Carbon Tetrachloride Fractions Research Articles

Antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic and thrombolytic activities of flowers of Mirabilis jalapa L: Possible role of phenolics and flavonoids

Mirabilis jalapa L. belongs to Nyctaginaceae family is an ornamental plant and domestically known as Sandhamaloti in Bangladesh. In this report we evaluated phenol and flavonoid content of cold methanol extractives of flower of M. jalapa and their role in antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic and thrombolytic potentials. This study utilized HPLC to identify qualitative phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Gallic acid and Kaempferol were employed as standards for phenolic and flavonoid identification, respectively. Consequently, evaluating the overall phenolic and flavonoid content in the plant extract was considered a logical step. Flower of M. jalapa is an abundant source of phenols and flavonoids. The antioxidant activities in the phosphomolybdenum assay are differed in distinct extractives and have been found as 334.78 ± 0.62, 142.53 ± 0.51, 398.04 ± 0.81, 470.29 ± 0.55 and 480.90 ± 0.59 mg of ascorbic acid equivalent per gm of crude methanol extract (MSF), petroleum ether fraction (PSF), carbon tetrachloride fraction (CTF), chloroform fraction (CSF) and ethyl acetate fraction (ESF), respectively. The IC50 values for DPPH radical scavenging have been evaluated to be 13.70 ± 0.32, 49.05 ± 0.47, 6.76 ± 0.22, 9.30 ± 0.41 and 6.94 ± 0.31 μg/mL for MSF, PSF, CTF, CSF and ESF, respectively. The cytotoxicity was evaluated against brine shrimp lethality bioassay and LC50 values of MSF, PSF, CTF, CSF and ESF have been found 11.83 ± 0.32, 35.50 ± 0.54, 5.00 ± 0.18, 11.30 ± 0.30 and 4.61 ± 0.15 μg/mL, respectively in comparison to a standard vincristine sulphate 2.50 ± 0.11 μg/mL. Plant polyphenols and flavonoids having antioxidant properties exhibit potential antibacterial activity and our results revealed that the entire tested fractions of vegetation of M. jalapa exhibit potential antibacterial activity. On this observation, the thrombolytic activity, is the first strive in M. jalapa to investigate for more modern thrombolytic and its ethyl acetate fraction was shown to substantial (53.81 ± 0.52%) thrombolysis property. A high correlation was observed between antioxidant, cytotoxicity, thrombolytic and antibacterial activity with polyphenol and flavonoid contents (r2 = 0.903 to 0.996, p < 0.05). These data suggest the role of polyphenols and flavonoids in the bioactivities. Further study of this plant may lead to isolation of bioactive polyphenols and flavonoids which will be effective in the management of many chronic diseases.

Isolation and characterization of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory triterpenoids from the acetone extract of Grewia flava DC. (Malvaceae) roots

Grewia flava root acetone extracts were assessed for antimicrobial activity against a range of pathogenic microorganisms using the broth microdilution and bioautography assays. Cytotoxicity against human dermal fibroblast (HDF) and bovine dermis (BD) cell lines was also investigated. Solvent-solvent fractionation was carried out on the acetone extract to yield fractions of different polarities. Bioautograms from fractions showed four antimicrobial compounds in the carbon tetrachloride fraction, with activity against Escherichia coli. Two compounds from carbon tetrachloride, hexane and butanol fractions were active against Candida albicans, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. The aqueous fraction had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 40 µg/ml against Cryptococcus neoformans, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Two triterpenoid compounds, namely taraxerol and lupeol, were isolated and had potent antimicrobial activity. Lupeol had better antimicrobial activity than vancomycin (control drug) with MIC of 10 µg/ml against Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycoplasma hominis and Escherichia coli. Both taraxerol and lupeol exhibited better anti-inflammatory activity than quercetin (positive control) in the soybean lipoxygenase (15-LOX) inhibition assay and by inhibiting nitric oxide release from RAW264.7 macrophages. Although fractions and isolated compounds exhibited potent antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, there is a need to explore the modes of action thereof. The study supports the use of the plant species in the treatment and management of various microbial infections posing danger to human health.

Evaluation of carbon tetrachloride fraction of Actinodaphne angustifolia Nees (Lauraceae) leaf extract for antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic and antidiarrheal properties.

