@article {2223, title = {A Comparative Study of the Biometric, Germinative, and Physicochemical Characteristics of Fruits and Oils of Three Cannabis Strains (Cannabis sativa L.var indica) Cultivated in the Rif Region of Morocco}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {16}, year = {2024}, month = {February 2024}, pages = {156-166}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {156}, abstract = {

Background: Cannabis sativa var indica is the variety grown in the northern reliefs of Morocco, exclusively for resin and narcotics production. Despite the extensive research on the botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Rif{\textquoteright}s cannabis, there is limited comparative research on the fruits and oils of different strains cultivated in the region. Objective: This study examined the biometric, germinative and physicochemical properties of three cannabis strains grown in the Western Rif region of Morocco. Materials and methods: three cannabis strains (Beldiya, Khardala and Critical) were characterized by their biometric parameters (weight, length and width), germinative and physicochemical properties. Results: The study revelated that there are notable differences in the biometric properties and germination rates of the achenes of the strains studied. Additionally, significant variations were observed between the strains with regards to their oil yield, as well as the levels of polyphenols and flavonoids. The results also revealed a correlation between biometric parameters, germination rate and phytochemical content. Conclusion: The oils of all strains studied were extra virgin, and the Beldiya strain{\textquoteright}s fruit oil was found to be particularly rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, making it a potentially useful ingredient in nutrition and health applications. Overall, this study provides useful information for researchers and growers interested in the cultivation and use of cannabis fruits and oils in various industries.

}, keywords = {Biometry, Cannabis strains, Fruit, germination, Oil, Rif}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2024.16.22}, author = {Abdelhak Chergui and El Amine Ajal and Imane Zakaria and Rachid Nejjari} } @article {858, title = {Evaluation of Anthelmintic Potential of Leaves and Fruits of Zanthoxylum rhetsa}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {May 2019}, pages = {475-478}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {475}, abstract = {

Background: Zanthoxylum rhetsa of family Rutaceae is traditionally employed for treatment of intestinal worms, urinary tract infection, tooth ache, asthma, bronchitis and rheumatism. Thus, the objective of the study was to screen in vitro anthelmintic activity of leaves and fruits of Zanthoxylum rhetsa on Eisenia fetida and Tubifex tubifex. Material and Methods: Total methanol extract and solvent fractions of methanol extract were prepared by maceration and solvent solvent extraction process respectively. The chromatographic fingerprints of total methanol extracts of leaves and fruits were developed using HPTLC. Results: The leaf and fruit extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, coumarins, essential oils and saponins. The extracts exhibited significant anthelmintic activity as evidenced by decrease in paralysis death time in the treatment groups when compared to standard. Conclusion: The results suggest that fruits and leaves of Z rhetsa have promising anthelmintic activity and further studies are required to identify the phytochemicals responsible for anthelmintic activity.

}, keywords = {Anthelmintic, Fruit, HPTLC, Leaf, Phytochemicals, Zanthoxylum rhetsa}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2019.11.75}, author = {Rashmi Mallya and Fehmina Malim and Akanksha Naik and Milind Bhitre} } @article {920, title = {Phytochemical Characterization of Rhizome, Fruit, Leaf and Callus of Rheum emodi Wall. using GC-MS}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {May 2019}, pages = {617-623}, type = {Short Communication}, chapter = {617}, abstract = {

Background: Rheum emodi is an immensely useful medicinal herb of Himalaya having remarkable antidiabetic and anticancerous activities reported mainly from rhizomatous portion of the plant. The present study reports Gas Chromatographic- Mass spectroscopic characterization of both the conventionally used part i.e., the rhizome as well as other parts of R. emodi including callus to exploit the nonconventional parts for future use. Objective: To explore the bioactive constituents in the methanol extract of rhizome, fruit, leaf and callus of R. emodi. Methods: Phytochemical characterization of the plant extracts was performed by using GC-MS QP 2010 Plus. Various constituents were identified after matching their mass fragmentation pattern with data available in GC-MS library of National Institute of Standards Technology (NIST) and Wiley Registry of Mass Spectral Data{\textquoteright}s, New York (Wiley). Results: Total of 95 bioactive compounds were obtained in methanol extract of R. emodi out of which rhizome, fruit, leaf and callus revealed 31, 38, 27 and 47 compounds respectively. Two anthraquinones, chrysophanol (43.97\%) and physcion (3.23\%) were obtained from rhizome whereas fruit possessed only physcion (4.66\%). Conclusion: The present findings characterizes and helps to supplement the chemical profile of the plant for its futuristic role in nutritional, pharmaceutical and therapeutic industries.

