Activity Of Ethanolic Bark Extract Research Articles

In-vivo Pharmacological Evaluation of Anti-Ulcerative Colitis Activity of Ethanolic Bark Extract of Ficus religiosa in Swiss Albino Mice

Ulcerative colitis is an idiopathic chronic disease of the intestine with unknown etiology involving multiple immune, genetic and environmental factors. The present study was carried out based on traditional claims to assess anti-ulcerative colitis activity. The extraction of the bark powdered of Ficus religiosa was carried out using ethanol as a solvent in the soxhlet apparatus. The % yield of the ethanol extract of Ficus religiosa was calculated and it was found to be 21%. The quantitative preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, amino acids, and protein in ethanolic extract of Ficus religiosa. Ulcerative colitis was induced in mice by induction of 2ml of 3% acetic acid through intrarectally. The low dose and high dose (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg) of extract was administered orally in mice. Prednisolone (1.14mg/kg) was used as the standard drug for comparison. All acetic acid- induced mice showed typical clinical manifestations of ulcerative colitis. Colon length increased significantly and colon weight decreased significantly of the treatment groups when compared to the standard groups. The MPO activity is significantly higher in Ficus religiosa treated group (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg) in comparison to standard drug Prednisolone (1.14mg/kg) treated group. It was observed that the inflammation in the colonic tissue of Ficus religiosa treatment group was significantly higher than standard group. The two treatment group shows nearly equal effect as that of the standard drug. All parameters suggest that the 400 mg/kg dose is more effective than the lower dose.

Evaluation of Antipsychotic Activity of Ethanolic Bark Extract of Myrica esculenta in Rats

The antipsychotic properties of Myrica esculenta stem bark were evaluated. The stem bark was collected, shade dried, and pulverized. Extraction was carried out with 70% ethanol by occasional shaking. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract was investigated in this study. Antipsychotic activity was evaluated against apomorphine-induced stereotypy using cook’s pole climbing apparatus and haloperidol-induced catalepsy models. Bioamine determination of noradrenaline and dopamine was also performed. The extract contains phytochemicals, including glycosides, flavonoids, volatile oils, proteins, saponins, phenolics, and tannins. The result showed decreased apomorphine-induced stereotyped behavior. This study reported significant dose-dependent potentiation of haloperidol-induced catalepsy in rats and a longer time needed by the rat to climb the pole in a dose-dependent manner. Also, it significantly decreased brain dopamine and noradrenaline level. The ethanolic extract of M. esculenta exhibited significant antipsychotic activity in rats. Further neurochemical investigation is needed to explore the plant drug’s mechanism of action regarding anti-dopaminergic functions and establish the plant as an antipsychotic agent.

Antimalarial efficacy of Albizia lebbeck (Leguminosae) against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro & P. berghei in vivo.

Background & objectives:Albizia lebbeck Benth. (Leguminosae) has long been used in Indian traditional medicine. The current study was designed to test antimalarial activity of ethanolic bark extract of A. lebbeck (EBEAL).Methods:EBEAL was prepared by soxhlet extraction and subjected to phytochemical analysis. The extract was evaluated for its in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine (CQ) sensitive (MRC2) and CQ resistant (RKL9) strains. Cytotoxicity (CC50) of extract against HeLa cells was evaluated. Median lethal dose (LD50) was determined to assess safety of EBEAL in BALB/c mice. Schizonticidal (100-1000 mg/kg) and preventive (100-750 mg/kg) activities of EBEAL were evaluated against P. berghei. Curative activity (100-750 mg/kg) of extract was also evaluated.Results:Phytochemical screening revealed presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, terpenes and phytosterols. The extract exhibited IC50 of 8.2 μg/ml (MRC2) and 5.1 μg/ml (RKL9). CC50 of extract on HeLa cell line was calculated to be >1000 μg/ml. EBEAL showed selectivity indices (SI) of >121.9 and >196.07 against MRC2 and RKL9 strains of P. falciparum, respectively. LD50 of EBEAL was observed to be >5 g/kg. Dose-dependent chemosuppression was observed with significant (P<0.001) schizonticidal activity at 1000 mg/kg with ED50 >100 mg/kg. Significant (P<0.001) curative and repository activities were exhibited by 750 mg/kg concentration of extract on D7.Interpretation & conclusions:The present investigation reports antiplasmodial efficacy of EBEAL in vitro against P. falciparum as evident by high SI values. ED50 of <100 mg/kg against P. berghei categorizes EBEAL as active antimalarial. Further studies need to be done to exploit its antiplasmodial activity further.

Antidiarrheal activity of ethanolic bark extract of Mitragyna diversifolia

The ethanolic bark extract of Mitragyna diversifolia showed significant (p&lt;0.05) antidiarrheal activity on gastrointestinal motility with barium sulfate milk model and castor oil- induced diarrheal model in rats. These result obtained revealed that the bark extract possess pharmacological activity against diarrhea and may possibly explain the use of the plant in traditional medicine.