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P. D. Nadig , U. Nanjaraje , A. Amit

Abstract

Four successive extracts (petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and water) of Involon(a polyherbal preparation of M/s Natural Remedies Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore) were tested for in-vitro uterotonic activity using isolated rat uterus. The activity was compared with commercially available synthetic Oxytocin and the methanolic extract of Involon was found to be most active among the extracts tested.

Keywords

Involon, Uterotonic, Oxytocin, Isolated Rat Uterus

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S. Sudha , S. Kumaresan , A. Amit , J. David , B. V. Venkataraman

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate anti-convulsant profile of different extracts of Centella asiatica and Bacopa monnieri in rats. Materials and methods: The effects of single oral administration of different preparations of C.asiatica and B.monnieri were evaluated for their anticonvulsant profile in the Maximal Electroshock Seizure (MES) in rats at 1, 3, 6, and 24 h after administration and Pentylene tetrazole (PTZ) test in mice and rats. The ED50 dose of Phenytoin (30 mg/kg) was used for comparison. Results: The crude drug of C.asiatica (500 mg/kg) showed mild to moderate anticonvulsant activity, from 1 h to 24 h. The methanolic extract of C.asiatica (CA-I) showed higher activity than the crude drug at 3 and 6 h, but there was no anti-convulsant activity at 1 h. The solubulised extract of C.asiatica (CA-II) (using Cresmer RH 40 and propylene glycol) at 500 and 1000 mg/kg, also showed a similar profile of activity which was dose-dependent. The crude drug of B.monnieri (500 mg/kg) showed mild to moderate activity from 1 h to 6 h but there was no activity at 24 h. The methanolic extract of B.monnieri (BM-I) (which was later partitioned between butanol and water) showed a lesser degree of activity only at 3 h and 6 h. The solubilised extract of B.monnieri (BM-II) (500 mg/kg) showed mild to moderate activity at 3 h and 6 h with minimal activity at 24 h. At 1000 mg/kg, a comparatively higher degree of activity was seen at 1 h - 6h but not at 24 h. The activity of B.monnieri was almost equivalent to Phenytoin at 6 h. In the Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) chemoshock seizure test, no activity was detected for both plants (500 mg/kg). Conclusion: Overall, B.monnieri has a faster onset of action and time/dose responses were qualitatively similar to Phenytoin, while C.asiatica had quantitatively lesser activity but had a longer duration of action.

Keywords

Centella Asiatica, Bacopa Monnieri, Anti-convulsant Activity, Maximal Electroshock Seizure (MES), Pentylene Tetrazole. (PTZ)

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B. Murali , A. Amit , M. S. Anand , B. V. Venkataraman

Abstract

Objective: To develop an HPLC method for estimation of psoralen, bakuchicin and bakuchiol in Psoralea corylifolia. Materials and methods: An gradient, reverse phase (RP) HPLC procedure using a mixture of Phosphate buffer and acetonitrile as mobile phase, C18 column as stationary phase and UV detector. Results: The developed method shows high resolution, accuracy and reproducibility. Conclusions: The method developed is accurate, precise and specific.

Keywords

Psoralea corylifolia, Psoralen, Bakuchicin, Bakuchiol, HPLC

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D. Prashanth , G. Balaji , M. K. Asha , J. Biju , S. Yogisha , A. Amit

Abstract

Objective: To determine the stability of the anti-microbial activity of Wisprec. Materials and methods: Various batches of the anti-microbial cream Wisprec were tested against six microorganisms using agar dilution technique. Result: All the batches tested were stable with respect to their anti-microbial activity. Conclusion: The result suggests that the anti-microbial activity of Wisprec remains intact upto 3 Januarys from the date of manufacture.

Keywords

Anti-microbial Activity, Wisprec, Stability Studies

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B. Murali , A. Amit , M. S. Anand , D. S. Samiulla

Abstract

Objective: Estimation of wedelolactone (WDL) and demethylwedelolactone (DWDL) in Eclipta alba Hassk. by HPLC. Materials and methods: An Isocratic, reverse phase (RP) HPLC procedure for the standardization of Eclipta alba using a mixture of 0.1% v/v Ortho phosphoric acid and acetonitirile as mobile phase C8 column as stationary phase and photo diode array detector. Results: The above method shows high resolution, accuracy, economical and reproducibility. Conclusions: The method developed is useful in standardization of Eclipta alba material.

