Values are
mean ± S.D; * P < 0.05; ** P < 0.001 (compared to control).
n = 6 in each group. Glucose (3 g/kg) was administered 30
minutes after drug administration (per orally).
These new ndings were published in Plant Biology (Plant Biology 2013 15: 611-615), and this paper was covered by BBC, National
Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, National Geographic Kids News, Der Speigel (Germany), Deutschlandfunk (German Public Radio),
BBC Focus Magazine, EOS/Scientic American/Psyche & Brain BELGIUM NEWS and a lot many other science platforms and web
discussion sites.
Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute
JNTBGRI Annul Report 2012-’13 & 2013-’14
101
were not blue, but red uorescent. We characterized the
blue uorescent constituent in grass reproductive
structures as ferulic acid (FA). Fluorescence spectra of
blue-emitting grass oral, seed extracts and isolated FA
on excitation at 366 nm showed their emissions at 420-
460 nm. We propose these FA-based blue uorescence
emissions in grass reproductive structures as visual
cues that attract pollinators, predators and even pests
towards them.
(v) Estimation of L-dopa in Mucuna
pruriens
L-Dopa contents in
3 0 a c c e s s i o n s o f
M u c u n a p r u r i e n s -
Mucuna pruriens var.
pruriens (21), Mucuna
pruriens var. hirsuta (3),
Mucuna pruriens var.
utilis (5) and Mucuna
p r u r i e n s v a r .
thekkadiensis (1) were
e s t i m a t e d u s i n g
HPTLC-densitometry.
(vi) Distribution of reserpine in
Rauvola species from India - HPTLC
and LC-MS studies
Reserpine content in the roots of six Rauvola
species viz., R. hookeri, R. micrantha, R. serpentina, R.
tetraphylla, R. verticillata and R. vomitoria, were detected
by HPLC-ESI-QToF-MS/MS and estimated by HPTLC.
Among the six Rauvola species, reserpine content was
highest in the exotic species R. vomitoria (690.2 ng/g, dr.
wt.), while among the ve Indian species the highest
reserpine content was for R. tetraphylla (449.7 ng/g, dr.
wt.) . In the most common Indian Rauvola species, R.
serpentina, the reserpine content was comparatively
low (252.5 ng/g, dr. wt.). The endemic species R.
micrantha possessed signicant quantity of reserpine
(420.9 ng/g, dr. wt.), making it a potential source of
reserpine, replacing R. serpentina and R. tetraphylla that
are endangered due to over exploitation.
The objective of the plan-funded project 'Chemical
prospecting of aromatic plants of the Kerala region of
Western Ghats' is to search for new essential oil sources
and potential oil constituents from plants. Their
bioactivities viz., antimicrobial, anti-inammatory,
antioxidant activities and their potential for applications
in avour and fragrance industries are also evaluated in
this programme. Chemical proling of hitherto
uninvestigated plants are given priority under this
scheme. Chemosystematics based on volatile and
avonoid proles has proven as an efcient supportive
tool for plant systematics.
Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens
extract on HPTLC.
Reserpine
Fluorescence emissions on grass on grass oral parts
Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute
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Essential oil analysis of genus
Polyscias
Genus Polyscias belongs to the family Araliaceae.
They are glabrous trees or shrubs distributed in tropical
and temperate regions of the world. Polyscias licifolia
leaves were collected and hydrodistilled. Oil yield: 0.15
ml oil with pale yellow colour, pleasant smell. GC-MS
and GC-FID analyses of P. licifolia leaf oil showed 27
constituents of which 25 were identied (99.00%). The
major constituents were γ-muurolene (49.47%), β-
elemene (8.79%), falcarinole (Z) (6.08%), 7-epi-α-
selinene (5.48%) and δ-amorphene (4.07%). P.
balfouriana leaves were collected and hydrodistilled. Oil
yield: 0.15 % v/w with pale yellow colour, pleasant smell.
GC-MS and GC-FID analyses of the essential oil gave
35 constituents of which 27 were identied (98.87%).
