ABSTRACT
Rinorea dentata (Violaceae) is a rare medicinal plant used in treating many diseases such as malaria, neurodegenerativediseases, body inflammation, and diabetes among others. The study investigated the in vitro pharmacological activitiesof crude extract and partitioned fractions from the leaf and stem parts. Antioxidant activity was evaluated usingthe ability of the crude extract and fractions to scavenge 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and ferric reducingantioxidant power (FRAP). In vitro anti-inflammatory and anticholinesterase potential of the extracts, the inhibitionof α-amylase (α-AL) and α-glucosidase (α-GSD), and kinetics of enzymes inhibition were evaluated by the standardmethods. The ethyl acetate fractions (EAFs) of both leaf and stem gave the highest total phenolic content and the bestantioxidant potential in the FRAP assay. For the anticholinesterase activity, crude extract of both leaf and stem hadthe highest inhibitory activity. Leaf EAF (34.14 ± 16.69 µg/ml) had superior lipoxygenase inhibitory activity thanquercetin (54.75 ± 17.07 µg/ml) and better than the stem. The dichloromethane fraction had the best α-GSD and mildα-AL inhibitions with 204.00 ± 8.12 and 500.42 ± 2.87 µg/ml IC50 values, respectively. R. dentata leaf extract going bythe results of the investigation is a good source of antioxidant, anticholinesterase, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabeticagents for future drug development and sustainability
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To carry out a pharmacobotanical study of Lonchocarpus cyanescens (Schum & Thonn) Benth (L. cyanescens) and Leptoderris micrantha Dunn (L. micrantha) which are two key medicinal plants from the family Fabaceae.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The epidermal peel was obtained by soaking the leaf in concentrated nitric acid (HNO3) in a petri dish. Both surfaces were carefully mounted on clean glass slides and dehydrated by ethyl alcohol, and stained with safaranin O for 2 min. Transverse sections of plant leaf were obtained by free hand sectioning. Phytochemical screening for various constituents was carried out on the powdered leaves. Other parameters such as, moisture content, ash value, acid insoluble ash, water-soluble ash, water and alcohol extractive values were obtained by standard techniques.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>THE DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF THE SPECIES INCLUDE: the presence of stomata on both surfaces of L. cyanescens and the absence in L. micrantha. Presence of larger epidermal cells in both upper and lower surfaces of L. cyanescens [(35.25±1.64)×(31.25±2.36), (43.0±2.63)×(39.5±5.11)] respectively compared to L. micrantha. Glandular multicellular trichomes are present in L. micrantha but absent in L. cyanescens. Numerous trichomes surround the transverse section of the leaf of L. micrantha but absent in L. cyanescens. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed that both species contain secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, tannins, saponins, steroids and flavonoids.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The microscopic and phytochemical data provided in this study are useful for the standardization of the medicinal plants.</p>
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the leaf epidermis of wild and micropropagated Dioscorea bulbifera Linn. (D. bulbifera) in order to document useful diagnostic features that may be employed for correct crude drug identification and to clear any taxonomic uncertainties in the micropropagated medicinal plant.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Growth responses of micropropagated D. bulbifera were observed on Murashige Skoog medium supplemented with 6-benzylamino purine (1.0 mg/L)+α-naphthaleneacetic acid (0.2 mg/L)+cysteine (20 mg/L) using nodal segments as explants. Leaves of the wild and micropropagated plants were studied microscopically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>More than 80% shoot regeneration and formation of 10%-30% whitish-brown callus were observed within 3 weeks. The highest root proliferation was obtained from Murashige Skoog medium of 6-benzylamino purine (0.05 mg/L) and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (0.01 mg/L) with mean root length of (27.00±1.25) mm and elongated single shoot of mean length (38.00±11.09) mm. Leaf epidermal features that revealed similarities between the wild and micropropagated plants included amphistomatic condition, presence of mucilage, glandular unicellular trichome with multicellular head, polygonal cells with smooth walls, stomata type and shape. Slight variations included thick cuticular wall with closed stomata in wild plant compared to thin walled opened stomata in the in vitro plant. Opening of stomata accounted for larger average stomata sizes of (7.68±0.38) µm and (6.14±0.46) µm on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces, respectively of the micropropagated plant compared to the wild.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The diagnostic features obtained in the study could serve as a basis for proper identification for quality control for standardization of the medicinal plant.</p>