Ehretia Laevis Research Articles

Novel biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles for catalytic oxidation of Alcohols containing aromatic ring

In the present investigation, green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from plant extract of Ehretia laevis have been studied for their catalytic performance towards the oxidation of alcohols containing aromatic ring into the corresponding aldehydes. The synthesis of nanoparticles and purity was confirmed by UV-visible analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope analysis (TEM) and XRD analysis. SEM analysis showed cubical and relatively uniform shape of nanoparticles and XRD analysis revealed the face centred cubic system and crystalline nature of silver nanoparticle (AgNPs). The excellent catalytic oxidation process of aromatic alcohols by silver nanoparticles offered the merit of being a short reaction time, efficient, easy and clean synthetic path. The remarkable activity of the catalyst was exhibited without the significant loss. The catalytic route suggests the notable features of green approach, higher yields and recyclability.

GC-MS Analysis of Phytochemical Compounds present in the bark extracts of Ehretia laevis Roxb.

GC-MS Analysis of Phytochemical Compounds present in the bark extracts of Ehretia laevis Roxb.

Notes on powdery mildews (Erysiphales) in Thailand VI. Phyllactinia and Leveillula

Nine species of the genus Phyllactinia and one species of Leveillula on various hosts are recorded for Thailand. Morphological descriptions of powdery mildew specimens on hosts belonging to nine plant families and molecular phylogenetic analyses based on ITS and 28S rRNA gene sequences are provided. Phyllactinia mori-macrourae on Morus macroura (Moraceae) is proposed as new species. Phyllactinia mori-macrourae differs from Ph. moricola by having smaller chasmothecia, less chasmothecial appendages, less asci per chasmothecium, and longer ascospores. Ovulariopsis broussonetiae-papyriferae is combined to Phyllactinia broussonetiae-papyriferae. Phyllactinia alangii, Ph. dalbergiae, Phyllactinia cf. ehretiae, Ph. gmelinae, Ph. moricola, Ph. pyri-serotinae, Ph. Terminaliae, and Leveillula taurica are new records for Thailand. Ehretia laevis and S. aculeatissimum are new host records for powdery mildews species worldwide.

Electrochemical measurement of the antidiabetic potential of medicinal plants using multi-walled carbon nanotubes paste electrode

A sensor for the determination of antidiabetic potential of medicinal plants based on the inhibition of the α-glucosidase (AG) activity is developed using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) paste electrode. The fabricated electrode was used to measure the amount of para-nitrophenol released through the hydrolysis of para-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (PNPG) catalyzed by AG enzyme. The enzymatic reaction is inhibited by bioactive compounds in medicinal plant extracts, which indicates the antidiabetic potential of these extract. The inhibition of the enzymatic reaction by medicinal plant extracts and Acarbose was studied by cyclic voltammetric method using the developed electrode in phosphate buffer at pH 6.8. The results show that the inhibition is higher in the presence of Tebengau (Ehretia laevis) than that in the presence of Acarbose, Cemumar (Micromelum pubescens) and Kedondong (Spondias dulcis). A good correlation was obtained between the spectrophotometric and the cyclic voltammetric methods for the measurement of the inhibition achieved with the medicinal plant extracts. Therefore, the fabricated MWCNTs paste electrode is useful for the measurement of the antidiabetic potential of medicinal plants.

Ethnomedicinal plants used to treat skin diseases by Tharu community of district Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, India

