OPUNTIA ELATIOR MILL.–ITS PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES-A REVIEW

Opuntia elatior Mill. (OE) (Family Cactaceae), commonly recognized as Red Prickly pear, is a plant of varied nutritional and medicinal benefits. The species has been scrutinized for the composition and wide array of pharmacological activities. This review is attempted with an aim to document the updated status of OE with respect to its phytochemistry and pharmacological actions. The data is collected from the extensive review of literatures from scientific articles, dissertations and books available on various web-based search engines such as Pub-med, Google-scholar and Science direct and few unpublished observations. The fruit is reported to be rich in carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenolics, betalains, vitamin C and minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and potassium. Extract and the fruit as a whole are reported for anti-oxidant, hematinic, anti-leukemic, anti-diabetic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, anti-fertility, broncho-dilatory, mast cell degranulation, radio-protective and anti-arthritic activities. It is reported to be safe for administration in a dose dependent manner. OE is a nutritionally and medicinally important drug with a wide range of traditional and pharmacological applications. There is a vast scope for research on the varied traditional claims of this drug. This review might help for the further research on the species

EFFECT OF SHODHANA (PURIFICATION/PROCESSING) ON POWDER MICROSCOPICAL AND ANALYTICAL PARAMETERS OF GUNJA (ABRUS PRECATORIUS LINN.) SEEDS

Objective: Seeds of Gunja (Abrus precatorius Linn.) are being used by the Ayurvedic physicians for the management of different diseases only after proper shodhana (processing) with some specific media like godugdha (cow's milk), kanji (sour gruel) and nimbu swarasa (lemon juice). The impact of shodhana on gunja seed through microscopical and analytical profile have not been studied and reported scientifically yet. Hence, the present study has been designed to evaluate the effect of shodhana on phyto-pharmacognostical characters of Gunja seeds.Methods: Red variety of Gunja seeds were processed with cow's milk for six hours whereas sour gruel, lemon juice and water (as control) for three hours following the standard procedures for swedana (boiling), recommended by the classical text of Ayurveda. The obtained seeds were investigated for their powder microscopical characters and phytochemical characters like preliminary phytochemical screening (qualitative test) and quantitative estimation for protein following standard protocol.Results: Organoleptic study shows variations in colour, odour, taste and appearance in all samples (coarse powder) after shodhana. Powder microscopical study highlights some changes like more number of oil globules in godugdha (cow's milk) shodhita and starch grains in kanji (sour gruel) shodhita gunja seeds. Preliminary phytochemical screening reveals the presence of alkaloids, saponin glycoside, flavonoids, reducing sugar, etc. and protein estimation shows the minimization of protein contents in most of the sample after shodhana.Conclusion: The observed data can be helpful to delineate the impact of shodhana process on gunja seeds.Â

A COMPARATIVE PHARMACOGNOSTICAL EVALUATION OF THREE BOTANICAL SOURCE PLANTS OF JIVANTI

Objective: This study was undertaken to carry out a comparative pharmacognostical evaluation of three botanical source plants used in the name of classical Ayurvedic drug Jivanti.Methods: Leaves of three source plants of jivanti belonging to Asclepiadaceae family i.e. Leptadenia reticulata (Retz.), Holostemma ada-kodien Schult. and Wattakaka volubilis (Linn. f.) Stapf were evaluated for morphological and microscopical characters including quantitative microscopy, surface study, powder microscopy and histochemical studies.Results: Morphologically all the three species showed some similar characters like simple, opposite leaves with reticulate venation. The shape of the leaves were ovate to oblong in L reticulata and H ada-kodien whereas W volubilis was having broadly ovate or suborbicular leaves. Multicellular glandular warty trichomes, rosette crystals of calcium oxalate, lactiferous cells were observed in all the three species whereas prismatic crystals were also present in W volubilis. Palisade ratio and stomatal index were higher in H ada-kodien followed by L reticulata. Characteristic differences in the organoleptic characters like colour, taste, touch were observed in individual powder samples. Test for lignin, calcium oxalate crystal, starch grain and tannin showed a positive result in all the three samples.Conclusion: The present study reports specific pharmacognostical characteristics for the identification and differentiation of each botanical source plant. The observed results can also serve as a reference for any further investigations

ASSESSMENT OF EFFECT OF SHODHANA ON PHYTOCHEMICAL AND CHROMATOGRAPHICAL PROFILE OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CLASSICAL PROCESSED DANTI (BALIOSPERMUM MONTANUM WILLD.) ROOT

