Roshan Patel

Diuretic activity of leaves of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour) Spreng in male albino rats.

The shade-dried powder of leaves of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour) Spreng was subjected to successive extraction using the various solvents (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and water) in increasing order of polarity. The preliminary phytochemical analyses were carried out for all the extracts. The analyses of the leaves revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, proteins, amino acids, flavonoids, quinine, tannins, phenolic compounds and terpenoids. Since the phytoconstituents present in the ethanolic and aqueous extracts were similar, both the extracts were selected for further study. The diuretic properties of ethanolic and aqueous extracts were evaluated by determination of urine volume and electrolyte concentration in male albino rats. Furosemide (10 mg/kg) was used as standard while normal saline (0.9%) was used as control. Both ethanolic and aqueous extracts (500 mg/kg) have shown significant increase in the volume of urine and urinary concentration of Na, K and Cl ions. Thus, from the is study it may be concluded that the leaves of P. amboinicus (Lour) Spreng possess diuretic activities.

Analgesic and antipyretic activities of Momordica charantia linn. fruits

Plant Momordica charantia Linn. belongs to family Cucurbitaceae. It is known as bitter gourd in English and karela in Hindi. Earlier claims show that the plant is used in stomachic ailments as a carminative tonic; as an antipyretic and antidiabetic agent; and in rheumatoid arthritis and gout. The fruit has been claimed to contain charantin, steroidal saponin, momordium, carbohydrates, mineral matters, ascorbic acid, alkaloids, glucosides, etc. The ethanolic extract of the fruit showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, steroids, proteins, and carbohydrates. The present study was carried out using acetic acid-induced writhing and tail-immersion tests in mice, while yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. The ethanolic extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg, po.) showed an analgesic and antipyretic effect, which was significantly higher than that in the control rats. The observed pharmacological activities provide the scientific basis to support traditional claims as well as explore some new and promising leads.

Pharmacognostic Evaluation of stem of Berberis aristata DC.

Abstract Stem of Berberis aristata DC (Berberidaceae) is used in Indian traditional medicine for treating antibacterial, antiperiodic, antidiarrhoeal, ophthalmic, skin diseases and diabetes mellitus. It is an important commodity in folklore medicine of India for as laxative, ophthalmia and other eye diseases so far there no record on detailed pharmacognostic evaluation of this crude drug, hence this communication is useful for identification this plant material.

Phyto-Physicochemical Investigation of Leaves of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour) Spreng

Abstract Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour) Spreng belongs to family Lamiaceae and known as country borage in English. It is large succulent aromatic perennial herb, shrubby below, hispidly villous or tomentose. It is found throughout India, Sri Lanka and Moluccas. The leaves of the plant are bitter, acrid and were being widely used traditionally for various purposes. The present study was therefore carried out to provide requisite pharmacognostic details about the leaf. The leaf was characterized for its physico-chemical properties. The shade dried powder of leaves of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour) Spreng was subjected to successive extraction using the solvents (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and water) in the increasing order of polarity. The preliminary phytochemical analysis and Thin Layer Chromatography has been performed. It was found that the leaves revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, proteins, amino acids, flavonoids, quinone, tannins, phenolic compounds and terpenoids. The findings will be useful towards establishing pharmacognostic standards for identification, purity, quality and preparation of monograph of the plant.