Petroleum Ether Soluble Fraction Research Articles

Canvassing of thrombolytic, cytotoxic, and erythrocyte membrane-stabilizing attributes in in vitro screening of Gynocardia odorata

In the current study, different plant extracts of Gynocardia odorata such as methanol extract (ME), aqueous soluble fraction (AQSF), chloroform soluble fraction (CSF), carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction (CTCSF), and petroleum ether soluble fraction (PESF) were examined for the analysis of thrombolytic, cytotoxic, and erythrocyte membrane-stabilizing activities. A well-explicated method was accomplished for plant extractives investigation. The plant extractives were involved in thrombolytic, cytotoxic, and erythrocyte membrane-stabilizing activity evaluation, on the basis of their ability of clot lysis, cytotoxic potentials, and stabilizing erythrocyte membrane under hypotonic solution and heat-induced conditions. Both thrombolytic and erythrocyte membrane-stabilizing activities were performed by using Swiss albino laboratory mice. In addition, plant cytotoxic activity was performed by using the nauplii of brine shrimp as in vitro model. The study of G. odorata extracts enumerated basic thrombolytic activity (19.94 ± 0.53% to 10.64 ± 0.46%; p < 0.05), and basic cytotoxic LC50 value (23.09 ± 2.01 μg mL−1 to 1.18 ± 0.14 μg mL−1; p < 0.05) including statistical analysis confidence limit ranges, chi-square value, and regression equation was entailed. The erythrocyte membrane-stabilizing activity under hypotonic solution-induced hemolysis (47.41 ± 0.46% to 18.445 ± 0.095%; p < 0.05) and heat-induced hemolysis (27.95 ± 0.55% to 17.84 ± 0.59%; p < 0.05) was determined. All the statistical calculation was optimized by one-way ANOVA followed by Turkey's post hoc test including Dunnett t tests. This study indicates that G. odorata could be a natural medication alternative of thrombolytic agents as well as source of potent bioactive compounds.

Two new compounds from the aerial parts of Bergenia himalaica Boriss and their anti-hyperglycemic effect in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceBergenia himalaica Boriss is mainly distributed in the temperate Himalayas between altitudes of 900 and 3000m ranging from the southeastern regions in central Asia and northern regions in South Asia. The plant has a long history of its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as diabetes, urinary complaints, kidney stones, hemorrhagic diseases and epilepsy. The aim of this study is to isolate pure compounds from Bergenia himalaica Boriss, elucidate their structures and determine their blood glucose lowering activity to obtain additional scientific evidence for its usage in traditional medicine for the management of diabetes. Materials and methodsThe crude methanolic extract from the aerial parts of Bergenia himalaica Boriss was separated into EtOAc and water sub-extracts and the EtOAc sub-extract was further divided into petroleum ether soluble and insoluble fractions. The pet-ether insoluble fraction was subjected to fractionation through column chromatography followed by prep. TLC. The blood glucose lowering activity of the 2 new compounds was evaluated in streptozotocin–nicotinamide induced diabetic rats. Additionally, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was measured on isolated mice islets. ResultsTwo new compounds bergenicin and bergelin were isolated and their structures determined on the basis of spectral analysis. Significant decrease of blood glucose was observed at 1-h (1.0mg/kg) and 2-h (0.5mg/kg), after bergenicin administration to the diabetic rats and at 2-h (1.0mg/kg) and 3-h (0.5mg/kg), after bergelin administration. Bergenicin, but not bergelin, enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in isolated pancreatic islets. ConclusionsIn the present studies two new compounds, bergenicin and bergelin were isolated from Bergenia himalaica Boriss and their structures were elucidated. Both the compounds showed anti-hyperglycemic effects in streptozotocin–nicotinamide induced diabetic rats. Bergenicin showed insulinotropic effect; suggesting that the anti-hyperglycemic effect is mostly due to enhancement of insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells.

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

IN-VITRO PHARMACOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE PLANT BOERHAVIA REPENS (FAMILY: NYCTAGINACEAE)

Boerhavia repens is an important medicinal plant having application in jaundice, fever and various other disorders. The whole plant Boerhavia repens was sun dried and extracted using methanol. Later the crude methanolic extract was fractionated into four different fractions using Petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride, Di-chloromethane and Ethyl acetate. The anti-oxidant activity of the different fractions was measured by the DPPH free radical scavenging activity. The ethyl acetate and the di-chloro methane soluble fractions showed very potent anti-oxidant activity by the DPPH free radical scavenging method. The antimicrobial activity of the different fractions was measured by disc diffusion method. The antimicrobial screening of the plant showed that the carbon tetrachloride soluble fractions and the Petroleum ether soluble fractions showed mild antimicrobial activity. Evaluation of cyto-toxic activity was done using the brine-shrimp lethality bio-assay. The petroleum ether soluble fraction and the ethyl acetate soluble fractions showed significant cyto-toxic activity.

