மருந்தியல் மற்றும் இயற்கை தயாரிப்புகளின் இதழ்

Prunus africana (Hook.f.) is an evergreen tree that grows in African mountains. P. africana species’ bark and bark extracts are used for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia. The pharmacological efficacy of the extracts is believed to be due to synergistic effect of several compounds such as phytosterols, pentacyclic triterpenoids and ferulic acid esters. High demand for the bark and bark extracts of P. africana has led to over-exploitation of the natural population resulting to it being listed as an endangered species; Appendix II of CITES. Conservation of the species can be done through domestication. However, growth factors need to be established first to ensure success of on-farm production. With this in mind, the World Agroforestry Centre established a P. africana stand at Muguga, Kenya to evaluate the species phytochemical profile and yields. Phytochemistry profiling was carried out using liquid Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Myristic acid, linoleic acid, lauric acid, methyl myristate, methyl laurate and methyl linoleate were the major compounds present after analysis of essential oils in the bark samples while campesterol, β-sitosterol, lup-20(29)-en-3-one, palmitic acid, β-sitostenone, (3.β.,5.α)- stigmast-7-en-3-ol, stigmastan-3,5-diene and α-tocopherol were detected in dichloromethane and hexane extracts of the three populations. In methanolic extract we detected cyanidin-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, procyanidin B5, robinetinidol- (4-α-8) catechin-(6,4-α)robinetinol and ursolic acid.. All these compounds have been reported to have salutary benefits in humans. The phytochemical data has important implications in coming up with strategies for sustainable harvesting and conservation of this species as well as its management on-farm.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacological importance of Scyphocephalium ochocoa Warb. (Myristicaceae), through screening of phytochemical constituents and isolation of biomolecules, in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the aqueous alcohol extracts of the stem bark and leaves of this species.
Method: The phytochemical constituents were identified in the stem bark and leaves extracts of S. ochocoa using standard procedures described in the literature. Subsequently, the stem bark extract was fractionated by means of silica gel column chromatography, and the isolated biomolecule characterized through extensive spectroscopic analyses. Antimicrobial activities were determined using both disc diffusion and broth micro dilution methods against different bacteria and fungi. The free radical scavenging activity and the total phenolic content were determined using the DPPH free radical and the Folin-Ciocalteu assays respectively.
Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids and tannins in both parts of the plant. Coumarins and terpenoids were present only in leaves while anthocyanins, saponosides and sterols were found in stem bark. S. ochocoa stem bark and leaves extracts showed significant 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity (IC50=0.169 ± 0.019 μg/ ml) and polyphenol content (153.57 ± 0.63 mg/g of extract). S. ochocoa extracts significantly inhibited microbial growth of Escherischia coli and a gentamycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. The  chromatographic separation of the stem bark afforded the bioactive compound isopregomisin.
Conclusion: This study showed that S. ochocoa stem bark and leaves extracts contain various phytochemicals, with important amount of phenolic compounds, and possess antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Isopregomisin can be considered as the antioxidant active principle of S. ochocoa.

Objective: To establish the quality control parameters for two varieties of Clitoria ternatea among which one is medicinally important whereas second is ornamental.
Method: The pharmacognostic studies were focused on macroscopy, qualitative and quantitative microscopy, physicochemical parameters, quantitative estimation of phenolics, flavonoid and also the TLC profiling with two phenolics (caffeic and ferulic acid) and two terpenoid markers (lupeol and β-sitostrol).
Results: The distinguishing macroscopical feature is white and blue colour of corolla while the microscopy showed more starch grains in root; variations in pericyclic fibers, xylem vessels and pith in stem and quantitative parameters of leaf. Some variations were also observed in physicochemical parameters. However, TLC fingerprint profiles of both the varieties showed similarities in the presence of lupeol, β-sitostrol, caffeic acid and ferulic acid. However, characteristic additional bands e.g. blue  fluorescent band at Rf 0.38 under UV 366 nm and greyish blue band at Rf 0.58 under visible light after derivatization were observed only in white variety.
Conclusion: Present study provided the scientific data for the proper identification and establishment of standards for the two varieties of C. ternatea and blue variety may be used as substitute of white variety with less therapeutic activity.

Cancer incidence is increasing due to the inclination of people towards western diet which consists of high fat, animal protein and refined carbohydrate content. Though, diet itself does not act as carcinogen but, it provokes the action of the former. Pulses form a significant component in the traditional healthy diets of many regions throughout the world due to its high nutritional value as well as its therapeutic effect on humans which mark them as nutraceuticals. The low fat, rich protein, dietary fiber, and a variety
of micronutrients and phytochemicals have fueled speculation that, if consumed in sufficient quantities, they help to reduce tumor risk. Dietary fiber, resistant starch, phenolic compounds, phytosterols, oligosaccharides, etc. are the phytoconstituents present in pulses which contribute to the anticancer nature of pulses. The review pays a considerable attention on the potential role of pulses, highlighting the phytoconstituents responsible for preventing and treating cancer. However, the mechanisms of action behind them are unconvincing as pulses are used conventionally. There is a need to ascertain its quantitative contribution in reducing cancer risk as well as to utilize its cancer preventing constituents while developing food derived medicines.

Objective: Erythrina variegata Linn of the family leguminaceae is a medium sized deciduous small tree with prickly stems and branches, leaves with triangular leaflets and large coral red flowers and grows all over Bangladesh. Different parts of E. variegata have used in traditional medicine as nervine sedative, febrifuge, anti-asthmatic and antiepileptics.It is having the d-tubacurarine like activity. The present study was under taken to evaluate the cardiac depressant activity of Erythrina variegata in experimental animal model.
Materials and method: Aqueous extract of E. variegata was tested for cardiac depressant action by using frog isolated heart model. Different concentration of atropine sulphate is used along with plant water extract.
Results: The water extract shows the significant cardiac depressant activity.
Conclusion: The present study shows that E. variegata has significant cardiac depressant activity.