Actinodaphne angustifolia Nees (Family: Lauraceae) is commonly used in folk medicine against urinary disorder and diabetes. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic, and antidiarrheal activities of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) fraction of leaves of A. angustifolia (CTFAA) in different experimental models. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by using qualitative and quantitative assays, while antidiarrheal effects assessed with castor oil-induced diarrheal models in mice. The clot lysis and brine shrimp lethality bioassay were used to investigate the thrombolytic and cytotoxic activities, respectively. CTFAA showed antioxidant effects in all qualitative and quantitative procedures. The fraction produced dose-dependent and significant (P<0.05 and P<0.01) activities in castor oil-induced diarrheal models. Moreover, CTFAA significantly (P<0.05) demonstrated a 15.29% clot lysis effect in the thrombolytic test, and the brine shrimp lethality assay LC50 value was 424.16 μg/ml bioassay. In conclusion, the current study showed CTFAA has significant antidiarrheal effects along with modest antioxidant and thrombolytic effects, and these data warrant further experiment to justify and include CTFAA as a supplement to mitigate the onset of diarrheal and cardiovascular disease.

In-vivo and in-vitro evaluation of pharmacological activities of Ardisia solanacea leaf extract

BackgroundThe Bangladeshi rural and hilly areas people have long tradition to use various medicinal plants for treating different diseases. That’s why, the crude methanolic leaf extract of Ardisia solanacea with its different fractions (petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride, n-hexane and chloroform fractions) were subjected to investigate bioactivities in swiss albino mice; namely analgesic, CNS, and Oral hypoglycemic activities, while in-vitro evaluation of cytotoxicity.MethodsCentral nervous system activity was investigated by various method such as Elevated plus maze, Hole board, Hole cross and Open field test apparatus. Analgesic activity was evaluated by both acetic acid induced and tail immersion method. Hypoglycemic activity was evaluated by oral glucose tolerance test and cytotoxicity was evaluated by Brine shrimp lethality bioassay.ResultsIn CNS activity, among others fractions, ASCF fraction produced a significant anxiolytic activity in both elevated plus maze and Hole board test. During open-field test almost all the fractions of A. solanacea leaves extract display decreased locomotor activities that indicates significant sedative activity. The ASME and ASCF showed significant peripheral analgesic activity at a dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight (p < 0.05). In tail immersion method, among others extracts chloroform fractions exhibited significant (p < 0.05) elongation of reaction time 30 min after oral dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight respectively. The methanolic and n-hexane extracts reduced blood glucose level significantly after 90 min with value of 53.94% and 48.15% respectively (p < 0.05). In case of cytotoxicity activity, among other fractions carbon tetrachloride fraction showed lowest LC50 values.ConclusionsFrom the above results, it is clear that different fractions of A. solanacea showed significant pharmacological potentiality in different in-vitro and in-vivo study model. So, it will be very much possible source for an isolating lead compound for curing the numerous disorders.

Canvassing of biological attributes by In vitro screening of Canarium bengalense

Various Hoang family remedies known as Dai-Thien-Nuong, utilize Canarium bengalense Roxb. (Family: Burseraceae) as a major component for the treatment of tumor and liver damage. This study was performed using the crude methanol extract of C. bengalense Roxb. bark and its petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride, dichloromethane and aqueous soluble fractions for antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing and antimicrobial activities. The antioxidant activity was assessed by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity assay. The cytotoxic and thrombolytic activities were determined using vincristine sulphate and streptokinase as standards, respectively. Heat and hypotonic solution-induced conditions were induced to determine membrane stabilizing activity. Disc diffusion method was used to determine the antimicrobial activity of the test samples. Among all the test samples, the crude methanol extract showed the highest free radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 50.62±0.26 μg/ml). In cytotoxic activity assay, the pet-ether soluble fraction revealed the highest cytotoxic potentials (LC50 = 8.96 ± 0.64 μg/ml). The same sample showed 31.08±0.12% of clot lysis in thrombolytic activity assay. In membrane stabilizing activity assay, the dichloromethane soluble fraction showed 60.94 ± 0.31% inhibition of heat induced haemolysis of RBC and this finding was found to be more significant than that of acetyl salicylic acid (42.12±0.38%) used as standard in this assay. Phytocomponents responsible for the observed activities should be isolated for new drug development. Key words: Canarium bengalense Roxb, total phenolic content, cytotoxicity, thrombolytic activity, membrane stabilizing activity.

