Nature has been a powerful source of powerful medicines for thousands of years and number of modern drugs has been extracted and exploited from natural sources, for its use in traditional medicine. Traditional herbal medicines have a long history of use and are generally considered to be safer than synthetic drugs. Over 50% of all modern clinical drugs are natural products that play an important role in drug development in pharmaceutical industries. The present communication constitutes a review on the distribution, phytography, medicinal properties and pharmacological actions of Cassia alata and Cassia auriculata. These plants are known to contain various active principles of therapeutic value and to possess biological activity against a number of diseases.

Keywords : Phytography, medicinal properties, pharmacological actions, Cassia alata, Cassia auriculata.

Author : J. Meenupriya, A. Sahaya Vinisha and P. Priya

Title : Cassia alata and Cassia auriculata – Review of their bioactive potential

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1760-1769

The present work offers a review addressing the ethnomedical, active constituents and pharmacological activity of Xylocarpus moluccensis (belonging to Meliaceae family) regarded as one of the most significant plant species in traditional system of medicine. The plant is used in different parts of the world for the treatment of several ailments like diarrhea, fever, dysentery, candidacies, scabies, baby rash, stomach pains, and constipation joint pains, chest pains, and relapsing sickness etc., Xylocarpus moluccensis is the source of a diverse kind of chemical constituents such as swietemahonolide, febrifugin, khayasin T, febrifugin A, gedunin, isolariciresinol, phaseic acid, aromadendrin, 4-hydroxy cinnamic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxyphenylaceticacid, and xylogranatinin. The isolated phytochemicals as well as different extracts exhibited significant biological activities such as antibacterial, anti diabetic, antioxidant activity, antifilarial, anti diarrheal, CNS depressant and cytotoxic activities. Exhaustive research regarding isolation of more phytochemicals and pharmacology study on this medicinal plant is still necessary so as to explore the plant regarding its medicinal importance. Therefore, the aim of this review is to boost up present day researchers in this direction to undertake further investigations of this plant.

Keywords : Xylocarpus moluccensis, Swietemahonolide, Febrifugin, Khayasin T.

Author : Raja S and Ravindranadh K

Title : A complete profile on Xylocarpus moluccensis: traditional uses, pharmacological activities and phytoconstituents

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1770-1777

World Health Organization (WHO) Projects a 170% growth in the number of people with Diabetes in developing countries by 2025. Between 1995 and 2025 the number of the adult population affect by DM in developing countries is projected to grow by 170%, from 84 to 228 million people. By 2025, these countries will be home to 76% of all persons with diabetes, as compared with 62% in 1995. In the same period, the developed world will see a 41% increase, from 51 to 72 million people. Since ancient times, a number of herbal medicines have been used in the treatment of this disease and many studies have been carried out in the search of a suitable plant drug that would be effective in Diabetes mellitus. The associated disadvantages with insulin and oral hypoglycaemic agents have led to stimulation in the research for locating natural resources showing antidiabetic activity. There is increasing demand by patients to use the natural products with antidiabetic activity. A survey of the literature reveals that not much scientific evaluation has been conducted to check the antidiabetic potential of Careya arborea Roxb. So the present study was carried out to evaluate antidiabetic activity of alcoholic extract of bark of Careya arborea Roxb.

Keywords : Careya arborea Roxb, Streptozotocin, diabetic rats, antidiabetic activity.

Author : Wadkar Kiran A, Magdum Chandrakant S

Title : Antidiabetic activity of stem bark of Careya arborea Roxb.

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1778-1784

In a developing country like India, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is on the increase and this has been attributed to life style modification. Use of antidiabetic drugs are the treatment of choice to control this disease. Many brand of pharmaceutical drugs are being used depending upon its efficacy in controlling glucose, but each drug has its effect not only controlling glucose level but altering other organ functions notably liver. Six different oral hypoglycemic agents are being prescribed for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients.viz,sulphonylureas, biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, glinides, thiozolidinediones and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. The aim of this review article is to analyse the merits and demerits of these drugs and its effect on liver function during long time use.

