Journal of Natural Remedies

B. L. Punjani , V. Kumar

Abstract

Objective : To study the utilization of medicinal plants in skin diseases by tribal people of Sabarkantha district, Gujarat State, India. Materials and methods : Ethnobotanical field trips with tribal informants was used. Results and conclusion : 29 species of 27 genera and 23 families of angiosperms are reported along with plant parts and some formulations of plant part used medicinally for the treatment of skin disorders. The putative plant remedies are neither evaluated nor phytopharmacologically identified.

Keywords

Plants, Sabarkantha, Gujarat, Folk Medicinal Plants, Skin Diseases, Aravalli Hills

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V. Kumar , T. Shah , G. B. Shah , N. S. Parmar

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the anti-bacterial activity of Rhus succedanea galls. Materials and methods: Aqueous extract was prepared and anti-bacterial activity was studied against five bacterial organisms by agar disc diffusion method. Results: Aqueous extract of Rhus succedanea galls exhibited significant anti-bacterial activity. Conclusion: The present results indicate the potential usefulness of aqueous extract of Rhus succedanea in the treatment of bacterial infections.

Keywords

Rhus succedanea Galls, Anti-bacterial Activity

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J. R. Baheti , V. Kumar , G. B. Shah , R. K. Goyal

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the free radical scavenging activity of aqueous extract of Rhus succedanea galls. Material and methods: Aqueous extract was prepared and free radical scavenging activity was studied using DPPH assay and nitric oxide scavenging assay. Result: Aqueous extract of R. succedanea galls showed remarkable and concentration dependent free radical scavenging activity comparable to that of standard ascorbic acid in the studied models. IC₅₀ was found to be 27.33μg and 32.63μg in DPPH assay and NO scavenging assay respectively. Conclusion: The present results indicate that aqueous extract of R. succedanea galls exhibit free radical scavenging activity.

Keywords

Rhus succedanea, Free Radical Scavenging, DPPH Assay

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N. Jasani , M. Kapoor , N. Tripathi , N. Acharya , S. Acharya , V. Kumar

Abstract

The present attempt was aimed to evaluate the Anti-asthmatic and anti allergic activity of the aqueous extract of Lagenaria siceraria leaf (LSA) using various animal models like histamine and acetylcholine induced bronchoconstriction in Guinea pigs, compound 48/80 induced mast cell degranulation in rats and paw edema in mice. LSA exhibited significant and dose dependent bronchodilatory activity at the doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg intraperitonially (i.p.). LSA at the concentrations of 10, 20 and 30 μg/ml significantly inhibited compound 48/80 induced mast cell degranulation. The anti inflammatory activity was observed at the doses of 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg (i.p.) against compound 48/80 induced paw edema in rats. These results prove the traditional claim of the drug in treatment of asthmatic disorders.

Keywords

Lagenaria siceraria Mol. Standley, Bronchoconstriction, Compound 48/80, Mast Cell Stabilization, Paw Edema

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B. L. Punjani , V. Kumar

Abstract

Objective : A survey of ethnomedicinal plant resources used by tribes of Banaskantha and Sabarkantha districts, Gujarat state, India for the treatment of cough and asthmatic disorders. Materials and method: Ethnobotanical field survey with local informants was used for the purpose. Results and Conclusion: 50 species of 45 genera belonging to 26 families of angiosperms along with plant parts and their local formulations being used traditionally for the treatment of cough and asthmatic disorders are reported.

Keywords

Traditional Medicinal Plants, Asthma, Cough, Sabarkantha, Banaskantha, Aravalli Ranges, North Gujarat

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V. Kumar , G. B. Shah , J. R. Baheti , S. S. Deshpande , N. S. Parmar

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of Bergenia ciliata rhizomes. Materials and method: Aqueous extract was prepared and anti-inflammatory activity was studied on carrageenin- induced paw oedema in rats. Results: Aqueous extract of Bergenia ciliata (50 and 100 mg/kg i. p.) showed a potent and dose dependent anti-inflammatory effect, comparable to diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg i.p.). Conclusion: The present results indicate the potential of aqueous extract of Bergenia ciliata in the treatment of pain and inflammation.

Keywords

Bergenia ciliata, Anti-inflammatory Activity, Carrageenin

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B. L. Punjani , V. Kumar

Abstract

Objective: To study the ethnomedicinal plants used by the tribes of Aravalli ranges of Gujarat for the treatment of liver disorders. Materials & Methods: Ethnomedicinal field survey method with local medicinemen was used. Results & Conclusion: 27 plant species belonging to 23 families of angiosperms are reported along with plant parts and their local formulations used medicinally for the treatment of liver disorders.

Keywords

Ethnomedicinal Plants, Liver Disorders, Sabarkantha, Banaskantha, North Gujarat, Aravalli Ranges

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V. Kumar , G. B. Shah , N. S. Parmar

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of Rhus succedanea galls. Materials and methods: Aqueous extract was prepared and anti-inflammatory activity was studied on carrageenin induced paw oedema in rats. Results: Aqueous extract of Rhus succedanea galls (50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.) showed a highly potent and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity comparable to diclofenac sodium (10mg/ kg i.p.) on carrageenin induced paw oedema in rats. Conclusion: The present results indicate the potential usefulness of aqueous extract of Rhus succedanea galls in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Keywords

Rhus succedanea, Anti-inflammatory Activity, Carrageenin

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Niyati S. Acharya , S. R. Acharya , V. Kumar , P. Barai

Abstract

Gmelina arborea Roxb. (Verbenaceae) is greatly valued plant reported in Indian traditional system of medicine for various ailments. In this study, anticonvulsant and antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of stems (MES) of Gmelina arborea Roxb. was investigated. Protective effects were evaluated in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) (60 mg/kg, s.c.) and strychnine (STR) (2 mg/kg, i.p.) induced seizure models in adult albino mice (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) using diazepam as a standard.

Total phenolics and flavonoids content in MES were determined and antioxidant activity was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2- picryl- hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, scavenging of hydrogen peroxide and through reducing power assay. The onset and duration of seizures (tonic-clonic convulsions), mortality rate and number of mice convulsing or not convulsing within the observation period were noted in PTZ and STR induced seizure models.  MES showed good reductive capability and free radical scavenging effects with IC₅₀ 47.47 µg/ml for DPPH radical assay and 97.33 µg/ml for hydrogen peroxidescavenging in a dose dependent manner.MES at the dose of 500 mg/kg, exhibited maximum delay in onset of convulsions (8.188 min in PTZ and 11.81 min in STR induced seizures) in both the models with increased latency period.

The suppression of seizures by MES (500 mg/kg) might be observed due to enhanced gamma amino butyric acid neurotransmission in PTZ induced animals. The constituents of MES might also have glycine inhibitory potential to impart protection in STR induces seizures in our study. Further considerable presence of flavonoids and phenolic have provided good antioxidant activity as a supportive underlying mechanism for anticonvulsant effects. This study justifies the multilevel therapeutic uses of stem bark and heartwood of G. arborea in Indian system of medicine.

Keywords

Antioxidant, anticonvulsant, Gmelina arborea, pentylenetetrazole, seizures, strychnine

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