Major oil constituents were Z-β-farnasene (59.64%) δ-
cadinene 26.39% and Z-falcarinol (6.01%).
Studies on Piper species
Essential oils of the leaves, fruits and roots of Piper
13
sarmentosum were analysed by GC and C NMR. The
major compound from P. sarmentosum essential oil was
isolated by column chromatography and identied as
13
myristicin by C NMR studies. Piper trichostachyon
leaves and fruit essential oils were analysed by GC-MS.
Metabolic proling of Piper nigrum, P. longum and P.
chaba by direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry
(DART-MS)
DART-MS is an ambient ionization technique
introduced recently that provides rapid analysis without
sample preparation. Twenty four piperamides were
detected in the fruits of Piper species studied. Piperine
(m/z 286.1438) was present in the fruits of P. nigrum and
P. chaba in high abundance, while pellitorine (m/z
224.2009) was the characteristic peak found in P.
longum. Dipiperamide (m/z 571.2803) was identied in
the fruits of P. nigrum and P. chaba but absent in P.
longum fruits.
Genetic conservation and chemical characterization
of ethnobotanic insect repellent plant species of
Andaman Islands.
Zingiberaceae member, Hornstdentia fenzlii is used
as bee repellent, and this property has been evaluated
scientically. Behaviour bioassay through y-tube
olfactometer bioassays proved the bee repellent activity
of the plant and the aliphatic alcohol n-dodecanol has
been identied as the major repellent molecule in the
plant by GC-EAD analysis.
a. Rauvola serpentina roots; b. +ESI BPC of R. serpentina root
extract; c. MS/MS of reserpine in R. serpentina root extract; d.
Reserpine; e. HPTLC of the root extracts of 1: R. hookeri, 2: R.
micrantha, 3: R. serpentina, 4: R. tetraphylla, 5. R. verticillata,
6: R. vomitoria, 7. Reserpine standard.
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The mission of the division is to ensure excellence in ethno-medico-
botanical survey, systematic documentation of Traditional
Knowledge associated with biodiversity of Kerala State, protection
of traditional knowledge associated with plants used for food and
medicine under sui generis system and preparation of database.
Ethnopharmacological studies mainly focussed on Traditional
knowledge based preclinical drug discoveries which involves safety
evaluation, in vitro / in vivo studies like activity guided fractionation,
molecular pharmacology and elucidation of cellular / molecular
mechanism as also preparation and standardisation of novel herbal
remedies / nutraceuticals and other plant based products. Inter
institutional collaborative research programmes, product
development, technology transfer, commercialization and equitable
benet sharing and implementation of extension / outreach
programmes are also undertaken.
Division of
Ethnomedicine
Ethnopharmacology
Division of
Ethnomedicine
Ethnopharmacology
Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute
104
Research Highlights and New
Developments
During the reporting period, the division
implemented 4 externally funded projects (Department
of AYUSH, WGDP, UGC and SMPB) and 7 in-house
projects (KSCSTE). From the division 3 Ph Ds were
awarded, 11 Ph D programmes are being pursued, 2
new Ph D programmes were initiated and 5 dissertation
programmes conducted.
Two of our Scientists, Dr PG Latha, Director and Dr
SR Suja, Scientist B attended and presented a poster at
t h
the 13 International Congress of Society of
Ethnopharmacology held at Karl-Franzens-University,
nd
Graz. Austria from 2 to 6th September, 2012.
In the Western Ghats Development Programme
(WGDP), the ethanolic extract of Saraca asoca
(Fabaceae), stem bark (SA) was found to be nontoxic
upto 6400mg/kg in the sub acute toxicity (28 days)
study. Hepatoprotective activity of SA against ethyl
alcohol induced hepatotoxicity was studied in
comparison with the standard drug silymarin and SA at
200mg/kg showed signicant hepatoprotective effect
and this was supported by biochemical and
histopathological analysis.