Keywords : Type 2 DM, Antidiabetic drugs, CLD, NAFLD, Metformin

Author : Arun Kumar D, Revathy K and Swaminathan S

Title : Antidiabetic drugs and liver function – An update

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1785-1790

PNEUMONOULTRAMICROSCOPICSILICOVOLCANOCONIOSIS is a largest English word of 45 letters cause silicosis which is a lung disease caused by the inhalation of very fine silica dust, causing inflammation in the lungs!! Silicosis is a chronic lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica dust. Silica is the second most common mineral in the earth's crust. It is a major component of sand, rock and mineral ores like quartz. People who work in jobs where they can be breathing in these tiny silica bits—like sandblasting, mining, construction and many others—are at risk for silicosis. When people breathe silica dust, they inhale tiny particles of silica that has crystallized. This silica dust can cause fluid buildup and scar tissue in the lungs that cuts down your ability to breathe. There are three types of silicosis: Chronic silicosis, the most common type of silicosis, usually occurs after 10 or more years of exposure to crystalline silica at low levels, Accelerated silicosis occurs 5-10 years after exposure and is caused by exposure to higher levels of crystalline silica. Acute silicosis can occur after only weeks or months of exposure to very high levels of crystalline silica. Acute silicosis progresses rapidly and can be fatal within months. It occurs due to: Highway and bridge construction and repair, Building construction, Demolition and repair, Abrasive blasting, Masonry work, Concrete finishing, Drywall finishing, Rock drilling, Mining, Sand and gravel screening and Rock crushing (for road base). Silicosis is chronic and cannot be cured. Treatments ease symptoms and address infections that people with silicosis are prone to getting. Depending on the type of silicosis, people may live for many years or only a few months. Generally, the silica dust affects the lungs ability to work correctly. Each type of silicosis affects the body somewhat differently: In simple chronic silicosis, the silica dust causes areas of swelling in the lungs and chest lymph nodes, which causes breathing difficulty. In accelerated silicosis, swelling in the lungs and symptoms occur faster than in simple silicosis. In acute silicosis, the lungs become very inflamed and can fill with fluid, which causes severe shortness of breath and low blood oxygen levels. Anyone with silicosis may suffer from several complications: Increased risk for lung infections and tuberculosis. Progressive massive fibrosis—severe scarring and stiffening of the lung, which makes it difficult to breathe. Progressive massive fibrosis can occur in either simple or accelerated silicosis, but is more common in the accelerated form with respiratory failure.

Keywords : Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis, volcano, silica, silicosis, chronic simple silicosis, accelerated silicosis, complicated silicosis, acute silicosis, coniosis, scleroderma, SLE, PMF, leukotriene B4, cytokines.

Author : Dhrubo Jyoti Sen, Kinsuk Kalyan Sarker, Clive Dadida and Paul Dhliwayo

Title : Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis: The largest English word of 45 letters causing largest health hazards

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1791-1796

Ulcers are not usually life threatening, however they can cause serious damage which may leads to cancer if untreated. In the present study with the intension of enhancing the array of therapeutic ammonites to treat ulcer a series of thiazolidinone derivatives (4a-4f) were synthesized from substituted Schiff bases with thioglycolic acid in presence of anhydrous zinc chloride. The structures of these synthesized compounds have been characterized on the basis of physical constants, spectral data and evaluated them for their possible antiulcer activity using ethanol induced gastric lesion model. All the compounds studied showed significant antiulcer activity against ethanol induced gastric ulcers. Lansoprazole was used as a standard drug for comparison and the Compound 4f protected animals from ethanol induced ulcers at the dose of 300 mg/kg, which is comparable to that of standard drug lansoprazole (300 mg/kg).

