Lokesh Deb

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Polyherbal Formulation against Russell’s Viper and Cobra Venom and Screening of Bioactive Components by Docking Studies

The present study emphasizes to reveal the antivenom activity of Aristolochia bracteolata Lam., Tylophora indica (Burm.f.) Merrill, and Leucas aspera S. which were evaluated against venoms of Daboia russelli russelli (Russells viper) and Naja naja (Indian cobra). The aqueous extracts of leaves and roots of the above-mentioned plants and their polyherbal (1 : 1 : 1) formulation at a dose of 200 mg/kg showed protection against envenomed mice with LD50 doses of 0.44 mg/kg and 0.28 mg/kg against Russells viper and cobra venom, respectively. In in vitro antioxidant activities sample extracts showed free radical scavenging effects in dose dependent manner. Computational drug design and docking studies were carried out to predict the neutralizing principles of type I phospholipase A2 (PLA2) from Indian common krait venom. This confirmed that aristolochic acid and leucasin can neutralize type I PLA2 enzyme. Results suggest that these plants could serve as a source of natural antioxidants and common antidote for snake bite. However, further studies are needed to identify the lead molecule responsible for antidote activity.

Evaluation of anti-fertility activity of Tabernaemontana divaricata (Linn) R.Br. leaves in rats

The aim of the present study was to assess the anti-fertility activity of ethanolic extracts of Tabernaemontana divaricata (TD) leaves in oestrogenic activity models in immature female rats. Mature green leaves of TD were collected and authenticated. Extractions of the dried leaves were carried out with ethanol in a Soxhlets apparatus. For oestrogenic activity, the extracts were administered orally once daily at a dose of 200 and 400 mg kg−1, and the activity was compared with the standard drug ethinyl oestradiol (0.02 mg). The extracts caused significant increase in uterine weight compared to the control. The ethanolic extract exhibited oestrogenic activity. The histological study of epithelium tissues with the 400 mg of TD extract-treated animals showed increases in the height of the luminal epithelium and loose edematous stroma when compared with the 200 mg of TD extract-treated group of animals. However, this was better than the control group of animals. Enhanced uterine weight and increase in the height of luminal epithelium and histological characteristics suggest that TD extract may be useful in anti-fertility therapy.

Anti-diabetic potential of selected ethno-medicinal plants of north east India

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Through one-to-one interaction with the traditional healers, the present study has identified 15 medicinal plant species traditionally used as remedies to control diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS The methanolic extracts were screened for their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Hypoglycemic activity was assessed following glucose, sucrose and starch tolerance test on normal and STZ induced diabetic rats. RESULTS Ficus cunia extract had the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory potency with IC50 1.39±0.74 µg mL(-1) followed by Schima wallichi (IC50 1.43±0.20 µg mL(-1)) and Wendlandia glabrata (IC50 1.67±0.33 µg mL(-1)). In STZ induced diabetic rat model, F. cunia and W glabrata extracts reduced blood glucose concentration to near normal up to 14 days when administered 48 h after STZ. CONCLUSION The present study supports the traditional use of some of these medicinal plants in anti-diabetic remedies. The present study contributes to evidence for use of traditional medicine.

Past, present and perspectives of Manipur traditional medicine: A major health care system available for rural population in the North-East India

BACKGROUND Traditional health care practices are still being followed extensively in Manipur, North-East India. This is the major or the only medical facility available in some rural areas of Manipur. Cross cultural ethno-pharmacological survey was conducted to document traditional health care practices by Maiba-Maibi (male-female traditional health care practitioners of Manipur). MATERIALS AND METHODS All together 59 traditional practitioners belonging to 12 ethnic communities in nine districts of the Manipur state were interviewed. A predesigned questionnaire was used for interviews, which included queries for type of ailments treating, symptoms, bioresources used, method of preparation, dosage forms, formulation, unit doses. The entire interviews were done in the residence of respective Maiba-Maibi, their patient handing and preparation of medicinal formulations were documented in written and audio-visual format. RESULTS The survey recorded traditional knowledge on 949 formulations used for 66 human ailments. Five hundred forty six plant products, 42 animal products and 22 organic/inorganic materials were found to be used in these 949 formulations. Five plant species - Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae), Cocos nucifera (Arecaceae), Oroxylum indicum (Bignonaceae), Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae) and Allium sativum (Liliaceae) used by maximum number of Maiba and Maibi in maximum number of formulations. RECOMMENDATION This particular method of documentation keeps traditional knowledge alive. The WHO estimated perspective of traditional medicine across the world. These observations support therapeutic worth of Manipur Traditional medicines (MTM). Having generated a large database in course of this survey, next focus targeted for the scientific justification of MTM with an aim to develop commercially viable products.

Antifertility efficacy of Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Smith on female Wister albino rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Plant based traditional medicines for birth control has been in practice in rural populations of North-East India, since time immemorial. Fresh rhizome of Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Smith is one of the plant parts used traditionally by different ethnic communities in Tripura, India for birth control. The present investigation is aimed to justify the scientific basis in traditional use of Drynaria quercifolia rhizome as anti-fertility agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ex-vivo uterotonic activity was done on uterine tissue. Acute toxicity test of the plant extract was carried out in rats of both sexes. The abortifacient and anti-implantation activities of the extract were investigated, in-vivo and estimated the level of different hormones release. RESULTS The result revealed the effectiveness of methanol (87%) and aqueous (68%) extract of the plant on uterotonic activity. The extracts showed relatively non-toxic effect in acute toxicity study. Methanolic extract has shown higher efficacy for both abortifacient (**p<0.01) and anti-implantation performance (**p<0.01) and also effected hormone release level (**p<0.01). CONCLUSION Methanolic extract of Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Smith rhizome has been proved to have significant anti-fertility activity.

