@article {1967, title = {Alkaloids from Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb Leaf as Promising Candidates for Antidyslipidemic Agents: An in silico study}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {15}, year = {2023}, month = {March 2023}, pages = {106-111}, type = {Original Article }, chapter = {106}, abstract = {

Introduction: The plant Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb (pandan), has been shown to have antidyslipidemic potency. This study explored the potential of several alkaloids from pandan leaf as antidyslipidemia as well as their safety profile in silico. Methods: Analyses were carried out by studying the binding affinity of the alkaloids to 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, peroxisome proliferator activator receptor (PPAR) alpha and Niemann Pick C1 Like 1 (NPC1L1). The structures of the alkaloids were downloaded from the Pubchem database and optimized using the ChemDraw Professional 16.0 to obtain 3D structures in protein data bank (PDB) format. The in silico testing was based on the interactions of the alkaloids with the HMG-CoA reductase (PDB ID 1HW9), PPAR alpha (PDB ID 6LX4) and NPC1L1 (PDB ID 7DFZ) proteins, downloaded from the Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics (RSCB) PDB website (http://www.rcsb.org/pdb). The preparation of protein structures was performed using the Discovery studio 2021 client and Gromacs applications, while optimization of the 3D structure of the alkaloids was carried out with the ChemDraw professional 16.0. Finally, validation was completed using AutoDock application. The safety profile was assessed by pkCSM online tool. Results: The respective root mean square deviation (RMSD) values of the 1HW9, 6LX4 and 7DFZ proteins were 1.677, 0.918 and 1.706, respectively. The alkaloids pandanusine B, pandamarilactonine A, pandamarilactonine B had respective values of binding energy for HMG-CoA of -5.52, -5.51 and -5.46 kcal/mol. The binding energy of pandamarilactonine B, pandamarilactonine A and pandanamine for PPAR alpha were -9.14, -9.10 and -8.48 kcal/mol, respectively, with the corresponding energy for t NPC1L1 of -9.63, -9.71 and -8.54 kcal/mol. The toxicity tests indicated that the alkaloids were safe, pandamarilactonines had the highest LD50 (2.736 mol/ kg). Conclusion: The studied pandan alkaloids have potential antidyslipidemic activity by interacting with HMG-CoA reductase, PPAR alpha, and NPC1L1, with good safety profile.

}, keywords = {Alkaloids, Dyslipidemia, In Silico., Pandan, Pandanus amaryllifolius}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2023.15.14}, author = {Martohap Parotua Lumbanraja and Kusnandar Anggadiredja and Hubbi Nashrullah Muhammad and Neng Fisheri Kurniati} } @article {1360, title = {Pharmacological Potential of the Stinging Plant Tragia Species: A Review}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {13}, year = {2021}, month = {January 2021}, pages = {278-284}, type = {Review Article}, chapter = {278}, abstract = {

Tragia is well known in the botanical world a stinging plants. Apart from this, the genus also occupies an important constituent of alternative systems of medicine as well as ethnobotany. Among the various species of Tragia, the most studied and experimented species is T. involucrata. This genus is used for several ethnobotanical uses such as cancer, diarrhea, constipation, scorpion bite, rheumatism, whooping cough and diabetes. Apart from this the genus is also an important constituent of ayurvedic and siddha medicines. Owing to these properties several researches has been conducted to validate the traditional uses, finding out new uses and understanding the phytochemical profile. Alkaloids, phenols, terpenoids and tannin are present in the genus Tragia. Calcium oxalate and shellsol is responsible for the stinging property. Various species of Tragia has been validated for its important properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities. All these properties has been related to the occurrence of secondary metabolites. However the exact lead metabolite for the pharmacological properties has to be identified. Based the experimentally proved pharmacological properties, Tragia possesses significant potential on a medicinal species.

