ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the acute oral toxicity and anti-ulcerogenic activities of the ethanol Extract of Trewia nudiflora (EETN) leaf extract in albino rats. Study on acute toxicity of extract found to be safe at the doses 2000mg/kg body weight orally as per OECD guidelines No.423. EETN at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight orally was administered to evaluate anti-ulcer activity by using indomethacin and cold-restraint stress induced gastric ulcer models in Albino rats. Ethanol Extract of Trewia nudiflora dose dependent inhibition in indomethacin induced gastric lesions, and it also dose dependent inhibition in Cold-restraint stress induced gastric lesions. All the results are found to be statistically significant (p≤0.05). Hence we suggest that Ethanol Extract of the leaves of Trewia nudiflora possess anti-ulcerogenic properties that may be due to cytoprotective mechanism.

Key words: Trewia nudiflora, Anti-ulcer activity, Indomethacin, Cold-restraint stress.

abstract

The importance of medicinal plants in traditional health care practices, providing clues to new areas of drug research and biodiversity conservation is now well recognized. Cressa cretica Linn. belonging to family Convolvulaceae, commonly known as Rudravanti, is an erect, small, dwarf shrub, usually growing in sandy or muddy saline habitats. Though almost all its parts are used in traditional systems of medicine, fruits are the most important parts which are used medicinally. The present study gives an account on its pharmacognostical profile and its antimicrobial potential. This research paper presents microscopic characters, fluorescent analysis, physicochemical evaluation, element detection, moisture content, fiber detection and extractive values. The preliminary phytochemical screenings of various extracts was performed to establish the Pharmacognostical profile of the fruits. The antibacterial and antifungal effect of methanolic extract against various organism like E.coli, S.aureus, S.typhi, B.subtilis, and C.albicans by Cup plate method. It shows the very good antibacterial and antifungal activity which was comparable with standard antibiotic Ciprofloxacin.

Keywords: Cressa cretica L., Pharmacognostic profile, Antimicrobial activity.

abstract

High intake of dietary fructose exerts a number of adverse metabolic effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether ethanolic extract of Dalbergia sissoo bark (DS) ameliorate high-fructose diet-induced insulin resistance and oxidative stress in rats. High-fructose (60% of fructose) and DS (250 and 500 mg/kg/day) were given simultaneously from 30 days onwards. Fructose fed rats showed significant activity against hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, impaired glucose tolerance and impaired insulin sensitivity. In the oral glucose tolerance test, rats fed a high-fructose and supplemented with DS had a significantly reduced plasma glucose after 30 min of glucose loading, indicating that DS 500mg/kg significantly improved glucose intolerance in male wistar rats. In addition, rats fed a high-fructose and supplemented with DS markedly increased activity of hepatic superoxide dismutase, catalase, and suppressed lipid peroxidation when compared to fructose control groups. However, rats fed a high-fructose supplemented with DS 250mg/kg were found to have a less significant change in the activity of hepatic glutathione peroxidase. In conclusion, intake of DS may be a useful  therapeutic  strategy  for  prevention  of  a  high-fructose  diet-induced  insulin  resistance  and  oxidative stress.

Keywords: Dalbergia sissoo, High fructose, Oxidative stress, Insulin resistance.

abstract

Liver is a vital organ play an important role in metabolism and excretion of xenobiotics from the body. Liver injury or liver dysfunction is a major health problem that challenges not only health care professionals but also the pharmaceutical industry and drug regulatory agencies. Liver cells are damaged by various toxic chemicals (certain antibiotic, chemotherapeutic agents, carbon tetrachloride (CCL₄), thioacetamide (TAA) etc.), excessive alcohol consumption and microbes is well-studied. The available synthetic drugs to treat liver disorders also cause further damage to the liver. Hence, Herbal drugs have become increasingly popular and their use is wide-spread. Herbal medicines are used in the treatment of liver diseases for a long time. At present number of herbal preparations are available in the market. The present review is aimed at compiling data on promising phytochemicals from medicinal plants that have been tested for hepatotoxicity models using modern scientific system.  A combination of different herbal extracts/fractions is likely to provide desired activities for the treatment of severe liver diseases. Development of such medicines with standards of safety and efficacy can revitalise treatment of liver disorders and hepatoprotective activity.