Keywords : Thiazolidinone, Antiulcer activity, Ethanol induced gastric lesion model, Lansoprazole

Author : Shalini B, Chaluvaraju KC, Ramachandra Setty S, Zaranappa, Pavithra G

Title : Synthesis and pharmacological study of substituted amino-N-(4-oxo-2-phenyl-1,3-thiazolidin-3-yl)acetamides

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1797-1802

Bioadhesive drug delivery system utilizes the property bioadhesion of certain water soluble polymers which become adhesive on hydration and hence can be used for targeting a drug to a particular region of the body for extended period of time. It has a rich blood supply that drains directly into the jugular vein, thus by passing the liver and sparing the drug from first pass metabolism. Ease of drug delivery even in unconscious patients those who are permitted nothing by mouth. The development of mucoadhesive buccal films has increased dramatically over the past decade because it is a promising delivery alternative to various therapeutic classes including peptides, vaccines and nanoparticles. The “film casting process” involves casting of aqueous solutions and/or organic solvents to yield films suitable for this administration route. Over the last decade, hot-melt extrusion has been explored as an alternative manufacturing process and has yielded promising results. Characterization of critical properties such as the mucoadhesive strength, drug content uniformity, and permeation rate represent the major research areas in the design of buccal films. The objective of this article is to review buccal drug delivery of patches (films) by discussing buccal mucosa and characterization of mucoadhesive buccal patch.

Keywords : Buccal drug delivery, Mucoadhesion, Buccal patch, Oral mucosa

Author : Chhote Lal Singh, Namita Srivastava, Munish Garg Monga, Amit Singh

Title : A review: Buccal buccoadhesive drug delivery system

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1803-1807

Massenrenpuluis an area thatstillmaintainsthe cultureof traditionalmedicineandthe use ofspices. Cemba(Acacia rugata(Lam.) Fawc. Rendle) is an endemic plantin Enrekangand is arareplantin South Sulawesi. By community Enrekang, Cemba leaves are used as spice, but it is also used to neutralize the fat from the meat so as not to cause hypertension, so the potentialis very large plant for the treatmentof hypertension or hyperglycemia. The aims of this study are to determine how to manufacture the simplisia and standardized extracts of Cemba leaves and to know the parameter and the term of raw material quality standard of traditional medicine cemba leaves (Acacia rugata (Lam.) Fawc. Rendle). The research method used was experimental. Preparation of extracts with sonicator method used methanol solvent. The extract quality requirements consists of inspection of common standard parameter and specific standard parameter based on the requirement of Indonesian Herbal Pharmacopeia. Based on the results of study of simplisia characterization and methanolic extract of Cemba (Acacia rugata (Lam.) Fawc. Rendle) leaves, it met with the quality requirement as raw material for traditional medicine.

Keywords : Acacia rugata (Lam.) Fawc. Rendle), cemba, Massenrenpulu, standarization.

Author : Aktsar Roskiana Ahmad, Andi Amaliah Dahlia, Rachmat Kosman

Title : Standardization of simplisia and methanolic extract of cemba (acacia rugata (lam.) fawc. rendle) leaves endemic plant from Massenrenpulu regency of enrekang

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1808-1812

The aim of the present study was to develop a pH sensitive gastroretentive drug delivery system for an anti diabetic drug pioglitazone HCl based on gas formation technique using 32 factorial design, in order to prolong the gastric residence time and increase the overall bioavailability of the dosage form, since the absorption is erratic in diabetic patients. The system consists of the drug loaded pellets which is coated with two different layers, inner layer of effervescent material (sodium bicarbonate) and an outermost layer of gas-entrapped sustained release polymeric membrane (Chitosan: Eudragit S100). The time to float increased as the coating level of gas-entrapped polymeric membrane increased. The optimum system could float completely within 2 min and maintained the buoyancy for a period of 12 h. Both the rapid floating and the sustained release properties were achieved in the multiparticulate drug delivery system developed in this present study.

Keywords : Pellets, pH sensitive, gastroretentive, pioglitazone HCl, factorial design.

Author : Gowrav M. P, Shivakumar H. G and Vishal Gupta N

Title : Design and evaluation of pH sensitive multi-particulate systems for chronotherapeutic delivery of pioglitazone hydrochloride

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1813-1821

A new HPLC method was developed and validated for the determination of Emtricitabine, Tenofovir disoproxyl fumarate, Cobicistat, Elvitegravir in tablet dosage form. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Inertsil ODS 3V(4.0 x 250mm, 5m,) with a mobile phase combination of 0.1%TFA and Acetonitrile in gragient mode employing at a flow rate of 1.2 ml/min, and the detection was carried out by using UV detector at 242 nm. The total run time was 12 minutes. The retention time of Emtricitabine, Tenofovir disoproxyl fumarate, Cobicistat, Elvitegravir were found to be 3.43 min., 4.75 min., 5.27, and 7.56 min. respectively. The performance of the method was validated according to the present ICH guidelines.

