Percolation Method Research Articles

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HYDRODYNAMICALLY BALANCED FLOATING TABLETS OF GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA EXTRACT

The aim of the study is to formulate, optimize and evaluate Glycyrrhiza glabra floating tablets using 23 optimization technique for the treatment of asthma. The extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra was prepared by subjecting crude drug to hot continuous percolation method using Soxhlet apparatus using distilled water and ethanol. The floating matrix tablets of Glycyrrhiza glabra was prepared by wet granulation technique using extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra, HPMC K15M as polymer, starch/honey as binder and sodium bicarbonate & citric acid as effervescent agents by 23 factorial design. The independent variables are polymer (X1), concentrations of effervescence agents (X2) and binders used for granulation (X3). The dependent variables are hardness (Y1), buoyancy lag time (Y2), total floating time (Y3), and in-vitro drug release (Y4). The compatibility studies showed that there is no chemical interaction between the drug, polymer and the excipients used in the tablets. The prepared floating tablets were subjected to all post compression parameters such as hardness, friability, swelling capacity, buoyancy, total floating time, drug content &in-vitro drug release and were found to be within normal limits. Based on drug content, buoyancy lag time and in-vitro drug release the formulations F8 was found to be the promising system for anti-asthmatic therapy. The present study reports for the development of gastric floating tablet for Glycyrrhiza glabra following oral administration.

Robustness of circularly interdependent networks

Circularly interdependent multilayer networks widely exist in nature, such as the food webs and world trade networks, where each layer depends on one another and the dependencies among all layers form a directed loop. In this paper we study the robustness of the circularly interdependent multilayer networks with three or more layers under random node attacks by using the percolation method. We propose an analytical framework to predict the critical threshold and size of giant component in the steady state, where the analytical results agree well with the simulation results. We focus on two types of dependencies, the one-to-one and one-to-many dependency. In the one-to-one interdependent networks, there exists a tricritical point of the node dependence strength at which the phase transition switches between first and second order, which is independent of the average degree and the number of layers. When the dependence strength between node pairs is large, increasing the number of layers leads to the increase of percolation threshold. In the three-layer one-to-many interdependent networks with strong coupling strength, under different inter-layer average degrees, the system undergoes the first-order transition and the robustness of the system increases with the inter-layer average degrees. Our work provides a quantitative understanding of the robustness of circularly interdependent networks.

Phenolic and flavonoid compounds extraction from Calophyllum inophyllum leaves

Calophyllum inophyllum has been known as a part of the mangrove forest area. This species is distributed primarily in the coastal regions of Indonesia and Africa. It is rich in bioactive compounds and has been used as a traditional medication. This work employed a single replicate of the one-factor-at-a-time experiment method to investigate optimum conditions, which resulted in the highest TPC. The three factors studied were organic solvent type (acetone, ethanol, and methanol), organic solvent concentration in water (50–100%, v/v), and extraction temperature (30–60 °C). The extraction was conducted with the percolation method. The result shows that organic solvent type, organic solvent concentration in water, and extraction temperature significantly affect the TPC, TFC, and the yield of crude extract obtained. The highest TPC (289.12 mg GAE/g of the residue of C. inophyllum leaves) was achieved with 80% methanol in water at 30 °C for 48 h. Under this condition, TFC value of 410.4 mg QE/g of the residue of C. inophyllum leaves, the yield of 2.41%, and IC50 value of 0.054 µg/mL were achieved. Moreover, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was firstly detected in the extract.

Influence percolation method for overlapping community detection

Communities in social networks represent social circles, and people within same circles often highly interact and strongly influence one another, and hence individual behaviors percolate quickly, and tend to invoke a resonance phenomenon, i.e., collective behaviors. Nowadays, boundaries between circles are more and more indistinct because people probably involve more than one circle. This paper develops an influence percolation method (IPM) for identifying overlapping communities. In IPM, we first determine the influenced area of each node through many times of simulations for influence percolation so that activated nodes with a frequency belong to the area, and those as clusters can initialize a cover for a network. Then, the cover is further refined through three stages, i.e., filtration, absorbtion and selection to determine communities. We systematically evaluate our method on plenty of artificial networks with various network characteristics as well as real-world networks. The results indicate that our method achieves the best performance on the networks with stronger overlaps, e.g., up to 50% overlapping nodes, each of which belongs to more than four communities, compared with the state of the art algorithms. An interesting finding is that two nodes tend to be indivisible if one is a seed, influence percolates into the other exceeding a certain frequency, and this threshold is mainly determined by the networks’ density.

