Alcohol Extractive Values Research Articles

PA02.19. Prospects of commercial utilization of water extracted Curcuma longa

Purpose:Background of the study: Water extraction is a major activity in the processing of formulations such as Kashayam, Arishtam, Medicated Oil and Lehyam. The herbal residues produced after the water extraction are mostly discarded. This study is on one such residue of a potent herb namely Curcuma longa. Curcuma longa generally known as turmeric is an important and potential drug widely used in different formulations of Ayurveda. The officinal part used is rhizome. It has been Phytochemicaly explored by different researchers. The prominent active principle in it is considered to be the phenolic compound Curcuminoids. Curcumin is the major compound in Curcuminoids. It is responsible for the yellow colour of turmeric and is practically insoluble in water. An assessment of phytochemicals in Curcuma longa rhizomes, before and after water extraction, and the fate of water insoluble compounds and Curcumin is explored in this paper. Aim: To explore bioactive principles retained with the remnants of curcuma longa rhizomes, after taking water decoctions and the scope of commercial utilization of the remnants or the active principles.Method:The samples were collected from The Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (Coimbatore) Limited. The preliminary phytochemical studies were done using the methods by Harborne and the antioxidant properties were estimated by DPPH radical scavenging activity.Result:Preliminary phytochemical studies on Curcuma longa rhizome samples before and after extraction show the presence of bioactive principles like phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids in both samples. The physicochemical parameters such as Alcohol extractive values, Total Ash, and Acid insoluble Ash were also compared. Thin layer chromatography was carried out for phytochemical comparison of methanolic extract of Curcuma longa before and after extraction and the profile shows comparable spots at same Rf values. The isolated Curcumin was compared with the standard Curcumin by UV–Visible Spectroscopy and the ?max was obtained at 421nm. The yield of Curcumin obtained was 3.91%. The antioxidant study gave IC50 values for the fresh sample, extracted herb and Curcumin are obtained at concentrations 49μg/ml, 85μg/ml and 12.1μg/ml respectively.Conclusion:The present study shows that considerable amount of secondary plant metabolites are retained in the herbal residue. The presence of phenols and other secondary metabolites in the herb even after extraction suggest that they can be used either as such for the isolation of Curcumin, a natural colouring compound. Both turmeric and Curcumin has wide application in Pharmaceutical, Food and Textile industries. Usually a large amount of such extracted curcuma longa is available from Ayurvedic Industry. Scope of the present study thus can be extended further to the possible utilization of the extracted Curcuma longa.

Pharmacognostic Analysis of Stem Bark of Combretum albidum G. Don; An Unexplored Medicinal Plant

Traditional knowledge and ethno-botanical use of plants have been widely acknowledged all over the world. Certain tribal people of Chinnar, Idukki District of Kerala are using stem bark of Combretum albidum G.Don as an effective remedy for jaundice. The documentation of traditional knowledge from Chinnar area reveal that it is highly effective. So the validation and standardisation of stem bark of C. albidum was carried out to establish its macro- and microscopical standards, physicochemical parameters, preliminary phytochemical investigation and TLC profiles to evaluate the characters of the plant. The stem bark is usually hard with longitudinal cracks, around 0.5 to 1 cm in thickness, internally bright yellow in colour, odourless and slightly bitter in taste. Detailed anatomy showed the presence of cork, cortex and secondary phloem embedded with elongated lignified phloem fibres. Histochemical studies revealed the presence of lignin, tannin, oil and starch grains. Physicochemical parameters like moisture content, total ash, alcohol and watersoluble extractive values were also evaluated. Preliminary phytochemical analysis indicated a high percentage of tannins, flavonoids and triterpenes and this may be one of the reasons behind the hepatoprotective activity of this plant. Well resolved TLC profiles were recorded in sequential extraction with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol. The above parameters, which are being reported for the first time in this plant, are significant towards establishing the pharmacognostic standards for future identification and authentication of genuine plant material used for Jaundice by Chinnar tribals of Kerala.

Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of some herbal teas commonly consumed in Nigeria

Herbal tea can be use for therapeutic or nutritional purposes, depending on the chemical constituents present. This study aims at evaluating phytochemical, physicochemical parameters and elemental contents of herbal teas commonly consumed in Nigeria. Level of essential and toxic metals in medicinal plants is a matter of great concern all over the world. Six different brands of herbal teas were analysed in this study. Phytochemical screening results showed the presence of tannins, steroids, terpenoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids and phlobatannins, while the physicochemical parameters which includes moistures content, ash, water extractive and alcohol extractive matter values ranges from 7.55 to 21.20, 5.52 to 9.28, 8.86 to 14.80 and 4.22 to 7.05%, respectively. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used for the elemental analysis of different teas in which the content ranges from 0.83 to 2.63, 3.28 to 5.96, 7.45 to 86.67, 0.53 to 2.85 and 1.11 to 9.73 µg/g for chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn), respectively. The outcome of this study serves as an important contribution to knowledge in establishing quality parameters for the standardization of herbal tea in Nigeria. Key words: Phytochemical, physicochemical, elemental analysis, herbal tea.

