Asian Journal of Natural Product Biochemistry

Pharmacognostic characterization and biological activities of Aponogeton crispus and A. rigidifolius

2024-12-11T11:49:54+00:00

Abstract. Sarveswaran R, Jayasuriya WJAB, Dias B, Kariyawasam I, Hettiarachchi P, Suresh S. 2025. Pharmacognostic characterization and biological activities of Aponogeton crispus and A. rigidifolius. Asian J Nat Prod Biochem 23: 1-10. The potential anti-inflammatory effects of the plant family Aponogetonaceae have yet to be widely studied despite the existing ethnomedicinal evidence. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacognostic characteristics and pharmacological activities of Aponogeton crispus Thunb. and Aponogeton rigidifolius H.Bruggen plants. Anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycemia-related bioactivities of these plants were evaluated using well-established in vivo and in vitro methods. The safety profiles of the aqueous plant extracts were investigated in acute and chronic toxicity studies. Significance among different test groups in each assay was analyzed statistically. Reducing sugars, amino acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and polyphenols were found in the preliminary phytochemical screening. In pharmacological assessments, aqueous extracts of A. crispus at 120 mg/kg showed the highest inhibition of carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, indicating its significant therapeutic potential. The percentage reduction in acetic acid-induced writhes was 46.48±3.46% for A. crispus and 54.22±2.10% for A. rigidifolius. Both extracts significantly reduced the body temperature of test rats at the third and fourth hour in brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia. Moreover, both plants showed appreciable safety profiles in 2,000 mg/kg dose. The study concludes that both A. crispus and A. rigidifolius plants possess explicit pharmacognostic characteristics, show significant therapeutic effects against the cardinal signs of inflammation and hyperglycemia, also exhibit no in vivo toxicities.

Characterization of caffeinated facial creams with Diploknema butyracea butter as an emollient

2024-12-30T22:47:21+00:00

Abstract. Subedi S, Koirala S, Pokharel P, Bhandari DR. 2025. Characterization of caffeinated facial creams with Diploknema butyracea butter as an emollient. Asian J Nat Prod Biochem 23: 11-18. Caffeine, a versatile ingredient in cosmetics, is known for its vasoconstrictive, anti-inflammatory, UV protective, and anti-aging properties. The plant Diploknema butyracea, a medium-sized tree belonging to the Sapotaceae family, native to Nepal, India, and Bhutan, is known as chyuri, and its seeds contain about 55% fat, known as chyuri butter. Chyuri butter is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamins (A and E) to hydrate, nourish, soften skin and serve as an effective emollient. In this study, we formulated caffeinated facial creams with D. butyracea butter and meticulously evaluated their physical and chemical properties. Caffeine was extracted via liquid-liquid extraction. Four formulations (F1 to F4) with varying concentrations of chyuri butter and caffeine were assessed for pH, stability, acid and saponification values, spreadability, in-vitro occlusivity, centrifugation, after-feel, smear type, removal, and dilution. The pH of the creams ranged from 6.7 to 7.6. All formulations, except F1, remained stable and homogeneous at different temperatures. Acid values (9.5-11.2) and saponification values (23.5-26.8) were satisfactory. The creams demonstrated good spreadability (4.3-4.5 cm) and improved water retention due to chyuri butter. No phase separation occurred during centrifugation. The creams formed a non-greasy film, were easily removable with tap water, and were confirmed as O/W (oil in water) type. Our findings not only validate the efficacy of caffeine and chyuri butter in cosmetic cream formulations but also open up new possibilities for their use in skincare products.