Monacolin K (lovastatin or mevinolin) is a naturally occurring hypocholesterolemic statin used to prevent cardiovascular diseases for those persons suffering from hypercholesterolemia, a condition characterized by very high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It is originally derived from the fungus Monascus ruber and Monascus purpureus family Monascaceae. Monacolin K is a lactone polyketide derived compound converted in the body to the active form, B-hydroxy acid of monacolin K. It acts by inhibiting the hepatic HMG-CoA Reductase enzyme. In this paper, we report a selective precise and accurate new HPLC method for analysis of both lactone form and acid form of monacolin k in red rice pharmaceutical preparations.

In the present study we investigated the possible anti-diabetic potential of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. in alloxan induced diabetic rat. Diabetes was induced in rats by injecting them with alloxan (120 mg/kg body weight). Control rats were either healthy untreated, or diabetes induced untreated rats which only received distilled water. The acute effect of ethanol extract was evaluated by administering 100, 300, 500 mg/kg body weight p.o. to normoglycemic rats. In the chronic model, the ethanol extract was administered to normal and alloxan-induced-diabetic rats at dose of 100, 300, 500 mg/kg body weight p.o. per day for 21 days. Blood glucose levels and body weights were monitored at specific intervals and different biochemical parameters were also carried out. The statistical data indicated the significant (p<0.01) increase in the body weight and decrease in the blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin levels, total cholesterol and serum triglycerides. HDL cholesterol level was significantly (p<0.01) increased when treated with the extract. Quercetin isolated from the bark of plant showed α-amylase inhibitory activity .Hence, it can be concluded that antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities of ethanol extract of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. Bark may be due to the presence of phytoconstituents like flavanoids.

Aconites were widely recognized as deadly poisonous plants since ancient times and are used in various traditional systems of medicine such as Chinese, Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Tibetan medicine, etc. after eliminating the toxic effect through traditional methods and are also used in modern Homoeopathic and Allopathic systems. Aconitum ferox is known as Indian aconitum, which is seven times more poisonous than the Aconitum nepellus, the European aconitum. Further, Aconitum ferox is also known as ‘the king of poisons’ due to the presence of highly poisonous alkaloids in its roots. This article highlights the botanical/medicinal importance of Indian Aconties and their legal status for trade/export.

Context: Embelia ribes Burm. f. is a large, scandent, struggling, medicinal climbing shrub belongs to the family Myrsinaceae. The plant is highly esteemed in Unani system of medicine as a powerful anthelmintic and it has been described as “Krimighna” in Ayurveda Classical text, Charaka Samhita. The species is highly specialized for the richness of biologically active dihydroxy benzoquinone, Embelin (2,5-dihydroxy-3-undecyl-p-benzoquinone) and reported to have the potentials of the anthelmintic, antifertility, antidiabetic, antidyslipidemic, and antioxidant activity.
Objectives: The present study was performed with the objectives of elaborating the macroscopic and histomorpho diagnostic profile of the berries of Embelia ribes and to analyze the powder microscopic peculiarities to support its botanical characterization.
Materials and methods: Macroscopic, microscopic evaluations and powder microscopy were carried out using the fresh and dried fruits of Embelia ribes.
Results: The globular berries were dull red to nearly black in color, with small beak- like projection of having the remains of style at the apex, and five lobed persistent calyxes in the mature fruits. Pericarp consisted of three distinct histological regions, the thin epidermis of the epicarp appeared warty, middle broad mesocarp consisted of large tabular parenchymatous tissues, sparsely distributed groups of fibrovascular bundles and stony cells. Druses crystals of calcium oxalate and simple, elliptical shaped starch grains were also found. The endocarp consisted of layers of brachy sclereids with pyramid like contour. Stony endocarp enclosed with single seed. The seeds were speckled with yellowish brown spots (‘chitra-tandula’ in Sanskrit), and bases were depressed inward intrusions of the perisperm and ruminate endosperm.

Clove buds and lemongrass leaves were collected from three different locations of India and the essential oil was separated by hydrodistillation procedure. The essential oils were studied for its variation in physical properties and chemical composition. Chemical analysis by GC-MS evidenced that the main components of clove oil (CLV) were eugenol (78.5-87.7%) and caryophyllene (12.3-20.2%) and the main components of lemongrass oil (LGR) were citral in the form of neral and geranial (24.3-83.9%) and (+) camphor (12.07-30.62%). The lemon grass oil collected from Ootacamund hills, Tamilnadu have shown components like Limonene (2.7%), isocamphene (5.1%), endo isocamphene (5.3%), p-cymene (2.4%) and citronellol (1.73%) among which isocamphene and endo isocamphene were found to be new chemotypes. (+) fenchone was present in the range 5.6-7.76% in lemongrass oil collected from two different locations. Isopiperitone (6.23%) and geranyl butyrate (3.37%) were found to be new chemotypes in the essential oil obtained from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Thus the results have shown variation in chemical composition and identification of new chemotypes in both clove oil as well as lemongrass oil collected from three different locations of India which may be due to the change in geographical conditions.

The seeds of Taverniera cuneifolia (Roth) Ali contains 6.24 ± 0.41% oil. The fatty acid composition of Taverniera cuneifoia seeds was studied: a potential substitute of Licorice. Gas liquid chromatography of the methyl esters of the fatty acids shows the presence of 25.73% saturated fatty acids and 68.69% unsaturated fatty acids. The fatty acid composition is as follows: palmitic acid 20.72%, stearic acid 5.01%, oleic acid 16.99% and linoleic acid 51.70%.