ABSTRACT
In respect of the traditional uses of medicinal plants in the treatment of various ulcerative lesions; it was revealed that the flowers of Pterospermum acerifolium [L] Willd. were extensively used in folklore medicine to treat ulcerative lesions, tumors, diabetes and inflammation. So far our knowledge is concerned; the flowers were not yet scientifically evaluated for their antiulcer activity. The present study was carried out with the methanolic extract of the flowers to evaluate its antiulcer activity on aspirin and pylorus ligation-induced gastric lesion in Wistar albino rats. Methanolic extracts of flowers of Pterospermum acerifolium were suspended in 2%v/v of Tween 80, lOOmg/kg and 150mg/kg of methanolic extracts were administered orally to rats of different groups. Ranitidine at the dose level of 20 mg/kg was used as a standard for both aspirin [150 mg/kg, p.o.]-induced and pylorus ligated gastric ulcer models. The gastric content was collected and the volume was measured. The ulcerative index was determined by examining the inner lining of each stomach and was supplemented by the observation of histopathological changes such as congestion, corrosion, hemorrhage and necrosis. The results showed that the methanolic extract of flowers of Pterospermum acerifolium significantly [P<0.001] reduced the total volume of gastric juice, free and total acidity of gastric secretion when compared with the standard group [Ranitidine]. There was also a significant [P<0.001] reduction in ulcer index as compared to the control group
ABSTRACT
Dendrophthoe falcata [L.f] Ettingsh belongs to Family Loranthaceae, is a bushy parasitic plant that grows on a variety of host plants. The entire plant is medicinally important and is used extensively in traditional medicine. The present work attempts to summarize the macroscopic characters of the leaves of Dendrophthoe falcata, grown on the host plant, Buchanania lanzan. The microscopic characters, physical constant values, extractive values, fluorescent analysis of the leaves were carried out. Preliminary phytochemical screening of extracts were also performed. The present investigation contributes to establish the Pharmacognostic profile of the medicinally effective leaves
ABSTRACT
The quantitative ash values and extractive values were determined for the roots of Bryonopsis laciniosa Naud [family - Cucurbitaceae]. The roots were extracted successively with various organic solvents and the subsequent fluorescence analysis was carried out. The extracts were subjected to qualitative phytochemical analysis and presence of steroids and saponins was found. One steroidal compound was isolated from the ethanolic extract by column chromatography. The gross behavioural and toxicity studies of the ethanolic extract revealed marked analgesia at the tested dose levels of 1000, 2000 and 3000 mg/kg body weight, but no mortality was observed at the end of 72 hours. The ethanolic extract was screened for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in two different dose levels of 200 and 400 mg/kg by carrageenan-induced paw oedema method in rats and writhing test in mice respectively. The extract showed significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities at both the dose levels tested. However, the degree of activity observed with the extract in the dose of 400 mg/kg revealed a higher value, which confirms the dose dependent nature of the extract. Present findings suggest that the roots of Bryonopsis laciniosa Naud are endowed with potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities