In the present investigation 16 phytoconstituents, which are active moieties found in several medicinal herbs, have been evaluated for their P-glycoprotein (P-gp) stimulation/inhibition profiles using a P-gp-dependent ATPase assay in rat jejunal membrane (in vitro). Acteoside, agnuside, catechin, chlorogenic acid, picroside -II and santonin showed an inhibitory effect. Negundoside, picroside -I and oleanolic acid caused a stimulatory effect. Andrographolide, apocyanin, berberine, glycyrrhizin, magniferin and piperine produced a biphasic response (stimulation at low concentration and inhibition at high concentration). The results suggested that a possible interaction of these phytoconstituents at the level of P-gp, could be an important parameter in determining their role in several key pharmacodynamic events.

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This study deals with the pharmacokinetic interaction of selected anti-TB drugs with a natural product (CC-1a) derived from caraway ( Carum carvi, L.) seed. CC-1a, chemically standardized butanolic fraction, enhanced the plasma levels of rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and isoniazid in Wistar rat, resulting in increased bioavailability indices (Cmax and AUC) of the drugs. Moreover, a 40% reduced dose regimen of these drugs, which additionally contained CC-1a, was equivalent in terms of Cmax and AUC to a normal dose regimen. A permeation-enhancing property of CC-1a across small intestinal absorptive surface was found to be a contributing factor in its bioavailability enhancing profile.

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Background: Neurological soft signs (NSS) are subtle motor and sensory deficits that are frequently found in various psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. NSS in schizophrenia are frequently associated with impairment in cognitive abilities and deterioration in neuropsychological performance (NP). Objective: We aimed to study the correlation between NSS and NP in persons with schizophrenia. Methods: Sixty individuals of whom thirty had schizophrenia according to the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision and the rest thirty were matched controls were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic and clinical details were obtained and tests for the assessment of NSS and neuropsychological assessment were administered. Comparison based on scores obtained in these scales was made in both the groups. Results: NSS were present in 100% of patients with schizophrenia and in 16.6% of controls in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in neuropsychological assessment. In Group 1, NSS showed a significant negative correlation with Tower of London, Stroop Color-Word Test, Digit Vigilance Test, and Digit Symbol Substitution Test. However, there was no correlation between NP and NSS in Group 2. Conclusion: NSS were more in persons with schizophrenia compared to healthy normal controls. Furthermore, there is a negative correlation between NSS and NP in persons with schizophrenia, which is differing from the control group. We may conclude that the presence of NSS predicts the poor NP, and also contributes to poor cognitive abilities of persons with schizophrenia.