Balakrishna

Solubility is an important physicochemical factor affecting absorption of drug and its therapeutic effectiveness. Drugs having poor aqueous solubility present one of the major confronts better absorption for good bioavailability of such drugs. The purpose of this study was to prepare and characterize solid dispersions of the poorly water soluble antihypertensive agent valsartan with water soluble carriers such as Kolliphor P 407, Kolliphor P 188, Kolliwax GMS II, Kolliphor HS15, HPMC AS and Soluplus in proportions viz. 1:1, 1:3, 1:5 (Drug: Carrier) with addition of 2% SLS to improve its aqueous solubility and rate of dissolution by solvent evaporation technique. All the formulations showed marked improvement in the solubility behavior and improved drug release. From all the formulations  SD6 was found to be optimized formulation  using soluplus as carrier based on the solubility and dissolution studies. The results obtained showed that the aqueous solubility and rate of dissolution was significantly improved when formulated in solid dispersion as compare to pure drug.

“Othalanga” is a poisonous fruit of a herb (Cerbera odollum) grown widely in marsh and swamp area. In Alappuzha district of our country several die every year by consuming this, either accidently or with the purpose of suicide or homicide. Modern medicine has no antidote or any treatment for this, due to unawareness of this poison. An elaborate study on the details of “Cerbera odollum” and effective treatment for this poisoning is essential and solicited.

In the present study, hepatoprotective effect of an ethanolic extract of Ipomoea batatas leaves, on liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was investigated. Wistar albino rats (n=6) were administered 300, 600 and 900 mg/kg body weight extract orally for 10 consecutive days. Marker enzymes SGOT, SGPT, serum protein and Bilirubin (total, direct and indirect) were estimated in serum whereas total protein (TP), Lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were estimated in liver tissue as markers for oxidative stress.  Histopathological assessment was also done on liver tissue. Ethanolic extract of Ipomoea batatas leaves administration for 10 days prevented the CCl4 induced hepatic injury and oxidative stress. Hepatoprotective effect of I. batatas in CCl4 induced liver poisoning was evident by decrease in elevated levels of SGOT, SGPT and bilirubin. Treatment with I. batatas increased the reduced levels of TP and SOD and decreased the elevated level of MDA concentration and catalase activity in CCl4 induced oxidative stress in the liver. The ability of ethanolic extract of Ipomoea batatas leaves to protect the liver toxicity in rats was further confirmed by histological findings in the liver tissue. In conclusion, it was observed that ethanolic extract of Ipomoea batatas leaves have a dose dependent potential to protect the liver against CCl4induced hepatic injury through its potent antioxidant activity in rats.

Plants are utilized as therapeutic agents since time immemorial in both organized (Ayurveda, Unani) and unorganized (folk, tribal, native) form. The ethanolic fruit extract of Cucumis trigonus Roxb of family Cucurbitaceae was used to treat the urolithiasis induced by ethylene glycol. On this course, the extract also repairs the changes that happened in the mineral constituents like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and oxalate in serum and urine of the urolithiatic rats. The ethanolic fruit extract (150 mg / kg b.w.) elevated the levels of reduced mineral parameters like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus and reduced the level of oxalate in serum and reduced the levels of calcium, phosphorus and oxalate and elevated the level of magnesium in urine significantly (p