Wendlandia glabrata DC. (Family: Rubiaceae), locally known as “Bon Kafashi” in Bangladesh, is widely used as functional food in Indian subcontinent, where its tender shoots are believed to control blood sugar and reduce obesity. However, this plant has not been substantially studied in Bangladesh, and therefore it was selected for phyto-pharmacological investigations. The plant’s methanolic extract, along with its Kupchan fractions, were assessed for in-vitro antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic and membrane stabilizing and in vivo analgesic, antidiarrheal and hypoglycemic properties. Four compounds, namely ursolic acid (1), β-sitosterol (2) stigmasterol (3) and lauric acid (4) were isolated and characterized from the n-hexane fractions by employing gel permeation chromatography and preparative TLC and NMR spectroscopy. All these compounds are first time reported from this species. The total phenolic content of the extract and its fractions was found in a range of 23.98±0.65 to 80.74±2.08 mg of GAE/gm of extractives. In DPPH assay, DCM fraction exhibited the highest antioxidant efficacy with an IC50 value of 14.29 µg/ml, in comparison to standard BHT (IC50=13.56 µg/ml). The DCM solubles also showed the strongest cytotoxic activity (LC50 = 0.77 μg/mL) which was comparable to standard vincristine sulphate (LC50 = 0.58 μg/mL). Different solvent fractions exhibited thrombolytic activity ranging from 24.84% to 38.32%. Out of all, the methanolic extract showed considerable membrane stabilizing properties in hemolysis mediated by hypotonic solution and heat. The methanol extract showed weak analgesic activity as evident by acetic acid-induced writhing test. In castor oil-mediated diarrhea, the extract did not show potential antidiarrheal efficacy. The extract exhibited significant effect in the hypoglycemic test at 400 mg/kg, which decrease blood glucose levels by 24.82% (p < 0.01) and 27.35% (p < 0.05) during the 2nd and 3rd hour of study, respectively. Based on the findings, W. glabrata may be a viable source of potentially active secondary metabolites. Additional research should be undertaken for utilizing this plant in drug discovery and development. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(2): 298-309, 2026 (July)
The development of various probiotic pharmaceutical dosage forms is gaining considerable attention owing to the emerging recognition of probiotics. Probiotics, live microorganisms which confer a health benefit on the host, when administered in adequate amounts, have emerged as important ingredients in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations. Successful formulation of probiotic dosage forms depends largely on selecting well-characterized and physiologically compatible microbial strains. The common sources are fermented foods, the human gastrointestinal tract, dairy products, plants, and other natural habitats. However, translating these natural isolates into stable and effective formulations still poses overwhelming challenges. The major concerns are strain-specific functionality, safety assessment, large-scale cultivation, and viability of the cells while processing, formulation, and storage. Moreover, environmental factors such as heat, moisture, and oxygen that cause deterioration in probiotics make their formulation into solid and liquid dosage forms complicated. Future directions emphasize sustainable sourcing, advanced protection systems based on microencapsulation and nanotechnology, and the search for novel probiotic sources. The present review covers the sources of probiotics, discusses the limitations in developing the dosage forms, and outlines some prospective strategies to overcome these future challenges for improved therapeutic efficacy and commercial success. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(2): 310-323, 2026 (July)
The study was undertaken to formulate and analyze repaglinide loaded liposomes to obtain a sustained release dosage form over an extended period of time. All the formulations were prepared by thin film hydration method one of the suitable methods for preparing liposomes. Different formulations were designed to observe the effect of lecithin, cholesterol, nigella oil, stearylamine, Tween 80, Span 80, and sodium lauryl sulfate on percent of drug entrapment efficiency, cumulative drug release, permeation through the membrane, stability, and uniformed vesicular structure, respectively. Microscopic observation was performed to confirm the presence of liposomal vesicles, in vitro dissolution study and ex vivo permeability studies were carried out according to USP-II paddle method in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) for a period of 8 hours. Additionally, comparison between the formulated liposomes was performed