Pharmacognosy articles list

The butanol fraction of the leaves of Castanospermum australe Cunn. & Fraser., was tested on adult Callosobruchus analis (pulse beetle) for its insecticidal activity by impregnation method at concentrations of 3, 9, 48, 240 and 354 μg / cm2. The result showed that the extract is toxic to Callosobruchus analis and the LD50 was found to be 38 µg/cm2. The insecticidal activity of the butanol fraction of Castanospermum australe leaves against adult Callosobruchus analis was determined by impregnation method in five different concentrations and the result so obtained revealed that the extract is toxic against the test insect (pulse beetle). The mortality was lowest (14 %) at 3 µg/cm2 and highest (96 %) at 354 µg/cm2 (Table). The LD50 by log-log graph was found to be 38 µg/cm2. It may be said that the saponins of this plant could be utilized as a natural insecticide that could be an effective alternative for insect pest management.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The anti-emetic activity of the leaves methanolic extracts of Cassia angustifolia Vahl., Cassia holosericea Fresen., Cassia italica Miller. Lam. ex F.W. Ander and Cassia purpurea Roxb., was evaluated in young chicks. Emesis was induced by copper sulfate (50 mg/kg), and the extracts were tested orally at a dose of 150 mg/kg. All the extracts significantly decreased the number of retching (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) compared with standard chlorpromazine.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The current study was designed to explore the antiemetic effect of the methanolic extracts of Acalypha fimbriata Schumach. & Thonn., Acalypha ornata Hochst., and Acalypha wilkesiana cv. godseffiana Muell Arg., aerial parts using chick emesis model to validate their folk use in G.I. disorders. Emesis was induced by the oral administration of copper sulfate to male chicks. All the extracts (150 mg/kg orally) showed an antiemetic effect and were compared with the reference drug chlorpromazine. Among all the extracts, Acalypha ornata Hochst., leaves extract showed the highest (94.51%) and Acalypha fimbriata Schumach. & Thonn., stem extract showed the lowest (35.04%) antiemetic effect.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

In the Indo-Pak subcontinent, the traditional systems of medicine, both Ayurvedic and Unani, are primarily based on herbs and herb-based preparation for therapy. Therefore, the importance of the herbal identification process remains critical in achieving the desired and successful therapeutic effect. To support the manufacturers and practitioners of both systems, many herbs are still collected from wild sources, as herbal farming is not very developed in this part of the world. During a survey program conducted in different areas of Pakistan, significant lacks and gaps were noted to be present in the identification & characterization of herbs, which needs to be addressed and fulfilled as many species look alike apparently or physically but have different biological or pharmacological activity. Based on this objective and approach, Centella asiatica was selected for the pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical investigation to establish a better correlation and to provide useful methods in its identification as the use of Centella asiatica is very common in Pakistan and other South Asian countries for CNS disorders therapy. Therefore, this study aimed to develop & report some and rapid identification methods for Centella asiatica. The present study includes physical, physicochemical, preliminary phytochemical and fluorescence analysis. For the first time, in the present study, NIR and FT-IR spectra of Centella asiatica have been reported for identification. The findings of the present study are quite promising and can be helpful for the manufacturers and researchers in the identification and development of Centella asiatica-based new drugs or formulations.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The current study was conducted to explore the antiemetic activity of two marine algae, Iyengaria stellata Børgesen (Phaeophycota) and Valoniopsis pachynema Børgesen (Chlorophycota), by chick emesis model. Emesis was induced by copper sulphate (50 mg/kg), and the extracts were tested orally at 150 mg/kg. Chlorpromazine (150 mg/kg orally) was used as a standard antiemetic drug. The results showed that methanol extracts of both seaweeds have antiemetic activity.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Ethanol and hexane extracts of the leaves and male flowers of Luffa cylindrica were evaluated for antiemetic and anti-inflammatory effects using chick emesis model and carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema. The antiemetic effect was observed at 150 mg/kg body weight, whereas the anti-inflammatory effect was observed at doses of 500,750 and 1000 mg/kg body weight orally. Chlorpromazine 150 mg/kg and indomethacin 10mg/kg orally were used as standard antiemetic and anti-inflammatory drugs. The antiemetic effect was determined by calculating the mean decrease in the number of retching compared to the control group after 10 minutes of copper sulfate (50 mg/kg orally) administration. The degree of paw oedema of all the groups was measured using a plethysmometer at the 5th hour of carrageenan (1% w/v) administration. All extracts except hexane extract of leaves exhibited statistically significant (P<0.001) antiemetic and except hexane extract of flower, all extracts exhibited statistically significant (P<0.05) anti-inflammatory effects.