Comparative analgesic evaluation of Himalrandia tetrasperma and Wendlandia exserta of family Rubiaceae after induction of pain in mice

Himalrandia tetrasperma and Wendlandia exserta medicinal plants belong to family Rubiaceae commonly known as coffee family were investigated by quantitative analysis of major bioactive compounds and analgesic effect. The analgesic potential was accessed using different parts of H. tetrasperma and W. exserta by induced acetic acid writhing and hot plate test method. Methanolic extracts of these two plants satisfactorily possesses analgesic activity. All the extracts showed good results as compared to standard drug, i.e. aspirin. Seeds of H. tetrasperma possess maximum, i.e. 86.73% inhibition at first phase where as aspirin possesses 52.73%. In second phase, leaves possess 99.8 % inhibition respectively. Hot plate analgesic activity of bark extract displayed maximum activity at 4.5h stage, i.e. 8.6 +/- 0.40. W. exserta methanolic extract of bark possesses 97.3% inhibition respectively in first phase and 99.8% in second phase. Bark extract displayed maximum activity at 4.5h stage, i.e., 9.7 +/- 0.5. Quantitative analysis of bark of H. tetrasperma possesses highest value of saponins, i.e. 30.21 +/- 0.8 where as flavonoids 17.50 +/- 1.2, phenolic compounds 23.25 +/- 0.5 and tannins 12.32 +/- 0.4. The leaf extracts of H. tetrasperma contains maximum value of phenols, i.e. 15.10 +/- 0.7 where as W. exserta bark possesses significant value of alkaloids, i.e. 16.41 +/- 0.4 and leaf extracts possesses flavonoids, i.e. 14.51 +/- 0.3, saponins 12.22 +/- 0.1 and phenolic compounds 11.31 +/- 0.4. The seeds of both plants possess significant value of tannins, i.e. 07.60 +/- 0.3

Pharmacognostic studies of stem, roots and leaves of Malva parviflora L

Objective:To establish quality control parameters of a locally occurring medicinal plant, Malva parviflora which is utilized as folk medicine in Sialkot area in Pakistan. Methods:In pharmacognostic studies different types of evaluations were carried out that focus on microscopic, macroscopic, fluorescence analysis and organoleptic evaluations. Results:The distinguishing characters of stem were the presence of parenchyma, cork cells, irregular shape calcium oxalate crystals, simple and compound starch granules and fusiform fibers with pits. Root microscopic characters were presence of simple and spherical starch granules with rounded or slit hilum, groups of lignified xylem fibers, reticulate vessels, and sieve tissues. Leaves microscopy indicated the presence of paracytic stomata, lignified fibers having pits, spiral and annular vessels, numerous sclereids while in fruit microscopy epicarp, thin walled cells endocarp, thin walled parenchyma and collenchyma of mesocarp and abundant thick walled endospermic cells containing aleurone grains and micro rosette crystals. Macroscopic study of leaves showed, 5-7 lobed reniform-shape, glabrous-surface, reticulate-venation in the leaves. Macroscopic features of roots showed type of root-taproot, surface-glabrous and stem was 1-10 dm tall simple to branched and may be prostrate or ascending. Similarly fruit was of schizocarp type. Conclusions: This study provides the scientific data for the proper identification and establishment of standards for the use of Malva parviflora.

Pharmacognostic studies of stem, roots and leaves of Malva parviflora L

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish quality control parameters of a locally occurring medicinal plant, Malva parviflora which is utilized as folk medicine in Sialkot area in Pakistan.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In pharmacognostic studies different types of evaluations were carried out that focus on microscopic, macroscopic, fluorescence analysis and organoleptic evaluations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The distinguishing characters of stem were the presence of parenchyma, cork cells, irregular shape calcium oxalate crystals, simple and compound starch granules and fusiform fibers with pits. Root microscopic characters were presence of simple and spherical starch granules with rounded or slit hilum, groups of lignified xylem fibers, reticulate vessels, and sieve tissues. Leaves microscopy indicated the presence of paracytic stomata, lignified fibers having pits, spiral and annular vessels, numerous sclereids while in fruit microscopy epicarp, thin walled cells endocarp, thin walled parenchyma and collenchyma of mesocarp and abundant thick walled endospermic cells containing aleurone grains and micro rosette crystals. Macroscopic study of leaves showed, 5-7 lobed reniform-shape, glabrous-surface, reticulate-venation in the leaves. Macroscopic features of roots showed type of root-taproot, surface-glabrous and stem was 1-10 dm tall simple to branched and may be prostrate or ascending. Similarly fruit was of schizocarp type.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This study provides the scientific data for the proper identification and establishment of standards for the use of Malva parviflora.</p>

Phytochemical and in vitro antioxidant evaluation of different fractions of Amaranthus graecizans subsp. silvestris (Vill.) Brenan

