Phytopharmacy Research

ABSTRACT

In modern medicine sulphonylureas, biguanides and thiazolidinediones, are used for controlling diabetes but there is a renewed interest in plant medicine due to their toxicity. Symplocos racemosa barks are used for various ailments and ethnopharmacologically the drug is valued for its treatment against diabetes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-diabetic effects of Symplocos racemosa Roxb. methanol extracts (MESR)  in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The bark of plant was extracted with methanol. Albino Wistar rats were used for the study. Diabetes was induced using STZ. The treatment was continued for 14 days. The rats were divided into groups. Blood glucose level, biochemical parameters and histopathological observation were done. MESR, administered at doses of 250 & 500 mg/kg to STZ-treated diabetic rats caused significant (p < 0.01) reduction of blood glucose levels. MESR showed a dose related significant (p < 0.01) reduction in triglycerides compared to pretreatment levels. The reduced glucose levels suggested that MESR might exert insulin-like effect on peripheral tissues by either promoting glucose uptake metabolism by inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis. The altered serum lipid profile was reversed towards normal after treatment with the MESR. MESR exhibited hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglyceridemic effects, while increased the levels of HDL in STZ - induced diabetic rats.

Key words: Symplocos racemosa Roxb., STZ-induced diabetic rats, anti-diabetic, LDL, VLDL, TG, Total cholesterol.

ABSTRACT

Mucilage was obtained by extraction from the bark exudates of Araucaria heterophylla. Aim of this present study was to evaluate the pytochemical and physiochemical characterizations such as solubility, loss on drying, ash value, pH, particle size distribution, moisture sorption, swelling capacity, and gelatinization of the dried mucilage. Mucilage showed the presence of reducing sugars and starch. Swelling capacity and gelatinization of the mucilage suggest the suitability of the mucilage as a pharmaceutical excipient. 

KEYWORDS: Araucariaceae, mucilage, gelatinization, excipient, biodegradable

ABSTRACT

The ethanolic extract of Mimusops elengi bark used for the isolation of chemical constituents and evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity. To identify the anti-inflammatory component of this drug, we adopted an activity directed fractionation approach.  The active fraction of the ethanolic extract of Mimusops elengi bark was subjected to silica gel and column chromatography to yield a single compound and was identified as triterpenoid.  The triterpenoid is β-amyrincaprylate and ethanolic extract was tested for anti-inflammatory effect by using carrageenan induced paw oedema served as acute models and formation granulation tissues by cotton pellets served as a chronic model in rats.  The effect was compared with Indomethacin used as standard drug.  Pretreatment with ethanolic extract of Mimusops elengi bark (MEB) was administered orally 200, 400mg/kg(p.o) and isolated compound (5mg/kg) exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in acute and chronic models.  These results indicate that ethanolic extract and β-amyrincaprylate contributes to the anti-inflammatory action of Mimusops elengi bark.

Key words: Mimusops elengi; isolation; anti-inflammatory.

ABSTRACT

Medicinal plants have been of great importance to the health care needs of individuals and their communities. The use of herbal preparations made from medicinal plants is widespread in developing countries. The healing powers of traditional herbal medicines have been realized since antiquities. About 65% of the world populations have access to local medicinal plant knowledge system. India is sitting on a gold mine of well-recorded and traditionally well practiced knowledge of herbal medicine. This article discusses about the medicinal values of Tagetes erecta. In this communication, we reviewed the pharmacological and phytochemistry of Tagetes erecta and its application in the treatment of various ailments like the flower parts of plants are used as a hepatoprotective, insecticide, anti-oxidants and analgesic. This review discusses the investigation made by various workers related to chemical constituents, pharmacological action and toxicological studies of this plant since years till date.

Key words: Tagetes erecta, Pharmacological Actions, Toxicological Studies.

