Posted by admin on Nov 30, 2017 in |
Justicia wynaadensis, an endemic medicinal plant found in the regions of Western Ghats is a herb, belonging to the family Acanthaceae. The following study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity of the leaf extract of Justicia wynaadensis. Four different extracts were prepared by using water and methanol [aqueous fresh leaves extract, methanolic extract of dry leaves powder, hot (boiled) and cold (macerated) aqueous extracts of dry leaves powder]. Preliminary screening of extracts showed the presence of flavonoids, phenols and terpenoids and its quantitative estimation was done using HPLC. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS assay. The cytotoxic effect of all the four extracts were tested by MTT assay on two cancer cell lines MCF7 (Breast cancer cell line) and HCT116 (Colorectal cancer cell line). The cold aqueous extract had the highest cytotoxic effect on both the cell lines at IC50 values of 20.76 µg/ml and 28.46 µg/ml...
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Posted by admin on Nov 30, 2017 in |
Malaria has been a major life threatening mosquito borne disease. Unavailability of any effective vaccine and recent emergence of multi drug resistant strains of malarial pathogen Plasmodium falciparum continues to cause persistent deaths in the tropical and sub-tropical region. As a result, there is a growing demand for new targets for more effective anti-malarial drugs. A novel microneme protein, named sporozoite microneme protein essential for cell traversal (SPECT), is produced by the liver-infective sporozoite of the malarial parasite. In the present study, the 3D conformation of Plasmodium falciparum SPECT (PfSPECT) protein was predicted using homology modelling and refined by 50 nanoseconds of MD simulation. The overall quality of the model was validated using PROCHECK and ERRAT. The PROCHECK results showed 91.4% of backbone angles were in the allowed region and ERRAT score of 85.9% suggested a high quality model. All docking calculations were performed using the “Extra Precision” (XP) mode of Glide docking. A database of 2,76,784 biogenic compounds was used for virtual screening, out of which 164 were identified as hits....
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Posted by admin on Nov 30, 2017 in |
Family Solanaceae is known for its tropane alkaloids which have many medicinal properties. In our study two Cestrum species namely Cestrum diurnum and Cestrum nocturnum which are also ornamental plants are studied as different parts of the plants possess anti-bacterial, anti-malarial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, inhibitory effect on central nervous system and wound healing properties. The present study was undertaken to analyse the presence of various phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, steroids through preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening of the leaf extract. HPLC(High Performance Liquid Chromatography) was used for the qualitative and quantitative active principle analysis which revealed the presence of nicotine and nornicotine as major alkaloids and comparative study of the two species showed the presence of these alkaloids in large quantity in Cestrum diurnum. The detailed anatomical studies of the part(s) used help in the correct easy identification of the commercial drug in its purest...
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Posted by admin on Nov 5, 2017 in |
Management of fitula-in-ano by fistulectomy is a surgical challenge due to its high re-occurrence rate. Application of Ksharasootra has been indicated in ano-rectal disorders particularly in the management of Bhagandara (Fistula-in-ano) in Indian system of medicine. Ksharasootra, a medicated thread, was prepared with Apamarga Kshara (Ash of Achyranthus aspera Linn.), latex of Snuhi (Euphorbia nerifolia) and Haridra (Curcuma longa Linn.) powder as per the standard guidelines of Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India (API). A case of 40 year male was diagnosed as Bhagandara (Fistula in ano) present anterior side at 11 O’clock site of anal canal which extend to base of scrotum, was treated with partial fistulectomy with Ksharasootra application in remaining part of the tract. In post-operative management, the old Ksharasootra was changed with a new one by rail-road technique on weekly interval. Decrease in the length of Ksharasootra was measured weekly and noted to assess the unit cutting time (UCT). The fistulectomy wound dressing was done daily with Shatadhaut Ghrita (medicated clarified butter). After two months (Ksharasootra changed...
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Posted by admin on Oct 31, 2017 in |
Poor flow and cohesion are the most common problems encountered during manufacturing of a tablet. Tablets are produced by compression of formulation ingredients including the drug and excipients that improve processing properties of the product. Excipients may include fillers, diluents, binders, lubricants etc. which are added to impart good flow. Cellulose and Lactose have been widely used in Pharmaceutical Industry as a binder and filler due to their property of excellent flowability and stability. The aim of the experiment is to prepare granules of two co-processed excipients of lactose monohydrate and cellulose using water as a binder and compare their flow properties. Although these excipients can be directly compressed, we use wet granulation technique since it allows the material to be compressed with better flow properties. In Wet granulation technique, the particle size, shape and size distribution are optimized with the use of binder that bonds the powder particles together forming spherical granules. In Cuisinart mixer, 700g of powder was mixed with continuous addition of water for 30 seconds...
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