The Lebanese Citrus Aurantium: A Promising Future in Medicinal Phytochemistry

Journal: Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

Author: Salim Makhoul, Youssef Bakkour, Hanna El-Nakat*, Fawaz El Omar

Abstract: The West Bekaa region of Lebanon is mostly an agricultural land where traditional herbal medicine is a common practice.  Many medicinal applications are especially attributed to the Citrus aurantium plant mainly used in the food and drink industry. In this work, the essential oil of Citrus aurantium is studied in an attempt to find an explanation for the different medical applications of this plant extract which is widely known among locals.  Using Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry, twenty-six different chemicals were identified and quantified.  These include the major constituent, Linalool, (29.99%), Bergamol (14.94%), Farnesol (9.86%) and D-Limonene (8.42%). The latter as well as Linalool are known to have anticancer effects, thus representing major components in anticancer treatments.  Their proportions in the studied essential oil and the presence of the other components (a-thujene, a-pinene, Camphene, Sabinene, b-pinene, b-Myrcene, p-Cymene, Ocimene (E), Linalool oxide (Trans), Linalool oxide (Cis), Terpinen-4-ol, Terpineol, Nerol (Or Cis-Geraniol), Neral, Geranial, Neryl acetate, Geranyl acetate, Nerolidol, Farnesal, Eicosane, Tetracosane, Pentacosane) have amplified the importance of Citrus aurantium as a scientifically-proven medicinal plant thus justify its diverse medical applications.

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Pharmacognostical and Priliminary Phytochemical Studies on the Leaf Extract of Ficus Pumila Linn.

Journal: Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

Author: Jasreet Kaur* (India)

Abstract: Ficus pumila Linn. (Family: Moraceae), commonly known as climbing fig. It is widely used as an ethno medicine in china and India. It is prescribed for a wide variety of ailments like diarrhea, hemorrhoids, treating gastrointestinal, piles, uterine problems and other infections. However, detailed scientific information is not available to identify the plant material and to ascertain its quality and purity. In present communication, morphology anatomical and physico-chemical characters along with phytochemical screening and fluorescence analysis of powdered crude drug were carried out for systemic identification and authentication of leaves. This study provides referential information for identification and characterization of Ficus pumilaleaf and its extracts.

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In-Vitro Thrombolytic and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Swertia Chirata Ethanolic Extract.

Journal: Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

Author: Mohammad Shahadat Hossain*, Mohammad Ehsanul Hoque Chowdhury, Sumana Das and Imtiaz Uddin Chowdhury

Abstract: Ethanol extract of of Swertia chirata was assessed for its thrombolytic, anti-inflammatory activity and phytochemical screening. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using albumin denaturation. Aspirin was used as a standard drug for the study of anti-inflammatory activity. The ethanol extract of Swertia chirata showed mean inhibition of protein denaturation 45.31±0.000576 whereas, for control group it was found to be 50.00±0.00177. In thrombolytic activity using in vitro clot lysis assay method, the crude ethanol extract was found to have significant, thrombolytic test showed a maximum effect of 40.38% while the standard streptokinase showed 69.35.

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In-Vitro Anthelmintic Activity of Diplazium esculantum (Retz.) Swiss Rhizome Extract

Journal: Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

Author: Semwal Amit*, Farswan Mamta Singh

Abstract: Parasitic diseases cause severe morbidity by affecting population in endemic areas with major economic and social consequences. More than half of the population of the world suffers from various types of infection and majority of cattles suffer from worm infections. So there is a need to find new drugs to treat parasitic diseases. Ethanolic, aqueous and petroleum ether extract from the rhizome ofDiplaziumesculentum (Retz.) Sw (Family- Athyriaceae) was investigated for their anthelmintic activity against Pheretima posthuma. Three concentrations (10, 25 and 50 mg/ml) of each extracts were studied, which involved the determination of time of paralysis and time of death of the worm.It was found that all the extracts exhibited significant anthelmintic activity. Piperazine citrate in same concentration as that of extract was included as standardreference and distilled water as control. Results showed that the ethanolic extract was more potent as compared to other extracts as it took less time to cause paralysis and death of the earthworms as compared to standard reference drug.

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