International Journal of Phytomedicine
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Effect of Salvadora persica (Miswak) leaves and stem aqueous extracts on ovarian folliculogenesis and uterine histology in female albino rats
No full textThis work was conducted to evaluate the antifertility activities of Salvadora persica (miswak) aqueous leaves and stem extracts on female albino Wistar rats. Control animals received 0.5 ml of distilled water (Group 1); experimental animals received 0.5 ml of aqueous solution (1:1 w/v) of miswak leaves (Group2) or stem extract (Group 3) for 14 consecutive days. At the end of experiment, animals were weighed and vaginal smears were obtained from control and treated groups. Control and experimental animals were anesthetized then scarified, ovaries and uterus were dissected out, weighed and the number of corpora lutea and surface ovarian follicles were counted. Ovaries and uterus were fixed then processed for paraffin sections and stained with Hematoxylin-eosin. Histological changes in ovaries and uterus were determined. Results showed that administration of miswak leaves or stem aqueous extract is safe and have no side effects or mortalities, and it did not affect body weight of treated animals compared with control. However, administration of miswak leaves or stem aqueous extract significantly decrease (P<0.05) ovarian weight in treated groups. Uterine weight also significantly decreased (P<0.05) after administration of miswak leaves extract compared to control or stem extract groups. Moreover, number of surface ovarian follicles significantly decreased (P<0.05) after exposure to extract of miswak leaves or stem. Number of corpora lutea did not vary between groups. Histological examination revealed that administration of miswak leaves extract caused a significant decrease in the epithelial cell height, myometrial and stromal thickness of uterus compared to stem extract or control group. The present study illustrated the antiovulatory and anti-uterotrophic effects of the aqueous extract of miswak leaves in female rats. This effect may be mediated through direct effect of the extract on the reproductive organs by disruption of ovarian folliculogenesis and inhibiting further development of the recruited ovarian follicles and/or by disruption of the hormonal balance in the hypothalamo-hypophysial ovarian and uterine axis. Miswak stem extract could affect follicular development but it did not affect the uterine structures
Anti-hyperglycemic Potential of methanolic extract fraction of Trichuriella monsoniae (L.f.) Bennet
No full textThe anti-hyperglycemic activity of methanolic extract fraction of Trichuriella monsoniae (TM) was evaluated in Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Methanolic extract was fractionated and subjected to antidiabetic studies in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats to identify the most potent bioactive fraction. Oral administration of fractions of METM at 20 & 40 mg/kg b.w. significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. Among the fractions, n- butyl alcohol fraction (BLTM) at 40 mg/kg b.w. was found to be more effective. Further, in sub-acute study, BLTM significantly reduced the elevated level of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, SGPT, ALP, creatinine in serum and increased the diminished body weight and total protein and insulin level in serum in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Increased glycogen content was observed in liver and skeletal muscle of the diabetic rats after 28 days of the treatment. BLTM ameliorated the histological damage of islets of langerhans. BLTM also elicited a significant antioxidant effect, which was evident from its ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation and also by scavenging the DPPH radical. The results of the study clearly indicate that BLTM exerts potent antidiabetic activity
Neuro-pharmacological, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of crude extract of Cicuta virosa
No full textCicutavirosa is commonly known as Water Hemlock and traditionally known as poisonous plants. In the present research work central nervous system (CNS), analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects were assessed in mice and rats. The crude extract showed anxiolytic response at 100 mg/kg which was evaluated through open field, head dip, light and dark, cage cross and swimming test. In open field (73.33±3.28) and light and dark test (time spent in light 5.16±1.07 min.) the movements of mice were increased as compare to standard drugs, whereas in forced swimming test (FST) themean forced mobility was reduced to 1.16±0.02 seconds. At the dose of 500mg/kg of C. virosa, CNS inhibition was observed in cage cross test and dip cage activity. The results of locomotor and exploratory activity were also found reduced in comparison to control and standard Diazepam (2 mg/kg-1). Analgesic activity was evaluated by acetic acid and formalin method. The abdominal constrictions were observed. C. virosa at the dose of 50 mg/kg exhibited maximum inhibition of writhes, in first phase (57.67%) second (3.26%) and third phase (0%). The results of analgesic activity was compared with aspirin (orally administered, 300 mg/kg). C. virosaalso significantly inhibited formalin induced licking and biting response at the dose of 50mg/kg. Anti-inflammatory effect was observed by carrageenan induced edema at 300 and 500 mg/kg doses of C. virosa. Maximum inhibition of edema was observed at 500mg/kg (23.07%). The results of neuropharmacological, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of C. virosawere found significant at P ≤ 0.05
