Wellman center for Photomedicine

It is important to monitor the quality of the phytopharmaceutical product as its therapeutic potential depends on standardized delivery of active ingredients present in the botanical source. Minimal presence of toxic impurities like heavy metals (HMs) is warranted to ensure product safety and prevent hazardous health impacts. In the present study, conducted as part of the development of a novel phytopharmaceutical product, the chemical profile of 13 heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Ni, Co, Mo, V, Cr, As, Pb, Hg, and Cd) was studied in the whole plant, fruit, and rhizome of Bacopa monnieri, Hippophae rhamnoides, and Dioscorea bulbifera, respectively, from environmentally diverse regions in India. Most samples had HM profiles within permissible limits as established by regulatory authorities , with the exception of Cd and Hg in low-altitude regions. This study indicates geographical regions in India suitable for procuring raw materials to develop and manufacture phytopharmaceutical products.

Pharmacoeconomics is a young science that will improve with application. Its need is
undeniable, especially in developing countries. Pharmacoeconomics is a sub-discipline of the
field of health economics, which itself is a relatively new sub-discipline of economics, only
formerly appearing in the economics scientific literature since the 1960s. Accuracy of costeffectiveness
estimates depends on the quality of input variables; validity of surrogate end
points; and appropriateness of modelling assumptions, including model structure, time horizon
and sophistication of the model to differentiate clinically and economically meaningful
outcomes. Economic analysis alongside pivotal clinical trials are often inconclusive due to the
suboptimal collection of economic data and protocol-driven costs. The two fundamental
components of pharmacoeconomic studies are measures of costs and measures of outcomes that
are combined into a quantitative measure or ratio. It can be done using various methods like
Cost-minimization analysis (CMA), Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), Cost-utility analysis
(CUA), and Cost-benefit analysis (CBA). Cost involves all the resources that are used to produce
and deliver a particular drug therapy. The need for pharmacoeconomic evidence has
fundamentally changed the strategic imperatives of research and development (R&D). Therefore,
professionals in pharmaceutical R&D have to be familiar with the principles of
pharmacoeconomics, including the selection of health policy-relevant comparators, analytical
techniques, measurement of health gain by quality adjusted life-years and strategic pricing of
pharmaceuticals.
Keywords: Pharmacoeconomics, Cost effectiveness analysis, Drug therapy.

Diabetes mellitus is a pandemic disease that has struck each and every corner of the world. It
is a chronic disease caused by inherited/ acquired deficiency in insulin production or in
effectiveness of insulin produced. A wide range of oral antidiabetic drugs such as
sulphonylureas, biguanides, Alpha glucosidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, meglitinides
and the most recently introduced dipeptidyl peptidase-4(DPP-4) inhibitors have been used.
The present article reviews various prescribing pattern studies of drugs conducted all over
country and abroad. It was observed in the majority of such studies that physicians do not
adhere to the guidelines made by regulatory agencies leading to irrational use of medicines.
This in turn leads to increased incidence of treatment failure and economic burden on the
patient and the community as a whole. The treatment of diseases by the use of essential
drugs, prescribed by their generic names, has been emphasized by the WHO and the National
Health Policy of India. We conclude that the prescribing pattern studies provide a bridge
between areas like rational use of drugs, pharmacovigilance, evidence based medicine and
pharmacoeconomics. In India, this is the need of the hour to utilize the data generated by so
many prescribing pattern studies done in every state and on every drug, so that the main aim
of promoting rational use of drugs is fulfilled.
Keywords: Prescribing pattern, pharmacovigilance, pharmacoeconomics, rational use of
drugs.