Keywords : Emtricitabine, Tenofovir disoproxyl fumarate, Cobicistat, Elvitegravir

Author : Putchakayala Purnachandra Rao, Dondeti Mogili Reddy and D. Ramachandran

Title : Stability indicating HPLC method for simultaneous estimation of emtricitabine, tenofovir disoproxyl fumarate, cobicistat and elvitegravir in pharmaceutical dosage form

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1822-1829

A new HPLC method was developed and validated for the determination of HCTZ, Amlodipine, Valsartan in tablet dosage form. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Inertsil ODS 3V(4.0 X 100mm, 5) with a mobile phase combination of 0.1% TFA buffer and Acetonitrile (gradient) at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min, and the detection was carried out by using UV detector at 251nm. The total run time was 10 minutes. The retention time of HCTZ, Amlodipine, Valsartan were found to be 1.58 min., 3.28min., and 5.65 min. respectively. The performance of the method was validated according to the present ICH guidelines.

Keywords : HPLC, Hydrochlorothioazide, Amlodipine and valsartan

Author : Dondeti Mogili Reddy, Putchakayala Purnachandra Rao, and D. Ramachandran

Title : Stability indicating HPLC method for simultaneous estimation of hydrochlorothioazide, amlodipine and valsartan in pharmaceutical dosage form

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1830-1836

Fourteen medicinal plants Clerodendron inerme, Chorisia speciosa, Eucalyptus melliodora, Dodonaea viscose, Myosotis sp., Olea europaea, Myrtus communis, Rhamnus sp. Sesbania sesban, Hevea brasiliensis Callistemon viminali Carissa macrocarpas, Thymus vulgaris and Peganum harmal were selected from Uneversity of technology gardens from April – June 2013. Qualitative and quantitative analysis was conducted for aqueous and alcoholic extract. Total protein, carbohydrates, alkaloids, phenols, steroids and terpens were determined in both extracts beside of pH value and extraction rates that investigated. From findings the pH value in watery extracts were higher than ethanol extracts in mean 6.4±1.2 while in ethanol extracts reach to 5±0.56, the extraction ratio mean in the watery was 11.7±3.7 while in ethanol was 16.7±4.7. Total protein in both type of extraction also varies in aqueous extraction the mean reach to 438 while in ethanol was 260.14 in significant difference at P≤0.05. from findings we can also note that ethanol 70% has high ability to release most component of examined plants while aqueous extraction have high ability to release the protein components of studied plants.

Keywords : phytochemical, medicinal plants, Extraction ratio, alkaloids, University of Technology

Author : Rana R. Al-Ani, Azhar M. Haleem

Title : Phytochemical analysis of some Iraqi medicinal plants

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1837-1840

A simple and sensitive UV spectrophotometric method has been developed and validated for the estimation of metformin hydrochloride in tablet formulation. Metformin hydrochloride is determined spectrophotometrically at 232 nm using distilled water as solvent. It obeyed Beer's law in the range of 2-10 μg/ml. Percentage recovery of the drug for the proposed method ranged from 102-105% indicating no interference of the tablet excipients. The proposed method was found to be accurate and precise for routine estimation of metformin hydrochloride in bulk and pharmaceutical formulation.

Keywords : Metformin hydrochloride, UV Spectrophotometric, Estimation

Author : Ambadas R. Rote, Ravindranath B. Saudagar

Title : Estimation of Metformin Hydrochloride by UV Spectrophotometric Method in Pharmaceutical Formulation

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1841-1845

Over the years, the biological activities of medicinal plants and their compounds have gained considerable research interest due to their specific functional compounds, The novel long chain aliphatic hydroxyl ketones reported from medicinal plants over the past years are increasingly being recognized as new active compounds. The extraction of such active compounds have also attracted special attention recent years. Potent biologically active long chain aliphatic hydroxy ketones, from medicinal plants have been shown to play significant role towards prevention of degenerative diseases such as cancer, inflammation, arthritis, diabetes, parkinson’s disease, alzheimer’s disease, and certain other neurodegenerative disorders. The novel chemical entities drived from medicinal plants as active components for can be used in many industrial applications such as functional foods, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. This review intends to explore such thirty eight long chain aliphatic hydroxy ketones isolated from twenty one different medicinal plants during last fifty years (1960 – 2010) for their possible application as anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant activites.

