Hina Zahid

Phytopharmacological Review on Vitex agnus-castus: A Potential Medicinal Plant

Abstract Vitex agnus-castus is a small tree or shrub, belonging to the family Verbenaceae. It is a deciduous shrub native to European, Mediterranean, and Central Asian countries. V. agnus castus has a long tradition as a herbal remedy and was used in ancient times not only as an anaphrodisiac but also against diverse disturbances of the female genital system. The major constituents in V. agnus-castus are flavonoids, essential oils, diterpenes, and glycosides. The flavonoids (casticin, quercetagetin, and isovitexin) have been shown in vitro to affect estrogen receptors. V. agnus-castus could be used to treat acne, digestive complaints, menstrual irregularities, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), mastalgia, and infertility, and also for lactation support. Although V. agnus-castus has been used for centuries and enjoys wide support from practitioners and the general public for many gynecological complaints, few clinical studies support its documented uses. The presence of phytochemical and pharmacological activities has proved that the plant has a leading capacity for the development of new good efficacy drug in future.

Anti-urease activity of Mimusops elengi Linn (Sapotaceae).

Aim: Mimusops elengi L. (Sapotaceae) commonly known as Bakul is a small to large evergreen tree found all over the different parts of the world. Literature survey showed no reports on the anti urease activity of the flowers and leaves of Mimusops elengi. The present study was therefore envisaged to evaluate the anti urease activity of the methanolic extracts (MFE and MLE) of M. elengi. Study Design: Assessment of anti urease activity and total phenolic contents. Methodology: For the determination of total phenolic content of M. elengi extracts (MFE and MLE) the reaction mixture contained 50% Folin-Ciocalteu reagent (0.5 mL), 20% (w/v) sodium carbonate solution (2.5 mL), and gallic acid solution (1, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 g/ml) or sample extracts (1.0 Original Research Article Zahid et al.; EJMP, 6(4): 223-230, 2015; Article no.EJMP.2015.058 224 mL). Urease inhibition activity was determined by mixing Urease (Jack bean) method was employed for urease inhibition activity. Results: From the standard calibration curve of gallic acid the total phenolic contents in extracts (MFE and MLE) was found to be 7.50.28 mg/g, 96.84.6 mg/g. Urease inhibitory activity of M. elengi extracts (MFE and MLE) was comparable with standard Thiourea. The percentage urease inhibition of Thiourea was found to be 98.2%, IC50 88.2 ± 0.01 g/ml. The maximum urease inhibitory activity was shown by the leaves extract (MLE) i. e, 77.9% (IC50 62.1±1.20 g/ml) while methanolic extract of flower (MFE) produced 47.6% urease inhibition activity. The total phenolic contents in both methanolic extracts (MFE and MLE) was found to be 7.50.28 mg/g, 96.84.6 mg/g respectively. Conclusion: It is, therefore, concluded that this plant can be a sources to isolate some natural urease inhibitory agents.