@metrocollege.in/pharmacy
Professor, Institute of Pharmacy
Metro College of Health Sciences and Research
Dr. Rahul Kaushik did his B.Pharm, M.Pharm (Pharmacognosy) and Ph.D. from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow, India. He is serving in the Ram-Eesh Institute of Vocational & Technical Education, Greater Noida as Assistant Professor since 2015. With over 8.5 Years of Academic and Industrial experience he has authored more than 24 research and review articles in various International and National journals of repute and attended more than 25 National conferences and seminars. He has contributed Book chapters in various national and international publishers like Springer’s, Germany. His areas of interest are Quality control of Herbal drugs, Ayurvedic formulations, Chromatography, Phytochemistry and Herbal Anticonvulsants. Along with serving as reviewer to various national and international journals, Dr. Rahul Kaushik is also serving as Managing Editor to International Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research.
B. Pharm., M.Pharm. (Pharmacognosy), Ph.D.
Pharmacognosy,Natural Products, Ayurveda, Herbal Drug Standardization, Herbal Antiepileptics
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Meenu ., Tarun Virmani, Lubhan Singh, and Rahul Kaushik
Dr. Yashwant Research Labs Pvt. Ltd.
India is a hub for a large variety of natural products that have proven their therapeutic efficacy in various ailments and disorders. Despite it, a lot of natural products are yet to be explored, and Indian propolis is one of them. Indian propolis is a waxy natural product obtained from beehives. In this research, phytochemical constituents present in Indian propolis were qualitatively analyzed using phytochemical screening, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), and quantitatively using total phenolic content. Phytochemical screening results revealed the presence of total phenolic content, saponins, glycosides, alkaloids, terpenoids, proteins, steroids, flavonoids, oils & resins supported by GC-MS results. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 17 different constituents having higher peak areas. Amongst these 17 bioactive compounds, oxirane, phenyl ethyl alcohol, caffeine, chrysene, riboflavin and 2-aminophenol were found to have higher peak areas of 5.78, 4.58, 4.46, 3.11, 2.65 and 2.56%, respectively. The results of total phenolic contents revealed the presence of 23 different constituents in different concentrations amongst ellagic acid, kaempferol, epicatechin, galangin, and quercetin were present in rich amounts 538.73, 402.34, 234.85, 121.95 and 95.3 μg/kg, respectively. These constituents are well known for their therapeutic efficacy, which is an indication for the exploration of the therapeutic efficacy of Indian propolis in the future.
Akansha Singh, Lubhan Singh, Rupesh Pandey, Prabhat Singh, Moazzam Ali, Rahul Kaushik, and Priyadarshini Soni
Dr. Yashwant Research Labs Pvt. Ltd.
Background: Epilepsy is a group of chronic neurological disorders characterized by seizures. Kindling, a chronic epileptic mouse model that was used to explore the epileptogenic mechanism and seeking new anti-epileptics. In kindling, sub-convulsive (chemical/ electrical) stimuli are delivered repeatedly and erratically, eventually causes massive convulsions. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of chlorogenic acid, a phenolic acid derived from coffee, on seizure severity and kindling progression. Memory impairment inflammation due to oxidative stress by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). Objective: This study was used to investigate the neuroprotective effect of chlorogenic acid against pentylenetetrazol induced kindled epilepsy in mice. Methods: Kindling was provoked by subsequent (one-day-gap) injections of PTZ (subconvulsive; 35 mg/kg; s.c.) for 29 days in mice. The experimental protocol included six groups (n=6) receiving proconvulsant doses of PTZ (35 mg/kg i.p.) every other day for 31 days. Alternating subcutaneous injections of PTZ induced priming with 15 injections of PTZ. Compared with the PTZ group, pre-treatment with chlorogenic acid (5 and 10 mg/kg) 1 h before PTZ administration reduced seizure score, reduced metastasis latency due to increased normal maze, and decreased metastasis latency extension at FST. PTZ-induced biochemical changes were enhanced in chlorogenic acid-treated animals, as indicated by decreased lipid peroxidation (MDA), nitric oxide and AChE levels, and increased SOD, GSH, catalase level. Following PTZ injection, convulsive behaviours were noted for 30 minutes. Open-field-test (locomotor activity), force swimming test (depressive behaviors), elevated plus-maze and passive avoidance tests were employed to evaluate cognition. Brain homogenate was used to estimate oxidative stress (glutathione,superoxide-dismutase, lipid-peroxidation), and acetylcholinesterase activity. Results: This result suggest the neuroprotective potential of chlorogenic acid. This may be correlated with its ability to inhibit oxidative damage and reduce the occurrence of seizures and other related damage. It may be a promising candidate for mitigating the consequences of events. Conclusion: Our findings suggest effect of chlorogenic acid against pentylenetetrazol-induced kindled epilepsy in mice which were established by behavioral and biochemical paradigms
Vikas Sharma, Rahul Kaushik, Krishan Kumar Verma, Akanksha Gupta, Snigdha Srivastava, and Rajan Kumar Kurmi
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Abstract: Epilepsy is the most general, extensive, and severe neurological disorder, affecting more than 50 million individuals globally. Initially, conventional medicines and simple salts like potassium bromide were employed as antiepileptic medication candidates. Nowadays, large number of anticonvulsant drugs have been discovered as first-generati, second-generation and newer drugs which are still in development phases. The pharmacophore-based drug design process includes pharmacophore modeling and validation, pharmacophore-based virtual screening, virtual hits profiling, and lead identification with special to epilepsy. This comprehensive article reviews recently developed anticonvulsant derivatives on the basis of pharmacophoric approaches. A literature survey was performed using various search engines like Google Scholar, Scopus, Sci Finder, ScienceDirect, Science gate, Scilit, PubMed, NINDS database of NIH, Bentham Sciences, and other online and print journals and scientific databases for compilation of this review article. The presented review discusses newer drugs that are in the market as well as in various clinical trial phases. Detailed outcomes of pharmacophoric modeling have been discussed for newly derived derivatives like targets involved in Epilepsy, lead molecules etc., for the treatment of epilepsy. This exhaustive review will assist the researchers in the further development of potential antiepileptic agents.
Azhar Danish Khan, Mukesh Kr Singh, Pallavi Manish Lavhale, and Rahul Kaushik
Informa UK Limited
Kanika Sharma, Payal Kesharwani, Shiv Kumar Prajapati, Ankit Jain, Neha Mittal, Rahul Kaushik, and Nishi Mody
Springer International Publishing
Vikas Sharma, Chandana Majee, Rahul Kaushik, Shivani Saxena, Salahuddin Salahuddin, and Avijit Mazumdar
A and V Publications
Herbal digestive tablets are meant for treating indigestion problems. The indigestion problem is one of the major problems of all (the) ages of human beings. As trends for eating fast foods is increasing, simultaneously the improper digestion also tends to increase. There are a number of digestive tablets in the market but in attempt to improve their taste the actual motto behind their use is masked. To combat the indigestion problems, in the present study an attempt has been made to formulate, develop and evaluate herbal digestive tablets. The formula of the digestive tablet has been decided after deep review of Ayurvedic formulary of India. The ingredients of this formulation have been procured from authentic sources. The wet granulation method was used to prepare the granules for punching the tablets. After preparation, the herbal digestive tablets were subjected to various pharmaceutical evaluations and quality control evaluations as per the guidelines from World Health Organization (WHO). The formulation was also subjected to antioxidant screening using Phosphomolybdenum method. The digestive tablets are obtained as light brown-colored round tablets with pleasant odour and spicy taste with an average size of 8mm and smooth edges. Maximum extractive value was observed as 34% in methanol with a total ash value of 10.16%. Other parameters reported as bitterness value- 0.69 units, volatile oil content-8%, loss on drying- 12.3%, swelling and foaming index of 0.27 and less than 100 respectively. The tablets showed a total antioxidant potential of 0.51mg/mg as Ascorbic acid equivalent. Tablets also pass various pharmaceutical evaluation parameters like hardness, friability, weight variation, and disintegration test. Herbal digestive tablets have very excellent taste due to less bitter drugs. The tablet formula can be applied to prepare large scale production of digestive tablets.
