Cardiospermum Halicacabum Research Articles

Novel topical agent containing superoxide dismutase 100000IU and 4% of plant extracts as a mono-therapy for atopic dermatitis.

Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment for the acute phase of atopic dermatitis (AD), whereas topical emollients are mainly used for maintenance of remission. A topical agent that combines emollient and anti-inflammatory properties would achieve control of all phases of AD, without the need for chronic corticosteroid use. To assess the efficacy of a novel topical agent containing superoxide dismutase (SOD) 100000IU and 4% of a combination of plant extracts (blackcurrant seed oil, sunflower oil concentrate, balloon vine extract). Twenty patients (age range from 8months to 72years old) with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis were assessed. The product was used as mono-therapy, applied to the affected skin areas twice daily. Patients were evaluated before and after a 30-day course using the SCORAD and the Visual Analog Scale for assessment of pruritus intensity. Primary endpoint was improvement of AD according to SCORAD and clinical assessment. Secondary endpoint was patient satisfaction and improvement of pruritus. Mean SCORAD on day 0 was 32.61(range=16.0-46.9) and decreased to 10.55 (range=0-17.0) on day 30, reflecting a reduction of 67.6%. On day 30, all patients described significant improvement in pruritus and quality of sleep. The application of the study product cream resulted in significant improvement of AD, as reflected by the objective SCORAD measurement, and the subjective assessment of pruritus and quality of life. This novel anti-inflammatory emollient product may emerge as a safe and effective therapeutic tool for all phases of AD without the adverse effects of chronic use of corticosteroids.

CARDIOSPERMUM HALICACABUM LINN. - A REVIEW

Before the modern day, medicine and its pharmacopeia of synthetic drugs, there were plants and ancient civilizations knew how to use the plants strategically to treat common ailments and even life-threatening diseases. Natural plant-based remedies are used for the both acute and chronic health problems from treating common colds to control blood pressure and cholesterol. Plant medicines were the most widely used medicines in the world because of their safety and very less or no side effects. In this way, the aim of this review article was to summarize the phytochemical and medicinal information of the readily reachable plant Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn. This is commonly known as Balloon vine extensively dispersed in tropical and subtropical areas of world. The roots, leaves, stem, and seeds of this plant are employed as herbal medication. The phytochemical analysis confirmed that this herb contains flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, saponin, protein, carbohydrates, glycosides, variety of fatty acids, and volatile esters. Due to the presence of various compounds, this plant has antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antidiarrheal, anxiolytic, antioxidant, antipyretic, antirheumatic, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancinogenic activities.

Study on Plant Extract Mediated Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Combination of Cardiospermum Halicacabum and Butea Monosperma and Screening of Its Antibacterial Activity

Objective: To synthesis silver nanoparticles from aqueous leaf extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum and Butea monosperma and analyze the phytochemical constituent and evaluate the antibacterial activity using this silver nanoparticle. Materials and methods: For the synthesis of silver nanoparticle, 1mM silver nitrate is used. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of silver nanoparticle was analyzed using standard procedures. The antibacterial activity was evaluated using agar diffusion method. Results: The phytochemical analysis of the silver nanoparticle exhibited the presence of alkaloids, Tannin, phenol, carbohydrate, terpenoid. The antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticle against Pseudomonas, Bacillus cereus, citrobacter and E.coli, The whole plant of Cardiosperm halicacabum and Butea monsperma leaf parts have prominent antimicrobial properties. Conclusion: The silver nanoparticle of Cardiospermum halicacabum and Butea monosperma were found to be a powerful antimicrobial agent and this study can be continued for their structural elucidation and pharmacological activity.

Evaluation of Cardiospermum halicacabum leaf compounds against human DihydroOrotate Dehydrogenase: a target for Rheumatoid Arthritis using Structure based Drug Designing

Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is a disorder that makes the abnormal immune cells to assail the joints in the body leading to pannus formation and destruction of the synovium. Human DiHydroOrotate DeHydrogenase [hDHODH] inhibition is effective in controlling the proliferation of the abnormal immune cells. Though technology has benefitted science and medicine in many ways, certain indigenous cures are still considered a boom for various diseases. C. halicacabum an Indian medicinal plant is widely used as a home remedy for arthritis pain. The novelty of this study relies on the extensive validations performed to obtain robustness of the results. An E-pharmacophore model based on A771726- an experimentally resolved inhibitor of hDHODH was screened against the phytocompounds in the leaf of C. halicacabum. These compounds were docked and further validated statistical and ranking methods. Further, flexible docking was performed to understand the optimal pose of the docked structures of Apigenin 7O-glucornide and Luteolin 7O-glucornide. These optimal poses were then simulated for 10 ns in a SPC environment which gave a very low RMSD value of 1.5 A. These results were comparable with the known inhibitor of hDHODH. Thus this study helps to understand and evaluate the different probable inhibitors of hDHODH from C.halicacabum and suggests a mode of action for phytochemicals of C.halicacabum against RA.