to ensure sustained release characteristics of liposomal formulations. Stability study was executed by storing formulations under different environmental conditions for a period of 30 days. Visual observation under optical microscope displayed the presence of unilamellar liposomal vesicles formed by thin film hydration method. The percent drug entrapment efficiency of conventional liposomes was found to be highest for the formulation F-10 (73 .26%) with a ratio of 1:0.44 (phosphatidylcholine: cholesterol). Addition of tween 80 and span 80 to the formulations, stabilized liposomes which exhibited higher entrapment efficiencies for formulations F-24 (81.43%), F-29 (78.98%) and F-34 (89.67%) compared to non-ionic surfactants free liposomes. The drug release of repaglinide from conventional liposomes was found to be 96.23% at the 8th hour. For non-ionic surfactants incorporated liposomes, 84.52% drug release obtained for the formulation F-34 at the 8th hour from which it can be predicted that non-ionic surfactants incorporated liposomes can prolong drug release for more than 10 hours. The best data fitted with the highest correlation coefficient for liposomes was obtained for zero order kinetic models and the drug release was mostly by super class II diffusion transport for most of the formulations. Results from the stability study showed that the drug leakage from the vesicles was least when non-ionic surfactant was incorporated into the formulations and among the three storage conditions, all the liposomal formulations were found to be most stable at refrigeration temperature (2-8°C). Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(2): 161-171, 2026 (July)
This study comprehensively investigated Boerhavia repens (Family: Nyctaginaceae) to assess its biological potentials. Hexane (BRH), chloroform (BRC), ethyl acetate (BRE) and aqueous (BRA) fractions were obtained by fractionating the crude methanolic extract (BRX) using the modified Kupchan method. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties were investigated in vitro, while analgesic, anti-diarrheal and CNS depressive effects were evaluated in vivo using mouse models. BRE demonstrated significant antioxidant activity (IC50 = 1.38 μg/ml), outperforming standard BHT (1.75 μg/ml) in free radical scavenging assay and yielded total phenolic content (4.29 mg GAE/g extract), in contrast to gallic acid. Compared to standard acetylsalicylic acid (88.67% and 89.91%), BRH showed notable anti-inflammatory effects (79.64% and 61.27% inhibition) in hemolysis induced by temperature and hypotonic solution. On Vero cells, no fractions showed any signs of cytotoxicity. BRX-400 (400 mg/kg) had significant dose-dependent analgesia with a pain inhibition of 63.75% contrasting to that of standard diclofenac (66.49%) in acetic acid-induced writhing test. In the formalin test, BRX-400 exhibited greater analgesic efficacy in the chronic phase (70.41%) than in the acute phase (50.58%), while diclofenac produced 83.70% and 94.91% inhibition, respectively. Similar to diclofenac (55.67-89.0%), BRX-400 retained sustained analgesia (51.67-82.0%) in the hot plate test and showed comparable outcomes in the tail immersion test (26.18-58.86% vs 22.40-52.21%, respectively). The fractions showed no discernible antidiarrheal effect. Strong, dose-dependent CNS depression was demonstrated by the extracts; in thiopentalinduced sleep and hole-cross tests, BRX-400 presented 254.98% and 45.83–84.99% effect, respectively, comparable to standard diazepam (265.92% and 20.83-79.72%). All data were statistically significant (p<0.05). Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(1): 81-92, 2026 (January)
Chalcones are conjugated 1,3-unsaturated ketones that have a variety of pharmacological properties, such as antidiabetic, antioxidant and anticancer actions. Current study showed that, a chalcone, (E)-1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-one (1) was synthesized by reacting benzaldehyde with acetophenone. This compound was subsequently added with hydrazine hydrate and hydrazine hydrate in the attendance of acetic acid to yield two pyrazole derivatives, namely 3,5-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole (2) and 1-(3,5-diphenyl-4,5-dihydropyrazol-1-yl) ethanone (3). The synthesized compounds were characterized using FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1 to 3 demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity against the HeLa cell line. Additionally, they exhibited notable antioxidant properties. In silico studies were performed to evaluate the drug-likeness, pharmacokinetic profiles and molecular docking interconnections with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). These computational analyses provided insights into the potentiality of the compounds for drug-receptor binding and their pharmacokinetic behaviors. This work reports, for the first time, the comparative biological and computational studies conducted here. However, further detailed investigations are required to fully understand their mechanisms of action. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(1): 27-39, 2026 (January)