Keywords : Hydroxy ketones, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant

Author : Chandan Prasad, Vimal Kumar, H.S. Pandey, R. M. Srivastava, Kamal Kumar and R. B. Srivastava

Title : Long chain aliphatic hydroxy ketones isolated from biological active plant sources during last 50 Years

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1846-1863

Artemisia annua is a medicinal plant native to China and well known for its antiplasmodial, antirheumatic and anticancer properties. The acute toxicity, phytochemical screening and elemental analysis of hexane extract of A.annua were investigated. 1000, 2000, 2500mg/kg of the hexane leaf extract A. annua were administered intraperitoneally to the test groups while distilled water was given to the control group. The parameters measured were food and fluid intake, urine and fecal output and hemaetological parameters. The lethal dose ( LD50)of the extract was 2750mg/kg body weight, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids andterpenes were the bioactive compounds detected. The elemental contents included sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc aluminium and silver. The hexane extract of A. annua decreased both food and fluid intake but increased urine and fecal output. Significant changes in some of the hemaetological parameters were also elicited by the extract. This study has shown the toxicity characteristics of the hexane extract of the A. annua leaves in short time treatment with the extract.

Keywords : Artemisia annua, Acute toxicity, Phytochemicals, Elemental analysis, Haematology

Author : Emmanuel Anebi Ogbole, IdyuIsaiah, Timothy Ogundeko, Adedayo F. Asalu, Modupe Builders, John Aguiyi

Title : Acute toxicity studies of locally cultivated Artemisia annua leaf extract in Rats

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1864-1870

To establish the standardization parameters for complete pharmacognostic evaluation of aerial parts of Portulaca grandiflora (P. grandiflora) Hook (Portulaceae) an important herb in Indian medicinal system. Present study was carried out by performing some parameters such as morphological, microscopical, physicochemical evaluation, florescence analysis; preliminary phytochemical analysis, thin layer chromatographic study and antimicrobial potential of alcoholic extract of P. grandiflora were carried out. Macroscopically the leaves are fleshy leaves, watery, needle shape. Flowers are racemes form; fruits are ovoid with small black colored seed. Chemomicroscopy revealed the presence of Rubiaceous stomata in leaf; Rosette calcium oxalate crystals and protoplast in mesophyll of leaf, cortex and pith of stem and root; pink colored cuticle of stem, collateral vascular bundle with lignified xylem, abundant of starch grains and mucilaginous cells in all aerial parts. Physicochemical evaluation used to determined numerical standards showed a results with total ash (14.5±0.05%), acid insoluble ash (5.24±0.01%), water soluble ash (3.28±0.02%), sulphated ash (10.2±0.05%), ethanol soluble extractive (18.6±0.02%), water soluble extractive (2.7±0.03%), moisture content (24.0±0.02%), swelling index (4.60 ml) and total crude fiber content(48.36±0.05%) in powder of stem. Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloid, steroids, Triterpenoids, flavonoid, tannins, and carbohydrates. The total flavonoid content in alcoholic extract was found to be 0.094 mg/mg. The alcoholic extract of herbs showed significant inhibition of microorganisms. The results of the study can serve as a valuable source of information and provide suitable standards for the identification of this plant material in future investigation and application.

Keywords : Portulaca grandiflora, Pharmacognostic study, physicochemical analysis, Preliminary phytochemical evaluation, Antibacterial activity.

