Physicochemical, Spectroscopic and Rheological Characterization of Anacardium occidentale gum Exudates

Anacardium occidentale gum exudate was analyzed for physicochemical, spectroscopic and rheological characteristics. Physicochemical analysis revealed that the gum is mildly acidic, ionic, extremely rich in carbohydrate and calcium. GCMS spectrum revealed the presence of some carboxylic acids, ketone and alkanes. The FTIR spectrum of the gum closely resembled those of other polysaccharides. Scanning electron micrograph revealed the presence of pores containing particles with irregular shapes. The average value of intrinsic viscosity of the gum was 3.28 dL/g, which compared favourably with those obtained for some plant gums. From the Huggins, Kraemer and Power law models, it was deduced that there is absence of molecular association and that the conformation of the gum is more rod like. Viscosity of the studied gum was found to be greatly influenced by the presence of urea, K+, Ca2+ and Al2+. Anarcadium occidentale gum exhibited a non-Newtonian property with characteristics dilatant and shears thickening properties.

MORINGA OLEIFERA AS A PHARMACEUTICAL EXCIPIENT

Plant gums and mucilages are being used due to their abundance in nature, safety and economy. Additives play an important role in pharmaceutical preparations like tablet, lotions, suspensions, syrups and ointments. Recent trends towards the use of the natural and nontoxic products which demand the replacement of synthetic excipients with natural ones. Moringaoleifera gum has good mucoadhesive polymer, disintegrating agent and binder. Moringa Oleiferagum show that it has high potential for industrial application especially in the food, textile and pharmaceutical industries.

A Viewpoint on the Leaky Gut Syndrome to Treat Allergic Asthma: A Novel Opinion

Asthma is a common respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation, airway hyperreactivity, and reversible airflow obstruction. Despite current treatments, the prevalence of asthma has increased markedly over decades. According to the theories proposed to explain the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases in integrative medicine, leaky gut syndrome is a phenomenon of increased intestinal permeability due to the disruption of tight junctions and is thought to be related to many chronic diseases, such as food intolerance, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and other autoimmune disease. One of the classical approaches used by integrative physicians to treat leaky gut syndrome is to repair intestinal permeability to prevent allergic cascade. Due to several mechanisms that have been mentioned in the protective effects of plant gums and plantain family seeds on the intestinal epithelium, we can propose an effective management for leaky gut syndrome to treat asthma.