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Background Obesity, reached epidemic proportions globally is often associated with life threatening comorbidities. The unavailability of safe and effective long term medications for obesity in modern pharmacotherapy forces the scientific community to explore the potential of Ayurvedic traditional healers as they are considered safe and effective. Objective To explore the anti-obesity potential of aqueous extract of aerial parts of Achyranthes aspera L. (AEAA), a traditional healer in high fat diet (HFD) induced obese rats. Methods AEAA was prepared and subjected to in-vitro pancreatic lipase inhibition assay and in-vivo anti-obesity studies. For in-vivo studies, HFD fed obese prone Wistar albino rats were divided into five experimental groups (Group II to VI): animals fed with standard pellet chow served as normal control (Group I) while, animals continued with HFD alone served as obese control (Group II); Group III, IV and V were administered AEAA at a dose of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg b.w. respectively along with HFD; and animals administered orlistat (30 mg/kg bw) along with HFD served as standard control (Group VI). All the drugs were administered orally once a day for a period of 60 days. At the end of the experimental period various physical, biochemical and histopathological observations were made. Results In-vitro studies showed AEAA partially but not significantly inhibited the activity of pancreatic lipase. Data of in-vivo studies revealed, significant reduction in body weights, fat pad weights and organ weights upon AEAA treatment. Elevated levels of glucose, insulin, leptin, lipid profiles and antioxidant status were also brought back to normal. Conclusion The obtained results clearly suggested that AEAA possess pronounced anti-obesity potential.

The current study explores the safety of Rasasindura (RS) , an Ayurvedic herbo-metallic preparation containing mercury, and its therapeutic potential against oligospermia. Based on global concerns due to the toxicity of mercury, this study was designed to evaluate the toxicology and pharmacology of RS . Wistar rats were administered therapeutic and high doses of RS intragastrically for the in vivo toxicology study. The toxicity tests showed no significant changes in the major functions of organs, hematological and biochemical functions except mild hyperactivity in a few animals in the high dose group. The study’s histopathological and biochemical analyses revealed no significant morphological or functional abnormalities in the brain, liver, kidneys, or testes of rats administered with high doses of RS , indicating normal neuronal and organ function. Additionally, biochemical and hematological evaluations showed no adverse effects, suggesting RS does not impair metabolic activities at the tested doses. A therapeutic study was carried out in oligospermia-induced Swiss Albino mice. RS caused a significant increase in sperm motility and count and reduced sperm abnormalities in mice treated with lead acetate-induced oligospermia. The elevated levels of the genes Catsper and Calpain revealed that the formulation activates the calcium channels which contribute to an increase in sperm count. Further, microarray studies revealed potential anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and immunomodulatory activities of RS . However, RS treatment also resulted in gene expression linked to possible toxic effects. Purified mercury-containing Ayurvedic preparations are safe at therapeutic concentrations if administered using a suitable vehicle; this is of great significance in reducing toxicity and enhancing efficacy, though higher concentrations could cause toxic effects mainly neurological, and hence the use of such potent metal-based medications are advised to be prescribed under medical supervision. To conclude, Rasasindura appears to be non-toxic at therapeutic doses and has shown promise the in treatment of oligospermia. Further studies could explore additional therapeutic effects and associated mechanisms for other disorders.

Obesity is known to be one of the severe health issues worldwide, as its prevalence continues to rise as well as its association with other chronic diseases worsens. Even though various approaches have been underway to prevent or treat obesity, alternative approaches are in need to combat this chronic condition because of the unsatisfactory effectiveness and adverse side effects of the existing approaches. Dolichos biflorus L. seeds have been employed as a weight-loss treatment in folk medicine. Considering the necessity to develop a safe alternative remedy to rising obesity, the current investigation has been set up to assess the antiobesity potential and the mode of action of the aqueous seed extract of D. biflorus (ASEDB) in a cell line (3T3-L1) and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced rats. For in-vitro studies, 3T3-L1 cell lines were cultured in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle medium (DMEM) augmented with adipogenic-inducing medium and the influence of the extract (10 µg/mL–500 µg/mL) on 3T3-L1 adipocyte viability, adipogenesis, and lipolysis was assessed. An in-vitro study revealed maintenance of cell viability, reduced triglycerides (TG) accumulation, and promoted lipolysis in 3T3-L1 cells by ASEDB. Following in-vitro analysis, the HFD-induced obese rats were treated with ASEDB at different concentrations (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg) for 60 days and the effect was evaluated through various anthropometric and biochemical parameters. The findings revealed a significant decrement in total body weight, organ weights, fat pad weights, and restoration of abnormal levels of glucose, leptin, insulin, lipid markers, and antioxidant system to normal by ASEDB treatment. Also, pancreatic lipase inhibition analysis of ASEDB revealed a modest level of inhibition with an IC50 value of 213.3 µg/mL. All these findings exposed that ASEDB possesses pronounced antiobesity potential and exhibits its protective effect by suppressing food intake, reducing fat digestion and absorption, limiting adipogenesis, enhancing lipolysis, and alleviating oxidative stress.