Aldose reductase inhibitory activity of alcoholic extract of Pedalium murex Linn fruit

ObjectiveTo investigate physico-chemical investigation and aldose reductase inhibitory activity in rat lens aldose reductase (AR) enzyme of the ethanolic extract of fruits of Pedalium murex (P. murex) Linn (Pedaleaceae). MethodsPhysico-chemical investigation of ethanolic extract of fruit of the P. murex (EPM) was carried out. EPM was screened for aldose reductase inhibitory activity using rat lens AR enzyme. HPTLC fingerprinting analysis of EPM was performed in chloroform: methanol (8:2) solvent system. ResultsTotal ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash, alcohol and water soluble extractive value and loss on drying of P. murex were found to be 4.2%, 1.2%, 0.92%, 6.2%, 5.0% and 7.5% respectively. Eleven prominent spots were found to be present in the EPM in HPTLC fingerprint analysis. EPM showed significant level of aldose reductase inhibitory potential [IC50 value (57.20±3.68) μg/mL]. From the value of Vmax, Km and Ki, it was found that EPM exhibits non-compititive inhibition with AR enzyme. ConclusionThe present study reveals scientific basis of the P. murex, which can be used in the treatment of the cataract disorder.

Phytochemical investigation and pharmacognostic standardization of Cissampelos pareira stem

Background: Cissampelos Linn (family -Manispermaceae) is perennial climbing herbs with small greenish-yellow flower. It belongs to the genus Cissampelos, of which thirty to forty species are distributed in the tropical and subtropical world. One species occur in India. In the market three plants Cissampelos pareira, Cyclea peltata and Stephania japonica (Fam. Menispermaceae) are being used as source of Patha. Aim: Therefore, an establishment of pharmacognostical standards on identification, purity, quality and classification of the herbal plant is required. Materials and Methods: Microscopic characteristics were observed under a light microscope. Physicochemical properties - including loss on drying, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and water alcohol and ether extractive values- were determined. Phytochemical screening for major groups of compounds was performed, and a thin-layer chromatography of methanolic extract of the air dried powdered stem of this plant was performed. Results: The microscopic characteristics showed the wavy epidermis with unicellular trichomes. Lignified xylem vessels, biseriate radial medullary rays had also been found. Phytochemical screening revealed that Cissampelos pareira stem extract contains flavonoids, terpenoid, alkaloid, tannins, amino acid protein and carbohydrate. Alkaloids were detected in TLC of Cissampelos pareira stem extract developed using blends of methanol: concentrated ammonia (200:3) and n-Butanol:Acetone:Water (3:1:1). Flavonoids and essential oil were detected in TLC of Cissampelos pareira flower extract developed using blends of n-Butanol:Acetone:Water (4:1:5) and Benzene: Ethyl acetate: Formic acid (9:7:4) as solvent systems for flavonid where as chloroform(100%), Benzene(100%), Chloroform:Benzene (1:1) and Ether:Benzene (1:1) as solvent systems for essential oil. Conclusion: These findings will be useful towards establishing pharmacognostic standards on identification, purity, quality and classification of the plant-drug research. Key words: Cissampelos pareira stem, phytochemical investigation, pharmacognostic standardization

Pharmacognostic Evaluation and Phytochemical Studies on Stem of Clitoria ternatea linn.

Pharmacognostic evaluation is the first and foremost step to determine identity and to assess the quality and purity of the crude drug. The genus “Clitoria” includes about 48 species under the family “Fabaceae”. Clitoria ternatea a very common garden flowering plant is found all over India especially in southern India. C. ternatea have reported to possess a number of pharmacological activities such as nootropic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic. The roots, stems and flowers are recommended for treatment of snake bite. The current study describes some pharmacognostical and preliminary phytochemical investigations undertaken on the stem of one of those species namely Clitoria ternatea. Transverse section of Clitoria ternatea Linn. stem shows cork, cortex, pericyclic fibers, xylem parenchyma, xylem fibers and medullary rays. Quantitative pharmacognostic analysis of the powder of the stem revealed moisture content of 5.92 ± 0.23%, total ash of 3.76 ± 0.32%, acid-insoluble ash of 11.6 ± 0.09%, alcohol extractive value of 9.84 ± 0.19%, and water extractive value of 24.8 ± 0.22%.

