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M. G. Rajesh ¹, M. S. Latha ²

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Botany, N. S. S. College, Manjeri, Manjeri College P. O., Malappuram, Kerala – 676 122, IN
2 School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarshini Hills P.O., Kottayam, Kerala- 686 560, IN

Abstract

Oxidative damage caused by free radicals is thought to be a basic mechanism underlying many diverse pathological conditions. Protection from free radical damage to biomolecules occurs through the action of antioxidants. The objective of the present contribution was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the flowers of Woodfordia fruticosa in albino rat models. Lipid peroxidation was induced with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in male albino rats of Sprague Dawley strain. The animals were divided into 3 groups. Group I served as pair-fed control. Groups II and III received a dose of 0.3ml CCl₄ in liquid paraffin (3:1, v/v) per 100g body weight simultaneously twice a week for a period of two months. Group III rats, in addition to CCl₄, received a dose of 1000mg/kg body weight/day of W. fruticosa flower powder. The animals were sacrificed at the end of the experimental period and the levels of lipid peroxidation products and antioxidant status of the liver and kidney were determined. There was a significant increase in the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and conjugated dienes in liver and kidney during CCl₄ treatment compared to pair-fed control. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-Stransferase and glutathione peroxidase in liver and kidney were significantly decreased in CCl₄-treated rats compared to pair-fed control. There was also a decrease in the content of glutathione in liver and kidney of CCl₄-intoxicated rats. Administration of W. fruticosa along with CCl₄ restored the activities of the antioxidant enzymes, the level of glutathione and lipid peroxide products to near normal status compared to the corresponding CCl₄ given rats.

Keywords

Lipid Peroxidation, Carbon Tetrachloride, Hepatotoxicity, Medicinal Plant, Free Radical.

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Jiby Elias ¹, M. G. Rajesh ², N. P. Anish ¹, E. V. Ragitha ¹, N. Jayan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru Research Centre for Ayurveda and Siddha, Uzhavoor, Kottayam, Kerala - 686 634, IN
2 Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru Research Centre for Ayurveda and Siddha, Uzhavoor, Kottayam, Kerala-686 634, IN

Abstract

Solanum melongena var. insanum Linn. (Solanaceae) is an undershrub used for the preparation of various Ayurvedic formulations. Macroscopic, microscopic, physico-chemical and phytochemical studies of the ischolar_main, fruit and leaf of the plant were done. Leaves are simple, alternate, pubescent and prickly. The tap ischolar_main is dark yellow to brown in colour with fewer branches. Powdered samples were observed under the microscope and distinctive features of each part were noticed. Anatomical features of the ischolar_main, pericarp of fruit and leaves were studied using hand sections. Moisture content was higher in the leaf (94.25%) compared to ischolar_main (93.50%) and leaf (91.70%). Ash analysis of the samples showed that the percentage of ash was higher in fruit portion (7%). Ethanol (6%) and water (7%) extractive values were higher in the ischolar_main. Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed that the methanolic extract of ischolar_main contained the maximum number of phytoconstituents such as flavanoids, coumarins, alkaloids, tannins, anthroquinines, phenols, resins, glycosides/reducing sugars, proteins and carbohydrates. Estimations such as carbohydrate, protein and phenol and TLC finger print profile were carried out. Total protein content was found to be higher in fruit (308mg/g). However, carbohydrate (384mg/g) and phenol content (22.2 mg/g) were found to be higher in ischolar_main. These parameters, which are being reported for the first time in S. melongena var. insanum provide referential information for the correct identification and standardization of this plant material.

Keywords

TLC, Organoleptic Evaluation, Phytoconstituents.

