Utilization of biodiesel waste in the development of botanical-based floating tablet formulation against early stages of mosquitoes

The current paper has elaborated the efficient utilization of liquid biodiesel waste in combination with dillapiole and citronella essential oil as active ingredients.Sawdust,cellulose and hydrophobic silica were used as inert ingredients,which make the tablet to float over the water surface.ATR-FTIR analysis of tablet confirmed the compatibility with citronella oil,dillapiole,liquid biodiesel waste in tablet composition after compression.Physico-chemical analysis studies show that tablet parameters are in standard limits.SEM analysis shows some porous structures in tablet composition which confirms the floating nature of the tablets.The specific ratio(2:2:1)of citronella oil,dillapiole and liquid biodiesel waste showed maximum mortality,i.e.95%after 24 h.After application,the tablet is nontoxic towards the aquatic organisms and water quality remains unaf-fected.The better performance of the tablets has been evaluated in terms of characterization studies,viz.ATR-FTIR and SEM studies and bioefficacy trials which confirmed the presence of active ingredients responsible for insecticidal activity.

Discovery and preclinical development of ⅢM-160, a Bergenia ciliatabased anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic botanical drug candidate

Objective: Bergenia ciliata(Haw.) Sternb. is used in the Indian traditional system of medicine to treat various ailments including rheumatism and to heal wounds. The objective of the present study was to perform a preclinical characterization of the B. ciliata-based botanical extract IIIM-160.Methods: ⅢM-160 was chemically standardized and analyzed for heavy metal content, aflatoxins,pesticides and microbial load. The in vitro and in vivo efficacies were determined in suitable models of inflammation, arthritis and nociception. An acute oral toxicity study was performed in Swiss albino mice.A suitable oral formulation was developed and characterized.Results: Bergenin was found to be the major component(9.1% w/w) of ⅢM-160. The botanical lead displayed inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines in THP-1 cells, with selectivity toward interleukin-6(IL-6) and had an excellent safety-window. It showed anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and antinociceptive activity in animal models and was not toxic at oral doses up to 2 g/kg in Swiss-albino mice. The gastroretentive, sustained-release capsule formulation showed sustained-release of the bergenin over the period of 24 h, resulting in improved plasma-exposure of bergenin in Sprague–Dawley rats.Conclusion: The dual-activity of IL-6 inhibition and antinociception marks the suitability of ⅢM-160 for treating rheumatoid arthritis. This study will serve as the benchmark for further research on this botanical formulation.