ETHNOBOTANICAL USES, PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF PEPEROMIA PELLUCIDA (L.) KUNTH (PIPERACEAE)-A REVIEW

Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth is a herb belonging to the family Piperaceae. In this review, an extensive literature survey was carried out to compile information available on medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of P. pellucida. The plant is used as food, flavoring agent and as medicine. The plant is used as medicine for treating various ailments or disorders such as asthma, rheumatism, wound, fever, stomach problems, kidney infection, hemorrhoid pain, joint pain, hypertension, diarrhea, snake bite and measles. The plant contains phytochemical groups such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, steroids and glycosides. Compounds such as dill apiole, phytol, stigmasterol, sitosterol, secolignans, tetrahydrofuran lignans, highly methoxylated dihydronaphthalenone, peperomins, sesamin and isoswertisin have been identified in the plant. Studies have shown that the plant exhibited several pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, neuropharmacological, antisickling, anticancer, enzyme inhibitory, antiulcer, hypotensive, immunostimulatory, fracture healing and antidiabetic activities which support the traditional use of the plant. Purified chemicals from the plant have also shown to exhibit certain pharmacological activities such as antiulcer, anticancer and antimicrobial activity. By this extensive literature review, it can be concluded that P. pellucida can be utilized as a promising candidate for developing newer drugs with potent pharmacological activities.Â

Inhibitory Effect of Some Plants of Western Ghats of Karnataka against Colletotrichum capsici

Anthracnose is a serious disease of chilli which results in major crop loss. Species of Colletotrichum are the causative agents of chilli anthracnose. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of a total of 50 extracts from 35 plants (belonging to 23 botanical families) of Western Ghats of Shivamogga district, Karnataka, India. The powdered plant materials were extracted using methanol. The methanol extracts were screened for antifungal activity by Poisoned food technique against Colletotrichum capsici isolated from anthracnose of chilli. All extracts were effective in inhibiting the growth of C. capsici but to a varied extent (16 to 74% inhibition). The mycelial growth of fungus was found to be reduced on poisoned plates when compared to control plate. Marked inhibitory efficacy was observed in case of leaf extract of Maesa indica (74.19%) followed by leaf extract of Pimenta dioica (70.96%). Least inhibition of the fungus was shown by leaf extract of Persea macrantha (16.13%). The extent of inhibition of the fungus by other extracts ranged between 20 to 70%. In conclusion, the plants selected in this study appear promising as natural antifungal agents. Further field studies are to be conducted to determine the possible application of these plants in the control of chilli anthracnose.Keywords: Western Ghats; Antifungal activity; Poisoned food technique; Colletotrichum capsici; Anthracnose of chill

ANTIRADICAL, ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF HARPULLIA ARBOREA (BLANCO) RADLK. (SAPINDACEAE)

Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate antiradical and antimicrobial potential of extract of Harpullia arborea (Blanco) Radlk. (Sapindaceae) leaves obtained by maceration process.Methods: Antiradical activity of leaf extract was performed by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. Antibacterial activity of leaf extract was carried out by Agar well diffusion assay. Antifungal activity of leaf extract was carried out by Poisoned food technique.Results: Leaf extract displayed concentration dependent scavenging of radicals with potent scavenging activity against ABTS radicals (IC50 value 4.26µg/ml) when compared to DPPH radicals (IC50 value 27.26µg/ml). Extract exhibited inhibitory activity against all test bacteria. Marked and least activity was observed against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli respectively. Considerable reduction in the mycelial growth of test fungi was observed in poisoned plates. Curvularia sp. and Alternaria sp. were inhibited to highest and least extent respectively. Conclusion: In suitable form, the plant can be used to treat oxidative damage, infectious diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria and to manage seed-borne fungi

Elemental Analysis and Bioactivities of Ripe and Unripe Pericarp of Polyalthia longifolia (Annonaceae)

Polyalthia longifolia (Annonaceae) is an ornamental street tree having several medicinal values. The plant is used in traditional systems of medicine. The present study was conducted with an aim of estimating the content of minerals and determining bioactivities viz., antibacterial, cytotoxic and larvicidal activity of ripe and unripe pericarp of P. longifolia. The content of major and minor elements in powdered ripe and unripe pericarp was estimated by ICP-OES after microwave digestion using nitric acid. The pericarp powders were extracted using methanol and the extracts were subjected to preliminary phytochemical analysis. Antibacterial activity of pericarp extracts was determined against two Gram positive and three Gram negative bacteria by agar well diffusion assay. Cytotoxic potential of pericarp extracts was determined against two cell lines viz., HT-29 and MDA-MB-231 by MTT assay. Insecticidal activity, in terms of larvicidal activity of pericarp extracts was tested against II instar larvae of Aedes aegypti. The content of all elements except copper was highest in ripe pericarp. The content of potassium and iron was highest among major and minor elements respectively. Pericarp extracts caused dose dependent inhibition of test bacteria. Extract of ripe pericarp caused higher inhibition of test bacteria than extract of unripe pericarp. Both extracts showed concentration dependent cytotoxic effect. The cytotoxic effect of both the extract was pronounced against HT-29 than MDA-MB-231. The extracts exhibited dose dependent larvicidal effect. Among extracts, potent larvicidal activity was observed in case of ripe extract. Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids and glycosides in both the extracts. In conclusion, the ripe and unripe pericarp extracts of P. longifolia were found to contain various minerals in an appreciable quantity. The observed dose dependent bioactivities viz., antibacterial, cytotoxic and larvicidal activities might be ascribed to the presence of phytoconstituents. There is a great potential for the development of therapeutic agents from ripe and unripe pericarp. Further studies on isolation of active principles from pericarp extracts and their bioactivity determinations are under progress.Keywords: Polyalthia longifolia; Pericarp; Minerals; ICP-OES; Agar well diffusion; MTT;Larvicida

