Comparative Seed Morphology, Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical, and Antioxidant Potential of Memecylon L. Fruits

Objectives: Memecylon is the genus of the family Melastomataceae and their identification is somewhat difficult as a result of similarities in their intraspecies morphologies. Thus, identification of these species is much strenuous. The present study investigated the seed morphology, pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and antioxidant potential of Memecylon fruits. Materials and Methods: The species Memecylon grande, Memecylon randerianum and Memecylon umbellatum were selected for this study. The surface morphology of seeds or fruits, pharmacognostic evaluation, and phytochemical analysis are effective methods for rectifying taxonomic difficulties in authentication process and it opens a platform for pharmaceutical analysis. The surface morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental compositions were revealed by using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). While evaluating the pharmacognostic property of the seeds, powder microscopic analysis was used, which focusesd on the functional purity of the fruit samples. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl, nitric oxide and superoxide radical scavenging assays are carried out to determine the antioxidant potential of Memecylon fruits. Results: The surface morphology of seeds had a distinct pattern of topography. SEM and EDX studies gave an insight on the elemental composition of the seeds. ICP-MS analysis showed the presence of biologically potent trace elements in the fruit samples. Quantitative estimation of secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenols, revealed that fruit extracts possess a significant amount of these phytoconstituents. The present study also reveals the antioxidant potential of Memecylon fruit extracts. Conclusion: Powder microscopy, SEM, EDX and ICP-MS analyses provided knowledge about the functional purity and elemental composition of Memecylon fruits samples. The free radical scavenging assays showed that Memecylon fruits were natural antioxidant sources. Therefore, these findings can be effectively targeted toward the pharmacological utilization of Memecylon fruits.

Cytogenetic characterization of Amaranthus caudatus L. and Amaranthus hybridus subsp. cruentus (L.) Thell.

The present study is aimed to identify genetic variability between two species of Amaranthus viz., A. caudatus and A. hybridus subsp. cruentus, two economically important species, cultivated mainly for grain production. Karyomorphological studies in Amaranthus are scarce, probably due to higher number of small sized chromosomes. Karyomorphological studies were conducted using mitotic squash preparation of young healthy root tips. Karyological parameters and karyotypic formula were established using various software programs and tabulated the karyomorphometric and asymmetry indices viz., Disparity index, Variation coefficient, Total forma percentage, Karyotype asymmetry index, Syi index, Rec index, Interchromosomal and Intrachromosomal asymmetry index and Degree of asymmetry of karyotypes. The mitotic chromosome number observed for A. caudatus was 2n = 32 with a gametic number n = 16 and A. hybridus subsp. cruentus was 2n = 34 with a gametic number n = 17. In A. caudatus the chromosome length during somatic metaphase ranged from 0.8698 to 1.7722 µm with a total length of 39.1412 µm. In A. hybridus subsp. cruentus the length of chromosome ranged from 0.7756 to 1.9421 µm with a total length of 44.9922 µm. Various karyomorphometry and asymmetry indices analyzed revealed the extend of interspecific variation and their evolutionary status.

Cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of extract of Amaranthus spinosus L. in Allium cepa and human erythrocytes.

The present study examined the apoptosis inducing effects of Amaranthus spinosus L. aqueous extract in Allium cepa root meristematic cells and human erythrocytes. Cytogenetic assay revealed many apoptosis inducing cytogenetic aberrations viz., cytoplasmic breakage, cytoplasmic disintegration, cytoplasmic shrinkage, receding of cytoplasm, cytoplasmic vacuolation, enucleated cell, ghost cell, nuclear vacuolation, nuclear fragmentation and nuclear disintegration. A remarkable modification of red blood cell surface morphology was observed in the result of RBC assay. The treated RBCs show membrane blebbing and shrinkage, features typical for apoptosis in nucleated cells. Significant induction of cell death was observed in treated Allium root tip cells after Evans blue staining, disclosing the membrane damage potential of the plant extract. TTC assay results in reduced mitochondrial/metabolic activity in Allium root tip cells after treatment, designating the adverse effect of plant extract on mitochondrial respiratory chain. These results confirm the apoptosis inducing potential of A. spinosus extract. Confirming the present results by further in vitro studies, it can be effectively targeted against cell proliferation during cancer treatment by inducing apoptosis. Thus from the present investigation it can be concluded that the aqueous extract of A. spinosus exhibited apoptosis induction and cytotoxic activities.

Genotoxicity assessment of two common curing weeds: Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poir. and Leucas indica (L.) R. Br.