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M. G. Rajesh ¹, M. S. Latha ²

Affiliations
1 Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru Research Centre for Ayurveda and Siddha, Uzhavoor, Kottayam, Kerala-686 634, IN
2 School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarshini Hills P.O., Kottayam, Kerala-686 560, IN

Abstract

Liver is a versatile organ in the body concerned with regulation of the internal chemical environment. Therefore, damage to the liver inflicted by hepatotoxic agents like xenobiotics, therapeutic agents and environmental pollutants is of grave consequences. There is still an unmet need for medicinal plants and phytopharmaceuticals with scientifically validated hepatoprotective activity. The present study evaluates the antihepatotoxic action of Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatic damage in Sprague-Dawley rats. The parameters assessed were liver function marker enzymes, total protein, bilirubin and lipid profile in serum. The lipid profile of different tissues was also estimated. The biochemical changes caused by CCl₄ were counteracted by the co-administration of G. glabra. The results suggest the antihepatotoxic activity of this medicinal plant.

Keywords

Fabaceae, Medicinal Plant, Antihepatotoxic, Carbon Tetrachloride.

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Jiby Elias ¹, M. G. Rajesh ¹, N. P. Anish ¹, M. S. Manu ², Iwin C. Varkey ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru Research Centre for Ayurveda and Siddha, Uzhavoor, Kottayam, Kerala, IN
2 CMS College of Science and Commerce, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu – 641006, IN

Abstract

In vitro antioxidant activities and preliminary phytochemical profiling of the methanol extract of the stem bark of Terminalia chebula Retz. (METC) of Combretaceae family were investigated. Total reducing power of the extract increased with increasing concentration which indicated that the plant has inherent antioxidant potential. The extract at a concentration of 500 μg/ml showed maximum activity (85.72%) for 2, 2-diphenyl- 2- picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) followed by nitric oxide (82.28%), superoxide (79.12%) and hydroxyl (77.28%) radicals. The IC₅₀ values of DPPH, nitric oxide, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals were 72μg/ml, 73μg/ml, 69μg/ml and 80 μg/ml respectively. METC had 28.6mg phenols per gram. METC showed the presence of phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, quinines, anthroquinones, tannins, carbohydrates, volatile oils, and phenolics. However, glycoside, coumarins, reducing sugars and resins were absent. Thin layer chromatogram showed two spots (Rf: 0.41, 0.56) under visible light and five spots (Rf: 0.41, 0.49, 0.56, 0.62, 0.71) on exposure to Iodine vapour. The findings suggest that the methanol extract of T. chebula possesses significant free radical scavenging activities in different in vitro models and could be a potent source of natural antioxidants.

Keywords

Antioxidant Activity, Reducing Power, DPPH, Phenol.

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Jiby Elias ¹, M. G. Rajesh ¹, N. P. Anish ¹, P. Deepa ², N. Jayan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru Research Centre for Ayurveda and Siddha, Uzhavoor, Kottayam-686634, Kerala, IN
2 Union Christian College, Alwaye, Ernakulam-683102, Kerala, IN

Abstract

The present investigation evaluates the in vitro antioxidant potential of the methanolic extract of Simaruba glauca (MESG). The reducing power of the extract increased with the increasing concentration which indicated that the plant has inherent antioxidant potential. MESG at 250 μg/ml showed maximum scavenging activity of DPPH (83.87%) followed by hydroxyl (80.19%), superoxide (76.25%) and nitric oxide (70.43%) radicals. The half inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) of DPPH, hydroxyl, superoxide, and nitric oxide radicals were 21 μg/ml, 26 μg/ml, 27 μg/ml and 32 μg/ml respectively against the corresponding reference standards. Phytochemical screening of MESG revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavanoids, sterol/terpenoids, quinines, anthroquinones, glycoside, reducing sugar, carbohydrate, volatile oil and phenolic compounds. However, coumarins, saponins, tannins and resins were absent in the extract. The total phenolic content of MESG was 24.6 mg/g. The findings suggest that MESG possesses potent antioxidant activity and has great importance in nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical preparations.

Keywords

Simaruba glauca, DPPH, Reducing Power, Phenol.

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