}, keywords = {Alkaloids, Antibacterial, Nanoparticles, Pharmacological activities, Phytochemistry, Tragia}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2021.13.37}, author = {Narasimhan S} } @article {1339, title = {Repurposing of FDA Approved Alkaloids as COVID 19 Inhibitors; in silico Studies}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {13}, year = {2021}, month = {January 2021}, pages = {110-123}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {110}, abstract = {

Background: Alkaloid drugs were permitted for using as a treatment of numerous diseases. Colchicine, codeine, piperine, papaverine, ergometrine, theophylline, theobromine and caffeine are recognized safe alkaloids and used for many human disfunctions. The chemical structures of alkaloids have flexible chemical moieties with various electronic and chemical characters. COVID-19 is a horrible disease as result from that the discovering of potent drugs from previously FDA approved drugs is the main objective of this study. Methods: docking studies were used for discovering the interactions of alkaloids with protease proteins. The nature of selected alkaloids structures was utilized for advance insights studies to predict new medical applications. Results: Docking studies for alkaloids were completed and the obtained outcomes, displayed that all tried alkaloids have great attraction with the five protease proteins, the energy docking score ranged from -2.9516 (for colchicine with 5R82) to -24.7449 (for ergotamine with 5R80) kcal/mol with 1-5 variable interactions bond. Conclusion: Among the tested drugs, papaverine and ergometrine revealed high docking scores for all five proteins (score ranged from, -14.1058 to 23.1619 for papaverine and, -4.7900 to 24.7449 for ergometrine) and number of interactions with all tested proteins are two to three for papaverine but for ergometrine are two to five.

}, keywords = {Alkaloids, COVID-19, Docking study, FDA, Natural drugs}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2021.13.16}, author = {Ehab M Mostafa and Mohammed Gamal and Mohammed M Ghoneim and Shaimaa Hussein and Ahmed H El-Ghorab and Mohamed A Abdelgawad and Arafa Musa} } @article {1300, title = {In vitro Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Potential of Crude Extracts from the Seed Coat and Fruit Pulp of Strychnos madagascariensis}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {November 2020}, pages = {1504-1511}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {1504}, abstract = {

Diabetes mellitus remains a global health issue despite the advance in orthodox medicine. This study investigated the in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of crude extracts from the seed coat and pulp of Strychnos madagascariensis. The phytochemical screening was carried out using standard protocols. Different extracts were prepared from the fruit parts by maceration using methanol, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and water for antioxidant and antidiabetic assays, and their percentage yield was calculated. The antioxidant potential of the extracts was determined using 2,2{\textquoteright}-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and 2{\textquoteright}2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Antidiabetic activities of the extracts were investigated using α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase assays. Terpenoids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides were present in both the fruit parts. However, saponin present in the fruit pulp was absent in the seed coat (testa). The percentage yields are as follows; water \> ethyl acetate \> hexane \> methanol (seed coat) and methanol \> water \> ethyl acetate \> hexane (fruit pulp), respectively. The crude extracts scavenged ABTS and DPPH radicals in different degrees. The aqueous extract of the pulp and seed coat (testa) showed significant (P \< 0.05) higher scavenging activity against ABTS (IC50; 0.012 and 0.006 mg/ml) and DPPH (IC50; 0.06 mg/ml and 0.064 mg/ml) radicals than other extracts. The crude extracts inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase. The aqueous and methanol extracts of the fruit parts showed better amylase inhibitory activity than other extracts. The aqueous extract of the seed coat (IC50; 0.0785 mg/ml) showed the highest glucosidase inhibitory activity. In addition, methanol extract of the seed coat (IC50; 0.069 mg/ml) exhibited the highest inhibitory activity on pancreatic lipase compared to the extracts in other solvents. Hence, the aqueous and methanol crude extracts of Strychnos madagascariensis seed coat and fruit pulp could be used in the preparation of nutraceutical products for managing diabetic mellitus.

}, keywords = {Alkaloids, Diabetes, Hyperglycaemia, Hyperlipidaemia, Phytochemicals}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2020.12.206}, author = {Michael Osawemi Oboh and Foluso Oluwagbemiga Osunsanmi and Godfrey Elijah Zharare and Rebamang Anthony Mosa and Michael Chukwuka Ojo and Andrew Rowland Opoku} } @article {1011, title = {Pharmacognostic study of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn.: A Review}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {October 2019}, pages = {1376-1385}, type = {Review Article }, chapter = {1376}, abstract = {

Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. has the vernacular name of, {\textquotedblleft}Mundi{\textquotedblright} and {\textquotedblleft}East Indian globethistle, family Asteraceae. It is a spreading aromatic herb. It is indigenous at Rater of Chhindwara District, M.P and even found in most of the moist damp places of tropical zones of Garhwal Himalaya. The herbs contain a deep cherry coloured essential oil and a bitter alkaloid Sphaeranthine. It also contains many other active ingredients, namely, eudesmenolide-7α- hydroxy eudesm-4-en-6, 12-olide, 2-hydroxycostic acid, β-eudesmol, ilicic acid, methychavicol, α-ionone, d-cadinene, α-terpinene, citral, geraniol, geranyl acetate, sphaerene, indicusene and sphaeranthol. The herb has been investigated for many diseases and used in ethnomedicne. The review of this medicinal plant can revealed some important and valuable information with respect to pharmacognostical, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects. The main objective of this paper is to gather some valuable information with respect to its standardization, which has been done along with active ingredients by some researchers.

