Fagonia: A potential medicinal desert plant

Desert plants are unique adaptation from environmental conditions. Fagonia is a genus of plant in the family zygophyllaceae with about 20 species around Mediterranean to India, S. Africa, California, Chili. The local name of fagonia is dhamasa. They are traditionally well known for the treatment of hemorrhoids, inflammation, sores, leprosy, open wounds and fever in the form of internal and external conventional formulation. When the powder that is made up of the whole plant of F. schweinfurthii is dusted on boils and skin eruptions, it causes healing, when the whole plant is boiled in water, its bath is useful for allergies and other skin diseases and decoction is given orally as blood purifier. The other species like Fagonia bruguieri its aqueous extract is claimed for anti-allergy. Methanolic extract of Fagonia cretica is claimed for good antimicrobial potential and it exhibited strong free radical scavenging properties against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. The other effects of Fagonia species include anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and thrombolytic activities are observed. Many chemical constituent's, such as triterpenoids, saponins, flavonoid glycosides, etc., have already been reported in different Fagonia spp. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnpa.v27i1.12147 Journal of Nepal Pharmaceutical Association 2014 Vol.XXVII: 28-33

Assesment of 28 days repeated adminstration toxicity profile of dexamethasone palmitate injection

Although, the dexamethasone have been used for the managements, against various ailments as single API or in combination with other drugs as acetate or palmitate salt. However, Dexamethasone as palmitate salt has not been investigated so far for sub acute toxicity on intravenous administration. Therefore, an attempt has been made to investigate sub-acute toxicity of dexamethasone palmitate injection. The drug was administered in experimental animals at different dose levels (0.07, 0.18 and 0.44 mg/kg, b.w.), for 28 days, and alteration in biochemical and haematological parameters was recorded along with histological examinations. The result data revealed that intravenous administration of dexamethasone palmitate does not causes any significant alteration in experimental animals examined at different levels. The observed changes were either well established adverse effects of Dexamethasone or were in laboratory reference range limit. The intravenous administered doses of drug were found safer, although somewhat adverse reactions may be observed at higher dose level (s). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnpa.v27i1.12145 Journal of Nepal Pharmaceutical Association 2014 Vol.XXVII: 9-19

Neuroprotective effect of Scutellaria baicalensis flavones against global ischemic model in rats

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SB) is the medicinal plants mainly used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been used for the treatment of various chronic inflammatory syndromes including respiratory disease, fever and gastric ulcer in traditional Eastern medicine and its major components; baicalin, baicalein and wogonin; were reported to have various biological effects. The aim of this study was to isolate the neuroprotective flavones from the root of S. baicalensis (SB) by bioactivity-guided fractionation of S. baicalensis methanol extract (SBME). Neuroprotective effect of isolated flavones, namely was studied on global ischemic model in rat by 4-VO. SBME was fractionated with different solvent and resulting fractions were administered at a dose of 25 mg/kg to the rat and potent neuroprotective fractions were sub-fractionated. At a dose of 10 mg/kg, isolated compounds, wogonin, and baicalein inhibited the hippocampal neuronal cell death by 78.6% and 81.0% respectively. Our study suggested that SB and its isolated flavones have potential neuroprotective effect and these findings may be one of the alternative therapies for the management of stroke and other neurodegenerative diseases. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnpa.v27i1.12144 Journal of Nepal Pharmaceutical Association 2014 Vol.XXVII: 1-8

Pharmacological studies of Neopicrorrhiza scrophularii-flora and its antidiabetic effect

Neopicrorrhiza srophulariiflora (NS), locally known as “kutki / katuki” in nepali is available in 3500-4800 m of Nepal. The present study was carried out to evaluate the antidiabetic property of NS in streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 2 diabetic model rats. NS dried rhizomes, was extracted with 80% ethanol and water by cold percolation method. The extracts were administered at a dose of 1.25gkg-1 body weight for 21 consecutive days to type 2 diabetic male Long-Evans rats, bred at BIRDEM animal house. Serum glucose was estimated by GOD PAP method. Ethanol extract of N. srophulariiflora significantly (p<0.05) improved oral glucose tolerance in type 2 rats in comparison to control group. The water extract and ethanol extracts significantly lowered serum glucose level of type 2 diabetic rats in both prandial states (simultaneously with oral glucose load p<0.05; at 75min and 30 minutes prior to oral glucose load p<0.05; at 105min) compared to control group. N. srophulariiflora is beneficial for treating Type 2 diabetes and therefore needs further exploration and researches, both chemically and biologically to identify the active principle(s) and mechanism of action. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnpa.v27i1.12148 Journal of Nepal Pharmaceutical Association 2014 Vol.XXVII: 34-39

Extraction, isolation and evaluation Trigonella foenum-graecum as mucoadhesive agent for nasal gel drug delivery

The purpose of the study is to formulate and evaluate a new, cheap and effective natural mucoadhesive agent that can be used as an effective alternative for traditional mucoadhesive agent. The study procedure involved extraction of mucoadhesive agent from the Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds, solubility testing of the mucilage obtained, phytochemical testing, determination of swelling index, preparation of nasal gel, measurement of viscosity, The study showed that the extraction of fenugreek seeds had 36% w/w of mucoadhesive agent. The natural mucoadhesive agent was soluble in hot water and cold water. The swelling index was found to be 160%.Fenugreek seeds produce high viscosity mucilage at low concentration levels. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnpa.v27i1.12149 Journal of Nepal Pharmaceutical Association 2014 Vol.XXVII: 40-45

Investigations of phytochemical, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of Ixora pavetta Andrews leaf

