ABSTRACT
Ayurveda was introduced as a science of prevention and cure of various ailments. Aacharya attained this profound knowledge through hit and trial methods and experiments. They used various herbs for this purpose. Medicinal plants are the essence of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic treatments. Keeping in mind the characteristics of plant drugs nomenclature was done. Later researchers took classical references about morphology, pharmacology and synonyms as base for identification of plants. This article will bring in light the morphological characters of various plant species that comes in approximation to one of the most controversial plant i.e. Rudanti. This paper is an attempt to eliminate state of confusion on Rudanti and to establish new plant species that fulfill the classical morphological identification criteria as mentioned in Raj Nighantu. This article also encompasses the folklore knowledge of the plant species established through evaluation of modern texts. This information will further validate the target species. Hence this is concluded that Capparis moonii and Cressa cretica taken in the name of Rudanti are not classical Rudanti as they do not resemble morphological characters. Astragalus and Cicer species that resemble Rudanti classical description should be taken. This can further be revalidated by preclinical/clinical trials.
ABSTRACT
Background: The current research was undertaken on dried fruits of Capparis moonii to screen its potential for immunomodulatory and cancer indications with identification of phytoconstituents by chromatographic techniques.Methods: Methanolic (MECN), hydro-methanolic (HMECN) and aqueous extracts (AQCN) of Capparis moonii were subjected to high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after studying the total phenolic and flavonoid content by using rutin and gallic acid as standards respectively as well as undertaking powder characteristics and preliminary phytochemical screening. Immunomodulatory activities covered were hemagglutination antibody titre and delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction with the aid of sheep red blood cells (0.5×109) as antigens. The extracts were studied for antioxidant potential. Anticancer prospects were focusing on in vitro cell lines screening (MCF 7 and HCT 15) by Sulforhodamine B assay method and potato disc assay.Results: The total phenolic and flavonoid content of MECM, HMECM and AQCM fruits extracts were found to be 0.20, 0.11 and 0.47 mg of gallic acid/g and 78.3, 18.8 and 64.4 mg of rutin/g respectively. Rutin and quercetin were confirmed by HPTLC and HPLC showing well resolved peaks. IC50 values in antioxidant studies were found to be significant with all the extracts. Significant immunomodulatory effect was noticed at 200mg/kg in both models (high antibody titre levels and decrease paw volume after 48 h). Unsatisfactory results were observed with selected cell lines and disc assay.Conclusions: Thus, selected fruits may probably have immunomodulatory potential due to presence of flavonols (rutin and quercetin).