Phytochemical analysis of Saraca asoca crude
extract (SA) and different fractions – Hexane (H-SA),
Chloroform (C-SA) and Ethanol (E-SA) was carried out.
They were found to be rich in phytochemicals namely
avonoids, triterpenoids, phytosterols, phenolic
compounds, tannins, coumarins and proteins. The
estimation of total phenolics, avonoids and tannins in
H-SA, C-SA, E-SA and SA showed that the maximum
concentration of these antioxidant compounds are
present in SA compared to the fractions. The
concentrations of total phenol, avonoids and tannins in
SA were found to be 10.45± 0.24%, 0.46±0.64% and
42.53±2.11% respectively. The least concentration was
obtained for the H-SA extract. The major compound in
the crude ethanolic extract (SA) was found to be
Catechin, and it is the active principle in the SA. The
project was completed and report submitted to WGDP
(Western Ghats Development Programme Cell).
In the Western Ghats Development Programme
(WGDP), the ethanolic extract of Saraca asoca
(Fabaceae), stem bark (SA) was found to be nontoxic
upto 6400mg/kg in the sub acute toxicity (28 days)
study. Hepatoprotective activity of SA against ethyl
alcohol induced hepatotoxicity was studied in
comparison with the standard drug silymarin and SA at
200mg/kg showed signicant hepatoprotective effect
and this was supported by biochemical and
histopathological analysis.
Phytochemical analysis of Saraca asoca crude
extract (SA) and different fractions – Hexane (H-SA),
Chloroform (C-SA) and Ethanol (E-SA) was carried out.
They found to be rich in phytochemicals namely
avonoids, triterpenoids, phytosterols, phenolic
compounds, tannins, coumarins and proteins. The
estimation of total phenolics, avonoids and tannins in
H-SA, C-SA, E-SA and SA showed that the maximum
concentration of these antioxidant compounds are
present in SA compared to the fractions. The
concentrations of total phenols, avonoids and tannins
Saraca asoca (Roxb.) de Wild
th
Dr P. G. Latha and Dr. S. R. Suja at the 13 International
Congress of Society of Ethnopharmacology, Austria
Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute
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in SA were found to be 10.45± 0.24%, 0.46±0.64% and
42.53±2.11% respectively. The least concentration was
obtained for the H-SA extract. The major compound in
the crude ethanolic extract (SA) was found to be
Catechin, and it is the active principle in the SA. The
project was completed and report submitted to WGDP
(Western Ghats Development Programme Cell).
In the UGC project entitled “Antihepatotoxic,
Antioxidant and related Pharmacognostic Studies of
Oxalis corniculata L.”, hepatoprotective activity of
ethanolic extract of Oxalis corniculata L. (OC)
(Oxalidaceae) against alcohol induced toxicity was
studied in comparison with the standard drug Silymarin.
The serum analysis showed that OC has the ability to
minimize liver damage caused by the toxins and restore
liver function to a reasonable extent. The extract at 100
mg/kg showed signicant hepatoprotective effect.
Histopathological analysis supports the above claim
and OC treated liver showed marked improvement in
the liver architecture compared to alcohol control. Total
antioxidant activity of O. corniculata ethanolic extract
was estimated to be 110µg/ml.
In the State Medicinal Plant Board (SMPB) project
entitled 'Assessment of Medicinal Plant Resources in
Seven Southern Districts of Kerala'during the year 2012-
13, a work plan was formulated in consultation with
KFRI, Thrissur and State Medicinal Plant Board, Kerala.
It included base line data collection, preparation of
district wise directory of medicinal plants of all 14
districts of Kerala based on available data, eld data
collected in the approved format, preparation of
Passport script data based on eld data, inventory
methodology for the estimation of growing stock of
selected species, preparation of online data base and
retrieval system and submission of periodical reports.
The project will be implemented based on this work plan
accordingly.During 2013-14,the check list of medicinal
plants of Thiruvananthapuram district was completed
along with the district wise directory of medicinal plants
of Thiruvananthapuram district. The draft passport
script data of medicinal plants of Thiruvananthapuram
has been prepared and a full-edged inventory for
estimation of growing stock of 39 Medicinal plants of
Thiruvananthapuram district have been completed.