Ethnopharmacological relevanceTharu community is the largest primitive indigenous community of the Uttarakhand, India. In this article we have scientifically enumerated medicinal plants and herbal preparations used by the Tharu community to treat various skin diseases, and discussed dermatological properties of these plants in the light of previous ethnomedicinal, microbiological, pharmacological, toxicological, phytochemical and clinical studies. Materials and methodsEthnomedicinal survey was conducted in different villages of Tharu community located in district Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, India. Ethnomedicinal information on plants used to treat various skin diseases was collected from 122 individuals (93 males and 29 females), including 35 experienced herbal practitioners and 87 local villagers. For each of the recorded plant species the use value (UV) and fidelity level (FL) was calculated. The informant consensus factor (Fic) was also calculated to find out the homogeneity in the information given by the informants. ResultsA total of 90 plant species belonging to 86 genera and 48 families were used by the Tharu community to treat various skin diseases viz., wounds (38 spp.), boils (32 spp.), cuts (18 spp.), leprosy (11 spp.), eczema (10 spp.), itching (7 spp.), ringworm (5 spp.), burns (4 spp.), leucoderma (4 spp.), cracked heels (2 spp.), dandruff (3 spp.), body infection (2 spp.), chilblains (2 spp.), hair fall (2 spp.) and toes infection (2 spp.). Information on botanical name, family, vernacular name, ailments treated, mode and dose of herbal preparations, UV and FL values are provided for each of the recorded species. According to UV value most preferred plant species used to treat skin diseases by Tharu community was Ricinus communis L. followed by Tridax procumbens (L.) L., Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Ageratum conyzoides and Allium cepa L. ConclusionsThe present study has revealed significant information on various medicinal plants used to treat skin diseases by Tharu community. Literature review has confirmed most of the claims made by the Tharu community regarding treatment of various skin diseases by the reported plants. The literature review has also revealed that products from very few of the reported plants are available in market, while most of the reported plants are still under preclinical or clinical trials. There are various known phytochemicals, and antibiotic, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal agents present in these plants which may be synthesized or transformed to make pharmaceuticals. Some of the reported plants have shown promising results in preclinical trails and there is a need of clinical trials to see their safety and efficacy in treating various skin diseases. These plants may be targeted for development of new medicines, ointments or drugs for the treatment of skin diseases. However further toxicological, preclinical and clinical studies are needed to validate claims about little worked out plant species reported in the present study viz., Sida cordata (Burm. F.) Borss. Waalk., Millettia extensa (Benth.) Baker, Caesulia axillaris Roxb., Ehretia laevis Roxb., Vanda tessellate (Roxb.) Hook. Ex G.Don. and Eualaliopsis binata (Retz.) C.E. Hubb. Further studies on these plants are recommended to assess their potential in development of new skin care products.

Analysis of vegetation dynamics and phytodiversity from three dry deciduous forests of Doon Valley, Western Himalaya, India

The present study aimed to analyze the vegetation dynamics and plant diversity from the dry deciduous forests of Doon Valley. Species richness, regeneration, and change in community composition of these forests were studied and change was noticed with Shorea robusta as the main dominant species, and Mallotus philippensis, Syzygium cumini, and Ehretia laevis as codominant tree species in all communities. The highest species richness and diversity rates were found to be increased with the decrease in tree density and basal area. The high Importance Value Index recorded in Thano (>150) indicates that the S. robusta forest is progressing toward the culmination stage, whereas the lower IVI values (100 and 150) in the other two sites (Selaqui – Jhajra and Asarori) signify the heavy disturbance of these sites and further establishment of alien invasive species such as Cassia tora, Cassia occidentalis, Lantana camara, Urena lobata, Ipomoea carnea, Sida acuta, and Solanum torvum.

Phytochemical Constituents and Antiarthritic Activity ofEhretia laevisRoxb

Present experimental analysis showed that the stem bark, leaves and fruits of Ehretia laevis were potent sources of amino acids, proteins, lipids and minerals like Ca, Na, NH3, Mg, Fe, Mn, K, P, Zn, Cu and Si. Total phenolics (97.21 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g) content in leaves, tannins (64.12 mg tannic acid equivalent (TAE)/g) in stem bark, flavonoids (57.23 mg rutin equivalent (RE)/g) and vitamin C (56.09 mg ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE)/g) in fruits were found as the highest quantities trapped in the solvent methanol. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis of the methanol extract of the stem bark, leaves and fruits showed the presence of acontanes, decanoic acids, phthalic acid, phytol, α and β amyrin, piperazine, phenylephrine, etc. The methanolic extract of the leaves was found to be an effective antiarthritic agent. In mice, E. laevis leaf methanol extract (500 mg/kg) inhibited the rise in paw volume by 56%, paw edema to 60%, and also helped maintain the body weight and regulated the altered hematological parameters. Practical Applications There are a few reports on the uses of different parts of Ehretia laevis as food, fodder and as herbal remedy for some health problems such as anthelmintic, astringent, diuretic, demulcent, expectorant, skin diseases and inflammations. The present study would scientifically validate the medicinal value of this potent plant. The phenolics and other phytochemicals present in this plant could prove it to be a potent diet. Chromatographic analysis of the phytochemicals and the antiarthritic study of the different parts of E. laevis will help to reveal their medicinal properties. It has been reported that the bark, leaves and fruits of this plant are edible, and this study will increase its value as a dietary supplement for humans as well as cattle, and could help in producing beneficial herbal products in the years to come.

