Litsea Monopetala Research Articles

LC-QTOF-MS/MS metabolic profiling and hepatoprotective effects of Litsea monopetala bark methanol extract against liver injury in rats and HepG2 cells.

Fresh stem bark decoction of Litsea monopetala has been practiced for the treatment of jaundice and other liver disorders by the tribal communities of Thakht-e-Sulaiman hills from West Pakistan. As per the folkloric claim, this study aims to identify the phytoconstituents and evaluate the hepatoprotective action of stem bark methanol extract of L. monopetala (LMME). The in-vitro hepatoprotective effect of L. monopetala was performed by H2O2-induced toxicity in the HepG2 cell line and in-vivo by cclt;sub>4-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats taking Silymarin as standard drug. Phytoconstituents were identified using LC-QTOF-MS analysis followed by in-silico docking and validation. Molecular docking interactions between identified compounds of L. monopetala and two target proteins, namely 1VJY and 5HYK were presented. In this study, treatment with LMME at 100 µg/mL showed 67.73 % cell viability as compared to H2O2 (100 µM) treated alone i.e., 18.55 % in the HepG2 cell line. In-vivo treatment of LMME reversed the altered serum biochemical parameters and reduced the inflammatory response similar to that of the Silymarin-treated group supported by histopathological investigation. This research reveals that L. monopetala is a rich source of flavonoids and phenols which supports its hepatoprotective effects and is proposed for its usage as a promising hepatoprotective agent after controlled trials.

Isolation and Characterization of Polyprenols from Litsea monopetala (Roxb.) Pers.

Litsea monopetala (Roxb.) Pers. (Family: Lauraceae) is a plant that holds substantial ethnobotanical significance due to its traditional and cultural importance. In this study, we conducted an extensive chemical investigation on L. monopetala, a plant native to the regions including Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. Two unique secondary metabolites were isolated and characterized from ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of the leaves of L. monopetala which were identified as tri-trans poly-cis prenol-15 (1), and its acetylated derivative tri-trans poly-cis prenol-15 (2). The structures of the isolated compounds were determined through in-depth analysis of their highresolution 1H NMR, 13C NMR, COSY, HSQC, and HMBC spectroscopic data, along with comparison to existing published data. Both the compounds are isolated from the plant for the first time. Further studies are recommended to analyze the potential bioactivity associated with the molecules. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 23(1): 63-68, 2024 (June)

The Analgesic Potential of Litsea Species: A Systematic Review.

Various plant species from the Litsea genus have been claimed to be beneficial for pain relief. The PRISMA approach was adopted to identify studies that reported analgesic properties of plants from the Litsea genus. Out of 450 records returned, 19 primary studies revealed the analgesic potential of nine Litsea species including (1) Litsea cubeba, (2) Litsea elliptibacea, (3) Litsea japonica, (4) Litsea glutinosa, (5) Litsea glaucescens, (6) Litsea guatemalensis, (7) Litsea lancifolia, (8) Litsea liyuyingi and (9) Litsea monopetala. Six of the species, 1, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9, demonstrated peripheral antinociceptive properties as they inhibited acetic-acid-induced writhing in animal models. Species 1, 3, 4, 8 and 9 further showed effects via the central analgesic route at the spinal level by increasing the latencies of heat stimulated-nocifensive responses in the tail flick assay. The hot plate assay also revealed the efficacies of 4 and 9 at the supraspinal level. Species 6 was reported to ameliorate hyperalgesia induced via partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL). The antinociceptive effects of 1 and 3 were attributed to the regulatory effects of their bioactive compounds on inflammatory mediators. As for 2 and 5, their analgesic effect may be a result of their activity with the 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) which disrupted the pain-stimulating actions of 5-HT. Antinociceptive activities were documented for various major compounds of the Litsea plants. Overall, the findings suggested Litsea species as good sources of antinociceptive compounds that can be further developed to complement or substitute prescription drugs for pain management.

Chemical Profiling and Biological Activities on Nepalese Medicinal Plant Extracts and Isolation of Active Fraction of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis.