}, keywords = {Alkaloids, Ethnomedicine, Flavonoids, Gorakhmundi, Mundi, Pharmacological uses, S. indicus}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2019.11.213}, author = {Sonia Singh and Bhupesh C Semwal and Dr Prabhat Kr Upadhaya} } @article {703, title = {Phytochemical Constituents, Total Saponins, Alkaloids, Flavonoids and Vitamin C Contents of Ethanol Extracts of five Solanum torvum Fruits}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {10}, year = {2018}, month = {August 2018}, pages = {946-950}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {946}, abstract = {

Introduction: Phytochemicals are frequently used in chemotherapeutic treatment or may be used as chemo preventive agents with chemoprevention. The study report the quantification of phytochemical constituents and vitamin C contents from ethanol extracts of Solanum torvum fruits. Method: The main objective for this research was to use standard procedures to determine phytochemical and vitamin C content. Results: The estimated alkaloids found in mature fruits were 6.32 \± 0.12 mg/g and 16.94 \± 2.3 mg/g in the immature fruits. Total saponins in mature and immature fruits were 8.60 \± 2.6 mg/g and 16.90 \± 9.4 mg/g respectively. Total flavonoids in mature and immature fruits were 21.14 \± 4.4 mg/g and 14.24 \± 1.8 mg/g respectively. Also vitamin C contents were 11.79 \± 2.0 mg/g in mature fruits and 8.70 \± 0.26 mg/g in immature fruits. With the exception of alkaloids whose difference in the mature and immature was significant, other differences obtained were not significant. Conclusion: The study showed that the extracts contain diversity of phytochemicals in appreciable amount that can expertly keep the body against oxidative stress triggered by free radicals and therefore be used as a source of potent natural products.

}, keywords = {Alkaloids, Ethanol Extract, Flavonoids, Phytochemicals, Saponins, Solanum torvum fruits}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2018.5.160}, author = {Desmond Ato Koomson and Benjamin Danso Kwakye and Williams Kweku Darkwah and Bismark Odum and Mabel Asante and Gideon Aidoo} } @article {377, title = {Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Characteristics of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle Stem and Root Bark: A Comparative Study}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {July 2017}, pages = {668-673}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {668}, abstract = {

Introduction: Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae) is a large tree indigenous to China. It is known as the \“Tree of Heaven\”, used in traditional medicine in many parts of Asia, including China to treat cold, gastric diseases, diarrhea and endoparasites. It is also used as a bitter aromatic drug and as an antitumoral. Objective: The present study deals with comparative pharmacognostical parameters for the bark of stem and root of Ailanthus altissima, Mill. Swingle. Materials and Methods: The stem and root bark were collected, shade dried and powdered plant material was studied for its proximate values by standard methods. The extracts were subjected to a preliminary phytochemical screening for the detection of various phytoconstituents. Results: Proximate analysis revealed that the dry plant powder of stem bark has 6.48 \% total ash, 0.42\% acid insoluble ash, 4.60 \% water soluble ash and for root bark 7.22 \% total ash, 0.74\% acid insoluble ash, 5.98 \% water soluble ash. The Loss on drying for stem and root bark were found out to be 6.62 \% and 10.46 \% respectively. The stem and root bark of plant powder were found to possess phytoconstituents. Fluorescence analysis revealed the behaviour of the plant powder when treated with different chemical reagents. Conclusion: The present study reveals the preliminary phytochemical and proximate analysis of stem and root bark of Ailanthus altissima. Information obtained from these studies can be used as markers in the identification and standardization of this plant as a herbal remedy and also towards monograph development on the plant.

}, keywords = {Alkaloids, Fluorescence analysis, Proximate Analysis, Simaroubaceae, Tree of Heaven}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2017.5.106}, url = {/files/pj-9-5/10.5530pj.2017.5.106/index.html}, author = {Weekar Younus Raja and Zulfiqar Ali Bhat and Ishtiyaq Ahmad Chashoo} }