No abstract

The aim of our study was to increase the extraction efficiency of carvacrol, rosmarinic, oleanolic and ursolic acid from the different species of oregano herbs (Origanum onites L., Origanum vulgare spp. hirtum and Origanum vulgare L.). Various extraction methods (ultrasound-assisted, heat-reflux, continuous stirring, maceration, percolation) and extraction conditions (different solvent, material:solvent ratio, extraction temperature, extraction time) were used, and the active substances were determined by HPLC. The lowest content of carvacrol, rosmarinic, oleanolic and ursolic acid was obtained by percolation. During heat-reflux extraction, the content of active substances depended on the solvent used: ethanol/non-aqueous solvent (glycerol or propylene glycol) mixture was more effective compared with ethanol alone. The results showed that for each species of oregano the most optimal extraction method should be selected to maximize the content of biologically active substances in the extracts.

(1) Background: In this work, we investigated the application of a natural superdisintegrant, psyllium (Plantago ovata Forsk) husk powder, for the manufacture of orodispersible meloxicam tablets. Meloxicam was chosen as a model compound for the study. (2) Methods: The tablets were prepared using different concentrations of psyllium husk by direct compression. Bulk density, tapped density, hardness, friability, in vitro disintegration, and dissolution time tests were used to assess the quality of the formulations. (3) Results: Psyllium husk powder significantly increased the dissolution rate of meloxicam. The formulation containing 16 mg of psyllium husk powder showed the lowest wetting time, the highest water absorption ratio, and the lowest disintegration time compared to the control and to the other formulations. These effects may be attributed to the rapid uptake of water due to the vigorous swelling ability of psyllium husk powder. (4) Conclusions: The powder could be recommended as an effective natural superdisintegrant for orodispersible formulations.

Urtica dioica L is a plant rich in flavonoids, carotenoids, caffeoylmalic acid and has an established medical value. Although content of mineral and organic substances of U. dioica L. herb is well characterized, presence of bioactive polypeptides is much less appreciated. Seeds and roots of nettle, have been established as a common source for isolation of lectins. Therefore data on the presence of lectins in herb of nettle is ambiguous. Lectin-enriched protein fractions were isolated from herb (fresh and dry) and dry extract of U. dioica L. by using homogenisation with fluid nitrogen, extraction in 0.01 M phosphate-buffer saline (PBS), concentrating, salting and precipitation. The amount of protein was measured using photometric Bradford method. A proteomic analysis using 2D gel electrophoresis was performed for lectinenriched protein fractions isolation and analysis. We estimated quantity of protein and lectins, assessed their blood cell agglutinating activity using tests employing rabbit erythrocytes. The highest concentration of protein and specific hemagglutination activity was observed for protein fractions isolated from fresh herb. The highest lectins content was presented in protein fractions isolated from the dry extract.

The aim of the present investigation was to formulate fast disintegrating tablets of meloxicam by wet granulation technique using medium molecular weight chitosan. The orally disintegrating tablets of meloxicam with chitosan showed good mechanical and disintegration properties and good dissolution rate when prepared in tablet press using 10.8 kN and 11.0 kN compression force. Chitosan is a suitable biopolymer to moderate the disintegration process in orally disintegrating tablets.