Bioassay-guided isolation of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive compound from Plumbago zeylanica leaf.

Plumbago zeylanica Linn. (Plumbaginaceae) is used in the treatment of various inflammatory ailments in traditional medicines. In order to validate these ethnobotanical practices, the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of various leaf extracts (petroleum ether (60-80 degrees ), chloroform, acetone, ethanol, and aqueous) were studied using in vivo experimental models at two dose levels (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.). Anti-inflammatory activity was tested using the carrageenan induced rat hind paw edema method while analgesic activity was studied using the hot plate and formalin induced models. Diclofenac (100 mg/ kg) was used as the reference standard in both anti-inflammatory and analgesic models and morphine (10 mg/ kg, i.p.) was used as the reference standard in the formalin induced analgesic model. The acetone extract significantly (p < 0.01) reduced inflammation in the rats when compared to the control group. As for the analgesia effect, the acetone and petroleum ether extracts significantly (p < 0.01) decreased the pain stimulus only in the later phase of the formalin test, suggesting that the drug could be peripherally acting. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the acetone extract led to the isolation and identification of plumbagin. Structure elucidation of plumbagin confirmed it as 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, a naphthaquinone derivative, through spectral techniques.

Antiovulatory and estrogenic activity of Plumbago rosea leaves in female albino rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of petroleum ether (60-80 degrees ), chloroform, acetone, ethanol and aqueous extracts of Plumbago rosea leaves on the estrous cycle and to identify the estrogenic activity of active acetone and ethanol extracts in female albino rats. METHODS: PLANT EXTRACTS WERE TESTED FOR THEIR EFFECT ON THE ESTROUS CYCLE AT TWO DOSE LEVELS: 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. The effective acetone and ethanol extracts were further studied on estrogenic activity in rats. Histological studies of the uterus were carried out to confirm their estrogenic activity. RESULTS: The acetone and ethanol extracts were most effective in interrupting the normal estrous cycle of the rats (P<0.05, <0.01, <0.001). These later exhibited prolonged diestrous stage of the estrous cycle with consequent temporary inhibition of ovulation. The antiovulatory activity was reversible on discontinuation of treatment. Both the extracts showed significant estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity. CONCLUSION: The acetone and ethanolic extracts of P. rosea leaves have an antifertility activity.

Analgesic activity of methanol extract of Aegle marmelos leaves.

The methanol extract of leaves of Aegle marmelos at a dose level of 200 and 300 mg/kg showed significant analgesic activity on acetic acid-induced writhing and tail flick test in mice.

Efectos antimicrobianos, antiulcerosos y antidiarreicos de las hojas de buganvilla (Bougainvillea glabra Choisy) / Anti-diarrhoeal, anti ulcer and antimicrobial activities of leaves of Bougainvillea glabra Choisy

Con el fi n de evaluar científi camente algunos de los usos tradicionales de la buganvilla (Bougainvillea glabra Choisy), se realizó el presente estudio para examinar los efectos antidiarreicos, antiulcerosos y antimicrobianos del extracto acuoso, etanólico y acetónico de sus hojas. Se probó la actividad antidiarreica en un modelo de diarrea inducida con aceite de ricino en ratas y se utilizó loperamida (3 mg/kg) como estándar de referencia. Se determinó la acción antiulcerosa mediante un modelo de úlcera inducida con alcohol y se utilizó omeprazol (10 mg/kg) como estándar. Ambos estudios se realizaron con dos niveles de dosis, 200 mg/kg y 400 mg/kg, respectivamente. La actividad antimicrobiana se estudió mediante un método de difusión en disco con una concentración de 500 ìg/disco de extracto, utilizando ofl oxacina (5 ìg/disco) como estándar. Los organismos utilizados fueron Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus y Proteus vulgaris, y se determinó la zona de inhibición. Los extractos de plantas mostraron una signifi cativa acción antidiarreica, antiulcerosa y antimicrobiana en el presente estudio. Los resultados obtenidos corroboran lo sostenido por los profesionales de la medicina locales

In order to scientifi cally appraise some of the folkloric uses of Bougainvillea glabra Choisy, the present study was undertaken to examine the anti-diarrhoeal, antiulcer and antimicrobial activities of acetone, ethanolic and aqueous extract of leaves. Anti-diarrhoeal activity was tested in Castor oil induced diarrhea model using rats and Loperamide (3 mg/kg) was used as reference standard. The antiulcer activity was determined using alcohol induced ulcer model and Omeprazole 10 mg/ kg was used as the standard. Both the studies were carried out at two dose level, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg respectively. Antimicrobial activity was done by disc diffusion method at a concentration of 500 ìg/disc of the extract, using ofl oxacin (5 ìg/disc) as the standard. The organisms used were Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus vulgaris and the zone of inhibition was determined. The plant extracts showed signifi cant anti-diarrhoeal, antiulcer and antimicrobial activities in the present study. The results obtained support the claim of local medical practitioners