Journal of Innovations in Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences

Characterization of Melaleuca armillaris essential oil in Brazil

Leonardo Curiel Alves — 2024-03-30

The objective of this study was to propose metrics that could be used in the quality control of Melaleuca armillaris oil, extracted from plants cultivated in Brazil, to differentiate it from Melaleuca alternifolia oil. The oil was obtained by hydro-distillation using steam stripping. The physicochemical characteristics of the M. armillaris essential oil were evaluated, obtaining the following results: density 0.9146 g/mL, pH4.36, specific rotation 2.38, refractive index 1.45948, viscosity of 3 centipoises, 35901 particles ≥ 10 µm and 1743 particles between 10 and 25 µm/5 mL, moisture content 0.84% and decomposition temperature of 115.19 ºC. Osmolarity was not detected. The components of the M. armillaris oil were identified using the following techniques: gas chromatography (GC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a mass detector, Raman and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. A total of 24 compounds were identified by GC, the main one being 1,8 cineole, and 145 substances were identified by HPLC. In the identification by Raman the transmittance of the oil was found to be 785 nm, and using the NIR technique, the greatest absorbance was at 2350 nm. In this way the M. armillaris oil was characterized by physicochemical analyses and its components identified.

Exploring the mechanism of Nigella sativa against colorectal cancer by network pharmacology and molecular docking

Ansari Vikhar Danish Ahmad — 2024-03-30

Background: Nigella sativa, generally known as black seed or black cumin, has a rich historical background in traditional medicine for its diverse health benefits. Objective: The aim of the study explore the potential effects of Nigella sativa (NS) on colorectal cancer (CC) through the application of network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods: Network pharmacology (NP) analysis was conducted to identify pertinent colorectal cancer targets and compounds sourced from relevant databases. Subsequently, protein-protein interaction (PPI) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were employed to delineate critical molecular pathways, while molecular docking simulations study were employed to validate the binding interactions at active sites. Results: Network analysis of compound-target interactions revealed a network comprising 319 nodes and 410 edges, indicating a complex interplay between the derivatives and their associated targets. The PPI analysis underscored the significant interactions within the network, particularly with targets known to be involved in colorectal cancer regulation. KEGG pathway analysis highlighted the importance of EGFR and PI3K pathways in the context of colorectal cancer. Notably, molecular docking studies identified Nigellicine as having the highest affinity for key colorectal cancer-related targets, including AKT1 (-7.6 kcal/mol), IL6 (-6.2 kcal/mol), ALB (-7.1 kcal/mol) and HSP90AA1 (-8.2). Conclusion: The integration of network analysis and molecular docking studies provided collectively support the colorectal cancer characteristics of the compounds, emphasizing the need for further research to develop novel pharmacological interventions for colorectal cancer management.

Investigating anxiolytic effect of intranasal micro emulsion in experimental animal models

Ansari Vikhar Danish Ahmad — 2024-03-30

This investigation aimed to assess the anxiolytic potential of an intranasal micro emulsion formulation in an experimental model utilizing Swiss Albino Mice. The evaluation of anti-anxiety activity was conducted through the Elevated plus Maze and Open Field tests. In the Elevated plus Maze, parameters such as the total count of arm entries and the duration spent in both open and enclosed arms were meticulously recorded. Similarly, the Open Field tests involved the documentation of entries in the central region, the time spent in the central region, entries into the peripheral zone, and time spent in the peripheral zone. The experimental subjects received treatment with the intranasal micro emulsion formulation at a dosage of 50mg/kg. The results from the Elevated plus Maze exhibited a noteworthy (p<0.01**) augmentation in the quantity of entries and the duration of sojourn within the open arm. Parallelly, the Open Field tests revealed a significant (p<0.01**) escalation in the count of squares traversed and the frequency of crossings. This investigation unequivocally indicated that the intranasal micro emulsion formulation elicited a pronounced anti-anxiety effect in the experimental animal model. This research contributes to the expanding body of knowledge on the potential therapeutic efficacy of intranasal micro emulsion formulations in addressing anxiety-related behaviors, thereby paving the way for further investigations and potential clinical applications