@article {1244, title = {Antiurolithiatic Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Piper cubeba Dried Fruits: An in-vitro and in-vivo Study}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {September 2020}, pages = {1289-1296}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {1289}, abstract = {

Introduction: Piper cubeba is a well-known traditional plant used in unani medicine belonging to the Piperaceae family and has been examined for the treatment of urolithiasis produced by calcium oxalate. Methods: Ethanolic extract of Piper cubeba (EEPC) dried fruits was subjected to phytochemical analysis and HPTLC fingerprinting. An in vitro antiurolithiatic analysis took place through conductometric titrations of CaCl2 with Na2C2O4. Acute toxicity studies conducted as per OECD guidelines. Urolithiasis was established in rats by supplementing 28 days with 0.75\% ethylene glycol in the ingesting water. Beside ethylene glycol, EEPC (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) was given orally from 15 - 28 days, serum and urine were collected from individual animals and biochemical parameters like BUN, creatinine along with uric acid in serum as well as calcium, oxalate and phosphate in urine the kidney homogenate have been measured on 28th day. Kidney sections have been organized and histopathologically tested for calcium oxalate crystals. Results: Phytochemical analysis of EEPC disclose the presence of phenolics, tannins, steroids, terpenoids and flavonoids and HPTLC fingerprinting shows the presence of 7 terpenoids, 2 flavonoids when scanned at 540nm and 366nm. In vitro studies showed reduction in CaOx crystal aggregation and promoted nucleation after treatment with EEPC. In vivo studies also showed reduction in elevated levels of serum creatinine, BUN, uric acid, and levels of calcium, oxalate and phosphate in urine and kidney homogenate as compared to disease control rats. The results were supported by histopathological studies. Conclusion: The EEPC have shown significant antiurolithiatic activity by reducing calculi.

}, keywords = {calcium oxalate, Ethylene glycol, Flavonoids, HPTLC, Terpenoids, Urolithiasis}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2020.12.177}, author = {S Suman and SV Suresh Kumar} } @article {357, title = {Botanical Pharmacognosy of Centella asiatica (Linn.)Urban}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {May 2017}, pages = {546-558}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {546}, abstract = {

Introduction: Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban is an important medicinal plant with rejuvenate properties, used in Ayurveda for promoting vitality and life. The plant is often considered as a \‘panacea\’ for several human ailments and the biological actions often has been ascribed to its pentacyclic triterpene compounds, mainly asiatic acid, madecassic acid and triterpene saponin-asiaticoside, madecassoside. The plant is also highly specialized for the richness of several micronutrients, iron, phosphorus, sodium, vitamin C, vitamin A, carotene and dietary fibers. Objectives: The present study was performed with the objectives of elaborating the macroscopic and histo-morpho diagnostic profile of Centella asiatica and to analyze the quantitative, and powder microscopic peculiarities to support its pharmacognostic characterization. Materials and Methods: Microscopic evaluation, quantitative standards and powder microscopy were carried out using the root, stolon, petiole and leaves. Results: Distribution of slightly lobed leaf margin with actinodromous major venation pattern, amphistomatic epidermis with animocytic stomata, distinctive contour of the midrib and petiole, occurrence of crystals in the idioblasts of the cortical parenchyma of root, stem, stolon, palisade and mesophyll. Vascular system with several free collateral bundles in the stem were features characteristic of the species. These findings in conjunction with reduction in lignified elements, arenchyma lacunae, sclerenchymatous netting in root, periphloematic sclereids in petiole, and stolon could be remarkable features diagnostic of the taxon. Conclusion: The present macroscopic and histo-anatomical observations of stem, root, stolon, petiole and leaves of Centella asiatica and powder microscopic, quantitative standards put forth could provide useful information for the regulatory aspects of the quality control measures of the crude drugs.

}, keywords = {Animocytic stomata, arenchyma, calcium oxalate, crystal idioblasts., periphloematic sclereids}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2017.4.88}, url = {/files/PJ-9-4/10.5530pj.2017.4.88}, author = {Madathilparambil Vasu Sudhakaran} }