Natural Products Journal, The - Volume 5, Issue 2, 2015

The search for new drugs against fungal infections is a major challenge to current research in mycotic diseases. Among the different types of drugs prevailing in the market antifungal antibiotics have an important role in the control of mycotic diseases. However the need for new, safe and more effective antifungal is a major challenge to the pharmaceutical industry today, especially with the increase in opportunistic infections in the immune-compromised host. Actinomycetes have occupied a prominent position in the pharmaceutical industry for their seemingly unlimited capacity to produce secondary metabolites. The use of Actinomycetes as an anti fungal agent in the past is mostly responsible for its popularity with antibiotic research today. Considering the immense potential of these Actinomycetes in the discovery of novel lead compounds and for exploitation in pharmaceutical, agriculture and other industrial applications, current review discusses about secondary metabolites derived from Actinomycetes and the iron modulation for their use as an effective therapeutic agent.

Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth (family Scrophulariaceae), commonly known as Kutki, is a medicinally revered herb which grows in the Himalayan region at elevation ranged from 3000- 5000m.Its rhizomes are used extensively in traditional medicinal systems. P. kurrooa also constitutes an important group of medicinal plants used by different community in Nepal. Consequent upon over harvesting of wild stock and shortage of natural populations, P. kurrooa is listed as threatened medicinal plant species of Nepal. Picroside-I and kutkosideare the bioactive marker metabolites of kutki. 27 Accessions of P. kurrooa growing at different altitudes (3829-4295m) in Western Development Region and Central Development Region of Nepal were screened for picroside-I and kutkoside content. The rhizomes were shade dried, milled, defatted, and extracted with hot methanol. The extracts for picroside-I and kutkoside content were analyzed by HPTLC method validated for linearity, precision, specificity and accuracy according to ICH, 1995 guidelines. Separation and quantification of picroside-I Rf (0.55) and kutkosideRf (0.41) were achieved on precoated silica gel 60F254 aluminium plates using mobile phase chloroform-methanol (75:25, v/v)in a twin trough chamber saturated for 20 minutes. Kutkin content was observed to be varied with the altitude. Picroside-I and kutkoside ranged 0.61-5.28% and 0.79-9.47%, respectively. ANOVA analysis revealed significant variation in the content of picroside-I with altitude. However, no significant variation in the content of kutkoside and content of kutkin with the altitude was observed. Seven chemically superior accessions of P. kurrooa containing high kutkin content were identified for their conservation and cultivation.

The genus Skimmia (Rutaceae) is recognized due to its wide array of biological activities viz anti-inflammatory, ovicidal, antifeedant, antioxidant, antibacterial, antihelminthic, antifungal, antinociceptive and antipyretic activity. Its essential oil and chemical constituents have been isolated and characterized by several analytical methods. Most of the plants of this genus are rich sources of linalool and linalyl acetate. Alkaloids and coumarins are the main constituents of this genus. Besides, the plant also contains chromones, flavonoids, terpenoids and fatty esters. The present communication is an attempt to emphasize the therapeutic importance of the genus Skimmia.

The goal of this project was to develop a low calorie fig compote (diet and conventional) through sensorial analysis. It was made from red figs and sweeteners. Three replicates of nine different formulations were tested. They contained 330 g of figs and 265 g of sweeteners containing 2.66 g citric acid, 707 mL of water and various amounts of either sucrose; sorbitol; erythritol; sorbitol plus erythritol; steviosíde; sodium cyclamate, sucralose plus sodium saccharine; sodium cyclamate plus sodium saccharine; acesulfame-K plus sucrose; and steviosíde plus sodium saccharine plus sodium cyclamate. The samples were analyzed for coliform bacteria, pH and sensorial properties. The sensorial analyses of figs included tests for aroma, flavor, sweetness, acidity and texture. The compotes were evaluated for initial flavor, sweetness, consistency, flavor that remained in the mouth, overall evaluation and residual flavor. There were no signs of bacterial contamination and the pH varied from 3.89 to 4.47. The sensorial tests found that the compotes made from sodium cyclamate, sucralose plus sodium saccharine as well as stevioside plus sodium cyclamate plus sodium saccharine were as good as the one made from just sucrose. The fig compote made from sodium cyclamate plus sucralose and sodium saccharine was given the name diet and conventional. It had sensorial values similar to the compote made from sucrose.

This manuscript deals with purification and characterization of Moringo olifera Gum as suspending agent. Moringo olifera gum was purchased as crude material, purified and further characterized in terms of organoleptic properties and furthermore micromeritic studies were carried out to characterize polymer as pharmaceutical excipients. Suspending properties of Moringo olifera polymer was also evaluated. The results showed that the extracted gum possess optimum organoleptic as well as micromeritic and suspending properties. The swelling properties of the extracted gum were found to be good with swelling index 63.63 ± 0.03%. Comparative study of Gum acacia and Moringo olifera was done in respect to suspending properties and viscosity. It was concluded that the suspending properties of Moringo olifera gum were found to be lesser as compared to gum acacia and the viscosity of gum acacia (20.55 poise) suspension was found to be higher than Moringo olifera gum (18.94 poise) suspension.

Sauropus androgynus (SA) is a medicinal plant with high antioxidant potential. The leaves of this plant have been traditionally used to treat certain diseases, for weight loss, and as vegetable dishes. SA leaves contain an adequate amount of macronutrients and having most of the micronutrients. The micronutrients are phenolic compounds, carotenoids, antioxidant vitamins, and minerals. SA leaves also contain most of the essential minerals, including sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, and cobalt. Fresh leaves of SA typically consist of 70%-90% moisture, 3%-8% protein, 1%-4% fat, 1%-2% fiber, and about 2% ash. The other percentage of the leaves is carbohydrate. In this review, the types and amounts of phenolic compounds, carotenoids, antioxidant vitamins, and minerals are presented. Antinutrients and heavy metals detected in SA leaves are also revealed. These compounds could have adverse health effects, such as heavy metal toxicity and induce lung injury. Bronchiolitis obliterans and obstructive ventilatory impairment of the patients are known to be caused by ingestion of uncooked or fresh SA leaves. SA leaves are the staple food in some of the developing nations that provide essential nutrients to the poor people. It also helps to maintain good health of these people. However, fresh consumption and over-consumption of SA leaves are not advisable. It may cause toxicity or lung injury. The antioxidative components of SA leaves have scientifically shown a vast health benefit to the human being, from test tubes to in vivo studies. However, extra precaution should be taken for minimizing the adverse health effect of intake of fresh SA leaves.

Polymers plays very important role in each portion of lives. Intentionally or unintentionally, each and every personality at present depends on polymer to get together various requirements. Even if polymers are abundant at times they cannot accomplish the bid, based on their characteristics. Advancement in polymer science is vital as they can improve the range of applications. Modification or grafting of polymers has gained better awareness for production of fresh monomers to transport enhanced polymeric materials. In short, modification is crucial to face and stand against various challenges, because it is hard to obtain new polymers. The subsequent age group looks ahead to modification of polymer as it can open up innovative promises and potentials. Sometimes, harmonization of properties is required which can be achieved via modification of polymers. Modification is needed to fetch precise properties to material which is to be modified, such as enhanced stability, compatibility, flexibility, and rigidity. Polymer modification enhances the processibility of the polymers and thus, gives an impression as new-fangled technique to overcome drawbacks associated with original polymer. Grafting techniques have proved since many years to be ground-breaking ways to modify polymers as per the requirement and still research is going on grafting of various kinds of polymers. This review highlights concept of grafting modification, techniques for grafting and applications of some grafted natural gums in drug delivery.