Papers by Prashith Kekuda
Caesalpinia sappan L. [synonym Biancaea sappan (L.) Tod.] Belonging to the family Caesalpiniaceae... more Caesalpinia sappan L. [synonym Biancaea sappan (L.) Tod.] Belonging to the family Caesalpiniaceae is a thorny and shrubby small to medium-sized tree up to 4-10m tall native to India and Malaysia. In this review, a comprehensive detail on the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of C. sappan is discussed. The plant is cultivated as a hedge plant and as an ornamental plant. It is known commonly as Sappan in English, Pattanga in Ayurveda, Bakam in Unani, and Patangam in Siddha. The plant is traditionally used to treat several diseases such as wounds, leprosy, diabetes, skin diseases and diarrhoea. The heartwood of C. sappan is used as a natural coloring agent for wine, meat, fabric, food products, beverages and pharmaceuticals. The Sappan wood contains phenolic components such as xanthone, coumarin, chalcones, flavones, isoflavonoids and brazilin. Brazilin is the major naturally occur compound in the C. sappan heartwood and is reported to exhibit various pharmacological properties. The plant is reported to exhibit a range of pharmacological activities such as enzyme inhibitory, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, anthelmintic, hepatoprotective, cytotoxic, wound healing, analgesic, anticonvulsant, hypolipidemic, insecticidal, antiplasmodic and others.
The methanolic extract of Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq. (Family Malvaceae) leaves was screened for ... more The methanolic extract of Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq. (Family Malvaceae) leaves was screened for antifungal, insecticidal and antioxidant potential. In the poisoned food technique, the leaf extract showed inhibitory activity against mycelial growth as well as sporulation of Aspergillus niger and A. flavus. In larvicidal assay, the exposure of II and III instar larvae of Aedes species to leaf extract resulted in 80% and 60% mortality, respectively. The leaf extract showed scavenging activity against DPPH radicals in a dose dependent manner with an IC50 value of 53.27µg/ml. The leaf extract was also shown to possess ferric reducing activity. In conclusion, the leaves of T. rhomboidea can be exploited for developing formulations or agents that could be used to manage storage fungi, mosquito-borne diseases and oxidative damage.
The present study evaluates antifungal, antiradical and insecticidal activity of methanolic extra... more The present study evaluates antifungal, antiradical and insecticidal activity of methanolic extract of Heteropogon contortus. Antifungal and antiradical activities of the extract (obtained by maceration process) were evaluated poisoned food technique and DPPH free radical scavenging assay, respectively. Insecticidal activity was determined by larvicidal assay against III instar larvae of Aedes sp. The extract suppressed mycelial growth as well as sporulation of test fungi. The extract showed dose dependent scavenging of DPPH radicals with an IC50 value of 24.87µg/ml. The extract was not so effective in displaying larvicidal potential when compared to DDT. The grass species selected in this study appears promising with respect to developing antifungal, antiradical and insecticidal agents.
Alangium salviifolium L. is a medicinally important plant of the family Cornaceae. In this study,... more Alangium salviifolium L. is a medicinally important plant of the family Cornaceae. In this study, we report the mineral content and insecticidal activity of leaf and fruit A. salviifolium. The content of nitrogen, potassium, calcium, iron and manganese were found to be present in appreciable quantity in leaf and fruit. Methanolic extract of both leaf and fruit extracts were effective against larvae of Aedes species and Anopheles species. The present study shows the possible utilization of leaf and fruit of A. salviifolium for larval control. The plant, especially the fruit, may be consumed as an important source of various mineral elements.
Alangium salviifolium (L.f.) Wangerin (Cornaceae) is one of the important plants having widesprea... more Alangium salviifolium (L.f.) Wangerin (Cornaceae) is one of the important plants having widespread medicinal uses and is commonly known as sage-leaved alangium. The plant is a bushy, small tree and is reported to contain a wide range of phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenes and glycosides. An extensive literature survey on the plant revealed isolation of various compounds representing phytochemical groups such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, and terpenes from A. salviifolium. Studies have come out with the isolation and structural elucidation of several compounds belonging to alkaloids, terpenes and other groups. Many of these isolated constituents were shown to exhibit biological Page 62 activities viz. antidiabetic, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, pesticidal, antibacterial, enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activities. In this review, we present details on phytochemicals detected in A. salviifolium and biological activities of some of the isolated chemical compounds.
Plants find several ethnobotanical uses such as food, fuel, cloth, flavor, and medicine. Many pla... more Plants find several ethnobotanical uses such as food, fuel, cloth, flavor, and medicine. Many plant species have been widely used for primary health care especially in under-developed, developing countries. Ardisia solanacea is one of the important medicinal plants of the family Primulaceae. In this mini review, we report ethnobotanical uses of A. solanacea. The leaves and fruits of the plant are edible and are eaten raw or as vegetable. Parts viz., leaves, stem, root, fruit and seeds of A. solanacea have ethnomedicinal significance. The plant is traditionally used to treat conditions such as boils, headache, indigestion, chest pain, cough, and gastrointestinal troubles. There is a great need for conservation of this plant species for its use in traditional medicine. The plant can be used to develop formulations that can be used to treat several ailments or disease conditions.
Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb. ex DC.) Wall. ex Bedd. belonging to the family Combretaceae is an imp... more Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb. ex DC.) Wall. ex Bedd. belonging to the family Combretaceae is an important tree species having several ethnobotanical applications. The tree is commonly known as Axle wood tree or Ghatti tree. The plant is used traditionally as medicine to treat various human ailments and conditions such as vomiting, whooping cough, cold, diarrhea, dysentery, snake and scorpion bite, fever, skin diseases, diabetes, anemia, piles, fistula, stomach ache, sexual debility, anemia, and urinary discharge. The gum (ghatti gum) extracted from the plant is also having several therapeutic applications. Different parts such as seeds and stem bark of A. latifolia find ethnoveterinary applications and are used to treat snake bite, insect bite, fever and other veterinary ailments. Besides, the plant is also used as fodder and in making things such as pole, door, and cart axle. This multifold ethnobotanical applications of A. latifolia strongly highlights the need for conservation of this plant species and cultivation of the plant for its potential uses.
Plants form an integral part of daily life of human beings. The term ethnobotany refers to relati... more Plants form an integral part of daily life of human beings. The term ethnobotany refers to relationships and interactions between people and plants. Worldwide, plants are being used as sources of food, medicine, dyes, and timber. Traditional medicinal practitioners and indigenous systems of medicine (such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani) make use of several plant species to treat a range of ailments of humans and livestock. The therapeutic potential of plants lies in the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, terpenes, and polyphenolic compounds. Azima tetracantha Lam., belonging to the family Salvadoraceae, is a small, armed shrub with quadrangular branches. The present review is a compilation of available data on the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of A. tetracantha. Phytochemical investigations on the plant revealed the presence of chemicals such friedelin, euphanol, gallic acid, genstisic acid, cinnamate, ferulic acid, azimine, azcarpine, and carpaine. An extensive literature survey was carried out to compile data on traditional uses, phytochemicals, and the pharmacological activities shown by A. tetracantha. It is evident from the literatures that the plant is versatile with respect to its traditional uses as a remedy for various illnesses and disorders in humans and animals. The plant is used for treatment of asthma, cold, cough, rheumatism, diabetes, dysentery, fever, toothache, dog bite, snake bite, and liver diseases. It is experimentally shown that the plant exhibits pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, antivenom, hepatoprotective, antiepileptic, diuretic, antiulcer, antiasthmatic, antidiarrheal, analgesic, nephroprotective, antipyretic, and insecticidal activity. The nanoparticles synthesized from A. tetracantha have shown antimicrobial, antioxidant, and insecticidal properties. A pentacyclic triterpenoid friedelin isolated from the plant is shown to exhibit many bioactivities such as antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, insecticidal, gastroprotective and antiradical activity. The therapeutic potential and pharmacological properties of A. tetracantha could be ascribed to the presence of a wide array of phytochemicals in it. The pharmacological activities of the plant reported justify the traditional use of A. tetracantha in treating several diseases or disorders.
Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology
Objectives: The objective of the present study was carried out to investigate antimicrobial, radi... more Objectives: The objective of the present study was carried out to investigate antimicrobial, radical scavenging, and insecticidal activity of leaf and flower of Couroupita guianensis Aubl. (Lecythidaceae). Methods: Extraction of leaf and flower was carried out by maceration process using methanol. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of extracts was carried out by agar well-diffusion method and poisoned food technique, respectively. Radical scavenging activity of extracts was determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assays. Insecticidal activity of extracts was evaluated in terms of larvicidal and pupicidal effects against Aedes aegypti. Results: Leaf extract displayed marked antibacterial activity when compared to flower extract. Highest and least inhibitory activity of extracts was observed against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli, respectively. Both extracts displayed antifungal activity with highest activity exhibited by leaf extract. Highest and least susceptibility were shown by Curvularia sp. and Fusarium sp., respectively. Both extracts scavenged DPPH and ABTS radicals dose dependently. Leaf extract (IC 50 = 19.61 µg/ml) caused marked DPPH radical scavenging potential than flower extract ((IC 50 = 257.13 µg/ml). IC 50 value of ABTS radical inhibition of leaf and flower extract was found to be 7.63 and 53.34 µg/ml, respectively. Larvicidal and pupicidal activity by extracts was concentration dependent. The susceptibility of larvae and pupae to extract was in the order: 2 nd instar larvae > 4 th instar larvae > pupae. Leaf extract displayed marked insecticidal activity when compared to flower extract as revealed by lower LC 50 values. Conclusion: Overall, leaf extract exhibited marked bioactivities than flower extract. The plant can be used to treat microbial infections and oxidative damage and to manage fungal diseases. The plant can be used against mosquito vectors which transmit arboviral diseases.