Protective effect of Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp., on acute and chronic inflammation in rats.

Aim: To evaluate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory potential of the aqueous extracts and its aqueous, n-butanol, ethyl-acetate, and chloroform fractions of Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp. leaves. Materials and Methods: In this present study, all the test samples were evaluated on in-vivo inflammatory model such as carrageenan and histamine-induced acute-inflammation and cotton pellet induced granuloma formation in albino male rats. Test samples were also employed in in-vitro assays like DPPH* free radical scavenging activity and COX inhibition assay. Results: The test samples at the dose of 200mg/kg/p.o. were found to cause significant inhibition of carrageenan and histamine-induced inflammation and cotton pallet-induced granuloma formation on acute and chronic inflammation in rats. The test samples, except n-butanol fraction, exhibited inhibitory effect for both COX-1 and COX-2, in in-vitro assay but their percentage of inhibition values differs from each other. The test samples (aqueous extracts, aqueous, n-butanol, ethyl-acetate, and chloroform fractions) at 100 μg concentration exhibits 54.37%, 33.88%, 62.85%, 56.28%, and 57.48% DPPH* radical-scavenging effect respectively in in-vitro antioxidant study. Conclusion: These observations established the anti-inflammatory effect of C. colebrookianum leaves in acute and chronic stages of inflammation by free radical scavenging and inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2.

Optimization of surface sterilization protocol, induction of axillary shoots regeneration in Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Sm. as affected by season

The investigation was undertaken to standardize the protocol for the micropropagation of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Sm. Rhizome buds were surface sterilized using 0.1% mercuric chloride for 15 min, 100 μg/ml fungicide (Carbendazim) and 70% ethanol for different exposure timings. Among the tested sterilization steps, treatment of rhizome with fungicide for 30 min and 70% ethanol for 10 min, 0.1% HgCl2 shows the highest bud break of 83.6% and contamination of 18.71%. However, increasing the exposure of 70% for 15 min decreases the contamination to 16.53% but the bud break also decreased to 75.23%. Increasing the exposure time, rhizome tissues were damaged as alcohol may have been toxic to the tissues due to longer exposure time. Three seasons of explants collection and inoculation were tested: November–Feb, March–June and July–Oct. In the present study, a more intensive shoot initiation was observed in the summer period than in the winter season. The seasonal period of March–June proves to be the most suitable and favourable season for in vitro shoot initiation than the rest of the season. Thus, season plays an important role in plant tissue culture study. There are no published data on effect of rhizome collection time and different sterilization methods on induction of shoots in Zingiberaceae plant, Z. zerumbet, and hence this is the first report of its kind.

Prospects for Development of Biomedicines from the Medicinal Plants of Northeastern India

Northeastern India has a great range of ecological habitats due to its edaphic, climatic and altitudinal variations, which made it the geographical “gateway” for much of India’s flora and fauna. Therefore, the region, being one of the richest areas of India in terms of biological values, has been in the spotlight for its high biodiversity and traditional knowledge and has been a priority for leading conservation agencies of the world. Ethnomedicobotany is one of the tools that help to deal with the direct relationship of plants and man to prevent and cure ailments. The indigenous medicinal plants grown in Northeastern India are useful folk medicines for the people of this region. In the present chapter, 320 medicinal plants have been listed which includes their traditional use, local name, region and parts used. These cover important medicinal plants used for traditional healthcare practices in the region and are also components of the available commercial herbal products. The World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centres for Traditional Medicine reported that a total of 122 compounds identified in their survey were derived from only 94 plant species and 80 % of those plants were used for the same or related ethnomedical purposes. This provides an array of information about the rich indigenous knowledge on traditional medicine and the medicinal potential of the varied plants used by the local healers. This would prove to be an important resource for discovery of many bioactive principles. A comprehensive approach using systems biology could be the suitable way to prove the efficacy and to obtain information that might lead to the understanding of the mode of action.

Comparative toxicological evaluation of two medicinal plants used by folklore practitioners of northeast India for treatment of hypertension

The present investigation was aimed to examine the safety parameters in the traditional use of Prunus persica (L) Batsch and Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp as antihypertensive agents in northeast India. The subchronic toxicity of aqueous extracts of the leaves of C. colebrookianum (AECc) and P. persica (AEPp) at an oral dose 150 mg/kg bw/day was evaluated. The behavioral studies were carried out for locomotors activity (LMA) and muscle grip strength (MGS) activity in mice before and after two weeks of treatment. The biochemical estimation was carried out on the 14th day using blood and brain tissue samples of mice. One group of mice was used as control. In behavioral studies, 32.29% LMA and 39.38% MGS were decreased in AEPp-treated animals, whereas in AECc-treated animals 4.97% LMA and 24.57% MGS were increased on the 14th day using actophotometer and rotarod apparatus, respectively. The biochemical serum activities of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase as well as levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, and urea were increased, whereas serum glutathione (GSH) levels were decreased in AECc- and AEPp-treated animals. The activities of the brain enzymes lactate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, GSH, and superoxide dismutase and total protein were significantly affected in the cerebrum and the cerebellum. The organ weight and histopathological observations also support the biochemical observations. The obtained results indicate that the aqueous extract of P. persica significantly exerted adverse effects on organs and brain enzymes, whereas aqueous extract of C. colebrookianum enhanced the antioxidant enzymes upon chronic use.