Pharmacognostical, SEM and XRF profile of the leaves of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Moraceae) A contribution to combat the NTD

Objective: To study in detail the micromorphology including Scanning Electron Microscopy and phyto, physicochemical analysis along with determination of trace elements by X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer of the leaves of Artocarpus heterophyllus family-Moraceae which possesses various bioactive components and many traditional and pharmacologically validated uses in the treatment of many diseases including NTD. Methods: Macroscopy, microscopy including SEM, physicochemical analysis, preliminary phytochemical screening, XRF and other WHO recommended parameters for standardizations were performed. Results: Leaves are Obovate elliptic – elliptic, alternate 5-25cm, Width 4-12 cm broad. Dark green with entire margin, cuspidate apex and symmetrical base with ridge and furrowed petiole. Microscopic evaluation revealed the presence of anomocytic stomata in lower epidermis and apostomatic upper epidermis, unicellular trichomes which are arised from thick walled circular, lignified ring of ten radially elongated epidermal rosette cells, xylem vessels, phloem, fibres. SEM of midrib showed many folded appearance.No diagnostic feature and new kind of microcostituents not previously recognized and apparently simple structure which may be extremly complex was observed.         Identification of inorganic minerals of the leaves of A.heterophyllus by XRF showed the presence of minerals Calcium (39.4%), Potassium (29.6%), Magnesium (2.06%), Manganese (0.13%), chlorine (2%), Iron (0.99%). Vein islet numbers, vein termination numbers, stomatal number, stomatal index and other physico chemical tests like ash values, loss on drying, extractive values were determined. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of sterols, tannins, proteins and aminoacids, flavonoids, terpenoids, mucilage, saponin, carbohydrates and absence of alkaloids, fixed and volatile oil. Conclusion: The microscopic using histological identification, microscopic constants and other phyto, physico chemical examinations of the leaves of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. can be used as a rapid, inexpensive botanical identification technique and is useful in standardization, hence would be of immense value in authentication of the leaf as it proved to have wide panel of pharmacological and ethno medical use including prevention and treatment of NT

Wound healing activity of the leaves of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Moraceae) on ex-vivo porcine skin wound healing model

ABSTRACT Objective: To prescreen the ex- vivo wound healing activity of flavonoid rich fraction of ethyl acetate extract of the leaves of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. Family Moraceae using porcine skin wound healing model (PSWHM) along with  phytochemical, XRF, HPTLC analysis. The aim of this present study is to provide pharmacological validation to the traditional claim for wound healing activity of Artocarpus heterophyllus leaves. Method: Total phenolic content by UV spectral methods and ursolic acid content by HPTLC, trace elements by X-ray fluorescence were determined.  The wound healing effect of the ethyl acetate extract of the leaves of A.heterophyllus (EAAH) was evaluated using ex- vivo porcine skin wound healing model - a novel organ culture model system for evaluation of drugs in cell-cell junction in the wound healing process. Results: Total phenolic content by UV method, HPTLC determination of ursolic acid content of EAAH was found to be 376.5mg/g GAE, 134mg/g respectively. XRF study showed the presence of calcium (39.4%), potassium (29.6%), magnesium (2.06%), Iron (0.99%), sulphur (1.83%), zinc (0.083%), strontium (0.23%), manganese (0.13%) and aluminium (0.005%).   Histopathological evaluation showed all treated wounds were sound with no signs of apoptosis, necrosis or bacterial contamination and no toxicity of the tested concentrations of EAAH of the leaves. Morphology of the wound margins, epidermis and dermis layer were found to be normal. Epidermal migration or keratinocyte migration distances from the edges of each wound were measured, normalized with the PBS control group and expressed as mean%. The result clearly showed EAAH (1.5%) promoted statistically significant wound healing effect is comparable to the standard drug Mupirocin. Conclusion: This study indicates that the ethyl acetate extract of the leaves of A.heterophyllus possesses potential wound healing activity on ex-vivo porcine skin wound healing model. Wound healing activity of EAAH (leaves) may be due to its phenolic content (flavonoids), triterpenoids constituents especially ursolic acid. Both of them known to have astringent property which is responsible for wound contraction and increased rate of epithelialisation along with the supportive anti-microbial activity. More over trace elements like Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe) supports wound healing property as essential trace mineral are required for cellular growth and replication. This present investigation provides scientific evidence to ethnomedical use of A.heterophyllus leaves in wound healing activity. Our study showed significant enhancement of wound repair and therefore can be beneficially, safely used as auxiliary therapy in diabetic patient with foot ulcers in addition to the other available treatment as the leaves possesses scientifically validated traditional use in diabete