Glycosmis cyanocarpa (Blume) Spreng., a member of the Rutaceae family, is a small shrub or tree distributed across South and Southeast Asia. Phytochemical investigations have identified 23 secondary metabolites, including quinolone alkaloids, phenolic compounds, sulfur-containing amides, terpenoids, and sterols, many of which exhibit significant antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic and thrombolytic activities. Notably, novel sulfur-containing amides have demonstrated antifungal activity, while other isolated compounds have shown antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The crude extract and its fractions also exhibited pharmacological properties, further supporting the therapeutic potential of G. cyanocarpa. Despite these promising findings, systematic studies on its bioactive constituents and pharmacological mechanisms remain scarce. This review consolidates the current knowledge on the phytochemistry and therapeutic potential of G. cyanocarpa, emphasizing its role as a source of bioactive compounds for drug discovery. While findings highlight its potential in therapeutic applications, further research is required to elucidate its pharmacological mechanisms and assess its viability for drug development. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(1): 99-106, 2026 (January)
This study sought to comprehensively explore the thrombolytic and membrane-stabilizing activities of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) through both in vitro experimental assays and computational analysis. To investigate its thrombolytic activity, we conducted clot-lysis assays that mimic physiological clot formation and breakdown. In parallel, the membrane-stabilizing activity of AITC was assessed via human erythrocyte hemolysis assays, designed to cellular membrane damage that occurs during inflammation and oxidative stress. These assays allowed us to investigate the therapeutic relevance of AITC in conditions involving thrombosis and cell lysis. Additionally, molecular docking studies made us understand the potential interactions of AITC with two key molecular targets: plasminogen, which contributes significantly to the breakdown of fibrin clots, and cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), a major enzyme involved in the inflammatory responses. The in vitro results showed that AITC exerted concentration-dependent effects. At 100 μg/ml concentration, AITC achieved 82.18 ± 0.01% clot dissolution and 92.10 ± 0.01% membrane protection. The IC₅₀ values were observed to be 41.70 ± 1.47 μg/ml for clot-lysis and 36.01 ± 1.71 μg/ml for membrane-stabilization, indicating potent bioactivity. Docking analysis demonstrated favorable interaction of AITC with plasminogen (−4.2 kcal/mol) and COX-1 (-4.5 kcal/mol), suggesting possible mechanisms underlying its observed effects. Taken together, these results suggest that AITC may function through dual fibrinolytic and anti-inflammatory pathways. Its ability to interact with key proteins involved in clot resolution and inflammation suggests it as a promising natural therapeutic candidate. However, additional clinical and pre-clinical investigations are required to establish its therapeutic safety and efficacy profile. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(1): 53-67, 2026 (January)
The Asteraceae family includes numerous medicinal plants known for their broad-spectrum therapeutic properties, particularly antimicrobial activity. This study evaluates the phytochemical profiles and antimicrobial activity of methanol extracts from leaves of Synedrella nodiflora L. (MESN) and Spilanthes calva DC. (MESC), two Bangladeshi Asteraceae species, using in vitro disc diffusion assays and in silico docking, PASS prediction, and ADMET analysis. Phytochemical screening revealed glycosides, gums, flavonoids, and tannins in both (MESN also contained steroids); no alkaloids or reducing sugars were detected. