In the Indo-Pak subcontinent, the traditional systems of medicine, both Ayurvedic and Unani, are primarily based on herbs and herb-based preparation for therapy. Therefore, the importance of the herbal identification process remains critical in achieving the desired and successful therapeutic effect. To support the manufacturers and practitioners of both systems, many herbs are still collected from wild sources, as herbal farming is not very developed in this part of the world. During a survey program conducted in different areas of Pakistan, significant lacks and gaps were noted to be present in the identification & characterization of herbs, which needs to be addressed and fulfilled as many species look alike apparently or physically but have different biological or pharmacological activity. Based on this objective and approach, Centella asiatica was selected for the pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical investigation to establish a better correlation and to provide useful methods in its identification as the use of Centella asiatica is very common in Pakistan and other South Asian countries for CNS disorders therapy. Therefore, this study aimed to develop & report some and rapid identification methods for Centella asiatica. The present study includes physical, physicochemical, preliminary phytochemical and fluorescence analysis. For the first time, in the present study, NIR and FT-IR spectra of Centella asiatica have been reported for identification. The findings of the present study are quite promising and can be helpful for the manufacturers and researchers in the identification and development of Centella asiatica-based new drugs or formulations.
Standardization of crude drugs is a code of conduct and an essential need of the time. Substitution and adulteration now become a widespread practice, which makes the global crude drug market unsafe for crude drugs depending on the world population. Moreover, crude drug evaluation is not easy because numerous influential factors affect the bio-efficacy and reproducibility of therapeutic effects. The broad spectrum of standardization ensures the correct substance in the proper amount for desired therapeutic effects. It also provides all possible careful measures taken from collection and manufacturing to drug dispensing for clinical application. The authors have tried to cover precise tools for crude drug standardization in the present review.
Emesis is defined as a forceful expulsion of stomach contents via the mouth. The adverse effects of available anti-emetic drugs potentiate us to evaluate natural products to explore effective natural anti-emetics with fewer side effects. The fruits of Illicium verum Hook. f. were selected for anti-emetic activity based on their folkloric use against gastrointestinal complaints. Crude methanolic extract and its aqueous, dichloromethane, ethylacetate and hexane fractions were evaluated using the copper sulphate-induced chick emesis model. Emesis was induced by the oral administration of copper sulfate 10 ml/kg body weight and metoclopramide (150 mg/kg p.o.) as a standard anti-emetic drug. The anti-emetic effect was observed by calculating the mean decrease in the number of retches compared to that of the control. Methanolic extract and its fractions were tested at 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg oral doses. Among all tested fractions, ethyl acetate showed the highest (94.46%), and hexane showed the lowest (56.30%) anti-emetic activity at 50 mg/kg. Further, isolation and purification from the same fractions are in process to discover effective natural anti-emetic compound(s) with less unwanted effects.
The use of spectroscopic analysis, particularly UV spectrophotometer, is a simple and essential technique for bulk drug estimation, formulation studies, and compatibility assessments of drugs with various excipients. In the pharmaceutical industry, various analytical instruments, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), are employed for investigating drug-excipient interactions that can impact the stability of active pharmaceutical ingredients. This study aimed to develop a UV spectrophotometric method for the analysis of Pioglitazone hydrochloride in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and methanolic solution, assessing its linearity and compliance with Beer's Law. Furthermore, we aimed to use FTIR to characterize potential interactions between Pioglitazone and common pharmaceutical excipients, such as Guar Gum, Chitosan, and Sodium Alginate. Standard solutions of Pioglitazone were prepared in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and methanol. UV spectrophotometer was conducted to determine the maximum absorption wavelength. Calibration curves were constructed to evaluate linearity and adherence to Beer's Law. FTIR analyses were performed to investigate drug-excipient interactions by examining the functional groups. In phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), the maximum absorption wavelength for Pioglitazone hydrochloride was 268 nm. The calibration curve for Pioglitazone in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) demonstrated linearity in the concentration range of 1–20 μg/ml, with a correlation coefficient of 0.998. In methanol, the maximum absorption wavelength for Pioglitazone hydrochloride was found to be 272 nm. The calibration curve in methanol exhibited linearity in the range of 1–20 μg/ml, with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. FTIR analysis revealed potential drug-excipient interactions, particularly in the case of Guar Gum, Chitosan, and Sodium Alginate, suggesting the formation of stable hydrogen bonds. The developed UV spectrophotometric method for Pioglitazone analysis is a reliable, cost- effective, and reproducible approach, making it a valuable tool for drug development and quality control. Additionally, the FTIR characterization confirmed interactions between Pioglitazone and common pharmaceutical excipients, enhancing our understanding of formulation compatibility,
Background: There is great promise for improving nutrition and health thanks to phytonutrients' antioxidant qualities and health advantages. Their capacity to combat oxidative stress and associated illnesses emphasizes the importance of precisely evaluating their antioxidant characteristics. Objective: This study concludes by providing a comprehensive and critical critique of the current approaches to measure the antioxidant activity of phytonutrients. It dives into the fundamentals, benefits, drawbacks, and most recent developments of commonly used antioxidant assays, giving the reader a comprehensive grasp of the topic. This recapitulation of the review's goal in the end reinforces the reader's primary takeaway. Methods: Research on several antioxidant tests, such as FRAP, ORAC, DPPH, and ABTS, is consolidated in this review. It looks at each assay's performance traits, technological advances, and techniques. The review also assesses the incorporation of many assays to thoroughly examine phytonutrient potency and its uses in the food industry and nutritional science. Results: The review shows how antioxidant tests have advanced significantly, improving sensitivity, accuracy, and physiological relevance. It demonstrates how these tests can be used practically to guarantee food quality, create supplements, and offer nutritional advice. The paper also lists the difficulties today, including the intricacy of antioxidant mechanisms, test variability, and the requirement for assay standardization. The practical value of the research is emphasized by highlighting the significance of antioxidant tests for quality assurance, adulteration detection, and shelf life extension in the food business. Discussion: Scientists, doctors, and business experts interested in evaluating and applying phytonutrients will find this review helpful. It emphasizes how crucial it is to improve antioxidant testing to ascertain the possible health advantages and therapeutic uses of phytonutrients. The review highlights the need for increased test sensitivity, accuracy, and relevance while discussing the benefits and drawbacks of the available techniques. It draws attention to the importance of strong and trustworthy antioxidant tests to maximize the use of phytonutrients in food quality control and pharmaceutical research. Prospects: Future directions seek to address the challenges discovered through the development of multidisciplinary research and testing technologies. Novel approaches will advance our knowledge of phytonutrient potency and aid in developing medicines and nutraceuticals. This study highlights the significance of trustworthy assays for understanding and utilizing phytonutrients, providing academics and professionals in the business with vital insights.