Phytochemical screening and assessment of analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hematological properties of the fruit of Berberis baluchistanica

Traditionally Berberis species have been used as anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, analgesic and anti-anemic drugs. This study was aimed to determine chemical constituents and to assess analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hematological effects of the crude extract of the berries of Berberis baluchistanica to verify these folkloric claims. Phytochemical screening, carried out by using different chemical reagents and techniques like Thin Layer Chromatography [TLC] and Fourier Transform Infra-Red [FTIR] indicated presence of flavonoids, saponins, phytosterols and carbohydrates including reducing sugars. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities were assessed on mice by using acetic acid induced writhing method and formalin method. Potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were observed during these experiments. The extract also showed anti anemic effect as it increased the levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells significantly. Increase in the platelet count was also noted. The extract of the berries was used at oral doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg during experiments. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities were determined by comparing with the standard i.e. aspirin 300 mg/kg. Both doses produced significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities at P-0.05. These activities were seemingly attributable to flavonoid and saponin contents of the drug. These results justify the folkloric claims that the drug could be used as good anti-inflammatory, antirehumatic, analgesic and anti-anemic drug. However, further chemical investigations on the drug are suggested for isolation and identification of compounds that could be safer and more effective than the currently available medicines in treating these disorders

Phytochemical and pharmacological studies on methanolic seeds' extract of Dolichos biflorus

The Dolichos biflorus is a well known medicinal plant in folklore for its medicinal properties. In herbal medicine the seeds of it are mainly used as tonic, astringent, diuretic, and are also recommended in asthma, bronchitis, urinary discharges, hiccoughs, ozoena, heart trouble and other diseases of brain. The main purpose of this study is to explore and to provide experimental data on the traditional use of plant Dolichos biflorus. For this purpose we investigated the plant seed extract phytochemically and pharmacologically. Phytochemical analysis was performed on extract and powder form of the drug. Procedure use for evaluation were Identification of chemical constituent by color reaction, Fluorescence analysis of powder drug, pH [in powder and extract forms], loss on drying, Thin layer chromatography, Infrared spectroscopy, acid and saponification values. In pharmacological studies [diuretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities] were tested on the extract of plant seed. The tests were carried out over albino mice taking different concentration of seed extract. Seeds extract of Dolichos biflorus has exhibited mild analgesic activity, the results were [84.6 +/- 6.68] at dose 300mg/kg and [92.2 +/- 6.81] at dose 500mg/kg which were not much significant as compared to reference drug Aspirin [300mg/kg] having result [36.4 +/- 2.27]. While seed extract of Dolichos biflorus exhibited remarkable diuretic activity, the values at 300 mg/kg was [1.33 +/- 0.13] and at 500 mg/kg were [2.66 +/- 0.31] which are highly significant as compared to drug Lasix [20mg /kg] having result [2.38 +/- 0.23]. Anti-inflammatory effects of crude extract of Dolichos biflorus obtained at 0.06mg/kg and 01mg/kg were [26.6 +/- 2.96] and [36 +/- 1.67] respectively. While the value for aspirin as standard drug [300mg/kg] were [17.44 +/- 1.59].This study provides a platform for further investigation for the isolation of active principles responsible for biological activity

Anti-dermatitis, anxiolytic and analgesic effects of Rhazya stricta from Balochistan

Current study was carried out on Rhazya stricta. Plant material was collected from Jhalmagsi Dist. Balochistan, Pakistan. Methanolic extract of Rhazya stricta was tested for anti-dermatitis, analgesic, anxiolytic effects, insecticidal activity and Brine shrimp Bioassay. Crude extract showed significant anti-dermatitis activity, as the results of intensity score showed mild Excoriation or erosion, moderate Edema or populations and absence of Erythema or hemorrhage, Scratching time was decreased to 1.45 and histological observations of mice treated with crude extract showed mild changes and few inflammatory cells in several microscopic fields. The results of analgesic activity were significant and the percentage inhibition of writhes were 73.54% and 69.38% at 300mg/kg and 500mg/kg respectively. The overall response of crude extract in anxiolytic activities were depressive and crude extract showed sedative effects. In Brine shrimp [Artemsia salina] lethality bioassay crude extract showed dose depended significant activity, and showed positive lethality with LD50 3.3004 micro g/ml. Insecticidal activity was positive against Callosbruchus analis, the percent mortality was 40%.

Antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities of some medicinal plants

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities of medicinal plants. The antibacterial activity of methanolic extracts of three medicinal plants [Swertia chirata, Terminalia bellerica and Zanthoxylum armatum] were tested against Gentamicin [standard drug] on eleven gram positive and seventeen gram negative bacteria by agar well method. It was revealed that seven-gram negative and six gram positive bacterial species were inhibited by these plant extracts. Minimum inhibitory concentrations [MIC] of the extracts were determined by broth micro-dilution method. The significant MIC value of Swertia chirata was 20mg/ml against Serratia marcesens, Zanthoxylum armatum was 10 mg/ml against Aeromonas hydrophila and Terminali bellerica was 20mg/ml against Acinetobacter baumanii as well as Serratia marcesens. Antifungal screening was done for methanolic extracts of these plants by agar well method with the 6 saprophytic, 5 dermatophytic and 6 yeasts. In this case Griseofulvin was used as a standard. All saprophytes and dermatophytes were showed resistance by these plants extracts except Microsporum canis, which was inhibited by Z. armatum and S. chirata extracts. The significant MIC value of Zanthoxylum armatum was 10mg/ml against Microsporum canis and Swertia chirata was 10mg/ml against Candida tropicalis. The anti-oxidant study was performed by DPPH free radical scavenging assay using ascorbic acid as a reference standard. Significant antioxidant activities were observed by Swertia chirata and Zanthoxylum armatum at concentration 200microg/ml was 70% DPPH scavenging activity [EC[50]=937.5microg/ml] while Terminalia bellerica showed 55.6% DPPH scavenging activity [EC[50]=100ug/ml]. This study has shown that these plants could provide potent antibacterial compounds and may possible preventive agents in ROS related ailments

Anti-nociceptive activity of seed extract of Vernonia anthelmintica willd

Vernonia anthelmintica is commonly known as kali ziri. Its seeds are used for several therapeutical purposes. Its seeds contain many constituents of medicinal importance as vernodlin, vernodalol, and vernolic acid. It is commonly used psoriasis and leucoderma or white leprosy. It is potent wormicidal agent. The present study was conducted on seed's extract of V. anthelmintica to determine its analgesic potency. The activity was conducted on mice by using acetic acid induced writhes,hot plate method and by tail flick method using water bath. The results of the writhing test were highly significant and comparable with Aspirin, which produced 26 and 20 writhes. The percentage of inhibition of writhes with the two doses of crude extract was 65.45% and 64.28% at 300mg/kg, while 83.63% and 71.42% at 500mg/kg, where as with Aspirin it was 52.72% and 28.57% in first and second phase respectively. Hot plate and tail flick method also indicated that vernonia has potent analgesic activity. The drug can be utilized as anti-nociceptive agent

In vivo evaluation and safety profile evaluation of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi [L.] Spreng. extract in rabbits

The aim of our research work was to investigate the effects of low dose of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi [L.] Spreng. on rabbits. Crude extract was administered for 90 days in rabbits and hematology, biochemistry parameters and histopathology changes were analyzed. In result of it gender-based variations were observed in hematological, kidney function, liver function, cardiac enzymes and lipid profile. Urine analysis revealed same results as that of standard and control drug. No significant pathology was observed in heart, stomach, liver and kidney tissues of rabbits, treated with A.uva-ursi in a dose of 25 mg/kg/day. Our results justify the use of A. uva-ursi in medicine for treatment of variable pathologies

Effect of risk factors like age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, dyslipidemia on coronary artery disease in Karachiites with angiographical data of local population: Number, site, severity of coronary lesion

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of major risk factors like age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, dyslipidemia on coronary artery disease in Karachiites and highlighted the angiographic data of local population like number of vessels involvement, site and severity of coronary lesions. This was a cross sectional analytical prospective study which was carried out at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital Karachi from August 2004 - July 2014. We included five hundred [500] consecutive patients [188 female and 312 male] between 26-80 years old, who came for coronary angiography with suspecting ischemic heart disease clinically or otherwise proven by relevant tests like ETT, ECHO, and Thallium stress test. Post PCI and CABG patients were excluded from study. During this study variables like age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, smoking and dyslipidemia were taken into account in relation to coronary artery disease in Karachiites. In addition we also assorted some important findings of coronary angiography like: number of vessels involved, site and severity lesions in our population and compared them with existing literature. Our study revealed that in our local population not only old age and male gender are potential threat for an early coronary artery disease but other variables like hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and dyslipidemia are also playing important role in coronary artery disease. It is also concluded that our population is more prone to multiple vessels involvement with almost involvement of LAD in majority of population

