Raghavan Govindarajan

The Genus Spilanthes Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Properties: A Review

Spilanthes spp. are popular, over-the-counter remedies; they are sold over the internet under various names and are widely used in traditional medicine in various cultures. This review will summarize the important reports on the ethnopharmacology, botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties as described in the literature from recent years (1920 to 2013). Spilanthes spp. are used for more than 60 types of disorders. They are reported to contain a number of biologically active phytochemicals, although a large number of ethnopharmacological uses have been documented; only a few of these species have been investigated for their chemical and biological activities. The studies are carried out mainly on Spilanthes extracts and a few metabolites substantiate the uses of these plants in traditional medicine. Well-conducted pharmacological studies are still needed for several traditional indications, and the mechanisms of action by which the plant extracts and the active compounds exert their pharmacological effects remain to be studied. They are predominantly used as extracts in personal care products, traditional medicines, and the pharmaceutical and culinary areas. Suggestions are made regarding some of the possible mechanisms of action as to how the known compounds may exert their biological activity.

Separation and Identification of Furocoumarin in Fruits of Heracleum candicans DC. by HPTLC

Heracleum candicans Wall. ex DC. (Apiaceae) is widely used in Indian system of medicines as an aphrodisiac, nerve tonic and also in the treatment of skin diseases with reports of being rich in furocoumarins which are extensively used in pharmaceutical industry for their photosensitizing activity on human skin. A simple high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of psoralen (1) and heraclenol (2) in the fruits of H. candicans. The analytes were separated on silica gel F254 plates with toluene : diethy lether : acetic acid (6 : 4 : 1) and scanned densitometrically at 350 nm. The method was validated in terms of precision, repeatability, and accuracy. The linear range for psoralen and heraclenol was found to be 1–5 μg spot−1 and 1–4 μg spot−1 with correlation coefficient of 0.973 and 0.964, respectively. The two compounds were quantified in fruits of H. candicans and were found to be present in the range of 0.021–0.036% and 0.029–0.043% w/w. The method was found to be very simple, accurate, precise, and economical and can be used for routine quality control.

A validated quantitative HPTLC method for analysis of biomarkers in Ficus carica L.

Ficus carica L. (Moraceae), the ’fig tree’, is reported to help in the prevention of vein blockage. Its rich fiber content has a laxative effect and fig latex inhibits the growth of carcinoma cells. Despite the wide use in the Indian traditional system of medicine of, especially, the fruit as an antidiabetic drug, and pharmacological investigation of the leaves, very little investigation has been conducted on phytochemical properties of the plant. An HPTLC method has therefore been established for simultaneous quantification of four biomarkers bergapten, psoralen, rutin, and chlorogenic acid in different tissues of the plant. Levels of bergapten and psoralen were highest in the leaves and bark whereas amounts in the fruit were negligible. Levels of chlorogenic acid were highest in the fruit and the maximum concentrations of rutin were found in the leaves. It is therefore apparent that the part of the plant to be used as a drug should be decided on the basis of the activity desired. p ]This HPTLC method can also be used for quality control and standardization of different parts of F. carica.