Protective effects of Cambodian medicinal plants on tert‑butyl hydroperoxide‑induced hepatotoxicity via Nrf2‑mediated heme oxygenase‑1.

Liver diseases are considered to be primary contributors to morbidity and mortality rates in humans. Oxidative stress is critical in liver injury, and oxidant‑induced liver injury may be caused by toxins, including tert‑butyl hydroperoxide (t‑BHP). The present study investigated the hepatoprotective activities of 64 crude ethanol extracts of Cambodian medicinal plants against t‑BHP‑induced cytotoxicity in human liver‑derived HepG2 cells, and assessed their cytoprotective mechanism pertaining to the expression of heme oxygenase (HO)‑1 and nuclear factor E2‑related factor 2 (Nrf2). Protective effects in HepG2 cells were determined by MTT assay. Protein expression levels of HO‑1 and Nrf2 were determined by western blotting and mRNA expression levels were determined by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Of the 64extracts, 19 extracts exhibited high hepatoprotective activities: Ampelocissus martini, Bauhinia bracteata, Bombax ceiba, Borassus flabellifer, Cardiospermum halicacabum, Cayratia trifolia, Cinnamomum caryophyllus, Cyperus rotundus, Dasymaschalon lomentaceum, Ficus benjamina, Mangifera duperreana, Morinda citrifolia, Pandanus humilis, Peliosanthes weberi, Phyllanthus emblica, Quisqualis indica, Smilax glabra, Tinospora crispa and Willughbeia cochinchinensis, with half maximal effective concentrations ranging between 59.23 and 157.80µg/ml. Further investigations revealed that, of these 19 extracts, HO‑1 and Nrf2 were expressed in P. weberi and T. crispa expressed in a dose‑dependent manner. In addition, the activities of reactive oxygen species were suppressed following treatment of these two extracts in t‑BHP‑induced HepG2 cells. These results indicated that, of the 64 Cambodian plants, P. weberi and T.crispa exhibited hepatoprotective effects on t‑BHP‑induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells, possibly by the induction of Nrf2‑mediated expression of HO‑1. Taken together, these results suggested that T.crispa or P.weberi may offer potential for therapeutic applications in liver disease characterized by oxidative stress.

Formulation and evaluation of topical herbal gel for the treatment of arthritis in animal model

The objective of the study is to formulate and evaluate a topical herbal gel containing Cardiospermum halicacabum and Vitex negundo leaf extracts for their anti-arthritic activity in rats. Twelve herbal gel formulations were prepared using 1.5% of gelling agents carbopol 934 (F1-F6) and carbopol 940 (F6-F12) and they were evaluated for physical appearance, net content, viscosity, extrudability, pH, spreadability, in vitro diffusion profile and primary skin irritation tests. The stability study for the topical herbal gel formulation was done as per ICH guidelines and anti-arthritic activity was evaluated by Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA) induced arthritis method. Assessment of body weight, paw volume, hematological and biochemical parameters, histopathological examination and In vitro determination of serum biomarkers were also carried out. Formulated gels were homogenous, stable and complied with the guidelines. Among the formulations, F4 showed better release (98.4 %) characteristics than other formulations. No erythema or edema was observed in the skin irritation test confirming the gel was non-toxic and safe. Topical application of the herbal gel F4 containing carbopol 934 displayed significant (p < 0.001) anti-arthritic activity compared to diseased rats. Reduction in paw volume, no agglutination in C - reactive protein and rheumatic factor, reduction in TNF level, regaining of normal hematological, and biochemical parameters, reduction in spleen and thymus weight and histopathological examination supported the anti-arthritic activity of the gel formulation.

