@article {1836, title = {In vitro Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities as well as Phytochemical Content of the Fresh Stem Juice from Montrichardia arborescens Schott (Araceae)}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {14}, year = {2022}, month = {August 2022}, pages = {296-304}, type = {Original Article }, chapter = {296}, abstract = {

Background: Montrichardia arborescens Schott (Araceae) is traditionally used for treating, among others, inflammatory conditions, but so far without scientific evidence. In this study, the fresh stem juice was assessed for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities and phytochemical content. Methods: The stem juice{\textquoteright}s anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using a heat-induced bovine serum albumin (BSA) denaturation assay and a hypotonicity-induced human erythrocyte membrane lysis assay. Its antioxidant activity was determined by a DPPH free radical-scavenging assay and a FRAP assay. Diclofenac and Trolox were used as reference compounds. Its phytochemical content was qualitatively explored by standard methods. Data (means {\textpm} SDs; n >= 3) were evaluated for statistically significant differences (p \< 0.05) using ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc adjustments. Results: At >= 12.5\% (v/v), the stem juice inhibited BSA denaturation by 50\%-75\% and membrane lysis by roughly 90\%. At 0.20-7.0\% (v/v), it did not affect BSA denaturation but stabilized membranes by \> 50\%. The juice scavenged DPPH free radicals at an EC50 of 2.0 {\textpm} 0.2\% (v/v) and achieved at that dilution an antioxidant power of 2,616 {\textpm} 16 μM Fe2+ equivalents. All the effects were in the range of those found with diclofenac 50 μg/mL and Trolox 1.0-6.0 μg/mL. The stem juice contained phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and glycosides. Conclusion: The M. arborescens stem juice exhibited appreciable anti-inflammatory activities that might mainly be associated with the inhibition of the release of inflammatory mediators, along with notable antioxidant activity, which might be attributable to phytochemicals with known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

}, keywords = {Anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidant activity, In vitro studies, Montrichardia arborescens Schott, Phytochemical content, Stem juice}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2022.14.99}, author = {Dennis R.A. Mans and Priscilla Friperson and Meryll Djotaroeno and Vinoj Sewberath Misser and Jennifer Pawirodihardjo} } @article {818, title = {Investigation on Pharmacognostic Parameters of Sirunagapoo (Mesua ferrea L): A Traditional Indian Herbal Drug}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {February 2019}, pages = {225-230}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {225}, abstract = {

Introduction: Flower buds of Sirunagapoo (Mesua ferrea) are used in Siddha system of medicine as carminative, astringent and anti-vatha. It is traditionally used to treat various diseases like cough, venerial, white discharge, diarrhea, over-bleeding and peripheral neuritis. It is one of the major ingredients in Amukkara choornam, Inji choornam and Elathi choornam which are used for indigestion, loss of appetite and gastritis. Methods: Pharmacognostic characters of M. ferrea flower bud were studied through powder microscopy. Both ethanol and aqueous extracts were investigated for phytochemical screening, total phenolic content, in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and the ethanolic extract was subjected to GC-MS analysis. Results: Powder microscopy of flower buds of M. ferrea revealed the presence of brachysclereids, macrosclereids, starch grain, crystals and parenchyma cells. The powdered material exhibited 6.07\% of loss on drying, 2.93\% of total ash, 11.34\% of water-soluble extractive and pH value 5.35. Data showed the presence of sterols only in ethanol extract and phenols, flavanoids, saponins and coumarins in both ethanol and aqueous extracts. Ethanolic extract was found to contain higher concentration of total phenols (1030 mg GAE/L) when compared to aqueous extract. Totally forty compounds were detected in GC-MS analysis and the major compound is eugenol (61\%) and cinnamaldehyde (15\%). In vitro studies revealed antioxidant in terms of DPPH free radical scavenging property (IC-50 = 229.7 mg/ml) remarkable anti-inflammatory activity using RBC membrane stabilization assay (70.27\%) were noted. Conclusion: This study provides the pharmacognostic standards, phytochemical profile, major volatile compounds and in vitro properties of Mesua ferrea flower bud.

}, keywords = {GC-MS, In vitro studies, Mesua ferrea, Pharmacognosy, Phytochemicals}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2019.11.35}, author = {Perumal Rajalakshmi and Vellingiri Vadivel and Natesan Ravichandran and Pemaiah Brindha} }