International Journal of Farmacia

Traditional Uses and Pharmacology of Luffa Acutangula

Vigneshwaran.L V — 2025-09-19

The climbing plant Luffa acutangula, also referred to as angled luffa or ridge gourd, is used extensively in traditional medicine throughout Asia and Africa. This plant, which is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, has long been prized for its medicinal and nutritional qualities. The fruits, seeds, leaves, and roots of Luffa acutangula have all been used traditionally to cure conditions like diabetes, jaundice, skin conditions, inflammation, and respiratory issues. Many of these ethnomedicinal claims are supported by recent pharmacological research, which has shown the plant's antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory qualities. Key bioactive components that contribute to its many therapeutic benefits have been found by phytochemical investigations, including flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds. This review emphasises the importance of Luffa acutangula by highlighting its traditional applications, phytochemistry, and pharmaceutical potential. as a potential supply of organic medicinal substances.

Standardization Parameter of Luffa Acutangula

Vigneshwaran. L.V — 2025-09-19

Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb., commonly known as ridge gourd or angled luffa, is a widely cultivated vegetable in Asia, valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Despite its extensive traditional use, scientific standardization of its plant parts is essential to ensure quality, efficacy, and safety in herbal formulations. This study aims to evaluate the standardization parameters of Luffa acutangula fruit and leaves in accordance with pharmacognostical and phytochemical guidelines. Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics were documented to aid in the identification and authentication of plant materials. Physicochemical parameters such as moisture content, ash values, extractive values, and PH were determined to assess purity and stability. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of key bioactive constituents including flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, and glycosides. The results serve as a baseline for the quality control of Luffa acutangula and support its future use in standard herbal drug development. Standardization of plant materials not only safeguards consumer health but also promotes the rational use of medicinal plants in traditional and modern medicine.

The Effect of Centella Asiatica for Wound Healing

Vigneshwaran.LV — 2025-09-19

Centella asiatica is a perennial creeper with a faint aroma and is a valuable medicinal herb in both the Old and New Worlds. It is found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including India, China, Nepal, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. Centella's popularity in food and beverages stem from its functional properties. The plant's bioactive constituents have been linked to potential antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and neuroprotective activities, as reported in numerous studies. The plant's chemistry and pharmacology have been extensively studied for its efficacy in herbal preparations and chemical isolates, both ancient and modern. An intense effort has been made to develop new therapeutic approaches as well as technologies for more efficient and rapid wound healing. Research into plants that have long been used in traditional medicine to treat wounds has become a promising strategy for obtaining drugs that are therapeutically useful in acute and chronic wound management. Centella asiatica (Apiaceae) extracts and their active constituent, asiaticoside, have been shown to promote wound healing in both in vivo and in vitro models. We aim to create a formulation that promotes faster wound healing. This review provides a current and comprehensive analysis of the chemistry and health benefits of the Centella plant.

Improving Flow and Compression of Natural Polymers for Diclofenac SR Tablets via Co-processing with Microcrystalline Cellulose

B. Sudheer — 2025-10-31

The present study aimed to develop and evaluate sustained-release (SR) tablets of Diclofenac Sodium using co-processed excipients via the direct compression technique. To overcome the poor flow properties of natural polymers, three different co-processed excipients were prepared: Guar Gum with Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC), Sodium Alginate with MCC, and Xanthan Gum with MCC, each in three distinct ratios. Nine formulations (GM1-GM3, SM1-SM3, XM1-XM3) were compressed into 200 mg tablets and evaluated for pre-and post-compression parameters. All formulations exhibited excellent flow properties and produced tablets with acceptable hardness (5.5-6.5 kg/cm²), low friability (<0.31%), and uniform weight. The in-vitro drug release study over 12 hours revealed that the drug release rate was retarded with an increase in polymer concentration and followed the order: Guar Gum > Sodium Alginate > Xanthan Gum. Kinetic modeling indicated that the drug release best fitted the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, with the release mechanism being anomalous transport, a combination of diffusion and polymer erosion. Among all, formulation XM3, containing Xanthan Gum and MCC in a 2:1 ratio, was identified as the optimized formulation. It demonstrated superior tablet hardness (6.5 kg/cm²), the lowest friability (0.22%), and provided a near-ideal zero-order drug release profile (R²=0.985), achieving 98% drug release in a controlled manner over 12 hours. It was concluded that co-processing Xanthan Gum with MCC produces a robust excipient suitable for directly compressing a highly effective Diclofenac Sodium SR tablet.