Toxicity studies on herbal formulation used in diabetes mellitus

In current study herbal formulation was prepared for Diabetes mellitus [type 2]. It consists of the extracts of Salacia reticulate, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Camellia sinensis and Gymnema sylvester. Toxicity studies were carried out on heart, liver, kidney and blood of both male and female rabbits. Drug was administered in a dose of 15mg/kg body weight daily for 90 days. On 91[th] day, blood was drawn from animals and investigated for changes in biochemical and hematological levels. After that animals were sacrificed and their organs [liver, heart and kidney] were analyzed for histo-pathological changes. In biochemical tests for lipid profile, significant decreased [male-70.64 +/- 0.321; female-69.80 +/- 0.365] in triglycerides level were observed, no significant change was recorded in Cholesterol HDL ratio, LDL, VLDL level. A significant increase [male-16.00 +/- 1.418; female-10.00 +/- 0.709] was observed in HDL level. In liver function test significant decrease was observed in Gamma GT [male-10.08 +/- 0.862; female-7.00 +/- 0.709]. Alkaline phosphatase [male-79 +/- 0.838; female-51.1 +/- 1.810], SGPT [male-54 +/- 0.709; female- 43.04 +/- 2.060], direct bilirubin [male-0.024 +/- 0.005; female-0.014 +/- 0.002] and total bilirubin [male-0.109 +/- 0.003; 0.106 +/- 0.049] were observed. Non-significant changes were observed in serum total protein, globulins, albumin and A/G ratio. No significant changes were noticed in urea level and serum electrolytes. In cardiac enzymes significant decrease was observed in LDH [male-443 +/- 5.61; female-360 +/- 1.848] and SGOT [male-27 +/- 0.709; female-28 +/- 1.418] level and highly significant rise in CPK [male- 3128 +/- 8.478; female-1598 +/- 7.483] and CK[-]MB [male-446 +/- 2.308; female- 438 +/- 2.819]. In hematological profile, significant decrease was observed in Hb [male-12.3 +/- 0.392; female-12.4 +/- 0.1], RBC count [male-6.60 +/- 0.167; female-5.74 +/- 0.25] and Hematocrit [HCT/PCV] % in both male and female rabbits [male- 45.70 +/- 0.255; female-43.50 +/- 0.448] and significant [p<0.5] increased in WBC count [male-8.40 +/- 0.401; female- 9.10 +/- 0.054]. Significant [p<0.5] decrease in blood glucose level and HbA1c [male-3.36 +/- 0.113; female-3.16 +/- 0.076] was observed. In histopathological studies mild edema was observed in heart and there was no change in histo-architecture of liver and kidneys. It is concluded that formulation does not showed any chronic toxicity in adult dose

Antidiarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Symplocos racemesa roxb. Bark

The antidiarrheal activity of the drug Symplocos racemosa was performed in-vivo on isolated rabbit intestine. The effects of crude extract and fractions were observed at different doses. The overall response of the crude extract on isolated tissue of rabbit intestine was decreased in the tone of smooth muscle. Further studies were carried out on different fractions [ethylacetate, chloroform, n-butanol and aqueous] of crude extract of S. racemosa. The standard drugs were also used for further screening of the fractions of S. racemosa. Hot plate, writhing test, formalin test and carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice and rats were performed for determination of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities respectively on S. racemosa bark extract. The results exhibited significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect at 300 and 500mg/kg doses

Evaluation of phytoconstituents of three plants Acorus calamus linn. Artemisia absinthium Linn and Bergenia himalaica boriss by FTIR spectroscopic analysis

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of plant extracts can be achieved by using different spectroscopic techniques. In current research work we deal with the nature of the absorption and spectra of extract of Acorus calamus, Artemisia absinthium and Bergenia himalaica using FTIR spectroscopic technique. The present study was focused on standardization of crude extracts by utilization of infrared light. The spectra of crude extracts [A. calamus, A. absinthium and B. himalaica] displayed very clear diagnostic peaks of functional groups i.e. O-H alcoholic/acid, C-H alkyl and aromatic ring, carbonyl, and C-O-C groups. The spectra of all the three plants did not show any peak at 2220-2260cm[-1], which is indicative of the absence of nitrogen containing groups. These results exhibited that these plants does not contain any toxic substances

Phytochemical screening and Anti-oxidant activity of the two plants Ziziphus oxyphylla Edgew and Cedrela serrata Royle

