African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Apr 8, 2013
Zanthoxylum armatum is a well known food product used as antispasmodic in traditional medicine sy... more Zanthoxylum armatum is a well known food product used as antispasmodic in traditional medicine system. In the present research work, the phytochemical composition of the leaves, barks and fruits was carried out showing that all parts are good source of alkaloids, saponin, tannins and flavonoids. The ethanolic and n-hexane extracts were tested for their antispasmodic potential using rabbit ileum tissues. The ethanolic and n-hexane extract of the leaves (ZLE and ZLH), barks (ZBE and ZBH) and fruits (ZFE and ZFH), demonstrated a dose dependant antispasmodic effect. In most of the tested extracts, the action of ethanolic extract was found more pronounced than the other. The most significant antispasmodic effect was observed with fruit extracts. In conclusion, the current study strongly supports the folkloric uses of the plant as antispasmodic.
Onosma griffithii was screened for possible pharmacological activities. The crude methanolic extr... more Onosma griffithii was screened for possible pharmacological activities. The crude methanolic extract (MeOH) and its fractions demonstrated parasiticidal activity (IC 50 (µg/ml ± S.D) = 31.03 ± 0.23) against Leishmania major. Based on the IC 50 values, the potency of the standard drug (Pentamidine) and test fractions were of the order as: Pentamidine > crude extract > n-hexane fraction > ethyl acetate (ETOAc) fraction > chloroform fraction (CHCl3) fraction > n-butanol (BUOH) fraction > aqueous fraction. Similarly moderate antifungal activity was displayed by the crude methanolic extract against Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium solani. Against the Staphylococcus aureus, the aqueous fraction demonstrated moderate antibacterial activity.
Background: The fruit of Rosa moschata has traditionally been used for the treatment of abdominal... more Background: The fruit of Rosa moschata has traditionally been used for the treatment of abdominal spasm and diarrhoea. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate mechanism(s) responsible for its medicinal use in gut spasm and diarrhea. Methods: Hydro-methanolic extract of Rosa moschata (Rm.Cr) was studied in isolated rabbit's jejunal preparations for possible antispasmodic activity. Based upon in vitro relaxant activity in isolated gut preparations, in vivo antidiarrheal activity was carried out in mice to confirm its antidiarrheal effect. Acute toxicity study was performed to determine safe dose range before in vivo experiments. Results: In isolated rabbits' jejunal preparations, Rm.Cr inhibited the spontaneous and high K +-induced contractions with respective EC 50 values of 0.66 (0.44-0.97; n = 5) and 2.28 mg/mL (1.43-3.62; n = 5), like that of verapamil. This suggests the presence of calcium channel blocking (CCB) activity as a possible mode of action. The Ca ++ channel blocking activity was further confirmed when pre-treatment of isolated jejunums with Rm.Cr (1-5 mg/mL) caused a rightward shift in the Ca ++ concentration-response curves (CRCs), similar to verapamil. Rm.Cr was safe up to 2000 mg/kg for in vivo acute toxicity. Rm.Cr provided 55% and 80% protection from diarrhoea in respective doses of 100 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg. These data indicates that the crude extract of Rosa moschata possesses Ca ++ antagonist-like constituent(s), which explains its inhibitory effect on gut motility; a mechanism that underlies its antidiarrheal and antispasmodic activities. Conclusion: The study shows that the crude extract of fruits of Rosa moschata possesses antispasmodic effects mediated possibly through voltage gated Ca++ channel blockade, which provides sound pharmacological base to its medicinal use in gut spasms and diarrhoea, though additional mechanism(s) cannot be ruled out.