This review aims to explore the toxicological aspects of mercury-based herbo - metallic preparations like cinnabar and “ Rasasindura ” that are primarily composed of mercuric sulfide (HgS). Cinnabar-containing preparations have been used extensively in Indian and Chinese systems of medicine for treatment of chronic ailments like syphilis, high fever, pneumonia, insomnia, nervous disorders, deafness, and paralysis of the tongue. Contrary to Western medicine, which does not promote the use of mercury due to its toxic effects, Indian and Chinese traditional practitioners believe that mercury - based formulations have potent therapeutic efficacy, while there is no toxicity due to the unique and repeated purification processes employed during preparation. However, lack of proper pharmacovigilance and widespread self-medication has resulted in undesirable effects to certain sections of the consumers of these preparations, which have contributed to the negative publicity for these forms of medicine. Variations in the quality of the preparations coupled with the lack of understanding of the differences in the recommended dosages and treatment strategies adopted by traditional medicine practitioners, further fuels concerns in the Western world on the safety and efficacy of traditional medicine. But in spite of these concerns, concerted efforts to understand the biological interactions and transformations of these preparations are yet to gain momentum. Although scattered reports on the toxicity of these preparations are available in literature, their mechanism of action has not been conclusively established. Long-term pharmacotherapeutic and in-depth toxicity studies are needed to address the apprehensions raised by these herbo - metallic preparations. This review highlights the lacunae in the studies conducted thus far, and assesses the need for further studies to provide significant data to establish the safety and efficacy of such preparations, as well as develop gold standards for stringent quality control of these preparations.

The use of lauha bhasma, a traditional Indian herbometallic preparation, is in vogue for centuries for the treatment of various ailments related to iron deficiency. The preparation of lauha bhasma requires strict adherence to time-consuming, well-practiced, multistage, and multistep procedures. One of the steps is the treatment of purified metallic ingredients with Triphala decoction (the aqueous extract of Indian gooseberry, Chebulic myrobalans, and Beleric myrobalans) in the presence of sunlight (Bhanupaka). The formation of metal complexes due to the reaction of the metallic ingredients with the constituents of Triphala decoction has been ascertained by FTIR spectroscopy and carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen analyses. Our results demonstrate that Bhanupaka is an essential step in the preparation of lauha bhasma.

The fresh fruit of Capsicum annuum L. (red bell pepper) was successively extracted using n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol and their percentage yield was calculated. The effectiveness of each extract on chemical composition and antioxidant activity was studied. The qualitative phytochemical evaluation of each extract of bell pepper was done by HPTLC and Gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis. The total content of phenols, flavonoids and carotenoids were estimated by standard chemical methods. Further, the antioxidant potential of each extract was measured via DPPH and reducing power assays. Gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy analysis showed that the majority of compounds were related to phenols and flavonoids. Further analysis of the extract by HPTLC verified the presence of different types of phenolic compounds in addition to flavonoids and carotenoids. Among the different solvent extracts analyzed, total phenolic content was higher in ethanol extract (7.136 ± 0.03%, w/w) whereas ethyl acetate extract showed the presence of higher flavonoid content (4.0521 ± 0.03%, w/w). The ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of the fruit of C. annuum exhibited the highest radical scavenging activity with inhibition percentage of 53.66 and 49.55% at a concentration of 254 µg/ml. Based on the biochemical analysis and phytochemical screening, we conclude that C. annuum possess potent antioxidant potential and this ability of the extract is attributed to the presence of rich polyphenolic compounds.

