Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Evaluation on the Whole Plant of Pavonia odorata Willd.

Pavonia odorata Willd. belonging to the family Malvaceae is well known for curing a variety of diseases. This study deals with the Pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of whole plant of Pavonia odorata Willd. The plant is widely used as a cooling, diaphoretic, diuretic, and demulcent. It is also prescribed as an astringent and tonic for fever, inflammation and hemorrhage. Pharmacognostical studies include macroscopic, microscopic and physicochemical evaluation of the whole plant. The transverse section of root, stem and leaves were performed. Physicochemical constants showed the values of total ash (4.45%), acid insoluble ash (0.754%), water soluble ash (6%), sulphated ash (6. 5%), nitrated ash (1.65%), hot extraction(10.22%), water soluble extractive (9.2%), ethanol soluble extractive (4.8%), ether soluble extractive (1.2%), loss on drying (25%), swelling index(1) and mucilage content(0.25%) w/w. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the alcoholic extract showed presents of alkaloids, phenolic compounds, steroids, mucilage and flavonoids. The study helps in the development of standard parameters of the plant which help the identification and authentication of the plant. Keywords: Pavonia odorata Willd., Pharmacognostical, phytochemical evaluation, Medicinal plant drugs, ethnomedicine.

Evaluation of the quality of commercial plant drugs with antidiabetic indications

The use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diseases is an old practice and is widely used. However, many products are still marketed without the necessary quality. This study aimed to evaluate the organoleptic characteristics, presence of foreign material, packaging and labeling of plant drugs marketed for the control of diabetes. Comercial samples of cavalinha, jambolão and pata-de-vaca sold in two municipalities in southeastern Brazil were acquired. The analyses of the packaging and labels were performed based on Resolutions of the Collegiate Board of Directors of the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (RDC No. 26/2014 and RDC No. 66/2014). The Brazilian Pharmacopoeia VI was used to guide the preparation of a sensory evaluation questionnaire and analysis of foreign material. None of the samples complied with the packaging requirements. Approximately 69% of the samples failed the sensory analysis. Regarding the analysis for the presence of foreign material, only sample J1 of jambolão was within the 2% w/w limit, as established in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. Based on simple and primary quality control analyses, it is concluded that the analyzed plant drugs are not in accordance with Brazilian legislation, putting the health of consumers of these teas at risk.

PROXIMATE, MACRO ELEMENTAL AND GC-MS ANALYSIS OF SORBARIA TOMENTOSA

Sorbaria tomentosa (LindI.) of family Rosaceae, is a wild, medicinal, ornamental, large, woody plant locally known as “Karhee or Berre”, native to Pakistan. Proximate composition gives important information to assess the suitability of medicinal flora or their extracts taken orally by the trivial communities. In the current study, different proximate parameters like carbohydrate, ash, protein, moisture content and fat, along with carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulphur were analyzed in whole plant of S. tomentosa. The results revealed the occurrence of considerable proportion of carbohydrates (52%) and protein (23.80%). Moisture, fat and ash contents were found in small content 6.25, 2.02 and 0.20%, respectively. Elemental analysis displayed the greater content of carbon (44.92%) followed by content of hydrogen (6.16%), nitrogen (5.17%) and sulphur (0.43%). GC-MS analysis of n-hexane fraction of S. tomentosa led to identification of five compounds viz., 3, 13-Dimethylpentadecanoic acid (1), 2, 4-Dimethyltetradecanoic acid (2), 2, 4-Heptadecadienoic acid; Etester (3), 2-Butylcyclopropanedodecanoic acid (4) and Heptadecanoic acid; Et ester (5). Toxicity tests, further isolation and identification of active constituents of test weed could confirm the discovery of novel plant drugs and safety in administration.

Immunomodulatory Efficiency of Abelmoschus esculentus in Swiss Albino Mice

Background: Immunomodulation through natural or synthetic substances may be considered as an alternative for prevention and cure of infections. Methods: A total of nineteen groups of Swiss albino mice were experimented for immunological studies with an inclusion of control and immunised control. Lymphocyte count and DTH response in the experimental groups after the administration of plant drugs. The result showed remarkable changes in all kind of treated animals when compared to control. The increment in ‘B’ and “T lymphocyte number was much pronounced in mice by the administration of A. esculentus in combination with immuno-enhansive drug. Result: In DTH responses directly correlated with cell mediated immunity and were found to be highest at the maximum dose (100 mg/Kg) of plant extracts A. esculuntus. From the results it was clear that the plant extract induced immunomodulating potential of the test animal. On administration of plant extract an enhanced and visible DTH responses were observed.

Phytochemical characterization and cytotoxicity analysis of ayurvedic formulation of drug

The liver is a major endocrine organ which controls the significant metabolic activity in the human body. Treatment of several liver disorders with herbal based plant drugs is popularising nowadays due to their hepatoprotective and nontoxic effect. Livoral, a polyherbal Ayurvedic formulation is one such drug commonly recommended for liver disorders in India. The current work was aimed at studying the phytochemical characterisation and cytotoxic activity of livoral. Phytochemical analysis of extracts of livoral in methanol, hexane, acetone and petroleum ether was studied by TLC method. The cytotoxic activity of livoral was analysed by MTT assay in Vero cell lines at a concentration ranging from 10µg/ml to 500µg/ml. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of Phyto compound such as tannins, phenols, steroids, alkaloids, terpenes and carbohydrates in all the four types of livoral extracts. Phytochemicals such as phenols, terpenes and alkaloids were already known for their hepatoprotective activity. MTT assay revealed the nontoxic effect of livoral up to 300 µg/ml concentrations. Thus, based on the results of the phytochemical and cytotoxic analysis, the livoral was proven to be one of the best herbal drugs for liver disorders with hepatoprotective constituents and non-cytotoxic effect.

ROLE OF AYURVEDA MEDICINE WITH RELEVANCE OF LIVER CANCER

Ayurveda, the oldest Indian indigenous medicine system of plant drugs is known from very early times for preventing or suppressing various tumors using these natural drugs. And nowadays scientists are keener to researches on complementary and alternative medicine for the management of cancer. In Ayurvedic concept, according to ‘Charaka’ and ‘SushrutaSamhitas’ cancer is described as inflammatory or non-inflammatory swelling and mentioned either as ‘Granthi’ (minor neoplasm) or ‘Arbuda‘ (major neoplasm). The nervous system (Vata or air), the venous system (Pitta or fire) and the arterial system (Kapha or water) are three basics of Ayurveda and very important for normal body function. In malignant tumors all three systems get out of control (Tridoshas) and lose mutual coordination that causes tissue damage, resulting critical condition. Tridoshas cause excessive metabolic crisis resulting in proliferation. Key words: Cancer, Charaka, Arbuda, Herbal drugs, TCM.