ABSTRACT
Objective: Pharmacognostic Screening and evaluate the in-vitro free radical scavenging activity of roots Acacia leucophloea. Methods: Pharmacognostic Standardization, Physico-chemical evaluation of the roots of Acacia leucophloea was carried out to determine its macro-and microscopical characters and also some of its quantitative standards. Microscopical studies were done by using trinocular microscope. Microscopically, root showed cork, cortex, stellar region and calcium oxalate crystals. Petroleum ether, ethanol, aqueous extracts of Acacia leucophloea were prepared, with successive extraction in soxhlet apparatus. Each extract was selected to study the free radical scavenging activity by superoxide scavenging assay method. Results: It was found that aqueous extract contained carbohydrates, glycosides amino acids flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, steroids; ethanolic extract contained glycosides amino acids flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, steroids. Ethanolic extract of Acacia leucophloea shows maximam inhibition in superoxide scavenging model. Aqueous extract also showed almost similar activity compared to ethanolic extract), while Petroleum ether extract showed poor inhibition of superoxide scavenging activity. Conclusion: The present study on pharmacognostic standardization, physico and phytochemical evaluation of Acacia leucophloea root might be useful to supplement information about its identification parameters assumed significantly in the way of acceptability of herbal drugs in present scenario lacking regulatory laws to control quality of herbal drugs.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To assess the effect of plumbagin-free alcohol extract (PFAE) of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. (Plumbaginaceae) (P. zeylanica) root, on female reproductive system and fertility of adult female wistar rats.@*METHODS@#After the oral acute toxicity study, the PFAE was administered at two dose levels to perform the estrous cycle study, anti-implantation and abortifacient activity and hormonal analysis. However, the estrogenic/antiestrogenic activity was evaluated at only one most effective dose.@*RESULTS@#LD(50) cut-off was 5,000 mg/kg body weight. The extract exhibited significant anti-implantation and abortifacient activity at the tested dose levels (300 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) (P<0.01). The extract dose-dependently decreased the levels of serum progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, while a dose-dependent increase was observed in the concentration of serum prolactin. The extract did not show any significant changes in structure and function of uterus when given alone, but when given along with ethinyl estradiol, it exhibited significant antiestrogenic activity in immature overiectomized female rats(P<0.001). Biochemical parameters in the serum/blood and haematological parameters did not show appreciable changes throughout and after the course of investigation. However, all the altered parameters returned to normalcy within 30 days following withdrawal of treatment.@*CONCLUSIONS@#All findings suggest that the antifertility activity of extract could possibly be through the changes in the implantation site, altered hormonal levels, prolonged estrous cycle and anti-estrogenic activity. Hence, the extract possesses reversible antifertility activity without adverse toxicity in female rats.