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the phytochemical and in vitro antioxidant ability of methanolic extract and different fractions of Amaranthus graecizans subsp. silvestris (A. graecizans subsp. silvestris).@*METHODS@#Methanolic extract of A. graecizans subsp. silvestris was obtained by cold maceration and then methanolic extract was subjected to fractionation and different fractions i.e. n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions were obtained. Methanolic extract and all other fractions were subjected to phytochemical investigation by performing different phytochemical group tests like alkaloid, tannins, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, etc. In vitro antioxidant activity of A. graecizans subsp. silvestris was evaluated by using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), ferric thiocyanate assay, total antioxidant activity by phosphomolybdenum, ferric reducing antioxidant power, total phenolic content and lipid peroxidation methods.@*RESULTS@#Maximum antioxidant activity was shown by n-hexane fraction of the extract by carrying out DPPH (86.44±0.23), ethyl acetate fraction by total antioxidant (0.95±0.06) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (299.45±1.48) methods, while by employing total phenolic contents and inhibition of lipid per oxidation assays, methanolic extract (92.88±4.16) and n-hexane fraction (69.47±0.68) exhibited maximal activity. Ethyl acetate fraction showed the least IC50 values by DPPH assay, hence a more pronounced potential for antioxidant activity.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The results indicate that A. graecizans subsp. silvestris has antioxidant potential and can be utilized as a natural source of antioxidant.

Pharmacognostic studies of stem, roots and leaves of Malva parviflora L

Objective: To establish quality control parameters of a locally occurring medicinal plant, Malva parviflora which is utilized as folk medicine in Sialkot area in Pakistan. Methods: In pharmacognostic studies different types of evaluations were carried out that focus on microscopic, macroscopic, fluorescence analysis and organoleptic evaluations. Results: The distinguishing characters of stem were the presence of parenchyma, cork cells, irregular shape calcium oxalate crystals, simple and compound starch granules and fusiform fibers with pits. Root microscopic characters were presence of simple and spherical starch granules with rounded or slit hilum, groups of lignified xylem fibers, reticulate vessels, and sieve tissues. Leaves microscopy indicated the presence of paracytic stomata, lignified fibers having pits, spiral and annular vessels, numerous sclereids while in fruit microscopy epicarp, thin walled cells endocarp, thin walled parenchyma and collenchyma of mesocarp and abundant thick walled endospermic cells containing aleurone grains and micro rosette crystals. Macroscopic study of leaves showed, 5-7 lobed reniform-shape, glabrous-surface, reticulate-venation in the leaves. Macroscopic features of roots showed type of root-taproot, surface-glabrous and stem was 1-10 dm tall simple to branched and may be prostrate or ascending. Similarly fruit was of schizocarp type. Conclusions: This study provides the scientific data for the proper identification and establishment of standards for the use of Malva parviflora.

Phytochemical and in vitro antioxidant evaluation of different fractions of Amaranthus graecizans subsp. silvestris (Vill.) Brenan

Objective: To evaluate the phytochemical and in vitro antioxidant ability of methanolic extract and different fractions of Amaranthus graecizans subsp. silvestris (A. graecizans subsp. silvestris). Methods: Methanolic extract of A. graecizans subsp. silvestris was obtained by cold maceration and then methanolic extract was subjected to fractionation and different fractions i.e. n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions were obtained. Methanolic extract and all other fractions were subjected to phytochemical investigation by performing different phytochemical group tests like alkaloid, tannins, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, etc. In vitro antioxidant activity of A. graecizans subsp. silvestris was evaluated by using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), ferric thiocyanate assay, total antioxidant activity by phosphomolybdenum, ferric reducing antioxidant power, total phenolic content and lipid peroxidation methods. Results: Maximum antioxidant activity was shown by n-hexane fraction of the extract by carrying out DPPH (86.44±0.23), ethyl acetate fraction by total antioxidant (0.95±0.06) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (299.45±1.48) methods, while by employing total phenolic contents and inhibition of lipid per oxidation assays, methanolic extract (92.88±4.16) and n-hexane fraction (69.47±0.68) exhibited maximal activity. Ethyl acetate fraction showed the least IC

Identification and evaluation of counter-irritant potential of crude extract of Malva parviflora L. by WHO recommended methods

Plenty of medicinal plants are available in Pakistan and are in human use as herbal medicines from ancient time. Present work is based on the evaluation of the use of Malva parviflora in skin irritation problems. For this purpose, powdered plant material [The aerial part and roots separately] was extracted by using successive solvent extraction method using petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol. Resulting three crude fractions were subjected to counterirritant investigations on rabbit's ear. Petroleum ether fraction exhibited prominent counter- irritant potential. Five compounds named, as MP-1, MP-2, MP-3, MP-4 and MP-5 were isolated from petroleum ether extract by column and thin layer chromatography. These compounds were subjected to UV spectrophotometer for detection of absorption of light, then FTIR for specific functional group identification and counter-irritant potentials was evaluated on rabbit's ear skin. The MP-1 and MP-2 exhibited excellent counter-irritant activity in different dilutions than others. However, dilution 100microg/ml showed maximum activity