Pharmacognostic studies of stem, roots and leaves of Malva parviflora L

Pharmacognostic standardization and evaluation of antiulcer potential of Olax psittacorum leaf extract

The modern medicine has received many plants as a gift from ethnobotany. It is an efficient method of discovering new medicines. The leaves of Olax psittacorum (Lam.) Vahl. were extracted with ethanol, and the phytoconstituents present in the leaf extract were identified using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis (GC-MS), followed by determination of physico-chemical parameters and anti-ulcer properties. The leaf ethanolic extract (LEE) yield was observed to be 43.2%. The quantitative surface microscopy analysis revealed a stomatal index of 30 and 22 epidermal cells and qualitatively confirms presence of quinone, flavonoid, phenol, carbohydrate, tannin, saponin and absence of alkaloids using various screening techniques. The LEE confirms its anti-ulcer potency by inhibiting ulceration by 58% and 75% respectively, thus proving the hypothesis. These identified parameters may be helpful in developing some botanical standards for the standardisation and identification of O. psittacorum leaves with anti-ulcer properties.

Malva parviflora Leaves Mucilage: An Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Biopolymer with Antioxidant Properties

Malva parviflora L. is an edible and medicinal herb containing mucilaginous cells in its leaves. Mucilage obtained from M. parviflora leaves (MLM) was extracted in distilled water (1:10 w/v) at 70 °C followed by precipitation with alcohol. Preliminary phytochemical tests were performed to assess the purity of the extracted mucilage. Results showed that the yield of mucilage was 7.50%, and it was free from starch, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, steroids, lipids and heavy metals. MLM had 16.19% carbohydrates, 13.55% proteins and 4.76% amino acids, which indicate its high nutritional value. Physicochemical investigations showed that MLM is neutral and water-soluble, having 5.84% moisture content, 15.60% ash content, 12.33 swelling index, 2.57 g/g water-holding capacity and 2.03 g/g oil-binding capacity. The functional properties, including emulsion capacity, emulsion stability, foaming capacity and stability increased with increased concentrations. Micromeritic properties, such as bulk density, tapped density, Carr’s index, Hausner ratio, and angle of repose, were found to be 0.69 g/cm³, 0.84 g/cm³, 17.86%, 1.22 and 28.5, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that MLM is an amorphous powder possessing particles of varying size and shape; meanwhile, rheological studies revealed the pseudoplastic behavior of MLM. The thermal transition process of MLM revealed by a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermogram, occurring at a reasonable enthalpy change (∆H), reflects its good thermal stability. The presence of functional groups characteristic of polysaccharides was ascertained by the infrared (IR) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses. GC revealed the presence of five neutral monosaccharides; namely, galactose, rhamnose, arabinose, glucose and mannose, showing 51.09, 10.24, 8.90, 1.80 and 0.90 mg/g of MLM, respectively. Meanwhile, galacturonic acid is the only detected acidic monosaccharide, forming 15.06 mg/g of MLM. It showed noticeable antioxidant activity against the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical with an IC₅₀ value of 154.27 µg/mL. It also prevented oxidative damage to DNA caused by the Fenton reagent, as visualized in gel documentation system. The sun protection factor was found to be 10.93 ± 0.15 at 400 µg/mL. Thus, MLM can be used in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry and as a therapeutic agent due to its unique properties.

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Malva parviflora and their antifungal activity

Cheeseweed mallow (Malva parviflora L.) was used to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were classified by UV-vis Spectroscopy and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The shape and size distribution were visualized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), and Zeta potential analysis. The chemical composition of M. parviflora leaf extract was identified by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS). Finally, in vitro antifungal assay was done to assess the potential of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles and crude leaf extract of M. parviflora for inhibiting the mycelial growth of phytopathogenic fungi. The UV-vis analysis manifests the formation of silver nanoparticles. FTIR analysis established that chemicals of the leaf extract stabilized the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles by binding with the free silver ions. The TEM, FE-SEM and zeta potential analyzer confirmed that the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were mostly spherical with an average diameter of 50.6 nm. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles and leaf extract of M. parviflora effectively mitigate the mycelial growth of Helminthosporium rostratum, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, and Alternaria alternata. The maximum reduction in mycelial growth by biosynthesized nanoparticles was observed against H. rostratum (88.6%). Whereas, the leaf extract of M. parviflora was most effective against F. solani (65.3%). Thus, the biosynthesis of nanoparticle assisted by M. parviflora is a feasible and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Further the silver nanoparticles and leaf extract of M. parviflora could be explored for the development of the fungicide.