Objective: The present study was undertaken to investigate the anti-convulsant effects of dihydropyrimidinone-5 (DHPM-5) in animal models.
Materials and Methods: Swiss albino mice were used for the study. The test drug and standard drugs were administered once daily for a period of
14 days. Maximal electroshock (MES) induced convulsion and strychnine induced convulsion models were used for the study. Phenytoin (PHT) and
Diazepam were used as standard agents throughout the study.
Results and Discussion: Anti-convulsant studies with test drug showed a significant protection in MES induced convulsion models in a dosedependent
manner. There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the duration of tonic hind limb extension at both the doses of test drug (200 mg/kg)
in MES model. Compared with the control group, treatment with test drug had no significant effect on onset and duration of convulsions in the
strychnine induced seizure model. As expected, the animals treated with diazepam 4 mg/kg increased onset, duration of convulsions and latency to
death as compared with control group. In all groups, all animals had seizures and all died. DHPM-5 has an influence on the excitatory and inhibitory
neurotransmission, of special interest being the increase in the gamma amino butyric acid levels.
Conclusion: The presence of the chemical constituents gave strength to its anti-convulsant action. However, further research is warranted to
determine the specific mode of its anti-convulsant activity.
Keywords: Dihydropyrimidinone-5, Strychnine, Seizure, Neurotoxicity.

Berberine is a quaternary ammonium salt from the protoberberine group of isoquinoline alkaoloids. It is present in roots and stem-bark of Berberis species. Berberine has been isolated from various plant families including some are given as Papaveraceae, Berberidaceae, Fumariaceae, Menispermaceae, Ranunculaceae, Rutaceae, and Annonaceae. The alkaloid berberine has a tetracyclic skeleton derived from a benzyl tetrahydroisoquinoline system with the incorporation of an extra carbon atom provided by S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) via an N-methyl group. As a traditional medicine or dietary supplement, berberine has shown some activity against fungal infections, Candida albicans, yeast, parasites, and bacterial/viral infections. Its activity in carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms, diabetes mellitus treatment, endothelial function and the cardiovascular system has been investigated in the last decade with interesting results both in animals and clinical studies. These accumulated data may be helpful for its future research and important study of about berberine. INTRODUCTION Medicinal plants have been identified and used throughout human history. Plants have the ability to synthesize a wide variety of chemical compounds that are used to perform important biological functions, and to defend against attack from predators such W WO OR RL LD D J JO OU UR RN NA AL L O OF F P PH HA AR RM MA AC CY Y A AN ND D P PH HA AR RM MA AC CE EU UT TI IC CA AL L S SC CI IE EN NC CE ES S S SJ JI IF F I Im mp pa ac ct t F Fa ac ct to or r 5 5. .2 21 10 0 V Vo ol lu um me e 4 4, , I Is ss su ue e 0 07 7, , 5 54 47 7--5 57 73 3. . R Re ev vi ie ew w A Ar rt ti ic cl le e I

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The Moringa plant provides a rich and rare combination of zeatin, quercetin, sitosterol, caffeoylquinic acid and kaempferol. In addition to its compelling water purifying powers and high nutritional value, M. oleifera is very important for its medicinal value. Various parts of this plant such as the leaves, roots, seed, bark, fruit, flowers and immature pods act as cardiac and circulatory stimulants, antipyretic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiepileptic, diuretic, antiulcer, antispasmodic antihypertensive, cholesterol lowering, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, and antifungal activities, and are being employed for the treatment of different ailments in the indigenous system of medicine, particularly in Access this article online QR Code Website: www.ijrpsonline.com

Dyeing is a complex, specialized science. Nearly all dye stuffs are now producing from synthetic compounds. This means that costs have been greatly reduced and certain application and wear characteristics have been greatly enhanced. But many practitioners of the craft of natural dyeing (i.e. using naturally occurring sources of dye) maintain that natural dyes have a far superior aesthetic quality which is much more pleasing to the eye. On the other hand, many commercial practitioners feel the natural dyes are non-viable on grounds of both quality and economics. In the west, natural dyeing is now practiced only as a handcraft, synthetic dye being used in all commercial applications. Some craft, weavers and knitters use natural dye as a particular feature of their work.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder manifested by deterioration in memory and cognition, impairment in performing activities of daily living. The pathological hallmark of AD is widespread neuritic plaques which are accumulation of amyloid beta protein and neurofibrillary tangles. This review has been done on various causes due to neurofibrillary tangles, senile plaque, gene, and different factors involved in aging and injury. Treatment of AD targeting toward cholinergic deficiency, oxidative stress, protein oxidation, protein nitration, tau and tangles formation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation. Pharmaceutical therapies include cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, antihypertensive drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, secretase inhibitors, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and immunization. Nutrition and natural therapies, various vitamins and minerals also play a role in treatment. Approaches that target several dysfunctions simultaneously and that emphasize nutritional, natural, and stimulatory therapies may offer the most benefit at this time.

