Boerhavia Research Articles

Antimicrobial activity and brine shrimp toxicity of methanolic whole plant extract of Boerhavia repens L. (Family: Nyctaginaceae)

This study was designed to explore the phytochemicals, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activity of the crude methanolic extract of Boerhavia repens L. (Family: Nytaginaceae). The phytochemical screening of the crude extract revealed the presence of alkaloid, carbohydrate, glycoside, phenol, tannin, steroid, flavonoid, protein, saponin, and terpens. For the evaluation of antioxidant activity, total phenolic content was determined which manifests moderate antioxidant property (189.67±0.5204 mg/g of gallic acid equivalent) of the plant. The cytotoxic property of the crude methanolic extract of Boerhavia repens L. was assessed by using the brine-shrimp lethality bio-assay. The crude methanolic extract showed significant cytotoxic potential (LC 50 value 4.192μg/ml and LC90 value 124.33μg/ml) comparing with vincristine sulphate, a potent cytotoxic agent. The antimicrobial activity of crude methanolic extract of Boerhavia repens L. was screened against a number of Gram positive bacteria, Gram negative bacteria and Fungi using disc diffusion method. The extract showed mild antimicrobial activity against Gram positive bacteria (10mm to 12mm) and moderate antimicrobial activities against Gram negative bacteria and fungi (15mm to 17 mm) at a concentration of 30μg/disc. Keywords: Boerhavia repens L, Phytochemical, Antioxidant activity, Antimicrobial activity, Cytotoxicity.

Protective effect of extract of Boerhaavia diffusa and Silybum marianum in combination against fructose induced non‑alcoholic fatty liver in rats

Aim: The present study was undertaken with a view to validate the traditional use of Boerhaavia diffusa (BEE) root and Silybum marianum (SME) seeds in combination as a hepatoprotective agent against non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease. Materials and Methods: The alcoholic extracts of BEE roots (150 mg/kg, p.o.) and SME (150 mg/kg, p.o.) seeds were administered to the experimental rats individually and in combination (75 mg/kg + 75 mg/kg), p.o. by dispersing it in 1% tween 80, were given, of different groups respectively. After intoxication with high fructose diet (HFD) fructose solution to the animals orally for 6 weeks serum levels of various enzymes were recorded. Serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine amino transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB), total protein and cholesterol (CHO) level were assessed. Results: BEE roots and SME seeds extracts exhibited a significant hepatoprotective effect as evident from the decreases of serum AST, ALT, ALP, TB and CHO and increases in levels of TP compared with control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). The effect of combination of both the extract exerts more hepatoprotective as revealed by more level of significance. Conclusions: The present finding suggests that the hepatoprotective effect of BEE roots and SME seeds extract. Key words: Boerhaavia diffusa, fructose, hepatoprotective, non‑alcoholic fatty liver, silybum marianum

Morphological, phytochemical and pharmacological, studies on Boerhaavia diffusa L.

Medicinal plants constitute an important group of non-wood forest products. Approximately 80% of the world population uses plants as a source of medicine for healthcare. India has been one of the pioneers in the development and practice of well-documented indigenous systems of medicine, particularly Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani. For millennia, the Indian population has depended mainly upon plant based crude drugs for a variety of ailments. This alternative system of medicine is gaining increasing popularity worldwide. This review on Boerhaavia diffusa focuses over the plant morphology, chemical compositions, its ethnomedicinal uses, linked from ancient times to the present with a scope of development in future.

Ethnomedicinal uses of plants close to rural habitation in Garhwal Himalaya, India

The present study was conducted in three different altitudinal zones, tropical (300 TO 400 m), sub-tropical (900 to 1100 m) and temperate (2000 to 2400 m) zones of Garhwal Himalaya. A total of 61 plant species that were regularly used by the local inhabitants for curing various aliments such as digestive disorders, dysentery, wounds, swellings, cold, scabies, rheumatic, cholera, malaria were recorded within the study area. Of the recorded plants, 14 were trees, 10 shrubs, and 37 herbs. The species used most frequently werePhyllanthus embelica L., Terminalia bellerica Roxb., Terminalia chebula Retz., Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa, Holarrhena antidysenterica (L.) Wall. ex A. DC., Adhatoda vasicaNees in Wallich, Berberis asiatica Roxb., Achyranthes aspera L., Boerhavia diffusa L., Sida acuta Burm.f, and Sida cordifolia L. Twenty-seven species were common to the tropical and sub-tropical zones (trees = 5, shrubs = 4, and herbs/grasses = 18), one shrub occurred both in the sub-tropical and temperate zones, and none of the species were common to both the tropical and temperate zones. A total of 32 families were recorded, of which Lamiaceae was the dominant family (with 8 species). All but three of the species reported are well known, and widely used by communities in India. This indicated that the medicinal plant repertoire of non-specialists is limited to a very small number of species. Key words: Ethnomedicinal plants, altitudinal zones, rural habitation, Garhwal Himalaya.

Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Boerhaavia diffusa L. leaves

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the qualitative analysis of phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity of various solvent extracts of Boerhaavia diffusa L. (Family: Nyctaginaceae) leaves. The antimicrobial activity of different solvent extracts of B. diffusa L. leaves were tested against the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains by observing the zone of inhibition. The Gram‑positive bacteria used in the test were Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus faecalis and Micrococcus luteus, and the Gram-negative bacteria were Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, Serratia marcescens, Shigella flexneri and Vibrio cholerae. It was observed that ethanol, methanol, chloroform, ethylacetate and aqueous extracts showed activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The ethanol extract of B. diffusa L. leaves showed more activity against Gram-positive (e.g. S. aureus, zone of diameter 11 mm) and Gram-negative bacteria (e.g. E. coli, zone of diameter 9 mm) when compared to other solvent extracts except V. cholerae. The results confirmed the presence of antibacterial activity of B. diffusa L. leaves extract against various human pathogenic bacteria. Key words: Antibacterial, Boerhaavia diffusa L., infectious diseases, inhibition zones, medicinal plants, Nyctaginaceae

Diuretic activity of a herbal product UNEX.

In the present study, product UNEX capsules (syn. Herbajules Tricare in Malaysia) was tested for diuretic activity using the Lipschitz test. The product UNEX containing the extracts of Boerhaavia diffusa and Tribulus terrestris was studied at two dose levels of 600 and 800 mg/kg body weight (p.o.). Standard drug used was furosemide (20 mg/kg body weight) in a 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Urine volume was recorded for all the groups for 5 hours. The product UNEX exhibited significant diuretic activity at doses of 600 and 800 mg/kg body weight as evidenced by increased total urine volume and the urine concentration of Na+, K+, and Cl−. The result thus supports the use of product UNEX as diuretic. Key words: UNEX capsules, diuretic activity, lipschitz test, Boerhaavia diffusa, Tribulus terrestris, flame photometry

Effect of Boerhaavia diffusa on Tissue Antioxidant Defense System during Ethanol-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Objective: The present study deals with the effect of ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa (BD) on tissue defense system against ethanol-induced hepatic injury in rats. Methods: Ethanol (20% alcohol - 2.5 ml/100 g body weight for 90 days) was used for the induction of hepatotoxicity. BD extract (150 mg/ kg body weight/day for 30 days) was administered orally to rats intoxicated with ethanol. Results: Induction with ethanol resulted in an increase in the levels of lipid peroxides with a concomitant decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione levels. Post treatment with BD root extract reversed the deleterious effects of ethanol and the enzyme activities were found to be near normal. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the protective nature of BD root extract against ethanol-induced liver damage, proving it to be a potent antioxidant.

Boerhavia cordobensis vs. Boerhavia pterocarpa (Nyctaginaceae): ¿Cuál de ellas habita en Argentina?

A comparative study between Boerhavia cordobensis Kuntze and North American specimens of Boerhavia pterocarpa S. Watson allowed to recognize two different taxa: Boerhavia cordobensis , which lives in Central-westem Argentina and has been introduced in South Africa, and Boerhavia pterocarpa , confined to the state of Arizona (U. S. A.); thus, the latter is excluded from the Argentinian flora. A key and illustrations are given to differenciate both entities.

Two New Isoflavonoids from Boerhaavia, coccinea

From the roots of Boerhaavia coccinea, 5,7,3'-trihydroxycoumaronochromone {1} and 6,9,11-trihydroxy-6a, 12a-dehydrorotenoid {2} were isolated. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral evidence