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e - ISSN - 2249-7722
Print ISSN - 2249-7730
ABSTRACT
The present report is an investigation of anti-seizure activity of Dendrocnide harveyi (Family - Urticaceae)
which is common in wet primary and secondary forests, edge of forests,and along streams from sea-level to midmontane. The methanolic (90%) extract of Dendrocnide harveyi (MEDH) was subjected to acute toxicity and then
screened for antiepileptic activity on Maximal Electroshock (MES) and Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizures
models in albino wistar rats. Acute toxicity of extract was non toxic up to the recommended dose 2000mg/kg body
weight orally as per OECD guidelines No.423. Animals were pretreated with MEDH at the doses of 200 and
400mg/kg body weight. The study reported the significant delay in clonic seizure induced by PTZ and dose
dependent decrease in duration of hindleg extensor phase in MES model. In MES model, MEDH showed
significant reduction in duration of hindleg extension with 200 mg/kg dose and effect was dramatically reduced
with 400mg/kg. Similar dose dependent results were obtained in PTZ model by delayed the onset of clonic
convulsions. The complete protective effect against mortality was reported in both the tests. This study predicted
possible mechanism of the formulation mediated through chloride channel of the GABA or benzodiazepine receptor
complex .However, the exact mechanism of action is not clear, but attributed to its antiepileptic effect. The
methanolic extract of Dendrocnide harveyi deserves further investigation for detailed elucidation of active
constituents and the mechanisms of action.
Keywords:-Anti seizureactivity, Traditional Medicine, Dendrocnide harveyi Maximal Electroshock,
Pentylenetetrazole.
following Kokate (1999) [1].
INTRODUCTION
Macroscopical & microscopical characters and
inorganic constituents present in a drug or plant play a
significant role in identification of crude drug.
Macroscopical and microscopical characters will help in
the identification of right variety and search for
adulterants. Physical constants like ash and extractive
values help in establishing the pharmacopoeial standards
of drug. Fluorescence analysis help to identify the drug in
powder form. Physical constants were determined
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Email:- bhagyadeepthik@gmail.com
DPX. Photomicrographs were done on NIKON Labphot
2 microscope using Konica colour film (100 ASA). For
normal observations bright field was used. For the study
of crystals and starch grains, the sections were
photographed under polarized light. Magnifications of the
figures are indicated by scale bars. Descriptive terms of
various observations are as found in standard Anatomy
books [5].
PHYSICO CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
Determination of moisture content
Moisture is an inevitable component of crude
drugs, which must be eliminated as far as practicable.
Drying plays a very important role in the quality as well
as purity of the material. Moisture will lead to the
activation of enzymes and gives suitable condition, to the
proliferation of microorganisms.
Method
About 2 g of the drug was weighed in a watch
glass, kept in hot air oven at 1050C and dried for a period
until constant weight was obtained. Weight loss on drying
was noted and difference in weight gives the moisture
content of powdered drug. Total moisture content of root
was noted.
Determination of ash values
Ash value aids in determination of quality and
purity of crude drug in powdered form. The ash content of
a crude drug is generally considered as a residue
remaining after maceration. Ash contains inorganic salts
like phosphates, carbonates and silicates of sodium,
potassium, magnesium, calcium are adhere to it or may
also be added to for the purpose of adulteration. There is a
considerable difference (varies with in narrow limits) in
the case of same individual drug. Hence ash
determination furnishes a basis for judging the identity
and quality of the drug gives information to its
adulteration with inorganic matter. Ash standards have
been established for a number of drugs in the
pharmacopoeias. The acid insoluble ash is a part of a ash
is imposed, especially in case where silica and calcium
oxalate content of the drug is very high. In most of the
cases inorganic matter is present in small amounts which
are not objectionable if only traces are present. Procedure
is given in Indian pharmacopoeia were used to determine
the different ash values such as total ash, acid insoluble
ash.
