Ravi

The natural product curcumin is a polyphenolic compound extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa L. Curcumin is the principle curcuminoid present in turmeric, responsible for its bright yellow color. Curcumin is a nature’s gift to mankind which has broad range of therapeutic, diagnostic and prophylactic potential. In addition to its use as a spice, flavoring and coloring agent in food, turmeric has been used in India for medicinal values for centuries. In Ayurveda, use of curcumin is well documented for the treatment of various ailments. But the applications of curcumin are curtailed by its low solubility, stability, bioavailability, rapid metabolism and short half life. This weapon can be sharpened and re explored as new age one key answer to many ailments and disorders by using it in the form of liposomal, nanoparticulate, microparticulate drug delivery and also by complexing it with metal ions, polymers, cyclodextrine and other carriers. Curcumin has ability to bind with various transition and earth metal ions to form stable complex. Complexation of curcumin with transition metals is one of the useful ways to overcome the problem related to solubility, stability and bioavailability. From several recent studies, it was observed that curcumin metallocomplexes shows greater therapeutic effects than curcumin alone.

The current review provides an in-depth discussion of multiple factors influencing microspheres formation which ranging from degree of speed by homogenizers, duration of mixing, concentration of polymers, selection of aqueous and oily phase and their ratios, viscosity role, and reasons behind different sizes of spheres, texture of microspheres ie. rough or smooth, entrapment efficiency, role of emulsifier, importance of cross linking agents with their concentration, solubility ,temperature influence in formation of spheres, solvent selection criteria, drug delivery from surface of microspheres etc. forms ground work and essential to go through all above mentioned factors in order to develop of ideal and in turn to improve stability of microspheres as multi particulates and improve knowledge behind updates of production of microspheres.

The hot continuous extraction (Soxhlet extraction) was carried by using different solvents from daily used condiments such as garlic, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and clove. Those extracts were qualitatively screened for the presence of the secondary metabolites by standardized method. The extracts were quantitatively analyzed for the presence of Flavonoids and Phenolic compounds where the highest concentration of both the compounds were 432.19* and 395.04^ respectively in 70% ethanolic (v/v) extract of clove. Likewise the antioxidant activity of the acetonic extract of garlic 60.58 ± 1.596% of scavenging effect was the highest whereas succeeding highest extract for the activity was for the 95% ethanolic extract of Turmeric with 59.93±1.600% of scavenging effect. There was a trend of relatedness for the concentration of Flavonoids and Phenolic compound with the antioxidant activity. The extracts from cinnamon, clove and turmeric gave a good anti-microbial property against pathogenic bacteria and fungus. In turmeric crude we get 3 bands this shows there are 2 secondary metabolite in it but in purified sample we get 3 band as we use petroleum ether instead of hexane in purified sample so it may be the reason that as petroleum ether is slightly polar it break curcuminoid into curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bis-demethoxycurcumin. “Out of all samples analyzed,  it was confirmed that turmeric, cinnamon and clove have the higher potential for  antimicrobial property followed by garlic and ginger.” (*- equivalent to mM quercetin; ^- equivalent to mM Gallic acid).

The present study investigates the anti-inflammatory activity in ethanolic extract of Canthium Parviflorum using carrageenan induced paw edema in albino rats. The medicinal values of the Canthium Parviflorum have been mentioned ancient literature as useful in disorders of inflammation. Dried leaves of Canthium Parviflorum powdered and extracted with ethanol using soxhlet apparatus. The anti-inflammatory activity was done by carrageenan induced hind paw edema method using plethys mometer. Diclofenac is used as a standard drug. The significant inhibitory activity shown by the leaf extract of Canthium Parviflorum (125, 250, and 375 mg/kg) over a period of 4h in carragenan-induced inflammation was quite similar to that exhibited by the group treated with diclofenac sodium. The highest percentage inhibition activity was found in the dose of 375 mg/kg with the mean percentage inhibition of 23.45% after 4 hours of extract administration.

Microsponges are tiny, uniform, micro-porous polymeric beads and spherical in shape. It has the interconnected voids. The particle size of it ranges between 5-300μm. The porous surface of non-collapsible structure of microsponges helps to deliver the active ingredient in controlled manner. Diclofenac Sodium is a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The plasma half-life of Diclofenac is 1-2 hrs which increases the dosing frequency and this drug also causes the gastrointestinal irritation. Therefore the purpose of present investigation was to design suitable controlled release Diclofenac Sodium microsponges which can reduce the dosing frequency and gastric irritation. In the present work, Diclofenac Sodium loaded eudragit microsponges were prepared using quasi emulsion solvent diffusion method. Different drug: polymer ratios were used to formulate the microsponges. The compatibility of the drug with polymer was established. Surface morphology of the microsponges was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Production yield, loading efficiency, particle size analysis, and in-vitro release studies were carried out. In-vitro release study showed that the release of drug was in controlled manner and it was increased with increase in drug to polymer ratio up to certain limit.