β-amyrin as an analgesic component of the leaves of Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Skeels: Chemical, biological and in silico studies

The analgesic potential of the leaves of Callistemon citrinus was reported earlier but no active principle for this analgesia was explored. To identify the major analgesic metabolite(s), the leaves were extracted with methanol and fractionated into petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions. Based on the thin layer chromatography, the carbon tetrachloride fraction was subjected to gel permeation chromatography and a compound (1) was isolated, which was characterized as β-amyrin. Compound (1) displayed significant peripheral analgesia (p &lt; 0.05) on mice model at an oral dose 200 mg/kg body weight. It also showed noticeable anti-inflammatory membrane stabilizing activity. In silico docking study of β-amyrin with cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 showed a good binding affinity (–9.1 Kcal/mol). Virtual pharmacokinetics and toxicity studies explore its potentials as a lead molecule having no extreme lethality.

Comparison of Caralluma tuberculata with Metformin for Anti-Diabetic Activity: An Animal Study

Background: Caralluma tuberculata, is a wild herb, which grows in the hills of Balochistan and has been known to have medicinal and nutritional properties since antiquity. This experimental research was designed to study the hypoglycemic properties of Caralluma tuberculata and to compare them with Metformin.Material and Methods: This was a laboratory-based animal experimental study. It was conducted in the Pharmacology laboratory of Khyber Medical University, Peshawar from February 2016 to August 2016. Two types of extracts of Caralluma tuberculata [crude extract and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) extract] were prepared and administered to normal and alloxan treated diabetic rabbits. To study anti-diabetic activity, eighty-four rabbits were divided into two main groups. Group I (Normal/Non-Diabetic Rabbits; n= 21) and Group II (Diabetic/Alloxanized Rabbits; n=63). Each group was further divided into sub-groups (7 rabbits in each). Effect of Caralluma tuberculata, Metformin and 2% gum tragacanth on blood glucose levels were checked at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 hours of drug administration. The extracts were given in capsule form and in cooking oil. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16. For calculation and comparison of the hypoglycemic effects at various doses and different time intervals, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc test were applied.Results: The crude extract, 200mg/kg body weight of Caralluma tuberculata showed significant decrease (p&lt;0.001) in mean blood glucose levels from 2-hour till12 hours. Whereas, highly significant reduction of blood glucose was seen from 2 hours after treatment till 24 hours, when carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) fraction of Caralluma (100mg/kg body weight) in capsule form was administered. Metformin 500mg/kg body weight was given to compare its effects with plant crude extract and it was found that metformin appeared to be less effective in comparison with Caralluma tuberculata.Conclusion: Caralluma tuberculata lowered the blood glucose level and turned out to be more significant in developing hypoglycemia when taken with cooking oil. More work is essential to provide stronger evidence for the use of this natural agent in the management of Diabetes Mellites.

Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Thrombolytic and Antimicrobial Activity of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Zanthoxylum rhetsa&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Root Bark with Two Isolated Quinolone Alkaloids

The background of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic and antimicrobial activity of the petroleum ether (PE), carbon tetrachloride (CTC), chloroform (CF) and aqueous (AQ) soluble fractions of crude methanolic Zanthoxylum rhetsa root bark with two isolated quinolone alkaloids, 8-methoxy-n-methylflindersine (1) and zanthodioline (2). Structures were characterized by 1D NMR analyses. Antioxidant activity was assessed by using DPPH assay and antimicrobial activity was screened by disc diffusion method. An in vitro thrombolytic model was used to evaluate the clot lysis effect of different extracts of root bark of Z. rhetsa along with streptokinase as a positive control and distilled water as a negative control and the cytotoxic activity of different extracts of Z. rhetsa root bark was evaluated by Brine Shrimp Lethality Bioassay. AQ fraction exhibited strongest antioxidant, cytotoxic and thrombolytic activity among four fractions. The CTC and CF soluble fractions exhibited significant antioxidant, cytotoxic and thrombolytic activity. CTC and AQ fractions gave highest anti-bacterial activity against Vibrio cholera and Klebsiella pneumonia respectively. Compound 1 showed significant activity at a concentration of 100 μgm/disc against Sarcina lutea, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella paratyphi-A, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella boydii and Shigella sonnei with high antioxidant activity. The antioxidant, thrombolytic and antimicrobial activity of 8-methoxy-n-methylflindersine and zanthodioline are the first record from root bark of this plant.

Phytochemical investigations and antioxidant potential of roots of Leea macrophylla (Roxb.)