Phytochemical studies of medicinal plants are a basic and helping tool for the isolation of active secondary metabolites

The isolation of active compounds is made easy by the help of preliminary phytochemical studies, which the presence of a specific class or group of compounds present in these medicinal plants. Ziziphus oxyphylla and drela serrata are medicinal plants with valuable local uses

The present study is for the first Phytochemical investigation of these two medicinal plants which consists of, Quantitative tests showing very good results except Ztiphus oxyphylla plants which does not showed the results for Ester value and Peroxide value

Color reactions are studied for all the crude extracts showing the presence of a number of chemical groups belonging to the class of Alkaloids, Phenol compounds, Phenothiazines, Aromatic compounds, Amino acids, Sulfur compounds etc. Brine shrimp activity was performed which showed a LD[50] value of 45.74 and 53.36 in the case of Ziziphus oxyphylla roots and Cedrela serrata bark respectively, which is comparable to the standard drug Cyclophosphamide results of 16.09

Insecticidal activity did not show any promising result indicating the absence of any insect killing potency

Antioxidant activity was very positive for all the extract particularly, the Ziziphus oxyphylla roots, which showed even better results than the standard drug Ascorbic acid used in various dilutions

Phytochemical, antimicrobial, insecticidal and brine shrimp lethality bioassay of the crude methanolic extract of ajuga parviflora benth

Methanolic extract of medicinal herb Ajuga parviflora Benth. was evaluated for phytochemical screening [the plant extract showed the presence of aromatic compounds, carbohydrates, glycosides, tannins, alkaloids, polyphenols, quinines and dions, aminophenols, steroids/sterols, flavonoids and terpenoids], antimicrobial activities against various strains of bacteria and fungi by using disc diffusion method and insecticidal activities against red flour beetle [Tribolium castaneum], wheat weevil [Sitophilis granaries] and their larvae. The crude extract showed anti-bacterial activity against all strains with a maximum zone of inhibition of 12mm diameter against Citrobacter and Pseudomonas aurogenosa. Standard drugs Ampicillin, Gentamicin and Amoxicillin were used in parallel. The crude extract did not show antifungal activity against the tested strains of fungi even at high doses. The crude methanolic extract was also used for insecticidal activity against the two types of insects and their larva. The extract showed no significant mortality in the tested strains. For brine shrimp lethality bioassay different concentrations 10, 100 and 1000ug/ml of the medicinal herb A. parviflora methanolic extract were used. After 24 hrs the percent mortality and LD[50] value was calculated through probit analysis. The LD[50] value of extract was 321.42microg/ml while that of standard drug cyclophosphamide was 16.09ug/ml

Constituents of garlic [allium sativum] and their efficacy in diabetes mellitus

Diabetes affects a large number of populations worldwide and the prevalence of this disease is rapidly increasing

Despite the availability of allopathic medications for diabetes, traditional remedies are desirable and are currently being investigated. Garlic [Allium sativum] has been reported to have antidiabetic activity. Evidences suggest that garlic has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiglycative properties due to which it plays an important role in preventing diabetes progression and the development of diabetes-related complications. Large scale clinical studies with diabetic patients have been carried out to confirm the usefulness of garlic in the treatment and prevention of this disease. This article briefly reviews on the above stated subjected and the papers have been collected from internet resources including Pubmed, American Journal of Medicine, New England Journal of Medicine, Google Scholar and Journal of Medicinal Plant Research

Biological screening of Scrophularia nodosa extract and its fractions

Biological screening of Scrophularia nodosa crude extract and its fractions [hexane, chloroform, ethyl-acetate, n-butanol and aqueous] was carried out on phytotoxicity, cytotoxicity, antibacterial, antifungal and analgesic activities. Crude extract and its fractions produced 50-100% phytotoxicity at 1000 micro g/ml concentration whereas 25-77% phytotoxicity was observed at 10 micro g/ml concentration. The fractions exhibited significant antibacterial and antifungal effects. The non-toxic results of this plant were recorded in Brine Shrimps Bioassay method at all concentrations. Similarly no significant insecticidal activity was observed in crude extracts and fractions. Analgesic activity results of S. nodosa in mice were found highly significant in crude extract as compared to fractions. In writhing test crude extract at 500 mg/kg showed 65.6% highest inhibitory response in mice

Pharmacological and biological evaluation of extracts from Gratiola officinalis L. [Scrophulariaceae]