Antimicrobial and anti oxidant activities of an Endophytic fungi Isolated from an endemic medicinal plant Pterocarpus santalinus
No full textEndophytic fungi are intriguing microorganisms live inside the healthy plant tissues. they are quite diverse in nature and have enormous potential for production of important secondary metabolites of biomedical, pharmaceutical and clinical importance. In the present work we have isolated an endophytic fungi from the leaves of Pterocarpus santalinus an endemic medicinal plant of Eastern ghats, Tirumala hills, India. Based on the molecular characterization by 18S rRNA analysis the fungi was identified as Xylaria spp. ENT2 (Accession No. KF493856.1). the crude extract of Xylaria sp. was evaluated for antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Among the other extracts tested methanolic extract showed highest activity against all the bacterial and fungal pathogens with a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of about 30μg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and a Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) of about 50μg/mL against Candida albicans. Similarly methanolic extract proved to be potential natural antioxidant with 56.26±0.08 radical scavenging activity (RSA)
In vitro and In vivo study on the effect of Scoparia Dulcis in inhibiting the growth of urinary crystals.
No full textUrolithiasis is a very common and highly recurring painful disease both in developing and developed nations due to the change in lifestyle and food habits. Scoparia Dulcis is herbal plant which has been used as a traditional medicine for dissolving urinary stones by the tribal group of people in Western Ghats, India. This experimental study gives a scientific awareness about the effect of Scoparia Dulcis in dissolving the urinary crystals and will confirm the drug’s effect on the organs like kidney and liver. The invitro testing was done by developing urinary crystals using single diffusion gel growth technique and the water extract of the drug is incorporated to monitor the growth of the crystal. The statistical analysis was done for the in vitro study and has proved 2ml dosage shows the highest significance in variation. In invivo testing, the urinary crystals were induced in Wistar Rats and the drug was fed to monitor its effect on the growth of crystals as well as on nearby organs. The urine and serum samples were tested for all the group of rats and parameters analysis proved the significance of the drug. The histopathology analysis gives the sectional view and report of diseased and treated groups. In both the invitro as well as invivo testing, the drug showed a significant effect in inhibiting the growth of urinary crystals
Medicinal plants used for treatment of wounds and skin infections: assessment of wound healing and antimicrobial properties of Mallotus oppositifolius and Momordica charantia
No full textMallotus oppositifolius and Momordica. charantia are two medicinal plants used in folk medicine for the treatment of skin infections and disorders, wounds, peptic ulcer, fever, piles and parasitic infections. The aim of the study was to determine the antimicrobial, antioxidant and wound healing properties of the methanol leaf extracts of M. oppositifolius and M. charantia. The two plants extracts were screened for their phytochemical composition and their antimicrobial activity was also determined against three gram-positive, two gram-negative bacteria and a fungus. The antioxidant or free radical scavenging activity of the methanol leaf extracts was also determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The wound healing activity of the extracts was determined by the excision wound model in rats. The results indicated that both extracts contain tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and glycosides and M. charantia contains saponins. The two extracts exhibited activity against all the test organisms. MICs of the methanol leaf extract of M. oppositifolius was between 0.01 to 3.75 mg/mL and that of M. charantia was between 1.88 to 7.5 mg/mL. The IC50 of methanol leaf extracts of M. oppositifolius and M. charantia were 16.11 and 7.09 µg/mL respectively. The wound contraction rate was significant (p<0.05) for both extracts of M. oppositifolius and M. charantia on the 11th day compared to the untreated group. The extracts exhibited high antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and increased fibrosis and collagenation in the wound tissues and the rate of wound closure compared with the untreated wounds at the late phase of the wound healing process
Anti-hyperammonaemic effect of fisetin in rats: A chronotherapeutic study