Induction of polyploidy plants through colchicine treatments in balloon vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum)©

Induction of polyploidy plants through colchicine treatments in balloon vine (<i>Cardiospermum halicacabum</i>)^©

Cushing in a Leaf: Endocrine Disruption From a Natural Remedy

Information regarding the safety of herbal drugs is often not reported. We describe the case of a 65-year-old woman referred to us for a iatrogenic hypercortisolism, who denied any previous steroid consumption. She reported only a chronic application of a phytocosmetic cream, containing ethanol extract of the Cardiospermum halicacabum (CH) plant. Adrenal insufficiency occurred after the cream application was stopped. CH is used in traditional and Western medicine for its documented anti-inflammatory properties. Once the presence of synthetic glucocorticoids was ruled out in the phytocosmetic product, we investigated whether and how its chronic application could have caused the iatrogenic hypercortisolism. Liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) was performed to exclude the presence of known glucocorticoids in the cream. ELISA assay and Western blot analysis were employed to assess ACTH secretion and the glucocorticoid receptor expression respectively in murine ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma cells AtT-20/D16v-F2, treated with dexamethasone, CH tincture, and mifepristone alone or in combination. To detect specific interaction of CH extract with the glucocorticoid receptor, we performed a dual-luciferase reporter assay in HEK293 cells. In AtT-20/D16v-F2 cells, CH extract showed to significantly reduce basal and CRH-induced ACTH secretion and the glucocorticoid receptor expression, similarly to dexamethasone; these effects were counteracted by mifepristone. In HEK293 cells, dexamethasone significantly induced luciferase activity after 24- and 36-hour treatment and CH tincture only after 36 hours; these effects were antagonized by mifepristone. CH extract displays a glucocorticoid-like activity, by means of a direct binding to the glucocorticoid receptor.

Biological activities of synthesized silver nanoparticles from Cardiospermum halicacabum L.

The present study focuses on the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum. AgNPs were confirmed by UV–Visible spectrophotometer analysis showed SPR at 424 nm. FT-IR analysis revealed biomolecules capping of the AgNPs. XRD pattern of synthesized AgNPs was found in face-centered-cubic crystal structure and average crystal size was 23 nm. SEM analyses of the synthesized AgNPs determine the spherical shape and EDX spectra confirmed the presence of silver ions. DLS studies revealed that the synthesized AgNPs showed the average size as 74 nm and Zeta potential value of AgNPs was −34 mv. The C. halicacabum leaf extract synthesized AgNPs efficiency were tested against different bacterial pathogens MTCC-426 Proteus vulgaris, MTCC-2453 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MTCC-96 Staphylococcus aureus, MTCC-441 Bacillus subtilis and MTCC-735 Salmonella paratyphi, and fungal pathogens Alternaria solani and Fusarium-oxysporum. The antioxidant ability of the AgNPs was tested and the results showed significant DPPH, hydroxyl and superoxide, radical scavenging activities.

In vitro and In vivo Anti-Arthritic Activity of Combined Ethanolic Extracts of Pisonia grandis and Cardiospermum halicacabum in Wistar Rats

ABSTRACT The combined Bi-herbal ethanolic extract (BHE) made up of equal quantities of leaves of Pisonia grandis and Cardiospermum halicacabum was evaluated for its synergistic invitro and invivo Anti-arthritic effects and was compared with its individual ethanolic extracts of Pisonia grandis (EPG) and Cardiospermum halicacabum (ECH). The inhibition of protein denaturation, membrane stabilization and proteinase enzyme inhibition were studied as invitro and Freund’s adjuvant arthritis model in Wistar rats was used to study the invivo Anti-arthritic activity. The three extracts (BHE, EPG, and ECH) at the dose level of 300mg/kg b.w.in 2%CMC were ingested orally to the CFA treated rats once daily for 40 days and the percentage inhibition of the paw volume increase due to the drug treatment was calculated. All the three plant extracts exhibited dose dependent stabilization of the RBC membranes, inhibition of protein denaturation and protease inhibition. The BHE has got a significant reduction in the paw volume and oedema when comparable to EPG and ECH in these intoxicant treated animals. These observed effects may be due to its inhibition of free radical production due to the immunological and inflammatory reactions or minimizing protein denaturation or proteinase enzyme or stabilizing the membranes.

Traditional Therapies Used to Manage Diabetes and Related Complications in Mauritius: A Comparative Ethnoreligious Study.

