PHYTOCHEMICALS, ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND PHENOLIC PROFILING OF DIPLOCYCLOS PALMATUS (L.) C. JEFFERY

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze phytochemicals, antioxidant potential and phenolic profiling of leaf and fruit extracts of Diplocyclos palmatus.Methods: The leaves and fruits were subjected for sequential extraction with hexane, chloroform, methanol and water. All extracts were subjected to biochemical studies such as phenols, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids and antioxidant assays such as 1,1-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2' Azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant property (FRAP), metal chelating and phospho- molybdenum reduction assay. Further methanolic extract was used for phenolics characterization by reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC).Results: It was observed that methanol fruit extract showed significantly higher phenolics (9.29±0.01 mg tannic acid equivalent (TAE)/g extract), flavonoids (15.02±0.96 mg catechin equivalent (CE)/g extract) and terpenoids (276.73±0.76 mg ursolic acid equivalent (UAE)/g extract). However, chloroform extracts of leaf and fruit exhibited a high amount of tannins (22.07±0.06, 6.99±0.10 mg CE/g extract) respectively. The extracts were subjected to assess their antioxidant potential using various in vitro systems such as DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, metal chelating and phospho- molybdenum reduction. Among the various extracts, methanol fruit extract had highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (26.73±0.14 mg ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE)/g extract), metal chelating activity (0.80±0.01 mg EDTA equivalent (EE)/g extract) and phospho- molybdenum activity (291.24±2.19 mg AAE/g extract). In ABTS radical scavenging assay, aqueous leaf extract (12.11±0.07 mg trolox equivalent (TE)/g extract) showed the best response. The effective ferric reducing antioxidant property (141.54±10.12 mg Fe (II)/g extract) was exhibited by aqueous fruit extract. Overall, methanol and water were found to be the best solvents for the extraction of antioxidant compounds from fruit and leaf. In the RP-HPLC analysis, the major bioactive phenolic compounds such as catechin (CA) and hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) were recorded in leaf as compared to fruit. In leaf, CA and chlorogenic acid (CLA) were principal compounds in leaf and fruit respectively. However, gallic acid (GA), HBA, CLA and vanillic acid (VA) were widespread in leaf and fruit. Conclusion: On the basis of the results, it was found that D. palmatus may serve as a novel and rich source of natural antioxidants and it can be further explored for pharmaceutical purposes

Pharmacology and phytochemical profile of Wattakaka volubilis (L.f.) Stapf: A systematic review

Wattakaka volubilis (L.f.) Stapf, a substantial woody climber of the family Apocynaceae, is widely employed in numerous Ayurvedic formulations to treat leucoderma, asthma, tumors, urinary tract infections, piles, and inflammations. Traditionally, its leaves and entire plant are utilized to alleviate cough, severe cold, fever, rheumatic pain, rabies, snakebites, boils, abscesses, and ocular afflictions. Diverse chemical constituents, encompassing alkaloids, terpenes, amino acids, tannins, pregnane glycosides, flavonoids, and polyphenols, are present in the extracts from different plant parts such as bark, leaves, flowers, and fruits. These extracts exhibit a wide array of pharmacological properties, including anticancer, larvicidal, anti-leishmanial, chondroprotective, and anthelmintic activities. However, for thorough validation, well-designed in vivo and clinical trials are imperative to substantiate its immense medicinal potential. The current investigation aims to deliver a comprehensive review of the bioactive compounds and pharmacological attributes of this plant

A comprehensive review on traditional therapeutic uses, bioactive principles and pharmacological activities of Kantakari (Solanum virginianum L.): An important Ayurvedic herb

Solanum virginianum L., a perennial wild plant, belongs to the 'Dashamoola' group in Ayurveda. 'Kantkari Ghrita' in Charaka Samhita is used for cough, cold, fever, asthma, and cardiac diseases. 'Dasmul Asava' and 'Dashmularishta' are tonics for lactating mothers. Inflammatory disorders, rheumatism, and diabetes are traditionally treated using leaf juice and fruits. Various plant parts contain bioactive compounds like solamargine, solasonine, campesterol, ?-sitosterol, cycloartenol, chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid, etc. Roots, flowers, stems, and fruits are used for their medicinal properties such as carminative, febrifuge, expectorant, diuretic, and bitter tonic effects. They are employed to treat cough, asthma, fever, toothache, tuberculosis, rheumatism, sore throat, kidney disorders, gonorrhea, vesicular eruptions, and burning sensation in the feet. Different extracts from various plant parts exhibit significant anti-inflammatory, nephroprotective, anti-asthmatic, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, larvicidal, antinociceptive, antispermatogenic, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities. This study reviews 37 relevant research articles to comprehensively explore the plant's traditional uses, bioactive compounds, and pharmacological properties in both in-vitro and in-vivo settings, along with their mechanisms of action