Phytochemical and Pharmacological Screening of Indigenous Medicinal Plants

Abstract

In the present investigation, pharmacognostical, phytochemical and pharmacological studies was taken up on the whole plant of Spermacoce hispida and Spermacoce ocymoides. The significant observations made during the study include: The present investigation documented the pharmacognostical study of S.hispida and S. ocymoides, which comprises of macroscopical, microscopical, powder microscopy and determination of physico-chemical constants like ash values, extractive values, loss on drying and estimation of inorganic constituents. These parameters serves as standards providing an imperative basis of information in ascertaining the uniqueness and genuinity to decide on the quality and clarity of the plant material, further serve as an identity tool in differentiating S.hispida and S.ocymoides and other species or varieties of the genus Spermacoce. It is concluded from the present study on the plants S.hispida and S.ocymoides belonging to the family Rubiaceae revealed its identity as a potential source in treating inflammatory conditions and the same was further significantly confirmed by Cyclooxygenase Inhibition Assay studied on both the ethanol extracts of the plants and their isolates namely, Kaempferol, Erythrodiol and Ursolic acid. Further more, the ethanol extract and their isolates demonstrated equally potential analgesic, anti-pyretic and invivo/invitro anti-oxidant potentials of the plants. The bioactive isolate Kaempferol was first reported to be identified in the plant S.hispida. Similarly, Ursolic acid was reported for the first time in the plant S.ocymoides. Future focus on extended research with respect to the bioactive isolates may pave a way to identify and explore the phytochemical potential of the plants with respect to the management and treatment of inflammatory conditions along with its analgesic, anti-pyretic and anti-oxidant activities. The pharmacognostical characters documented on the plants may serve as a typical standard in ensuring the plants future authenticity.