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Pharmacognostic and phytochemical evaluation are necessary for drug authentication and for prediction and confirmation of pharmacological activities of any plant part. Cosmostigma racemosum (Roxb.) Wight, a traditional and folklore drug in Kerala with many reputed usages, locally called as Vaattuvalli, is a shrubby twiner of Apocynaceae family. Leaves are the most used plant part. As no scientific data regarding its standards were available, preliminary pharmacognostic, physico-chemical and phytochemical evaluation of the leaves were done as per the guidelines of Ayurveda Pharmacopoiea of India and WHO. The study revealed that leaves of Cosmostigma racemosum (Roxb.)Wight are simple, opposite, exstipulate, apex caudate, base cordate and with a characteristic chilly odour. Microscopic examination of leaves revealed the presence of characteristic features such as lacticifers, secreting cells, absence of stomata on the upper epidermis, presence of paracytic stomata on the lower epidermis and presence of calcium oxalate crystals especially druse crystals. The preliminary phytochemical evaluation revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, steroids, saponins which indicates the wide range of pharmacological activities of the plant. The 13 peaks in the HPTLC profile indicate a wide pharmacological prospect of the leaves. The ICP-MS analysis confirmed that heavy metals like Cd, Cr, Zn, Cu, Pb and As present in the leaves are within permissible limits. Physicochemical parameters such as moisture content, different ash values, volatile oil content, different extractive values, ph, fibre content, and sugar content were also determined. All these findings can serve as standards for assuring the safety, quality and purity of the drug.
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ABSTRACT Limonium brasiliense (Boiss.) Kuntze, Plumbaginaceae, is a plant from the southern coast of Brazilian that is used for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome, menstrual disorders and genito-urinary infections. The aim of the present study was to determine the quality control parameters for rhizomes collected during different periods by pharmacopoeial and non-pharmacopoeial methods, and to develop and validate a HPLC-DAD method for quantitative control of marker substances. The measured parameters were: granulometric analysis (d50 = 0.21–0.48 mm), loss on drying (11.1–12.4%), total ash (4.9–5.7%), dry residue by extraction with acetone:water (7:3, v/v) (30.6–39.5%), total polyphenol content (8.5–15.8%), and chromatographic fingerprint by HPLC and TLC. Besides, the acetone:water (7:3, v/v) extraction solvent in combination with a turbo-extractor, yielded the crude extract with a significant increase in tannins (F4,20 = 37.0, p < 0.001). The antioxidant potential of the crude acetone:water (7:3, v/v) extract, as well as the ethyl acetate and water fractions obtained after the partition process was evaluated by DPPH and the results were, respectively: IC50 6.87, 5.91, and 6.92 µg/ml. The validation parameters for the HPLC-DAD method showed adequate specificity, precision and accuracy. The gallo- and epigallocatechin contents were, respectively, 0.8–2.7% and 1.2–2.2%. These data contribute to analysis of the pharmacognostic quality control of the commonly used part from this species.
RESUMO
INTRODUCCIÓN: Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack (Rutaceae) es empleada tradicionalmente en nuestro país para el alivio del dolor y la inflamación asociados a enfermedades osteomioarticulares, pero no se reportan estudios que profundicen en elementos tan importantes como lo constituyen su calidad y seguridad. En el presente trabajo se evalúa su potencialidad para ser empleado como alternativa terapéutica. MÉTODOS: la droga vegetal (hojas frescas de M. paniculata), y su derivado galénico (tintura), fueron sometidas a un estudio farmacognóstico que incluyó la evaluación macromorfológica de las hojas de la especie, así como la determinación de sus índices numéricos de calidad y el tamizaje fitoquímico. Asimismo la tintura obtenida fue sometida a la evaluación de sus requisitos organolépticos, índices numéricos de calidad, análisis capilar, tamizaje fitoquímico y cromatografía en capa delgada; desde el punto de vista preclínico, fue evaluada su seguridad a través de un estudio de toxicidad aguda dérmica y su capacidad antioxidante mediante las técnicas FRAP y DPPH. RESULTADOS: los parámetros de calidad establecidos fueron incluidos en la Guía de fitofármacos y apifármacos. Los resultados preclínicos obtenidos en la evaluación de la tintura fueron satisfactorios, ya que no generó efectos tóxicos, el análisis cualitativo DPPH evidenció su capacidad antioxidante y el análisis por FRAP mostró un poder antioxidante similar al de la vitamina C. CONCLUSIONES: los resultados alcanzados permiten garantizar que M. paniculata sea una alternativa segura y eficaz para el uso en la terapéutica, como parte del arsenal de nuestro sistema de salud en Medicina Natural y Tradicional.
INTRODUCTION: Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack (Rutaceae) has been traditionally used in our country to treat pain and inflammation caused by osteoarticular disorders. However, there are no reports of studies about such important topics as its quality and safety. The present paper evaluates the potential use of M. paniculata as a therapeutic alternative. METHODS: a pharmacognostic study was conducted of the plant drug (fresh leaves of M. paniculata) and its galenic derivative (tincture) which included a macromorphological evaluation of the leaves, determination of numerical indices of quality and phytochemical screening. The tincture obtained was evaluated for organoleptic requirements and numerical indices of quality, and underwent capillary analysis, phytochemical screening and thin-layer chromatography. Preclinical safety was assessed in an acute dermal toxicity study. Antioxidant capacity was examined by FRAP and DPPH. RESULTS: the quality parameters obtained were included in the Guide of Phytomedicines and Apimedicines. Preclinical evaluation of the tincture was satisfactory, since no toxic effects were found. Qualitative DPPH analysis revealed antioxidant capacity and FRAP found an antioxidant power similar to that of vitamin C. CONCLUSIONS: results confirm the status of M. paniculata as a safe, effective therapeutic alternative within the natural and traditional medicine stock of our country's health system.