The Siran Valley, District Mansehra, Pakistan, a part of the internationally recognized Western H... more The Siran Valley, District Mansehra, Pakistan, a part of the internationally recognized Western Himalayan Province, contains more than 143 plant species directly used by local communities. Of these plants, 89 have a therapeutic use. This report details the common uses of 29 species and the conservation status of 22 species, concluding that the Panjul Forests need special care for the
African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Apr 8, 2013
Zanthoxylum armatum is a well known food product used as antispasmodic in traditional medicine sy... more Zanthoxylum armatum is a well known food product used as antispasmodic in traditional medicine system. In the present research work, the phytochemical composition of the leaves, barks and fruits was carried out showing that all parts are good source of alkaloids, saponin, tannins and flavonoids. The ethanolic and n-hexane extracts were tested for their antispasmodic potential using rabbit ileum tissues. The ethanolic and n-hexane extract of the leaves (ZLE and ZLH), barks (ZBE and ZBH) and fruits (ZFE and ZFH), demonstrated a dose dependant antispasmodic effect. In most of the tested extracts, the action of ethanolic extract was found more pronounced than the other. The most significant antispasmodic effect was observed with fruit extracts. In conclusion, the current study strongly supports the folkloric uses of the plant as antispasmodic.
Onosma griffithii was screened for possible pharmacological activities. The crude methanolic extr... more Onosma griffithii was screened for possible pharmacological activities. The crude methanolic extract (MeOH) and its fractions demonstrated parasiticidal activity (IC 50 (µg/ml ± S.D) = 31.03 ± 0.23) against Leishmania major. Based on the IC 50 values, the potency of the standard drug (Pentamidine) and test fractions were of the order as: Pentamidine > crude extract > n-hexane fraction > ethyl acetate (ETOAc) fraction > chloroform fraction (CHCl3) fraction > n-butanol (BUOH) fraction > aqueous fraction. Similarly moderate antifungal activity was displayed by the crude methanolic extract against Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium solani. Against the Staphylococcus aureus, the aqueous fraction demonstrated moderate antibacterial activity.
Background: The fruit of Rosa moschata has traditionally been used for the treatment of abdominal... more Background: The fruit of Rosa moschata has traditionally been used for the treatment of abdominal spasm and diarrhoea. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate mechanism(s) responsible for its medicinal use in gut spasm and diarrhea. Methods: Hydro-methanolic extract of Rosa moschata (Rm.Cr) was studied in isolated rabbit's jejunal preparations for possible antispasmodic activity. Based upon in vitro relaxant activity in isolated gut preparations, in vivo antidiarrheal activity was carried out in mice to confirm its antidiarrheal effect. Acute toxicity study was performed to determine safe dose range before in vivo experiments. Results: In isolated rabbits' jejunal preparations, Rm.Cr inhibited the spontaneous and high K +-induced contractions with respective EC 50 values of 0.66 (0.44-0.97; n = 5) and 2.28 mg/mL (1.43-3.62; n = 5), like that of verapamil. This suggests the presence of calcium channel blocking (CCB) activity as a possible mode of action. The Ca ++ channel blocking activity was further confirmed when pre-treatment of isolated jejunums with Rm.Cr (1-5 mg/mL) caused a rightward shift in the Ca ++ concentration-response curves (CRCs), similar to verapamil. Rm.Cr was safe up to 2000 mg/kg for in vivo acute toxicity. Rm.Cr provided 55% and 80% protection from diarrhoea in respective doses of 100 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg. These data indicates that the crude extract of Rosa moschata possesses Ca ++ antagonist-like constituent(s), which explains its inhibitory effect on gut motility; a mechanism that underlies its antidiarrheal and antispasmodic activities. Conclusion: The study shows that the crude extract of fruits of Rosa moschata possesses antispasmodic effects mediated possibly through voltage gated Ca++ channel blockade, which provides sound pharmacological base to its medicinal use in gut spasms and diarrhoea, though additional mechanism(s) cannot be ruled out.
The Siran Valley, District Mansehra, Pakistan, a part of the internationally recognized Western H... more The Siran Valley, District Mansehra, Pakistan, a part of the internationally recognized Western Himalayan Province, contains more than 143 plant species directly used by local communities. Of these plants, 89 have a therapeutic use. This report details the common uses of 29 species and the conservation status of 22 species, concluding that the Panjul Forests need special care for the
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