Objective: Ayurveda recommends the use of Danti root after Shodhana (Processing/Purification) where the powder Pippali (Piperlongum Linn.) fruit, honey and Kusha (Desmostachya bippinata Stapf.) leaves are being used. But the additive effect of all these drugs on Danti root are yet to be explored scientifically. Principal component analysis (PCA), a multivariate data analysis technique targeting to assess the discrimination effect of psychic nut, for evaluating the additive effect, can be used to assess the effect of Shodhana on preliminary physicochemical, phytochemical parameters upon four levels of Danti (Baliospermum montanum Willd.) root.Methods: Roots of raw Danti, after proper botanical authentication, were subjected for classically recommended Shodhana procedure and four groups of Danti root like raw Danti (RD), Classical processed Danti root (CPDR), Kusha processed Danti root (KPDR), water processed Danti root (WPDR) were obtained at various levels of Danti Shodhana. Methanolic macerated extracts of all four Danti root groups were subjected for preliminary physicochemical, phytochemical and chromatographic screening. The obtained data were analyzed with the help of the Un-scrambler Camo Software for multivariate data analysis.Results: The methanolic and water extractive value of CPDR group is more than remaining sections holding lower ash value and high-intensity colour reaction during phytochemical screenings of steroid, flavonoid etc.Conclusion: Analysis of PCA technique suggests a similar trend in between RD and KPDR group while CPDR and WPDR on a different in score plot

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL GENETIC BARCODING AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS ON LEAVES OF DALBERGIA VOLUBILIS ROXB.–AN EXTRA PHARMACOPOEIAL DRUG

Objective: The leaves of Biraskala have been reported for its ethnomedicinal claims for the management of aphthae, heart pain, menorrhagia and post-partum problem. Botanically it has been identified as Dalbergia volubilis Roxb. This research article overcomes the lacuna and explores the anatomical, Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) barcoding and preliminary phytochemical analysis including High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC).Methods: After proper authentication, leaves were exposed to macroscopy, microscopy and micrometric analysis and physicochemical, qualitative, quantitative and HPTLC study as per of Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API). DNA barcoding of the fresh tender leaves samples were carried out following standard methods.Results: Macroscopically leaves are compound, unipinnate, imparipinnate, rachis base pulvinus, leaflets 11-13. Microscopy of T. S. of rachis resembles anatomical structure of stem. Schematic outline of T. S. of petiolule is circular in shape with single layer epidermis is followed by ground tissue and centrally located vascular bundle. Schematic outline of T. S. of leaflet is bulged in the center and the extending arms of lamina are linear. Surface study reveals stomatal index to be 33.33. The genetic barcoding confirms the species D. volubilis. Loss on drying was found to be 8.78±0.57. HPTLC results shows 6 peaks and 7 peaks at 254 and 366 nm.Conclusion: D. volubilis, is a woody climbing unarmed inland shrub with stipules modified into hook and imparipinnately unipinnate compound leaves, are the key field identification character of the plant. Typical microscopical characteristic are presence of solitary crystal mostly embedded in sheath surrounding the vascular bundle and paracyctic type of stomata

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF WILD AND CULTIVATED VARIETIES OF ERANDA (RICINUS COMMUNIS LINN.) ROOT

In Ayurveda, Eranda (Ricinus communis Linn; Euphorbiaceae) root is highlighted for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic action and used as one of the ingredient in many compound formulations. Ricinus communis L. is available both in wild as well as cultivated state. Due to its high demand and less supply of wild variety root, its cultivated variety is fulfilling the market demand. Hence, the present study is carried to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of both the varieties of Eranda root. Decoction of both wild and cultivated varieties of Eranda root (10.8 ml/kg) were taken as test drugs, Phenyl butazone (100 mg/kg) as reference standard and experiment was carried out on Wistar strain albino rats following carrageenan induced paw edema model. Students unpaired t test was applied for analyzing the obtained data, after one, three and five hours. Wild variety root decoction, at studied dose (10.8 ml/kg) level, showed marked decrease in paw edema, in comparison to normal control rats, after one hour (25.25%) and five hours (27.79%) of carrageenan injection. The wild variety root provides additional anti-inflammatory effect, in comparison to reference standard (in percentage form), after one hour (13.63%) and five hours (22.18%) whereas the cultivated variety decreased the inflammation after one hour (15.15%) and increase the inflammation after five hours (02.50%). Decoction of wild variety, of Ricinus communis L. root provided considerable suppression of carrageenan induced paw edema compared to its cultivated variety