Keywords: Liver, Toxic Chemicals, Hepatoprotective Plants.

abstract

This article presents an identity based pharmacognostical study of the leaf of the crude drug Indigofera trifoliata Linn. (Papilionaceae). Morphoanatomy of the leaf were studied using to aid pharmacognostical and taxonomical identification, using light and confocal microscopy. The morphological, anatomical parameters and High Performance Thin layer Chromatographic profile presented in this paper may be proposed as parameters to establish the authenticity of I. trifoliata and can possibly help to differentiate the drug from its other related species.

Keywords: Indigofera trifoliate, Papilionaceae, Pharmacognosy, HPTLC.

ABSTRACT

The petroleum ether extract of leaves of Vanda tessellata Roxb. (PVT) belonging to family Orchidaceae, was evaluated antipyretic activity. The antipyretic activity was studied using Brewer’s yeast induced hyperpyrexia method in Wistar strain albino rats. The petroleum ether extract at a dose of 200mg/kg & 400mg/kg were evaluated for antipyretic activity. The extract of Vanda tessellata Roxb.  plant showed a significant (P<0.01) dose dependent antipyretic effect in yeast induced elevation of body temperature in experimental rats. The results showed that the extract contains some pharmacologically active principles and lend pharmacological credence to the ethanomedical use of the plant in the management of pyrexia and it shows significant antipyretic activity when compared with the standard drug.

Keywords: Vanda tessellata Roxb., Brewer’s yeast, Antipyretic activity.

ABSTRACT

The present study deals with pharmacognostical studies on bark of Ficus religiosa Linn. The microscopical characterization revealed the presence of cork cell, stone cell, medullary rays,    lignified phloem fibres. Macroscopical & microscopical characters and inorganic constituents present in a drug or plant play a significant role in identification of crude drug.

Key words: Ficus religiosa Linn.,  Pharmacognostical studies, Microscopical characters.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate scientifically the anti-diarrhoeal effects of petroleum ether extract of leaves of Vanda tessellata Roxb. (PVT) was studied against castor oil-induced-diarrhoea model in rats. Anti-diarrhoeal activity of petroleum ether extract of Vanda tessellata was investigated in this study using castor oil-induced-diarrhoea, enteropooling and Small intestinal transit models in rats. The weight and volume of intestinal content induced by castor oil were studied by enteropooling method. Standard drug diphenoxylate (5 ml/kg, p.o) was significant reductions in fecal output and frequency of droppings whereas PVT at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o significantly (P<0.001) reduced the castor-oil induced frequency and consistency of diarrhoea and enteropooling. The gastrointestinal transit rate was expressed as the percentage of the longest distance travelled by the charcoal divided by the total length of the small intestine.  PVT at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly inhibited (P<0.001) the castor oil induced charcoal meal transit. The PVT showed marked reduction in the number of diarrhoea stools and the reduction in the weight and volume of the intestinal contents, as well as a modest reduction in intestinal transit. The results obtained establish the efficacy and substantiate the folklore claim as an anti- diarrheal agent.

Keywords: Anti-diarrhoeal Activity, Vanda tessellata, Castor Oil- induced diarrhoea, Enteropooling Method, Small intestinal transit.

ABSTRACT

The present study deals with pharmacognostical studies which includes the study of powder characters, transverse sections of leaf of Chromolaena odorata. Anti-microbial activity of the isolated compounds/extracts by disc diffusion method using Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus cereus.

Key words: Chromolaena odorata, Anti-microbial activity, Disc diffusion method.