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.

5,6-Dihy-droxy-7,8-di-meth-oxy-flavone.

The title compound (systematic name: 5,6-dihy­droxy-7,8-dimeth­oxy-2-phenyl­chromen-4-one), C17H14O6, is a flavone that was isolated from the petroleum ether-soluble fraction of the rare traditional Chinese medicinal herb Saussurea involucrata. The flavone mol­ecule is almost planar, with a dihedral angle between the planes of the benzo­pyran-4-one group and the attached phenyl group of 1.89 (6)°. The 5-hy­droxy group forms a strong intra­molecular hydrogen bond with the carbonyl group, resulting in a six-membered hydrogen-bonded ring. The 6-hy­droxy group also forms an intra­molecular O—H⋯O contact. In the crystal, the molecules are linked by O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and π–π inter­actions [3.37 (2)–3.39 (2) Å], which build up a three–dimensional network.

Quantification of Total Flavonoids, Total Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Extracts from the Seed of &lt;i&gt;Viburnum odoratissimum&lt;/i&gt;

The fruit of Viburnum odoratissimum is an elliptical berry. The aims of our study were the quantification of some antioxidants using colorimetric assays and the determination of antioxidant activities by three methods, and the relationships between these bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of the crude extract (CE) and its four fractions derived from the seed of the fruit of Viburnum odoratissimum were investigated. The results showed that the n-butanol-soluble fraction (BF)was the richest fraction in total flavonoids and total phenolic. The ethyl acetate-soluble fraction (EAF) and BF showed good superoxide radical scavenging activity(SRSA) and reducing power(RP), while the petroleum ether-soluble fraction(PEF) possessed the highest inhibiting lipid peroxidantion activity(LPA).There were statistically significant correlations between some antioxidants and antioxidant activities.

Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activitiy of Limonia acidissima L.

Not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dujps.v11i1.12492 Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 11(1): 75-77, 2012 (June)

Chemical and Biological Investigations of &lt;i&gt;Justicia gendarussa&lt;/i&gt; (Burm. f)

In this study, three compounds, stigmasterol (1), lupeol (2), 16-hydroxylupeol (3) were isolated from the petroleum ether soluble fraction of a methanol extract of whole plant of Justica gendarussa (Burm. f). The crude methanol extract as well as its petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride and chloroform soluble Kupchan fractions were studied for antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Among the different fractions tested for antioxidant activity, the chloroform soluble partitionate was the most potent with IC50 value of 18.80 μg/ml as compared to tertbutyl- 1-hydroxytoluene (IC50=17.69 μg/ml). Antimicrobial screening of the different extractives was conducted by the disc diffusion method and all the fractions except chloroform soluble partitionate exhibited mild antimicrobial activity with zone of inhibition ranging from 7-10 mm. In brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the petroleum ether soluble materials demonstrated the highest toxicity with LC50 of 1.27μg /ml. This is the first report of isolation of compounds from J. gendarussa, and its antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dujps.v10i1.10016 DUJPS 2011; 10(1): 53-57

Antimicrobial activities of the rhizome extract of Zingiber zerumbet Linn

Objective To investigate antimicrobial effects of ethanolic extract of Zingiber zerumbet ( Z. zerumbet) (L.) Smith and its chloroform and petroleum ether soluble fractions against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Methods The fresh rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet were extracted in cold with ethanol (4.0 L) after concentration. The crude ethanol extract was fractionated by petroleum ether and chloroform to form a suspension of ethanol extract (15.0 g), petroleum ether fraction (6.6 g) and chloroform soluble fraction (5.0 g). The crude ethanol extract and its petroleum ether and chloroform fractions were evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activity against thirteen pathogenic bacteria and three fungi by the disc diffusion method. Commercially available kanamycin (30 μg/disc) was used as standard disc and blank discs impregnated with the respective solvents were used as negative control. Results At a concentration of 400 μg/disc, all the samples showed mild to moderate antibacterial and antifungal activity and produced the zone of inhibition ranging from 6 mm to 10 mm. Among the tested samples, the crude ethanol extract showed the highest activity against Vibrio parahemolyticus ( V. parahemolyticus). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the crude ethanol extract and its fractions were within the value of 128–256 μg/mL against two Gram positive and four Gram negative bacteria and all the samples showed the lowest MIC value against V. parahemolyticus (128 μg/mL). Conclusions It can be concluded that, potent antibacterial and antifungal phytochemicals are present in ethanol extract of Z. zerumbet (L).

