NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository Community: Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources (IJNPR)
[Formerly Natural Product Radiance (NPR)]

Ethnobotanical and pharmacological profile with propagation strategies of Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M. Roem.–A concise overview

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Ethnobotanical and pharmacological profile with propagation strategies of Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M. Roem.–A concise overview

Authors: Petrus, A J A

Abstract: Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M. Roem. (Family-Cucurbitaceae) [syn. Melothria maderaspatana (L.) Cogn.] grows common in village hedges and other open habitats and in the disturbed sites of the semi-evergreen and deciduous forests. It is distributed throughout the tropics and subtropics of the Old World, where different parts of the plant are being utilized for the health-care needs of human beings and livestock. The leaves and tender shoots are also frequently consumed as a part of the South Indian cuisine. Preclinical animal experiments have substantiated a number of traditional and folkloric medicinal claims, including hypotensive, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, hypoglycaemic, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antiplatelet-aggregation, antiulcer, anxiolytic and local anaesthetic characteristics of the plant extracts. Encouraging results have emerged from clinical investigations also as a chemoprotective plant in subjects suffering from hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and rheumatoid arthritis. The present review aims to offer a concise pioneering account of (i) the ethnomedical uses of the leaves, tender shoots, stem, fruits and roots of the drug-plant among various traditional communities inhabiting different parts of the world, (ii) the motivating outcome of the preclinical and clinical investigations of the plant extracts and (iii) progress attained in the techniques of propagation of this potentially useful indigenous functional food plant which is currently tending to transform as an endangered taxon.

Page(s): 9-26

Effect of Andrographis paniculata Wall. ex Nees root extract fractions on estrogen, FSH, LH, progestrone and ovary of female albino rats, Rattus norvegicus

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Effect of Andrographis paniculata Wall. ex Nees root extract fractions on estrogen, FSH, LH, progestrone and ovary of female albino rats, Rattus norvegicus

Authors: Krishnamoorthy, Palaniyandi; Sivaranjani, K; Rajeswari, K; Kalaiselvan, D

Abstract: The fractions (F) 3 and 4 derived from the root extract of Andrographis paniculata Wall. ex Nees were used in the present investigation to study the contraceptive action of the plant on albino rats. Rats were treated with 500 mg/kg body weight/day of fraction 3 and 4 of the extract for a period of 48 days. The total body and ovary weight, levels of hormones, such as estrogen, LH, FSH and progesterone, histological changes in the ovary and uterus were observed. There was no remarkable change in total body weight of A. paniculata treated rats, whereas the size of the ovary was reduced in treated rats as compared to control. The levels of LH, FSH, estrogen and progesterone were found to be raised in treated groups when compared with control and there were remarkable changes noted in the histology of ovary and uterus of experimental rats. The obtained results suggest that the presence of active principle in the fractions 3 and 4 of A. paniculata might be responsible for the contraceptive efficacy of the plant extract. These alterations are possibly due to the interference of secondary metabolites of the plant on the physiology of the sexual cycle of female rats.

Page(s): 42-47

Herbal Medicine − A natural cure to arthritis

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Herbal Medicine − A natural cure to arthritis

Authors: Patel, Dhaval; Kaur, Ginpreet; Sawant, Mrunal Ghag; Deshmukh, Pradeep

Abstract: Arthritis is a chronic disease condition and a major cause of disability throughout the world. The pathophysiological phenomenon of arthritis involves dysregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and pro-inflammatory enzymes which results in elevated levels of prostaglandins, leukotriene and nitric oxide; additionally, there is also expression of an adhesion molecule, matrix metalloproteinase and hyper proliferation of synovial fibroblasts. Regulation of all these factors is maintained through transcription factor called nuclear factor κβ. Thus, agents that can suppress either one or multiple of these pathological modulators could serve as a potential treatment for arthritis. As synthetic molecules have not been proven to provide adequate therapy due to toxicity, side effects or reappearing of symptoms on discontinuation, there is urgent need to have alternative options for arthritis. A large flora of herbal medicines is available in traditional medicine and basic scientific research has provided an understanding of the efficacy of these remedies in treating arthritis. In recent years, there has been boom in research and industries focusing on herbal remedies to treat a variety of diseases including arthritis. Several developments in clinical studies in carefully designed clinical trials have made the way easier to include herbs as arthritis therapy. This review is focused on the potential role of herbs in treating arthritis and prospects for the future.

Page(s): 27-35

Nutraceutical potential of Mucuna utilis Wall. – A lesser known legume

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Nutraceutical potential of Mucuna utilis Wall. – A lesser known legume

Authors: Bhogaonkar, Prabha Y; Kshirsagar, Prachi P

Abstract: Mucuna utilis Wall. a native of South Asia and Malaysia is widely grown throughout the tropics. It is used as a minor food crop in several countries of Asia and Africa. In Nigeria leaves are used as herbal medicine. In South East Asia, the immature pods and leaves are used as vegetable. It is a lesser known source of food in Maharashtra (India) and mostly cultivated in home yards. Young pods are used as salad or made in to vegetable and pickles. Objective of the present study is to understand nutritional potential of these tender pods. Fresh as well as shade dried material was used for estimation of moisture content, chlorophyll, anthocyanin, lycopene, vitamin-C, vitamin-A, crude protein, crude fibre, lipids, fat, reducing and non-reducing sugars, total soluble sugars, starch, total nitrogen and phenols. Mineral content was estimated in terms of ash yield and further analysis was carried out for qualitative and quantitative estimation of different elements. Material was also screened for presence of bioactive molecules. The medicinal properties of anthraquinones, flavonoids, leucoanthocyanin, hydroquinone, catechol, saponin and polyoses present in these pods have been discussed and proposed to be explored for their potential medicinal and nutritional values.

Page(s): 36-41

NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository Community: Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources (IJNPR) [Formerly Natural Product Radiance (NPR)]

Ethnobotanical and pharmacological profile with propagation strategies of Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M. Roem.–A concise overview

Effect of Andrographis paniculata Wall. ex Nees root extract fractions on estrogen, FSH, LH, progestrone and ovary of female albino rats, Rattus norvegicus

Herbal Medicine − A natural cure to arthritis

Nutraceutical potential of Mucuna utilis Wall. – A lesser known legume

NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository Community: Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources (IJNPR)
[Formerly Natural Product Radiance (NPR)]