Pre-defined analytical features of a plant are used as a reference to aid in accurate identification, proper standardization, and quality control. However, no systematic work on the leaves of A. pennata is available for reference to check its authenticity, purity, and quality. Therefore, the study was aimed to develop pharmacognostic parameters using standard guidelines. The work provides macroscopic, qualitative and quantitative microscopic, physicochemical parameters, chromatographic fingerprint profile, and in-vitro antioxidant activity of A. pennata. Preliminary phytochemical screening and thin-layer chromatography hints the presence of steroids and glycosides along with polyphenolic compounds viz. phenols and flavonoids. Quantification of polyphenolic phytoconstituents and assessment of in-vitro antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract was done. The current communication offers referential knowledge on the analytical and diagnostic features for accurate taxonomical identification, proper characterization and will also help in the establishment of a pharmacognostic monograph of A. pennata for effective quality control.
Background
Morus alba L. fruits are consumed since long for their nutritional and medicinal values. Although there were studies on the neuroprotective activity of the fruit extract, safety profile of the fruit extract is not yet explored as per the recommended standard guidelines over the central nervous system (CNS). The present work was aimed to assess the neurotoxicity profile of chemically characterized extract of M. alba L. fruits (MA) using validated OECD guidelines, i.e., 425 and 424 in rodents.
Results
Neurobehavioural parameters were examined for motor, sensory and behavioural responses using actophotometer, hot plate and light and dark box test, respectively as per OECD 424. Interestingly, no sign of mortality and/or adversity on mice treated per-orally with MA (2000 mg/kg) was observed during the limit test as per OECD 425. Further, rats treated with MA (1000, 300 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) for 28 days, showed insignificant (p < 0.05) changes in body weight, food consumption, neurobehavioural responses, organ weights and biochemical, haematological and histopathological features when compared with vehicle-treated animals.
Conclusion
The outcome of findings suggests that MA is safe in acute oral as well as sub-chronic (28 days) administration in mice and rats respectively. MA (1000 mg/kg) did not pose any toxic sign and symptoms on neurobehavioural responses in rats even after 28 days repeated treatment in compliance with OECD 424.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.