The importance of medicinal plants for the treatment of different diseases is high from the aspects of the pharmaceutical industry and traditional healers. The present study involves nine different medicinal plants, namely, Neolamarckia cadamba, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, Pogostemon benghalensis, Equisetum debile, Litsea monopetala, Spilanthes uliginosa, Desmostachya bipinnata, Mallotus philippensis, and Phoenix humilis, collected from Chitwan district of Nepal for biochemical analysis followed by the isolation of active plant fractions from the bioactive plant extract. The methanolic extracts of roots, barks, seeds, seed cover, and the other aerial parts of plants were used for the phytochemical analysis and biological activities. The DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay was adopted to evaluate the antioxidant activity. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method. The antidiabetic activity was studied by the α-amylase enzyme inhibition assay. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in extracts of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis followed by Mallotus philippensis (seed cover), Pogostemon benghalensis, Litsea monopetala, Phoenix humilis, and Neolamarckia cadamba with IC50 values of 27.38 ± 1.35, 32.08 ± 2.81, 32.75 ± 2.13, 33.82 ± 1.07, 40.14 ± 0.93, and 50.44 ± 3.75 µg/mL, respectively. The highest antidiabetic activity was observed in extracts of Phoenix humilis followed by Desmostachya bipinnata and Pogostemon benghalensis with IC50 values of 95.69 ± 6.97, 99.24 ± 12.6, and 106.3 ± 12.89 µg/mL, respectively. The mild α-amylase enzyme inhibition was found in extracts of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, Spilanthes uliginosa Swartz, Litsea monopetala, and Equisetum debile showing IC50 values of 110.4 ± 7.78, 115.98 ± 10.24, 149.83 ± 8.3, and 196.45 ± 6.04 µg/mL, whereas Mallotus Philippensis (seed cover), Mallotus philippensis (seed), and Desmostachya bipinnata showed weak α-amylase inhibition with IC50 values of 208.87 ± 1.76, 215.41 ± 2.09, and 238.89 ± 9.27 µg/mL, respectively. The extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis showed high zones of inhibition against S. aureus (ATCC 25923) and E. coli (ATCC 25922) of ZOI 26 and 22 mm, respectively. The chemical constituents isolated from the active plant Nyctanthes arbor-tristis were subjected to GCMS analysis where the major chemical compounds were 11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid and methyl ester. These results support the partial scientific validation for the traditional uses of these medicinal plants in the treatment of diabetes and infectious diseases by the people living in different communities of Chitwan, Nepal.

Zymograms as a Tool to Detect PPIs in Host plants of Antheraea Assamensis

Antheraea assamensis (vernacular: ‘muga’) larvae is commercially reared on two tree species of the Lauraceae family, Persea bombycina and Litsea monopetala for its golden yellow, lustrous cocoon silk. Biochemical and molecular studies suggested that the midgut digestive enzymes and their transcripts in larvae feeding on P. bombycina differ from those found in larvae feeding on L. monopetala indicating that host plant 'choice' affects the digestive physiology of this insect. Ingestion of plant proteinase inhibitors is known to influence expression of digestive enzymes. Using reverse zymography technique trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors were detected in herbivore-induced leaves of L. monopetala and P. bombycina that could inhibit midgut proteinases of A. assamensis. Such interactions may affect proteolytic digestion in larvae reared on different host plant species. This work may have significance in quality of silk produced by muga silkworm, ultimately benefiting the silkworm rearers/industry.

Morphological Variation of Antheraea assamensis Helfer upon Semi-domestication: A Study on Rearing, Disease Incidence and Seed Production Performance

