compounds – Kutajghan Vati, Gandhak Rasayan, Sarivadi Vati, Chanderprabha Vati, Shankh Vati were tested for levels of heavy metals (Lead, copper, cadmium, iron, chromium, manganese, nickel and zinc). Both herbal extracts and herbal formulations showed the presence of heavy metals. Concentrations were higher in the herbal formulations as compared to herbal extracts. The intake of the heavy metals has been calculated by taking into account the recommended daily dose of the given Ayurvedic medicines and their calculated average daily dose (ADD). The paper discusses the significance of these quantities regarding calculated daily limit given by various international food and drug administration agencies. Iron, zinc, and copper are classified as micro-nutrients, and these metals have been reported to be deficient in the diet. The prescribed medication of tested Ayurvedic medicines provides the required intake of these micronutrients. The study concludes that the tested Ayurvedic medicines are not only safe regarding heavy metal intake but apart from...
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Posted by admin on Dec 31, 2018 in |
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), is an etiologic agent of the most life-threatening disease AIDS. HIV-1 protease (HIVP) is a key enzyme that performs an essential step in the life cycle of the virus. HIV-1 protease assembled as a dimer in the functional form and involved in cutting “polyprotein” into the proper protein-sized pieces. The two chains assemble to form a long tunnel covered by two flexible protein forms a “flaps.” The flaps open up, and the enzyme wraps around a protein chain, closing and holding it tightly in the tunnel. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is the current successful treatment approach for AIDS and protease inhibitors plays a crucial role in HAART. The drugs that target against protease consider as one of the major approaches in modern medicine. Till date, 26 anti-HIV compounds have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and 10 are HIV protease inhibitors. The antiviral resistance occurs due to a point mutation in the viral protein which has been a big...
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Posted by admin on Dec 31, 2018 in |
Gastro-retentive drug delivery system can retain the drug in the gastric region for several hours which enhances drug release and improves bioavailability. Atenolol, an antihypertensive drug has a short half-life, limited bioavailability, highly unstable at basic pH and is extensively absorbed from the stomach. These features triggered the need for developing the gastro-retentive system. In the present study, a superporous hydrogel was developed as a gastro-retentive drug delivery system. Chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol) interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) type superporous hydrogels were prepared using a gas foaming method employing glyoxal as the cross-linking agent. Sodium bicarbonate was used as a foaming agent to introduce the porous structure. Swelling behaviors of the superporous hydrogel in acidic solution were studied to investigate their applications for gastric retention device. The optimum preparation condition of superporous hydrogels was obtained from the gelation kinetics. SPH tablets of atenolol were prepared by direct compression incorporating microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, talc and sodium bicarbonate, etc. and evaluated. The super porous hydrogels were highly sensitive to pH of swelling...
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