ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to establish the finger printing profile and evaluation of in vitro antidiabetic potential of C. obtusa. In vitro antidiabetic activity was carried out according to the method adopted by Miller, 1959. HPTLC studies were carried out using CAMAG HPTLC system equipped with Linomat 5 applicator, TLC scanner 3 and Win cats-4 software for the active fractionation of aqueous-methanolic leaf extracts of C. obtusa. Among the various plant parts analyzed, leaf exhibited efficient inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Therefore, the leaf extract was further fractionated using various solvent systems petroleum ether, chloroform, ethylacetate, butanol and water and were subjected to in vitro antidiabetic activity. Among the fractions analyzed chloroform fraction exhibited remarkable antidiabetic activity by inhibiting α-amylase and α- glucosidase enzymes. Furthermore, the active leaf fractions were analyzed with HPTLC to develop fingerprint profiles and these fractions revealed the presence of 13 and 22 major spots of alkaloids and flavonoids respectively with different Rf values. The results of the present study thus claim the folkloric usage of the plant in diabetic related maladies.
ABSTRACT
The aim of present study was to estimate the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and to investigate in vitro antioxidant potential of methanolic leaf and root extracts of the herb, Hypochaeris radicata L. (Asteraceae). Antioxidant activity was assessed by using 2,2- diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH•) assay, reducing power activity, [2,2’-azino-bis(3- ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)] ABTS•+ assay and ferrous ion chelating activity. Here, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), ascorbic acid (ASA), trolox and EDTA were used as standard antioxidants. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined and expressed in gallic acid and quercetin equivalent respectively. The results of the study indicate that the methanolic extracts of the leaf and root of H. radicata posses significant scavenging activity against DPPH• (97.99% for leaf and 96.44% for root at 250μg/ml each) and ferrous ions chelating activity (38.69% for leaf and 40.52% for root at 5000μg/ml each), reducing power activity (1.38 absorbance at 600μg/ml for leaf, 0.45 absorbance at 700 μg/ml for root) and free radical scavenging activity (ABTS•+) (2706.73 for leaf and 2028.37μmol for root TE/g). The free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities may be attributed to the presence of adequate phenolic (gallic acid content is 125.5μg/10mg in leaf and 133.06μg/10mg in root) and flavonoid compounds (105.76μg/2mg in leaf and 55.16μg/2mg in root). This study revealed that the methanolic extracts of both leaf and root of H. radicata has demonstrated significant antioxidant activity.
ABSTRACT
Utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is universal phenomenon. They are used commonly in chronic diseases like arthritis. To understand the pattern of utilization we undertook this study focussing mainly on the systems, where drug is administered orally. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and fourteen patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), satisfying American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were interviewed for the modalities of therapy and drugs used. We analysed prescriptions of both conventional and CAM practitioners. Direct questionnaires regarding CAM were avoided. RESULTS: Fourty three percent (46/114) had used CAM drugs and 50% of them had used more than two modalities. Ayurveda followed by homeopathy were the two common CAM utilized by the patients. Majority believed conventional medicine has no cure for RA and adverse reactions were rare in CAM. These factors predominantly influenced their decision to use CAM. Family income, urban and rural living did not influence usage of CAM. The use of CAM increased as the duration of disease increased. CONCLUSION: Majority of the patients utilize CAM drugs, for treatment of arthritis. Their knowledge is essential to avoid drug interactions, recognise their reactions and also appreciate their risks and benefits. A scientific scrutiny to these practices and absolving them if beneficial is needed.