Muga silkworm is multivoltine and primarily feeds on two primary food plants Som (Persea bombycina King. syn. Machilus bombycina) and Soalu (Litsea polyantha Kost. syn. Litsea monopetala). Muga silkworm Antheraea assamensis (n=15) is a semi-domesticated silk moth mentioned in literature as early 1662 BC. In its annual life cycle there are six crops of cultivated muga silk worm whose nomenclature is based on the local Assamese names of month. By virtue of the narrow ecological distribution of host food plant Antheraea assamensis is confined to only Assam and North East state of India. Empirical observations show that the population is declining due to depletion of natural habitat and lack of genetic variability among population. The wild muga silkworm which is tri or tetra voltine in nature is also found nearby forest area of human habitat in different host plant in N E state of India. A stock of wild muga silkworm collected from the nearby area of Nongpoh and Mendipathar Meghalaya. reared and maintained in muga farm and grainage activities of both wild and cultivated muga were conducted for comparative study. Details of morphology, economic characters and disease occurrence of wild and cultivated muga was studied for future improvement and breed development and also for future strategy of muga silkworm. The morphology of wild muga silkworm are little variant than cultivated muga and economic characters i.e. fecundity of wild muga was recorded 220 - 227 nos. in against the fecundity of cultivated muga observed 120-170 nos. and one gram total numbers of egg contain 120 -135 nos in wild muga in against 134 -145 nos.in cultivated muga. Average cocoon weight wild muga cocoon is ♂= 5.80 g & ♀= 6.60 g in against average cocoon weight ♂= 5.10 g & ♀= 5.54 g in cultivated muga silkworm. Average shell weight ♂= 0.51 g & ♀= 0.60 g in wild muga silkworm and average shell weight ♂= 0.43 g & ♀= 0.51 g in cultivated muga silkworm were recorded. Study revealed that the fecundity, weight of eggs, cocoon weight and shell weight are higher in wild muga silkworm than cultivated muga silkworm. Thereafter it is found that only protozoon disease was reported in wild muga silkworm and other disease i.e. Flacherie, Grasserie, Muscardine was not reported in wild muga silkworm. The mono race muga have no high yielding breed or hybrid and hence breeding programme between wild and cultivated muga may be carried out to get more heterosis, vigourity and yield enhancement.

Screening of Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anti-Adipogenic, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Five Selected Medicinal Plants of Nepal.

Herbal products have been widely used for the treatment of diseases throughout the ages. In this research, we investigated antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-adipogenic, and anti-inflammatory activities of methanolic extracts of five ethnomedicinally important plants; namely, Alnus nepalensis, Dryopteris sparsa, Artocarpus lacucha, Litsea monopetala, and Lyonia ovalifolia. We investigated the DPPH free radical scavenging potential, sensitivity of selected bacterial strains towards the extracts using a disc diffusion assay, anti-inflammatory activity in RAW-264.7 cells, and anti-adipogenic activity by the ORO assay in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The extract of A. nepalensis showed significant antioxidant activity (IC50=4.838 µg/mL), followed by A. lacucha, L. monopetala, and L. ovalifolia, exhibiting comparable IC50 values to that of ascorbic acid (IC50=5.063 µg/mL). Alnus nepalensis also showed good antibacterial activity in disc diffusion methods, with remarkable zones of inhibition in A. baumannii (14.66 mm) and P. mirabilis (15.50 mm) bacterial species. In addition, A. nepalensis was found to increase adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells, evidenced by increased lipid deposition in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. A similar pattern of increased adipogenesis was observed on treatment with L. ovalifolia extracts. On the other hand, A. lacucha effectively reduced lipid deposition in 3T3-L1 cells at 100 µg/mL (75.18±6.42%) by inhibiting adipogenesis, showing its potential use in the management of obesity. Furthermore, A. lacucha 100 µg/mL (15.91±0.277 µM) and L. monopetala 75 µg/mL (12.52±0.05 µM) and 100 µg/mL (11.77±0.33 µM) significantly inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells. Also, A. nepalensis and L. ovalifolia inhibited NO production significantly, endorsing their anti-inflammatory potential. The findings from these in-vitro studies suggest that the selected five plants possess remarkable antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-adipogenic, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study opens the door to conduct further advanced in-vivo experiments to find possible lead compounds for the development of valuable therapeutic agents for common health problems.

In vitro cytotoxic, thrombolytic, anthelmintic and antioxidant activities of Litsea monopetala: a medicinal plant

