Objective: To investigate the physico-chemical parameter, preliminary phytochemical screening, fluorescence and Thin Layer Chromatographic analysis of the leaves of the plant Lasia spinosa (Lour) Thwaites. Methods: The fresh and powder leaves of the plant Lasia spinosa (Lour) Thwaites (Araceae) were studied by morphology, preliminary phytochemical screening, and florescence analysis of powdered drug. Other physicochemical parameters were also performed as per WHO guide lines. Results: The dried powder leaves were investigated by morphology. The results of physic-chemical parameters such as loss on drying and ash values, extractive values, preliminary phyto-chemical screening, percentage of extractive values fluorescence analysis and TLC are in the table no of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively. Conclusion: The present information on the pharmacognostic evaluation of the plant drug L. spinosa delivered the qualitative and quantitative parameters serve the important information to the identity and to determine the quality and purity of the plant material in the future. It also signify the important information of the closely related other species and varieties.

Physico-chemical evaluation, preliminary phytochemical investigation, fluorescence and tlc analysis of leaves of the plant lasia spinosa (lour) thwaites

Introduction The glycaemic index (GI) concept ranks starchy foods according to the blood glucose responses following ingestion. When considering commonly consumed Sri Lankan meals, only a few can be categorised as low GI. However, a significant negative correlation between the GI of Sri Lankan meals and fibre content has been observed indicating the potential to reduce the GI of meals by incorporating naturally occurring sources of fibre. Thus, the objective of this study was to study the effect of increased edible quantities of fibre on the GI of rice meals consumed in Sri Lanka. Methods Meal 1 consisted of rice with several meal accompaniments (lentil curry, boiled egg, coconut gravy and Centella asiatica (gotukola) leaves salad). Meal 2 contained similar constituents as meal 1 and a Lasia spinosa (kohila) rhizome salad. The composition of meal 3 was similar to meal 2 but contained Trichosanthes cucumerina (snake gourd) salad instead of Lasia spinosa salad. Meal 3 contained similar fibre contents as meal 1 and similar meal size as meal 2. The glycaemic indices of the three meals were determined with healthy individuals (n=10, age=20-30 yrs, BMI=24 +/- 3 kg/m2) using bread as the standard. Results Meals 1 and 3 contained total dietary fibre (TDF) contents of 15.2g. Meal 2 contained 16.3g TDF. The GI values of the three meals were 63 +/- 5, 57 +/- 5, 61 +/- 5 respectively and were not significantly different from one another (p>0.05). The GI of the rice mixed meal 2 was reduced by 9% when total edible dietary fibre content of the actual meal was increased by 7.2%. Conclusion The study results show that the GI of rice mixed meals may be reduced by including naturally occurring sources of fibre with starchy staples while fulfilling daily dietary fibre requirement of an adult at low cost.

Sri Lankan rice mixed meals: effect on glycaemic index and contribution to daily dietary fibre requirement.

This study was undertaken to evaluate antioxidant property, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of Lasia spinosa leaves. Ethyl acetate soluble partitionate of the methanolic extract of the plant material showed significant antioxidant property using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-pecrylhydrazyl) assay with IC 50 value of 16.42 ?g/ml. In the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, LC 50 values obtained from the best fit line slope were 0.544, 3.181, and 4.096 ?g/mL for standard (vincristine sulphate), dichloromethane and ethylacetate soluble partitionates of the methanolic extract respectively. The leaves extracts showed mild antimicrobial property. Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 13, No. 2 (2012) 215-218 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v13i2.7739

/pdf/antioxidant-property-cytotoxicity-and-antimicrobial-activity-42lypn7z27.pdf

Antioxidant Property, Cytotoxicity and Antimicrobial Activity of Lasia spinosa Leaves

The food ingredients of different extracts of Lasia spinosa (L.) Thwaites can turn it into a potential medicinal food

Lasia spinosa belongs to the Araceae family is one of the important medicinal plants, extensively used in rheumatic pain, stomach ache, cholic etc. It also has anticestodal and antinematodal effects. There are two morphotypes available in Assam, which can be easily distinguished by their colour of inflorescences and leaves types. Karyotypic analysis has been carried out to find out any differences in chromosomal level between these two morphotypes of Lasia spinosa from Assam region. The chromosome number of L. spinosa (mixed form) was found to be 2n = 26 in the somatic cells. The chromosome length varied from 2.31µm - 4.08µm while their volumes ranged from 0.034µm 3 -3.70µm 3 . The chromosome number of lamina-dissected form was found to be 2n=24 in the somatic cells. The chromosome length varied from 1.09µm - 4.42µm while their volumes ranged from 0.015µm 3 -0.40µm 3 . Our finding is different from the previous cytological report, which might be due to ecological adaptation.

Karyomorphological Studies of Two Morphotypes of Lasia spinosa (Lour.) Thwaites Avaiable in Assam, India

Lasia spinosa (local name - kohila) is a stout, marshy plant with a creeping spiny rhizome. The tender leaves and rhizomes are used as a vegetable and are recommended for a variety of diseases in Ayurvedic medicine. The present study was carried out to determine the total antioxidant activity of Lasia spinosa rhizome and the contribution to antioxidant activity from the polyphenol fraction and ascorbic acid and the dietary fiber content (insoluble & soluble). Rhizomes 01=6) of Lasia spinosa were collected from six different markets in the locality near the university. According to the results obtained from the study, Lasia rhizome possessed a wide-ranging antioxidant capacity. A total antioxidant activity of 145.0 - 957.0 |^mol/g TEAC on a wet weight basis was observed. The contribution from polyphenols to the antioxidant activity ranged from 14% - 48%. In addition to polyphenols, ascorbic acid also contributes to the total antioxidant activity (34% - 56%). The rhizome is a rich source of dietary fiber with 40% - 75% of total dietary fiber on dry weight basis, (7.2% - 7.5% on fresh weight basis) constituting 35% - 60% and 4% - 18% of insoluble and soluble fiber respectively. The above antioxidants could act independently or synergistically with fiber, since Lasia spinosa is a rich source of dietary fiber to reduce the adverse effects of various diseases. Thus kohila rhizome can be considered as a valuable functional food from the viewpoint of its antioxidant and dietary fibre content. Key words : Lasia spinosa, antioxidant activity, polyphenols, ascorbic acid, dietary fiber Vidyodaya J. of Sci.. (2009) Vol. 14, pp 59-64

AG Shefana

Papers

Some nutritional aspects of Lasia spinosa (kohila)