Metabolic Profiling of Vasorelaxant Extract from Malvaviscus arboreus by LC/QTOF-MS

We aimed to develop a standardized methodology to determine the metabolic profile of organic extracts from Malvaviscus arboreus Cav. (Malvaceae), a Mexican plant used in traditional medicine for the treatment of hypertension and other illnesses. Also, we determined the vasorelaxant activity of these extracts by ex vivo rat thoracic aorta assay. Organic extracts of stems and leaves were prepared by a comprehensive maceration process. The vasorelaxant activity was determined by measuring the relaxant capability of the extract to decrease a contraction induced by noradrenaline (0.1 μM). The hexane extract induced a significant vasorelaxant effect in a concentration- and endothelium-dependent manner. Secondary metabolites, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, terpenes and one flavonoid, were annotated by liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/QTOF-MS) in positive ion mode. This exploratory study allowed us to identify bioactive secondary metabolites from Malvaviscus arboreus, as well as identify potentially-new vasorelaxant molecules and scaffolds for drug discovery.

Morphological, microscopic, and physicochemical studies of Diospyros montana

Adulteration is the root cause of producing not only a chemically and pharmacologically inferior but also in some instances hazardous or poisonous drug. Despite availability of several techniques, microscopy and physicochemical analyses are the most practical approaches for crude drug authentication. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate morphological, microscopic, and physicochemical properties of root, bark, leaf, and fruit of Diospyros montana Morphological properties were determined by sensory organs, whereas microscopic features of cross-sections and powders were determined by light and scanning electron microscopy. The proximate and fluorescence analyses were performed using the standard guidelines. The physical examination of fresh, shade-dried, and powdered material showed no significant change in color. The identifying cellular structures included cuboidal cork, pitted tracheids, scalariform, reticulate and spiral xylary vessels, and rosettes, raphide, and cuboidal calcium oxalate crystals. The stomatal number, stomatal index, vein-islet and vein-termination number, and palisade ratio in the leaf were found to be 293.91 ± 32.68 mm^-2 , 64.18 ± 3.42%, 22.00 ± 3.81 mm^-2 and 38.40 ± 5.81 mm^-2 , and 3.85 ± 0.60, respectively. Total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash and sulfated ash of leaf (9.00 ± 0.50%, 1.67 ± 0.23%, 2.00 ± 0.22% and 14.50 ± 0.99%, respectively), foaming index of bark and root (111.11 ± 2.11), and swelling index of fruit (19.00 ± 3.45) were higher than the other parts. The powder of different parts showed characteristic colors in the daylight and UV light upon treatment with various regents. The plant was found to be rich in saponins, fibers, and flavonoids. The results of the present study may serve as identifiers of different parts of Diospyros montana.

Microscopic investigations and pharmacognostic techniques for the standardization of Caralluma edulis (Edgew.) Benth. ex Hook.f

Herbal medicines frequently suffer with quality controversies because of similar species or varieties. This often leads to sophistication or admixture of the crude drug as they share various look alike physical features. Commercially, stalks of Caralluma edulis are commonly adulterated with other species because of their analogous morphology. In the present research, the microscopic standardization of the drug was performed by structural, histological, and anatomical features. Pharmacognostical characterization was carried out by physicochemical (moisture content, swelling index, pH value, ash values, and extractive values) and fluorescence analysis. The chemical characterization by UV-Visible, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography was also performed that disclosed the chief phytoconstituents of the herbal drug. The above mentioned constraints, being reported for the first time in C. edulis, are substantial in establishing the microscopic and pharmacopoeial standards for future identification and authentication.

Pharmacognostic characterization of Myrica esculenta leaves

Background

Myrica esculenta (Family: Myricaceae) commonly known as Kaiphala or Katphala is a widely used medicinal plant in Ayurveda. In spite of its numerous medicinal attributes, no published work is available till date on pharmacognostical characterization and HPTLC analysis of its leaves.

Objectives

To investigate the pharmacognostical, physicochemical, and HPTLC profiles of M. esculenta leaves.

Materials and methods

The measures taken for pharmacognostical characterization were organoleptic study, macroscopy, microscopy, powder microscopy, leaf constant, fluorescence analysis, preliminary phytochemical screening and HPTLC spectra profile.

Results

Organoleptic and macroscopic studies found that leaves are lancoelate, thin, spirally arranged, dark green in color, with an astringent taste and acute apex. In transverse section, cuticularised epidermis having polygonal cells were found. Mesophyll cells were differentiated into single layered palisade cells on each surface and 2–3 layered spongy parenchyma, unicellular and uniseriate hollow trichomes, anomocytic stomata and bowl shaped vascular bundle in mid rib portion containing xylem and phloem tissues. Alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds and tannins were found present. Analysis on the leaf constants, powder microscopy, fluorescence characteristics and physical parameters resulted a valuable data to establish standards for the plant. HPTLC profile provides number of constituents present in the extracts with their respective Retention Factor (R_f).

Conclusion

Present report on pharmacognostical characterization and HPTLC analysis of M. esculenta leaves provides a vital diagnostic tool for identification, authentication and development of quality parameters of the species. Data obtained by present study may be considered as standard for future studies.