Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Tephrosia purpurea / 中国天然药物

Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. is popularly known as 'Sarapunkha' in classical Ayurvedic texts. It is a perennial plant belonging to the family Fabaceae, and occurs throughout the Indian subcontinent. T. purpurea is traditionally used to treat splenomegaly, cirrhosis, cough and cold, abdominal swelling and as an antidote in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Phytochemical investigations indicate the presence of semiglabrin, pongamole, lanceolatins A and B, rutin, lupeol, and β-sitosterol. Flavonoids including (+)-tephrorin A and B, (+)-tephrosone, an isoflavone, 7, 4'-dihydroxy-3', 5'-dimethoxyisoflavone and a chalcone, (+)-tephropurpurin were isolated from the whole plant. Pharmacological activities of different parts of the plant reported include anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiallergic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antitumor and insect repellent activity. In the present review, the literature on the phytochemical and pharmacological investigations of Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. are summarized to August, 2012.

Anticancer activity of the roots of Ichnocarpus frutescens R. Br. and isolated triterpenes

The roots of Ichnocarpus frutescens along with roots of Cissampelos pareira, Bauhinia vahlii and Ardisia solanacea are processed together and given orally to cure stomach cancer by the tribes of Chotanagpur and Santhal parganas of Bihar, India. In vitro anticancer activity of the residue from methanolic extract of roots of I. frutescens [MIF] and isolated triterpenes were evaluated by 3-[4, 5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide [MTT] assay using MCF-7, BEL-7402, SPC-A-1 and SGC-7901 cancer cell lines. MIF showed significant anticancer activity on four cancer cell lines with IC[50] values 163.5 +/- 3.58, 156.3 +/- 2.95, 142.6 +/- 2.60 and 112.4 +/- 1.85 respectively as compared to vehicle treated control. Ursolic acid showed anticancer activity on four cancer cell lines with IC[50] values 8.5 +/- 0.29, 9.9 +/- 0.12, 8.1 +/- 0.40 and 6.2 +/- 0.23 respectively, while IC[50] values for alpha-amyrin on four cancer cell lines was found to be 7.2 +/- 0.12, 8.2 +/- 0.29, 7.6 +/- 0.06 and 5.0 +/- 0.12 respectively.

Anti-inflammatory activity of ethanol extract of Vitex glabrata leaves

Vitex glabrata [Verbenaceae] is commonly employed for the treatment of various ailments in traditional medicine. In this study, ethanol extract of Vitex glabrata [EEVG] was evaluated for the anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet induced granuloma formation in rat models. EEVG showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in rats in dose dependant manner. At a dose of 400 mg/kg, p.o. maximum effect was observed and was comparable [p<0.05] to that of diclofenac sodium [standard, 50 mg/kg, p.o.]. Results of the study suggested that the anti-inflammatory activity of EEVG may be due to inhibition of prostaglandins synthesis and cessation of inflammatory events like fibroblast cell formation, neutrophils infiltration, and accumulation of fluids. Therefore, this study provides a support for the plant in the management of inflammatory related disorders