BackgroundOleanolic acid (NZ-15), 7 α, 28-olean diol (NZ-38) and Stigmasterol (NZ-14) were isolated from the ethanolic extracts of the roots of Leea macrophylla (Family: Leeaceae) by using chromatographic analysis. This is the first report of isolation of these compounds from this plant. Their structures were constructed by spectroscopic analysis and by comparing the data with the published one. Subsequently the ethanolic extract was fractionated with two organic solvents and all the fractions were studied to evaluate their in vitro antioxidant property.MethodsThe ethanolic extract was fractionated with two organic solvents and all the fractions were studied to evaluate their in vitro antioxidant property by DPPH free radical scavenging assay, superoxide anion radical scavenging assay, nitric oxide radical scavenging assay, and reducing power assay.ResultsIn the DPPH free radical scavenging assay and superoxide radical scavenging assay, the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of ethanolic extract revealed the highest free radical scavenging activity with IC50 value of 2.65 and 155.62 μg/ml, respectively as compared to standard ascorbic acid (IC50 value of 5.8 and 99.66 μg/ml). Ethyl acetate fraction also possessed highest reducing power activity with an EC50 value of 15.27 μg/ml compared to ascorbic acid (EC50 0.91 μg/ml). On the other hand, the carbon tetrachloride fraction exhibited most significant NO scavenging activity with IC50 value of 277.8 μg/ml that was even higher than that of standard ascorbic acid (IC50 value 356.04 μg/ml). In addition, the total phenolic contents of these extract and fractions were evaluated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and varied from 7.93 to 50.21 mg/g dry weight expressed as gallic acid equivalents (GAE).ConclusionsThis study showed that different extracts of roots of L. macrophylla possess potential DPPH, superoxide, and NO free radical scavenging activities. The antioxidant activities of the plant extracts might be due to the presence of oleanolic acid, oleanolic acid derivative 7 α, 28-olean diol and stigmasterol.

Inspection of Phytochemical Content and In Vitro Antioxidant Profile of Gnaphalium luteoalbum L.: An Unexplored Phytomedicine

Background:Oxidative stress is intensely linked with several pathological manifestations. Searching for medicinal plant with the superior safety profile for the treatment of oxidative stress related disorders are ongoing due to multiple unwanted effects associated with synthetic antioxidants. Therefore the purpose of this study was to examine the phytochemical content, in vitro antioxidant potentiality of crude methanol extract (CME), carbon tetrachloride fraction (CTF), petroleum ether fraction (PEF), chloroform fraction (CLF) and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) of aerial parts of Gnaphalium luteoalbum (GL) L. Methods:The aerial parts of the GL were extracted with methanol followed by fractionation using carbon tetrachloride, petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate.The phytochemical screening of this plant was performed by using standard methods to evaluate the existence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids and fixed oils.Antioxidant potentiality was estimated by, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl (OH) and nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging tests. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were also measured. Results: Phytochemical analysis of the aerial parts of GL confirmed the presence of carbohydrates, phenols, flavonoids and saponins in crude extract and its all fractions. The CME showed the highest scavenging activity (43.28%) with IC50 of 398.49 μg/mL in the DPPH radical scavenging test. The IC50 values of EAF, CME were statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05, P &lt; 0.01) with respect to ascorbic acid (ACA). For OH and NO radical scavenging tests maximum scavenging (48.39%, 69.64%) was also reported for CME compared to CTF, PEF, CLF and EAF. Compared to ACA, in case of OH and NO radical scavenging activities the IC50 values of CME were markedly significant (P &lt; 0.01, P &lt; 0.05). In the TAC test, CME showed the highest antioxidant activity (absorbance, 2.6 nm) related to other fractions. TPC was found to be the highest in the CME (115.96 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g of dried extract) rather than other fractions. The ranking order of CTF, PEF, CLF, EAF and CME for TFC was 48.67 &lt; 55.75 &lt; 65.29 &lt; 71.35 &lt; 82.29 mg quercetin equivalent/g of dried extract. Conclusion: The existing study suggested that CME of the aerial parts of GL can be used as a natural source of antioxidant which might be effective towards preventing or slowing oxidative stress related disorders.

