Antibacterial Activity of Floral Petals of Some Angiosperms

The in vitro antibacterial assay was carried out against both Gram positive (B. cerus and S. aureus) and Gram negative (E. coli and K. pneumoniae) bacteria. Floral petals of 20 different species of plants were collected and tested for antibacterial activity. The result showed that the petals were active against both Gram positive and Gram negative. Out of 20 floral petals tested, 19 floral petals exhibited antibacterial activity against selected bacterial strains. The minimal inhibitory zone of floral petal discs against human pathogenic bacteria varies from 2 – 6 mm. Rosa carolina and Ruellia tuberosa showed significance inhibition zone for all the bacterial strains while Lantana camara does not show inhibition zone for any of these pathogenic bacteria.

Ethnobotanical Potential and Phytochemical Screening of Bombax ceiba L.

Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is showing important and significant values to society. One of the important trees growing in the Panchmahal region, Bombax ceiba, has immersed medicinal values sited in few kinds of literature. Local populations utilizing various parts of Bombax ceiba as medicines are to be known scientifically through traditional inputs. The present study was undertaken to emphasis the secondary metabolites present in different parts of B. ceiba growing region in Panchmahal, district. Traditional information about plant/tree in generally available related to leaves, trunk, root, fruits etc. the current study deals with knowledge of flowers along with thereof B. ceiba growing in Panchmahal district. Investigation for qualitative analysis of thorn, petals, and androecium was carried out for the tree B. ceiba growing in Panchamahal district.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of Hibiscus sabdariffa petal extracts in Wistar rats.

Background: Hibiscus sabdariffa is a medicinal plant rich in phytochemical compounds, which is the source of its biological properties. This study on the aqueous extract of H. sabdariffa (AEHS) was conducted to assess its hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties. Methods: It was carried out with 25 Wistar rats divided into five groups. Two groups were treated with a solution of NaCl 0.9%. One group was treated with silymarin at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight (BW). Two other groups were treated with the AEHS at different doses (100 and 200 mg/kg BW). The treatments were carried out via oral route and at single dose for 7 days. After injection of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH), blood samples were collected for the carrying out of biochemical analyses of oxidative stress markers (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, ferric reduction antioxidant parameter, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and hepatotoxicity (albumin, total and direct bilirubin, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase). Results: Three major results were obtained. The hepatotoxicity of DNPH expressed by the rats of Group 1 was significantly different (p<0.05) from those of the other groups (control, 2-4) for both hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress markers. The hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of the AEHS and confirmation of those of silymarin through the rats of Groups 2-4 were statistically identical (p<0.05) to the control group for markers of hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress. Conclusion: These results confirm and reinforce certain therapeutic virtues of H sabdariffa.

Comparative Phytochemical Screening and Nutritional Potentials of the Flowers (petals) of Senna alata (l) roxb, Senna hirsuta (l.) Irwin and barneby, and Senna obtusifolia (l.) Irwin and barneby (fabaceae).

Comparative phytochemical screening and nutritional potentials of the flowers (petals) of S. alata, S. hirsuta and S. obtusifolia (Fabaceae) were investigated. S. alata, S. hirsuta and S. obtusifolia are plants that have been frequently used as a medicine. The phytochemical screening reveals the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, and cardiac glycosides and the absence of alkaloids in all three species. Quantitative evaluation of the petals of S. alata, S. hirsuta and S. obtusifolia reveals moisture content (%) of 12.5, 13.5, 13; Ash content (%) 6,11, 9. Acid insoluble (%) 1.5, 2.5, 2; Sulphated ash (%) 5, 9, 5.3; protein (%) 5.1, 8.2, 4.1, Fats (%) 5, 3.5, 4.4; Fibre (%) 25, 40, 30; Carbohydrate (%) 53.7; 42, 40.7 respectively. The above results indicates that despite the absence of information on the phytochemical screening, quantitative parameters and nutritional potentials of the petals of these studied species they contain nutrients and mineral elements, and bioactive compounds that may be useful in nutrition and in the synthesis of various therapeutic drugs.