Journal of Natural Remedies

Arshia Shariff , P. K. Manna , K. L. K. Paranjothy , Mohammed Asad

Abstract

Andrographis paniculata, an established hepatoprotectant is widely used in many polyherbal formulations. The main problem with the drug is its bitterness, which causes gastric discomfort, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting on regurgitation and in turn leads to patient non-compliance. The aim of the present study was to mask the bitterness of Andrographis paniculata to encourage its use as a monoherbal hepatoprotectant preparation. The extract of Andrographis paniculata (30%w/w of andrographolide) was entrapped into micropellets of calcium alginate for bitter taste masking and the so formed pellets were evaluated for hepatoprotectant activity in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The micropellets containing alcoholic extract of Andrographis paniculata equivalent to 22.5mg/kg body weight of the alcoholic extract of Andrographis paniculata were given orally to animals for a period of 9 days. The activity observed was compared with alcoholic extract of Andrographis paniculata. The bitterless alginate micropellets loaded with alcoholic extract of Andrographis paniculata were found to successfully inhibit the paracetamol induced hepatotoxiciy as indicated by a decrease in AST, ALT, ALP and liver weight. The effect observed was supported by histopathological studies. It was concluded that micropellets prepared by inotropic gelation of calcium alignate can be used to mask the bitterness of Andrographis paniculata without affecting its activity.

Keywords

Andrographis paniculata, Bitter Taste Masking, Ionotropic Gelation, Micropellets, Hepatoprotective, Paracetamol

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S. Umadevi , G. P. Mohanta , V. Chelladurai , P. K. Manna , R. Manavalan

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the antibacterial and antifungal activity of chloroform, acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts of whole plant Andrographis echiodes. Materials and methods: Antimicrobial activity was studied at different concentrations of the extract dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide against seven strains of bacteria, three strains of fungi and one yeast by disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the extracts were also determined. Results: All the extracts except aqueous posses antimicrobial activity against most of the organisms tested. The minimum inhibitory concentrations ranges from 0.05 mg/ml to 5 mg/ml on tested bacteria. Conclusion: The activities of Andrographis echiodes confirms with its folk use as remedy for fever. In addition to this use it may also be used topically for treatment of bacterial and fungal infections.

Keywords

Andrographis echiodes, Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity, Bacteria. Fungi, Yeast

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S. Umadevi , G. P. Mohanta , R. Kalaiselvan , P. K. Manna , R. Manavalan , S. Sethupathi , K. Shantha

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of leaf extract of Flaveria trinervia in rat. Materials and methods: The methanolic extract of the plant was evaluated for the hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver damage in rats by administering orally at 400 mg/kg dose for 10 days. Such effect was compared with silymarin as a standard hepatoprotective drug. In the serum, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, triglyceride and cholesterol contents were determined. In the liver, total protein, peroxide, phospholipid and glutathione levels were estimated. Results: The extract significantly reversed the elevated enzyme levels and altered biochemical parameters compared to control and silymarin. Besides, a significant reduction of the CCl₄-induced changes in the liver histopathology was also observed. Conclusion: The extract showed a considerable potential for hepatoprotective activity possibly by the antioxidant property. Keywords: Flaveria trinerv

Keywords

Flaveria trinervia, Hepatoprotective, Silymarin, Carbon Tetrachloride

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