The effects of mucilage obtained from the ripe fruits of Hibiscus esculentus Linn. (Malvaceae) on the mechanical and disintegration properties of paracetamol tablets were investigated against gum acacia as a standard binding agent. The effects of the nature and concentration of the mucilage binder and the relative density of the tablet on the tensile strength, brittle fracture index and disintegration time of the tablets were investigated. Relative density, concentration and nature of binder had the greatest effects on tensile strength, brittle fracture index and disintegration time,respectively. Increasing, the concentration of mucilage from 2.5 % to 10.0 % w/w, and increasing relative density of the tablet from 0.70 to 0.80 led to an increase in tensile strength and disintegration time, but a decrease in brittle fracture index. Tablets formulated with H. esculentus mucilage had lower tensile strength and disintegration time values than those containing gum acacia, and exhibited less lamination and capping. The nature and concentration of binder had the highest interaction among the factors studied. In conclusion, Hibiscus esculentus mucilage could be useful as an alternative binding agent to gum acacia, especially wherefaster disintegration is required and lamination and capping are of concern.

Salai guggal is an oleo-gum-resin obtained from Boswellia serrata. Its essential oil is a mixture of mono, di and sesquiterpenes while gum fraction composed of pentose and hexose sugar with some digestive enzymes. Resin is the most important fraction of Salai guggal comprising mainly of pentacyclic triterpenic acids namely Boswellic acids. The therapeutic value of Salai guggal predominantly resides in its oleo-resin portion, which possess anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-rheumatic, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-asthmatic, anti-cancer, anti-microbial and analgesic activity. In addition it has hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory activity as well. Boswellic acids are novel, specific, non-redox inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme involved in arachidonic acid metabolism. This review focuses on the current state of therapeutic potential and phytochemical profile of Boswellia serrata. ABA, Acetyl-boswellic acid; AESG, Alcoholic Extract of Salai Guggul; AKBA, Acetyl-keto-boswellic acid; BA, Boswellic acid; BS, Boswellia serrata; BSA, Bovine Serum Albumin; BSE, Boswellia serrata Extract; CHP, Cumene hydroperoxide; EGR, Extract of Gum Resin; ESR, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate; GC, Gas Chromatography; HDL, High Density Lipoprotein; HPLC, High Performance Liquid Chromatography; ILs, Interleukins; KBA, Keto-boswellic acid; 5-LOX, 5-Lipoxygenase; LPs, Lipopolysaccharides; LTs, Leukotrienes; MAPK, Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase; MS, Mass Spectroscopy; PC, Pyruvate carboxylase; PEPCK, Phosphoenol Pyruvate Carboxy Kinase; PI3-K, Phosphatidyl Inositol-3Kinase; PMNLs, Polymophonuclear Leukocytes; PTs, Pentacyclic Triterpenes; TNFα, Tumor Necrosis Factor α.

Antimicrobial studies were carried out using methanolic and aqueous extract of leaf, fruit, stem and root of Nicandra physaloides . The microorganisms used in study were Bacillus subtilis NCIM 2439, Mycobacterium phelei, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus edidermidis NCIM 2493, Candida albicans and Aspergilus flavus NCIM535 . Penicillin for gram-positive bacteria, streptomycin for gram-negative bacteria and clotrimazole for fungi were used as standard. The Nicandra physaloides extract both methanolic and aqueous was active against gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains. Both methanolic and aqueous extract of leaves and roots was active against fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus. Keywords : Nicandra physaloides , Solanaceae, Antimicrobial activity, Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicine Vol. 11 2007 pp. 71-74

