RESUMEN
Lycopene, the active component of Lycopersicon esculentum species, has been reported for the protecting capabilities against ultra-violet induced skin pigmentation, antioxygen and antityrosinase activities. In the present study, extract of tomato fruit was obtained from the Lycopersicon esculentum plant using solvent system comprised of hexaneethanol-acetone. The phyto chemical active constituent lycopene was then identified by spectrophotometric technique at 470nm. Micro emulsions were developed containing different ratio of water, isopropyl myristate (oil), tween 80 and propylene glycol as surfactant and co-surfactant respectively via pseudoternary phase diagram. Various physicochemical tests were performed including globular size, conductivity, viscosity, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), refractive index (RI) and pH measurement for the formulation characterization. Results of physical and chemical stability studies showed that the micro emulsion with proportion of surfactant: co-surfactant of 2:1 (Smix) was found to be optimized formulation and with enhanced stability. Therefore, concluded that the stability of the micro emulsion was dependent on the proportions of surfactant co-surfactant, water and oil in the preparation.
Asunto(s)
Emulsiones/química , Extractos Vegetales/química , Solanum lycopersicum/química , Sistemas de Liberación de Medicamentos/métodos , Miristatos/química , Aceites de Plantas/química , Polisorbatos/química , Solubilidad/efectos de los fármacos , Tensoactivos/química , Viscosidad/efectos de los fármacos , Agua/químicaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The present study was carried out to determine the role of thymoquinone (TQ) in modulating the levels of neurotransmitter and reducing the oxidative stress in animal models of depression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mice were divided into 5 groups, each group had 6 animals. TQ (20 mg/kg) in corn oil and fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) in normal saline were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) half an hour before performing behavioural tests. Modified forced swim test (MFST) and tail suspension test (TST) were used to assess the antidepressant effect in mice. Animals were sacrificed and their brains were removed for biochemical estimation after performing behavioural tests. RESULTS: TQ treatment showed increased swimming, climbing and decreased immobility times in MFST and TST. Combination of TQ with fluoxetine in MFST and TST showed potentiating effect in the present study. A significant elevation of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels was observed following TQ administration in the behavioural models studied. MFST and TST reduced glutathione and elevated TBARS levels in mice. Pre-treatment of TQ restored glutathione and decreased TBARS levels. TQ combination with fluoxetine also showed reduction of TBARS and increased glutathione levels. CONCLUSION: TQ demonstrated antidepressant effects in MFST and TST respectively in the present study. It further demonstrated antioxidant effects by reducing thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and increasing reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Although our results are preliminary, further investigations may be required however, based on afore mentioned results, it may be suggested that TQ could be a potential candidate for the management of depression.