Abutilon indicum

Abstract: Larvicidal activity of crude hexane, ethyl acetate, petroleum ether, acetone and methanol extracts of five medicinal plants, Abutilon indicum, Aegle marmelos, Euphorbia thymifolia, Jatropha gossypifolia and Solanum torvum were assayed for their toxicity against the early fourth-instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus. The larval mortality was observed after 24 h exposure. All extracts showed moderate larvicidal effects; however, the highest larval mortality was found in petroleum ether extract of A. indicum. In the present study, bioassay-guided fractionation of A. indicum led to the separation and identification of a β-sitosterol as a potential new mosquito larvicidal compound with LC50 value of 11.49, 3.58 and 26.67 ppm against Aedes aegypti L, Anopheles stephensi Liston and C. quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae), respectively. 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectral data confirmed the identification of the active compound. β-sitosterol has been recognized as the active ingredient of many medicinal plant extracts. All the crude extracts when screened for their larvicidal activities indicated toxicity against the larvae of C. quinquefasciatus. This article reports the isolation and identification of the β-sitosterol as well as bioassay data for the crude extracts. There are no reports of β-sitosterol in the genus A. indicum, and their larvicidal activities are being evaluated for the first time. Results of this study show that the petroleum ether extract of A. indicum may be considered as a potent source and β-sitosterol as a new natural mosquito larvicidal agent.

Abstract: The aqueous extract of Abutilon indicum was tested for hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride- and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicities in rats. A. indicum exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity by reducing carbon tetrachloride- and paracetamol-induced change in bio-chemical parameters that was evident by enzymatic examination. The plant extract may interfere with free-radical formation, which may conclude in hepatoprotective action. Acute toxicity studies revealed that the LD50 value is more than the dose of 4 g/kg body wt.

Abstract: Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using biological entities is gaining interest because of their potential applications in nano-medicine. Herein, we report the biological synthesis of Abutilon indicum silver nanoparticles (AIAgNPs) using aqueous Abutilon indicum leaf extract (AILE) and evaluation of their biological applications. TEM analysis revealed that the spherical biogenic AIAgNPs were found to be between 5 and 25 nm in size. The bioactive phyto-constituents such are condensed tannins of AILE were found to play a key role in the reduction and capping of AIAgNPs. The biological properties of AIAgNPs were premeditated as free radical scavenging activity, antibacterial effect and anti-proliferative activity. AIAgNPs were found to exhibit good free radical scavenging activities and the intense zone of inhibition displayed by them in six different pathogenic species indicate the potential antibacterial effect. Further, AIAgNPs showed a dose dependant anti-proliferative effect against COLO 205 (human colon cancer) and MDCK (normal) cells with an IC50 of 3 and 4 μg/mL and 100 and 75 μg/mL, respectively after 24 and 48 h. The morphological changes, chromatin condensation and membrane potential loss induced by AIAgNPs were evidenced by AO/EB and AnnexinV-Cy3 staining. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss and G1/S transition cell cycle arrest in COLO 205 cells was evidenced in rhodamine123 staining and FACS analysis. The high levels of ROS as shown in DCF-DA staining could have played a major role in DNA fragmentation and eventually lead to apoptosis. The mode of action through the induction apoptosis by AIAgNPs in COLO 205 cells is exciting with promising application of nano-materials in biomedical research.

Abstract: Alcohol and water extracts of Abutilon indicum leaves (400 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant hypoglycemic effect in normal rats 4 h after administration (23.10% and 26.95%, respectively).

Abstract: Bioactivity guided isolation of Abutilon indicum yielded eugenol [4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol], which was found to possess significant analgesic activity. At doses of 10, 30, and 50 mg/kg body weight, eugenol exhibited 21.30 (p < 0.05), 42.25 (p < 0.01) and 92.96% (p < 0.001) inhibition of acetic acid induced writhing in mice. At a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight, eugenol showed 33.40% (p < 0.05) prolongation of tail flicking time determined by the radiant heat method.