11 research outputs found
Botany, chemistry, and pharmaceutical significance of Sida cordifolia: a traditional medicinal plant
Sida cordifolia Linn. belonging to the family, Malvaceae has been widely employed in traditional medications in many parts of the world including India, Brazil, and other Asian and African countries. The plant is extensively used in the Ayurvedic medicine preparation. There are more than 200 plant species within the genus Sida, which are distributed predominantly in the tropical regions. The correct taxonomic identification is a major concern due to the fact that S. cordifolia looks morphologically similar with its related species. It possesses activity against various human ailments, including cancer, asthma, cough, diarrhea, malaria, gonorrhea, tuberculosis, obesity, ulcer, Parkinson’s disease, urinary infections, and many others. The medical importance of this plant is mainly correlated to the occurrence of diverse biologically active phytochemical compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and steroids. The major compounds include β-phenylamines, 2-carboxylated tryptamines, quinazoline, quinoline, indole, ephedrine, vasicinone, 5-3-isoprenyl flavone, 5,7-dihydroxy-3-isoprenyl flavone, and 6-(isoprenyl)- 3-methoxy- 8-C-β-D-glucosyl-kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucosyl[1–4]-α-D-glucoside. The literature survey reveals that most of the pharmacological investigations on S. cordifolia are limited to crude plant extracts and few isolated pure compounds. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate many other unexplored bioactive phytoconstituents with evidences so as to justify the traditional usages of S. cordifolia. Furthermore, detailed studies on the action of mechanisms of these isolated compounds supported by clinical research are necessary for validating their application in contemporary medicines. The aim of the present chapter is to provide a detailed information on the ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological aspects of S. cordifolia
Antiparkinsonian Effects of Aqueous Methanolic Extract of Hyoscyamus niger Seeds Result From its Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitory and Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging Potency
Hyoscyamus species is one of the four plants
used in Ayurveda for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
(PD). Since Hyoscyamus niger was found to contain negligible
levels of L-DOPA, we evaluated neuroprotective
potential, if any, of characterized petroleum ether and
aqueous methanol extracts of its seeds in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-
1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) model of PD in
mice. Air dried authenticated H. niger seeds were
sequentially extracted using petroleum ether and aqueous
methanol and were characterized employing HPLC-electrochemistry
and LCMS. Parkinsonian mice were treated
daily twice with the extracts (125–500 mg/kg, p.o.) for two
days and motor functions and striatal dopamine levels were
assayed. Administration of the aqueous methanol extract
(containing 0.03% w/w of L-DOPA), but not petroleum ether extract, significantly attenuated motor disabilities
(akinesia, catalepsy and reduced swim score) and striatal
dopamine loss in MPTP treated mice. Since the extract
caused significant inhibition of monoamine oxidase activity
and attenuated 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium (MPP?)-
induced hydroxyl radical (�OH) generation in isolated
mitochondria, it is possible that the methanolic extract of
Hyoscyamus niger seeds protects against parkinsonism in
mice by means of its ability to inhibit increased �OH
generated in the mitochondria