Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis have been recognized as pus-forming bacteria triggering an inflammation in acne. The present study was conducted to evaluate antimicrobial activities of Indian medicinal plants against these etiologic agents of acne vulgaris. Ethanolic extracts of Hemidesmus indicus (roots), Eclipta alba (fruits), Coscinium fenestratum (stems), Curcubito pepo (seeds), Tephrosia purpurea (roots), Mentha piperita (leaves), Pongamia pinnata (seeds), Symplocos racemosa (barks), Euphorbia hirta (roots), Tinospora cordyfolia (roots), Thespesia populnea (roots), and Jasminum officinale (flowers) were tested for antimicrobial activities by disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. The results from the disc diffusion method showed that 07 medicinal plants could inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes. Among those Hemidesmus indicus, Coscinium fenestratum, Tephrosia purpurea, Euphorbia hirta, Symplocos racemosa, Curcubito pepo and Eclipta alba had strong inhibitory effects. Based on a broth dilution method, the Coscinium fenestratum extract had the greatest antimicrobial effect. The MIC values were the same (0.049 mg/ml) for both bacterial species and the MBC values were 0.049 and 0.165 mg/ml against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, respectively. In bioautography assay, the Coscinium fenestratum extract produced strong inhibition zones against Propionibacterium acnes. Phytochemical screening of Coscinium fenestratum revealed the presence of alkaloid which could be responsible for activity. Taken together, our data indicated that Coscinium fenestratum had a strong inhibitory effect on Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the wound healing activity of the selected Indian medicinal plant Quercus infectoria. Method: Ethanol extract of the shade-dried leaves of Quercus infectoria was studied for its effect on wound healing in rats, using incision, excision and dead-space wound models, at two different dose levels of 400 and 800 mg/kg. Result: The plant showed a definite, positive effect on wound healing, with a significant increase in the levels of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase, in the granuloma tissue. Conclusion: The efficacy of this plant in wound healing may be due to its action on antioxidant enzymes, thereby justifying the traditional claim.

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Pimenta dioica (Linn.) Merill. Family: Myrtaceae, well known for its berries called Pimento, has been used as an important spice since time immemorial, for its culinary as well as medicinal qualities. It is also known as Allspice due to its intricate aroma which is a medley of aroma from spices such as Clove, Nutmeg and Cinnamon. In India, the leaves of Pimenta are used to flavor rice which gives it a typical aroma. Traditional culinary practice uses the dried berries for marinating meat. Various compounds have been isolated from the plant which belong to categories like phenylpropanoids, tannins, glycosides and essential oil. The present article is a humble effort to study the work done till date on this important spice.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v1i8.11255 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2012, 1(8): 221-225

Drugs administered in the conventional dosage forms usually produce large range in fluctuations in plasma drug concentrations leading to undesirable toxicity or poor effectiveness. These factors as well as other factors such as repetitive dosing and unpredictable absorption, led to the concept of the controlled drug delivery system or therapeutic system. A dosage form that releases one or more drugs continuously in a predetermined pattern for a fixed period of time, either systemically or to a specified target organ is a controlled drug delivery system. The primary objectives of controlled drug delivery are to ensure safety and to improve efficacy of drugs as well as patient compliance. This is achieved by better control of plasma drug levels and less frequent dosing. Transdermal therapeutic systems are defined as self-contained discrete dosage forms which, when applied to the intact skin, deliver the drug(s), through the skin, at controlled rate to the systemic circulation 1, 2 .The first Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) system, Transderm-Scop developed in 1980, contained the drug Scopolamine for treatment of motion sickness. The Transdermal device is a membrane-moderated system. The membrane in this system is a microporous polypropylene film. The drug reservoir is a solution of the drug in a mixture of mineral oil and polyisobutylene. This study release is maintained over a three-day period 3 .