Evaluation of Anti-diarrheal Activity of Crude Extracts and Different Fractions of Stem Bark and Fruits of Oroxylum indicum

Abnormal passage of liquid or unformed stool at an increased frequency is termed as diarrhea: Infectious agents, certain medications, plant and animal toxins, gastrointestinal disorders, and substances that enhance gastrointestinal tract secretions are may be the triggers of diarrhea [1]. In recent times, medicinal plants occupy a considerable position for being the paramount sources of drug discovery irrespective of its categorized groups- herb, shrub or tree [2]. Oroxylum indicum (Linn.) Vent is widely used in Ayurvedic system of medicine [3]. The crude methanolic extract of Oroxylum indicum bark and fruits with different soluble partitionates were subjected to investigate for the evaluation of analgesic, hypoglycemic, CNS depressant and antidiarrheal activity on mice and thrombolytic, antihelmentic, antimicrobial, antioxidant along with cytotoxicity different in vivo experiment. [4] The antidiarrheal activity of methanolic bark and fruits extract and its different fractions of Oroxylum indicum (Ethyl acetate fraction, Dichloromethane fraction, Hexane fraction, Carbon tetrachloride fraction) (400mg/kg) cause reduction of diarrheal feces by 46.5%, 32.6%, 45.3%, 33.7%, 51.2%, respectively compared to standard Loperamide (82.6%). This reveals that methanol extracts of bark and fruits of Oroxylum indicum showed significant antidiarrheal activity.

Ethnopharmacological investigation of the aerial part of Phragmites karka (Poaceae).

In this ethnopharmacological study, methanolic extract of the aerial plant parts of Phragmites karka (Family: Poaceae) and its petroleum ether and carbon tetrachloride fractions were investigated for bioactivities in Swiss-albino mice, namely, analgesic, central nervous system (CNS) depressant, hypoglycemic, and antidiarrheal activity. The cold methanolic extract of the aerial plant parts of Phragmites karka (MEPK) was first prepared, and it was then further fractionated as petroleum ether (PEFMEPK) and carbon tetrachloride (CTFMEPK) fractions. Analgesic activity was performed employing acidic acid-induced writhing test, central analgesic effect by radiant heat tail-flick method. CNS depressant activity was evaluated by phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time test. Hypoglycemic activity was tested by glucose tolerance test (GTT). Antidiarrheal activity was evaluated by castor oil-induced diarrhea method. For all in vivo tests, doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight were used. In the mice model, the MEPK, PEFMEPK, and CTFMEPK fractions showed significant peripheral analgesic activity at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight with percentage of inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing 77.67 (p<0.001), 33.50 (p<0.001), and 40.29 (p<0.001), respectively, compared to the standard dichlofenac (60.68%, p<0.001) group. The hypoglycemic properties of MEPK, PEFMEPK, and CTFMEPK extracts were evaluated in normoglycemic mice where the reduction of blood glucose level after 30 min of glucose load were 69.85%, 78.91%, and 72.73%, respectively, and for standard glibenclamide, the reduction was 72.85%. All results were significant (p<0.05). In the case of the CNS depressant activity by phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time test, the crude ME significantly reduced sleep latency by 57.14% and increased the duration of sleep by 63.29% compared to the control, which were comparable to that of standard diazepam (65.71% and 77.62%, respectively). Among all the extract and fractions, methanolic extract showed the maximum antidiarrheal effect. The methanolic extract at 200 mg/kg dose induced a significant decrease in the total number of defecation in 4 h (69.05% of inhibition, p<0.001) and at 400 mg/kg dose showed 76.19% of inhibition (p<0.001). In light of the available literature, these findings represent the first experimental investigation of biological activities of P. karka in the perspective of their traditional use.

Preliminary study on thrombolytic property of thirty six different extracts of eight Bangladeshi medicinal plants with folkloric relevance

Traditional medicinal practitioners or Kavirajes use a variety of medicinal plants for treatment of thrombus ailments-cardiovascular problems. In this study, thrombolytic activity of 36 extracts of different solvents of eight Bangladeshi medicinal plants traditionally used in cardiovascular problems were evaluated to justify their use in folklore medicinal practitice. Extraction was conceded using methanol. Five grams of the concentrated methanol extract of each crude extract were then fractionated to provide n-hexane and carbon tetrachloride fractions. Phytochemically important groups like reducing sugars, tannins, saponins, steroids, gums, flavonoids and alkaloids were tested using standard chromogenic reagents. In vitro thrombolytic potential of extracts was assayed for analyzing the clot lyses by adding the extracts to the pre-clotted blood. The results were compared with the results obtained from streptokinase as standard and water as a negative control. Thrombolytic effect of the extracts ranged from 0.73 ± 2.44 % to 45.81 ± 0.34 % clot lysis whereas the standard streptokinase showed 65.13 ± 0.96 % and the negative control water showed 2.50 ± 0.67 % clot lysis. The highest thrombolytic effect was shown by the crude extract of Melastoma malabathricum leaves and the lowest by the CCl4 fractionate of Litsea glutinosa leaves. Most of the results were found relevant to the traditional use of the plants. Plants traditionally used in thrombus ailments may be an interesting source for further drug development.

