@article {1383, title = {Standardization and GC-MS Analysis of Phytochemicals in Coccinia indica (Wight and Arn.) Fruits}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {April 2025}, pages = {507-518}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {507}, abstract = {

Background: Coccinia indica, commonly known as the ivy gourd, is traditionally utilized for its diverse medicinal properties. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to standardize and evaluate the fruits of Coccinia indica by identifying the phytochemicals using GC-MS analysis. Materials and Methods: Standard methodologies were used for the standardization, including macroscopical, microscopical, physico-chemical evaluations and phytochemical screening. Additionally, GC-MS analysis was performed to identify key components in the plant extract and its fractions. Results: The T.S. of the fruits of C. indica showed a single epicarp, mesocarp and several fibro-vascular bundles, while the T.S. of the seed revealed the presence of a testa, tegmen, embryo, starch grains and several oil globules. The main findings were as follows: total ash 16.52{\textpm}0.13\% w/w, water-soluble ash 11.35{\textpm}0.12\% w/w, acid-insoluble ash 1.45{\textpm}0.06\% w/w, water-soluble extractive value 18.45{\textpm}0.2\% w/w, alcohol-soluble extractive value 8.80{\textpm}0.11\% w/w, moisture content 7.33{\textpm}0.08\% w/w and the pH of the aqueous extract was 5.63{\textpm}0.07 (1\% w/v) and 5.79{\textpm}0.09 (10\% w/v). Phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenolics and terpenoids. GC-MS analysis identified more than forty notable chemicals in the methanol extract and fractions of chloroform and hexane. Conclusion: This study provides key insights into the standardization of C. indica fruits and identifies 43 major secondary metabolites through GC-MS analysis. Notable compounds include taraxerone, squalene, lupeol and piperine, all with potential therapeutic benefits. Moreover, the choice of solvent for extraction and fractionation significantly influenced the phytochemical profile and concentrations.

}, keywords = {Coccinia indica, Evaluation, GC-MS Analysis, Phytochemical, Standardization}, doi = {10.5530/pres.20251942}, author = {Shadab Alam and Mohammad Irfan Khan and Badruddeen B and Juber Akhtar and Mohammad Ahmad and Mohammad Dabeer Ahmad} } @article {1303, title = {Modification and Physicochemical Evaluation of Naque Nazla a Unani Infusion Preparation for Cold and Flu into Soluble Granules}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {16}, year = {2024}, month = {October 2024}, pages = {837-853}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {837}, abstract = {

Background: Infusions and decoctions for Nazla/Zukam (Cold and Flu) are time tested in Unani System of Medicine. Naque Nazla (NN) Infusion containing Viola odorata Linn. flower, Zizyphus jujuba Linn. fruit, Cordia dichotama Forst. fruit, Althea officinalis Linn. Seed, Malva sylvestris Linn. Seed, Borago offlclnalis Linn. leaves, Glycyrhhiza glabra Linn. root is used as an effective remedy for common cold and related symptoms. This formulation need modification for better drug compliance and portability. Attempt was made to make soluble granule in unit sachet, from NN which may retain the advantages of infusions and also address the problems of quality control, preparation, and administration of infusions/decoctions. Materials and Methods: Granules batch was selected on the basis of ease of preparation, Solubility and total solid content by Water-bath method of drying of NN (NNG 1), Granules were also prepared by different initial drying process of NN viz. NNG 2 (Freeze drying) and NNG 3 (Rota evaporator). Batch-NNG 1 was also evaluated for short term preliminary stability study. Physicochemical evaluation of all the batches was carried out with Glycyrrhizin estimation by HPLC and fingerprinting by HPTLC. Results: NN dried with 10\% maltodextrin was selected due to ease of powdering as a Non-Native Extract (NNE). Three different procedures of drying in NNG1, NNG 2 and NNG 3 batches do not reveal much difference when evaluated, except dry yield of NNE in NNG 2 was more in comparison to NNG 1 and NNG 3 batches. Granules batch with NNE powder (with 10\% maltodextrin) 63\%, fine powder of NN ingredient (filler) 10\%, liquorice powder (sweetening agent) 5\%, Starch soluble 20\%, SSG 2\%, Satte Pudina 0.25\%, and Aerosil-200 5\% of all the ingredient was selected. Physicochemical parameters of NN and formulated Granules such as organoleptic properties, pH value, total LOD at 105{\textdegree}C, Ash \& extractive values, test for mucilage, microbial contamination, HPLC (Glycyrrhizin estimation), HPTLC data etc., was set in. Short term (3 month) stability study of NNG1 predicted 1 year stability at room temperature in sachet packed condition. Conclusion: NNG1 method can be a more feasible and economical method. It displayed higher Glycyrrhizin content. Successful formulation of soluble granules was achieved.