Religious communities from Mauritius still rely on traditional therapies (TT) for primary healthcare. Nonetheless, there is still a dearth of scientific information on TT used by the different religious groups to manage diabetes and related complications (DRC). This study aimed to gather ethnomedicinal knowledge on TT used by the different religious groups against DRC. Diabetic patients (n = 95) and traditional healers (n = 5) were interviewed. Fifty-two plant species belonging to 33 families and 26 polyherbal formulations were documented to manage DRC. The most reported DRC was hypertension (n = 36). Leaves (45.2%) and juice (36%) were the most cited mode of preparation of herbal recipes. Plants which scored high relative frequency of citation were Citrus aurantifolia (0.55) and Morinda citrifolia (0.54). The cultural importance index showed that Ocimum tenuiflorum, Cardiospermum halicacabum, Camellia sinensis, and Ophiopogon japonicas were the most culturally important plants among Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Buddhist community, respectively. Hindu and Muslim community showed the highest similarity of medicinal plants usage (Jaccard index = 95.8). Seven animal species distributed over 4 classes were recorded for the management of DRC. Plants and animals recorded as TT should be submitted to scientific studies to confirm safety and efficacy in clinical practice and to identify pharmacologically active metabolites.

From the Neotropics to the Namib: evidence for rapid ecological divergence following extreme long-distance dispersal

Extreme long-distance dispersal is an important process in plant biogeography. Such events can lead to rapid diversification due to founder effects, genetic drift and novel selection in recipient environments. Balloon vines (Cardiospermum spp.) are mainly Neotropical, but include two native southern African species, the endemic desert-adapted C. pechuelii and the moist subtropical C. corindum (which also occurs in the Neotropics). We used phylogenetic approaches (internal transcribed spacer (ITS), rpl32 and trnL-trnF DNA sequencing data) and population genetics (amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analyses) to confirm the long-distance dispersal of C. corindum to southern Africa and to reveal the subsequent divergence of the morphologically and ecologically extreme but genetically close C. pechuelii. We could not judge whether incongruences between ecological requirements and morphology and gene trees for the African species resulted from ongoing gene flow or incomplete lineage sorting, but our findings do support recent divergence of C. pechuelii from C. corindum in Africa following transoceanic dispersal of the lineage. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 179, 477–486.

Medicinal plants used by Burundian traditional healers for the treatment of microbial diseases

Ethnopharmacological relevanceInfectious diseases represent a serious and worldwide public health problem. They lead to high mortality, especially in non-developed countries. In Burundi, the most frequent infectious diseases are skin and respiratory (mainly in children) infections, diarrhea, added to malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Local population used mostly traditional herbal medicines, sometimes animal and mineral substances, to fight against these plagues. ObjectivesTo survey in different markets and herbal shops in Bujumbura city, medicinal plants sold to treat microbial infections, with particular emphasis on the different practices of traditional healers (THs) regarding plant parts used, methods of preparation and administration, dosage and treatment duration. Materials and methodsThe ethnobotanical survey was conducted by interviewing, using a pre-set questionnaire, sixty representative healers, belonging to different associations of THs approved and recognised by the Ministry of Health. Each interviewed herbalist also participated in the collection of samples and the determination of the common names of plants. The plausibility of recorded uses has been verified through an extensive literature search. ResultsOur informants enabled us to collect 155 different plant species, distributed in 51 families and 139 genera. The most represented families were Asteraceae (20 genera and 25 species), Fabaceae (14 genera and 16 species), Lamiaceae (12 genera and 15 species), Rubiaceae (9 genera and 9 species), Solanaceae (6 genera and 6 species) and Euphorbiaceae (5 genera and 6 families). These plants have been cited to treat 25 different alleged symptoms of microbial diseases through 271 multi-herbal recipes (MUHRs) and 60 mono-herbal recipes (MOHRs). Platostoma rotundifolium (Briq.) A. J. Paton (Lamiaceae), the most cited species, has been reported in the composition of 41 MUHRs, followed by Virectaria major (Schum.) Verdc (Rubiaceae, 39 recipes), Kalanchoe crenata (Andrews) Haw. (Crassulaceae, 37 recipes), Stomatanthes africanus (Oliv. & Hiern) R. M. King & H. Rob. (35 recipes), and Helichrysum congolanum Schltr. & O. Hoffm. (Asteraceae, 33 recipes). Regarding MOHRs, Pentas longiflora Oliv. (Rubiaceae) is the most important species with 19 recipes, followed by Kalanchoe crenata (Andrews) Haw. (Crassulaceae, 10 recipes), Gymnosporia senegalensis (Lam.) Loes. (Celastraceae, 9 recipes), Tetradenia riparia (Hochst.) Codd (Lamiaceae, 8 recipes) and Cardiospermum halicacabum L. (Sapindaceae, 6 recipes). Concerning the preparation and administration of recipes, our informants state to be able to adjust the doses based on the patient's age (child or adult) and/or his/her physiology (e.g. pregnancy). ConclusionThis study indicates that medicinal plants are still widely used for the treatment of microbial diseases in Bujumbura city. However, there is much to do in this area, especially in the assessment and monitoring of the quality, effectiveness and safety of the different recipes preconised by Burundian traditional healers.