As a part of in-house project entitled “Anti-
inammatory, analgesic and anti-arthritic activity of two
selected plants of the Western Ghats, Kerala”, the
chronic toxicity study of the ethanolic extract of
Barringtonia racemosa (L.) Sprengel (Lecythidaceae)
fruits (BR) was conducted, and it was found to be non-
toxic upto 2500 mg/kg. The ethanolic extract of Justicia
gendarussa Burm. f. (Acanthaceae) leaves (JG)
showed a dose dependent inhibition of acetic acid
induced vascular permeability. In the Xylene induced
ear inammation studies, JG and BR showed a dose
dependent inhibition of inammation. In the DPPH free
radical scavenging assay, the extracts of JG and BR
showed maximum activity at 500µg/ml and 1000 µg/ml
respectively. In the cotton pellet induced granuloma
study conducted, JG showed a dose dependent
inhibition of granuloma formation with maximum activity
a. Decalepis arayalpathra (J. Joseph & V Chandras)
Venter;
b.
Holostemma ada-kodien R Br. ex Sehult.
Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute
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at 500mg/kg dose. The formalin induced arthritic study
of JG and BR was completed. Both the extracts showed
dose dependent activity that was comparable to the
standard, Indomethacin (10 mg/kg).
The coded drug ENC showed signicant anti-
inammatory, analgesic, antioxidant and wound healing
effects. In acetic acid induced writhing studies, ENC
(450 mg/kg) showed 85.24 ± 1.45% inhibition of
writhing and the reference drug Aspirin (20 mg/kg)
treated groups showed 79.53 ± 2.03% inhibition, when
compared to control group. In Hot plate test in mice, the
ENC (150 mg/kg and 450 mg/kg) showed signicant
extension of latency time at 30 and 60 min respectively.
In carrageenan induced paw oedema studies, ENC
(150 mg/kg) signicantly reduced the inammation by
9 1 . 9 4 % w h e r e a s a s p i r i n t r e a t m e n t r e d u c e d
inammation only up to 77.42% at 180 min.
In the in-house project entitled, “Clinical trial of
coded hepatoprotective herbal formulation in
collaboration with OUSHADHI, Govt. of Kerala”, the
chronic toxicity study of coded drug TBGO-1 (1000
mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg) was completed. The drug was
found to be non-toxic upto 2000 mg/kg and was
supported by biochemical studies of serum samples
and histopathological analysis of the liver and kidney
samples. The results of the GC-MS analysis of the
herbal formulation TBGO-1 and the three ingredients
was analyzed and major constituents identied. In the
radioactivity assay carried out, TBGO-1 was found to be
non-radioactive. HPTLC analysis of the coded
ingredients procured from Oushadhi was carried out.
The Prototype development of TBGO-1 for clinical trial is
in progress at Oushadhi. The HPTLC analysis of the
TBGO-1 formulations prepared in Oushadhi was
carried out.
Oushadhi conducted eld cultivation of one of the
main ingredients of the coded drug during the reporting
period. Identication and pharmacognostic studies of
the same were carried out at JNTBGRI. The HPTLC
analysis of samples procured from Oushadhi was
completed. The monograph of coded drug was
prepared. Standardization of protocol for drug was
carried out in JNTBGRI and the standardization of the
same at Oushadhi is in progress.
In the in-house project entitled “Search for anti-
diabetic/hepato-protective, immuno-modulatory and
wound healing plants from traditional/ folklore medical
information of Kerala”, the biochemical analysis of the
serum parameters of D-Galactosamine-induced
hepatotoxicity study of the ethanolic extract of coded
drug 222 was carried out. The serum parameters like
SGOT, SAKP and serum bilirubin levels were
signicantly reduced in 125 mg/kg treated group
compared to the standard control silymarin conrming
the hepatoprotective property of the extract. Percentage
of total ash of coded drug 222 has been determined as
11.09%, acid insoluble ash as 0.40 % and water soluble
ash as 3.53%. Alcohol soluble extractive of the coded
drug 222 was determined as 1.6% and water soluble
extractive as 3.2%. A provisional patent has been led.
Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies, Glucose
Tolerance Test and mast cell degranulation study of the
Neera syrup (samples received from NIIST, CSIR
laboratory, Thiruvananthapuram) was carried out. In
acute toxicity study, Neera syrup was found to be safe
up to 16 ml/kg. The treatment with the syrup did not
exhibit any lethality or toxic symptoms. The syrup at 5
ml/kg dose has signicant blood glucose lowering
effect and it also exhibited signicant inhibition of mast
cell degranulation.
The ow density study of the coded drug 222 was
completed. In paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity
study, the ethanolic extract of coded drug 222(2) at 25
m g / kg a n d 5 0 m g / kg d o s es h a s s i g n i c a n t
hepatoprotective activity. In immunomodulatory study
of the coded drug 222 (1), drug dose 25, 50, 100 & 200
mg/kg did not show any signicant activity when
compared to the control group. Radio activity assay of
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coded drug 222 samples was carried out. No
detectable level of radio activity was found in the coded
drug 222 samples. Aatoxin, Pesticide analysis and
proling of the coded drug 222 have been carried out.
There were no detectable levels of Aatoxin and
pesticide residue.
In the Streptozotocin-induced diabetic study, the
coded drug 222-(2) KB (5 mg/kg) and 222-(2)-KB (10
mg/kg) showed signicant decrease in blood glucose
levels and serum parameters such as SGPT, SGOT and
SAKP levels, when compared to the standard control
glibenclamide.The elevated levels of cholesterol and
triglycerides were also signicantly decreased in these
groups. Under diabetic condition, there was a
signicant elevation of Protein carbonyl content (PCO)
and Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) in the
pancreatic tissue. But, 222 (2) KB extract (10 mg/kg)
treated diabetic rats exhibited signicant decrease in
their pancreatic PCO and AOPP levels compared to
untreated diabetic rats.
The leaf juice of Costus speciosus (Koenig) Smith.
Locally called Channakoova. It is used against ear ache
by Muthuvan tribe of Munnar in the in-house project
entitled “Ethnomedical survey and systematic
documentation of traditional knowledge among the
different tribal communities of Kerala – an in-depth
study and preparation of database”, ethnomedical
survey and systematic documentation of traditional
knowledge among the Muthuvan and Hill Pulaya tribal
communities of various settlements in Marayoor and
Kanthalloor Grama panchayaths of Idukki district was
completed during the year 2012-2013 and the study
among the Mannan tribal community of Kumili and
Kanchiyar Grama panchayaths, Urali tribal community
of Kanchiyar Grama panchayath and Muthuvan tribal
community of Munnar Grama panchayath of Idukki
district had been completed during the year 2013-2014.
A total of 194 knowledge providers were interviewed
and 2100 ethnomedical information collected, of which,
1271 are single drug informations, 235 are combination
drug informations and 594 are food plant informations.
In total, 115 plant species are used as single drugs, 70
plant species are used in combination drugs and 73
plant species are used as food.
In the in-house project entitled “Ethnobotanical
survey in the coastal areas of three Southern Districts of
Kerala , Traditional Knowledge related to coastal plants
from traditional folk (Fisher folk, Vaidyas and other
knowledge holders) were systematically documented.
During the year 2012-2013, Ethnobotanical survey of
Karimkulam and Kadinamkulam Gramapanchayaths of
Thiruvananthapuram district were completed and the
Fig: 1. Concentrations of the protein oxidation markers, Protein
carbonyl content (PCO) and Advanced oxidation protein
products (AOPP) in the pancreas of Normal (NC), Diabetic (TC)
and coded drug (222 (2) KB 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) treated
(CD1 & CD2) Wistar rats.
a. Costus speciosus (Koenig) Smith
b. Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennel
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data gathered were analyzed. Ethnobotanical studies of
coastal areas of Poovar, Chirayinkeezhu, Vettoor,
Varkala, Edava Grama panchayaths and Vizhinjam,
Kovalam, Thiruvallam and Veli Corporation wards of
Thiruvananthapuram district were completed in 2013-
2014.A total of 901 information on 200 plant species
used for various ethno-medico-botanical purposes by
the local community including sher folk were collected.