Comparison Between The Suspension and Capsule Preparation from Waste of Avocado Seeds As Antidiarrhea in Induced Mouse

Diarrhea is one type of disease with the most sufferers every year. Thus, it is considered an endemic disease in Indonesia and the potential disease of Extraordinary Events accompanied by mortality. One of the plants that can be used as a traditional medicine for diarrhea is the avocado seed, as it contains tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids and glycosides, which act as antidiarrheals. This study aims to determine the antidiarrheal effect of avocado seed extract suspension on mice induced by Oleum ricini and the optimum concentration of avocado seed extract suspension and capsules with an antidiarrheal effect in white male mice induced by Oleum ricini. The dosage forms chosen were suspension and capsules. This study used an experimental method with a test sample of the avocado seed. Avocado seed Simplicia was extracted by the percolation method, then an oral suspension and capsule formulation were made from the avocado seed methanol extract. It was evaluated and tested for its effectiveness with mice to cure diarrhea. Normal data were analyzed by One Way ANOVA and Post Hoc Tuckey Method. The results of this study showed that the administration of a suspension of avocado seed methanol extract at a dose of 800 mg/KgBB had the most optimum effect as an antidiarrheal against white male mice with a stool weight of 0.39 grams and a duration of diarrhea for 74 minutes. Furthermore, the administration of avocado seed extract capsules at a dose of 75 mg/KgBB had the most optimum effect as antidiarrheal against white male mice with Loperamide as a positive control. Therefore, it can be concluded that all suspension formulations and capsules of avocado seed methanol extract met the requirements for preparation evaluation. Suspension and avocado seed methanol extract capsules can cure diarrhea in white male mice.

Kaolin-nucleation-based biotreated calcareous sand through unsaturated percolation method

Kaolin-nucleation-based biotreated calcareous sand through unsaturated percolation method

Extraction methods effect on antioxidant activity of ethanol extract of ‘pasak bumi’ (Eurycoma longifolia Jack.) root

Pasak bumi (Eurycoma longifolia Jack.) has various benefits, such as the root of E. longifolia is often used as an anti-microbial, anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory, dysentery and aphrodisiac. The antioxidant activity is closely related to the ability of E. longifolia root to maintain a fit condition. The benefits of the medicinal plants can be felt by the general public after going through both traditional and modern processing processes. One of the modern processing methods is to isolate secondary metabolites in plants or known as extraction. This study aims to determine the antioxidant activity of the roots of extracted E. longifolia using 96% ethanol solvent with different extraction methods. Extraction was performed by maceration, percolation, reflux, and soxhletation methods. The antioxidant activity test was carried out using the DPPH(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) method. The results shows that the antioxidant activity of E. longifolia extract using various extraction methods in the order soxhletation > reflux > percolation > maceration. From this research, it can be concluded that the percolation can be developed as extraction method of E. longifolia roots.

Construction of dynamic protein interaction network based on gene expression data and quartile one principle.

Real protein interaction network (PIN) is dynamic. Researchers created dynamic PIN by combining static PIN with gene expression data to explain the dynamicity evolution of protein interactions. However, all available approaches failed to recognize low- or high-expression proteins as active proteins. Therefore, determining an adequate threshold is one of the system's biological challenges. In this study, a quartile one (q-one) method is proposed to determine the active time points for each protein according to its expression value's features and construct dynamic protein interaction networks (DPINs) in which a protein is added to the network if it is active in two successive time points. This leads to reduce the number of DPINs to half. The efficiency of the q-one approach and three-sigma (3-sigma) method in detecting protein complexes is evaluated using Markov cluster method, clique percolation method, and ClusterONE algorithms. In most cases, q-one outperforms the 3-sigma method in recall, precision and F-measure. This is in addition to its ability to reveal the dynamicity within the protein-protein interaction network and identify essential proteins.

