title: Bacopasaponin C: critical evaluation of anti-leishmanial properties in various delivery modes.
abstract: Bacopasaponin C, an indigenous glycoside, was isolated from Indian medicinal plant Bacopa monniera (b. brahmi) and was tested for antileishmanial properties both in free and in various delivery modes, e.g., niosomes, microspheres, and nanoparticles that are used now as alternatives to more commonly used liposomes. The different vesicles were prepared by published protocols. The percent intercalation of Bacopasaponin C in liposomes, niosomes, and micropspheres determined at its absorption maximal (lambda(max) = 238 nm, epsilon = 8.6 x 10(3) M(-1) x cm(-1)) was found to be 30; for nanoparticles it was 50. At equivalent dose of 1.75 mg/kg body weight, every third day for a total of 6 doses in 15 days, Bacopasaponin C in all the vesicular forms was found to be very active. An inverse linear relationship between the efficacy and the size of the vesicles was established. As analyzed from tissue histology, blood pathology, and specific tests related to normal liver and kidney functions, Bacopasaponin C in each of the four vesicular forms was found to be without any side effects. Thus, because of its indigenous origin and non-toxic nature, Bacopasaponin C could very well be considered for application in the clinic through these alternative delivery modes.
authors.affiliation: Biomembrane Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Calcutta, India.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Raay
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Medda
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garai
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Mahato
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Basu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D006224:Cricetinae; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006027:Glycosides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007893:Leishmania donovani / Q000187:drug effects*; D008081:Liposomes; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects; D008647:Mesocricetus; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013154:Spleen / Q000469:parasitology; D014315:Triterpenes
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006027:Glycosides; D008081:Liposomes; D014315:Triterpenes; C454645:bacopasaponin C