Salai guggal, also known as Olibanum, is an oleo-gum-resin from Boswellia serrata containing essential oil, gum and resin, which is exceedingly valued for alleviating various human sufferings. Its essential oil is a mixture of mono-, diand sesqui-terpenes revealed the presence of 33 essential components. The gum fraction essentially composed of arabinose, xylose and galactose sugar with some digestive enzymes. Resin is the most important fraction of salai guggal comprising mainly of pentacyclic triterpenic acids succumb β-boswellic acid, 3-O-acetyl-β-boswellic acid, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid and 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-βboswellic acid. The therapeutic value of salai guggal predominantly resides in its oleo-resin portion, which possess antiinflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-rheumatic, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-asthmatic, anti-cancer, anti-microbial and analgesic activity. In addition it has hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory activity as well. The drug has been established effective in crohn’s disease, autoimmune-encephalitis and as an alternative to corticosteroids in treating peritumoral edema. The non-phenolic fraction of oleo-gum-resin causes sedation, reduction in motor activity and ptosis in rats. The alcoholic extract of salai guggal inhibits inflammation induced rise of serum transaminase and leukocyte elastase level. Boswellic acids are novel, specific, non-redox inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, which is a significant enzyme engross in arachidonic acid metabolism where its hydrophilic group at C-4 was found essential for 5-LOX inhibition. This also reduces the activity of elastase enzyme, thus helping in the management of asthma and allergic manifestations. The anti-phlogistic activity of boswellic acids is also related to antielastase activity. Drug also shows inhibition of topoisomerase enzyme in malignant cell. This review focuses on the phytochemical profile of Boswellia serrata

Obesity or corpulency is receiving attention of a large number of research workers. Its predominance in certain anthropological groups has attracted special investigations. The handicaps of overweight are well known as exhibited by well denned symptoms in fat loading in heart and liver and therefore there is a constant search for the drugs capable of correcting the lipide mechanism. Obesity is attributed to malfunctioning of the thyroid, suprarenal, pitutary and testis. Sedentary habits, insufficiency of output in the way of work, excess intake of high calorific diet are the established auxiliary causes. Two theories are held out now viz.: I) that correct oxidation of acetoacetic acid can only proceed with a definite phase of carbohydrate oxidation (an interlocked reaction) and II) normal fat catabolism is to proceed out in specified maximum rate and it can be deficient carbohydrate oxidation, the fat is to be burned up at a greater rate than the maximum to meet body needs which tends to make the combustion faulty. The handicaps resulting from obesity or corpulency were perhaps for the first time reported in medical literature in Caraka Samhita (3,000 B.C.). Caraka traced the origin of corpulency broadly to the predominance of one dosa i.e. kapha 1), 2) Caraka has classified the drugs capable of removing fat under the group Lekhaniya. These drugs have been attributed the properties of correcting the malfunctioning of the glands in the modern sense as well as playing a substantial role in the cure of obesity due to auxiliary causes.

Some excipients are currently available for the formulation of pharmaceutical suspensions. The purpose of this study is to search for a cheap and effective natural excipient that can be used as an effective alternative for the formulation of pharmaceutical suspensions. The suspending properties of Cassia tora (family Leguminosae) were evaluated comparatively with those of compound tragacanth, Acacia and gelatin at concentration range of 0.5 - 4.0% w/v in sulphadimidine suspension. Characterization tests were carried out on purified Cassia tora mucilage. Sedimentation volume (%), rheology and particle size analysis were employed as evaluation parameters. The values obtained were used as basis for comparison of the suspending agents studied. Cassia mucilage is safe for use as a suspending agent in human and pet foods based on the levels of use, which are comparable to the use levels of other suspending agents. Cassia tora mucilage (2.5%w/v) produced a comparable suspending ability as 4%w/v compound tragacanth. Also, the suspending ability of all the materials was found to be in the order: Cassia tora > Compound tragacanth gum > Acacia gum > Gelatin. At all concentrations employed, Cassia tora mucilage had the strongest suspending ability relative to the other materials. The results suggest that, due to the high viscosity of Cassia tora mucilage, its mucilage can be a stabilizer of choice when high viscosity is desired. It can also serve as a good thickening agent in both pharmaceutical and food industries.

The effect of enzyme inducers on therapeutic efficacy of Rosiglitazone (an antidiabetic drug) was evaluated by using alloxan induced diabetic rats. The results exhibit the combined adminstration of enzyme inducers like rifampicin, phenobarbitone and phenytoin with Rosiglitazone was contraindicated. The purpose of the study reveals that if Rosiglitazone drug combined with said enzyme inducers then therapeutic efficacy of Rosiglitazone being altered. Because enzyme inducers induced cytochrome P450 by enhancing the rate of its synthesis and/or reducing the rate of degradation. Therefore, combined administration of enzyme inducers with Rosiglitazone is not advisable. Since the hypoglycemic effect of the drug is reduced. The results exhibit that combined administration of enzyme inducers with Rosiglitazone was contraindicated.