@article {2554, title = {Ethnomedicinal survey, phytochemical, isolation and identification of bioactive compounds from Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Pentanisia prunelloides and Dioscorea sylvatica used in the treatment of elephantiasis}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {December 2025}, pages = {662-675}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {662}, abstract = {

Introduction: More than 200 diseases can be transmitted to people through ingesting food contaminated with microorganisms (bacteria, viruses and parasites) or chemicals. Other pathogens for example those causing malaria, tuberculosis and leprosy, as well as parasitic worms can be as chronic infections and impaired nutrition, growth, cognitive development and fertility. Objective: The aim of this research was to screen extracts from the three plants for phytochemicals. This includesthe isolation and identification of bioactive compounds of Elephantorrhiza elephantina. Methods:In this study, an ethnomedicinal survey, phytochemical analysis, isolation, and identification of bioactive compounds were conducted in Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Pentanisia prunelloides and Dioscorea sylvatica plant species used in the treatment of elephantiasis in most parts of the eastern Free State using standard methods. Results:The ethnobotanical survey documented 12 medicinal plants that are used to treat lymphatic filariasis. Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Pentanisia prunelloides and Dioscorea sylvatica were the three most used plant species. All three plants tested positive for the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, glycosides, anthraquinones and alkaloids. Four compounds: acetyl salicylic acid, benzoic acid, resorcinol and nonanedioic acid were identified from E. elephantina rhizome. Discussion:Amongst 12 documented plant species, E. elephantina, P. prunelloides and D. sylvatica were the most frequently used plants and were selected for isolation and characterisation of bioactive compounds. Acetyl salicylic acid, benzoic acid, resorcinol and nonanediotic acid were isolated and identified from the methanol extract from E. elephantina rhizome. Conclusion:The presence or existence of isolated phenolic-flavonoids in E. elephantin demonstrated the basis for utilising it based on the isolated compounds

}, keywords = {Bioactive compounds, elephantiasis, Elephantorrhiza elephantina, ethnomedicinal survey, Phytochemicals, Traditional medicinal plants}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2025.17.83}, author = {Selloane G. Lehasa and Siphamandla Q.N. Lamula and Lisa V. Buwa-Komoreng} } @article {593, title = {Pharmacognostic Standardization of an Ethnomedicinal Aquatic Herb, Monochoria hastata (L.) Solms for its Antibacterial Potentiality}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {10}, year = {2018}, month = {March 2018}, pages = {533-540}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {533}, abstract = {

Objectives: To evaluate antibacterial potentiality, pharmacognostic characteristics and quality control parameters including heavy metals, like lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) accumulation in the aerial parts of an aquatic herb, Monochoria hastata (L.) Solms. Methods: Antibacterial assay was done by agar well diffusion method. Pharmacognostic studies like morpho-anatomical and physicochemical analyses were carried out for organoleptic, microscopic and macroscopic evaluations of living aerial parts, and powder microscopy, fluorescence, proximate and elemental analysis of the dried powder sample. Elements and heavy metals contents were determined by carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur / oxygen (CHNS/O) analyzer and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), respectively. Results: M. hastata (L.) Solms aerial parts showed antibacterial activity against gastrointestinal and topical pathogens. It exhibited an amphistomatic and hydromorphic anatomical characters. The distinguishing features were the presence of stomata in upper and lower epidermis, broad air chambers, cuticle, collateral vascular bundles, sclereidal fibres, pitted tracheids, pitted vessels, calcium oxalate crystals and annular vessels in leaf. The powder sample contained very less amount of acid insoluble ash than water soluble ash and complete absence of foreign organic matter. Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulfur (CHNS) ratio was 33:6:5:1 and lead content was lesser than the recommended upper limit though the arsenic content was higher than the permissible upper limit. Conclusions: Though the plant has traditionally been used as a potent Ethnomedicinal herb to cure boils, gastritis, hepatopathy and as laxative, but no such evaluation of pharmacognostic identity and quality parameters have been done so far. This is the first report on its pharmacognostic characters and quality control issues like heavy metal accumulation and physicochemical parameters for future use as powder drug.

}, keywords = {Fluorescence characteristics, Heavy metal accumulation, M hastata (L.) solms, Pharmacognostic standardization, Traditional medicinal plants}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2018.3.87}, url = {http://fulltxt.org/article/520}, author = {Debabrata Misra and Manab Mandal and Narendra Nath Ghosh and Vivekananda Mandal} }