Md. Ekramul Islam

Studies on the anti–diarrheal properties of leaf extract of Desmodium puchellum

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the pharmacological activity against diarrhea of methanol and petroleum ether extract of Desmodium puchellum (Family: Fabaceae) leaves. METHODS The extract was evaluated for castor oil-induced diarrhea and enteropooling as well as intestinal motility in rats. Both of the extracts were given to the rats at 200 mg/kg orally. Loperamide was used as a standard drug for diarrhea. RESULTS The diarrheal severity was reduced significantly (P<0.05) by methanol and petroleum ether extracts by 31.95% and 28.33%, respectively, whereas 54.75% inhibition was found for standard drug loperamide at 5 mg/kg. The two extracts also significantly (P<0.05) reduced the intestinal volume in case of castor oil induced enteropooling. CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that both fractions contain some biologically active ingredients that are active for anti-diarrheal actions whereas methanol fraction has better potential.

Analgesic, antibacterial and central nervous system depressant activities of Albizia procera leaves.

OBJECTIVE To ascertain analgesic, antibacterial and central nervous system (CNS) depressant activities of ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and carbon tetrachloride fractions of methanol extract of Albizia procera (A. procera) leaves. METHODS Leaves extracts of A. procera were tested for analgesic activity by acetic acid induced and formalin test method in mice. The in vitro antibacterial activity was performed by agar well diffusion method. CNS depressant activity was evaluated by hole cross and open field tests. RESULTS All the extracts at 200 mg/kg exhibited significant (P<0.01) analgesic activity in acetic acid induced and formalin tests method in mice. Analgesic activity of the ethyl acetate fraction was almost same like as standard drug indomethacin in acetic acid induced method. The CNS depressant activity of the extracts at 500 mg/kg was comparable to the positive control diazepam as determined by hole cross and open field test method. The extracts exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity against all the tested microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Esherichia coli, Shigella soneii, Shigella boydii) at concentration of 0.8 mg/disc. The measured diameter of zone of inhibition for the extracts was within the range of 7 to 12 mm which was less than the standard kanamycin (16-24 mm). CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that all the extracts possess potential analgesic and CNS depressants activity. This study also showed that different fractions of methanol extract could be potential sources of new antimicrobial agents.

Sedative, membrane stability, cytotoxic and antioxidant properties of methanol extract of leaves of Protium serratum Wall.

Abstract Objective To study the sedative, membrane stability, cytotoxic and antioxidant properties of the leaves of Protium serratum extracted using methanol. Methods Sedative test was performed using hole cross and open field methods at 200 and 400 mg/kg. Membrane stability of red blood cell was used for anti-inflammatory test at different concentrations. Cytotoxic study was performed using brine shrimp lethality test. Total flavonoid contents, total phenol contents and reducing power were used to assess antioxidant properties of the extract. Results Extract showed better sedative action at lower doses in both experiments. Maximum 73.33% locomotion reduction was found at 200 mg/kg at 120 min and that was 89.29% for diazepam in hole cross test. In membrane stability test, extract and standard drug diclofenac have 35.66% and 91.20% stability, respectively. LC50 value of the extract was 22.91 μg/mL. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were (55.53±14.63) mg gallic acid equivalent per gram of extract and (106.33±7.35) mg of quercetin equivalent per gram of extract, respectively per gram of extract. Significant reducing power was observed as compared to ascorbic acid. Conclusions Extract possesses good pharmacological properties. Hence, further extensive study is essential to find out possible active constituents for the treatment of anxiety, inflammation or sickle cell disease, cancer and free radical mediated abnormalities.