Jatropha tanjorensis (Euphorbiaceae) an exotic traditional plant unique to Thanjavur district of Southern India also commonly called as Catholic vegetable. It has been used traditionally in decoctions for treating various ailments and as a health tonic. The objective of the present work is to study a comprehensive characterization of methanolic extract fractions using ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)+-electrospray ionization (ESI)-micrOTOF-Q II and correlate their bioactivities. Phytoconstituents from J. tanjorensis leaves were extracted with methanol (MeOH) followed by successive chromatography using linear gradient polar solvents system. All fractions obtained were evaluated for their chemical potential using micrOTOF-Q II techniques and identified key molecules were determined for their anticancer and anti-oxidant potential using in vitro methods. Successive column chromatography of the MeOH residue yielded six fractions. Compounds such as such as C-glycosylflavones (mono-C-, di-C-), O, C-diglycosylflavones and aglycones were identified for the first time in this plant using UHPLC-ultraviolet-micrOTOF-Q II ESI and a correlation with their anticancer using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay on Ehrlich ascites cells (EAC) and antioxidant activities using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and lipid peroxidation were studied; fraction D extract exhibited the strongest activity against cancer cell. LC-mass spectrometry has been successfully applied for a quick separation and identification of the major phytoconstituents. All fractions have shown potent antioxidative activity as compared to standard antioxidant 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene. EAC cell-based cytotoxicity assay also revealed encouraging results. The antioxidant and anticancer activity determined in the present work can be attributed to the presence of flavonoids and flavone glycosides. Present work provides the first scientific report on phytoconstituents of J. tanjorensis and its ethnopharmacological significance.

Background: Stereospermum tetragonum is a medicinal plant that grows throughout tropical parts of Indian sub continent, particularly in sandy soils of river beds in Northern India. S. tetragonum is a potential source of metabolites such as coumarines, glycosides, tannins and terpenoids traditionally used in the treatment of Diabetes mellitus. The main objective of the study is to evaluate the interaction of active principles isolated from S. tetragonum with ATP-sensitive K+ channel, Insulin receptor and phosphorylase kinase by in silico docking studies. Methods: Activation by in silico docking studies of ATP-sensitive K+ channel, Insulin receptor, Phosphorylase kinase with1,4a,5,7a-tetrahydro-5-hydroxy-7-(hydroxymethyl)- 1-(tetrahydro-6-(hydroxymethyl)-3,4,5-trimethoxy-2H-pyran-2-yloxy) cyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carboxylicacid and 5,8-dihydro-7-isopentyl-2,3,5,8- tetramethoxynaphthalene-1,4,6-triol isolated from the active fraction by solvent fractionation and chromatographic techniques and characterized with spectral data of water extract of S.tetragonum. Results: The isolated compounds showed better interaction than metformin glide score -2.563 through an extensive in silico docking approach with ATP-sensitive K+channel. The glide score is -6.981 Kcal/mol for compound 1 and -9.425 Kcal/mol for compound 2. In Insulin receptor the glide score for standard metformin is -3.359 and for compound 1 is -7.882 and compound 2 is -4.62. in Phosphorylase kinase the glide score of standard metformin is -4.864 and the glide score for compound 1 is -6.981 and compound 2 is -5.253 with the receptors. Conclusion: The work establishes the isolated compounds from the fraction of S. tetragonum as a potential source for Diabetic treatment thus enabling a possibility of this plant as new alternative to existing diabetic approaches.

The use of lauha bhasma, a traditional Indian herbometallic preparation, is in vogue for centuries for the treatment of various ailments related to iron deficiency. The preparation of lauha bhasma requires strict adherence to time-consuming, well-practiced, multistage, and multistep procedures. One of the steps is the treatment of purified metallic ingredients with Triphala decoction (the aqueous extract of Indian gooseberry, Chebulic myrobalans, and Beleric myrobalans) in the presence of sunlight (Bhanupaka). The formation of metal complexes due to the reaction of the metallic ingredients with the constituents of Triphala decoction has been ascertained by FTIR spectroscopy and carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen analyses. Our results demonstrate that Bhanupaka is an essential step in the preparation of lauha bhasma.