Author : Shinde P. R, Wagh K. R, Patil P. S, Bairagi V. A

Title : Pharmacognostic standardization and antibacterial potential of aerial herbs of Portulaca grandiflora Hooker (Portulaceae)

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1871-1885

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is so far thought to be an auto-immune disease. This disease has revealed characteristics regarding predisposing factors. One of the genetic predisposing factors is thought to be HLA-DR3 and DR4 genes. The present study aimed at investigating the frequencies of (Human Leukocyte Antigen) HLA-DR3&DR4 genes in a group of 64 Iraqi patients, in whom the T1DM has been already diagnosed and compared to a group of apparently healthy (control group N= 32) individuals. The Real-time PCR was used for the HLA-genes in all members of the study. On the context of genotyping of HLA- allele, DR3 and DR4 were found to be different in their frequencies significantly among T1DM patients that creating high etiological fraction of 0.404 and 0.707 respectively compared to healthy controls, with odd ratio (OR) 4.61 for DR3 and high OR for DR4 26.73. This allele, occurred in high frequencies of the two genes in T1DM patients, was high significantly different between patients group for DR3 compared to healthy group which 51.6% and 18.8% respectively, and very high significantly different between patients group for DR4 compared to healthy group which 73.4% and 9.4% respectively, and both DR3&DR4 also occurred in high significantly difference which 43.8% and 6.3% respectively in T1DM and healthy control group.

Keywords : T1DM, HLA, DR3, DR4, Gene, Alleles, Real-time PCR.

Author : Mueen H. Hantoosh, Hammadi A. Al-Hilaly and Ferdous A. Jabir

Title : The Study of Frequencies of HLA-DR3 and DR4 Among Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1886-1892

Calamus leptospadix Griff. belongs to the family Arecaceae, is a very important cluster forming small gregarious cane grown in different parts of the world. Tender shoots of C. leptospadix are used in food and have got medicinal value in addition to its predominant use in the furniture industry. Antioxidant properties of the three extract viz. methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extract of tender shoots of C. leptospadix were evaluated in this study. DPPH, H2O2 scavenging activity, reducing power assay and total phenolic and flavonoids content analysis were carried out. We found that the in methanolic and ethanolic extract of tender shoots of C. leptospadix possess the antioxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner. The total phenolic contents were found to be 79.56 µg GAE in 1mg of methanolic extract and 34.63 µg GAE in 1mg of ethanolic extract. Flavonoids were found to be and 162.33 and 150.62 µg quercetin equivalents in 1mg of methanolic extract and ethanolic extract respectively which contributes to its antioxidant properties. Aqueous extract showed less antioxidant properties as compared to methanolic and ethanolic extract.

Keywords : Calamus leptospadix, antioxidant, DPPH, H2O2, phenolic, flavonoids.

Author : Bitupon Borah, Reshma Ahmed, Dibyojyoti Baruah, Debojit Kumar Sarmah, Sawlang Borsingh Wann and Brijmohan Singh Bhau

Title : In-vitro antioxidant activity of tender shoot of Calamus leptospadix Griff.

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1893-1900

Recent microorganisms have developed resistance to existing available antibiotics, thereby thriving to an emerging need for new generation of antibiotics. Since seaweeds provide a rich source of bioactive molecules, the present study aimed to investigate its antibacterial potential against clinically important microorganism. Red seaweed namely Gracilaria corticata collected from different coastal regions of Gulf Of Mannar Sea shore, Thoothukudi, India were used. For microbiological testing of the seaweed extracts, agar disc diffusion method was used. The zone of inhibition was measured for all the different crude algal extracts against eight strains of microorganisms including four Gram positive bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus pneumonia, Enterococcus faecalis and four Gram negative bacteria including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis and Salmonella typhi that cause diseases in human beings, animals and plants. Crude extracts prepared from Acetone, Chloroform, Ethanol and Methanol extraction procedures revealed that methanol extraction procedure have a wide range of antibacterial activity against all the test pathogens. The overall antibacterial activity assessed from the above results indicates the presence of active constituents in the extractions of seaweeds which can be explored for the production of significant molecules which could be used in pharmaceutical industry.