Pharmacognostic and hypotensive evaluations of the stem bark of <i>Ficus exasperata</i> Vahl (Moraceae)

Elevated blood pressure is one of the non-communicable ailments whose control is attempted by the use of medicinal plants in ethnomedicine. In furtherance of our previous work on Ficus exasperata as a plant used in controlling elevated blood pressure, evaluations of the microscopy and other pharmacognostic parameters that could aid in the identification of the plant stem bark were carried out using standard methods. The probable effect of the methanol extract of the stem bark on anaesthetized normotensive rabbit blood pressure was also examined at doses of 5,10,20,30 and 40 mg/kg. The stem bark was observed to occur as flat and channelled pieces when fresh and single quill after drying. The powdered compound contained cork cells, cortical parenchyma, sclereids, fibres and prismatic calcium oxalate crystals as microscopic characters. The percentage weight loss on drying was 6.1 ± 0.15 while the water and alcohol extractive values were1.87 ± 0.04 and 0.59±0.03% respectively. The total ash value was 28.49±0.89 % while the water soluble and the acid insoluble ash values were 2.31± 0.19 and 9.93±0.2% respectively. The preliminary phytochemical results on the stem bark include saponins, tannins, flavonoids and no alkaloids and anthracene derivatives. At 5 mg/kg, the methanol extract of the stem bark produced 6.6±1.2 mmHg fall in mean arterial blood pressure with the effect more pronounced on the systolic than the diastolic blood pressure. At 10 mg/kg, the reduction in the blood pressure was 15.66±2.9 mmHg after which higher doses did not produce corresponding significant decrease in the blood pressure. Each dose administered was accompanied by corresponding reduction in the heart rate indicating the probable effect of the extract on the myocardium. The results showed that the stem bark of F. exasperata also possess hypotensive effect like the leaf reported earlier. Keywords: Ficus exasperata, Pharmacognostic parameters; Hypotensive effectsJournal of Pharmacy and Bioresources, Vol. 6 no. 2, pp. 43-49 (September 2009)

Pharmacognostic Investigation of the Leaves and Stems of Viburnum erubescens Wall.ex DC

Purpose: Some pharmacognostical investigations were carried out on the leaves and stems of Viburnum erubescens Wall.ex DC to record parameters for identifying and differentiating various species of Viburnum. Methods: The research specimens were authenticated and preserved both in fresh and dry forms. The leaves and stems were morphologically screened followed by anatomical studies with the aid of Labphot 2 microscopic units. Powder microscopy and micrometric studies, including leaf constants, were performed using suitable tools and reagents under different magnifications. Physicochemical parameters such as alcohol and aqueous extractive values, ash values, crude fibre content for stem, and fluorescence properties were also determined. The specimens were subjected to successive extraction processes by Soxhlet method using solvents of increasing polarity. Qualitative chemical screening tests with suitable reagents were also undertaken. Results: The leaves were petiolate and opposite, acuminate apex with unequal base, abaxial surfaces which turned blackish on storage, and had irritant smell with a slightly bitter taste. The vein islets were squarish and polygonal. Trichomes and club-shaped glandular trichomes were evident. The barks were hard and brittle with abundant fissures. The periderm was four-layered followed by homogenous parenchyma. The phloem region appeared with sclerenchyma elements; libriform fibres and tanniferous cells were also evident. The presence of phytosterols, triterpenoids, glycosides (saponins) and phenolic compounds (flavonoids and procyanidins) was positive for both the leaf and the stem. Conclusion: The findings of this study could be useful in identifying Viburnum species, both in whole and powder form. Also, the parameters derived from this study may be useful in differentiating this species from the rest of its relatives.

Preparation and Standardization of 'Itrifal Sanaie' - An Unani Formulation

Itrifal Sanaie is a Unani formulation used for the treatment of constipation. The ingredients of this are Terminalia chebula, T. bellerica, Emblica officinalis, Cassia angustifolia, ghee and honey. The formulation was prepared in triplicate as per the procedure mentioned in Bayaz-e-Kabeer, a standard book for the preparation of Unani formulations. The drug powders collected have been checked and confirmed for individual standards prior to the preparation. The formulation was evaluated for organoleptic characters, total ash, acid insoluble ash, alcohol extractive value, water extractive value, total tannins, gallic acid content and fingerprinting of sennosides.