ABSTRACT
Aims: The fruit of Scindapsus officinalis is known as Gajapeepal in Ayurveda. The folk lore claim of S. officinalis fruits are antidiabetic, anthelmintic, antidiarrhoeal, carminative, expectorant, tonic, antiprotozoal, anticancer, sharpening hearing, cardiotonic and regulating the bowel and appetite. It is also used in dysentery, asthma, troubles of the throat, bronchitis and for many other medical conditions. Hence the present studies were undertaken to highlight the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of the fruit. Study Design: In this study, the ethanol extract of S. officinalis (EE0SF) was primarily evaluated through phytochemical screening. The compounds found in the fruit are of pharmacological interest which prompted us to focus the research on its possible analgesic and anti-diabetic activity and whether these effects are of any statistical significance. Place and Duration of Study: The research experiments were conducted in the Pharmacology laboratory of Department of Pharmacy, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The studies were carried out during July 2013 to January 2013. Methodology: Qualitative phytochemical tests for the identification of various chemical constituents in the fruit extract were carried out with proper reagents. Analgesic potential of the fruit extract was assessed using acetic acid induced writhing response in Swiss albino mice. In this method, acetic acid is injected intraperitoneally to the experimental animals and the response is contraction of the abdominal muscles and the stretching of the hind limps. The fruit was further subjected to anti-diabetic study through six segment method and was investigated for anti-hyperglycemic effects in Long Evans rats. Results: Phytochemical analysis of ethanolic extract of S. officinalis has indicated the presence of steroid, carbohydrate, flavonoid, alkaloid, tanin, saponin and terpenoidcompounds. The analgesic experiment yielded a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in writhing at both 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight dose of extract in a dose dependent manner. The extract, at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight, caused a significant (p<0.05) dose dependent inhibition of sucrose absorption in six different segments of the gut and manifested hypoglycemic effects in rats at four different hours. Conclusion: In conclusion, these observations provide evidence and possible mechanisms of action for the medicinal properties of fruit of S.officinalis claimed in Ayurveda medicine.
ABSTRACT
Aims: Hiptage benghalensis is used in the traditional system of medicine. The leaf is considered one of the important plant organs for the treatment of various diseases such as rheumatism, leprosy, wounds, ulcer, burning sensation, scabies, inflammation and cough. Hence, the present studies were carried out to evaluate chemical constituents and possible pharmacological activities of the leaf. Study Design: Our present studies were focused on the assessment of probable analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extract of Hiptage benghalensis in laboratory animals and the statistical significance of such effects. Place and Duration of Study: The experiments were carried out in Pharmacology lab of Department of Pharmacy North South University Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period of June 2012-February 2013. Methodology: Carrageenan induced Hind Paw Edema test in Long Evans rat was the experiment for anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanol extract of Hiptage benghalensis while Hot Plate test and Acetic Acid induced Writhing method were was carried out to assess its analgesic activity in Swiss albino mice. At two different doses of the leaf extract, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, the analgesic test was evaluated on mice and the anti-inflammatory test was evaluated on rats. Result: Phytochemical analysis of ethanol extract of Hiptage benghalensis has indicated the presence of steroid, carbohydrate, flavonoid, alkaloid, tannin, phenol and, mangiferin and terpenoids-compounds. The ethanol extract of Hiptage benghalensis exhibited statistically significant (p<0.05) anti-inflammatory effect in Carrageenan induced Hind Paw Edema in Long Evans rats and incited significant analgesic response to Hot plate and acetic acid induced writhing in Swiss albino mice. Conclusion: In conclusion, these observations provide evidence and possible mechanisms of action for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of leaf of Hiptage benghalensis claimed in Ayurveda medicine.