Melastoma malabathricum Linn. commonly known as ‘senduduk’ in Malaysia, belongs to Melastomataceae family. The study was carried out to screen the phytochemicals present in methanol extract of leaf, flower, fruit, and stem and to evaluate the antioxidant activity, total flavonoid and total phenolic contents of these different parts. Phytochemical screening showed that all parts of this plant contained tannins, steroids, phenols and flavonoids. The flower extract was found to have highest total phenolic whereas the leaf demonstrated the highest flavonoid content followed by flower. The results of antioxidant activity from the DPPH assay showed that the flower has the highest radical scavenging activity comparable to quercetin standard while stem showed the lowest activity. The higher content of total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant capacity of flower suggests the possibility of its incorporation and exclusion of stem in M. malabathricum preparations for development of newer effective drugs.
This study was carried out to determine phytochemical constituents, median lethal dose (LD50) and central nervous system depressant activity of ethanol leaf extract of Globimetula braunii using laboratory animal models. The intraperitoneal median lethal dose (LD50) of ethanol leaf extract of Globimetula braunii was determined in mice according to the method described by Lorke, 1983. The CNS depressant activity of Globimetula braunii leaf extract was determined using diazepam induced sleep, hole board test and beam walk assay. The ethanol leaf extract of Globimetula braunii revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, steroids, triterpenes, flavonoids and glycoside. The intraperitoneal median lethal dose of the leaf extract of Globimetula braunii was estimated to be 2852 mg/kg bodyweight in mice. The ethanol leaf extract of Globimetula braunii significantly (p <0.05) prolonged the duration of sleep in mice at the dose of 800 mg/kg. The extract prolonged the time to complete the beam walk, and exhibited significant decrease in number of head dips there by indicating a decrease in the exploratory behaviour of the animal. This study suggests that Globimetula braunii possesed sedative property.
Keywords: Beam walk assay, diazepam induced sleep, hole board test, central nervous system, Globimetula braunii
Phyllanthus amarus Schum and Thonn (Euphobiaceae); is found in tropical and sub-tropical region of the world. It grows as a weed in moist abandoned land. It has various applications in tradition and folk medicine for treatment of various diseases such as hepatitis, cough, diuretic, menstruation problem and dysentery. It is commonly used by many countries across the world. Scientific investigation revealed that Phyllanthus amarus has potent activity against various diseases such as hepatitis B, HIV, microbial infections, plasmodiasis, nematode infestation, lithiasis, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hyperuricemia, nephrotoxicity, platelet aggregation, radiation exposure, algesia, unwanted pregnancy, vasoconstriction, hepatotoxity and biological oxidation
Globimetula braunii is a parasitic plant belonging to the family Loranthaceae. Traditionally, the plant has been reported to be used in the treatment of insomnia. The study was carried out to investigate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant activity of the fractions of Globimetula braunii growing on Terminalia catappa and to isolate the phytochemical compound(s) present in the most active fraction. The CNS depressant activity of all the fractions was investigated using diazepam induced sleep. The most active fraction was further subjected to the hole board test and beam walk assay. The chromatographic technique was used for the isolation of phytochemical compound. Hexane fraction significantly (p<0.05) reduced latency to sleep and prolonged the sleeping time. Both chloroform and ethylacetate fractions at highest and median doses showed significant increase in the duration of sleep compared to normal saline. The n-butanol fraction at all doses tested do not have any effect on time of onset and duration of sleep when compared with normal saline treated group. Hexane fraction significantly (p<0.05) decreased the number of head dip in a dose dependent manner and delayed the time to reach the goal box compared to normal saline treated group. Lupeol was isolated from n-hexane fraction.
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