}, keywords = {Callus, Fruit, GC-MS analysis, Leaf, Rheum emodi, Rhizome}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2019.11.99}, author = {Ruchi Singh and Preeti Chaturvedi} } @article {741, title = {Chemical Composition and Ethnobotany of Livistona jenkinsiana Griff: An Endangered Thatching Palm Tree of Eastern Himalayas}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {10}, year = {2018}, month = {August 2018}, pages = {1202-1207}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {1202}, abstract = {

Objectives: To study the uses of various parts and cultivation of Livistona jenkinsiana among tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh in addition to study the chemical composition and the related health benefits if any. Methods: Field survey and interview were used for ethnobotany and GCMS was used in the studies of chemical compositions. Results: This study reports numbers of volatile and non-volatile compounds from the fruit of Livistona jenkinsiana with various health benefits. Presence of remarkable high percentage of trehalose sugar is reported in this work from the fruit of L. jenkinsiana. The study also reports various uses of the parts of this palm tree as thatching tree, fencing and house construction. The study also reports need of conservation of this bioculturally important endangered and threatened thatching palm tree. Conclusion: L. jenkinsiana is a bioculturally and economically important endangered thatching palm tree. The fruit could be a source of plant originated fats and trehalose sugar. Fifty percent of compounds present in this fruit are useful in various health problems. There should be further scientific studies in the domains of industrial utility of this underutilized palm tree.

}, keywords = {Biocultural, Ethnobotany, Fruit, Himalayas, Indigenous People, Phytochemical, Thatch, Trehalose}, doi = {xx10.5530/pj.2018.6.206}, author = {Temin Payum} } @article {70, title = {Pharmacognostical and Preliminary Phytochemical Investigations on fruit of Vaccinium macrocarpon aiton}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {7}, year = {2015}, month = {Nov-Dec 2015}, pages = {333-338}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {333}, abstract = {

Background: Vaccinium species are hostile nutraceutical fruit in India as well as all over the world. In recent years, Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton is used as a functional food for treating various diseases without authentication. Objective: The current work was investigated to perform the morphoanatomical and physicochemical of Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton fruit. Method: Pharmacognostic studies were carried out for different parameters include organoleptic, macroscopic, microscopic, fluorescence and physicochemical analysis. Results: The fruit was shining burgundy purple in colour having smooth lustrous surface, globular to ellipsoidal in shape with 10-15 mm in length and diameter was 9 mm. The main microscopic characteristic of fruit showed ovules, compact angular parenchyma cells, developed sclerenchymatous outer sheath, central xylem and phloem strands. Fruit powder showed oil bodies, spherical parenchyma cells in large thick masses and walls of the epicarp demonstrated cellulose content. Further, physicochemical examination of fruit powder showed loss on drying, total ash, insoluble ash as 9.23, 7.8, and 9.16\% w/w respectively. The water and alcohol soluble extractives values of the fruit were 24.74 and 76.88\% respectively. Anthocyanins and flavonids were also confirmed by phytochemical screening. Conclusion: A variety of pharmacognostic features was found in fruitful way which may help in identification and standardization of Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton fruit in a crude form.

}, keywords = {Fruit, microscopy, Morphoanataomical, Physicochemical analysis, Vaccinium macrocarpon aiton}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2015.6.3}, author = {Manisha Khaneja and Sumeet Gupta}, editor = {Anupam Sharma} }