The present study was conducted to assess the cytotoxicity, thrombolytic, anthelmintic and antioxidant activity of mehanolic extract of Litsea monopetala (Family: Lauraceae) leaves in laboratory using in vitro methods. Cytotoxicity test was done by brine shrimp lethality bioassay where the extract concentration was 400, 200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125, 1.5625, 0.78125 (µg/ml). In vitro thrombolytic activity of Litsea monopetala was performed by clot lysis method using extract concentration 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 (mg/mL) in saline water. Anthelmintic activity test was done by using adult earthworms where 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 (mg/ml) extract concentration were used. Finally antioxidant activity was determined by total phenolic content determination using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The Litsea monopetala extract showed cytotoxic activity against brine shrimp nauplii and LC50 value was 41.05(µg/ml) and the investigated thrombolytic activity in our research was 9.52, 9.49, 13.64 and 17.50 % respectively as % of clot lysis. The paralysis time were at 76.75 min, 60 min, 51.75 min, 44.5 min and 64.5 min and death were at 90.50min, 63.75min, 55.50min, 44.75min and 71min. respectively. The Litsea monopetala extract displayed significant antioxidant activity which was 20.75 (mg of GAE / gm) of extracts. The activities observed could be attributed to presence of some of the phytochemicals which have been related with cytotoxic, thrombolytic, anthelmintic and antioxidant property.

Comparative study on the Rearing performance of muga silkworm (Antheraea assamensis Helfer) on two primary host plants Som (Persea bombycina Kost) and Soalu (Litsea monopetala Roxb) in differentrearing seasons

Muga, (Antherea assamensis, Helfer) is a polyphagous multivoltine insect. (Chakravorty et al., 2004) Due to outdoor rearing the muga larvae are subject to different biotic factors and abiotic stress. The seasonal differences in the environmental components considerably affect the genotypic expression in the form phenotypic output of silkworm such as cocoon weight, pupal weight, shell weight and shell ratio. An attempt has been made on two primary host plants viz. Som and Soalu to investigate their comparative performance on rearing in study area on different rearing seasons. Results indicated highest Shell weight and Shell Ratio(SR %) when fed on Som plant (T1) where as Larval weight, Pupal weight is highest when fed on Soalu (T2) plant and the results also reveals lowest performance in Soalu to Som fed batch (T3). This study also reveals that Kotia (V1) season showing best rearing performance followed by Jethua (V2), Bhodia (V3) and Chotua (V4). This study was conducted continually three years in the same area and showing same trend. T-1 and V1 showed the best commercial characters of Antherea assamensis, Helfer when silkworm larvae were feed with Som leaves. Therefore, it is suggested that Som leaves can be used in rearing for higher yield of muga silk. If there is a shortage of Som leaves during commercial rearing, then Chawki rearing can be done in Soalu plants and then transferred to Som plant for late age rearing.

In vitro cytotoxic, thrombolytic, anthelmintic and antioxidant activities of Litsea monopetala: A medicinal plant

The present study was conducted to assess the cytotoxicity, thrombolytic, anthelmintic and antioxidant activity of mehanolic extract of Litsea monopetala (Family: Lauraceae) leaves in laboratory using in vitro methods. Cytotoxicity test was done by brine shrimp lethality bioassay where the extract concentration was 400, 200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125, 1.5625, 0.78125 (µg/ml). In vitro thrombolytic activity of Litsea monopetala was performed by clot lysis method using extract concentration 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 (mg/mL) in saline water. Anthelmintic activity test was done by using adult earthworms where 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 (mg/ml) extract concentration were used. Finally antioxidant activity was determined by total phenolic content determination using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The Litsea monopetala extract showed cytotoxic activity against brine shrimp nauplii and LC50 value was 41.05(µg/ml) and the investigated thrombolytic activity in our research was 9.52, 9.49, 13.64 and 17.50 % respectively as % of clot lysis. The paralysis time were at 76.75 min, 60 min, 51.75 min, 44.5 min and 64.5 min and death were at 90.50min, 63.75min, 55.50min, 44.75min and 71min. respectively. The Litsea monopetala extract displayed significant antioxidant activity which was 20.75 (mg of GAE / gm) of extracts. The activities observed could be attributed to presence of some of the phytochemicals which have been related with cytotoxic, thrombolytic, anthelmintic and antioxidant property.