Tagetes erecta Linn. and its mosquitocidal potency against Culex quinquefasciatus

Objective To investigate mosquitocidal effects of ethanolic extract of flowers of Tagetes erecta ( T. erecta) and its chloroform and petroleum ether soluble fractions against the larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus ( Cx. quinquefasciatus). Methods The fresh flowers of T. erecta were extracted in cold with ethanol (5.0 L) and after concentration, the ethanol extract was fractionated with chloroform and petroleum ether to afford a brownish syrupy suspension of ethanol extract (50.0 g), petroleum ether soluble fraction (18.6 g) and chloroform soluble fraction (23.8 g). The larvicidal effect of ethanol extract and their solvent fractions were determined by the standard procedure of WHO against different instars of Cx. quinquefasciatus. Results Among the tested samples the chloroform soluble fractions showed the highest toxicity and consequently, the lowest LC50 values (14.14 μg/mL, 17.06 μg/mL, 36.88 μg/mL and 75.48 μg/mL) for all the instars larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus. The larvae showed comparative tolerance in the course of increasing age and time. Conclusions It can be concluded that the flowers of T. erecta are very effective natural larvicide and could be useful against Cx. quinquefasciatus.

GC-MS and TG-FTIR Study of Petroleum Ether Extract and Residue from Low Temperature Coal Tar

The heavy tar (H-tar) of low temperature coal tar was collected from a low temperature carbonization plant in Shanbei. H-tar was extracted with petroleum ether (PE) under ultrasonic irradiation and separated into PE soluble and insoluble fractions. Then, the PE insoluble fraction was extracted in a Soxhlet extractor with PE and methanol (MeOH), respectively. PE extract, PE residue, MeOH extract, and MeOH residue were obtained. PESE (PE soluble fraction and PE extract) and MeOH extract were examined by gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (GC-MS). GC-MS analysis of PESE shows considerable alkanes and extensive series of phenols, naphthalenes, fluorenes, benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, etc. Particularly, the content of methyl phenol is about 9.0%. No GC-MS detectable species are found in MeOH extract. So, additional research will focus on PE residue. The pyrolysis behavior of PE residue was investigated by using a thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (TG-FTIR). The results indicate that the release of volatiles takes place mainly between 110 and 425 °C and the maximum mass loss rate occurs at 315 °C. The main products in the whole process are CO2, phenols, H2O, saturated hydrocarbons, aromatic compounds, anhydride compounds, oxygen heterocycles, pyridines, etc. But there is no significant peak of CO. The compounds of alkanes, phenols, heterocyclic compounds, and oxygen-containing heterocyclic compounds in PE residue can be also detected. PE residue semicoke (the products of PE residue after TG) and PE residue were estimated by FTIR. PE residue is mainly composed of phenols, aliphatics, and aromatics. The analyses indicate the high degree and polycyclic aromatic structure of PE residue semicoke.

3,5,3′-Trihydroxy-4′-methoxy-7-(3-methylbut-2-enyloxy)flavone

The title compound pteleifolosin C, C21H20O7, was isolated from the petroleum ether-soluble fraction of an indigenous Chinese tree Melicope pteleifolia (Rutaceae). The dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 2.7 (2)°. Intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds occur. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by inter­molecular O—H—O hydrogen bonds.

Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Membrane Stabilizing and Antimicrobial Activities of Bark and Seed of Entada phaseoloides (L.) Merr.: A Medicinal Plant from Chittagong Hill Tracts

The methanolic crude extract of the bark and seed of Entada phaseoloides (L.) Merr. and its different organic soluble partitionates were screened for antioxidant, cytotoxic, membrane stabilizing and antimicrobial activities. The crude extract and carbon tetrachloride and aqueous soluble fractionsof both bark and seed showed higher level of total phenolic content (TPC, 245.59, 240.22, 240.03 &amp; 117.0 mg of GAE/gm of dried extract). In the DPPH assay, the crude extract of bark and its chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions demonstrated strong antioxidant property with the IC50 of 3.24, 1.55 and 3.6 μg/ml, respectively whereas all the fractions of seed extract revealed mild antioxidant activity. The petroleum ether soluble fraction of both seed and bark exhibited significant cytotoxicity (LC50 = 1.54 &amp; 5.4 μg/ml) which confers the presence of bioactive metabolites in this plant. On the other hand, the crude extract of seed and petroleum ether soluble fraction of bark inhibited the hemolysis of RBC of rat’s blood by 78.89 and 57.43%, respectively as compared to 84.44% exerted by acetyl salicylic acid (0.10 mg/ml). In antimicrobial screening, the carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction of bark showed significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (zone of inhibition = 17.0 mm) with MIC and MBC values of 7.81 μg/ml and 125 μg/ml, respectively

