Phytochemical and pharmacological studies on bryonopsis laciniosa naud, roots

The quantitative ash values and extractive values were determined for the roots of Bryonopsis laciniosa Naud [family - Cucurbitaceae]. The roots were extracted successively with various organic solvents and the subsequent fluorescence analysis was carried out. The extracts were subjected to qualitative phytochemical analysis and presence of steroids and saponins was found. One steroidal compound was isolated from the ethanolic extract by column chromatography. The gross behavioural and toxicity studies of the ethanolic extract revealed marked analgesia at the tested dose levels of 1000, 2000 and 3000 mg/kg body weight, but no mortality was observed at the end of 72 hours. The ethanolic extract was screened for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in two different dose levels of 200 and 400 mg/kg by carrageenan-induced paw oedema method in rats and writhing test in mice respectively. The extract showed significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities at both the dose levels tested. However, the degree of activity observed with the extract in the dose of 400 mg/kg revealed a higher value, which confirms the dose dependent nature of the extract. Present findings suggest that the roots of Bryonopsis laciniosa Naud are endowed with potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities

Phytochemical and microbiological studies on mahonia leschenaultii takeda

The stem bark, stem wood, root bark and root wood of Mahonia leschenaultii Takeda [Family -Berberidaceae] were extracted successively with various organic solvents and the subsequent fluorescence analysis was carried out. The quantitative ash values and extractive values were determined. Berberine was isolated and characterized. The quantitative estimation of berberine in the various extracts was carried out by High performance thin layer chromatography method. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of methanolic extracts were carried out by agar diffusion and serial dilution method. The methanolic extracts showed prominent activity against Staphylococcus aureus in comparison to other strains

Phytochemical and microbiology studies on Berberis tinctoria lesch

The stem bark, stem wood, root bark and root wood of Berbetis tinctoria Lesch. were extracted successively with various organic solvents and the subsequent fluorescence analysis was carried out. The quantitative ash values and extractive values were determined. Berberine was isolated and characterized. The quantitative estimation of berberine in the various extracts was carried out by HPTLC technique. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanolic extracts were carried out by cylinder-plate and serial dilution method. The methanolic extracts showed prominent activity against Staphylococcus aureus in comparison to control [Ampicillin trihydrate]

Analgestic and antipyretic activity of fruits of Marynia annua Linn.

The petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and aqueous extracts of Martynia annua Linn. [Fam. Martyniaceae] fruits were studied for analgesic activity on Swiss albino mice using Hot Plate and Tail Flick methods. The extracts were also screened for antipyretic activity by brewer's yeast induced hyperpyrexia model on adult wistar rats. The results were compared with diclofenac sodium. All the extracts showed significant analgesic and antipyretic activity when compared to the standard drug with a lone observation that the degree of activity of the petroleum ether and chloroform extracts are better than the ethanol and aqueous extracts. The present findings suggest that the fruits of the plant are endowed with potential analgesic and antipyretic properties