It is important to monitor the quality of the phytopharmaceutical product as its therapeutic potential depends on standardized delivery of active ingredients present in the botanical source. Minimal presence of toxic impurities like heavy metals (HMs) is warranted to ensure product safety and prevent hazardous health impacts. In the present study, conducted as part of the development of a novel phytopharmaceutical product, the chemical profile of 13 heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Ni, Co, Mo, V, Cr, As, Pb, Hg, and Cd) was studied in the whole plant, fruit, and rhizome of Bacopa monnieri, Hippophae rhamnoides, and Dioscorea bulbifera, respectively, from environmentally diverse regions in India. Most samples had HM profiles within permissible limits as established by regulatory authorities, with the exception of Cd and Hg in low-altitude regions. This study indicates geographical regions in India suitable for procuring raw materials to develop and manufacture phytopharmaceutical products.

Background: Recent scenario and global trends are moving toward the medicinal plant used as health-care product for the treatment of different disease or disorder, but the critical and essential issue to be considered in assuring the therapeutic efficacy and safety. Thus standardization of plant parts need to standardized according to the standard guideline for global acceptance of the product. Reinwardtia indica belongs to Linaceae family used as folk medicine in Asia in the treatment and management of boils, carbuncle, and as an antimicrobial agent in wound healing traditionally. Objective: The present study aimed at physicochemical standardization of R. indica leaves and stem part of the plant. Materials and Methods: In our investigation, leaves and stem part of R. indica were standardized based on microscopy, powder microscopy, physicochemical evaluations, extractive yields, and heavy metal analysis as per the International Regulatory Norms. Results: The results revealed that the pharmacognostic parameters have shown the leaves and stem part of the R. indica plant found within the standard limit as per regulatory norms. Conclusion: The data found after standardization can be adopted as a standard of the plant R. indica, and it can be used in the formulation of the health care product after pre-clinical and clinical investigations.

The present study aimed to evaluate the safety of the alcoholic leaves extract of Reinwardtia indica in Charles foster rats through an acute and sub-acute oral administration.For assessment of acute oral toxicity test, ratswere orally treated with single dose of the alcoholic leaves extract of Reinwardtia indica at the doses of 50, 250, 500, 1000 2000 and 5000 mg/kg. In sub-acute toxicity study, using the OECD guidelines no. 407, the extract was administered at the doses of 50, 250, 500, 1000, 2000 mg/kg/day for 28 consecutive days and at the dose of 2000 mg/kg satellite group also used for 6 weeks.In acute toxicity above mentioned doses neither showed mortality nor exterior signs of toxicity. In sub-acute, study no significant changes found in haematological and biochemical level ofthe treated rat after 14 days and 28 days in comparison to control. The histopathology of rat brain, kidney, liver, and heart also showed the no cellular changes after extract treated rat.The alcoholic leaves extract of Reinwardtia indica was found non-toxic in single drug dose administration up to 5000 mg/kg (acute study) and in sub-acute administration up to 2000 mg/kg.