Ixora pavetta Andrews, (var.: I. Parviflora Vahl.) is a small tree or evergreen shrub belongs to the family Rubiaceae, and is used for many ailments, especially for the treatment of to treat chronic wounds, urinary diseases, skin infection, pulmonary troubles, liver disorder, hair tonic, sedative, diuretic, diarrhoea, dysentery, leucorrhoea and veneral diseases. Preliminary phytochemical screening of ethanol exract of I. pavetta leaf showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponin glycoside. In the analgesic activity, ethanol extract provoked a significant reduction of the number of writhes in acetic acid-induced writhing response, also significantly reduced the licking time in both phases of the formalin test and highest analgesia in hot-plate test (P < 0.01) compared to the control group. The anti-inflammatory effects were investigated employing the both carrageenan and arachidonic acid -induced hind-paw oedema in rats and results of the study revealed the extract to have significant (P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory effects at a dose of 400 and 600 mg/kg p.o., rats in both the models. The antipyretic activity was evaluated using Brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia in rats and the extract showed significant lowering of body temperature in rats at doses of 400 and 600 mg/kg p.o., and no promising results with 200 mg/kg dose level. These findings suggest that ethanol extract of I. pavetta leaves possess potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretics effects. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnpa.v27i1.12146 Journal of Nepal Pharmaceutical Association 2014 Vol.XXVII: 20-27

Study on Highly Active Anti- Retroviral Therapy: prescription pattern and side effects

Since the introduction of Highly Active Anti Retroviral therapy (HAART) by World Health Organization in 1996, it has been the employed method of drug use in HIV management. Involvement of multiple drugs in the regimen, has also invited multiple complications and side effects is one of them. High chances of occurrence of side effects has called for the need of proper identification and therapy management tools for each HAART user and has highlighted the importance of individualized drug therapy. The aim of the study the prescription pattern of the HAART regimen; frequency of regimen change and its major causes; and the side- effects from HAART. The study was conducted in the ART Clinic of SukraRaj Tropical & Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku. 109 patients, who came to the clinic to refill their prescription, were interviewed by the researcher. After interview, medication file of each patient was reviewed to study the prescribed drug regimen, drug changes and identified reasons for the drug change (as identified by the physicians and recorded in patient medication file); reported side effect experience and laboratory reports were analyzed to study the effect of the HAART regimen on hemoglobin and Alanine Aminotransferase enzyme. The study revealed that the most prescribed HAART regimen constituted a combination of Zidovudine, Lamivudine and Nevirapine. 52% of the patients reported having experienced side effects from HAART. 23.85% patients had to have their initial regimen changed because of drug toxicity. Nausea (15.6%), vertigo (14.7%), decreased hemoglobin (11.9%), skin rash/ allergy (9.2%) were the major side effects experience reported by the patients. In addition to some side effects like nausea, vertigo etc; decrease in the level of hemoglobin after the initiation of HAART was evident. Decrease in Zidovudine containing regimen, during the regimen change was apparent and was mostly related to its hemoglobin lowering activity. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnpa.v26i1.6630 JNPA. XXVI(1) 2012 12-18

Pattern of adverse drug reactions reported to the regional Pharmacovigilance center at Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu

The Pharmacovigilance program in Nepal is at very preliminary stage. Present study analyzed the pattern, causality, severity and preventability of the reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to the Pharmacovigilance center at Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital (NMCTH), from June 2007 to July 2011. A total of 40 ADR cases were reported, among which 23 (57.5%) were in males and 17 (42.5%) in females. Nineteen (47.5%) ADRs were reported in the age group between 21-40 years. Department of Medicine reported 12(30%) ADRs. Among the total ADRs, antibiotics [n=17, (42.5%)] were responsible for most of the reactions followed by non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [n=5, (12.5%)]. Most of the drugs were found to affect dermatological system [n=14, (35%)]. Carbamazepine accounted for 5 (12.5%) ADRs. The causality assessment showed 34 (85%) of the ADRs to have a ‘probable’ relationship with the suspected reaction.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnpa.v26i1.6633JNPA. XXVI(1) 2012 54-61

Curcumin: A Challenge in Cancer Treatment

Oxidative damage initiates the inflammation and inflammation has been pointed out as the root cause of cancer and various other chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease, etc. Epidemiological and clinical studies have suggested that cancer could be prevented or significantly reduced by appropriate treatment with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory drugs. Therefore, curcumin, a principal component of turmeric (curry spice) exhibiting strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, might be a potential candidate for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer and other chronic diseases. However, curcumin, in spite of its excellent safety profile, multitargeting effects and strong evidences on the molecular levels, could not achieve the desired therapeutic outcome in the past clinical trials, mainly due to its low solubility and poor bioavailability. Curcumin can be developed as a therapeutic drug through improvement in formulation properties or delivery systems, enabling its enhanced absorption and cellular uptake. This review mainly focuses on its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials and recent developments in dosage form and delivery systems, opening the possibilities of therapeutic application of curcumin in the prevention and/or treatment of cancer.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnpa.v26i1.6631 JNPA. XXVI(1) 2012 19-47

Phytochemical studies and in vitro activity of Asparagus racemosus

Phytochemical and biological screening of root of Asparagus racemosus was studied. The brine shrimp bioassay of its various extracts showed that the methanol (MeOH) extract was biologically active. The column chromatography of hexane, acetone and methanol extracts resulted in the isolation of 9- hexadecanoic acid-9-octadecenylester (Z,Z), ?-Sitosterol, stigmasterol-3-O-?-D-glucopyranoside and diosgenin. The estimation of saponin in the root of Asparagus racemosus has also been carried out.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnpa.v26i1.6632JNPA. XXVI(1) 2012 48-53