ABSTRACT

Free radicals have been regarded as a fundamental cause of different kinds of diseases. They cause biochemical damage in cells and tissues, which result in several diseases such as arteriosclerosis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, liver disease, diabetes mellitus, inflammation, renal failure, aging, cancer, etc. Compounds that can scavenge free radicals are thus effective in ameliorating the progress of these related diseases. Couroupita guianensis  known locally as ‘Nagamalli flowers or Mallikarjuna ’ and belonging to the family  Lecythidaceae is  a common plant in India And South America, profoundly used in Ayurvedic medicine for its antibiotic, antifungal, antiseptic and analgesic properties. It is also used for the treatment of gastritis, scabies, bleeding piles, dysentery and scorpion poison. The objective of the present study was designed to investigate the antioxidant efficacy of ethanolic extract of Couroupita guianensis leaves and flower (CGLE & CGFE). Invitro antioxidant activity such as Reducing power ability, NBT reduction assay, Deoxyribose degradation assay was performed and was concluded that the ethanolic extract of leaves and flowers of Couroupita guianensis showed significant antioxidant activity.

Keywords: Couroupita guianensis, Antioxidant activity, flavonoids, polyphenols.

ABSTRACT

Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn. (Polygonaceae) is a robust climbing vine commonly known as coral vine. It has been reported to have hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-thrombin, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and lipid peroxidation inhibitory properties. Pharmacognostical studies on aerial parts of Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn. has been carried out in the present study. The study includes macroscopical and microscopical evaluation along with estimation of its physico-chemical parameter such as ash values, extractive values, moisture content and fluorescence analysis of aerial parts powder of the plant. The present study reveals standardization profile for the plant Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn., which would be of immense value of authentication and botanical identification of the plant drug and may also help us in preventing its adulteration.

Keywords: Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn., Pharmacognostic studies, Standardization, Fluorescence.

ABSTRACT

Michelia champaca Linn. belonging to the family Magnoliaceae is commonly used by many traditional healers Leela Vilasam Siddha Varma Vaidyasalai, Karungal, Tamil Nadu) in most of the herbal preparations for diabetes and kidney diseases. The active constituents reported in this plant are alkaloids, saponins, tannins, sterols, flavonoids and triterpenoids. This review focused on biological activities of the Michelia champaca Linn. by various methods.

Key words: Michelia champaca Linn, Antidiabetic activity, anti-ulcer activity, Magnoliaceae.

ABSTRACT

Phytochemical and Pharmacognostic investigation was carried out on the leaves of Crossandra infundibuliformis L. The assignment such as macroscopy, anatomical studies and preliminary phytochemical screening were performed since the species was not noted for its pharmacognosy in part.  Macroscopic studies is a technique of qualitative evaluation based on the study of morphological and sensory profiles of leaves of Crossandra infundibuliformis L. Microscopic studies is a technique of qualitative evaluation and used to confirm the structural details of drugs from the leaves of Crossandra infundibuliformis  L. and also study of the phytoconstituents by application of chemical methods. The perusal of literature also revealed that no pharmacognostic work had been carried out on the leaves of Crossandra infundibuliformis L. For this reason we have investigated the Phytochemical and pharmacognostic profiles of leaves of Crossandra infundibuliformis L.

Keywords: Crossandra infundibuliformis L., Phytochemical Screening, Pharmacognostic Studies.

abstract

Pharmacognostic investigation was carried out on the Buchanania angustifolia Roxb. leaves. The assignment such as macroscopy, anatomical studies and preliminary phytochemical screening were performed since the species was not noted for its pharmacognosy in part.  Macroscopic studies is a technique of qualitative evaluation based on the study of morphological and sensory profiles of Buchanania angustifolia Roxb. leaf. Microscopic studies is a technique of qualitative evaluation and used to confirm the structural details of drugs from the Buchanania angustifolia Roxb. leaf and also study of the constituents by application of chemical methods to small quantities of drug of phoroglucinol and concentrated hydrochloric acid give red stain with lignin . Mucilage is strained pink with rhuthenium red. The perusal of literature also revealed that no pharmacognostic work had been carried out on the plant of Buchanania angustifolia Roxb. For this reason we have investigated the pharmacognostic profiles of Buchanania angustifolia Roxb. leaves.

Keywords: Buchanania angustifolia Roxb., Phytochemical Screening, Pharmacognostic Studies.