Objectives: Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv. belongs to the family Solanaceae. The present study wa... more Objectives: Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv. belongs to the family Solanaceae. The present study was carried out to determine insecticidal, antibacterial, and antiradical activity of aerial parts of N. plumbaginifolia. Methods: Extraction was carried out by maceration process using methanol. Insecticidal activity was assessed, in terms of larvicidal effect, against II and IV instar larvae of Aedes aegypti. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against a panel of 7 bacteria by agar well diffusion assay. Antiradical activity was determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonate (ABTS) free radical scavenging assays. Results: The extract was found to cause dose-dependent mortality of larvae of A. aegypti. The lethal concentration 50 value of extract for II and IV instar larvae was found to be 0.41 and 0.99 mg/ml, respectively. Extract was effective in inhibiting all bacteria. Gram-positive bacteria displayed marked susceptibility when compared to Gram-negative bacteria. Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli were susceptible to highest and least extent, respectively. Extract scavenged both DPPH radicals and ABTS radicals dose dependently. Extract scavenged ABTS radicals more efficiently (inhibitory concentration [IC 50 ] value 13.51 µg/ml) when compared to DPPH radicals (IC 50 value 17.43 µg/ml). Conclusions: The plant N. plumbaginifolia appears to be a promising resource for developing agents with insecticidal, antibacterial, and antiradical activity. The observed bioactivities could be attributed to the presence of phytochemicals which are to be isolated, characterized, and subjected for bioactivity determinations. The plant can be used to prevent arboviral diseases, infectious diseases, and oxidative damage.
Objective: The present study was carried out to investigate antimicrobial, antiradical and insect... more Objective: The present study was carried out to investigate antimicrobial, antiradical and insecticidal potential of leaf and fruit of Gardenia gummifera L. f. (Rubiaceae). Methods: The leaf and fruits were shade dried, powdered and extracted by maceration process using methanol. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria by Agar well diffusion assay. Antifungal activity was determined against six seed-borne fungi by Poisoned food technique. Antiradical activity of leaf and fruit extracts was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonate (ABTS) radical scavenging assays. Insecticidal activity of leaf and fruit extracts, in terms of larvicidal and pupicidal activity, was assessed against larvae and pupae of Aedes aegypti. Results: Both the extracts inhibited all test bacteria. Marked antibacterial activity was displayed by fruit extract when compared to leaf extract. S. epidermidis and E. coli were inhibited to highest and least extent by both extracts respectively. Fruit extract was found to exhibit higher antifungal effect when compared to leaf extract. Leaf extract and fruit extract exhibited highest inhibitory activity against A. niger and A. flavus respectively. Leaf and fruit extracts scavenged DPPH radical's dose dependently with an IC50 value of 49.01µg/ml and 2.53µg/ml respectively. The scavenging of ABTS by leaf and fruit extracts was dose dependent and the IC50 Conclusion: Overall, fruit extract of G. gummifera exhibited marked antimicrobial, antiradical and insecticidal activity when compared to leaf extract. The plant can be used for developing agents/formulations effective against infectious microorganisms, oxidative stress and insect vectors that transmit dreadful diseases. The observed bioactivities could be ascribed to the presence of active principles which are to be isolated and characterized. value for leaf and fruit extract was 2.58µg/ml and 2.31µg/ml respectively. Fruit extract was shown to exhibit marked antiradical activity when compared to leaf extract. Leaf and fruit extracts exhibited dose dependent insecticidal activity in terms of larvicidal and pupicidal activity and the susceptibility of larvae and pupae to extracts was in the order II instar larvae>IV instar larvae>pupae. Fruit extract displayed marked insecticidal potential when compared to leaf extract.
Phytochemical Investigation and Hepatoprotective A by Prashith Kekuda
The Global Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Free radicals contribute to more than one hundred disorders in humans. The synthetic antioxidants... more Free radicals contribute to more than one hundred disorders in humans. The synthetic antioxidants have been suspected to cause or prompt negative health effects leading to extensive research on naturally occurring antioxidants especially from plant sources. The present study describes the antioxidant efficacy of methanol extracts of three medicinal plants namely Drypetes roxburghii Wall, Coscinium fenestratum Colebr and Nardostachys jatamansi DC using three methods DPPH free radical scavenging assay, Hydroxyl radical scavenging assay and Fe+3 reducing assay. The dried plant materials were powdered, extracted using methanol in soxhlet apparatus and subjected to preliminary phytochemical analysis. The extracts concentrations namely 0.5 and 1.0mg/ml were screened for antioxidant activity by above three methods. The presence of various constituents namely alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, glycosides were detected in methanol extracts. In DPPH free radical assay, potent scavengin...
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Papers by Prashith Kekuda
Phytochemical Investigation and Hepatoprotective A by Prashith Kekuda