Comparison of hypotensive and hypolipidemic effects of catharanthus roseus leaves extract with atenolol on adrenaline induced hypertensive rats

The leaves extract of Catharanthus roseus was investigated for hypotensive and hypolipidemic effects in adrenaline-induced hypertensive rats [AIHR] and compared with those of Atenolol in a crossover design. The pharmacologically Active components responsible for hypotensive activities were isolated from plant using bioassay guided purification approach and the structure of the compounds was proposed by spectroscopic methods. Catharanthus roseus leaves extract and commercial drug Atenolol were administered through intraperitoneal [i.p] route for one week. Different biochemical parameters such as heart weight, blood glucose level, serum cholesterol level, serum triglyceride level, body weight and the relationships between them were measured. Catharanthus roseus leaves extract at a dose of 30 mg/155 +/- 15 gm of body weight was injected in rat at every morning during the treatment period. The dose of Atenolol was determined according to its pharmacokinetic parameters. Clinically effective plasma concentration as a hypotensive drug was obtained after the injection of 0.1 mg/155 +/- 15 gm of body weight of the drug. The Catharanthus roseus leaves extract made significant changes in each cardiovascular parameter after investigation. Catharanthus roseus leaves extract treated animals have shown the hypotensive effects. Hypotensive effects were also shown by Atenolol

Phytochemical screening and in vitro antibacterial activity of tamarindus indica seeds ethanolic extract

The research work was conducted to investigate the phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activity of ethanolic seeds extract of Tamarindus indica. The ethanolic seeds extract of this plant was obtained using cold extraction method. The antibacterial activity of ethanolic seeds extract of Tamarindus indica was carried out against four gram positive bacteria; Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, Staphylococcus aureus and Sarcina lutea and four gram negative bacteria; Shigella dysentriae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi by disc diffusion method. Large zone of inhibition was observed [18 mm and 17.25mm] against staphylococcus aureus and shigella dysentriae respectively. Phytochemical constituents present in the extract were found to include flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids and glycosides and cardiac glycosides