Preliminary Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Hypolipidemic Potential of Aqueous Extract of Ferula asafoetida-An in vitro Study

Aim: To analyse the preliminary phytochemical, antioxidant, anti-cholesterol potential of aqueous extract of Ferula asafoetida.
 Background: Hyperlipidemia is considered as one of the leading causes behind the occurrence of deadly disorders like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis etc. It is characterised by elevated levels of plasma lipids, mainly total cholesterol. Antioxidants are compounds which can inhibit oxidative damage. is the herbaceous plant belonging to the family Umbelliferae. It is used as spice in food and also used as digestive aid. It is used in the treatment of asthma and whooping cough and it also helps to reduce blood pressure.
 Methods: Aqueous extract of Ferula asafoetida was prepared by hot percolation method. The screening of phytochemical constituents, assessment of in vitro antioxidant activity and anticholesterol activity were done using standard procedures and the data were analysed statistically using one-way analysis of variance (ONE-WAY ANOVA) and the significance was considered at the levels of p<0.05.
 Results: Ferula asafoetida extract was rich in phytochemicals and possessed potent in vitro antioxidant activity. Anti-cholesterol activity of Ferula asafoetida extract was examined and it was observed that the plant extract exhibited significant anti cholesterol potential in a dose dependent manner with an IC 50 value of 400 µg/ml.
 Conclusion: The study established the in vitro antioxidant and hypolipidemic potential of aqueous extract of Ferula asafoetida. It is concluded that the extract of Ferula asafoetida possesses potent antioxidant and anticholesterol activity.

Extraction of sweeteners from Stevia rebaudiana by semicontinuous percolation of untreated leaves and leaves pretreated with ethanol

Untreated leaves (UL) and leaves pretreated with ethanol (PL) of the Stevia UEM-13 variety were extracted by a percolation method using boiling water as solvent (1/40). Five extractive cycles were performed for each starting material. The total recovery of sweeteners was 91.64% for UL and 93.80% for PL. In the first extractive cycle the value of insoluble impurities was estimated at 55.44% for UL and 63.12% for PL, therefore the purity levels of the extracts from the first cycle could, respectively, be increased from 25.68% to 81.12% and from 24.14% to 87.26% by employing an additional microfiltration step. It was extracted enough sweeteners from 5 g of both Stevia leaves to sweeten a liter of coffee, and preliminary sensory tests showed that, unlike the coffee prepared with UL, the coffee prepared with pretreated leaves did not have an unpleasant herbaceous taste. Novelty impact statement A simple conventional extraction method by semicontinuous percolation with boiling water as solvent, which allows steviol glycoside recovery levels above 90%; Obtaining minimally processed extracts that can be easily purified by membrane separation methods, without the use of flocculation and carbonation agents; Development of a conventional extraction method that allows obtaining minimally processed extracts, without herbaceous flavor, from Stevia leaves pretreated with ethanol, which can be used directly as a sweetener in beverages and foods.

Anti-microbial efficacy of Vanilla planifolia leaf extract against common oral micro-biomes: A comparative study of two different antibiotic sensitivity tests.

Over the past century, several antibiotics have been discovered and used to treat various microbial diseases. However, over the past few decades, with the emergence of anti-microbial resistant strains of microbiomes, it has become increasingly necessary to discover and develop alternative anti-microbial agents. Herbal formulations have shown promising results in the past decade. However, many herbal formulations remain unexplored. The present study aims to explore the anti-microbial properties of a newly prepared Vanilla planifolia extract. Vanilla planifolia leaves were collected, shade-dried, and then powdered. The powdered leaves of Vanilla planifolia (100 gm) were extracted by the cold percolation method with 300 ml ethanol at room temperature for 72 hours. The extracts were then tested for its constituent anti-microbial activity by the agar well method and disk diffusion method against different commonly found oral micro-biomes. The zones of inhibition were noted and measured, and the results were derived. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t-test (P <_ 0.001). Based on the statistical analysis, conclusions were drawn. The ethanolic extracts of Vanilla planifolia on the agar plates showed considerable anti-microbial activity in both the test methods against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Enterococcus. However, no effect was found against Candida albicans. There was no significant difference in the results obtained by the two test methods (P >_ 0.001). This experimental study presents a medicinal plant, an orchid Vanilla planifolia, which demonstrates the presence of essential anti-microbial agents in it, making it a potent, potential dental biomaterial with a positive and benefitting effect on the oral micro-environment.