In the in-house project entitled “Evaluation of
Platelet augmentation activity of selected medicinal
plants of Western Ghats based on Traditional
Knowledge”,the ethanolic extract of Pellionia heyneana
(PHLE) (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg) selected for the study,
showed potent platelet augmentation activity in
Cyclophosphamide-Induced Thrombocytopenic Rat
Model. PHLE shows a maximum DPPH scavenging
activity of 65.94% at 200µg/ml and IC of PHLE was
50
found to be 70µg/ml. The in vitro anti-lipid peroxidation
studies proved the antioxidant potential and free radical
scavenging ability of the plant extract. PHLE reduced
the lipid peroxidation in vitro induced by FeCl -AA in a
2
dose dependent manner with IC50 value of 79.37µg/ml.
During the reporting period, the Progress report –
Phase I (August 2010 – March 2012) of the project, in 3
volumes, along with 6 publications including 'Journal of
Folk and Traditional Practices' (Inaugural issue) and the
'Students Handbook on Medicinal and Food Plants' was
submitted to the Dept. of AYUSH. The video
documentation of tribal medical practice from seven
northern districts was carried out and a web based
database on Traditional Knowledge on Food and
Medicine in collaboration with C-DIT (a Govt. of Kerala
undertaking) was developed. 3 IEC materials on
Systematic documentation of Traditional Knowledge
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related to plants used for Food, AYUSH and Indigenous
Medicine was published.
The ethanolic extract of Kaempferia rotunda L.
(Zingiberaceae) rhizome (KR) was fractionated with
different solvents (petroleum ether, chloroform and
acetone) and subjected to in vitro antioxidant activity by
DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) and in vivo
wound healing experiments. In the wound healing
experiments, the chloroform fraction showed signicant
wound contraction and period of epithelialization
(11.35± 0.56 days) in the excision wound model
(p≤0.01) in comparison with the control (23. 78 ± 2.5
days) and other fraction treated groups. In the DPPH
free radical scavenging activity, the value obtained for
chloroform fraction was almost signicant in
comparison with the IC of ascorbic acid (12.22 ±
50
0.46mg/ml) (p≤0.05). Fractionation and purication of
the chloroform extract residue by repeated column
chromatography (CC) and/or re-crystallization
technique gave a compound, 'Compound- A'. Its
spectroscopic analysis and characterization is in
progress.
The ethanolic extract of
P e l l i o n i a h e y n e a n a W e d d .
(Urticaceae) leaves (PHLE) was
found to be non toxic upto
2000mg/ kg dose in Swiss albino
mice. In the in vitro antioxidant
study, PHLE extract showed
s i g n i c a n t r e d u c t i o n o f
malondialdehyde (MDA) levels
(59.12%) of murine hepatic
microsomes at dose 200 µg/ml.
In the paracetamol induced
hepatotoxicity, PHLE treated
animals showed signicant
reduction in the serum enzyme
parameters such as SGOT, SGPT,
SAKP and serum bilirubin in
comparison with the toxin treated
group. PHLE (100-400 mg/kg)
treated group showed almost
Pellionia heyneana Wedd.
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110
normal histological architecture in comparison with the
toxin control treated group. PHLE treatment enhanced
the antioxidant activity of the enzymes GSH and CAT
and also showed a signicant reduction of the levels of
MDA.
PHLE showed signicant hepatoprotective effect in
carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity study. The
PHLE treated animals showed signicant reduction in
parameters such as SGOT, SGPT, SAKP and serum
bilirubin in comparison with the toxin treated group. The
results were substantiated by histopathological studies.