Determination of total ash value
Weigh accurately 3gms of the powdered material in
a silica crucible which was previously ignited and
weighed. The powdered material was spread as a fine
even layer at the bottom of the crucible. The crucible was
incinerated until a red hot material was obtained not
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MICROSCOPIC STUDIES
Microscopical examination of the leaf showed
the following: The leaf is dorsiventral with distinct
differentiation of the mesophyll tissue and smooth
surfaces (fig 4). The lamina is 240m thick. The adaxial
epidermis is fairly thick and the epidermal cells are
rectangular to square shaped. There is a hypodermal layer
of slightly larger cells beneath the epidermis. The
epidermal and hypodermal layer together measured 50m
in thickness. The abaxial epidermis is slightly thinner and
the cells are tabular in shape, stomata are seen on the
abaxial epidermis.
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Table 2: Physico-Chemical parameters of powdered leaves of Ficus nervosa Heyne ex Roth (Moraceae)
S. No.
1.
2.
3.
Parameters
Average % W/W
Ash values
a) Total ash
7.13
1.14
1.41
Extractive values
a) Alcohol soluble Extractive
1.08
1.10
Moisture content
2.14
Loss on drying
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FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
Table 3: Fluorescence analysis of powdered leaves of Ficus nervosa Heyne ex Roth (Moraceae)
Treatments
Powder as such
Powder + 1N NaOH (aqueous)
Powder + 1N NaOH (alcoholic)
Powder + 1N H2SO4
Powder + 1N HNO3
Powder + 1N HCl
Powder + Ammonia
Powder + Acetic acid
Powder + Iodine
Powder + FeCl3
Powder + water
Observations
Long UV
Light green
Green Fluorescence
Yellow
Yellow Fluorescence
Light green
Brownish
Dark green
Brown
Green
Dark green
Pale yellow
Day light
green
Orange
Green
Yellow
Pale yellow
Green
Brown
Light green
Pale yellow
Light green
Pale yellow
Short UV
Green
Brown
Brown
Light green
Pale green
Orange
Green
Green Fluorescence
Light green
Yellowish
Light green
Table 4: Fluorescent analysis of various extracts of Ficus nervosa Heyne ex Roth (Moraceae)
Extract
Petroleum ether
Chloroform
Methanol
Distilled water
Day light
Light green
Green
Green
Brown
Long UV
Yellow
Bluish green
Green Fluorescence
Light Green
Short UV
Green
Green fluorescence
Green
Light green
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Vi Vein-islets; VT Vein-termination.
Vi Vein-islets; VT Vein-termination.
REFERENCES
1. Kokate CK. Practical Pharmacognosy. Vallabh Prakashan; New Delhi, 1999. p.10721.
2. Sass JE. Elements of Botanical Microtechnique, Mc.Graw Hill Book. Co., New York, 1940, 222.
3. Johanson DA. Plant Microtechnique, Mc.Graw Hill Book. Co. New York, 1940, 523.
4. OBrien TP, Feder N, Mc Cull ME. Polychromatic Staining of Plant Cell walls by Toluidine blue-O, Protolpasma,
1964, 364-373.
5. Esau K. Plant Anatomy, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1979, 550.
6. Indian Pharmacopoeia, 4th edition, Vol. 2, Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family, Controller of
Publication, New Delhi, 1996, A53-A57 & A100-A107.
7. Chase CR, Pratt RJ. Fluprescence of Powdered vegetable drugs with particular reference to development of a system
of identificaltion. Journal of American Pharmaceutical Assoiation, 38, 1949, 324-331.
8. Kokoshi J, Kokoshi R, Slama FJ. Fluorescence of powdered vegetable drugs under ultra violet radiation. Journal of
American Pharmaceutical Assoiation, 47 (10), 1958, 715.
9. Pimenta AM, Montenegro MC, Ara ujo AN, Martiez JC. Application of Sequential injections analysis to
Pharmaceutical Analysis. Journal of Pharm.Biomed.Anul, 40, 2006, 16-34.
10. Usha kumari J, Navas M, Dan M. Pharmacognostic Studies on Pellionia heyneana. Journal of Trop Med Plant, 5,
2004, 259-261.
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