In this ethnopharmacological study, the ethanolic extract of Commelina appendiculata (EECA) was subjected to pharmacological activity test. Phytochemical study revealed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides and alkaloids in the ethanolic extract of Commelina appendiculata. In Swiss albino mice, analgesic, cns depressant and antidiarrhoeal activity were investigated. The extract was also evaluated for cytototoxic activity.
Contents
Abstract
CHAPTER-1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 General Introduction
1.2 Medicinal plants
1.3 Introduction to commelinaceae family
1.4 Aim of the present study
1.5 Present study protocol
CHAPTER-2 MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1 Plant material
2.2 Biological investigations of Commelina appendiculata
2.2.1 Analgesic activity test
Acetic acid induced writhing method
Hot plate method
Tail immersion method
2.2.2 Neuropharmacological activity test
Thiopental sodium induced sleeping time method
Hole cross method
Open field method
2.2.3 Anti-diarrhoeal activity test
Castor oil induced diarrhoea method
Magnesium Sulphate-Induced Diarrhea
2.2.4 Cytotoxic activity test
Brine shrimp lethality bioassay
2.3 Phytochemical investigations of Commelina appendiculata
2.3.1 Preparation of reagents used for different chemical group tests
2.3.2 Test procedure for identifying different chemical groups
CHAPTER-3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
3.1 Biological investigations
3.1.1 Analgesic activity
Acetic acid induced writhing method
Hot plate method
Tail immersion method
Discussion
3.1.2 Neuropharmacological activity
Thiopental sodium induced sleeping time method
Hole cross method
Open field method
Discussion
3.1.3 Anti-diarrhoeal activity
Castor oil induced diarrhoea method
Magnesium Sulphate-Induced Diarrhea
Discussion
3.1.4 Cytotoxic activity
Brine shrimp lethality bioassay
Discussion
3.2 Phytochemical screening
Discussion
3.3 Conclusion
CHAPTER-5 REFERENCES
Research Objectives and Focus Areas
The study aims to investigate the potential pharmacological properties of the ethanol extract of Commelina appendiculata, specifically evaluating its analgesic, central nervous system (CNS) depressant, antidiarrheal, and cytotoxic activities in experimental animal models, while conducting phytochemical screening to identify its chemical constituents.
- Analgesic activity evaluation via acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate, and tail immersion tests.
- CNS depressant effects assessed through thiopental sodium-induced sleeping time, hole cross, and open field tests.
- Antidiarrheal potential observation using castor oil-induced and magnesium sulphate-induced diarrhea models.
- Cytotoxic screening performed via brine shrimp lethality bioassay to determine potential anticancer properties.
- Phytochemical analysis to verify the presence of bioactive secondary metabolites.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2.1 Analgesic activity test
The struggle to relieve pain began with the origin of humanity. Ancient writings, both serious and fanciful, dealt with secret remedies, religious rituals, and other methods of pain relief. An analgesic may be defined as a drug bringing about insensibility to pain without loss of consciousness (Wilson et al., 2004). Traditional medicine is defined as the sum total of the knowledge, skills and practices based on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not used in maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnoses, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness (Wannang et al., 2009).
Pain is generated when mechanical, thermal, chemical or electrical stimuli exceed a certain threshold value (pain threshold) which triggers the release of pain mediators from the effected tissue. The generation, transmission and central transformation of pain impulses is called nociception (Mutschler, 1995; Wannang et al., 2009). Pain has been officially defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. Pain acts as a warning signal against disturbances of the body and has a proactive function (Tripathi, 1999).
Pain could be somatic or visceral pain. Somatic pain can be further classified as surface (superficial) pain, which is generated in the skin, and also as deep pain that involves muscle, joints, bones and connective tissues. Nerve impulses from the skin nociceptors are transmitted via myelinated A fibers (primary pain) and unmyelinated C fibers (secondary pain) to the spinal cord. Pain receptors in the skeletal muscles and joints are also innervated with A and C fibers. The transmission of pain stimuli from visceral region takes place mainly via C fibers (Mutschler, 1995; Wannang et al., 2009). In present study we investigate the analgesic activity of ethanolic extract of Commelina appendiculata by the following three methods in Swiss albino mice:
1. Acetic acid induced writhing response (Chemical stimuli)
2. Tail immersion test (Thermal stimuli)
3. Hot plate test (Thermal stimuli)
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER-1 INTRODUCTION: This chapter provides an overview of medicinal plants, their historical significance in traditional medicine, and introduces the Commelinaceae family, specifically focusing on Commelina appendiculata.
CHAPTER-2 MATERIALS AND METHODS: This chapter details the collection, identification, and extraction of the plant material, followed by the protocols for biological assays including analgesic, neuropharmacological, anti-diarrheal, and cytotoxic testing.
CHAPTER-3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: This chapter presents the experimental findings and discusses the analgesic, CNS depressant, antidiarrheal, and cytotoxic efficacy of the ethanol extract of Commelina appendiculata compared to standards.
CHAPTER-5 REFERENCES: This section lists all bibliographic sources cited throughout the research document.
Keywords
Commelina appendiculata, analgesic activity, central nervous system depressant, antidiarrhoeal activity, cytotoxic activity, phytochemical screening, pharmacology, ethnopharmacology, Swiss albino mice, ethanol extract, secondary metabolites, nociception, bioassay, medicinal plants, traditional medicine
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research focuses on the pharmacological investigation of Commelina appendiculata to evaluate its therapeutic potential regarding pain relief, CNS depression, diarrhea management, and cytotoxicity.
What are the central themes of the work?
The central themes are ethnopharmacology, the evaluation of plant-derived secondary metabolites, and the comparative analysis of these extracts against standard therapeutic drugs in animal models.
What is the main objective of this study?
The objective is to investigate the antinociceptive, neuropharmacological, antidiarrhoeal, and cytotoxic properties of the ethanolic extract of Commelina appendiculata to support its traditional medicinal use.
Which scientific methods are utilized in this study?
The study utilizes several standardized models, including the acetic acid-induced writhing test, hot plate test, tail immersion test, thiopental sodium-induced sleeping time test, hole cross, open field test, castor oil and magnesium sulphate-induced diarrhea models, and the brine shrimp lethality bioassay.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
The main body covers the comprehensive experimental setup, detailed methodology for each pharmacological test, presentation of results via statistical data and graphs, and an in-depth discussion linking results to phytochemical constituents.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Commelina appendiculata, analgesic activity, CNS depressant, antidiarrhoeal, cytotoxic activity, and phytochemical screening.
How was the cytotoxic activity determined?
Cytotoxic activity was determined using the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, where the LC50 values of the extract were compared against the standard drug vincristine sulphate using probit analysis.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the plant?
The author concludes that Commelina appendiculata exhibits significant biological activities and suggests that further sophisticated research is required to isolate specific compounds responsible for these pharmacological effects.
- Quote paper
- Pritesh Ranjan Dash (Author), Nabila Morshed (Author), 2012, Ethnopharmacological investigation of the spice Commelina appendiculata C.b. Clarke (Commelinaceae), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/383259