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated via the disc diffusion method using 50 µg/disc extract concentrations. MESN demonstrated moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (14.0 mm) and notable activity against Shigella dysenteriae (21.5 mm) and Shigella sonnei (23.5 mm). MESC exhibited broader and stronger antibacterial effects, with inhibition zones ranging from 13 mm to 30 mm across tested strains. In antifungal assays against seven pathogenic species, MESN showed significant activity against Blastomyces dermatitidis (22.0 mm) and Microsporum spp. (23.0 mm), while MESC displayed considerable inhibition against most fungi, except Trichophyton spp., with zones ranging from 7.5 mm to 24.0 mm. To complement in vitro findings, molecular docking, PASS prediction and ADMET SAR analyses were conducted on commonly identified phytochemicals from these two plants to evaluate their binding affinities, predicted biological activities and pharmacokinetic properties. These in silico analyses confirmed drug-likeness and binding affinities, supporting therapeutic potential against resistant pathogens. In conclusion, the study highlights the therapeutic promise of S. nodiflora and S. calva as sources of natural antibacterial and antifungal agents. The integration of phytochemical analysis, microbiological assays, and computational modeling underscores their potential for future drug development. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(1): 119-133, 2026 (January)
The present study provides a detailed nutritional profiling of sugarcane juice from eight different varieties grown in Kushtia District, Bangladesh. Among minerals, sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) were measured by flame photometry and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), while thiamine (vitamin B₁) and riboflavin (vitamin B₂) were estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In the validation study, all calibration curves exhibited an excellent linear relationship (R² ≥ 0.99). Significant variation among the varieties was detected, and ISD 24 and ISD 18 contained higher amounts of minerals and vitamins. These two varieties of Sugarcane juice are considered as potential dietary sources for electrolytes and water-soluble vitamins and may contribute positively to the development of functional beverage and to public health nutrition in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(1): 1-7, 2026 (January)
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by prolonged hyperglycemia, in which glucose reacts covalently with plasma proteins through a non-enzymatic process known as glycation. This leads to the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which play a central role in the development of diabetic complications, including osteoporosis. These accumulated AGEs disrupt the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, thereby increasing bone resorption and reducing bone formation, ultimately leading to osteoporosis. This present study has been designed to explore the antidiabetic potential of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seed extract (TSE) in inhibiting AGEs formation. Based on the study results, TSE at two different doses (200 and 700 mg/kg/day) significantly lowered the blood glucose levels in methylglyoxal (MGO)-induced diabetic mice model. Since MGO acts as a key precursor in the glycation process, these results suggest that TSE may help to slow glycation and AGEs accumulation. Furthermore, molecular docking analysis also revealed that two compounds of TSE such as, Yuccagenin and Diosgenin act as key bioactive components to exhibit the strong binding affinities (− 9.8 kcal/mol) with Sclerostin, indicating its potential role in reducing the bone degradation and preventing diabetes-associated osteoporosis. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(1): 40-52, 2026 (January)
This study aimed to evaluate the quality attributes of marketed 10 mg domperidone tablets available in Bangladesh, providing a comprehensive assessment of their pharmaceutical performance in line with British Pharmacopoeia (BP) standards. The study examined granule flow properties, including angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, compressibility index as well as critical tablet characteristics such as weight variation, hardness, friability, thickness, diameter, disintegration, potency and dissolution behavior. Four branded tablets of renowned pharmaceuticals of Bangladesh and formulated tablets demonstrated compliance with BP specifications for weight, diameter and thickness indicating uniformity in size and consistent mass distribution. Mechanical strength and disintegration assessments revealed that all samples possessed sufficient hardness and moderate disintegration profiles, although some marketed tablets occasionally exhibited slightly lower hardness compared to formulated counterparts. Dissolution testing confirmed that all tablets released ≥75% of their active ingredient within 45 minutes, meeting BP requirements for immediate-release dosage forms. Potency analysis further indicated that the active pharmaceutical ingredient content ranged between 90% and 110% across all products, reflecting accurate dosing and reliable therapeutic potential. These results collectively affirm that both marketed and formulated 10 mg domperidone tablets fulfill pharmacopeial standards, supporting their safety, efficacy and suitability for patient use. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(1): 107-118, 2026 (January)
