Syed Waseemuddin Ahmed

Cholinergic Action of Crude Saponins from Castanospermum australe

AbstractThe effect of crude saponins of Castanospermum australe (CA) was studied in anesthetized rats and on isolated tissue preparations. The results showed that CA in the dose range of 1-30 mg/kg produced a fall in blood pressure and heart rate in normotensive anesthetized rats. Pretreatment of animals with atropine (2 mg/kg) abolished both hypotensive and bradycardiac effects of CA. In isolated guinea-pig atria, CA produced negative inotropic and chronotropic responses at 100-1000 μg/mL. When tested on isolated guinea-pig ileum, it produced contractile responses similar to those of acetylcholine (ACh). All these responses of CA and ACh on cardiac and smooth muscle preparations were completely blocked by atropine (0.1 μg/ml). These data indicate that the crude saponins from Castanospermum australe mediate all their effects through a mechanism similar to that of acetylcholine.

Biological Activities Assessment of Centella asiatica (Linn.)

Biological activities of Centella asiatica were determined as cytotoxic activity–LD50 = 1926 μg.mL−1 using Artemia salina; mild insecticidal activity (40% mortality) against Rhyzopertha dominica; no activity against Tribolium castaneum and Callosobruchus analis; phytotoxicity (70% growth regulation at 1,000 μg.mL−1 and 10% growth regulation at 10 μg.mL−1) against Lemna minor. Mild antibacterial and antifungal activities were noted against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans, while no activity was noted against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. Antioxidant performance was comparable to ascorbic acid, and analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities comparable with aspirin at 100 mg.kg−1b.w.

Insecticidal Activity of Castanospermum australe against stored Grain Pest Callosobruchus analis

The butanol fraction of the leaves of Castanospermum australe Cunn. & Fraser., was tested on adult Callosobruchus analis (pulse beetle) for its insecticidal activity by impregnation method at concentration of 3, 9, 48, 240 and 354 µg / cm 2 . The result showed that the extract is toxic to Callosobruchus analis and the LD50 was found to be 38 g/cm 2 .