Journal of Natural Remedies

M. Geetha , A. K. Saluja , M. B. Shankar , R. S. Mehta

Abstract

Objective: To study analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of various extracts of flowers and bark of Couroupita guianensis Aubl. Materials and methods: Analgesic activity was evaluated using tail flick method and anti-inflammatory activity was screened by measuring the reduction in carrageenan induced hind paw oedema. The potency of various extracts of flower and bark were compared with (i) paracetamol (200 mg/kg) for analgesic and (ii) indomethacin (10 mg/kg) for anti-inflammatory activities. Results: All the extracts of C. guianensis showed analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. The peak analgesic effect of flower was seen after 1 h while bark extracts showed peak effect after 2 h. Maximum reduction in inflammation by the extracts was observed after 3 h. Conclusion: C. guianensis is almost equipotent to paracetamol in its analgesic activity and to indomethacin in its anti-inflammatory activity. So it can be recommended for further studies.

Keywords

Couroupita guianensis, Analgesic Activity, Anti-inflammatory Activity, Paracetamol, Indomethacin

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M. B. Shankar , J. R. Parikh , M. Geetha , R. S. Mehta , A. K. Saluja

Abstract

Objective: To study hepatoprotective activity of a new benzopyrone derivative (TP) isolated from the alcoholic extract of aerial parts of Tephrosia purpurea Pers. Materials and methods: Compound TP was isolated from alcoholic extract of T. purpurea by normal phase column chromatography using toluene: ethyl acetate (70:30) as mobile phase and structure was elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Hepatoprotective activity of TP and the alcoholic extract was evaluated using carbon tetrachloride, paracetamol and rifampicin as toxicants. The potency of TP (100 mg/kg) and the alcoholic extract of aerial parts (200 mg/kg), was compared with silymarin (100 mg/kg). The SGOT, SGPT, total and direct bilirubin levels of blood were measured spectrophotometrically. Results: Compound TP was found to be 3-hydroxy, 6-methoxy, 2-oxy (3-butanone), 7 (dioxolane-4-one), 2, 3,-dihydrobenzopyrone. The alcoholic extract and TP caused significant fall in the enzyme levels in serum in rats. Conclusion: Alcoholic extract of T. purpurea and TP have shown significant hepatoprotective activity in rats against all the toxicants that were studied.

Keywords

Tephrosia Purpurea, Hepatoprotective Effect, Carbon Tetrachloride, Paracetamol Rifampicin, Silymarin

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M. Geetha , M. B. Shankar , R. S. Mehta , A. K. Saluja

Abstract

Objective: To study antifertility activity of various extracts of A. odoratissimus Roxb. and C. guianensis Aubl. Materials and methods: Antifertility activity of benzene, ethanol and water extracts of leaves of A. odoratissimus and bark and flowers of C. guianensis was studied for their effect on duration of various stages of oestrus cycle in adult female rats and on the number implantation sites in the pregnant rats. Results: All the extracts of A. odoratissimus leaf and ethanol and water extracts of C. guianensis bark and flower showed significant prolongation of dioestrus stage (p<0.05). Ethanol and water extracts of A. odoratissimus leaf showed anti-implantation effect. Ethanol extract of C. guianensis bark and all the extracts of its flower reduced the number of implantations. Conclusion: The disturbances in the reproductive cycle indicate effect of these plants on the sex hormones in the animals. Prevention of implantation may be due their interference in the receptive stage of the uteri and endometrial sensitivity for decidualisation. The results suggest that the both plants are having antifertility activity and possible therapeutic use.

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M. B. Shankar , J. R. Parikh , M. Geetha , R. S. Mehta , A. K. Saluja

Abstract

Objective: To study antidiabetic activity of two novel androstane derivatives (JB1 and JB2) isolated from the ethanolic extract of seeds of Syzygium cuminii Linn. Materials and methods: Compounds JB1 and JB2 were isolated from ethanolic extract of seeds of S. cuminii by normal phase column chromatography using toluene: ethyl acetate (80:20) as mobile phase and their structure was elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Antidiabetic activity of JB1 and JB2 and the ethanolic extract was evaluated using alloxan as diabetogenic agent. The potency of JB1 and JB2 (100 mg/kg) and the ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg), was compared with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). The elevated blood glucose levels were monitored colorimetrically using glucose oxidase enzyme system. Results: Compound JB1 was found to be 3, 15-dihydroxy Δ³ androstene [16, 17-C] (6' methyl, 2'- 1, 3-dihydroxy-1-propene) 4H pyran whereas JB2 to be 3-hydroxy androstane [16, 17-C] (6' methyl, 2'-1-hydroxy-isopropene-1-yl) 4, 5, 6 H pyran. Ethanolic extract of seeds of S. cuminii reduced elevated blood glucose levels in alloxan-induced diabetes in rats on single dose as well as prolonged treatment. Compound JB1 was found to be more effective than JB2 as it showed peak activity at the end of day three, which was comparable to ethanolic extract.

Keywords

Syzygium cuminii Linn., Anti-diabetic Activity, Glibenclamide, Alloxan

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R. S. Mehta , M. B. Shankar , M. Geetha , A. K. Saluja

Abstract

Objective: To study hepatoprotective effect of aerial parts of Trianthema portulacastrum. Materials and methods: Hepatoprotective activity of T. portulacastrum was evaluated using paracetamol and rifampicin as liver toxicants in rats. The potency of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of aerial parts was compared with that of silymarin at a dose of 100 mg/kg, P.O. The SGOT, SGPT and bilirubin levels of blood were measured spectrophotometrically. Results: Alcoholic extract of aerial parts caused significant fall in the enzyme levels in serum in rats. Conclusion: T. portulacastrum has shown significant activity in rats toxicated with paracetamol and rifampicin and can be recommended for further studies.

Keywords

Trianthema portulacastrum, Hepatoprotective Activity, Paracetamol, Rifampicin, Silymarin

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