Analgesic and Antipyretic Activities of Methanol Extract and Its Fraction from the Root of Schoenoplectus grossus.

The study aims to evaluate analgesic and antipyretic activities of the methanol extract and its different fractions from root of Schoenoplectus grossus using acetic acid induced writhing and radiant heat tail flick method of pain models in mice and yeast induced pyrexia in rats at the doses of 400 and 200 mg/kg. In acetic acid writhing test, the methanol extract, petroleum ether, and carbon tetrachloride fractions produced significant (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05) inhibition of writhing responses in dose dependent manner. The methanol extract at 400 and 200 mg/kg being more protective with 54% and 45.45% of inhibition compared to diclofenac sodium of 56% followed by petroleum ether fractions of 49.69% and 39.39% at the same doses. The extracts did not produce any significant antinociceptive activity in tail flick test except standard morphine. When studied on yeast induced pyrexia, methanol and petroleum ether fractions significantly lowered the rectal temperature time dependently in a manner similar to standard drug paracetamol and distinctly more significant (P < 0.001) after second hour. These findings suggest that the root extracts of S. grossus possess significant peripherally acting analgesic potential and antipyretic property. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins.

Membrane stabilizing, thrombolytic, analgesic, anti-diarrheal and CNS activities of Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.)

Different fractions of Polialthia longifolia (Sonn.) bark were evaluated for membrane stabilizing, thrombolytic, analgesic, anti-diarrheal and CNS de-pressant activities upon oral administration at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. The membrane stabilizing activity was assessed by heat and hypo-tonic solution. Carbon tetrachloride fraction of methanol extract of P. longi-folia bark demonstrated strong membrane stabilizing activity, while the crude methanol extract demonstrated mild to moderate thrombolytic activi-ty in human blood specimen. The analgesic activity was assessed by tail im-mersion and formalin-induced pain method in Swiss-albino mice. The crude methanol extract of P. longifolia bark exhibited significant peripheral and central analgesic activity, since inhibited chemical induced writhing at 200 mg/kg and increased tail flick latency time both at 200 and 400 mg/kg. The anti-diarrheal activity of the bark extract was assessed by using castor oil induced diarrhea in mice however significant anti-diarrheal activity was not revealed. The CNS inhibitory activity of the methanol extract was assessed in Swiss albino mice where it reduced phenobarbitone sodium induced sleep-ing time at 400 mg/kg.

Analgesic, antibacterial and central nervous system depressant activities of Albizia procera leaves

To ascertain analgesic, antibacterial and central nervous system (CNS) depressant activities of ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and carbon tetrachloride fractions of methanol extract of Albizia procera (A. procera) leaves. Leaves extracts of A. procera were tested for analgesic activity by acetic acid induced and formalin test method in mice. The in vitro antibacterial activity was performed by agar well diffusion method. CNS depressant activity was evaluated by hole cross and open field tests. All the extracts at 200 mg/kg exhibited significant (P<0.01) analgesic activity in acetic acid induced and formalin tests method in mice. Analgesic activity of the ethyl acetate fraction was almost same like as standard drug indomethacin in acetic acid induced method. The CNS depressant activity of the extracts at 500 mg/kg was comparable to the positive control diazepam as determined by hole cross and open field test method. The extracts exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity against all the tested microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Esherichia coli, Shigella soneii, Shigella boydii) at concentration of 0.8 mg/disc. The measured diameter of zone of inhibition for the extracts was within the range of 7 to 12 mm which was less than the standard kanamycin (16-24 mm). It is concluded that all the extracts possess potential analgesic and CNS depressants activity. This study also showed that different fractions of methanol extract could be potential sources of new antimicrobial agents.

