@article {2124, title = {Analysis of the Phytochemical and Antibacterial Properties of the Indigenous Mizo Medicinal Plant, Helicia Excelsa}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {15}, year = {2023}, month = {October 2023}, pages = {823-828}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {823}, abstract = {

Background: Helicia excelsa (Roxb.) Bl. is a scarcely known medicinal plant and is native to Southeast Asia. It is most notably used for the treatment of gastric problems in the Mizo traditional medicine in India. Method: The leaves of H. excelsa were collected from Aizawl, Mizoram, India. An extract was prepared using chloroform. Qualitative phytochemical tests were performed to detect the important phytocompounds. The antioxidant activity was determined by total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total antioxidant content, DPPH- and ferric-reducing antioxidant power. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by agar well-diffusion method. Results: H. excelsa leaf contains amino acids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, phenols, phytosterols, proteins, and tannins. It showed inhibition in selected Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The phenol, flavonoid and total antioxidant contents were 4.52{\textpm}0.09 gallic acid equivalent (GAE mg/g), 64.27{\textpm}1.04 quercetin equivalent (QE mg/g), 11.39{\textpm}0.45 ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE mg/g) respectively. IC50 value of DPPH-scavenging activity was 5.67{\textpm}0.36. The ferric ion-reducing power showed concentration-dependent activity. The plant extract showed growth-inhibitory actions against Gram-negative bacterium, Escherichia coli, and Gram-positive species, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus. :Conclusion H. excelsa leaf contains important bioactive compounds that need to be identified. The antioxidant and antibacterial activities support the basis of its medicinal application.

}, keywords = {Antibacterial activity, Antioxidant, Helicia excelsa, Mizo traditional medicine., Plant extract}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2023.15.157}, author = {Lalbiakngheti Tlau and Lucy Lalawmpuii and P.B. Lalthanpuii and K. Lalchhandama} } @article {1084, title = {Beautyberry (Callicarpa arborea) as an Antiparasitic Agent Against Raillietina echinobothrida, an Intestinal Tapeworm}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {February 2020}, pages = {66-70}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {66}, abstract = {

Background: The beautyberry (Callicarpa arborea Roxb.) is member of the family Lamiaceae and is native to Asia. It is used in different traditional medicines for the treatment of debilitating ailments including cancer, dermatitis, diabetes mellitus, gastritis, helminthiasis, and pyrexia. A couple of pentacyclic triterpenes and phytosterols have been reported from this plant. Objective: We aimed to investigate the antiparasitic potentials of C. arborea bark extract. We used an intestinal tapeworm, Raillietina echinobothrida, for its convenience in handling and established nature as a model helminth parasite. Materials and Methods: The extract of the stem bark was prepared using methanol. Tapeworms were treated in vitro with varying concentrations of the extract. Survival values were statistically analysed. Treated tapeworms were fixed and processed for scanning electron microscopy. Results: C. arborea bark extract showed dose-dependent antiparasitic similar to that of albendazole. Scanning electron microscopy revealed damaging effects all over the body of the tapeworm. There was general shrinkage of the tegument on the scolex, neck region and strobila. Microtriches were completely removed throughout the tegument. Suckers and rostellum on the scolex were also deformed. Conclusion: Our data shows that C. arborea is a promising source of antiparasitic principles.

}, keywords = {Callicarpa arborea, Scanning electron microscopy, Tapeworm, Tegument}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2020.12.11}, author = {P.B. Lalthanpuii and Kholhring Lalchhandama} }