Pomegranate (Punicagranatum. Linn. var. Ganesh) Leaf Extracts Ameliorates Neurotoxicity In Transgenic Drosophila Expressing Human Amyloid Pathology

To prescreen the in vivo neuroprotective activity of the chloroform, ethanol extracts of the leaves of Punicagranatum L.var. Ganesh family Punicaceae, commonly called pomegranate, using the model organism Aβ42 -amyloid neurotoxicity included Drosophila melanogaster. Chloroform(CEPGL), ethanol, (EEPGL) extracts were prepared, and its analysis by HPLC were carried out. Acute toxicity assessments were also performed. The neuroprotective effect of CEPGL, EEPGL in vivo was evaluated on the transgenic Aβ42 model of Drosophila melanogaster, a novel model system for screening drugs for Alzheimer’s disease by longevity assay, Climbing assay, Pseudopupil assay and nail polish imprint technique, and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). HPLC profile of the CEPGL, EEPGL showed the presence of Ursolic acid. Toxicity assessment using brine shrimp lethality bioassay (BSLA) of the CEPGL, EEPGL showed nontoxic up to 2500, 2000 ppm, respectively. The extracts possess potential in vivo neuroprotective activity on Drosophila melanogaster against beta-amyloid included neuronal toxicity. Conclusion: In the present study, we have presented the first evidence of the extracts of the leaves could significantly ameliorate the adverse morphological changes from Aβ42 protein in Drosophila, as indicated by prolonging the lifespan, by improving locomotor abilities and rescuing neuro-degeneration in ommatidia of Aβ42 expressing Drosophila which is comparable with donepezil. So it demonstrated the novel use of Ursolic acid of the extracts CEPGL, EEPGL effectively protect, rescue and most importantly, restore the impaired movement activity (i.e., climbing capability) in Drosophila melanogaster

<b>Dechitinising property of <i>Caesalpinia bonduc </i>(Linn.) Roxb. </b><b>against C</b><b style=""><i>ulex quinquefasciatus</i></b><b> </b>

290-292The fourth instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus were exposed to the petroleum ether and ethanolic extract of the leaves of Caesalpinia bonduc (Linn.) Roxb. emend. Dandy & Exell. The larvicidal activity was prominent and 100% mortality was observed in 1% concentration of both the extracts. Moreover, both the extracts caused thinning of chitin of the larvae exposed, which may be the reason for mortality of the larvae. The chitin thickness in the treated larvae was measured at various parts like head, thorax, abdomen, siphon tube and compared with that of the control. Further work is in progress to isolate the active constituent responsible for the dechitinising property

Phytochemical analysis of ethanolic extract of Dichrostachys Cinerea W and Arn leaves by a thin layer chromatography, high performance thin layer chromatography and column chromatography

Background: The leaves of Dichrostachys cinerea are used as laxative, diuretic, painkiller. It is also used in the treatment of gonorrhoea, boils, oedema, gout, veneral diseases and nasopharyngeal affections, etc. Materials and Methods: The Phytochemical investigation of ethanolic extract of D. cinerea leaves were performed by standard chemical tests, thin layer chromatography (TLC) by using various solvent systems, and by high performance liquid chromatography (HPTLC). Two compounds were isolated by column chromatography and one of the compounds was identified by various spectral studies. Result : Preliminary phytochemical screening of ethanolic extract of D. cinerea leaves showed the presence of Carbohydrates, proteins, Glycosides, Saponins, Tannins, Aminoacids and Terpenoids. The TLC and HPTLC fingerprint of ethanolic extract were studied and various fractions were isolated by column chromatography and one of the fraction contain β-amyrin glucoside which was confirmed by Infra Red[IR] Spectroscopy, 1 H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), C- 13 NMR and Mass spectroscopic (MS) studies