Rahul Kaushik, Jainendra Jain, Akanksha Gupta, and Louhana Moreira Rebouças
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
: Ayurveda prescribes the use of Medhya Rasayanas for the prevention and management of brain disorders like Epilepsy, Schizophrenia, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s diseases. Medhya Rasayanas are a group of nootropic herbs which improves cognition, memory, intelligence, creativity, learning skills and executive functions. Additionally, these supplements also boost immunity. These herbs have intrinsic nature to exert these effects on the human brain. This review is an attempt to study and correlate the ethno-pharmacological basis of Medhya Rasayanas with their Antiepileptic potential. In epilepsy, Medhya Rasayanas either alone or in combination are prescribed to manage epileptic patients in Ayurveda. These herbs are time tested and also possess scientifically proven pharmacological effects. In this review, detailed pharmacognostical, phytochemical and pharmacological investigation on Medhya Rasayanas like Centella asiatica, Convolvulous pluricaulis, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Tinospora cordifolia, Acorus calamus, Bacopa monnieri, Celastrus paniculatus, Benincasa hispida, Nardostachys jatamansi, mineral like Swarna Bhasma (Gold Calyx) and few herbal formulations like Panchgavyaghrita, Brahmi Ghrita, Mentat, Asthamangal Ghrita, Sarasvata Churna, Sarasvata Arishta, and Samvardhan ghrita which contains Medhya Rasayanas was performed using various search engines like Google Scholar, Scopus, SciFinder, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Bentham Sciences and other online and print journals and scientific databases on medicinal plants. The rigorous review of the literature proves that each Medhya Rasayana is acting with different mechanisms of action to offer neuroprotection. The review strengthens the ethno-pharmacological claim of Medhya Rasayanas for their use in the treatment and management of Epilepsy and other brain disorders.
Rahul Kaushik, Jainendra Jain, and Avijit Mazumder
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Background: Sarasvata churna is an Ayurvedic formulation for treatment and management of epilepsy and other maniac disorders since thousands of years. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant potential, total phenolics and flavonoids content, acute-oral-toxicity and anticonvulsant activity of Sarasvata churna. Materials & Methods: In vitro antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of Sarasvata churna against Nitrous oxide, Peroxide, Phosphomolybdenum and Hydroxyl radicals was performed using Colorimetry against Ascorbic acid as standard along with estimation of total phenolic and flavonoids content. Acute oral toxicity was evaluated using OECD guidelines. Extract in carboxymethyl cellulose at doses of 50,75,100,125,150 and 200 mg/kg was screened for anticonvulsant activity using subcutaneous Pentylenetetrazole and Maximal Electroshock models in Swiss Albino Mice (n=6). Sodium valproate was used as standard. Results: IC50 value of methanolic extract in the Nitrous oxide, Peroxide, and Hydroxyl free radical scavenging assay was found to be 165mg/ml, 32.5mg/ml and 253.9mg/ml respectively as compared to 61.58μg/ml, 333.44μg/ml and 351μg/ml respectively of standard Ascorbic acid. In acute oral toxicity screening, animals did not show any signs of acute and delayed toxicity even up to a dose of 2000mg/kg. Extract offered a protection of 57.39% and 85.26% in scPTZ model (P<0.0001) and 74% and 96.38% in MES model (P<0.0001) at doses of 50 and 200mg/kg respectively as compared to standard at 95% Confidence interval (ANNOVA, Tukey test) indicating a dose-dependent protection. Conclusion: Sarasvata churna’s potentials are comparable with standard antioxidant Ascorbic acid and antiepileptic drug Sodium valproate. This preclinical and toxicity screening data can be beneficial in establishing the scientific basis for the use of Sarasvata churna in management of epilepsy.
Rahul Kaushik, Jainendra Jain, and Azhar Danish Khan
Springer Singapore
N. Sharma, S. K. Sharma and R. Kaushik
Background: Lornoxicam is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that possesses gastrointestinal tract (GIT) associated problems like gastric irritation. Transdermal patches can overcome the gastrointestinal tract associated problems of the drug and can be an alternate and convenient dosage form as compared to oral dosage forms. Three natural penetration enhancers i.e. Eugenol, Cineole and Limonene, were known to enhance the permeation of drugs from the patch.