INFLUENCE OF CARDIOSPERMUM HALICACABUM LEAF EXTRACT ON MEMBRANE BOUND ENZYMES IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Background: Cardiospermum halicacabum L. has been proven scientifically to possess anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, antiglycation, analgesic and antipyretic activities. It also has been used in Ayurveda and folk medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, fever and earache. Objective: In the present study, we investigated whether the Cardiospermum halicacabum leaf extract (CHE) can improve the membrane bound enzymes activity by streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced in male albino Wistar rats by intraperitonial administration of STZ. The CHE was administered orally to normal and STZ-diabetic rats for 45 days. Results: There were a marked decrease in the activities of membrane bound phosphatases such as total ATPases, Na+/K+-ATPases, Mg2+-ATPases and Ca2+-ATPases in the erythrocytes and tissues of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of CHE to diabetic rats significantly increased the activities of these enzymes towards near normalcy. Conclusions: Thus, the present study indicates that the beneficial role of membrane bound enzymes in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The antihyperglycemic, antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic properties of CHE (Veeramani et al., 2008; Veeramani et al., 2010) could be helpful to maintain the levels of membrane bound enzymes in STZ-induced diabetic rats showing the membrane stabilizing property of extract.

Study on anticarcinogenic and apotoptic properties of methanolic stem extract of Cardiospremum halicacabum in MCF 7 cell line

The present study reveals the medicinal properties of the present study reveals the medicinal properties of the Cardiospermum halicacabum. The Cytotoxic activity of methanolic stem extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum was tested against breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) using MTT assay. The Cytotoxic activity of methanolic stem extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum showed significant activity against tested cell line. The different concentrations (100, 500, 1000) was tested at an optical density of 540nm was observed to calculate the percentage of viability. Hundred percent viability was seen against control. The maximum inhibitory activity was seen in lower concentration (100%) at a optical density of 6.753 was observed. The minimum percentage of viability (50%) was observed at an optical density of 0.392 was observed in 1000 µg/ml). From the results it can be observed that the added compounds produced significant decrease in cell viability which confirms antiproliferative activity of the studied extracts. Acridine orange fluorescent staining, Neutral Red staining and Lactose dehydrogenase assays were carried out in MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines to study apoptopsis. The plant extract has shown significant apoptoptic activity against cancer cell lines.

Evaluation of antiplasmodial activity of medicinal plants from North Indian Buchpora and South Indian Eastern Ghats.

BackgroundDevelopment of resistance against the frontline anti-malarial drugs has created an alarming situation, which requires intensive drug discovery to develop new, more effective, affordable and accessible anti-malarial agents.MethodsInspired by their ethnobotanical reputation for being effective against febrile diseases, antiplasmodial potential of ethyl acetate extracts (EAE) and methanol extracts (ME) of 17 medicinal plants collected from the Eastern Ghats of South India and Buchpora, North India were explored against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro using the SYBR Green assay. The results were validated both by confirmation that the fall in fluorescence signal was not due to quenching effects mediated by phytochemical extracts and by Giemsa-stained microscopy.ResultsUsing EAE or ME, promising antiplasmodial activity (IC50Pf3D7 ≤ 20 μg/ml), was seen in Aerva lanata (Whole aerial parts-EAE), Anisomeles malabarica (Leaf-EAE), Anogeissus latifolia (bark-EAE), Cassia alata (leaves-EAE), Glycyrrhiza glabra (root-EAE), Juglans regia (seed-ME), Psidium guajava (leaf-ME and EAE) and Solanum xanthocarpum (Whole aerial parts-EAE). EAEs from leaves of Couroupita guianensis, Euphorbia hirta, Pergularia daemia, Tinospora cordifolia and Tridax procumbens as also ME from Ricinus communis (leaf and seed) showed good antiplasmodial activity (Pf 3D7 IC50 21 - 40 μg/ml). Moderate activity (Pf 3D7 IC50: 40–60 μg/mL) was shown by the leaf EAEs of Cardiospermum halicacabum, Indigofera tinctoria and Ricinus communis while the remaining extracts showed marginal (Pf 3D7 IC50 60 to >100 μg/ml) activities. The promising extracts showed good resistance indices (0.41 – 1.4) against the chloroquine resistant INDO strain of P. falciparum and good selectivity indices (3 to > 22.2) when tested against the HeLa cell line.ConclusionThese results provide validity to the traditional medicinal usage of some of these plants and further make a case for activity-guided purification of new pharmacophores against malaria.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-015-0564-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Phytochemical and antimicrobial properties ofCardiospermumhali cacabumandSolanum nigrum

