<p>Cefadroxil (CFD) is a broad spectrum antibiotic that acts against an extensive variety of bacteria, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The major drawback of orally administered drug like cefadroxil is its shorter half life of 1.2 hrs. The goal of the study is to prolong the drug release, producing a desired blood serum level, reduction in drug toxicity and improving the patient compliance by prolonging the dosing intervals. Cyclodextrin-based nanosponges (NS) are a novel class of cross-linked derivatives of cyclodextrins. They have been used to increase the solubility of poorly soluble actives, to protect the labile groups and control the release. This study aimed at formulating complexes of CFDwith three types of β-cyclodextrin NS obtained with different cross-linking ratio (viz. 1:2, 1:4 and 1:8 on molar basis with the cross-linker) to protect the lactone ring from hydrolysis and to prolong the release kinetics of CFD. Crystalline (F_1:2, F_1:4 and F_1:8) and paracrystalline NS formulations were prepared. XRPD, DSC and FTIR studies confirmed the interactions of CFDwith NS. XRPD showed that the crystallinity of CFD decreased after loading. CFD was loaded as much as 21%, 37% and 13% w/w in F_1:2, F_1:4 and F_1:8, respectively while the paracrystalline NS formulations gave a loading of about 10% w/w or lower. The particle sizes of the loaded NS formulations were between 450 and 600 nm with low polydispersity indices. The zeta potentials were sufficiently high (-20 to -25 mV) to obtain a stable colloidal nanosuspension. The in vitro studies indicated a slow and prolonged CFD release over a period of 24 h. The NS formulations protected the lactone ring of CFD after their incubation in physiological conditions at 37°C for 24 h with a 80% w/w of intact lactone ring when compared to only around 20% w/w of plain CFD.</p>

Nowadays, plant-based chemicals have drawn the attention of pharmacy researchers due to their potent biological activity against various ailments. In this series, terpenes and terpenoids are gaining popularity among drug researchers gradually. Terpenes are naturally occurring large and varied class of hydrocarbons substances produced by a wide variety of plants including fruits, vegetables, flowers and some animals. Their concentration is generally high in plants. A broad range of the biological properties of terpenoids includes cancer chemo-preventive effects, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic activities and memory enhancers. Terpenoids are usually cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons, with the altered number of oxygen moieties in the constituent groups attached to the basic isoprene skeleton. Terpenoids are a group of substances that occur in nearly every natural food. Terpenoids display a wide range of biological activities against cancer, malaria, inflammation, tuberculosis and a variety of infectious diseases including viral as well as bacterial. In this chapter, we have emphasized the proven and expected medicinal value of both terpenes and terpenoids.

<p>The study evaluated anticoagulant properties of the aqueous extract of <em>Cestrum nocturnum</em> using aPTT-Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time, PT- Prothrombin Time &amp; TT-Thrombin Time as standard procedures.</p><p>For <em>in vitro</em> coagulation assays, aqueous extract of plant prolonged APTT, TT, and PT clotting times in a dose-dependent manner (Table 7). It prolonged APTT clotting time from 45 ± 2 (2mg/mL) to 82.2 ± 2.63s (10mg/mL), PT clotting time from 20.4 ± 1.49 (2mg/mL) to 31.4 ± 2.15s (10mg/mL), and TT clotting time from 9.2 ± 1.16 (2mg/mL) to 17.4 ± 1.01s (10mg/mL) at the concentration of 2 to 10mg/mL. Heparin prolonged APTT and PT clotting times more than 111.8s and 40.8s, respectively, at a concentration of 1 IU/mL. Heparin prolonged TT clotting times more than 20.6s at a concentration of 1 IU/mL.</p><p>The phytochemical screening of the plant confirm the presence of saponin in the water and ethanolic extract, Alkaloid in all the extract except hexane extract, tannin in water, ethanol and methanol extract, amino acid in water and ethanolic extract, carbohydrate in water and methanolic extract and triterpenoids and glycoside were absent in all the extracts. The results demonstrated that the aqueous extract of <em>Cestrum nocturnum</em> possesses pharmacologically active anticoagulant principles that could be isolated and evaluated for clinical or physiological purposes.</p>

<p><strong>Ethnopharmacological relevance:</strong> The fruits of <em>Buchanania lanzan</em> are used traditionally in the treatment of skin afflictions, sores, ulcers, inflammation and as diuretic (1,21,35,42). The aim of the study was to investigate the antiulcer and diuretic activity of the crude ethanolic and pet. ether extract from the fruits of <em>Buchanania lanzan</em>.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods:</strong> The antiulcer activity of the crude extracts was evaluated in ethanol and pylorus ligation induced model for gastric lesions in Wister albino rats (2,8,12,19). Parameters such as gastric volume, pH and acidity were determined in the pylorus ligation model. Furthermore the diuretic activity was evaluated in comparison of Standard drug i.e. Furosemide.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The acute toxicity studies revealed that LD50&gt; 2000mg/kg for the extract.<strong> </strong>The extract caused a significant (p&lt;0.05) dose-dependent inhibition of ulcer in the ethanol and pylorus ligation induced ulcer models at the dose of 250mg/kg, respectively. And the diuretic activity of extract also found significant (p&lt;0.01) dose dependent increase in urine volume.  Both ethanol and aqueous extracts have showed a significant dose-dependent increase in the excretion of electrolytes when compared to the control group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Our data provide a rational base for the folkloric use of <em>Buchanania lanzan</em> in the treatment of ulcers and as diuretic.</p>

According to Biological Conservation Letter, more than 7,000 species of plants found in various ecosystems are said to be medicinal in the country. So, India is one of the world’s richest sources of medicinal and aromatic plants. Desmodium gangeticum is an important medicinal plant. It is commonly used in ayurvedic formulations for the treatment of various disorders. Phytochemical evaluations, pharmacogonostic evaluation, organoleptic characters, TLC profile was carried out to set them as diagnostic indices for the identification/validation of the raw material and standardization of the formulations. Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of active constituents which is necessary for the pharmacological activity. Organoleptic properties, phyto-chemical studies, powder analysis, showed the presence of adulteration in the powder. Majority of the antidepressant drugs improve depressive symptoms, but they exert multiple undesirable side effects. The search for more productive and well tolerated drugs is in progress. Phytochemical analysis of Desmodium gangeticum revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, Saponins, Steroids. Desmodium gangeticum is a well known medicinal plant as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and nephroprotective etc. It is a very good drug for urinogenital problems, hepatic problems, oxidative stress etc. The present study was depict to evaluate the antidepressant activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Desmodium gangeticum in mice. It was evaluated using the Tail Suspension Test (TST) and Forced Swimming Test (FST) in mice. Desmodium gangeticum (200 and 400 mg/kg) was administered orally in separate groups of Swiss albino mice weighing 20-25 for 14 days in TST and FST tests.. The Leaves extract of Desmodium gangeticum showed a dose dependant reduction in duration of immobility in mice. The dose of 400 mg/kg of Leaves extract of Desmodium gangeticum significantly reduced the immobility time of mice in both FST and TST. The effectual of extract was found to be similar to fluoxetine (20 mg mg/kg, po). It was found to be toxicologically safe with no deaths of mice when administered orally at the dose of 2000 mg/kg. From the current study, it can be concluded that the Leaves extract of Desmodium gangeticum possess dominant antidepressant activity as reveal by the TST and FST tests and is toxicologically safe.