SHELF-LIFE ASSESSMENT OF EUPHORBIA ANTIQUORUM LINN., EUPHORBIA CADUCIFOLIA HAINES, EUPHORBIA NIVULIA BUCH. HAM AND EUPHORBIA TIRUCALLI LINN. LATEX

Objective: In the present study, an attempt was made to assess the shelf life of the Snuhi latex which is frequently used in fresh condition for the preparation of Ksharasutra, a medicated thread, used in Ayurveda. Methods: The latex of E. antiquorum, E. caducifolia, E. nivulia and E. tirucalli were collected individually and stored in air tight glass vials during the month of May, 2018. Physical attributes like Colour, odour, appearances, pH and microbial load of all four samples were assessed as per standard protocol. Assessment was made every day, 9 AM, for 7 d in room temperature and for 10 d in refrigerated samples. Results: Result shows that, pH range (start-end day) was 4.25-5.18, 4.79-5.12, 4.48-4.76 and 4.40-5.42 in case of E. antiquorum, E. caducifolia, E. nivulia and E. tirucalli at room temperature. It was found that, Aspergillus niger was found in Euphorbia antiquorum, Euphorbia caducifolia whereas Candida albicans was found in Euphorbia tirucalli latex in fungal culture on the 7th day after collection, when the samples were stored at room temperature. All the samples were free from microbial growth up to 10thday when stored at 4-5 °C in a refrigerator. Conclusion: Temperature, and moisture affects the quality of fresh snuhi latex. The latex remains free from microbial growth up to six days in room temperature and up to 10 d under at refrigerated temperature (4-5 °C)

Therapeutic potential of wild edible vegetables - A Review

Wild edible plants play an important role in the livelihood of people residing in rural areas. Even today in most of the remote areas, people depend on plants which are available in their natural surroundings for food, medicine, shelter etc. Majority of wild edible vegetables have medicinal property and can be used to treat common ailments. The present paper focuses on ethno-medicinal properties of some non-cultivated, traditional vegetables from published research articles, books and web based search engines. On the basis of available ethno-botanical information through published literature studies, it is observed that one or the other part of wild vegetables belonging to about 97 species of 48 families are used as medicine apart from their nutritional benefits. About 43 species of leaves, 14 species of rhizome/tuber, 11 species of fruits, 9 species of shoot/stem, and 7 species of flowers are used for food as well as medicinal purposes. Total 66 among these are used internally, 21 are used externally and 14 are being used for both internal and external administration. About 52 different disease conditions like diabetes, rheumatism, dysentery, dyspepsia, gastritis, constipation, urinary disorders are frequently treated by these wild vegetables. These are easily available in natural habitat, cheap and excellent source of nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, iron, essential minerals and other secondary metabolites. Regular use of these vegetables may indirectly act as an alternative source of medicinal drugs along with nutritional benefits. Further, they can be analyzed for their bioactive constituents and introduced as diet in routine clinical practice

Study of the safety profile of raw (aśodhita) and cow’s urine processed (gomūtra śodhita) tubers of Gloriosa superba L. (Lāngali) in albino rats

Lāngali (Gloriosa superba L.) is a drug in upaviṣa varga (semi-poisonous drug) which has to undergo śodhana procedure before its therapeutic use. The present study was planned to assess the role of śodhana of Lāngali tuber by gomūtra on its safety aspects in experimental animals, which is recommended by Ayurvedic Formulary of India. The therapeutic dose of Lāngali as per API is 125 to 250 mg/day. For the present study the higher dose i.e. 250 mg was selected. Wistar strain albino rats were used for the study. The animals were divided into seven groups and each group contained 12 animals (six male and six female). The study was done for 90 days followed by 30 days (total 120 days) recovery study. Various haematological, biochemical parameters and histopathology of the organs were studied. The study showed that śodhana process attenuates the toxicity producing potential of raw Lāngali. When processed with gomūtra, lāngali root produces good spermatogenic effect while raw/ aśodhita lāngali hampers spermatogenesis at 10 times dose level. So it can be concluded that both raw and śodhita Langali found relatively safe up to 5 times therapeutic dose level