Aqueous and methanolic leaf extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum and Solanum nigrum was examined for their phytochemical and antimicrobial properties. The preliminary phytochemical screening of extracts of herbs showed the presence of bioactive components like carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, phytosterols, phenols and tannin. The extract was also evaluated for antimicrobial activity against medically important bacteria like Escherichia coli (NCIM2931), Staphylococcus aureus (NCIM2079), Bacillus subtillis (NCIM2106), Pseudomona sputida; fungus like Aspergillus niger and yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It was observed that all the specimens selected were effective against the tested microorganisms in one extract or the other. This means the extracts were capable of inhibiting both gram negative bacteria and gram positive bacteria and it was also effective against fungus. It did not show any activity against the yeast. It was observed that the methanol extracts had wider range of activity on these organisms than the aqueous extracts. It was also observed that the extraction method one showed better results and inhibition.

Evaluation of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum (L.) on Fertility of Male Rats.

Treatment with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight of aqueous leaf extract (ALE) of Cardiospermum halicacabum for 30 days produced a significant dose dependent increase in the sperm counts and sperm motility in both caput and cauda regions. Further, significant increase in serum testosterone level was evident at all applied doses. However, no significant changes in the weight of sex organs were observed. Aqueous leaf extract also increased the number of females impregnated, number of implantations, and number of viable fetuses while decreasing the total number of resorption sites in the pregnant females. However, the total cholesterol level in the serum remained unchanged and there were no records on renotoxicity; nevertheless ALE exhibited a hepatoprotective effect. It was concluded that aqueous leaf extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum enhanced sperm concentration, motility, and testosterone, leading to positive results in fertility.

Validation of HPTLC method for the analysis of luteolin in Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn.

Background: Luteolin is one of the constituent of Cardiospermum halicacabum, which is traditionally used as an important component of plant‑based medicine. Aim and Objective: This study presents the first report of thin layer chromatography (TLC) densitometric method, which has been developed and validated for quantification of luteolin from aerial parts of C. halicacabum. Materials and Methods: Chromatographic separation was achieved on silica gel 60 F254 plates with using the solvent system of Toluene:Ethyl acetate: Formic acid (10:9:1). Detection of luteolin was carried out in the absorption‑reflection mode at 254 nm. TLC plates were dried under stream of hot air and then subjected to densitometric scanning using a Camag TLC scanner III (Camag, Switzerland) with win CATS software in the absorbance‑reflectance scan mode. The accuracy of the method was checked by conducting various validation parameters according to ICH (International Conference on Harmonizaation) guidelines. Results: The system was found to give compact spots for luteolin (retention factor, Rf = 0.55). The calibration plot was linear in the range of 500-3000 ng of luteolin. The correlation coefficient of 0.997 was indicative of good linear dependence of peak area on concentration. The concentration of luteolin was found to be 0.50% w/w in aerial parts of C. halicacabum. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification value for luteolin were found to be 22.45 ng and 68.03 ng, respectively. Recovery values from 99.37 and 99.80 to 100.58 showed excellent reliability and reproducibility of the method. Conclusion: The proposed HPTLC method for quantitative monitoring of luteolin in C. halicacabum can be used for routine quality testing of C. halicacabum extract used in formulations. Key words: Cardiospermum halicacabum, high performance thin layer chromatography, luteolin

STUDIES ON IMPACT OF CYPERMETHRIN ON ACID AND ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN THE SELECTED ORGANS OF FRESH WATER FISH CIRRHINUS MRIGALA (HAMILTON) AND THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF CARDIOSPERMUM HALICACABUM

The impact of cypermethrin on acid phosphatase (ACP) and alka line phosphatase (ALP) activity in gill, liver and kidney on Cirrhinus mrigala , ex hibited notable alterations which are being the main site of metabolic activity in fish. The acute toxicity value was found to be 150 µg/l and 1/5 as used for LC 50 (30 µg/l) was selected for sub lethal concentration. The ACP and ALP values in all the organ s were decreased due to 120 hours treatment of cypermethrin. These enzymes in various organs were recovered by Cardiospermum halicacabum . Hence the pesticide intoxication has made a disturbance in normal function of