ABSTRACT

The objective of the present investigation was to determine the anthelmintic and antimicrobial activity of petroleum etherextract of the leaves of Mikania micrantha HBK. Anthelmintic activity of this extract was evaluated on Indian adult earthworms,Pheretima posthuma, and exhibited a dose dependent inhibition of spontaneous motility (paralysis), and evoked responses to pinprick,and the effects were comparable with that of piperazine citrate. The extract were also assayed for antimicrobial activityagainst various Gram positive organisms such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis, and Gramnegative organisms such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas vulgaris, Salmonella typhi, and fungal strains Aspergillus niger, andCandida albicans. Antimicrobial activity was conducted by the agar well diffusion method. The extract showed varies levels ofantimicrobial activity on different test microorganisms. Future studies are in process to isolate the active principles responsible forthe activity.

Keywords: Petroleum ether extract, Mikania micrantha HBK. (Asteraceae), Antimicrobial activity, Anthelmintic activity, Leaves.

ABSTRACT

Nature always stands as a golden mark to exemplify the outstanding phenomenon of symbiosis. The history of herbalmedicines is as old as human civilization. Many herbal remedies have been employed in various medicinal systems for thetreatment and management of different ailments. Euphorbia nivulia Buch. – Ham. a member of Euphorbiaceae family is a wild,thorny, xerophytic, succulent plant, commonly used in fencing of the agricultural field and also in dry barren areas. It has differentbiological activities for the treatment of several ailments of human being. It possesses antimicrobial, wound healing, haemostatic,larvicidal, insecticidal, nematicidal and cytotoxic activity. Chemically, it contains terpenes, glycoproteins, phytoelements andphytochemicals. This article provides informative data on ethnobotanical importance and bioprospecting of Euphorbia nivuliaBuch. - Ham.

Keywords: Euphorbia nivulia, Biological activities, Traditional uses.

ABSTRACT

The present study was aimed to evaluate the anti diabetic - activity potential of Gardenia taitensis leaves againststreptozotocin (STZ) induced experimental rats. Ethanolic extract of leaves of Gardenia taitensis was administered tostreptozotocin induced rats. Glibenclamide was used as a standard drug. Blood glucose levels were determined after oraladministration of a dose of Gardenia taitensis (400 mg/kg b. wt) in diabetic groups. Blood glucose levels were determined on 0,7th, 14th and 21st day after oral administration of ethanolic extracts of Gardenia taitensis (400 mg/kg). An ethanolic extract ofGardenia taitensis was found to reduce blood sugar in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Reduction in blood sugar could be seenfrom 7th day after continuous administration of the extract. The effect of extracts of Gardenia taitensis on serum lipid profile likeTotal cholesterol, triglycerides, low density, very low density and high density lipoprotein were also measured in the diabetic andnon diabetic rats. There was significant reduction in Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and improvement inHDL cholesterol in diabetic rats. These results indicated that Gardenia taitensis possesses a hypoglycemic and hypolipidemiceffect.

Key words: Gardenia taitensis, Glibenclamide, Hypoglycemia, Hypolipidemic, Streptozotocin.

ABSTRACT

Gardenia taitensis is a medium sized evergreen tree belongs to Rubiaceae family. The petroleum ether extract of wholeplant of Gardenia taitensis (PGT) was investigated for the evaluation of anti- inflammatory and analgesic activity. Acute toxicitystudies were performed as per OECD-423 guidelines. Toxicity signs and symptoms were not observed. Anti-inflammatory activitywas established by carrageenan induced paw edema and cotton pellet induced granuloma at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg.Analgesic activity was carried out by tail immersion method in mice. The activity may be due to the presence of steroids in theextract. The extract exhibited significant analgesic and anti- inflammatory activity, which supports the traditional utilization of theplant. This study established analgesic and anti- inflammatory activity of the whole plant of Gardenia taitensis.

Key words: Gardenia taitensis, anti- inflammatory, analgesic, edema, granuloma.

ABSTRACT

Drug delivery systems (DDS) that can precisely control the release rates or target drugs to a specific body site have anenormous impact on the health care system. Carrier technology offers an intelligent approach for drug delivery by coupling thedrug to a carrier particle such as microsphere, nanoparticles etc, which modulates the release and absorption characteristics of thedrug. Microspheres/microparticles constitute an important part of this particulate drug delivery system by virtue of their small sizeand efficient carrier characteristics. These delivery systems offer numerous advantages compared to conventional dosage forms,which include improved efficacy, reduced toxicity, improved patient compliance and convenience. Such systems often usemacromolecules as carriers for the drugs. The present review highlights several carriers used in the preparation of microparticles,preparation methods of microparticles, their release mechanisms, evaluation parameters, their advantages and applications.Therefore microparticles open up new vistas of research in the development of novel drug delivery systems. Drug delivery systems(DDS) that can precisely control the release rates or target drugs to a specific body site have an enormous impact on the health caresystem. Carrier technology offers an intelligent approach for drug delivery by coupling the drug to a carrier particle such asmicrosphere, nanoparticles etc, which modulates the release and absorption characteristics of the drug.Microspheres/microparticles constitute an important part of this particulate drug delivery system by virtue of their small size andefficient carrier characteristics. These delivery systems offer numerous advantages compared to conventional dosage forms, whichinclude improved efficacy, reduced toxicity, improved patient compliance and convenience. Such systems often usemacromolecules as carriers for the drugs. The present review highlights several carriers used in the preparation of microparticles,preparation methods of microparticles, their release mechanisms, evaluation parameters, their advantages and applications.Therefore microparticles open up new vistas of research in the development of novel drug delivery systems.

KEY WORDS: Microparticles, Controlled drug delivery, Polymers, Microencapsulation techniques.