Evaluation of phytochemicals, antibacterial, antioxidant activity, total flavonoid, and phenolic content of zanthoxylum armatum found in Palpa district of Nepal

Zanthoxylum armatumis an important medicinal plant. This study was to analyze phytochemicals, antibacterial, antioxidant activity, TPC, and TFC quantitatively in wild fruit extract. The wild fruits of the plant were collected from the Palpa district. Fruits were shaded dried and ground and extracted with methanolic solvent by cold percolation method. The extract was then examined for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, Polyphenol, Alkaloids, steroids, Tannins, Terpenoids, Coumarins, Quinones, Glycosides, Saponins, etc. The antimicrobial activity was analyzed by the Agar Well Diffusion method, antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging assay, total phenolic content was determined by using Folin-Ciocalteu method, and flavonoid content was determined by using aluminium chloride colorimetric method. The DPPH radical scavenging activity in terms of IC50 value of the wild fruit sample was 51.596pg/ml. The total phenolic content was found 244.46±0.03 (mg of GAE/g),total TFC content was found 131.66±0.06(mg of QE/g).Upon antibacterial test, the extract was more sensitive to gram-positive bacteria S. aureus (ZOI= 8 mm) but remains insensitive to E. coli.

Investigating of Anti-bacterial and Anti-fungal Activities of Lantana camara L. Against Human Pathogens

Introduction: Today, the resistance of pathogens to antibiotics, as well as the side effects of chemical drugs, have led to our increasing use of medicinal plants. So, our purpose was to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal effects of leaves and flowers’ methanolic extracts of Lantana camara L. Methods: Iran’s National Botanical Garden (Tehran, Iran) provided the plant, whose leaves and flowers’ methanolic extracts were prepared by the percolation method. The antimicrobial activity was measured by the disc-diffusion method against some bacteria (gram-negative and gram-positive), as well as fungi. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the serial dilution method and determining the diameter of the growth inhibition zone. Data were analyzed by Duncan test, and P&lt;0.05 was designated as the significance level. Results: The results confirmed that the extracts had antimicrobial activities against the microorganisms tested with more potent activity against gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, and then fungi, respectively. Antimicrobial activity increased with rising the concentration of the extracts. The extracts of leaves and flowers showed comparable antimicrobial activity (P&gt;0.05). Staphylococcus aureus showed the highest sensitivity at the 50% concentration of the leave and flower extracts (29.66±1.15 and 30.33±0.66, respectively), and Escherichia coli showed the least sensitivity at the 6.25 % concentration of the leave and flower extracts (2.66±0.88 and 1.00±1.15, respectively). The most potent antifungal activity was seen against Candida albicans at the 50% concentration of the leave extract (14.00±0.45), and the lowest antifungal activity was seen against Aspergillus niger at the 12.25% concentration of the flower extract (1.33±0.66). Conclusion: Lantana camara leaves and flowers’ extracts showed potential to be used as anti-microbial agents against bacterial and fungal infections.

Isolation and Characterization of the Bioactive Compound of Piperine in Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

One of the most famous spice species that lives in the tropics is black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). The study of piperine paved the way for its development as a bioactive compound in the treatment of various diseases, this is based on the ancient healing tradition of using black pepper. Our current study aims to isolate and characterize the bioactive compound piperine in Piper nigrum L. Black pepper was extracted with ethanol using the basic soxhletation and percolation methods. The results in the study showed that the extract from the Sokhlet process was yellowish moss green, and the piperine crystal color was yellow and shaped like a needle. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) results were observed using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer with different eluents and different Rf values were obtained. In addition, observations on the IR spectrum show that the piperine structure has been formed. This study provides an opportunity for a more in-depth exploration of the structure of piperine and future studies are very important to identify the potential utilization of piperine, especially as a basic material in the treatment of various diseases.

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Potential of Methanolic Root Extract of Acorus calamus- an In vitro Study