Antidiarrheal Activity of Four Different Species of Litsea Available in Bangladesh

The objective of the present study includes the evaluation of the antidiarrheal properties of the methanol extracts of Litsea deccanensis Gamble (MELD) bark, Litsealancifolia (Roxb.) Hook. f. MELL),Litseaglutinosa Gamble (MELG) and Litsea monopetala Roxb. (MELM) leavesin Swiss albino mice. The antidiarrheal activity was evaluated by measuring percentage inhibition of diarrheal feces, total fecal output, gastrointestinal motility and by using peristaltic indices. Castor oil was used to induce diarrhea in the experimental animal. The experiments were carried out by using three different doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight) of these four plant extracts. The number of wet feces and total weight of the feces were significantly (p < 0.05) and dose-dependently reduced by all the plant extracts and this effect was comparable with standard drug. MELD, MELL, MELG and MELM extracts at dose of 400 mg/kg body weight demonstrated diarrheal inhibition by 43.55%, 45.16%, 32.26% and 41.94%, respectively while it was 98.39% for the standard loperamide. Percentage (%) of fecal output for MELD, MELL, MELG and MELM extracts at the dose of 400 mg/kg were 40.14%, 62.27%, 64.06%, 46.26%, respectively.The gastrointestinal motility induced by castor oil was also reduced noticeably (p < 0.05) by all the plant extracts with the increasing doses. The percentage inhibition of gastrointestinal motility at the dose of 400 mg/kg were 26.26%, 33.22%, 32.36% and 22.52% for the MELD, MELL, MELG and MELM extracts respectively, while it was 27.56% for loperamide. In most cases, all the plant extracts can reduce the peristaltic indices which were comparable to control. The obtained results from this study revealed that the methanol extracts of four different species of Litsea found in Bangladesh may have antidiarrheal potential. It also provides the basis for the traditional use of these plants to treat diarrhea.

Lipoxygenase ‐ trypsin inhibitor activity axis induction in the host plants of muga silkworm, Antheraea assamensis Helfer by feeding

AbstractThe muga silkworm, Antheraea assamensis Helfer bears great economic importance, producing golden yellow muga silk which is in global demand for both the textile and biomedical industries. The insect's larval stages are maintained in the field by farmers on its primary host plant Persea bombycina Kost in Assam located in the North‐East part (25.57 ° N, 93.25 ° E) of India. If continuous feeding by A. assamensis is inducing any direct defense in P. bombycina, the aspect is not yet questioned. We used the activity of lipoxygenases (LOX) and trypsin inhibitors as markers for determining defense responses in P. bombycina and Litsea monopetala Roxb, the two primary host plants of the silkworm due to insect feeding. The induction of anti‐herbivore trypsin inhibitor by insect feeding was examined by studying their effect on the midgut trypsin activity of A. assamensis larvae. This is the first report showing that the LOX‐ trypsin inhibitor axis is differentially activated in the two host plants and greater induction of the defense response is exhibited in P. bombycina, the most commercially used host plant in muga silkworm rearing.

Food plant diversity, distribution, and nutritional aspects of the endemic golden silk producing silkworm, Antheraea assamensis – a review

AbstractMuga silkworms, Antheraea assamensis (Helfer) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) is a semi‐domesticated sericigenous insect that produces the costliest golden colored exquisite silk. The silkworm is endemic to Assam and the adjoining areas of northeastern India. This multivoltine silkworm feeds on a variety of perennial food plants. However, less is known about the food plants of the silkworm other than the primary ones, namely Persea bombycina Kost. and Litsea monopetala (Roxb.) Pers. (both Lauraceae) in terms of rearing performances, diversity, nutritional aspects, and silkworm‐food plant relationships. Here, we review the utilization and present status of the food plants of Muga silkworm based on published information and field observations. Although 37 species belonging to eight families – namely Magnoliaceae, Lauraceae, Celastraceae, Verbenaceae, Apocynaceae, Symplocaceae, Rutaceae, and Rhamnaceae – were reported previously, only P. bombycina and L. monopetala have been exploited commercially and are being utilized in silkworm farming. Some other food plants documented previously are six Cinnamomum spp., five Litsea spp., three Symplocos spp., three Zanthoxylum spp., three Persea spp., three Actinodaphne spp., and two Celastrus spp. Systematic documentation, evaluation, and conservation of these food plants of Muga silkworm is urgently needed to preserve their gene pool in wild habitats. Silkworm farming in forest vicinity and tea silkworm‐based farming (as shade tree) may be experimentally tried which will aid the conservation of biodiversity with economic benefit.

