BackgroundIn the present investigation, an attempt was made to isolate starch from jackfruit seed powder and utilize it as a superdisintegrant to design fast dissolving tablets of irbesartan.MethodsStarch was isolated from jackfruit seeds via aqueous and alkali extraction processes and evaluated for its physicochemical properties, for phytochemical tests, and for acute toxicity studies. Irbesartan fast dissolving formulations were prepared using the wet granulation technique.ResultsAcute toxicity studies for the extract indicated that all rats were healthy with no physiological changes in their behavior. The prepared irbesartan tablet formulations were found to be stable according to the Indian Pharmacopoeia-specified limits for postcompression parameters. From in vitro dissolution studies, it was observed that formulations F5 and F8 containing 5% w/w of alkali extracted starch and 5% w/w of croscarmellose sodium showed faster disintegration and improved dissolution rate compared with the other formulations. Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopic and differential scanning colorimetric analysis performed on optimized formulations indicated that there were no major interactions between the drug and excipients. Accelerated stability studies carried out on optimized formulations showed all tablets to be stable.ConclusionThe tablets prepared from jackfruit seed starch as superdisintegrant were found to be suitable for preparation of fast dissolving tablets.

Thrombotic disorders like myocardial and cerebral infarction are fatal blood clotting related diseases. Synthetic therapeutics used in such disorders has serious adverse effects, so there is a need to investigate some more safe natural thrombolytic agents. Present study is a preliminary work towards such endeavors. During this study analysis of thrombolytic activity and anti-inflammatory activity of Thespesia populnea leaf extract using a simple and quick in vitro clot lysis assay was performed. Various concentrations of leaf extract i.e. 200μg/ml; 400μg/ml and 600μg/ml were tested at various time intervals including; 24, 48 and 72 hours duration of incubation at 37°C for observing maximum clot lysis. The result findings indicated that concentrations of leaf extract enhanced the percentage of clot lysis in dose dependent manner along with the incubation time factor. However; streptokinase SK a reference standard and water were used as a positive and negative control showed clot lysis maximum 96.35% and 35.22% in 72 hours of incubation respectively. Alcohol extract of whole plant of Thespesia populnea (Family: Malvaceae) was assessed for its anti-inflammatory activity by in vitro methods. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using albumin denaturation assay at different concentrations. Diclofenac sodium was used as standard drug. The results showed that Thespesia populnea alcohol extract at a concentration range of 400-1600μl significantly protects from protein denaturation.

Objective: The main aim and objective of the present study is to investigate the effect of Commiphora mukul (Family: Burseraceae), on depression in mice using tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST). Methods:The oleo-gum resin of guggul was extracted with alcohol and fractionated with ethyl acetate and petroleum ether. All the fractions were subjected for preliminary phytochemical screening, using various qualitative tests. Till date, no scientific data were available on the antidepressant activity of this plant. So, in the present investigation, TST and FST are selected as animal models for evaluation of antidepressant activity in albino mice. Results:The preliminary phytochemical screening of guggul has revealed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, tannins, and flavonoids in hydroalcoholic fraction. Ethyl acetate fraction showed positive results toward flavonoids, alkaloids, proteins, and steroids. Hydroalcoholic, ethyl acetate, and petroleum ether fractions (50 and 100 mg/kg p.o.) of guggul administered orally for 14 successive days had decreased the immobility periods significantly in a dose-dependent manner in both TST and FST, showing significant antidepressant-like activity. The activities of the fractions were found to be comparable to imipramine in both FST and TST.Conclusions: Although a number of synthetic drugs are being used as standard treatment for clinically depressed patient, they have adverse effects that can compromise the therapeutic treatment. In the traditional systems of medicine, many plants and formulations have been used to treat depression for thousands of years. The results of this study indicate the potential for the use of guggul as an adjuvant in the treatment of depression.

Objective: The present study was carried out to find out the antidepressant activity of different fractions of stems and leaves of Callistemon citrinus (CC). The efficacy of the fractions was compared with the standard reference drug imipramine. Methods:All the studies were conducted according to the ethical guidelines of CPCSEA. Healthy adult albino mice weighing 20-30 g were used as experimental animals. The leaves of CC were extracted with alcohol and fractionated with chloroform and petroleum ether. All the fractions were subjected for preliminary phytochemical screening, using various qualitative tests. In the present investigation, tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST) are selected as animal models for evaluation of antidepressant activity in albino mice. Results:The preliminary phytochemical screening of CC has revealed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, and flavonoids in a hydroalcoholic fraction. Chloroform fraction showed positive results toward flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, and steroids. Alcoholic and chloroform extract (100 and 200 mg/kg p.o.) of CC administered orally for 14 successive days had decreased the immobility periods significantly in a dose-dependent manner in both TST and FST, showing significant antidepressant-like activity. The activities of the extracts were found to be comparable to imipramine in both FST and TST.Conclusions: Although a number of synthetic drugs are being used as a standard treatment for clinically depressed patient, they have adverse effects that can compromise the therapeutic treatment. In the traditional systems of medicine, many plants and formulations have been used to treat depression for thousands of years. The results of the study indicate that CC can be used as an antidepressant herb.

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