The treatment of jaundice with medicinal plants in indigenous communities of the Sub-Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India

Ethnopharmacological relevanceInspite of tremendous advances made in allopathic medical practices, herbs still play an important role in the management of various liver diseases. A large number of plants and formulations have been claimed to have hepatoprotective activity. Jaundice is a symptom, indicative of the malfunctioning of the liver. This paper provides ethnomedicinal information on the plants used to treat jaundice by three important indigenous communities, i.e., nomadic Gujjars, Tharu and Bhoxa of Sub-Himalayan region, Uttarakhand, India. Aims of the studyTo record herbal preparations used by the studied indigenous communities in treatment of jaundice and discuss hepatoprotective properties of the recorded plants. Research strategy and methodsThe traditional knowledge of the studied indigenous communities on herbal preparations used for treating jaundice was collected through structured questionnaire and personal interviews. The interviews were conducted with 91 traditional healers (29 Bhoxa, 35 Tharu and 27 nomadic Gujjars) in Sub-Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India. More than 250 research papers reporting ethnomedicinal information on the hepatoprotective plants used by various communities from different parts of India were extensively reviewed. ResultsA total of 40 medicinal plants belonging to 31 families and 38 genera were recorded to be used by the studied communities in 45 formulations as a remedy of jaundice. Bhoxa, nomadic Gujjars and Tharu communities used 15, 23 and 9 plants, respectively. To our knowledge eight plants reported in the present survey viz., Amaranthus spinosus L., Cissampelos pareira L., Ehretia laevis Roxb., Holarrhena pubescens Wall., Ocimum americanum L., Physalis divaricata D. Don, Solanum incanum L. and Trichosanthes cucumerina L. have not been reported earlier as remedy of jaundice in India. Literature review revealed that a total of 214 (belonging to 181 genus and 78 families), 19 (belonging to 18 genus and 12 families) and 14 (belonging to 14 genus and 11 families) plant species are used as internal, external and magico-religious remedies for jaundice, respectively by various communities in different parts of India. Most widely used hepatoprotective plant species for treatment of jaundice in India is Boerhavia diffusa L. followed by Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers, Saccharum officinarum L., Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn., Ricinus communis L., Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees., Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz, Lawsonia inermis L. and Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. ConclusionsThe plants recorded in the present survey have also been discussed in relation to pharmacological studies and hepatoprotective phytoconstituents present in them. Most of the recorded plants have shown hepatoprotective effects on experimental animals in earlier studies but more studies are needed to assess hepatoprotective properties of some recorded medicinal plants viz., Averrhoa carambola L., Ehretia laevis Roxb., Holarrhena pubescens Wall., Mangifera indica L., Ocimum americanum L., Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz, Physalis divaricata D. Don, Solanum incanum L., Sphaeranthus senegalensis DC. and Tribulus terrestris L.. The plants enumerated in this study with high number of citations and wider distributions have given some useful leads for further biomedical research. Nevertheless more phytochemical, pharmaceutical and clinical studies are needed to evaluate hepatoprotective properties, efficacy and safety of all the claimed medicinal plants.

Crown architecture of the trees of a sub-tropical forest of Uttaranchal (Garhwal) Himalaya

In a sub-tropical foot-hill forest of the Uttaranchal (Garhwal) Himalaya growing along the river Ganga near Rishikesh, 45 tree species were identified, out of which the 14 species, viz., Acacia catechu, Albizia julibrissin, A. procera, Bauhinia racemosa, Cordia wallichii, Dalbergia sissoo, Ehretia laevis, Emblica officinalis, Gmelina arborea, Holoptelea integrifolia, Miliusa velutina, Moringa oleifera, Ougeinia oojeinensis and Toona ciliata represented Troll’s model. Like-wise, the trees of Aegle marmelos, Bombax ceiba, Mallotus philippensis, Schleichera oleosa, Terminalia alata and Terminalia bellirica exhibited the Aubreville’s model. Alstonia scholaris and Anogeissus latifolia belonged to Prevost’s model, Cassia fistula and Erythrina glabrescens represented Scarrone’s model and Casearia elliptica, Grewia oppositifolia and Shorea robusta showed the Raux’s model. The trees of Ficus racemosa, F. palmata and F. religiosa represented the Rauh’s model, Adina cordifolia and Mitragyna parvifolia represented Fagerlind’s model and Holarrhena antidysenterica and Syzygium cumini exhibited Mangenot’s model. Champagnot’s model was represented by Lagerstroemia parviflora and Naringi crenulata whereas Sapium insigne has been noted to represent Leeuwenberg’s model.