A study on Litsea monopetala for evaluating its pharmacological properties

Aims: To assess the cytotoxicity, thrombolytic, anthelmintic and antioxidant activity of mehanol extract of Litsea monopetala (Family: Lauraceae) leaves in laboratory using in vitro methods.Methods: Cytotoxicity test was done by brine shrimp lethality bioassay where the extract concentration was 400, 200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125, 1.5625, 0.78125 (µg/ml). In vitro thrombolytic activity of Litsea monopetala was performed by clot lysis method using extract concentration 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 (mg/mL) in saline water. Anthelmintic activity test was done by using adult earthworms where 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 (mg/ml) extract concentration were used. Finally antioxidant activity was determined by total phenolic content determination using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent.Result: The Litsea monopetala extract showed cytotoxic activity against brine shrimp nauplii and LC50 value was 41.05(µg/ml) and the investigated thrombolytic activity in our research was 9.52, 9.49, 13.64 and 17.50 %  respectively as % of clot lysis. The paralysis time were at 76.75 min, 60 min, 51.75 min, 44.5 min and 64.5 min and death were at 90.50min, 63.75min, 55.50min, 44.75min and 71min. respectively. The Litsea monopetala extract displayed significant antioxidant activity which was 20.75 (mg of GAE / gm) of extracts.Conclusions: The activities observed could be attributed to presence of some of the phytochemicals which have been related with cytotoxic, thrombolytic, anthelmintic and antioxidant property.

Importance of Trees Outside Forest (TOF) for immediate earthquake response

A study was carried out in Thulosirubari village of Chautara Sangachowkgadi municipality of Sindhupalchok district, Nepal to analyse the importance of TOF for immediate earthquake response and recovery. More than 80% of the households have trees in their own land with species such as Chilaune (Schima wallichii), Kutmiro (Litsea monopetala), Khote Salla (Pinus roxburghii) and Bamboo are common. Among surveyed households (134), more than 75% respondents reported that they used Schima wallichii for pillar (Khaba) to make temporary houses, whereas bamboo was used for all kind of poles (Dada/Vata/Balo) in more than 80% of temporary houses. Both Bamboo and Schima wallichii were either extracted from their own land or from neighbour's land, i.e. TOF which were easily available and collected as required. We could not draw any statistical conclusion in choice of species to construct temporary houses by wealth categories. However, we have observed that people who have sufficient and varieties of trees in own land, have selected strong and hard wood for permanent house construction whereas those who do not have choice, are limited to use any of the available tree species. People were highly aware about importance of trees to cope with disaster; however selection of species was still debatable because of limited knowledge and researches.
 J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2020, 6(1): 9-16

Study on Biological Activity of Litsea monopetala From Panchthar District of Nepal

The Panchthar, a hilly district of Eastern Nepal, has several medicinal plants which are used by indegenous people for the treatments of different diseases. In the present work, phytochemical and biological activities of hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol extracts of Litsea monopetala leaves from the Pachthar district were analyzed. The phytochemical screening demonstrated the presence of major secondary metabolites like flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, polyphenols, glycosides, and proteins. The antibacterial activity was estimated by the disc diffusion method against Bacillus substilus and Escherichia coli. The result showed that ethyl acetate extract exhibit the highest zone of inhibition (ZOI) value of 18 mm/disc. Acetone extract also showed significant antibacterial activity at the concentration of 100 mg/mL. Antioxidant activity from DPPH radical scavenging assay displayed the inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of dried methanol and acetone extracts were 30.74 μg/mL and 202.86 μg/mL, respectively. The methanol extract has the highest total phenolic content of 360.14 mg GAE/g extract and the highest total flavonoid content of 27.13 mg QE/g extract. The present study revealed that Litsea monopetala plant from the Panchthar district is a source of several bioactive substances and can be used in several drugs formulation.

Comparisons of irradiance utilization efficiency by invasive Chromolaena odorata and its three co-occurring species in one planted understory

High irradiance utilization efficiency is one important character for some invasive plants. Chromolaena odorata is one noxious invasive species originating from Latin America, which had spread widely in most tropical and subtropical areas. To explore why C. odorata perform better than native plants in the understory of planted forests, we compared the irradiance utilization efficiency between invasive C. odorata and three co-occurring species (Merremia vitifolia, Pueraria phaseoloides, and Litsea monopetala). We found that C. odorata had lower leaf thickness but higher specific leaf area, net photosynthetic rate per leaf thickness and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency than the three native species. The photosynthetic resistance to irradiance damage was stronger for C. odorata than for the three native species. These traits may have contributed to the higher performance of C. odorata than native plants, which may in turn facilitate its invasion in the understory.