Telmisartan, an angiotensin-II receptor blocker, is widely prescribed for hypertension in Bangladesh. This study aims to compare the quality of various brands of telmisartan tablet by evaluating key quality control parameters, including weight variation, hardness, friability, thickness, diameter, disintegration time, potency and dissolution profiles. The weight variation test revealed that five brands (F1-F5) complied with the pharmacopeial ± 7.5% limit, with brand F3 being the only exception. Tablet thickness and diameter varied across brands, likely due to differences in granule density and manufacturing processes. Hardness testing showed that brand F6 had the highest average hardness, while brand F4 had the lowest. In the disintegration test, all brands met the pharmacopeial standard, with brand F4 exhibiting the fastest disintegration time. Friability testing demonstrated low friability across all brands. Dissolution profiles indicated significant differences in drug release rates. Kinetic analysis revealed that brands F1, F3 and F5 followed a diffusion-controlled release mechanism, whereas brands F2, F4 and F6 exhibited dissolution-controlled release. Potency testing confirmed that all brands fell within the acceptable potency range of 95-110%. Among all the brands, brand F4 stood out as the best, demonstrating superior performance in various parameters. Overall, the results of all these quality control parameters for the different brands were within the limits specified by pharmacopoeia. Therefore, it can be concluded that the marketed telmisartan tablets of these brands are safe, effective and efficacious, as well as compliant with the required quality control standards. Patients can, therefore, safely switch from one brand to another without compromising therapeutic efficacy. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(1): 134-143, 2026 (January)
Annona muricata L. is a small-evergreen tree with potential pharmacological applications in traditional medicine. Here, the methanolic extract of A. muricata leaf was subjected to phytochemical and biological assays. During preliminary phytochemical screening, alkaloid, flavonoid, steroid, glycoside, phenol, carbohydrate and tannin were discovered revealing the plant’s rich chemical composition. It exhibited strong antioxidant activity which was evident from DPPH radical quenching assay with an IC₅₀ of 30.95 µg/ml. The extractive also presented a significant total phenolic content (63.74 mg GAE/g). In an oral glucose tolerance model in mice, the leaf extract of A. muricata at the dose of 400 mg/kg revealed a marked and dose-dependent reduction in blood glucose levels, demonstrating a comparable efficacy to standard glibenclamide. These findings suggest that synergistic phytoconstituents in A. muricata may modulate oxidative stress and glucose homeostasis, supporting its development as a promising natural agent for antidiabetic intervention. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(1): 93-98, 2026 (January)
Abstract not available Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(1): 156-157, 2026 (January)
Cinnamomum tamala is a traditionally used medicinal plant for many medical purposes; however, its neuropharmacological potential has not been properly studied. Using in vivo behavioral models and in silico molecular docking this study investigated the potential antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of the ethanolic leaf extract of C. tamala. Preliminery phytochemical screening identified the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, saponins and glycosides. Behavioral evaluations were conducted using the tail suspension test (TST), forced swim test (FST) and open field test (OFT). While extract-treated groups showed trends toward decreased immobility in the TST and FST and no statistically significant differences were found when compared to the control group (p > 0.05). The extract also did not produce significant anxiolytic-like effects in the OFT. In contrast, favorable binding affinities and stable interactions of specific phytoconstituents (e. g. β-Caryophyllene, coumarin and α-humelene) with key amino acid residues were shown by molecular docking analysis against the human serotonin transporter (PDB ID: 5I6X) which is comparable to the reference drug, fluoxetine. Overall, even though C. tamala extract did not exhibit any notable behavioral effects in the current experimental setup but the in-silico findings suggest potential serotonergic involvement warranting further investigation with optimized experimental designs. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(1): 68-80, 2026 (January)