}, keywords = {Cold flu, Evaluation, Granules, Naque-Nazla, Physicochemical, Unani medicine}, doi = {10.5530/pres.16.4.96}, author = {Mohammad Zaigham and Hamiduddin and Mohd Akhtar Ali and Mohammed Abdul Waheed} } @article {1157, title = {Effect of Cholesterol and Different Solvents on Particle Size, Zeta Potential and Drug Release of Eucalyptus Oil Phytosome}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {15}, year = {2023}, month = {June 2023}, pages = {578-590}, type = {Original Article }, chapter = {578}, abstract = {

Background: Herbal extracts show poor absorption and bioavailability but their complex with phospholipids i.e., phytosome improves this major problem. Aim: The aim of research was to examine the effect of cholesterol and different organic solvents on particle size and zeta potential of eucalyptus oil phytosome. Materials and Methods: Totally six batches of phytosomes were prepared using three solvents chloroform, dichloromethane, acetone, with and without addition of cholesterol. Phytosome were evaluated for yield, FTIR, partial size and zeta potential, drug entrapment and drug release, drug release kinetics and stability studies. Results: The yield, density refractive index and maximum absorbance (λmax) of eucalyptus oil was found to be 1.65{\textpm}0.74\%, 0.9928 g/cm{\textthreesuperior} (24.2{\textdegree}C), 1.3613(24.6{\textdegree}C), and 297.733 nm respectively. There was no drug excipient interaction. The yield varied from 85.14{\textpm}0.74 to 87.14{\textpm}0.74\%, particle size varied from 71.76{\textpm}0.63 to 197.36{\textpm}0.53 nm, zeta potential varied from 15.3{\textpm}0.27 to-28.2{\textpm}0.26 mV and entrapment efficiency varied from 57.45{\textpm}0.35 to 67.34{\textpm}0.52 respectively. The in vitro drug release varied from 87.26{\textpm}0.63 to 71.35{\textpm}0.63\% up to 300 min (5 hr) and batch-A was selected as best formulation that showed Peppas Korsmeyer as the best fit model with R2 value 0.9422 and mechanism of drug release was Fickian Diffusion (Higuchi Matrix). The stability studies showed 99.14{\textpm}0.25 to 99.55{\textpm}0.52\% drug content on 28th day. Conclusion: The particle size of phytosomes was increased on addition of cholesterol. The acetone showed the smallest particle size and chloroform showed the biggest particle size that indicated that molecule diameter and molecular weight affects the solubility and assembly of phospholipid/ cholesterol in solvent in order to prepare particulate drug delivery system

}, keywords = {Eucalyptus, Evaluation, Particle size, Phytosomes, Zeta potential.}, doi = {10.5530/pres.15.3.061}, author = {Sharad Visht and Sana Sirwan Salih} } @article {1068, title = {Pharmacognostic Evaluations of Leaves and Rootback of Lophira lanceolata Tiegh. Ex Keay (False Shea)}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {14}, year = {2022}, month = {July 2022}, pages = {310-315}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {310}, abstract = {

Objectives: The present study sought to establish quality control parameters of a locally and ubiquitously occurring medicinal plant, Lophira lanceolata which is utilized as folk medicine among the local communities in Northern Nigeria as well as other regions, due to its therapeutic indication mainly as an aphrodisiac, among other uses. Materials and Methods: Pharmacognostically, different types of evaluations were carried out that focuses on organoleptic, macroscopic, microscopic, chemical evaluations as well as heavy metal assessments using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Results: Organoleptic and macroscopic studies revealed some features of the leaves as green and oblanceolate, pinnate venation, with an average leaf size length and width of 14-15 and 4-5 cm respectively. The root has a light pale-brown outer surface and a reddish-brown inner surface. The outer surface was soft and dry while the inner surface was moist and smooth. Leaf microscopy indicated the presence of anisocytic or cruciferous type of stomata while both the rootbark and leaves are not devoid of common ergastic cell contents of calcium oxalate, lignin, starch, protein and tannin. Phytochemical evaluations revealed abundance of phytoconstituent that are richly phenolic of the types of saponin, tannin, triterpenoid, flavonoid, glycosides, diterpenoids, alkaloid, steroid, anthraquinones and phenols etc. Physicochemical evaluations showed a good source of mineral content of carbohydrate (35.93 {\textpm} 1.9199 for leaves and 33.58 {\textpm} 1.6791 for rootbark), Ash (9.33 {\textpm} 0.4714 for leaves and 7.17 {\textpm} 0.2358 for rootbark) in the plant. Heavy metal analysis of the leaves and rootbark investigated for Cadmium, Copper, Lead and Mercury showed that their concentrations were within the WHO (2002) permissible limits. Conclusion: This study provides the scientific data for the proper identification and establishment of standards for the use of the plant, Lophira lanceolata (False shea).

}, keywords = {Chloral hydrate, Evaluation, Heavy metals, Lophira lanceolata, Standardization, Stomata}, doi = {10.5530/pres.14.3.45}, author = {Mathias Sylvester Nefai and Adamu Aliyu Aliero and Waziri Altine Fakka and Bilkisu Umar Jaja} }