Microbiological Biochemical and Physiological Studies on Areca Catechu Seeds

Abstract

Abstract:Areca nut the fruit of Areca catechu palm is very important and popular in cultural activities of several countries. Areca nut used for the present study was collected from the farmers of Angamaly, Kerala, India. Except the anti-microbial properties all experiments were carried out in vivo using Wistar albino rats purchased from Little flower medical research centre (LFMRC) animal Breeding Station, Angamaly, Kerala. Before evaluating the medicinal properties of areca nut components, areca nut aqueous extract was examined for its ant-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties.Seperated areca nut components were used for evaluation of anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, anti-bacterial and anti-acetyl choline esterase activities.Statistical evaluation of data was done using R package software. Anti-oxidant enzymes in blood and serum of mice were increased after administration of both doses of areca nut aqueous extract used for the study. Areca nut extract also showed a significant effect on some of the anti-oxidant enzymes in liver tissue of mice.In the determination of anti-inflammatory activity, areca nut aqueous extract at two doses showed significant reduction in the carrageenan induced paw edema in a dose dependent manner. Both fraction of areca nut showed significant reduction of writhing but administration of phenolic components decreased the number of writhing compared to alkaloid fraction administered groups.Both components of areca nut showed prominent antibacterial activity to different bacterial cultures in different doses.Alkaloid components are more active against Gram positive bacterial cultures and phenolic components are more active against Gram negative cultures.The acetyl choline esterase experiment results showed significant differences in tested groups. Group treated with alkaloid showed significant difference in reduction in enzyme level than areca nut aqueous extract.