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Naringenin is a naturally occurring flavanone, possessing a variety of biological activity. Due to its rapid elimination, naringenin needs frequent administration to maintain an effective plasma concentration. We have evaluated the therapeutic potential of naringenin-phospholipid complex under oxidative stress conditions compared with free naringenin. Naringenin-phospholipid complex was prepared and assessed for antioxidant activity in carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats at a dose level of 100 mg kg-1 (p.o.). Liver function tests were studied by assessing serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin. Marker enzymes of liver, namely glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, were measured to evaluate the antioxidant potential at the same dose level. The plasma concentration of naringenin was also measured. It was observed that the naringenin-phospholipid complex enhanced the antioxidant activity of the biomolecule and protected the liver significantly for a longer time as compared with free naringenin at the same dose level. Phospholipid complex of naringenin produced better antioxidant activity than the free compound with a prolonged duration of action, which may be helpful in reducing the fast elimination of the molecule from body.

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Linn (Family-Fabaceae) is active as an anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, mild laxative, antistress, antidepressive, antiulcer, liver protective, estrogenic, emmenagogue, and antidiabetic substance, and is widely used in the Indian system of medicine. The major bioactive constituent is glycyrrhizin. A simple HPTLC method has been developed to control the quality of raw as well as finished glycyrrhiza using glycyrrhizin as the bioactive marker. The solvent system was optimized to chloroformmethanolwater (65 + 36 + 7.5, v/v/v). Extract and standard were dissolved in 70 methanol and applied on a precoated TLC plate. After development, the plate was scanned at 254 nm to create a chromatogram, then the quantity of glycyrrhizin was determined in the extract. The method was validated in terms of specificity, linearity, precision, LOD, and LOQ. Linearity range was found to be 0.964.80 g per spot. The linearity relationship was described by the equation: Y 612.706 + 1.091X (with r 0.99904 and SD 2.52), where Y is the area under curve and X is the amount of glycyrrhizin (ng). The amount of glycyrrhizin found in the extract was 9.1. Thus, the method provides a rapid and cost-effective quality measure for Glycyrrhiza Glabra hydroalcoholic extract.

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Capsicum annuum L. (family: Solanaceae) possesses therapeutic benefits for the treatment of rheumatism, neuropathy, psoriasis, flatulence and so on. In this study fruits of four different varieties of C. annuum from four different geographical regions in India were evaluated based on their total content of capsaicin. Ethanol extracts of the fruits were used. HPTLC plates were developed in a mobile phase containing benzene, ethyl acetate and methanol (75:20:5). Densitometric scanning was performed at a wavelength of 283 nm in the absorbance mode. The calibration curve was described by the equation Y=393.587+3.836*X with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.99890. The content of capsaicin in Nagaland, Manipur, West Bengal and Shimla varieties was found to be 3.71%, 1.78%, 0.54% and 0.06%, respectively. The developed densitometric method was found to be specific, accurate and precise. A recovery study and precision showed low levels of %RSD values. The linearity range of the curve for capsaicin was found to be 300-900 ng per spot. The limit of detection and the limit of quantification values were determined to be 31 and 94 ng, respectively, proving the sensitivity of the method. Thus the method can be used to control the total content of capsaicin on an industrial scale.