Antibacterial activity of flower extract of Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Delonix regia and Peltaphorum ferrugineum against Urinary tract Pathogens

Abstract The present study wa

Synthesis, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Evaluation of Novel 1-(5,7-Dichloro-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline Derivatives

Some novel 1-(5,7-dichloro-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline derivatives 8(a–f) were synthesized by reacting 5,7-dichloro-2-hydrazino-1,3-benzoxazole 4 and substituted-2-chloro-3-quinoline carbaldehydes using p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA) as a catalyst for the cyclisation. The target molecules have been characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectral studies. The synthesized compounds were screened for biological activities, and some of the compounds have exhibited encouraging antibacterial and antioxidant activities. The compounds 8a and 8e showed potent antibacterial activity, whereas the compounds 8e and 8f act as antioxidants

Mineral Composition, Total Phenol Content and Antioxidant Activity of a Macrolichen Everniastrum cirrhatum (Fr.) Hale (Parmeliaceae)

In the present study, we investigated for the first time mineral composition, total phenol content and antioxidant activity of a foliose macrolichen Everniastrum cirrhatum (Fr.) Hale (Parmeliaceae) from Bhadra wildlife sanctuary, Karnataka, India. Mineral content of the lichen was estimated by Atomic absorption spectrophotometer after acid digestion. The secondary metabolites were detected by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and phytochemical assays. The lichen material was extracted with methanol in soxhlet apparatus. Total phenol content was estimated by folin ciocalteu method. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH, Ferric reducing and metal chelating assays. Among the principal elements, calcium was found in high concentration followed by magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. Among trace elements, iron was detected in high amount followed by zinc, manganese and copper. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was found to be dose dependent with an IC50 of 6.73 μg/mL. In ferric reducing assay, the absorbance increased with the concentration of extract suggesting reducing power. The extract exhibited good metal chelating activity with an IC50 value of 29.28 μg/mL. Total phenol content was 101.2 mg tannic acid equivalents per gram of extract. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and terpenoids. TLC revealed atranorin, salazinic acid and protolichesterinic acid. The lichen can be consumed as a source of minerals required for the body as appreciable amount of minerals has been detected. The marked antioxidant activity may be attributed to the presence of phenol content in the extract. Further studies on isolation of metabolites and their bioactivities are under investigation

ANTIMICROBIAL, ANTIRADICAL AND INSECTICIDAL ACTIVITY OF GARDENIA GUMMIFERA L. F. (RUBIACEAE)

Objective: The present study was carried out to investigate antimicrobial, antiradical and insecticidal potential of leaf and fruit of Gardenia gummifera L. f. (Rubiaceae).Methods: The leaf and fruits were shade dried, powdered and extracted by maceration process using methanol. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria by Agar well diffusion assay. Antifungal activity was determined against six seed-borne fungi by Poisoned food technique. Antiradical activity of leaf and fruit extracts was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonate (ABTS) radical scavenging assays. Insecticidal activity of leaf and fruit extracts, in terms of larvicidal and pupicidal activity, was assessed against larvae and pupae of Aedes aegypti.Results: Both the extracts inhibited all test bacteria. Marked antibacterial activity was displayed by fruit extract when compared to leaf extract. S. epidermidis and E. coli were inhibited to highest and least extent by both extracts respectively. Fruit extract was found to exhibit higher antifungal effect when compared to leaf extract. Leaf extract and fruit extract exhibited highest inhibitory activity against A. niger and A. flavus respectively. Leaf and fruit extracts scavenged DPPH radical's dose dependently with an IC50 value of 49.01µg/ml and 2.53µg/ml respectively. The scavenging of ABTS by leaf and fruit extracts was dose dependent and the IC50 value for leaf and fruit extract was 2.58µg/ml and 2.31µg/ml respectively. Fruit extract was shown to exhibit marked antiradical activity when compared to leaf extract. Leaf and fruit extracts exhibited dose dependent insecticidal activity in terms of larvicidal and pupicidal activity and the susceptibility of larvae and pupae to extracts was in the order II instar larvae>IV instar larvae>pupae. Fruit extract displayed marked insecticidal potential when compared to leaf extract.Conclusion: Overall, fruit extract of G. gummifera exhibited marked antimicrobial, antiradical and insecticidal activity when compared to leaf extract. The plant can be used for developing agents/formulations effective against infectious microorganisms, oxidative stress and insect vectors that transmit dreadful diseases. The observed bioactivities could be ascribed to the presence of active principles which are to be isolated and characterized