Objective: The present study aimed to prepare and evaluate transdermal drug delivery patches for sustained release of Lornoxicam using HPMC E50 as polymer and to study the effects of three potential permeation enhancers viz. Limonene, Eugenol, and Cineole at different concentrations on permeation of Lornoxicam from patches.
Materials and Methods: Limonene, Eugenol, and Cineole at concentrations of 1, 2, 3, and 4% were used as permeation enhancers in the formulation of Lornoxicam transdermal patches. Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose (1:5 drug: polymer ratio) and plasticizers like glycerine was used to prepare transdermal patches, including three permeation enhancers. A total of 12 formulations (F1-F12) were prepared with each enhancer at four different concentrations and evaluated for various parameters like thickness, weight variation, Water-Vapor Permeability, Tensile Strength, Percent Moisture Uptake, Drug Content, and Diffusion studies.
Results: The partition coefficient was determined in octanol/water system, and it indicates that the drug is suitable for transdermal drug delivery. IR spectroscopy was performed to determine the physicochemical compatibility between drugs and the polymers, and the results suggested no physicochemical incompatibility between drugs and the polymers. The Optimized formulation F4 containing 4% Limonene as a permeation enhancer gave a maximum release 82.85% over a period of 24 hours. Kinetics data of formulations showed that all the twelve formulations followed first-order kinetics and except two formulations (i.e., F3 and F12) follow anomalous transport. Stability studies were carried out as per ICH guidelines, and formulations were found to be Stable. A transdermal patch containing Limonene as a permeation enhancer showed higher in vitro release of Lornoxicam as compared to other penetration enhancers.
Conclusion: All 12 formulations, i.e., F1-F12, showed good physicochemical characteristics and showed an increase in permeation of drugs during their in vitro permeation study. This dosage form also showed improved patient compliance due to a simplified therapeutic regimen and comfort via the non-invasive, painless, and simple application. The optimized formulation can be exploited further to overcome the GIT associated drawbacks of Lornoxicam.
How to cite this article: Sharma, N., Sharma, S. and Kaushik, R. (2019). Formulation and Evaluation of Lornoxicam Transdermal patches using various Permeation Enhancers. International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology, 9(4): 597-607.
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None.
Rahul Kaushik, Jainendra Jain, Pallavi Rai, Yogesh Sharma, Virender Kumar, and Akanksha Gupta
Diva Enterprises Private Limited
Anthocephalus cadamba Roxb. or Kadamb, a huge evergreen tree with large leaves and beautiful ball shaped fruits is commonly found in India. The leaves, fruits and bark of Kadamb posses significant pharmacological properties due to presence of variety of chemical constituents in them. The present study is aimed to evaluate the pharmacognostical, physiochemical and phytochemical parameters for Anthocephalus cadamba Roxb. leaves as per the WHO guidelines for herbal drug standardization. WHO emphasized the use of standardized herbs and formulations for safety and best therapeutic results. Pharmacognostical studies shows that the leaves of Kadamb are green to pale yellow, odourless with a bitter and acrid taste. The simple, ovate-elliptical, petiolated leaf sized between 15-50cm in length and upto 26cm width with glossy upper surface, undulated margin and pinnate venation. The powder microscopy shows the presence of aboundant multicellular trichomes, phloem fibres, scleriform xylem vessels, epidermal cells, cork cells and parenchymatous tissues. Physiochemical analysis shows variable extractive values in different solvents with maximum extractives of 19.40±0.011% in petroleum ether. Total Ash value of 8.33±0.015%, Acid Insoluble Ash- 2.25±0.005% and Water Soluble Ash- 1.25±0.01%, Foreign Matter- 2.33±0.12%, Moisture content of 8.12±0.01%, Bitterness value-1.6, Swelling Index-2.17±0.01 and Foaming Index- 166.67. Phytochemical analysis of the leaf powder of Anthocephalus cadamba shows the presence of saponins, alkaloids, tannins and phenolics. The botanical, physical and chemical parameters obtained in this study can be used for establishing the identity and purity of the drug that will lead to safety and efficacy of the herb.
1 Years at Maharishi Ayurveda Products Pvt. Ltd.