Nasal mucosa has been considered as a potential administration route to achieve faster and higher levels of drug absorption because it is permeable to more compounds than the gastrointestinal tract. It is an attractive route of administration due to lack of pancreatic and gastric enzymatic activity, neutral pH of the nasal mucus and less dilution by gastrointestinal contents. In-situ gel forming systems have been developed to prolong the nasal residence time of a drug and improve nasal bioavailability. Fexofenadine hydrochloride is one of the most widely used drugs for allergic rhinitis. It is an anti-histaminic and is available in oral dosage forms. The present work is aimed at designing a gel formula for nasal administration. To enhance therapeutic effect of the nasal formulation of fexofenadine hydrochloride pH sensitive polymers were used. Xanthan gum and Carbopol 934 were selected as independent variables in the factorial design. Solubility of the drug in the formulation was enhanced by using Tween 80. Evaluation parameters of the formulation like pH, clarity; rheological study both formulation i.e. solution and performed gel, gelling time, drug content, in-vitro drug diffusion study, stability studies were performed. The formulations so designed shall enhance bioavailability of drug and offer better therapeutic outcomes, offer aesthetically appealing dosage form to increase patient compliance and shall overcome side effects and limitations of other dosage forms of marketed preparations.

A novel, convenient, accurate, precise and reproducible reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography was developed and validated for the estimation of Vilazodone in bulk and pharmaceutical tablet dosage form. Objective was achieved under optimized chromatographic conditions on Shimadzu LC-20AT Prominence Liquid Chromatograph with Welchrom C18 isocratic column, (250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., particle size 5 μm, maintained at ambient temperature), is used as stationary phase. An isocratic mode with mobile phase consisting of Acetonitrile: Water (50:50 v/v), with apparent pH of 3.3, at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/minutes. The effluent was monitored at 240 nm using Shimadzu SPD-20A prominence UV-Vis detector. The retention time of Vilazodone was found to be 4.103 minutes. The linearity range was found to be 1-5 μg/mL with correlation coefficient (R2) is 0.999. Validation parameters such as specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, and robustness, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were evaluated for the method according to the International Conference on Harmonization ICH Q2 (R1) guidelines. The LOD and the LOQ were found to be 0.044 μg/mL and 0.135 μg/mL respectively. Recovery of Vilazodone was found to be in the range of 99.80 % - 99.92 %. The method was validated statistically using the % RSD and the values are found to be within the limits. Therefore this method was conveniently and easily applied for the quantitative determination of Vilazodone in pharmaceutical dosage forms.

Bacopa is the genus in which the Indian medical herb Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) is included, which have been reported to have memory enhancing effect. Bacopa monnieri and Bacopa caroliniana are orthologous in nature. In the present study the effects of ethanolic extract of Bacopa caroliniana on behavioural changes of Albino rats in normal and stress induced rats was investigated. The animals were divided into 3 group’s control, low dose (75mg/kg) and high dose (150mg/kg).Rats in each of these groups were sub divided into 2 groups i.e., with stress and without stress. The animals in stress induced group were forced to swim in a cylindrical vessel containing water at room temperature (28˚c) i.e., chronic mild stress. After the treatment period, the rats of each group were trained on Cooks pole climbing apparatus, Elevated plus maze and on Stair case to assess cognitive improving activities. The results showed improvement in learning performance and enhanced memory retention in rats treated with Bacopa caroliniana extract when compared with control group. The in vitro antioxidant activity was carried out to correlate its protective effect against stress, significant inhibition against DPPH & Nitric oxide radicals were observed with extract in dose dependent manner and the results were compared with that of standard Gallic acid.

Garcinia pedunculata is a medicinal plant commonly known as Amlavetasa, belonging to the family Clusiaceae. The fruit of Garcinia pedunculata were used in the diet as a spice. It has been used as folk remedy in different ailments such as chronic catarrh, asthma, cough, bronchitis, cardiotonicand fever. The present study has been carried out to evaluate the anti inflammatory activity of aqueous extract of fruits of Garcinea pedunculata by carrageenan induced paw edema method. Eighteen healthy wistar albino rats were divided into three different groups of six rats each. Group I administered with normal tap water (5ml/kg) served as normal control. Group II administered with Ibuprofen 100mg/kg served as reference standard and group III administered with aqueous extract of fruits of Garcinea pedunculata(400mg/kg). In Acute oral toxicity study there was no mortality in any dose up to 2000mg/kg. The aqueous extract of fruits of Garcinea pedunculata has shown significant anti inflammatory activity by significantly decrease in the paw volume recorded at three different time interval compared with control group (**p< 0.01). It can be concluded that aqueous extract of fruits of Garcinea pedunculatahas potent anti inflammatory activity and there is a need for further scientific investigation to explore its anti inflammatory activity.

Two simple, sensitive and precise HPTLC and RP-HPLC methods were developed for the estimation of berberine from Coscinium fenestratum, and its formulation. For the determination of berberine by HPTLC method, precoated silicagel 60F254 on aluminium sheets and a mobile phase system comprising of n-butanol: glacial acetic acid : water (8:1:1 % v/v/v ) was selected. After development the plate was scanned and quantified at 350 nm. Linearity was found in the concentration range of 10 to 50 ng/spot (r=0.9992). Limit of detection was found to be 5 ng/spot and limit of quantification was found to be 10 ng/spot. In RP-HPLC method, separation was achieved on a Phenomenex, Luna, C18 column (150 x 4.6mm internal diameter, 5µ particle size) using a mobile phase consisting of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH - 2.5) (A)  : acetonitrile (B), where B was run in gradient programme (20% for 0.01-20min, 50% for 20-25min, 50% for 25-26min, 20% for 26-30min), at a flow rate of 1ml/min and the elute was monitored at 220nm. The calibration curve was obtained in the range of 100 - 500 µg/mL. The slope, intercept and correlation coefficient values were found to be 57588, 6041and 0.9959, respectively. The method was validated in compliance with ICH guidelines. Low relative standard deviation and good % recovery values of both the methods showed that the developed methods were highly precise, accurate and can be employed for the routine analysis of formulations containing berberine.