Chemical and Biological Investigation of Sanchezia nobilis Leaves Extract

Abstract

The project work was designed to investigate the phytochemical and selected pharmacological activities (anti-diarrheal, analgesic, neuropharmacological behavior and anthelmintic) of leaves of Sanchezia nobilis. Hook. F. (Family: Acanthaceae). From its phytochemical analysis we found the presence of reducing sugar, combined reducing sugar, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, gums, steroids, alkaloids, glycosides and terpenoids. In vivo antidiarrheal activity was substantiated by prolongation of latent period and decrease in total number of stools. The extract produced 62.49% and 74.01% decrease in stool count at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight respectively while the standard drug Loperamide decrease in stool count was found to be 87.05% at a dose of 3 mg/kg body weight. The leaves extract produced 32.7% and 41.78% inhibition of writhing at the doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight respectively while the standard drug Diclofenac Na was found to be 74.23% at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight. The extract showed dose dependent CNS depressant activity by reducing the locomotors activity. Higher dose of this extract (500 mg/kg body weight) comparing with standard Diazepam exposed sedative effect potentially. The extract exhibited concentration dependent anthelmintic activity against Paramphistomum cervi using Albendazole (15 mg/mL) as standard. The paralysis occurred between 9.00 to 83.91 min and death occurred between 11.33 to 86.33 min which were comparable to standard drug Albendazole. So, the present study concluded that the extract is fortified with significant antidiarrheal, CNS depression and anthelmintic activity and moderate analgesic activity.