Background: Gout is an inflammatory joint disease that elevates the uric acid levels in blood that triggers the formation of urate crystals in the joint,especially since the past 50 years. Xanthine oxidase catalyses oxidative hydroxylation of hypoxanthine to Xanthine to uric acid. show it's higher in men aged above 50 years. Acorus calamus is a mid term, perennial, fragrant herb. Therefore, the main approach for the treatment of gout is reducing uric acid.&#x0D; Aim: To analyze the antioxidant and Xanthine Oxidase inhibitory potential of methanolic root extract of Acorus calamus.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Preparation of methanolic root extract of Acorus calamus was done by hot percolation method. Phytochemical screening test was done. The antioxidant activity was carried out by DPPH radical scavenging assay. Anti gout potential of the herbal extract was analysed by the evaluation of Xanthine oxidase inhibitory potential. The data were analyzed statistically by a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s multiple range test to see the statistical significance among the groups. The results with p&lt;0.05 level were considered to be statistically significant.&#x0D; Results: Methanolic root extract of Acorus calamus shows a strong presence of phytochemicals such as alkaloids ,terpenoids, steroids, saponins, flavonoids.IC50 of antioxidant potential of Methanolic root extract of Acorus calamus was found to be 210 µg/ml.Ic 50 of xanthine oxidase inhibitory potential of methanolic root extract of Acorus calamus was found to be 310 µg/ml.&#x0D; Conclusion: Methanolic root extract of Acorus calamus exhibited significant antioxidant and anti gout potential. Further research on the natural Xanthine oxidase inhibitors especially in vivo studies and investigation of active compounds and its pharmacokinetics to be elucidated.

Phytochemical Screening and In vitro Albumin Denaturation Inhibitory Potential of Methanolic Root Extract of Acorus calamus

Introduction: Medicinal plants are chief antidotes for numerous diseases and have been used since time immemorial. Sweet flag’s (Acorus calamus) presence is in Ayurveda and belongs to the genus Acorus L. of the family Acoraceae and is widely distributed in temperate to sub temperate regions. It is commonly used to treat appetite loss, diarrhoea, digestive disorders in traditional medicinal systems of Asian and European countries. The aim of this study is to explore the phytoconstituents, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of methanolic root extract of Acorus calamus.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Methanolic root extract of Acorus calamus was done by the Hot Percolation method. Later it was dried and used to analyse the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials. Phytochemical screening was done to analyse the presence of various phytochemicals. Antioxidant effect of Acorus calamus was tested by 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and Albumin denaturation inhibitory potential test was organised for testing it’s anti-inflammatory Activity. The data were analysed statistically by a one-way analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s multiple range test was used to see the statistical significance among the groups. The results with the p&lt;0.05 level were considered to be statistically significant.&#x0D; Results: Methanolic root extract of Acorus calamus was found to be rich in Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Sapanoids, Steroids and Phlobatannin. The presence of phytochemicals like alkaloids, saponins, Flavonoids indicates that the extract has potential for further in vitro analysis like antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials. It was observed that Acorus calamus has both antioxidant (IC50 of = 295 µg/ml) as well as anti inflammatory potentials (IC50 =310 µg/ml) and the activity increased in a dose dependent manner as compared to that of standard (Vitamin C and Diclofenac respectively).&#x0D; Conclusion: The study proves the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacy of Acorus calamus and throws light on the prospects of drug formulation against oxidant activity and inflammation.

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Potential of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Stevia rebaudiana

Background: Stevia rebaudiana is a shrub-like plant that belongs to the sunflower family and is commonly referred as stevia.It is 1000 times sweeter than sugar even at a very low concentration. Xanthine oxidase is an enzyme that generates oxygen species and catalyzes the production of uric acid from purine metabolism.Overproduction of uric acid results in a clinical condition called gout. The aim of this study is to explore the phytochemicals, antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory potential of methanolic leaf extract of stevia rebaudiana.&#x0D; Methods: Methanolic leaf extract of Stevia rebaudiana was prepared by the Hot Percolation method. Phytochemical screening was done to analyse the presence of various phytochemicals. The leaf extract was tested for its antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory potentials. The data were analyzed statistically by a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s multiple range test was used to see the statistical significance among the groups. The results with the p&lt;0.05 level were considered to be statistically significant.&#x0D; Results: It was observed that the methanolic leaf extract of Stevia rebaudiana has significant antioxidant potential (Ic50 of = 310 μg/ml) as well as xanthine oxidase inhibitory potentials(Ic50 of = 270 μg/ml) and the activity increased in a dose dependent manner as compared to that of standard (Vitamin C and Allopurinol respectively).&#x0D; Conclusion: The study proves the antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory efficacy of Stevia rebaudiana and throws light on the prospects of drug formation against oxidant activity and gout formation.