Anticancer Activity of Ocimum basilicum and the Effect of Ursolic Acid on the Cytoskeleton of MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells

The anticancer activity of Ocimum basilicum extract and its fractions was evaluated using human cancer cell lines; active compound(s) residing in it were identified and mechanism of their anti-proliferative action was explored. Methanolic extract was fractionated into petroleum ether soluble (PE-S) and insoluble (PE-I) fractions. These were evaluated on HT-144, MCF-7, NCI-H460 and SF-268 cell lines using Sulforhodamine B assay. Immunofluorescence microscopy was employed to study their effects on the cytoskeleton and nuclei of MCF-7 cells. Fractionation of PE-I (GI50: 5 μg/ml; LC50: 71μg/ml against MCF-7) led to the isolation of four compounds, mainly ursolic acid (LC50: 18.6 μg/ml). Ursolic acid (100 μM) induced a significant decrease in the percentage of cells in anaphase/telophase stages along with F-actin aggregation and mitotic spindle distortion. These results support anti-proliferative activity of O. basilicum extract against MCF-7 cells which may partly be due to effects of ursolic acid on F-actin and microtubules. Keywords: Anticancer, Cytoskeleton, MCF-7 cell line, Ocimum basilicum, Ursolic acid, petroleum ether soluble, PE-S, PE-I, HT-144, MCF-7, NCI-H460, SF-268, Betula alba, paclitaxel, vinblastine, Camptothecin acuminate, Podophyllum pel-tatum, Anvirzel, Nerium oleander, Oleanolic acid, 3-Epi-ursolic acid, 3-O-Methyl ursolic acid, DMSO, DAPI, SRB, trichloroacetic acid, trypan blue, tryp-sin-EDTA, MeOH, EtOAc, HPLC, photodiode array (PDA) detector, RPMI-1640, sulforhodamine B, Immunofluorescence Microscopy, Mitotic Index Assay, ANOVA, FITC channel, XTT assay, Jasplakinolide

The spasmolytic activity of extracts and some isolated compounds from the leaves of Morinda morindoides (Baker) Milne-Redh. (Rubiaceae)

Aim The study was aimed to evaluate the in vitro antispasmodic activity of Morinda morindoides leaves aqueous extract, its soluble fractions and isolated compounds to provide the pharmacological basis for its use for the treatment of constipation and diarrhoea in traditional medicine. Methods The antispasmodic activity of each sample was evaluated on acetylcholine (ACh) and the depolarized KCl solution induced contractions on guinea-pig isolated ileum suspended in Tyrode's solution. Results At a test concentration of 40 μg/ml in organ bath, the aqueous extract and its petroleum ether soluble fraction showed a spasmogenic effect on both agonists. The diethylether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and residual aqueous phase soluble fractions from the partition of the aqueous extract exhibited spasmolytic activity producing 47–100% inhibition of contractions induced by both agonists with IC 50 values ranged from 6 to 15 μg/ml according to the case. In addition, the n-butanol and residual aqueous phase soluble fractions showed an inhibitory effect of 75 and 66% respectively on low high [K +] (25 mM) and 65 and 60% respectively on high [K+] (80 mM). Crude flavonoids showed spasmolytic on both agonists while crude saponins only showed spasmolytic activity on ACh and displayed spasmogenic effect on KCl. Quercetin, quercitrin and rutin exhibited significant antispasmodic effect with IC 50 values <0.1 μg/ml. Epoxygaertneroside and gaertneroside showed good antispasmodic activity on both agonists (4 < IC 50 < 7 μg/ml). Conclusion Morinda morindoides leaves possess spasmogenic and spasmolytic properties that can at least explain and support its traditional use against constipation and diarrhoea respectively.