Hyptis suaveolens and Leucas indica, two common weeds were selected for the present study, to reveal their probable cytotoxic potential. The meristematic root tips of Allium cepa were used for testing the cytotoxic property of the aqueous leaf extracts containing both polar and non-polar compounds, and that containing polar compounds alone, at different concentrations (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 %) and at different time durations, using distilled water as negative control. Mitotic squash preparations were made using a standard protocol. The mitotic index of the treated root tip cells was found to be decreasing and the abnormality percentage was found to be increasing with increase in extract concentration when compared with the control. Maximum cytotoxicity was observed in the extract containing both polar and non-polar compounds. Both the tested plants were found to be cytotoxic. The abnormalities noticed were of both clastogenic (nuclear lesions, nuclear fragmentation, etc.) and non-clastogenic (aberrant cell wall formation at cytokinesis, ball metaphase, etc.) types. Both plant extracts were found to significantly (P < 0.05) inhibit root growth of Allium cepa with an EC50 value of 1.92 % (R(2) = 0.594) for Hyptis and 1.58 % (R(2) = 0.757) for Leucas. The results were also analysed statistically by using analysis of variance followed by appropriate post hoc tests. These two weeds are aromatic plants comprising of essential oils that are volatile, natural complex compounds characterized by a strong odour and formed as secondary metabolites. In nature, essential oils play an important role in the protection of the plants as insecticides by reducing their appetite for such plants. When specifically targeted the concept of effectively exploiting these weeds for the formulation of herbal insecticides/pesticides may be possible in the near future.

Antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of three species of Pogostemon.

Antimicrobial studies on 7 strains of bacteria and 8 strains of fungi using disk diffusion assay, revealed potential activities of crude essential oils in Pogostemon benghalensis, P. purpurascens and P. vestitus. Essential oils produced highest inhibition zones against Staphylococcus aureus (39.33, 37.33 and 35.67 mm for P. benghalensis essential oil) and Candida albicans (34.33, 26.33 and 17.67 mm for P. purpurascens essential oil) among bacteria and fungi respectively, when compared with pure reference standards (35 mm for Gentamycin sulphate (40 mg ml(-1)) against S. aureus and 30.33 mm for Nystatin [50 IU] against C. albicans). Results also indicated the existence of potential antimicrobial activity of Pogostemon essential oils against other microorganisms viz., Proteus vulgaris, E. coli and Aspergillus parasiticus. Leaf essential oils of P. purpurascens and P. benghalensis can be considered as a new source for developing local antifungal and antibacterial agents. An attempt was made to highlight the promising plant species for further investigation which leads to drug development.

A pharmacognostical report on the rhizome of Alpinia galanga Linn. (Willd).

Alpinia galanga Linn. (Willd) is an important raw drug used in large quantities in various indigenous formulations. In this paper the major diagnostic characters and the qualitative chemical and physical tests responsible for the pharmacognostic identity of the rhizomes have been reported.

Antimicrobial activity of methanol extract of Origanum majorana L. (Sweet marjoram).

In-vitro microbicidal activity of the methanol extract of Origanum majorana L. was tested against seven fungi (Fusarium solani, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, A. parasiticus, Rhizopus oryzae, Rhizoctonia otyzae-sativae and Altemaria brassicicola) and six bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, B. megaterium, Escherichia coil, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus). The methanol extract of O. majorana can be used as an effective herbal protectant against different pathogenic bacteria and fungi. High toxicity against the growth of Aspergillus niger was diagnosed.

Antimicrobial activities of Eusteralis deccanensis and E. quadrifolia essential oils.

Antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of Eusteralis deccanensis and E. quadrifolia were investigated on Bacillus subtilis, B. megaterium, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Rhizopus oryzae, Aspergillus niger and Colletotrichum musae. Both the oils possess growth inhibitory activity against most of the microorganisms tested.

Pharmacognostical and phytochemical investifations on the tuberous roots of hemidesmus indicus (linn.) R.br. (Asclepiadaceae).

The macroscopic and microscopic characters, physical constant values, extractive values, ash values the behaviour of the powerdered drug on treatment with different chemical reagents, microchemical ad histochemical analyses were conducted to characterize some pharmacognostical parameters of Hemidesmus indicus (Linn) R,Br. (Asclepiadaceae).

Pharmacognostical and phytochemical studies on curcuma amada (linn.) rhizome (zingiberaceae).

The macroscopic and microscopic characters, physical constant values, extractive values, ash values and the behaviour of powder drug on treatment with different chemical regents, microchemical and histochemical analyses were conducted to characterize some pharmacognostical parameters of Curcuma amada linn. (Zingiberaceae).

Essential oil analysis of Eusteralis deccanensis Panigrahi (Lamiaceae).

The phytochemical potential of Eusteralis deccanensis has been revealed for the first time. The volatile oil obtained from the leaves and flowers was found to be rich in alpha- and beta-patchoulene. In addition, GC analysis revealed three sesquiterpenes (beta-caryophyllene, beta-bourbonene, beta-elemene), two oxygenated monoterpenes (geranyl acetate, neryl acetate) and one sesquiterpene alcohol (delta-cadinol). The plant possesses a patchoulene chemotype.

Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Lantana camara.

The essential oil of Lantana camara, tested against seven bacteria and eight fungi, showed a wide spectrum of antibacterial and antifungal activities.