Abstract
Sonchus arvensis, a perennial sowthistle, is a common but underutilized species of Kathmandu, Nepal. Several uses like sedative, antioxidant and kidney stone eradicating properties have been identified till date, but study on other pharmacological activities is not yet explored. Therefore, this plant was collected from Kathmandu; aerial parts of the plant were dried, crushed, and extracted using a Soxhlet apparatus. The methanolic extract was then concentrated for screening pharmacological effects. While comparing with the standards, the plant was found to possess strong anti-inflammatory activity and inhibitory effect in Gastro Intestinal (GI) motility and locomotor activity in a dose-dependent fashion. The plant, however, did not show skeletal muscle relaxant activity as observed in the traction test and inclined plane test. Thus, it is concluded that the plant possess strong phyto-chemicals having anti-inflammatory activity and inhibitory effect in locomotion and GI motility. Key words: Sonchus, anti-inflammatory, motility, locomotion, extraction.
Highlights
In Nepal, the concept of ethno-medicine has developed since the late 19th century (1885-1901 A.D)
A vigorous herbaceous perennial plant with milky sap and creeping roots is abundantly available in 1000 to 4100 m in range and grows in sandy, loamy or clayey soils (Holm et al 1997). This sowthistle is considered a noxious weed, as it grows quickly in a wide range of conditions and its wind-borne seeds allow them to spread rapidly (APNI, 2012). This plant is least explored and there are only few pharmacological studies, this study is done to lay a strong foundation for the future development of herbal medicines from this plant’s methanolic extract
Similar higher percentage yield was found for methanolic extract of S. arvensis than with other fractions (Ali 2012)
Summary
In Nepal, the concept of ethno-medicine has developed since the late 19th century (1885-1901 A.D). A vigorous herbaceous perennial plant with milky sap and creeping roots is abundantly available in 1000 to 4100 m in range and grows in sandy, loamy or clayey soils (Holm et al 1997) In many areas, this sowthistle is considered a noxious weed, as it grows quickly in a wide range of conditions and its wind-borne seeds allow them to spread rapidly (APNI, 2012). This sowthistle is considered a noxious weed, as it grows quickly in a wide range of conditions and its wind-borne seeds allow them to spread rapidly (APNI, 2012) Since, this plant is least explored and there are only few pharmacological studies, this study is done to lay a strong foundation for the future development of herbal medicines from this plant’s methanolic extract
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