International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

Abstract: COCCINIA INDICA (Bimba, kanduri, Cucurbitaceae) is famous for its hypoglycemic and antidiabetic properties in Ayurvedic system of medicine. Other applications include the therapy of various conditions such as skin diseases and gonorrhoea. The present review highlights the phytochemistry and pharmacology of COCCINIA INDICA. There are many patented formulations derived from C. INDICA which are now distributed increasingly all over the world. This has given rise to a concomitant increase in research on the phytochemic…

Abstract: We have evaluated the phytochemical and bioactive nature of the leaves of Mallotus peltatus (Geist.) Muell. Arg. var acuminatus and Alstonia macrophylla Wall ex A. DC, the two major ethno medicines of the Onge, Nicobarese and other tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, on the Bay of Bengal, India. Three major compounds were isolated from the polar fractions of the methanol extracts of A. macrophylla leaf namely -sitosterol (fraction A), ursolic acid (fraction B) and -sitosterol -D-glucoside (fraction C), along wit…

Abstract: Results from the in vitro evaluation of the antibacterial and antifungal activities of six plant extracts indicated that the aqueous and the methanol extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves and Ageratum conyzoides leaves exhibited good and efficient antifungal activity against Candida albicans with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 31.25 µg/ml and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 62.5 µg/ml) while the methanol extract from Pentaclethra macrophylla inhibited the yeast growth with minimum inhibitory c…

Abstract: The aim of this study seeks to investigate the presence of steroids, triterpenes, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinones and flavonoids compounds as the possible agent responsible for the medicinal activities of the leaf of the plant Paullinia pinnata and also to carry out phytochemical screening of the dried leaf of the plant, to extract and fractionate the leaf and finally to carry out thin layer chromatography of the different fractions. In the phytochemical investigation of the plant, the powdered leaves…

Abstract: Resistin belongs to a family of cysteine- rich secreted polypeptides produced by monocy-tes/macrophages. It is also regarded as a novel adipokine that has been suggested to play a role in the development of insulin resistance and obesity. In humans, inflammatory cells seem to be the major source of resistin. Resistin has been suggested to be an independent risk factor involved in the pathogenesis of numerous disorders. Cardiovascular complications account for significant morbidity and mortality. Moreover, resistin…

Abstract: This paper documents zootherapeutic practices in Similipal Biosphere Reserve of Mayurbhanj district, Orissa, India. It is primarily based on field surveys carried out in villages, where dwellers provided information on animal species used as medicine, body parts used to prepare the remedies, and the illnesses to which the remedies were prescribed. The dominant tribes involved in using animal parts as medicines in the district are Santhal, Kol, Bhumija, Bhuyan, Mahalis, Sounti and Saharas. The animal parts, namely…

Abstract: The study investigated the effect of Cucurbita pepo seeds on haematological and biochemical parameters on Wistar albino rats. The rats were maintained on diets composed of different concentrations of pulverized seeds of C. pepo. Blood samples and organs investigations were carried out using standard laboratory tests. The result revealed that C. pepo seeds significantly affected these parameters with beneficial effects on the vital organs and blood. The concentrations of the platelets, white blood cells and eosinoph…

Abstract: Paracetamol (PAR) crystals exhibit poor compressibility, poor flowability and its tablets show a tendency to cap. To improve the mechanical strength of tablets several kinds of “Paracetamol for direct compression” are present on the market. Current research demonstrated the best tablet properties with coated paracetamol (mass of tablets, diameter, height and mechanical strength, friability RSD[...]

Abstract: Circadian rhythms have an influence on human performance. Interleukin-6 is a cytokine which plays a role in muscle energy homeostasis during physical exercise. This study tested the effect of diurnal variation and alpha-lipoic acid, a natural thiol antioxidant, on skeletal muscle contractile properties, interleukin-6 response and oxidative damage. Male subjects (n=26) performed isokinetic exercise in different time-of-day. Next, the subjects were supplemented with alpha-lipoic acid for two weeks and the exercise te…

Abstract: Garcinia kola has been hitherto speculated as effective in the management of sickle cell disease (SCD). Investigations into the antisickling activities of both crude methanol extracts and the aqueous fractions of the leaf, seed and seed pod of G. kola were carried out using p-hydroxybenzoic acid and normal saline as positive and negative controls respectively. At the tested concentrations of 10.0, 1.0 and 0.1 mg/ml, the leaf extracts exhibited greatest antisickling activity whilst the seed pod had the least antisic…

Abstract: Supplying emergency contraception pills through community pharmacies without the need for a doctor’s prescription is an important public health role for the pharmacy staff, as a way of reducing unwanted pregnancies and induced abortions. Therefore, we aimed to assess the Turkish pharmacy technicians’ counseling practices and attitudes regarding emergency contraception pills. A survey tool which was structured to question pharmacy technicians’ demography, professional experience, counseling practices and attitudes r…

Abstract: The evaluation of the crude herbal drug which eventually enters the pharmaceutical market is obviously of considerable importance. This operation involves the identification of the material and determination of its quality, purity and of adulterated nature of the adulterants. The present paper is based on the above objectives which confined to chemotaxonomic authentication of Cyprus rotundus L. (Nagar mootha) and its other similar species. Chemotaxonomic techniques including morphology, organoleptography, palynolog…

Abstract: The demand for orally disintegrating tablets of lamotrigine has been growing during the last decade especially for the geriatric and pediatric patients. Lamotrigine is a recognized drug for epilepsy, so development of an ODT of lamotrigine and to evaluate the effect of various superdisintegrants on its disintegration time and release profile was the prime objective of this research work. Tablets were prepared by direct compression technique using 3 different superdisintegrants. Sodium starch glycolate, Croscarmello…

Abstract: The effects of aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum on the blood pressure of anaesthetized cats, as well as on the liver and kidney status of the rabbit were investigated in this study. The results revealed that, the extract produced a small fall in the blood pressure of the anaesthetized cat and also reduced the effect of adrenaline-induced elevation of blood pressure. In rabbits, biochemical analysis of serum was carried out; urea and creatinine were used as tests of its effect on the renal function while…

Abstract: Cytogenetic changes in male albino mice due to the effect of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Piroxicam was investigated after daily intraperitoneal injection with 0.3 mg/kg body weight, for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. The observed structural chromosomal aberrations were in the form of chromatid breakage, centric fusion, centromeric attenuation, ring chromosome and end to end association. At all the treatment periods used the number of cells with chromatid breakages and with total structural aberrations increased…