Phytochemical, antioxidant, anti-stress and cerebroprotective activity of ethanolic extract of stem of Sarcostemma acidum

The current study was designed to assess the phytochemical, antioxidant, anti-stress and cerebroprotective activities of ethanolic extract of stem of Sarcostemma acidum (EESA). The stem of Sarcostemma acidum was collected and extracted with 70% ethanol. The ethanolic extract was subjected to phytochemical screening (Chemical and HPTLC), antioxidant (in-vitro), anti-stress (Mice model) and cerebroprotective activities (Cerebral ischemia model). EESA showed presence of flavonoids as primary phytoconstituents. EESA significantly reduced the immobility period in tail suspension trial and swimming endurance trial. EESA significantly reduced the TBARS levels (21.45±0.56; p<0.01) and augmented tissue antioxidants in cerebral ischemia model. The levels of MOA-A were reduced in the EESA treated animals (54.1±0.2; p<0.001) and cortisol levels also reduced in EESA treated animals (45.1±1.6; p<0.001). Histopathology also supported the biochemical parameters. The EESA effect was compared with reference standard diazepam and Ashwagandha. EESA showed significant antioxidant, anti-stress and cerebroprotective activities and the protective effect might be due to presence of flavonoids as phytoconstituents.

ETHNOMEDICINAL POTENTIAL OF SARCOSTEMMA ACIDUM IN DIFFERENT REGIONS IN INDIA

Objective: The aim of this study is to collect and enumerate the uses of Sarcostemma acidum (Somlata) in the treatments of various diseases and to evaluate knowledgeable information on traditional practitioners among different communities in India. Methods: This was an extensive survey of literature on ethnopharmacological uses of S. acidum in Indian system of traditional medicine (TM), and the collected information documented in tabular form. Results: The collected literature reveals that the plant is used as TM by the indigenous community in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttaranchal, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These communities are using the whole plant in 29%, stem 15%, latex 24%, roots 10%, leaves 17%, and flowers in 5% of cases for treating 40 different types of ailments important being ear ache, snake bite, rheumatism, dog bite, emetic, chronic ulcer, and bone fracture. Conclusions: Due to insufficient knowledge, lack of information and overexploitation has made the plant species under threat. The present survey provides proper documentation of ethnomedicinal uses of the plant and provides a valuable source of information for traditional practitioners and researchers with a special emphasis on developing policies for conservation and sustainable use of this species.

Ethnomedicinal Plants of Barmer District, Rajasthan Used in Herbal and Folk Remedies

The Barmer district a part of Thar Desert is very rich in herbal plant wealth. The herbal plants of this region have great potential to be used in drug and pharmaceutical industries. These herbal plants have been used by local people, tribal communities, vendors, native doctors such as Ojhas, Bhagats Bhopas and experts of Ayurvedic fields since long time in herbal and folk remedies. Kalbelia, Nats, Bhils, Raika, Bhopas, Banjara, Gadolia-Lohar Langa and Manganiars communities of this district have a rich knowledge of plants based traditional medicines. Ethnomedicinal plants like Aristolochia bracteolata Lamk., Calligonum polygonoides Linn., Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn., Clerodendrum phlomoidis Linn., Evolvulus alsinoides Linn., Grewia tenax (Forsk.) Fiori., Maytenus emarginata (Willd.) Ding Hau., Mollugo Cerviana (Linn.) Seringe. Neurada procumbens Linn., Ocimum americanum Linn., Peganum harmala Linn., Pergularia daemia (Forsk) Chiov., Portulaca oleracea Linn., Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb.) Voigt. and Trianthema portulacastrum Linn. have been selected for this research work.The present investigation is aimed to create awareness about the ethnomedicinal value of the plants and their uses to draw the attention of pharmacologists, phytochemists and pharmaceuticals.