Keywords : Gracilaria corticata, Red seaweed, Solvent Extracts, Antimicrobial activity

Author : Balasankar.T and A. Pushparaj

Title : Antimicrobial activity of red seaweed Gracilaria corticata against human pathogenic bacterial strains

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1901-1904

To find out the efficacy of phytoconstituents in Cordia retusa (Vahl.) Masam for its inhibition action against CYP17 using computational molecular docking studies. Clinically, Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by menstural irregularities, hyperinsulinaemia, hyperandrogenism and long term metabolic disturbances. CYP 17 (P450c 17 α) is a key enzyme for adrenal and ovarian androgen synthesis. Hyperandrogenism in PCOS is due to increased activity of P450c 17 α. The inhibition of this enzyme can help to prevent excess androgen synthesis in theca cells. Previous reports revealed that the presence of fourteen compounds in ethanolic extract of aerial parts of C. retusa by using GC-MS analysis. Here molecular docking studies were performed for all fourteen compounds along with commercially known fertility drug Clomifene citrate against P450c 17 α using Schrodinger Glide software. All the compounds showed moderate to potent inhibition at a range of -3.4 to -7.8. Especially, compounds such as 1-Iodo-2-methylundecane and 2(1H)Naphthalenone,3,5,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-4,8a-dimethyl-6-(1-methylethenyl) were found to be potent with a docking score of -7.8 and -6.6 respectively. The results revealed that the ability of compounds present in C. retusa can diminish the action of P450c 17 α, which effected in reducing the hypersecretion of androgen. This study will help to design and develop more potent natural compounds for PCOS.

Keywords : G- score, In silico, P450c 17 α, PCOS.

Author : Murugesan Amudha, Shanmugham Rani

Title : Molecular docking on the phytoconstituents of Cordia Retusa (Vahl) masam for its anti- infertility activity

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1905-1909

This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effect of Moringa oleifera (MO) aqueous leaves extract against the damage induced by the sweetener aspartame (AM) on brain monoamines, oxidative stress and creatine kinase (CK) in adult male albino rats. AM and MO was administered (75 and 500 mg/ Kg body weight) as a daily oral dose, respectively. Rats were divided into five groups; namely, saline control (Sc), AM, Protection (Pr), Improvement (Im) and treatment (Tr). Results showed a diminishing neurotransmitters, total antioxidant capacity levels and catalase and CK activities with a compatibility with increase in the malondilaldehyde level in the AM administered groups. The groups of rats administered MO extract by different routes of administration (Pr, Im or Tr designs) exerted a beneficial effect on all parameters. Whereas, the rats administered AM and MO under the Tr design had the significantly highest values of all the estimated parameters (P<0.01) compared with the other experimental groups (Pr and Im).The aqueous leaves extract of MO administration could trigger the damage induced in brain of rats induced by AM.

Keywords : aspartame, Moringaoleifera, neurotransmitters, brain creatine kinase, brain oxidative stress

Author : Heba Barakat , Gehan S. Moram, Nahla H. Ali

Title : The ameliorative role of Moringa oleifera on the abnormalities induced by aspartame in rats: I. Monoamine neurotransmitters and oxidative stress levels in the rat brain

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1910-1916

Medication package inserts are the most available and accessible sources of written medication information to patients. To assess the Sudanese patients’ knowledge, attitude and perception towards written medication information in package inserts. One thousand (1000) patients were addressed with a questionnaire composed of nineteen (n=19) questions. The demographic characteristics of the respondents, showed dominance (89%) of young, males (64.4%), with high educational level. Respondents were keen to read package inserts (71.1%). Respondents' reading was significantly correlated to their age and educational levels (p 0.005, 0.000) respectively. Written medication information was difficult to understand for (35.3%) of respondents. Language (18.2%), technical terminology (20.4%), and font size (10.3%), were cited as the main barriers for understanding. Doctors and pharmacists provided verbal medication information to patients in (40.8%), and (57.8. %) of encounters, respectively. Respondents most needed medication information particulars were how to use it, side effects and contraindications. Respondents practiced medications cross - treatment, stopped and/or decreased medication dose after reading package inserts. Those practices were significantly correlated to respondents’ reading of package inserts (p 0.028 and 0.034) respectively. Package inserts texts' language, technical terminology, were main barriers for patients' understandability of written medication information.