Evaluation of in vivo analgesic, antiemetic and anxiolytic effect of methanolic extract of Litsea monopetala in animal model

Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate in vivo analgesic, antiemetic and anxiolytic effect of methanolic extract of Litsea monopetala in animal model.Materials and Methods:  Analgesic activity was performed by formalin induce method .The antiemetic activity was conducted by using chick animal model where mean decrease in number of retches were calculated and anxiolytic activity was done by using Elevated Plus Maze(EPM) and Hole board method.Results: The methanolic extract of Litsea monopetala at a dose of 400 mg/kg exhibited statistically significant(P<0.05) and produced  66.67% of inhibition of paw licking in mice where standard drug showed 50 % inhibition. The extract further showed dose dependent and statistically(P<0.05) significant antiemetic activity at a dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg respectively. In addition the extract has showed excellent CNS depressant activity in both Elevated Plus Maze(EPM) and Hole board method in compare to standard drug diazepam.Conclusion: From our current study it is obvious that the extract has good analgesic, antiemetic and anxiolytic effect which may be due to the presence of different chemical constituents like terpenes , flavonoids, tannins, saponin and sterols.Â

Evaluation of Antioxidant, Analgesic and Antidiarrheal Activities of Methanolic Extract of Litsea monopetala (roxb.) Leaves

Antioxidant, analgesic and antidiarrheal activities of Litsea monopetala (LM) leaves extracts were investigated in order to assessment of pharmacological activities. In vitro antioxidant properties, in vivo analgesic and antidiarrheal activities were investigated in this study. Antioxidant plays a remarkable role to protect different kinds of diseases of human by inhibiting free radicals. 1, 1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging was considered to evaluate the antioxidant property. Analgesic and antidiarrheal activities were investigated in acetic acid induced writhing and castor oil induced antidiarrheal method by white albino mice, respectively. Methanolic extract of LM leaves has shown antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 223.22 μg/ml which was compared to the standard ascorbic acid. This extract of LM at a dose of 500 mg/kg showed statistically significantly (p<0.001) and produced 68.75% writhing inhibition of mice while standard diclofenac sodium drug has shown 76.25% inhibition. LM also produced a significant (P<0.01) reduction in the frequency of diarrhea produced by castor oil in mice compared with Loperamide (50 mg/kg) standard. This study clearly supports the medicinal value of LM`s leaves. However, further study is required to find out the active components which are responsible for these activities.

Community-wise evaluation of rice beer prepared by some ethnic tribes of Tripura

Tripura is inhabited by many indigenous communities having unique ethno-socio-cultural lifestyle with age-old rice beer brewing techniques using wild herbs and local rice varieties popularly known as chuwak or zu. The present study is focused on comparative evaluation of brewing methods and nutritional aspects of rice beer among Debbarma, Jamatia, Koloi, and Molsom tribes of Tripura. Sample ingredients and plant species are properly identified before reporting. Rice beer is also prepared in laboratory conditions for comparative studies of qualitative and quantitative aspects. Thirteen different plant species are used by these four tribes for preparation of starter cultures using soaked rice flour. Markhamia stipulate (Wall.) Seem. is common to all communities for starter cake preparation. Litsea monopetala (Roxb.) Pers. is used by all three communities except Jamatia. The use of Ananus comosus Mill. is common among Debbarma and Jamatia tribes, whereas that of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. is common among Molsom and Koloi tribes. However, Aporusa diocia (Roxb.) Muell., Combretum indicum (L.) DeFilipps., and Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck. are used only by Debbarma tribe for unique tangy flavor. The physicochemical properties of rice beer varied within tribes for its moisture content, carbohydrate content, reducing sugar, and alcohol percentage. The concentration of alcohol increases with aging and prolonged fermentation. The plants reported here are also reported for having nutritional and medicinal benefits for the metabolic stability in humans, which make the process more prospective for commercialization if a standard for maintaining a quality and associated risk can be determined.