Feronia elephantum Correa: A Potential Traditional Drug

There are number of herbal plants used as medicines from the ancient time. Chemical constituents from those plants isolated for wide range of diseased condition utilizes in from the ancient times in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha etc. systems. Feronia elephantum Correa from the family Rutaceae also known as Kaith, Wood apple is one of them which have many chemical constituents with important medicinal purposes and diseases like Diabetes mellitus, ulcer, as diuretic, liver tonic etc. Leaves of the plant are astringent, carminative and prescribed for vomiting, dysentery, hiccough, indigestion and slight bowel affections of children. The fruits are used as dessert, source of beverages and juices. The fruit pulp is used externally as a remedy for certain insect bite. The bark is aromatic and cooling, useful in vitiated conditions of pitta. It is indigenous in South India, Java, Myanmar, Malaysia and Ceylon and cultivated in many parts of India. This plant is already used traditionally in Sri Lanka for many purposes like vomiting, dysentery etc. Chemical constituents isolated from the plant different parts already investigated for many pharmacological and pharmaceutical activities like Anti-ulcer, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, cytotoxic, Antitumor, Antihistaminic, Hepatoprotective, Antifungal, Antifertility and Anti-inflammatory. This article is an attempt to compile all the details of plant Feronia elephantum Correa.

Protective effect of ethanolic Feronia elephantum Correa fruit extract on high-fat diet induced steatohepatitis in rats

BACKGROUND <br />A high-fat diet can lead to hyperlipidemia which will end up as liver damage (steatohepatitis). Ethanolic Feronia elephantum Correa fruit extract (EFEC) has an antioxidant activity which is expected to overcome hyperlipidemia in the liver. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of EFEC on liver function and morphological changes in rats.<br /><br />METHODS<br />This was an experimental study with a post-test only group design. A total of 20 male Wistar rats aged 2-4 months were randomized into 5 groups, A= negative control, B= positive control (high fat diet + 10 mg/kgBW simvastatin), C = high fat diet + 500 mg/kgBW EFEC fruit extract, D = high fat diet + 600 mg/kgBW EFEC, and E = high fat diet + 700 mg/kgBW EFEC). High-fat diet was given for 4 weeks (quail egg yolks, 10ml/200gBW). EFEC was administered for 4 weeks after induction of hypercholesterolemia. Examination of liver serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) was performed on rat blood serum and histopathological examination was carried out using steatohepatitis grading. One way ANOVA test and Post-Hoc Tamhane’s test were used to analyze the data. <br /><br />RESULTS<br />Administration of EFEC at 700 mg/kgBW improved the liver enzymes (p=0.00 for SGPT and SGOT) and steatohepatitis grading in high-fat diet induced rats (mild condition, E = 75% vs A = 100% mild)<br /><br />CONCLUSION<br />Ethanolic Feronia elephantum Correa fruit extract at 700 mg/kgBW was able to improve steatohepatitis in high-fat diet induced rats.

FERONIA ELEPHANTUM MODULATES ISOPROTERENOL INDUCED MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION BY ANTIOXIDANT PATHWAY IN EXPERIMENTAL RATS

The present study evaluates Feronia elephantum alcoholic fruit extract (FEAFE) against isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction(MI), since, no studies have been reported to ascertain its cardio protective activity. Rats (n=6) were divided into five groups, namely, Group I: Normal control, Group II: ISO (200mg/kg s.c). Group III, IV, & V: FE (400 mg/ kg orally) and Vit E (50 IU /kg orally) respectively, administered for 21 day, by end of treatment isoproterenol was administered for two days except Group III. ECG was recorded after 21 days. Blood samples and histopathological studies of isolated heart were performed by biochemical estimations, respectively. Isoproterenol induced rats show increased ST segment, QRS complex and QT interval, besides significant increase in CK-MB, LDH, AST, ALT and Troponin-I levels. Further, they showed significant increased MDA level, decreased SOD, GSH, total protein level. Pre-treatment with FEAFE significantly restored above parameters, supported by histopathological data. Pretreatment with FEAFE modulates isoproterenol induced MI by antioxidant pathway in rats.