Plumbago zeylanica L. (Plumbaginaceae) commonly known, as chitrak is pharmacologically important plant. Various studies have been undertaken to assess the pharmacological potential of different parts of the plant namely like roots, stem, flower, and leaves as antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, anticancer, antifertility, antiulcer, antifungal and wound healing. The intention of the present review is to deliver a concise account on its ethnobotanical uses, phytochemistry with an in-depth study of its phytoconstituents, facts and prospects of its potential pharmacological activities of this golden plant. An extensive literature survey was undertaken through different online platforms viz. Google Scholar and online databases namely PubMed, Science Direct and Springer. All papers based on traditional medicinal uses and pharmacological properties were included. Sixty three research articles and review articles were found to be apt for inclusion into the review. About 150 articles were retrieved for the purpose. The elaborative results vindicated that Plumbago zeylanica L. holds significant prospects in major health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, ulcer, liver problems, obesity, wound healing, cancer etc.

The hexane soluble extract of Curcuma longa (Turmeric) [herbal medicament (HM)] developed by Central Drug Research Institute, India, as a new antistroke agent. It contains carbonyl as well as non‐carbonyl compounds. To see the activity of non‐carbonyl compounds, HM was reacted with semicarbazide hydrochloride to remove the carbonyl compounds. This chemically modified fraction [non‐carbonyl Curcuma longa (NCCL)] of HM was found to be active at lower dose than HM against endothelial mediated inflammation in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion induced rats. It reduced significantly the serum CK‐MB levels, inflammatory cytokine mediators (TNF‐α, IL‐6, IFN‐γ), plasma endothelial microparticle level and also found useful in improving the endothelial functionality. It was also found active in anti‐inflammatory and cytotoxic activity for sepsis and leukemia. To find out the compounds that are responsible for its enhanced activity in comparison of HM, we have isolated two major peaks present in the high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint of NCCL and their structures were characterized. Based on the characterization, we found that these compounds are not the non‐carbonyl compounds present in HM but the new cyclic structures formed by the reaction of ar‐turmerone, α‐turmerone, and β‐turmerone with semicarbazide hydrochloride used in the reaction. This hypothesis was validated by isolation of ar‐turmerone, α‐turmerone, and β‐turmerone from HM and reacting them with semicarbazide hydrochloride using the same reaction conditions of NCCL formation. The same mass spectral data and same retention time (RT) value in high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis further confirms our hypothesis.

Background: In dermatology, the topical application of liposomes has proven to be of therapeutic value. Many drugs encapsulated into liposomes have shown enhanced skin penetration. Methods: Liposomes are lipid based spherical vesicles. In structure and composition, they resembles cell membrane. Because of their amphipathic nature, they can be used as carriers for hydrophilic as well as lipophilic therapeutic agents. These liposomal systems can easily get integrated with the skin lipids and maintain the desired hydration conditions to improve drug penetration and localization in the skin layers. Results: Considering the need for topical delivery and the promising potential of liposomes, an attempt has been made to explore the recent advances of liposome-based formulations in dermatological applications. Conclusion: The review summarizes the recent findings of liposome-based formulations for dermal delivery of drugs.

The present study aims to develop a combination of Nigella sativa seed oil (NSO) and virgin coconut oil (VCO)‐loaded liposomal gel as a topical drug delivery system for vitiligo. A 3 × 3 factorial design approach was adopted to study the effect of variables on liposome characteristics and performance. A total of nine batches were formed. The cholesterol: phospholipid (wt/wt) and drug (NSO:VCO) ratios (vol/vol) were marked as two independent variables, X1 and X2. The dependent variables selected were entrapment efficiency, vesicle size, and polydispersity index. Liposomes were fabricated by thin‐film hydration technology. A carbopol gel matrix was used to embed the optimized liposome vesicles, which were then tested for pH, viscosity, ability to spread, and stability. Better stability for topical drug delivery systems was demonstrated by the incorporation of liposomes in gel prepared from cross‐linked polyacrylate. In vitro drug release, ex vivo drug permeation and drug retention were compared between liposomal and conventional preparations. Skin permeation and skin retention studies demonstrated that the prepared liposomal gel significantly extended the penetration of drugs into the skin and retained more drugs in the skin when compared to liposomal dispersion and conventional gel formulations. The stability of the developed liposomal gel was assured at 5 ± 3°C and 25 ± 2°C. From the studies described above, it is concluded that liposomal gel is the best‐suited formulation among all the preparations examined. The enhanced epidermal localization and accumulation of therapeutic moiety on the disease site could improve the effectiveness of the treatment.

Background In the present study, an HPTLC (high-performance thin-layer chromatography) method was developed for the quantitative determination and validation of the curcumin in the methanolic fraction of Curcuma longa L. For achieving good separation of curcumin, the mobile phase of chloroform:methanol (97:3) was used. The densitometric analysis of curcumin was performed at 420 nm in reflection/absorption mode. Results Linearity of the method was obtained in the range of 100‒600 ng per spot. During analysis, the methanolic fraction of the C. longa showed the presence of a quantifiable amount of curcumin. The content of curcumin was found to be 1.5% (per dry weight). Conclusions The method is specific, simple, precise, and accurate. The obtained data can have used for the routine analysis of the reported biomarkers in crude drugs and extracts. The quantification and the method validation of curcumin have not yet been reported in C. longa which can be utilized for the proper standardization of the plant.