The anti-inammatory activity of Arenga wightii (AW)
was analyzed by Carrageenan induced paw oedema
and cotton pellet induced granuloma in Wistar rats. The
extracts showed signicant dose dependent inhibition
of oedema and granuloma formation and the results
were comparable to the standard drug Indomethacin
(10mg/kg). In the analgesic studies (acetic acid
induced writhing and hot plate test), AW (250 mg/kg)
showed signicant analgesic activity which is
comparable to the standard Acetyl salicylic acid (100
mg/kg). The total phenolic content of A. wightii was
determined as 41mg/g GAE and total condensed tannin
was determined as 66 mg/g Catechin equivalent.
In cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppressed
animals, there was a signicant reduction in total WBC
count and differential count. Morinda umbellata (MU) at
200 mg/kg dose increased the total leucocyte count
and differential count signicantly in myelosuppressed
rats after 14 days treatment.
The effect of ethanolic extract of Schumannianthus
virgatus (Roxb.)Rolfe (Marantaceae) rhizomes (SV)
against carbon tetrachloride, paracetamol, D-GalN (D-
Galactosamine) and alcohol induced liver damage in
Wistar rats was studied. SV (100 mg/kg, p.o.) showed a
remarkable hepatoprotective activity against Carbon
tetrachloride, paracetamol, alcohol and D-GalN
induced hepatotoxicity in liver tissues. Hepatotoxins
(CCl paracetamol, alcohol and D-GalN) induced a
4,
signicant rise in SGPT, SGOT, ALP and serum bilirubin
and treatment of rats with different doses of plant extract
(50mg/kg, 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg) signicantly
decreased the serum marker enzyme levels. The activity
of the extract at dose of 100 mg/kg was comparable to
the standard drug, silymarin (100 mg/kg, p.o). These
results were supported by histopathological analysis.
The acute, sub chronic and chronic toxicity studies
of the methanol extract of Lagerstroemia speciosa
Fig 2. Effect of Arenga wightii extract on carrageenan induced
paw oedema in Wistar rats. NC (Normal Control),
STD (Standard), AW1(AW 125mg/kg), AW2 (AW 250mg/kg),
AW3 (AW500mg/kg)
Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute
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Release of 5 books from JNTBGRI on Traditional Knowledge and Medicinal Plants by Hon'ble Chief Minister, Shri. Oommen Chandy
on 13. 08. 2013.
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leaves (LS) were carried out in Wistar rats. The data
obtained from the haematological analysis, serum
analysis and histopathological examinations did not
reveal any remarkable change, which shows the
nontoxic nature of L. speciosa. LS (300 mg/kg) showed
signicant anti-diabetic property, which was
substantiated by biochemical and histopathological
analysis.
The ethanolic extract o f Boerhavia diffusa L. (BD)
exhibited a signicant hepatoprotection against D-
Galactosamine induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats,
which is evident by a reduction in elevated levels of
serum enzymes AST, ALP, ALT and gamma glutamyl
transferase and decrease in TP, TB levels.
In vitro antioxidant studies with ethanolic extract of
Asystasia chelonoides leaves (AC) showed signicant
free radical scavenging activity in DPPH and FRAP
assay and IC values were calculated to be 300µg/ml
50
and 250µg/ml respectively.
The hepatoprotective potential of ethanolic extract
of Macrocybe gigantea (MG) was assessed using
Acetaminophen and Carbon tetrachloride induced
hepatotoxicity studies in Wistar rats. MG exhibited a
signicant protective action of liver which is evident by a
reduction in elevated levels of serum enzymes AST, ALP,
ALT, serum bilirubin and cholesterol.
Dr. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, former Executive Vice President, KSCSTE and Shri A. Shajahan, IAS, Special Secretary, Department
of Higher Education, Govt. of Kerala receiving the books from Hon'ble Chief Minister, Shri Oommen Chandy on13. 08. 2013.
Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute
JNTBGRI Annul Report 2012-’13 & 2013-’14
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