Background: Amnesia state damages the hippocampus and leads to the loss of short-term memory. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (L.) is used in traditional medicines to treat various ailments. Objective: In the present investigation, we evaluated the efficacy of ethanolic extract of flowers of N. arbor-tristis against scopolamine-induced amnestic effect in male Wister rats and intended to identify the major compounds present in the extract. Materials and Methods: The anti-amnestic profile of flower extract was screened by elevated plus maze (EPM), passive avoidance (PA), and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Results: EPM test confirmed the anxiolytic effect of the extract in rats and decreased the transfer latency in the protected arm of the EPM. During PA test, the extract resulted significant increase in step-down latencies during both the acquisition and retention sessions. In MWM task, the scopolamine injection significantly prolonged the escape latency time, whereas this time was shortened in flower extract-treated group. For the confirmation of anti-amnestic effect of extract, acetylcholine (Ach) content, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in hippocampus brain were evaluated. The extract significantly increased ACh content and decreased the activity of AChE in the hippocampus of the brain. Similarly, the extract declined the MDA and increased the GSH and SOD levels in brain tissues. The phytol (RT 19.69) and loliolide (RT 23.50) were identified in the extract through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The four major compounds such as 4-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid hemihydrate, chalcone, and melatonin were identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Conclusion: The anti-amnestic effect of ethanolic extract of the flower was confirmed. It contains several compounds which might be useful in the treatment and to control several neurodegenerative diseases.

The present study was to assess the toxicity of hydro alcoholic leaves extract of Reinwardtia indica in Charles foster rats through an acute and sub-acute study. In the acute study, rats were treated orally with single dose and for sub-acute study different doses were given orally for 28 consecutive days. At the dose of 2000 mg/kg satellite group was also used for 6 weeks as per OECD guidelines-407. General behavioral parameters were assessed in acute toxicity and found no mortality or exterior signs of toxicity. While in the sub-acute study; biochemical, hematological and histopathology along with the body weight, food, and water consumptions parameters were screened in the animals after 14 & 28 days. The study reveals the insignificant (P < 0.05) change in treated group in comparison to the control. The hydroalcoholic leaves extract of Reinwardtia indica was found non-toxic up to 5000 mg/kg in acute study whereas up to 2000 mg/kg dose level in the sub-acute study.

Background: Amnesia state damages the hippocampus and leads to the loss of short-term memory. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (L.) is used in traditional medicines to treat various ailments. Objective: In the present investigation, we evaluated the efficacy of ethanolic extract of flowers of N. arbor-tristis against scopolamine-induced amnestic effect in male Wister rats and intended to identify the major compounds present in the extract. Materials and Methods: The anti-amnestic profile of flower extract was screened by elevated plus maze (EPM), passive avoidance (PA), and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Results: EPM test confirmed the anxiolytic effect of the extract in rats and decreased the transfer latency in the protected arm of the EPM. During PA test, the extract resulted significant increase in step-down latencies during both the acquisition and retention sessions. In MWM task, the scopolamine injection significantly prolonged the escape latency time, whereas this time was shortened in flower extract-treated group. For the confirmation of anti-amnestic effect of extract, acetylcholine (Ach) content, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in hippocampus brain were evaluated. The extract significantly increased ACh content and decreased the activity of AChE in the hippocampus of the brain. Similarly, the extract declined the MDA and increased the GSH and SOD levels in brain tissues. The phytol (RT 19.69) and loliolide (RT 23.50) were identified in the extract through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The four major compounds such as 4-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid hemihydrate, chalcone, and melatonin were identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Conclusion: The anti-amnestic effect of ethanolic extract of the flower was confirmed. It contains several compounds which might be useful in the treatment and to control several neurodegenerative diseases.

The purpose of the current research is to optimize the synthesis of sodium hyaluronatetitanium dioxide nanocomposite with the highest anticancer activity. To this end, the Taguchi method was followed to design nine experiments with different ratios of sodium hyaluronate biopolymer, titanium dioxide nanoparticles and stirring times. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the synthesis of the nanoparticle and nanocomposite. The comparison of anticancer activity level of synthesized nanocomposites using MTT assay showed that the nanocomposite synthesized in the conditions of experiment 9 (8 mg/ml of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, 2 mg/ml of sodium hyaluronate biopolymer and 60 min stirring time) had the maximum anticancer activity against Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) cell line. According to the results, the Taguchi method can be employed as an effective and useful strategy to save time and cost in order to determine the optimal conditions for the synthesis...