NOPR Collection:

In-vitro screening of cucurbitaceous plants for antidiabetic potential

2019-04-01T00:00:00Z

Title: In-vitro screening of cucurbitaceous plants for antidiabetic potential Authors: Shukla, Manish; Naik, Vinayak R; Almeida, Asha Kulkarni; Saklani, Arvind Abstract: Natural products traditionally have played an important role in drug discovery and formed the basis of most early medicines. Medicinal plants and drugs derived from them have been explored extensively for their antidiabetic potential. Extensive literature survey revealed that the family cucurbitaceae of higher plants has contributed a lot in traditional system of medicines for developing antidiabetic formulations. The most discussed Momordica charantia and Cucumis sativus are some examples. However, many cucurbitaceous taxa are yet to be explored. The objectives of the present study are to gather data from literature on the antidiabetic potential of cucurbitaceous plants with their traditional usage and in-vitro screening of different extracts and fractions of collected cucurbitaceous plants for their antidiabetic activity in the glucose utilization assay (GUA) on L6 cell line. Based on literature survey, a list of 32 plant species of cucurbitaceae family was prepared, which have been reported for antidiabetic activity or mentioned in ethnomedicinal and traditional system of medicines for antidiabetic potential. A total of 15 crude extract and their 75 fractions were prepared from 9 collected cucurbitaceous plants and their parts and screened against differentiated rat skeletal (L6) muscle cells in glucose uptake assay. Eight extracts/fractions from 4 plants (Cucumis callosus fruit, Luffa echinata fruit, Coccinia indica fruit and Cucurbita species aerial part) were found active in antidiabetic screening. The best antidiabetic activity was found in chloroform fraction of Luffa echinata fruit. After bioactivity guided column fractionation of this active fraction, the fraction M010/S/3/5 showed maximum activity in glucose uptake assay. EC₅₀ was calculated as 0.59 μg/mL showed potent antidiabetic compound. Present study revealed that there is huge potential in cucurbitaceous plants for developing antidiabetic drug. Page(s): 209-225

Medicinal Plant Biodiversity used among the rural communities of Arid Regions of Northern Punjab, Pakistan

2019-04-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Medicinal Plant Biodiversity used among the rural communities of Arid Regions of Northern Punjab, Pakistan Authors: Ashfaq, Shomaila; Ahmad, Mushtaq; Zafar, Muhammad; Sultana, Shazia; Bahadur, Saraj; Abbas, Naeem Abstract: One-third of the earth’s surface is categorized as arid. Arid regions throughout the world having unique biodiversity comprising of different climatic conditions. The current study focused on Medicinal Plant Biodiversity used among the rural communities of Arid regions of Northern Punjab, Pakistan. Total 225 households were interviewed by using a semi-structured questionnaire. By using different quantitative indices, results were analyzed that includes frequency of citation (FC), the relative frequency of citation (RFC), fidelity level (FL), Informant consensus factor (ICF) and use value (UV). In this study 98 plants, species were reported, used for medicinal purposes. Asteraceae was found to be a dominant family. The most frequently used parts were leaves (46%) as compared to other plants parts. The mostly used herbal medicinal preparation method was a powder (44%) as compared to decoction (43%), paste (20%). The highest ICF was reported for respiratory system disorders (Asthma, cold, chest problems, flue, and cough). The fidelity level varies from 50% to 96%. Species having the highest use value was Ficus benghalensis (0.16) while the plant species with the highest RFC was Ficus palmate (0.42). The findings exposed that medicinal plants are the main source of medicines for primary health care. Medicinal plants having high used value help to identify a phytochemical compound that are bio-active that are essential for the synthesis of new drugs for various diseases. Page(s): 226-241

Comparative analysis of the biochemical parameters among the three Prakriti individuals having Type 2 diabetes mellitus

2019-04-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Comparative analysis of the biochemical parameters among the three Prakriti individuals having Type 2 diabetes mellitus Authors: Banerjee, Saheli; Chattopadhyay, Krishna; Biswas, Tuhin Kanti; Chattopadhyay, Brajadulal Abstract: The occurrence of multi-organ affecting Type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasing day by day that consequently becomes a serious threat to public health. According to Ayurveda, individual’s basic constitution (Prakriti) describes its predisposition and prognosis to disease status and also the treatment for disease but no detailed studies carried out yet on diabetic individuals of three Prakriti groups on biochemical aspects. This study was conducted with twelve patients in each three Prakriti groups having Type 2 diabetes mellitus to determine the differences of some anthropometrical and biochemical parameters amongst them. Clinical profiling and various biochemical parameters of liver and kidney, lipid profiles and anti-oxidant enzymes were assayed. Significant differences were observed amongst the subjects belonging in different Prakriti groups. Differences in liver function enzymes and kidney function parameters and lipid profiles revealed that the subjects of Kapha and Pitta Prakriti were predominant groups. Glycosylated haemoglobin percentage was higher in Pitta Prakriti individuals. The screening process of the study indicated that diabetic individuals mostly belong to the Pitta and Kapha Prakriti groups of which Kapha Prakriti was more prone to hepatic and renal disorder and Pitta Prakriti was more susceptible towards cardiac disorder due to their diabetic complications. Page(s): 242-249

Indigenous knowledge and phytochemical screening of medicinal chuk from Rhus chinensis, Docynia indica and Hippophae salicifolia in Sikkim Himalaya

2019-04-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Indigenous knowledge and phytochemical screening of medicinal chuk from Rhus chinensis, Docynia indica and Hippophae salicifolia in Sikkim Himalaya Authors: Sharma, Ghanashyam; Pradhan, Bharat Kumar; Chettri, Santosh K; Chettri, Arun; Chettri, Dhani Raj Abstract: Under traditional system of medicine, bhakmilo-ko-chuk (juice extracted from Rhus chinensis fruits) is used to cure diarrhoea, dysentery, diabetes, oral diseases and inflammation; mel-ko-amilo (juice extracted from Docynia indica fruits) for treating diarrhoea, dysentery, stomach disorder, and Achuk (juice of Hippophae salicifolia berries) for lung problems, respiratory infections, high blood pressure, heart disorders, gastric ulcer and digestive disorders. Bhakmilo (Rhus chinensis) is distributed from 300 to 1800 m amsl, Mel (Docynia indica) occurs from 1200 to 2000 m and Achuk (Hippophae salicifolia) within 2700 to 4000 m in the Sikkim Himalaya. These are lesser known underutilized species having high socio-cultural, socio-economic and socio-ecological importance. Phytochemical screening of juice extracted from berries of Hippophae showed moderate concentration of alkaloids, flavonoides, tannins, steroids, amino acids, proteins and carbohydrates. Screening of Docynia fruits showed high concentration of triterpenes and amino acids, and moderate concentration of alkaloids, steroids, proteins and carbohydrates. Rhus fruits showed high concentration of tannins, triterpenes, and carbohydrates, and moderate concentration of steroids and amino acids. The local market price for bhakmilo-ko-chuk was Rs.1000 L^-1, mel-ko-chuk was Rs.1500 kg^-1 and Hippophaea chuk was Rs.1200 L^-1. Economics showed that juice extracted from a matured Hippophae tree berries earn Rs. 10,000-15000 yr^-1, a fully grown Docynia tree fruits exchange Rs. 10,000 – 12000 yr^-1 and a Rhus tree fruits earned around Rs. 4000 yr^-1. Promotion of enterprise-based cultivation, agro-technique development, suitable processing techniques and value addition, and establishment of market linkage can boost household income of marginal farmers. Page(s): 250-260