Keywords : written, medication, information, patients, package inserts , usefulness

Author : Kamal Addin Mohammad Ahmad Idris, Mirghani Abdulrahman Yousif, Abdalla Omer Elkhawad

Title : Sudanese patients' knowledge, attitude and perception regarding written medication information in package inserts

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1917-1924

The Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is ubiquitous and infects almost more than half of population of the world that may lead to gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcer and gastric cancer. Concerning 10% of all infected people develop stomach ulcer, 2-3% develop stomach cancer and less than 0.1% develop another type of gastric tumor called mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). The present study is about to find the seroprevalance of H. pylori among dyspeptic patients and correlation of H. pylori positive subjects with their clinical data, signs and symptoms. The study was conducted at Saidu Teaching Hospital Swat, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan and a prospective clinical data interpretation was based on the diagnostic seropositivity tests for H. pylori. The inclusion criterion was dyspepsia, based on symptoms and while excluding the dyspeptic patients with antibiotics treatment. A total of 117 subjects were evaluated on a rapid immune chromatography test using Acon test device (Acon labarotories, USA). In the screening study 40 patients were positive for H. pylori with prevalence of 34.18%. The predominant signs and symptoms found among positive subjects were abdominal pain, heart burn and vomiting. The prevalence of H. Pylori among dyspeptic patients of Swat is low as compared to other parts of Pakistan.

Keywords : H. pylori, Gastric Ulcer, Gastric Cancer

Author : Jafar Khan, Abdul Wahab, Ameenullah, Ilyas Kahn, Uzair Afaq

Title : Seroprevalence of Helicobacter Pylori infection among dyspeptic patients of Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1925-1929

Illicit drug use has become an increasing public health and social concern in the past decades worldwide. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS, associated with intravenous drug use (IDU) and needle sharing to a large extent, has become one of most stunning tragedies in human history. A descriptive and analytical study was conducted to find out the human immunodeficiency virus/ (HIV) acquired immunodeficiency syndrome amongst the intravenous drug users (IDU’s). The data of intravenous drug users (IDU’s) was collected from DHQ hospital Kohat through questionnaire. A rapid test using Immuno chromatographic techniques (ICT) for HIV screening was done and the positive patients were referred for confirmatory diagnosis on PCR. Among the 105 injection drug users 100% were male with median age 32 years, of which 55.24% were married, in which majority of the drug users were illiterate (57.14%). 50.47% of the subjects were jobless. This disease is spreading continuously without knowing the extent of transmission; therefore stringent strategies must be evolved and implemented for the prevention and control, otherwise with the alarming degree of propensity the AIDS in Pakistan may raise to higher proportion with higher endemicity ratio.

Keywords : immunodeficiency virus, Intravenous, syndrome, transmission

Author : Jafar khan, Abdul Wahab, Nafisa Tahir, Adil Abbasi, Qazi Tahir Uddin

Title : Incidence of HIV infection amongst intravenous drug users in the Urban and Peri-Urban areas of Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1930-1933

The purpose of this study was to develop a monolayer elementary osmotic tablet of Verapamil Hydrochloride. The drug candidate selected under the study is Verapamil hydrochloride, a calcium channel blocking agent used in the treatment of angina pectoris, hypertension and cardiac arrhythmia. Verapamil Hydrochloride has a short elimination half-life; this will bring down its dosing frequency to once a day and on the same time make a zero order release system. Tablets were prepared by using controlled release polymers. The formulations were evaluated for pharmacopoeial quality control tests and all the physical parameters evaluated were within the acceptable limits. Formulation M12 was proved to be good drug content, dimensional stability and drug release up to 24 h as compared to the other formulations. Stability studies were carried out on the optimized formulation M12 for period of 3 months at 400c/75 %RH. Finally it was observed that there was no change in physiochemical and physical properties as well as in drug release profile even after storage at 45 °C and 75 % for three months.

Keywords : Verapamil hydrochloride, dimensional stability, elementary osmotic tablet, stability study.

Author : Sancheti Vikram Nirmal, Chordiya Mayur Ashok, K. Senthilkumaran

Title : Development of monolayer elementary osmotic tablet of verapamil hydrochoride

Volume/Issue : 2014;2(12)

Page No : 1934-1940