Sediment spiking and equilibration procedures to achieve partitioning of uranium similar to contamination in tropical wetlands near a mine site

The derivation of sediment quality guideline values (SQGVs) presents significant challenges. Arguably the most important challenge is to conduct toxicity tests using contaminated sediments with physico-chemistry that represents real-world scenarios. We used a novel metal spiking method for an experiment that ultimately aims to derive a uranium SQGV. Two pilot studies were conducted to inform the final spiking design, i.e. percolating a uranyl sulfate solution through natural wetland sediments. An initial pilot study that used extended mixing equilibration phases produced hardened sediments not representative of natural sediments. A subsequent percolation method produced sediment with similar texture to natural sediment and was used as the method for spiking the sediments. The range of total recoverable uranium (TR-U) concentrations achieved was 8–3200 mg/kg. This reflected the concentrations found in natural wetlands and water management ponds found on a uranium mine site and was above natural levels. Dilute-acid extractable uranium (AE-U) concentrations were >80% of total concentrations, indicating that much of the uranium in the spiked sediment was labile and potentially bioavailable. The portion of TR-U extractable as AE-U was similar at the start and end of the 4.5-month field-deployment. Porewater uranium (PW–U) analyses indicated that partition coefficients (Kd) were 2000–20,000 L/kg, and PW-U was greater in post- than pre-field-deployed samples when TR-U was ≤1500 mg/kg, indicating the binding became weaker during the field-deployment period. At higher spiked-U concentrations, the PW-U was lower post-field-deployment. Comparing the physico-chemical data of the spiked sediments with environmental monitoring data from sediments in the vicinity of a uranium mining operation indicated that they were representative of sediments contaminated by mining and that the U-spiked sediments had a clear U concentration gradient. This confirmed the suitability of the spiking procedure for preparing sediments that were suitable for deriving a SQGV for uranium.

Antioxidant and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Potential of Aqueous Extract of Ferula Asafoetida

Background: Ferula asafoetida is a dried latex that is exuded from rhizome or taproot species. Organosulfides are primarily responsible for flavour and odour of asafoetida.Ferula asafoetida is a natural medicine good for asthma and bronchitis. is also used to relieve stomach gas, digestive issues. It is usually added while cooking to hormonise the sweet, sour, salty, spicy taste of the food. Increased activity of xanthine oxidase is involved in the medical condition known as gout, which is characterized by hyperuricemia that leads to deposition of uric acid in the joints resulting in painful inflammation.&#x0D; Aim: To analyse the anti-oxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory potential of aqueous extract of Ferula asafoetida.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Preparation of the aqueous seed extract of Ferula asafoetida done by hot percolation method. Phytochemical screening, in vitro antioxidant activity and xanthine oxidase inhibitory potential was done by standard procedures. The data were analyzed statistically by a one - way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s multiple range test was used to see the statistical significance among the groups. The results with the p&lt;0.05 level were considered to be statistically significant.&#x0D; Results: The phytochemical screening revealed that the extract is rich in phytoconstituents. DPPH radical scavenging activity established the potent in vitro antioxidant activity (p&lt;0.05) of Ferula asafoetida extract. The extract was also efficient in inhibiting the activity of xanthine oxidase enzyme (p&lt;0.05) in a concentration dependent manner.&#x0D; Discussion: The extract has potent antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory potential, although the activities are less compared to the standard drug.&#x0D; Conclusion: The Ferula asafoetida extract can be used to treat gout and to combat various other disorders associated with xanthine oxidase activity.

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Protease-inhibitory Potential of Ethanolic Extract of Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg)

Introduction: Myristica fragrans is an important commercial plant used for spices. The plant has been traditionally used as an anticancer, anti inflammatory, antioxidant, sedative hypnotics and antimicrobial agent. Plants have played an important role in maintaining human health &amp; improving the quality of human life for thousands of years and have served humans well as valuable components of medicines.&#x0D; Methods: Ethanolic extract of myristica fragrans was obtained by hot percolation method. Preliminary Phytochemical screening of the extract was done .Antioxidant and anti inflammatory potential of ethanolic extract of myristica fragrans was analysed. The data were analysed statistically using two – way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s multiple range test to assess the significance of individual variations between the groups. In Tukey’s test, significance was considered at the level of p&lt;0.05.&#x0D; Results: Ethanolic extract of Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) was rich in the phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and saponins. IC50 of antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Myristica fragrans was found to be 300 µg/ml. IC50 of anti-inflammatory potential of the ethanolic extract of Myristica fragrans was found to be 360 µg/ml.&#x0D; Conclusion: From the study, it was evident that the ethanolic extract of myristica fragrans has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. In future, the extract can be validated as a drug formulation.