Pharmacognostical identification of Alchemilla japonica Nakai et Hara (Identificación farmacognóstica de Alchemilla japonica Nakai et Hara)
Resumen Context: Alchemilla japonica is a therapeutically important medicinal plant, which is widely used in traditional medicine external application for injuries as well as orally for acute diarrhea, dysmenorrhea, and menorrhagia, among others. However, there is not a correct identification of this species and is of prime importance differentiate it from commonly available adulterants or substitutes, in fresh, dried or powdered state. There is only a small number of data of pharmacological standards for identification and authentication of A. japonica. Aims: To characterize morpho-anatomically the roots, leaves and stems of Alchemilla japonica Nakai et Hara (Rosaceae), explore and establish the micromorphology and quality control method for this plant. Methods: Pharmacognostic and phytochemical investigations were conducted in terms of macroscopic, microscopic and preliminary phytochemical parameters. Results: The transverse of root showed presence of polygonal parenchyma cells and obvious triangular intercellular space. The stele of the root was tetrarch. There was trichome in the epidermis cells of stem transverse section, but its cortex was wider than others. Xylem cells arranged in continuously cyclization. The phloem was more than ten bundles. There were many trichomes on the folicolous and palisade tissue contained cluster crystal of calcium oxalate, bundle sheath forms ring closed. The diagnostic feature of powder was cluster type of crystals of calcium oxalate. Trichomes were also observed. The main diagnostic feature of powder was Pente-like thickening cell walls of the subsidiary cells. Conclusions: The leaves, roots, and stem of A. japonica can be differentiated by macro and microscopic characters. Various pharmacognostic characters that observed in this study can help in identification and standardization of this species. Contexto: Alchemilla japonica es una planta medicinal, terapeutica- mente importante, que se utiliza ampliamente en la medicina tradicional por aplicacion externa en lesiones, asi como por via oral para la diarrea aguda, dismenorrea y menorragia, entre otras. Sin embargo, no hay una correcta identificacion de la especie y es de primordial importancia diferenciar esta de adulterantes comunmente disponibles o sustitutos, en estado fresco, seco o en polvo. Solo hay un pequeno numero de datos de patrones farmacologicos para la identificacion y autenticacion de A. japonica. Objetivos: Caracterizar desde el punto de vista morfo-anatomico las raices, hojas y tallos de Alchemilla japonica Nakai et Hara (Rosaceae), analizar y establecer la micromorfologia y el metodo de control de calidad para esta planta.
Pharmacognostical and phytochemical studies of Viola tianschanica Maxim . – An Uyghur ethnomedicinal plant
Resumen Context: Viola tianschanica Maxim. (Violaceae) is a perennial herb widely distributed in Central Asia, especially in the Xinjiang of China. The whole herb has been used in traditional Uygur medicines as an antifebriledetoxicate drugs. Aims: To characterize macroscopical and microscopical features of the root, leave and rhizome of the V. tianschanica Maxim. Explore and establish the micro-morphology and quality control methods for this plant. Methods: Pharmacognostic and phytochemical investigations were conducted regarding macroscopic, microscopic and preliminary phytochemical parameters. Results: It can be identified by structural features of flowers, structural characteristics of rhizome and root, specific thickening of endothecium cells of clinandrium can be regarded as identification character. This crude drug showed the characteristic physicochemical values like total ash (12%), water soluble ash (4.0%), acid insoluble ash (3.8%) and moisture content (6.5%). The ethanolic extract mainly contained flavonoids in this herb, also contained alkaloids, tannins, saponins, coumarin and absence of fats and protein. Conclusions: Various pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical characters observed in this test may help in standardization, identification and carrying out further research in V. tianschanica Maxim. based drugs used in Uygur traditional medicine and folk medicines. Sediment type of impurity content is higher in herbs; it should be paying attention to control quality of medicinal materials or drugs. Contexto: Viola tianschanica Maxim. (Violaceae) es una hierba perenne ampliamente distribuida en Asia Central, especialmente en Xinjiang, China. Esta hierba se ha utilizado en la medicina tradicional Uygur como antifebrífugo-desintoxicante. Objetivos: Caracterizar las peculiaridades macroscópicas y microscópicas de la raíz, hojas y rizoma de V. tianschanica Maxim. Analizar y establecer los métodos de micro-morfología y control de calidad de esta planta. Métodos: Las investigaciones farmacognósticas y fitoquímicas se llevaron a cabo en relación con los parámetros macroscópicos, microscópicos y fitoquímicos preliminares. Resultados: La planta puede ser identificada por las características estructurales de las flores, del rizoma y la raíz, engrosamiento específico de células de endotecio del clinandrio puede ser considerado como carácter de identificación. Esta droga cruda mostró valores fisicoquímicos característicos como ceniza total (12%), ceniza soluble en agua (4,0%), ceniza insoluble en ácido (3,8%) y contenido de humedad (6,5%). El extracto etanólico contenía principalmente flavonoides, también contenía alcaloides, taninos, saponinas, cumarina y ausencia de grasas y proteínas. Conclusiones: Varios caracteres farmacognósticos y fitoquímicos preliminares, observados en este ensayo, pueden ayudar en la normalización, la identificación y la realización de más investigaciones en preparados basados en V. tianschanica Maxim utilizados en la medicina tradicional Uygur y medicamentos populares. El tipo de sedimento del contenido de impurezas es mayor en las hierbas; se debe prestar atención al control de calidad de las materias medicinales o drogas vegetales.
Hepatoprotective activity of Psidium guajava Linn. leaf extract.
The study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of P. guajava in acute experimental liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride, paracetamol or thioacetamide and chronic liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride. The effects observed were compared with a known hepatoprotective agent, silymarin. In the acute liver damage induced by different hepatotoxins, P. guajava leaf extracts (250 and 500mg/kg, po) significantly reduced the elevated serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. The higher dose of the extract (500 mg/kg, po) prevented the increase in liver weight when compared to hepatoxin treated control, while the lower dose was ineffective except in the paracetamol induced liver damage. In the chronic liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride, the higher dose (500 mg/kg, po) of P. guajava leaf extract was found to be more effective than the lower dose (250 mg/kg, po). Histological examination of the liver tissues supported the hepatoprotection. It is concluded that the aqueous extract of leaves of guava plant possesses good hepatoprotective activity.