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The current study was designed to explore the analgesic effects of methanol extracts from the leaves of Samanea saman Merr. and Prosopis cineraria Druce., using tail immersion test. Thermal stimuli produced painful reactions in mice by dipping the tail tips of the mice into hot water. Methanol extracts of the leaves of Samanea saman Merr. and Prosopis cineraria Druce. were administered intraperitoneally at the dose of 100mg /kg body weight. Pethidine 50mg/Kg intraperitoneally was used as a standard analgesic drug. The tail-flick latency delay was measured at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 hours after the intraperitoneal administration. Both extracts produce analgesic effects when compared with pethidine.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Cleome brachycarpa Vahl . and Cleome viscosa L. were evaluated for anti-emetic activity in the copper sulfate-induced chick emesis model. Emesis was induced by copper sulfate (50 mg/kg), and the methanolic extracts of leaves were tested orally at a dose of 150 mg/kg. Chlorpromazine (150mg/kg orally) was used as standard anti-emetic drug. The anti-emetic activity was determined by calculating the mean decrease in the number of retching as compared with the control. Cleome brachycarpa and Cleome viscosa showed comparable anti-emetic activity with chlorpromazine.Cleome brachycarpa Vahl ., and Cleome viscosa L., leaves extract in a dose of 150 mg/kg body weight., reduced the numbers of retches by 57.57% and 43.06%. Cleome brachycarpa significantly (**P<0.005) reduced the number of retches. The group of chicks treated with chlorpromazine had 45 retches compared to the 71 retches of the control group, thus chlorpromazine reduced the retches by 36.99%. From the results, it is clear that Cleome brachycarpa Vahl. and Cleome viscosa L. leaves extracts have antiemetic potential and are comparable with standard chlorpromazine. Although the result is significant the mode of action is not known. Antiemetic activity by using copper sulfate proposed 5-HT3, 5-HT4, or NK1 receptor antagonism. Therefore, the extracts effectively prevented its effect and had a peripheral anti-emetic action. As mentioned earlier, triterpenoids such as brachycarpone, deacetoxybrachycarpone, cabralealactone and ursolic acid are reported from Cleome brachycarpa6, whereas flavonoids are reported from Cleome viscosa. Flavonoids and triterpenoids possess anti-emetic properties18. So, if flavonoids and triterpenoids are present in the studied extracts, the observed anti-emetic effects may be due to flavonoids and triterpenoids. The present study is on the preliminary level, and further investigation is required to confirm the anti-emetic effect of Cleome brachycarpa Vahl ., and Cleome viscosa L. leaves and determine the compounds responsible for this activity with their possible mode of action.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Emesis, also known as nausea and vomiting, are common symptoms associated with ingestion of toxicants, drug side effects, advanced terminal diseases such as cancer and postoperative procedures. Emesis is mediated through the coordinated action of central and peripheral regulatory centres that involve receptors including dopamine Type 2, serotonin, muscarinic cholinergic, histamine, cannabinoids and NK-1 receptors. Many anti-emetic drugs targeting these receptors are currently in use, but they also cause undesirable side effects such as excessive sedation, hypotension, dry mouth, dysphoria, hallucinations and extrapyramidal signs. This review highlights the pharmacological mechanism of emesis, current antiemetic drugs, and a detailed analysis of in vitro and in vivo anti-emetic bioassay models. The pharmacology of crude natural products extracts and purified anti-emetic compounds (cannabinoids, chalcones, diarylheptanoids, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, lignans, phenylpropanoids, polysaccharides, saponins, terpenes and glycosidic derivatives) are also systematically presented with their mechanism of action. The potential of natural products as sources of new clinically proven anti-emetic drugs is discussed.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The current study used the chick emesis model to explore the anti-emetic effect of the methanolic extract of Acalypha ornata Hochst—roots. Emesis was induced by the oral administration of copper sulfate to male chicks. Acalypha ornata root extract (150 mg/kg orally) showed an anti-emetic effect and was compared with the reference drug chlorpromazine

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The current study was designed to explore the antiemetic effect of the methanolic extract of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray., leaves using chick emesis model to validate their folk use in G.I. disorders. Emesis was induced by the oral administration of copper sulfate 50mg/kg body weight to male chicks of four days of age. The antiemetic activity was determined by calculating the mean decrease in the number of retching compared to the control. Tithonia diversifolia leaves extract (150 mg/kg orally) showed a significant (p <0.05) antiemetic effect and was compared with the reference drug chlorpromazine.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Ethanol extract of Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem. Fruit peel was evaluated for antiemetic and anti-inflammatory effects using the chick emesis model and carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. The antiemetic effect was observed at 150 mg /kg body weight whereas the anti-inflammatory effect was observed at doses of 500, 750 and 1000 mg /kg body weight orally. Chlorpromazine 150mg/kg and indomethacin 10mg/kg orally were used as standard anti-emetic and anti-inflammatory drugs. The anti-emetic effect was determined by calculating the mean decrease in the number of retchings compared to those of the control group after 10 minutes of copper sulfate (50mg/kg orally) administration. The degree of paw oedema of all the groups was measured using a plethysmometer at the 5th hour of carrageenan (1% w/v) administration. The extract exhibited statistically significant anti-emetic (P< 0.001) and anti-inflammatory (P< 0.05) effects.