The crude extract of Gratiola officinalis and its n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions were subjected to biological [Brine Shrimp Bioassay, Insecticidal and Phytotoxicity/Cytotoxic] and neuropharmacological [Head dip, Open field Forced swimming test, Sodium pentothal induced sleep] activities. Results obtained in this study indicated that at high concentration dose [1000microg/ml], all test samples showed 60-95% phytotoxicity. In crude extract, n-butanol and aqueous fractions produced more than 85% phytotoxicity. While low concentration [10microg/ml] dose showed 25-28% phytotoxicity in all test samples. The crude extract was devoid of any effect against the growth of Callosbruchus analis and Tribolium castaneum and caused 10 mortality of Rhyzopertha dominica. n-Hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions caused 50, 30, 40, 10 and 20% mortality respectively of C. analis where as chloroform, ethyl-acetate, aqueous and crude extract, n-hexane, ethyl-acetate fractions also caused low mortality [10%] of Tribolium castaneum and Rhyzopertha dominica respectively. In cytotoxic assay at 1000microg/ml concentration, n-butanol fraction produced 36.7% and the crude extract produced 13.3% mortality of brine shrimp, its aqueous fraction was inactive at all concentrations. The results of head dip, open field, mobility time and Pentothal Na induced sleep indicated that crude extract, n-butanol and ethylacetate fractions of G. officinalis had mild sedative effect. However aqueous fraction was found to produce a significant decrease in motor activities and potentiated the duration of sleep

Spasmolytic effects of Scrophularia nodosa extract on isolated rabbit intestine

Scrophularia nodosa [figwort], an indigenous medicinal plant grows in moist and cultivated waste ground. It contains saponins, cardioactive glycosides, flavonoids, resin, sugar and organic acids. It is traditionally used for anti-inflammatory purpose and in skin disorders. It has diuretic and cardiac stimulant properties. The present studies were carried out on crude extract of Scrophularia nodosa and its n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions. During phytochemical studies seven known compounds of flavonoid nature were isolated from the chloroform fraction of crude extract of S. nodosa. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic [UV, IR, Mass [EIMS, HREIMS] and NMR [[1]H-NMR, [13]C-NMR, DEPT, and [1]H-[1]H, COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY] techniques. Compound 1 was identified as 5, 4'-hydroxy-3, 6, 7-trimethoxyflavone, compound 2 as 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone, compound 3 as Centaurein, compound 4 as 5-hydroxy-7,8,2',3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone [Serpyllin], compound 5 as Kaempferol 7-O- alpha -L-rhamnopyranoside, compound 6 as sakuranetin 4'-O [6"-O-alpha-Lrhamnopyranosyl]-beta-D-glucopyranoside [Vitexoside] and compound 7 as Spinoside. Crude extract and its fractions were tested on isolated rabbit intestine [in vitro] for their effects. The results of crude extract and its fractions in different doses showed the decrease in normal movement of the smooth muscles of rabbit intestine [jejunum]. The chloroform fraction showed maximum relaxant effect [77.37%] at 15mg/ml dose and aqueous fraction showed 38.56% spasmogenic response which was not present in the crude extract. Further study was carried out on different fractions to investigate the possible mechanism of action of S. nodosa extract. For this purpose spasmolytic effect of different fractions were compared with agonist and antagonist activities of standard drugs including adrenaline, atropine andacetylcholine [1x10[-2], 1x10[-4] and 10[-6] M conc.]. It is concluded that the chemical constituents present in S. nodosa having spasmolytic action are possibly acting through muscarinic receptors

Differential inhibitory potencies of alcoholic extract of different parts of Dryopteris chrysocoma on inflammation in mice and rats

Phytomedicinal therapy for inflammation is not new and it is highly effective for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders. The inflammation is one of the initial parameter for most of the disorders occurring in the body. The anti-inflammatory potential can be determined by using various techniques. Dryopteris chrysocoma is a male fern commonly found in damp and moist areas of Pakistan. The study was conducted on mice and rats by inducing inflammation with subcutaneous administration of formalin and Carrageenan in hind paw. The results were compared with standard drug Aspirin administered orally in the dose of 300 mg/kg and a decrease in hind paw volume was observed. The intensity of edema was observed in mice after formalin injection and the time of disappearance of edema was observed. In rats the inhibition of inflammation by root, leaves and stem extract was 51.19%, 41.66% and 30.95% respectively after administration of formalin. Similar inhibition of inflammation produced by root, leaves and stem extracts i.e. 57%, 42% and 35% respectively in Carrageenan treated rats. Root extract showed the highly significant results at p