In Vitro Antimicrobial Activities of Four Medicinally Important Plants of Bangladesh

In this study, methanolic crude extracts and their different fractions i.e. hexane, carbon tetrachloride, dichloromethane and aqueous soluble fractions of the B. daigremontianum(Raym.), C. cordifolia, (Linn.), L. glutinosa(Laur.) and M. minutum(G. Forst.)were subjected for antimicrobial activity. All the fractions were tested against different gram positive and gram negative bacteria and fungi to find out their antimicrobial activity. This study showed that among different fractions of the four important medicinal plants, carbon tetrachloride fraction and crude methanol soluble fraction of leaves' extract of L. glutinosa showed significant activity against gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria and fungi at a dose of 400 μg/ disc. Leaves' extract of B. daigremontianum showed mild to moderate antimicrobial activity, especially dichloromethane solvent extract showed significant antimicrobial activity showing 10-13 mm zone of inhibition in diameter, against Shigelladysenteriaethe extract showed highest activity (13 mm). Carbon tetrachloride extracts of leaves' extract of L. glutinosa showed significant antimicrobial activity which ranged from 11-16 mm zone of inhibition. For extract of M. minutum, dichloromethane solvent extract showed marked antimicrobial activity ranging from 9-13 mm zone of inhibition in diameter. Kanamycin at a concentration of 30 μg/dise was used as positive control in this study.

Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of the Extracts of Glochidion multiloculare

The current study was designed to investigate the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of methanol extract (MEGM), petroleum ether fraction (PEFGM), carbontetrachloride fraction (CTFGM), chloroform fraction (CFFGM) and aquous fraction (AQFGM) of stem bark of Glochidion multiloculare (Euphorbiaceae). Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion method and cytotoxic activity by brine shrimp lethality bioassay. In case of antimicrobial screening the CFFGM showed moderate inhibitory activity against B. subtilis having the zone size 12 mm and against Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli were 11 mm, while in the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the petroleum ether soluble fraction revealed the highest cytotoxicity having LC50 of 3.11 g/ml. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v10i1.16273 J Sci Foundation, January-June 2012;10(1):1-11

EVALUATION OF ANTI-OXIDANT, CYTO-TOXIC AND ANTI-MICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF DRYNARIA QUERCIFOLIA

Drynaria qu ercifolia is a plant having wide spread ethno pharmacological uses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti - oxidant, anti - microbial and cyto toxic activities of the whole plant Drynaria quercifolia . The rhizome of the plant was sun dried and extract ed using methanol. Later the crude methanolic extract was fractionated into four different fractions using Petrole um ether, carbon - tetrachloride, Ethyl acetate and water . The anti - oxidant activity of the different fractions was measured by the DPPH free ra dical scavenging activity. The ethyl acetate , carbon - tetrachloride and showed very potent anti - oxidant activity by the DPPH free radical scavenging method. The anti - microbial activity of the different fractions was measured by disc diffusion method using c iprofloxacin as a standard. In vitro antimicrobial screening of the plant showed that ethyl acetate and the carbon tetra chloride fractions showed mild anti microbial activity. Evaluation of cyto - toxic activity was done using the brine - shrimp lethality bio - assay. The petroleum ether soluble fraction showed significant cyto - toxic potential with LC 50 values of 5.59 µg / ml.

Evaluation of anti-diarrheal and anti-diabetic activities of the stem, barks and leaves of the plant Vernonia cinerea (Family: Asteraceae)

Article history: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-diarrheal, anti-diabetic activity of barks and leaves of the plant V. cinerea. The acute toxicity test was also carried out on the stems, barks and the leaves of the plant V.Cineria was sun dried and extracted using methanol. Later the crude methanolic extract was fractionated into three different fractions using carbon-tetrachloride, di-chloromethane and water. The anti-diarrheal activity was tested using the non polar carbon-tetra-chloride fraction in a dose dependent manner and it was found that the fraction does not possess any anti-diarrheal activity. The anti-diabetic study was done in rats using the alloxan-induced diabetes method. The carbon tetrachloride fraction of methanolic stem-bark and leaves extract of V. cinerea in all the doses used caused a time dependent and significant (p < 0.05) reduction of the blood glucose levels of the alloxan-induced diabetic rats when compared to the negative control group. The highest activity of V. cinerea extract in this experiment was observed at the dose of 500 mg/kg. Acute toxicity was done by following the method of Lorke. The acute toxicity in rats produced no death or signs of toxicity even at the highest dose of the extract (3500 mg/kg).