No full textAmmonia, a product of degradation of proteins and other nitrogen compounds is toxic at higher concentrations. Fisetin (a naturally occurring flavonoid) is known to exhibit a number of cytoprotective effects. In this study, chronotherapeutic effects of fisetin on ammonium chloride (AC) treated rats is aimed to establish the time point at which the maximum drug effect is achieved. Fisetin (50 mg/kg b.w oral) was administrated to rats at 06:00, 12:00, 18:00 and 00:00 h against AC (100 mg/kg.b.w. i.p) treated Wistar rats (180-200 g). Amelioration of pathophysiology of AC induced hyperammonaemic characteristics by fisetin at different time points were measured by assessing cellular architecture of liver and brain, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation products and antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione) in serum, plasma, liver and brain. The normalization of lipid profile and markers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis indicated the protective effect of fisetin. Fisetin administration at 00:00 h showed significant effects on these indices than at other time points (p<0.05; DMRT). This might be due to chronopharmacokinetic and chronopharmacodynamic properties of fisetin along with its action on altered rhythms of lipid profile and markers of ROS homeostasis
Resveratrol and Quercetin: Novel Polyphenolic Chemopreventive Agents
No full textCancer continues to be a major public health concern worldwide and the main modalities for treatment include chemo and/or radiotherapy and surgery which are often commonly used in conjuction to control and treat cancer. Recent advances in the area of cancer prevention have opened new avenues for research and several medicinal plants are being used to prevent and cure a variety of diseases, including oncological ailments. Herbal drugs have been in use for several thousands of years in various traditional systems of medicine existing in different parts of the world. In recent years, there has been a paradigm shift in the way we look at herbals which today are being viewed as potential agents for tackling various diseases, particularly for which there is no effective cure available in modern system of medicine or when the side effects of synthetic drugs are too many. It has been estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) that currently 80% of the world’s population is still dependent on herbal drugs for solving their health needs in one or the other way. They are less toxic alternatives to modern medicine, offer much scope for prevention of diseases, are easily available, cheaper costs, effective nature and promise to cure the so far incurable diseases like cancer, AIDS, hepatitis C, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, diabetes makes them much sought for. Chemoprevention offers a promising approach to primary cancer prevention for a variety of organs. A plethora of compounds, including several promising plant derived compounds are being evaluated in the laboratories and two phytocompounds which hold a lot of promise include resveratrol and quercetin – as novel chemopreventive agents
Phytochemical Investigation and In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Centella asiatica (L.) Urban. A potent Antijaundice medicinal plant
No full textCentella asiatica (L.) is also known as Indian penny wort is a small creeping herbaceous plant belongs to the plant Apiaceae. This plant has been referred in the ancient traditional Indian ayurvedic medicine system about 3000 year’s age. This herb is antidiabetic, antitumor and antidiuretic used in the treatment of jaundice, asthma, bronchitis, dropsy, kidney troubles and leprosy diseases. An investigation was carried out to study the antibacterial activity of Centella asiatica of five different solvent extracts from leaf, stem and roots against selected laboratory bacterial pathogens such as Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aurius, Pseudomonas aurigenosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pnemoniae and Salmonella typhi by agar diffusion method. Zone of inhibition was measured (mm) were compared with standard antibiotics such as kanamycin, cefotoxime, penicillin. The organic solvents such as ethanol, methanol, petroleum ether, chloroform and aqueous extracts were employed. Among all the extracts, methanolic extracts of leaf has showed maximum antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi. Phytochemical screening methods were also done to identify the major secondary metabolites in the species such as glycosides, terpenoids, alkaloids, phenolics and tannins. In addition to that the comparative analysis of phenols and tannins of both in conventional plants and in in vitro propagated plants were also traced
Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of four members of family Apiaceae
No full textThe aqueous extract of the four members- Hydrocotyle javanica Thunb., Hydrocotyle rotundifolia Roxb., Eryngium foetidum L. and Centella asiatica L.; of the family Apiaceae were screened for the phytochemicals and for antimicrobial activity against standard microbial strains by in vitro antimicrobial assay using agar well diffusion method. Phenolics, flavonoids and tannins were tested positive in all the four plant extracts. H. javanica emerged to be an effective inhibitor of five of the eight tested microbial strains. B. subtilis exhibited resistance to all the four plants. H. rotundifolia inhibited two strains which were less susceptible to the other plants. The study showed that these traditionally used herbs can be a useful source of antimicrobial agents and their use in the traditional system is scientifically justified