Development of quality control parameters for the standardization of Limonia acidissima L. leaf and stem

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the pharmacognostic characters of Limonia acidissima L. (L. acidissima) leaf and stem, an important traditional medicinal plant.@*METHODS@#The present study provides pharmacognostic, physicochemical and phytochemical details of leaf and stem of L. acidissima. Micro and macroscopic characters were analyzed. WHO recommended parameters were followed in the entire study.@*RESULTS@#The macroscopic study showed that the leaf was alternate, imparipinnately compound leaf with entire margin, long petiole, apex obtuse and base decurrent, with surface appearance and txture glabrous. The inflorescence was lateral and terminal panicles. The microscopic study of leaf revealed the presence of actinocytic stomata, multicellular trichome, prismatic calcium oxalate crystals, vascular bundles, etc. The powder microscopy also revealed prism like calcium oxalate crystals, multicellular trichome and actinocytic stomata. Physiochemical analysis of dried leaf powder showed total ash, water soluble ash and acid insoluble ash as 9.33%, 1.83% and 1.16% w/w respectively. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of maximum amount of flavonoids and tannins. The main microscopic characteristic of stem was 2-3 layers of phellem, phellogen 2-3 layered followed by 7-8 layered phelloderm. Among other microscopic components were presence of xylem parenchyma, xylem vessels, xylem fibres and tracheids. The powder microscopy also revealed presence of annular, spiral vessel, prism crystals and multicellular trichome. Physiochemical analysis of dried stem powder showed total ash, water soluble ash and acid insoluble ash as 3.16%, 0.66% and 0.66% w/w respectively. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of maximum amount of only flavonoids.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Various pharmacognostical characters observed in this study will help in botanical identification and standardization of leaf and stem of L. acidissima and will also help in quality control and formulation development.

Development of quality control parameters for the standardization of Limonia acidissima L. leaf and stem

Objective: To evaluate the pharmacognostic characters of Limonia acidissima L. (L. acidissima) leaf and stem, an important traditional medicinal plant. Methods: The present study provides pharmacognostic, physicochemical and phytochemical details of leaf and stem of L. acidissima. Micro and macroscopic characters were analyzed. WHO recommended parameters were followed in the entire study. Results: The macroscopic study showed that the leaf was alternate, imparipinnately compound leaf with entire margin, long petiole, apex obtuse and base decurrent, with surface appearance and txture glabrous. The inflorescence was lateral and terminal panicles. The microscopic study of leaf revealed the presence of actinocytic stomata, multicellular trichome, prismatic calcium oxalate crystals, vascular bundles, etc. The powder microscopy also revealed prism like calcium oxalate crystals, multicellular trichome and actinocytic stomata. Physiochemical analysis of dried leaf powder showed total ash, water soluble ash and acid insoluble ash as 9.33%, 1.83% and 1.16% w/w respectively. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of maximum amount of flavonoids and tannins. The main microscopic characteristic of stem was 2-3 layers of phellem, phellogen 2-3 layered followed by 7-8 layered phelloderm. Among other microscopic components were presence of xylem parenchyma, xylem vessels, xylem fibres and tracheids. The powder microscopy also revealed presence of annular, spiral vessel, prism crystals and multicellular trichome. Physiochemical analysis of dried stem powder showed total ash, water soluble ash and acid insoluble ash as 3.16%, 0.66% and 0.66% w/w respectively. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of maximum amount of only flavonoids. Conclusions: Various pharmacognostical characters observed in this study will help in botanical identification and standardization of leaf and stem of L. acidissima and will also help in quality control and formulation development.

In vitro interaction of certain antimicrobial agents in combination with plant extracts against some pathogenic bacterial strains

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro interaction between methanolic extracts of Terminalia catappa (T. catappa) (Combretaceae) and Carica papaya (C. papaya) (caricaceae) leaves and certain known antimicrobial drugs like penicillin G (P), ampicillin (AMP), amoxyclav (AMC), cephalothin (CEP), polymyxin B (PB), rifampicin (RIF), amikacin (AK), nilidixic acid (NA), gentamicin (GEN), chloramphenicol (C), ofloxacin (OF) against five Gram positive and five Gram negative bacteria. Methods: Evaluation of synergy interaction between plant extracts and antimicrobial agents was carried out using disc diffusion method. Results: The results of this study showed that there is an increased activity in case of combination of methanolic plant extracts and test antimicrobial agents. The more potent result was that the synergism between methanolic extract of C. papaya and antibiotics showed highest and strong synergistic effect against tested bacterial strains;though methanolic extract of C. papaya alone was not showing any antibacterial activity. Conclusions: These results indicate that combination between plant extract and the antibiotics could be useful in fighting emerging drug-resistance microorganisms.

