ANALGESIC AND ANTIEMETIC ACTIVITY OF CLEOME VISCOSA L

International audienceThe seeds of Cleome viscosa are used in traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of many diseases in Asia. This study evaluated fixed oil from the seeds of Cleome viscosa for analgesic and antiemetic activity by using the acetic acid induced writhing test in mice (intraperitoneally) and chick emetic model (oral treatment) respectively. The results showed significant analgesic and antiemetic activities of Cleome viscosa fixed oil

Insecticidal Activity of Castanospermum australe against stored Grain Pest Callosobruchus analis

ABSTRACT The butanol fraction of the leaves of Castanospermum australe Cunn. & Fraser., was tested on adult Callosobruchus analis (pulse beetle) for its insecticidal activity by impregnation method at concentration of 3, 9, 48, 240 and 354 µg / cm 2 . The result showed that the extract is toxic to Callosobruchus analis and the LD 50 was found to be 38 g/cm 2

Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Fixed Oil in Rodents

The seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris are known as common beans or kidney beans. The dry seeds are eaten as pulse and are enriched with protein, fiber, starch, B vitamins (B1, B6, B9), iron, potassium and selenium. Beans also contain about 1-2 % of fixed oil. Phaseolus vulgaris is linked with anticancer, antihyperlipidemic, hypoglycemic and antioxidant actions. The fixed oil of Phaseolus vulgaris (PVFO) seeds is extracted with hexane and used in this study to assess acute oral toxicity, analgesic (by acetic acid induced writhing, hot plate and tail flick tests in mice) and anti-inflammatory (by carrageenan induced paw edema in rats) actions. Four groups were made (n=6): Group-I: Normal Saline Control (2ml/kg), Group-II: PVFO (2ml/kg), Group-III: PVFO (4ml/kg) and Group-IV: Standard Acetyl salicylic acid (ASA 300 mg/kg). PVFO in 2ml/kg and 4ml/kg dose demonstrated analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities but in hot plate results were unreliable as here significant activity started after 90 minutes. For toxicity test 5ml/kg dose was administered orally in mice and no toxicity symptoms were observed. It is therefore concluded that PVFO is safe for oral use up to 5ml/kg and may possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions

Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Fixed Oil in Rodents

The seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris are known as common beans or kidney beans. The dry seeds are eaten as pulse and are enriched with protein, fiber, starch, B vitamins (B1, B6, B9), iron, potassium and selenium. Beans also contain about 1-2 % of fixed oil. Phaseolus vulgaris is linked with anticancer, antihyperlipidemic, hypoglycemic and antioxidant actions. The fixed oil of Phaseolus vulgaris (PVFO) seeds is extracted with hexane and used in this study to assess acute oral toxicity, analgesic (by acetic acid induced writhing, hot plate and tail flick tests in mice) and anti-inflammatory (by carrageenan induced paw edema in rats) actions. Four groups were made (n=6): Group-I: Normal Saline Control (2ml/kg), Group-II: PVFO (2ml/kg), Group-III: PVFO (4ml/kg) and Group-IV: Standard Acetyl salicylic acid (ASA 300 mg/kg). PVFO in 2ml/kg and 4ml/kg dose demonstrated analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities but in hot plate results were unreliable as here significant activity started after 90 minutes. For toxicity test 5ml/kg dose was administered orally in mice and no toxicity symptoms were observed. It is therefore concluded that PVFO is safe for oral use up to 5ml/kg and may possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions

Inhibitory potential of Phaseolus lunatus L. Seeds to Digestive Enzymes

Introduction: Study was taken with an objective to investigate the inhibitory effect of Phaseolus lunatus seeds extract on three enzymes (α-amylase, maltase and glucoamylase) which are involved in diabetes. The disadvantages related with the use of synthetic drugs make it necessary to search for alternative drugs from medicinal plants. One therapeutic approach for the treatment of postprandial hyperglycaemia is to decrease the plasma glucose level which can be attained by lowering the starch hydrolysis by digestive enzymes such as α-amylase, maltase and glucoamylase. The use of synthetic antidiabetic agents caused gastrointestinal side effects.  Methods: Hence, the research was aimed to evaluate the potential of Phaseolus lunatus seeds extract to inhibit α-amylase, maltase and glucoamylase as a possible mechanism of hypoglycemia caused by this plant with less side effects.  Phaseolus lunatus, also known as Lima bean, is native to Tropical America and are grown throughout the world. Lima bean has been prescribed traditionally to treat different diseases including diabetes. Result: The results of the present study showed that Phaseolus lunatus seeds extract have exerted both time and concentration dependent significant inhibitory effect on these digestive enzymes which might be due to cumulative effect of phytoconstituents present in the plant extract. Conclusion: Therefore, it can be said that the part of mechanisms by which Phaseolus lunatus exhibited its antidiabetic activity might be through the inhibition of these digestive enzyme

Pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical investigation of aerial parts of Centella asiatica linn

In Indo-Pak subcontinent, the traditional systems of medicine, both Ayurvedic and Unani are primarily based on the use of herbs and herb based preparation for therapy. Therefore, the importance of herbs identification process still remains the key factor in achieving the desired and successful therapeutic effect. To support the manufacturers and practitioners of both the systems, a huge quantity of herbs are still collected from wild source, as the herbal farming is not very much developed in this part of the world. During a survey program conducted in different areas of Pakistan, significant lacking and gaps were noted to be present in the identification & characterization of herbs which needs to be addressed and fulfilled as many species look alike apparently or physically but have different biological or pharmacological activity. Based on this objective and approach Centella asiatica was selected for pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical investigation to establish a better correlation and to provide useful methods in its identification as use of Centella asiatica is very common in Pakistan and other South Asian countries for CNS disorders therapy. Therefore, purpose of this study was to develop & report some and rapid identification method for Centella asiatica. The present study  includes physical, physicochemical, preliminary phytochemical and fluorescence analysis. For the first time, in the present study NIR and FT-IR spectrum of Centella asiatica have been reported for identification. Finding of the present study are quite promising which can be helpful for the manufacturers and researchers in the identification and development of Centella asiatica based new drugs or formulations

Pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical investigation of aerial parts of Centella asiatica linn

In Indo-Pak subcontinent, the traditional systems of medicine, both Ayurvedic and Unani are primarily based on the use of herbs and herb based preparation for therapy. Therefore, the importance of herbs identification process still remains the key factor in achieving the desired and successful therapeutic effect. To support the manufacturers and practitioners of both the systems, a huge quantity of herbs are still collected from wild source, as the herbal farming is not very much developed in this part of the world. During a survey program conducted in different areas of Pakistan, significant lacking and gaps were noted to be present in the identification & characterization of herbs which needs to be addressed and fulfilled as many species look alike apparently or physically but have different biological or pharmacological activity. Based on this objective and approach Centella asiatica was selected for pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical investigation to establish a better correlation and to provide useful methods in its identification as use of Centella asiatica is very common in Pakistan and other South Asian countries for CNS disorders therapy. Therefore, purpose of this study was to develop & report some and rapid identification method for Centella asiatica. The present study  includes physical, physicochemical, preliminary phytochemical and fluorescence analysis. For the first time, in the present study NIR and FT-IR spectrum of Centella asiatica have been reported for identification. Finding of the present study are quite promising which can be helpful for the manufacturers and researchers in the identification and development of Centella asiatica based new drugs or formulations

Investigation of Euphorbia nivulia-HAM for Enzyme Inhibition Potential in Relation to the Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents and Radical Scavenging Activity

Euphorbia nivulia-Ham (EN) is a neglected medicinal plant traditionally used for a number of pathologies, but it has not been explored scientifically. In the current study, its various fractions were assessed for their phenolic and flavonoid content, radical scavenging, as well as its enzyme inhibitory potential. The hydro-alcoholic crude extract (ENCr) was subjected to a fractionation scheme to obtain different fractions, namely n-hexane (ENHF), chloroform (ENCF), n-butanol (ENBF), and aqueous fraction (ENAF). The obtained results revealed that the highest phenolic and flavonoid content, maximum radical scavenging potential (91 ± 0.55%), urease inhibition (54.36 ± 1.47%), and α-glucosidase inhibition (97.84 ± 1.87%) were exhibited by ENCr, while the ENBF fraction exhibited the highest acetylcholinestrase inhibition (57.32 ± 0.43%). Contrary to these, hydro-alcoholic crude as well as the other fractions showed no significant butyrylcholinestrases (BChE) and carbonic anhydrase inhibition activity. Conclusively, it was found that EN possesses a significant radical scavenging and enzyme inhibitory potential. Thus, the study may be regarded a step forward towards evidence-based phyto-medicine

In vitro antiplasmodial activity and toxicity assessment of plant extracts used in traditional malaria therapy in the Lake Victoria Region

As part of our program screening the flora of the Lake Victoria Region, a total of 54 organic extracts from seven plant families (8 species) were individually tested for antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-sensitive [Sierra Leone (D-6)] and chloroquine-resistant [Vietnam (W-2)] strains. Only 22% of these extracts exhibited very high in vitro antiplasmodial activity. Six methanol (MeOH) extracts and one chloroform extract showed in vitro antiplasmodial activity against the D-6 Plasmodium falciparum strain, while only three MeOH extracts were active against the W-2 strain. All of the ethyl acetate extracts proved to be inactive against both strains of P. falciparum. A brine shrimp cytotoxicity assay was used to predict the potential toxicity of the extracts. The cytotoxicity to antiplasmodial ratios for the MeOH extracts were found to be greater than 100, which could indicate that the extracts are of low toxicity