Genetic status of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (Indian pennywort): A review

In recent years, demand for medicinal plants increased due to the rise in attraction towards herbal products which are safer compared to modern drugs. Centella asiatica (L.) Urb is known as an important medicinal plant in herbal medicinal systems. It also used as an active ingredient for many products in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. So far, review on this plant concerns mainly on medicinal, cosmetology and photochemical works reported. This review presents the genetic studies conducted in this herb along with a mention on conservation. Since documenting and studying genetic variation and its composition has an important connection for the understanding of evolution and improving the conservation of this species

IN VITRO ANTI-ARTHRITIC ACTIVITY OF CISSUS QUADRANGULARIS STEM EXTRACT

Objective: The present investigation deals with the study of in vitro anti-arthritic activity by inhibition of protein denaturation method by bovine serum albumin method and egg albumin method. Cissus quadrangularis Linn plant is a perennial tendril climber with quadrangular stem. It is used in the treatment of gout, syphilis, stomach ache, regularized the menstrual cycle, antimicrobial activity, and piles in Ayurvedic medicine, and traditionally used for the bone fracture.Method: The air-dried powder of C. quadrangularis Linn (stem parts) was extracted using a Soxhlet apparatus with methanol C. quadrangularis (MECQ) and aqueous C. quadrangularis water (AECQ) as solvent. The extracts were concentrated under reduced pressure. The activities were carried out using the following concentration (100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 μg/ml) and compared with diclofenac as standard drug. It has significant in vitro anti-arthritic in both the methods.Result: The extract of C. quadrangularis possessed significant anti-arthritic property in MECQ than compared to AECQ.Conclusion: Activity may be due to the presence of the chemical profile such as phenolic acid, flavonoid (leuteotin), and β-sitosterol. The results of the study have suggested in the use of C. quadrangularis Linn as a potent anti-arthritic in several applications

Evaluation of the Level of Coagulation Factors V and VIII on Storing Fresh Frozen Plasma at Different Temperatures: A Study at Regional Blood Bank and CEmONC Centre

BACKGROUND: Fresh frozen plasma forms the backbone in the management of coagulopathies due to liver disease, disseminated intravascular coagulation, Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, Coumadin use and major blood loss. Wastage of this resource should be avoided or minimized. Hence we conducted this prospective study to analyse the stability of coagulation factors in thawed plasma that was previously frozen at two different temperatures and now stored at 2°C to 6°C over 5 days. The study was done at The Department Of Transfusion Medicine, The Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Guindy, Chennai and at Govt. Kilpauk Medical College & Hospital, Chennai. OBJECTIVES: 1. To analyse the coagulation factors V and VIII levels in fresh frozen plasma stored at -30°C and at -70°C for a duration of 3 months. 2. To evaluate whether the thawed plasma stored for a considerable time at 2°C to 6°C is appropriate for therapeutic use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty samples of fresh plasma were collected, baseline values of fibrinogen, factor V, factor VIII, PT and APTT measured and were then divided into two groups, frozen and stored at -30°C and -70°C respectively for 3 months. They were then thawed at 37°C, and stored at 2°C to 6°C for 5 days. The parameters were measured at regular intervals during the period of storage of thawed plasma. OBSERVATIONS: In both the groups, even the coagulation values measured immediately after thawing (day 0) showed a statistically significant difference compared to baseline. This significance extended up to day 5. However, all the values of observed parameters were within the physiological limits. This shows that the process of storage of Fresh Frozen Plasma does cause a decrease in the coagulation factors immaterial of the storage temperature, though within therapeutic range. Between the groups, the -70°C group performed better in retaining the stability of coagulation factors. This was evident in the statistically significant difference observed between the groups at 72 hours and 120 hours after thawing and storage at 2 to 6°C. The values observed in the -30°C group was however in the hemostatic range. Among the factors, fibrinogen was found to be the most stable with lesser fluctuations from the baseline values. Factor VIII was observed to be the most labile among the observed parameters, decreasing by 28% from the baseline value. Yet, the therapeutic measure of atleast 0.5 units/ml as suggested by the European Pharmacopoeia was not breached. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the coagulation factors in thawed plasma that was frozen previously at -30°C and -70°C, retained its stability when stored at 2°C to 6°C for 5 days. After thawing, if stored at appropriate temperature, the plasma can be utilized up to 5 days, thereby minimizing its wastage

Polylactic acid coated SBA-15 functionalized with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane

In the present study, a pH responsive polylactic acid coated SBA-15 functionalized with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane is reported. PLA has been coated on the functionalized SBA-15 by formation of amide linkage between amine functionalized SBA-15 and PLA. The amide linkage is confirmed by FTIR spectroscopic data. The materials are well characterized by FTIR, SEM, EDAX and XRD data. Using the PLA coated functionalized SBA-15 the controlled release of the drug ibuprofen has been studied. The successful delivery of ibuprofen has been achieved on the basis of its pH response

Biosurfactant and degradative enzymes mediated crude oil degradation by bacterium Bacillus subtilis A1

In this work, the biodegradation of the crude oil by the potential biosurfactant producing Bacillus subtilis A1 was investigated. The isolate had the ability to synthesize degradative enzymes such as alkane hydroxylase and alcohol dehydrogenase at the time of biodegradation of hydrocarbon. The biosurfactant producing conditions were optimized as pH 7.0, temperature 40°C, 2% sucrose and 3% of yeast extract as best carbon and nitrogen sources for maximum production of biosurfactant (4.85 g l-1). Specifically, the low molecular weight compounds, i.e., C10–C14 were completely degraded, while C15–C19 were degraded up to 97% from the total hydrocarbon pools. Overall crude oil degradation efficiency of the strain A1 was about 87% within a short period of time (7 days). The accumulated biosurfactant from the biodegradation medium was characterized to be lipopeptide in nature. The strain A1 was found to be more robust than other reported biosurfactant producing bacteria in degradation efficiency of crude oil due to their enzyme production capability and therefore can be used to remove the hydrocarbon pollutants from contaminated environment