Keywords

Eclipta alba, Wedelolactone, Demethylwedelolactone, HPLC

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A. J. Joshua , D. R. Vinod , K. Pravina , R. S. Suja , K. S. Goudar , C. B. Pande , A. Amit

Abstract

The present study evaluates the lipotropic activity of Natchol, a polyherbal formulation, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced fatty liver in male albino Wistar rats. Fatty liver was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄ at 0.1 ml/kg b.w. on 7^th and 8th day of treatment. Natchol was administered orally at 100 mg/kg b.w. while choline chloride was given at the dose of 200 mg/kg b.w. for seven days prior to CCl₄ treatment. The administration of Natchol and choline chloride was continued till 72 hours after the second dose of CCl₄. Natchol treatment significantly reduced (p≤0.05) the hepatic triglycerides level and ameliorated the reduction in weight gain induced by CCl₄. The histopathological examination of liver further corroborated the lipotropic activity of Natchol and it was found to be comparable with that of choline chloride, the positive control. Thus the present study revealed the lipotropic effect of Natchol in hepatic steatosis.

Keywords

Lipotropic Activity, Choline Chloride, Natchol, Solanum nigrum, Citrullus colocynthis, Bacopa monnieri, Sida cordifolia, Boerhaavia diffusa

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S. Sudha , R. Bindu , G. Joyce , A. Amit , B. V. Venkataraman

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of this study was to determine experimentally the pharmacological interaction of C.asiatica (CA) and B.monnieri (BM) with standard antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) such as Phenytoin (PHT), Phenobarbitone (PB) and Carbamazepine (CBZ) in rats. Methods: Adult, male Wistar rats were given either CA or BM (500 mg/kg) alone or in combination with one of the antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) at the ED₅₀ doses. The anticonvulsant activity was assessed by the classical Maximal Electro Shock (MES) test at 1, 3, 6 and 24 h after drug administration. Results: PHT and PB showed significant protection at 3 h (p < 0.05), whereas CBZ showed significant protection at 1, 3 and 6 h (p < 0.05). CA alone, showed protection from 1 - 24 h, with significant protection at 3 h (p < 0.05). When CA was combined with PHT, though seizure protection was seen, this effect was not statistically significant. When CA was combined with PB, the protective activity of PB declined from 50% to 0 % (p < 0.05) at 3 h. When CA was combined with CBZ, significant seizure protection was seen only at 1 and 3 h (p < 0.05). Similar to CA, the seizure protection of BM was significant only at 3h (p <0.05). In combination with AEDs significant seizure protection (p < 0.05) was observed - with PHT at 6 h, with PB at 3 h, and with CBZ, at 1, 3 and 6 h. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that herbal plant products such as CA and BM interact pharmacologically with standard AEDs and hence caution should be exercised to avoid any possible adverse interactions.

Keywords

Centella asiatica, Bacopa monnieri, Phenytoin, Phenobarbitone, Carbamazepine, Maximal Electroshock Test, Anticonvulsant Activity, Herb/Drug Interaction

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B. Murali , A. Amit , M. S. Anand , T. K. Dinesh , D. S. Samiulla

Abstract

Objective: To develop an improved HPLC method for estimation of phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin in Phyllanthus amarus. Materials and methods: An Isocratic, reversed phase (RP) HPLC procedure has been adopted using a mixture of pH 2.8 Phosphate buffer and acetonitrile as mobile phase, CN column as stationary phase and UV detector. Results: The developed method shows high resolution (R = 1.9), accuracy and reproducibility. Conclusion: The method developed is relatively better in terms of separation than the previously reported methods.

Keywords

Phyllanthus Amarus, Phyllanthin, Hypophyllanthin, HPLC

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D. S. Samiulla , D. Prashanth , A. Amit , B. V. Venkataraman

Abstract

Four successive extracts (petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and water) of P. granatum fruit rind were tested for in-vitro trypsin inhibitory activity using commercially available enzyme (Porcine pancreatic type II trypsin) and substrate (Benzoyl-D,L-arginine-4-nitroanilide) and the activity was compared with standard trypsin inhibitor from hen egg white (ovomucoid) . The methanolic extract was found to be most active and the activity was comparable to that of the reference standard.

Keywords

Punica Granatum, Ovomucoid, Trypsin Inhibitor, Proteases

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K. Ashok , A. Amit , M. Sujatha , B. Murali , M. S. Anand

Abstract

Objective: The experiment was conducted to know the effect of aging on andrographolide content in Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh) to establish the best harvesting time. Materials and method: The growth and yield parameters were studied at 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days after sowing. The andrographolide content was estimated by HPLC method. Results and conclusion: The best harvesting time was observed at 120 days after sowing to get higher biomass containing maximum andrographolide content.