In vitro interaction of certain antimicrobial agents in combination with plant extracts against some pathogenic bacterial strains

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro interaction between methanolic extracts of Terminalia catappa (Combretaceae) (T. catappa) and Carica papaya (caricaceae) (C. papaya) leaves and certain known antimicrobial drugs like penicillin G (P), ampicillin (AMP), amoxyclav (AMC), cephalothin (CEP), polymyxin B (PB), rifampicin (RIF), amikacin (AK), nilidixic acid (NA), gentamicin (GEN), chloramphenicol (C), ofloxacin (OF) against five Gram positive and five Gram negative bacteria.Methods:Evaluation of synergy interaction between plant extracts and antimicrobial agents was carried out using disc diffusion method. Results: The results of this study showed that there is an increased activity in case of combination of methanolic plant extracts and test antimicrobial agents. The more potent result was that the synergism between methanolic extract of C. papaya and antibiotics showed highest and strong synergistic effect against tested bacterial strains;though methanolic extract of C. papaya alone was not showing any antibacterial activity.Conclusions:These results indicate that combination between plant extract and the antibiotics could be useful in fighting emerging drug-resistance microorganisms.

Pharmacognostic, Physicochemical and Phytochemical Investigation of Mangifera indica L. var. Kesar leaf

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the morphological and microscopical characters of Mangifera indica L. leaf collected from Gujarat region and its phytochemical and physicochemical analysis. Methods: Microscopic characters and powder analysis was done under microscope. The physiochemical properties such as loss on drying, total ash value, acid insoluble ash value, water soluble ash value, pH, solubility and extractive values of M. indica were carried out. Results: The upper epidermis was irregular, wavy with thick epidermal layer;and prismatic, rosette and cluster types of calcium oxalate crystals were found. In phytochemical analysis, cardiac glycosides and tannins showed maximum amounts. Conclusions: The present study provides pharmacognostical, physicochemical and phytochemical details of the M. indica leaf which are useful in laying down standardization and pharmacopoeia parameters.

Assessment of effect of hydroalcoholic and decoction methods on extraction of antioxidants from selected Indian medicinal plants

Objective: To assess the effects of extraction methods on antioxidant activities of selected Indian medicinal flora. Methods: Different parts of plants were extracted by hydroalcoholic and decoction methods using water and various concentrations of methanol (ME) viz. 75%, 50% and 25% ME. The antioxidant activity of all the different extracts was evaluated using two different antioxidant assays viz. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and superoxide anion radical scavenging assay. Total phenol and flavonoid content was also estimated. Results: The results showed that the extracting solvent significantly altered the antioxidant property estimations of screened plants. High correlations between phenolic compositions and antioxidant activities of extracts were observed. High levels of antioxidant activities were detected in Manilkara zapota (M. zapota) as compared with other screened plants.Conclusions:The results obtained appear to confirm the effect of different methods on extraction of antioxidants and antioxidant property of M. zapota.

Protective effect of Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula leaves on ethanol and ethanol/HCl induced ulcer in rats and its antimicrobial potency

OBJECTIVE@#To explore antiulcer and antimicrobial properties of methanolic extract of Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula.@*METHODS@#Gastroprotective potential of Polyalthia longifolia was studied on ethanol and ethanol/HCl induced ulcers at 2 different doses (270 and 540 mg/kg/body weight). Antimicrobial efficacy of Polyalthia longifolia (25 mg/mL) was also studied against six gram positive, seven gram negative bacteria and five fungi by agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by agar well diffusion method in two fold serial dilution, in the range of 97-25,000 μg/mL.@*RESULTS@#The reduction of ulcer index in Polyalthia longifolia treated animals was found to be statistically significant with respect to control animals. The Polyalthia longifolia exhibited ulcer protection activity in dose dependent manner and was also better than the standard. In antimicrobial activity, gram positive bacteria were more susceptible to Polyalthia longifolia than gram negative bacteria and fungal strains.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Results obtained confirm the antiulcer and antimicrobial potential of the Polyalthia longifolia.

Hepatoprotective effect of Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz flowers on diclofenac sodium induced liver toxicity in rats

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the protective effect of Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz flowers against experimentally induced liver toxicity in rats.@*METHODS@#Two different doses of methanol extract of Woodfordia fruticosa (WFM) were evaluated for the hepatoprotective activity against diclofenac sodium induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Various biochemical parameters like alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) from serum; total protein (TP), glutathione (GSH) levels, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities from liver were studied; histopathologic changes of liver were also evaluated.@*RESULTS@#WFM effectively reduced the elevated levels of serum ALT, AST, ALP and BUN, enhanced the reduced TP, ALB and hepatic GSH, CAT, GPx activity. The histopathological analysis suggested that WFM decreased the degree of liver fibrosis induced by diclofenac.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This study demonstrates the hepatoprotective activity of WFM and thus scientifically support the use of this plant in traditional medicine for the treatment of liver disorders.