The plant Boehmeria glomerulifera is native to Bangladesh which is used by traditional healers to treat a variety of illnesses. Therefore, we aimed to meticulously investigate the therapeutic potential such as antioxidant and membrane stabilizing activities of the leaf extract of this medicinal plant. Ethanol was used to extract the coarse leaf powder at room temperature. Chloroform-soluble and n-hexane-soluble fractions were obtained by solvent-solvent partitioning. Antioxidant potential was measured by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method, and the extractives' membrane stabilizing activity was assessed by their ability to prevent hypotonic solution-induced hemolysis of human erythrocytes. The membrane stabilizing values were presented as mean ± SE (n = 3). P values were determined using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. Our study found the presence of organic compounds like alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, phenols and tannins in B. glomerulifera Miq. leaves. The free radical scavenging and membrane-stabilizing properties of the extract increased in a dose-dependent manner. In the DPPH study, the chloroform fraction displayed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 20.13 μg/ml) compared to crude ethanol extract and its n-hexane fraction. The crude ethanol and fractionated n-hexane extracts revealed considerable scavenging activity (IC50 value: 55.80 µg/ml, 72.41 µg/ml, respectively). The chloroform fraction displayed 75.9 ± 0.252% inhibition of hemolysis of RBC at high concentrations of the extract. The crude ethanol extract and its fraction n-hexane showed inhibition of hemolysis by 29.85 ± 0.546% and 31.67 ± 0.319%, respectively, as compared to 85.99 ± 0.176% demonstrated by the standard, acetyl salicylic acid. The study found that the ethanol of B. glomerulifera and its fractions exhibit moderate to strong membrane stabilizing and notable antioxidant properties. However, further investigation is still required to isolate, characterize the phytoconstituent and determine their underlying mechanism of action of the pharmacological activities. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(1): 8-15, 2026 (January)
Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) remain underreported in Bangladesh despite the country's rapidly expanding pharmaceutical sector, which limits the effectiveness of national pharmacovigilance activities. Through the identification and reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), doctors play a crucial role in pharmacovigilance. However, pharmacists and other medical professionals also contribute to drug safety monitoring and the degree of awareness and participation among these professionals varies significantly, especially between urban and rural settings. This study aims to measure the awareness, attitude and practice of ADR reporting among physicians in Bangladesh, explore barriers to underreporting and investigate physicians' preferences toward a mobile system for reporting ADRs. The study also examined the physicians' opinions on fundamental ADR assessment methods, which are used to format digital reporting. A cross-sectional study was conducted across the country, among a total of 200 randomly selected physicians from all eight divisions of Bangladesh (April 2022 to March 2023). Knowledge of ADR causality, severity and preventability was assessed by a structured questionnaire (Liverpool Causality Assessment Tool, Hartwig’s Severity Assessment Scale and modified Schumock-Thornton preventability scale). Findings were summarized using descriptive statistics. ADR reporting awareness was considerably higher among urban physicians (71%) compared with rural practitioners. Only 28.5% of respondents had received formal training in ADR reporting. The most common barriers included heavy workload (27.58%) and insufficient clinical expertise (24.83%). Nearly half (45.5%) preferred a mobile application due to accessibility and time efficiency. Physicians also identified specific items from the Liverpool, Hartwig and Schumock-Thornton scales that should be incorporated into a user-friendly reporting app. Significant gaps persist in physicians’ knowledge and reporting of ADRs in Bangladesh, particularly in rural areas. Strong support for mobile app-based reporting indicates a feasible strategy to enhance pharmacovigilance. Integrating digital tools with targeted training could substantially improve ADR reporting and medication safety nationwide. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(1): 144-153, 2026 (January)