Keywords

Andrographis paniculata, Andrographolide Content, Aging

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D. Prashanth , A. Amit , S. Yogisha , R. Padmaja

Abstract

Objective: To demonstrate biological standardization of selected herbal extracts using rapid and convenient bioassays. Methods Boswellia serrata alcoholic extract (resin), Emblica officinalis water extract (fruit) and Salacia oblonga 80%alcoholic extract (ischolar_main) were tested with reference to lipoxygenase inhibition, anti-oxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity respectively. Brine Shrimp lethality assay (BSLA) was used for standardization of Bacopa monnieri alcoholic extract (leaves). Piper longum extracts with varying concentration of piperine were also tested in BSLA. To evaluate the use of BSLA in detecting adulteration, samples of Alpinia galanga deliberately adulterated with Acorus calamus rhizomes were tested. Results : IC₅₀ limits were established for extracts of B.serrata, E.officinalis & S. oblanga. Limits of acceptance were also achieved for B. monnieri in terms of LC₅₀ values. BSLA was also capable of detecting the difference in Piper longum extracts, which were varying in Piperine content, the active constituent of Piper longum. BSLA was also sensitive to detect change in bioactivity of Alpinia galanga (rhizome) samples, which were deliberately adulterated with Acorus calamus rhizomes. Conclusion : The use of bioassays is suggested for effective quality control of herbal products.

Keywords

Bioassays, Biological Standardization, Herbal Drugs, Quality Control

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S. B. Kasture , V. S. Kasture , A. J. Joshua , A. Damodaran , A. Amit

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nootropic activity of BacoMind^TM, an enriched phytochemical composition from Bacopa monnieri, in different learning and memory paradigms viz., elevated plus maze, passive shock avoidance test and object recognition test. BacoMind^TM was administered for 7 days at the dose of 40, 60 and 80 mg/kg to mice in elevated plus maze and passive shock avoidance test and 27, 40 and 54 mg/kg to rats in object recognition test. Scopolamine (0.3 mg/kg) was used to induce amnesia and piracetam (100 mg/kg) served as reference standard. In elevated plus maze test, BacoMind^TM significantly (p<0.01) increased the inflexion ratio in scopolamine treated mice. In passive shock avoidance test, BacoMind^TM significantly (p<0.001) reduced the latency to reach the shock free zone and number of mistakes in 15 min in both normal as well as scopolamine treated mice. In object recognition test, BacoMind^TM significantly (p<0.001) increased the discrimination index in both normal as well as scopolamine treated rats. Thus, the findings of the present study revealed the nootropic activity of BacoMind^TM.

Keywords

, Bacopa monnieri, Nootropic Activity, Bacosides, Elevated Plus Maze, Passive Shock Avoidance Test, Object Recognition Test

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S. Nikhil , S. Sudha , B. Aruna , R. Amarjeeth , S. Guido , A. Amit

Abstract

Bacopa monnieri (B. monnieri) has been used for various therapeutic purposes in traditional medicine including treatment of constipation and stomach disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate and identify the fractions of B. monnieri extract with maximal laxative effect. Three different types of Bacopa fractions and one extract were prepared: Fraction 1 (non-polar fraction), Fraction 2 (approx. 60-70% bacosides containing fraction), Fraction 3 (polar fraction) and Extract 4 (40% bacosides containing extract). In Study 1, rats and mice were given p.o. different doses of the four different test substances (40, 120 and 500 mg/kg b. wt.). Vehicle, loperamide (5 mg/kg b. wt.) and castor oil (2 ml/rat and 0.4 ml/mouse) were used for comparison. The stools were observed and graded. Animals given vehicle were observed to have normal stools, while all animals showed diarrhea with castor oil and loperamide caused constipation. Significant diarrhea (p < 0.05) was observed in rats administered with Fraction 1 and 2 (100%, and 71% respectively) at a dose of 500 mg/kg. Diarrhea was observed in one mouse administered Fraction 1 at 500 mg/kg. In Study 2, when the four different test substances were given in combination with loperamide, Fraction 1 (500 mg/kg) resulted in non significant diarrhea in 29% of rats. Studies on the rate of small intestine propulsion in mice also indicate that Fraction 1 showed the maximal distance traversed by carbon black (p < 0.05). It could be noted here that Fraction 1 (non-polar fraction) exhibited the maximum diarrhea while Fraction 3 (polar fraction) exhibited no diarrhea.

Keywords

Bacopa Monnieri, Laxative Effect, Polar Fraction, Non Polar Fraction, Bacosides, Rats

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S. John , S. Nikhil , J. Yaswanth , A. Bhaskar , A. Amit , S. Sudha

Abstract

Different extracts of Curcuma longa, code named as PC/CL/SWP05, CL/111107506 and PT/0606188, each at three doses 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg were evaluated for their analgesic activity using different animal models of analgesia. PT/0606188 exhibited significant analgesic activity in the tail flick test at 400 mg/kg one hour after administration. CL/111107506 exhibited significant analgesic activity in the tail withdrawal test, one hour after administration at a dose of 100 mg/kg. All the three extracts significantly reduced the number of writhes in the acetic acid test except for PT/0606188 at a dose of 100 mg/kg. PC/CL/SWP05 demonstrated only peripheral analgesic activity while CL/ 111107506 and PT/0606188 demonstrated both central and peripheral analgesic activities.

Keywords

Curcuma Longa, Analgesic Activity, Mice

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