Abstract
The current study was aimed to investigate the extracts from Heliotropium strigosum and Trapa bicornis phytochemically for various constituents and pharmacologically for gastro-intestinal disorders. Phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides and tannins in both the extracts. In castor oil-induced diarrhea, H. strigosum and T. bicornis, at 100-1000 mg/kg dose provided protection of 10-83% and 14-76% respectively. In isolated rabbit jejunum preparations, T. bicornis (0.01-5 mg/mL) relaxed the spontaneous and K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions with EC<sub>50</sub> values of 1.2 mg/mL and 2.6 mg/mL respectively, suggesting that spasmolytic effect was possibly mediated through calcium channel blockade. This was further authenticated when pretreatment of tissues with T. bicornis (1-5 mg/mL) caused rightward shift of Ca++ concentrationresponse curves, similar to verapamil. In acute toxicity test, both extracts were safe up to 10 g/kg dose. These results indicated the usefulness of H. strigosum and T. bicornis in the treatment of hyperactive gut disorders.
Highlights
Heliotropium strigosum, locally known as Gorakh pan or Panjabooti, has folkloric medicine uses in the diarrhea, gum boils, sore eyes, and insects and snake bite (Hussain et al, 2010)
Initial analysis of H. strigosum revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, tannins and terpenoids while T. bicornis indicated the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins and saponins
Saponins were absent in H. strigosum while T. bicornis was devoid of steroids and terpenoids
Summary
Heliotropium strigosum (family; Boraginaceae), locally known as Gorakh pan or Panjabooti, has folkloric medicine uses in the diarrhea, gum boils, sore eyes, and insects and snake bite (Hussain et al, 2010). It has been reported as anti-oxidant (Modak et al, 2007), antimicrobial (Hussain et al, 2010), antinociceptive, anticonvulsant and anti-inflammatory (Khan et al, 2013). Carbohydrates, phytosterols, saponins, fixed oils, fat, tannins, flavonoids and glycosides have been reported in this plant (Bhatiwal et al, 2012)
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