Antiplasmodial and antitrypanosomal activity of plants from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The antiplasmodial and antitrypanosomal activity of the methanol extracts of 42 plants collected from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and some fractions obtained thereof were evaluated. The antiplasmodial activity was tested in vitro against chloroquine-resistant strain (K1) and sensitive strain (FCR3), and the antitrypanosomal activity was tested in vitro against Trypanosoma brucei brucei GUTat 3.1 strain. For host cells, the cytotoxicity of the active extracts was also evaluated against the MRC5 human cell line. Only extracts of three samples demonstrated good antiplasmodial activity (IC(50) < 12.5 and > 1.56 microg/ml, score 2), the methanol extracts of Lycium shawii, Heliotropium zeylanicum and the petroleum ether-soluble fraction of the methanol extract of Caralluma tuberculata, while extracts of the remaining 42 plants were inactive (IC(50) > 12.5 microg/ml, score 1). As for the antitrypanosomal activity, the methanol extract of Solanum schimperianum demonstrated the highest activity (IC(50) 0.061 microg/ml), followed by the petroleum ether-soluble fraction of the methanol extract of C. tuberculata (IC(50) 0.5 microg/ml). The chloroform-soluble fraction of the methanol extract of C. tuberculata was moderately active (IC(50) 3.5 microg/ml), with low cytotoxicity (IC(50) 62.6 microg/ml) and moderate selectivity index (SI 17.9). The methanolic extracts of 34 plants showed good activity with score 2 (IC(50) < 12.5 and > 1.56 microg/ml), while the extracts of seven plants were inactive (IC(50) > 12.5 microg/ml, score 1).

A new natural product and insecticidal amides from seeds of Piper nigrum Linn.

Studies on the petroleum ether soluble and insoluble fraction of ethanol extract of dried ground seeds of Piper nigrum resulted in the isolation and structure elucidation of 1 new and 11 known compounds which include 3 hitherto unreported constituents, namely, cinnamylideneacetone, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylpropiophenone and 2-hydroxy-4,5-methylenedioxypropiophenone from this plant.

Antimalarial activity of some extracts and isolated constituents from **Morinda morindoides** leaves

Objective: The study deals with the evaluation of the in vitro antimalarial activity of three crude extracts (ethanol and 80% methanol) from the leaves of Morinda morindoides (Baker) Milne-Redh. (Rubiaceae), that of their respective soluble fractions and isolated compounds, and that of the dichloromethane extract. It also reports the in vivo antimalarial activity of the three crude extracts and the petroleum ether soluble fraction from the ethanol extract as well as the toxicity of crude extracts in mice. Materials and methods: The ethanol, 80% methanol and dichloromethane extracts were obtained by maceration and percolation of powdered dried M. morindoides leaves. The ethanol extract was dissolved in 100 ml distilled water and extracted with petroleum ether, and then acidified with HCl 2N (pH 2-3) and successively and exhaustively treated with chloroform and isoamylic alcohol. On the other hand the 80% methanol extract was dissolved in 100 ml distilled water and successively and exhaustively extracted with chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. A series of flavonoids, anthraquinones and iridoids were isolated from the 80% methanol extract. All dried samples were tested for their potential in vitro antiplasmodial activity against Congolese the chloroquine-sensitive or the chloroquine-sensitive NF54/64, clone A19 strains of Plasmodium falciparum according to the case. The three extracts and one soluble fraction were tested in vivo against Plasmodium berghei berghei in a classical 4-suppressive test. Results: The petroleum ether, isoamylic alcohol and chloroform soluble fractions from the partition of ethanol extract showed an in vitro antiplasmodial activity against Congolese the chloroquine-sensitive strain of P. falciparum with IC 50 values of 1.8 ± 0.2, 15.3 ± 3.6 and 8.8 ± 2.5 μg/ml respectively. Only the chloroform soluble fraction from the partition of the 80% methanol exhibited good antiplasmodial activity with IC 50 value of 8.3 ± 1.6 μg/ml against the chloroquinesensitive NF54/64, clone A1A9 strain of P. falciparum . Among isolated compounds, quercetin exhibited good antiplasmodial activity with IC 50 value of 5.5. ± 1.8 μg/ml, alizarin and chrysarin showed a moderate activity with IC 50 ranging from 14 to 26 μg/ml. In vivo test, at a daily oral dose of 200 mg/kg, ethanol, 80% methanol and dichloromethane extracts, and the petroleum ether soluble fraction produced 33%, 54% and 73%, and 75% chemosuppression respectively. Conclusion: These results may partly justify and support the traditional use of Morinda morinoides leaves for the treatment of malaria.

Antipyretic Activity of Rhizome of Drynaria quercifolia. in Rabbit

The antipyretic effect of petroleum ether and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of ethanol extract of the rhizome of Drynaria quercifolia. J. Smith (Polypodiaceae) was investigated. Intraperitoneal administration of boiled milk at a dose of 0.5 mL/kg body weight in albino rabbit leads to pyrexia. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of petroleum ether and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of ethanol extract of the rhizome of D. quercifolia. at a dose of 80 mg/kg body weight were shown to significantly reduce the elevated body temperature of rabbit, which was compared with standard aspirin (market product) and solvent used.