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Ethanol extracts of leaves, male flowers and fruit peel of Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem., were evaluated for analgesic effect using the analgesy meter test, a mechanically induced pain model. Extracts at 500 mg/kg, p.o., were tested and compared with diclofenac sodium 50mg/kg as a standard analgesic drug. The mechanical force was applied to the rat's paw and continuously increased. The point at which the rat can’t bear further pressure and starts to struggle to free the paw was taken as a nociceptive response. Readings were taken before and after 1, 2 and 3hr following drug administration. The analgesic response was continuously increasing till 3hrs. Tested extracts produced significant and comparable analgesic effects as with diclofenac sodium.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Hypnea pannosa J. Agardh (a methanol extract of the whole alga) was subjected to antifungal screening. The extract showed good activity against Trichophyton longifusus, low activity against Candida glabrata, and inactivity against Fusarium solani.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Legumes are the richest source of protein, starch, minerals, and vitamins and are considered the earliest domestic plants. They belong to the leguminosae family, one of the largest and most important families of flowering plants. The present review describes the history, consumption, nutritional aspects, traditional medicinal uses, pharmacology, and commercial aspects of legumes.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Emesis encompasses the forceful expulsion of the stomach's contents via the mouth or sometimes the nose. The adverse effects of currently available anti-emetic agents potentiate the natural product researchers to explore natural anti-emetics with fewer side effects. The presented communication reviews the anti-emetic effect of two hundred and forty-five plants belonging to seventy-eight families in different parts of the world. It also outlined the anti-emetic effect of plant extracts and isolated secondary metabolites studied through a variety of animal models of emesis. The reported anti-emetic plants in different countries and cultures and the scientific studies on extracts may help in the identification of promising single chemical compound(s) that may be used as potential leads for developing safe anti-emetic agents in future. Moreover, the reported secondary metabolites having the same effect may open the door for the search for the same secondary metabolites from other natural sources. This review will provide useful information for discovering natural anti-emetic compounds and fill the gaps in knowledge.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The present investigation is an attempt to evaluate the analgesic and antiemetic activities of Ficus exasperata and Cleome ciliata leaves methanolic extract by using the chick emesis model (oral treatment) and acetic acid-induced writhing test (intraperitoneal treatment) in mice, respectively. The antiemetic activity (150 mg/kg b.w., of extract) was carried out by using chlorpromazine (150mg/kg) as standard antiemetic drug. The analgesic activity (250 mg/kg b.w. of extract) was performed using aspirin (150mg/kg) as a standard analgesic drug. The results showed significant analgesic and antiemetic effects.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The presented study initially attempted to discover bergenin as an antiemetic compound isolated from Peltophorum roxburghii L. leaves. It is the extension of antiemetic activity from the methanol extract of Peltophorum roxburghii L. leaves. The antiemetic activity was assessed using copper sulfate-induced emesis in the chick’s model. Bergenin (25 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited significant antiemetic activity compared to the standard drug, chlorpromazine. This is the first time that bergenin has declared antiemetic activity. Bergenin has already been evaluated positively for its anti-inflammatory activity, and this paper will report its antiemetic activity. Both the activities of the same compound may be beneficial for drug design against the disease, as they have anti-inflammatory and antiemetic symptoms like migraines. The preliminary antiemetic evaluation of bergenin was conducted on a single dose due to the low yield of Bergenin. However, the result was significant in terms of the standard used. Further, the isolation and purification of Bergenin are in the process of establishing detailed data on different doses of Bergenin.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The methanol extract of the whole alga Hypnea pannosa J. Agardh was subjected to antifungal screening. It showed low activity against Aspergillus flavus Link ex Gray 1821.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pallas. is used traditionally to treat hypertension and chronic venous insufficiency. The high prevalence of hypertension and the side effects of antihypertensive drugs potentiate us to evaluate Melilotus officinalis. The hypotensive effect of Melilotus officinalis butanol fraction (MOBF) was investigated in anaesthetised normotensive rats. The doses of 60, 80 and 100 mg/ kg, i.v., produced a significant (P<0.05) decrease in blood pressure. The statistically non-significant reduction in blood pressure was shown by 20 and 40 mg/ kg, i.v. These results suggest that Melilotus officinalis exhibited a hypotensive effect in normotensive rats. However, further evaluation of compound-related activity is required.

Dr. Salman Ahmed