Showing papers on "Strychnos potatorum published in 2020"

Feasibility study of a point of use technique for water treatment using plant-based coagulant and isolation of a bioactive compound with bactericidal properties

Abstract: Sustainable and greener solution for water treatment problems is the persistent need of the hour. The use of Strychnos potatorum is familiar among the indigenous communities living in the drought r...

Pharmacognostical and phytochemical standardization of seeds of Strychnos potatorum Linn. (Loganiaceae)

Abstract: In traditional system of medicine, plants with medicinal activity play a major role in curing diseases. Now-a-days, usage of herbal medicines is increasing globally for the treatment of diseases. Plants have been evaluated for their potential benefits. In the present study, pharmacognostical and phytochemical standardization of seeds of Strychnos potatorum Linn. (Loganiaceae) was carried out. The pharmacognostical evaluation was performed for proper identification and to detect the adulterants. Physicochemical analysis like ash value (Total ash – 1.98% w/w, acid-insoluble ash – 0.5% w/w, water soluble ash – 0.99% w/w, sulphated ash – 1.02% w/w), extractive value (water soluble - 9.26% w/w, alcohol soluble - 6% w/w), loss on drying (7.11% w/w) and iron content (1.85% w/w) was estimated. Phytochemical study characterizes the phytoconstituents present in this plant. Evaluation of the seed of Strychnos potatorum ensures identity and ascertains quality and purity of this drug.

Epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy and storage behaviour of seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica, Strychnos potatorum and Strychnos benthamii (Loganiaceae)

Abstract: We hypothesized that Strychnos nux-vomica and Strychnos potatorum in seasonal tropical ecosystems have dormant desiccation-tolerant seeds, while those of Strychnos benthamii growing in aseasonal wet habitats have non-dormant desiccation-sensitive seeds. Germination, imbibition, the effect of gibberellic acid on germination and changes in the embryo to seed length ratio (E:S) during incubation were determined for the three species. Seed storage behaviour was identified with the hundred seed test. Time taken for epicotyl emergence was recorded. Radicle emergence of S. nux-vomica, S. potatorum and S. benthamii at 25°C under light/dark conditions (12/12 h) was completed within 76, 49 and 11 d, respectively. S. nux-vomica and S. potatorum seeds incubated on GA3 germinated to a higher percentage than non-treated seeds. E:S of S. nux-vomica, S. potatorum and S. benthamii had increased by 38.2, 34.5 and 25.5%, respectively, at radicle emergence. Shoot emergence of S. nux-vomica, S. potatorum and S. benthamii was observed after 76, 74 and 45 d from radicle emergence, respectively. Thus, it can be concluded that the seeds of all three species have epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy. Hundred seed tests revealed that S. nux-vomica and S. potatorum seeds were desiccation-tolerant, while those of S. benthamii were desiccation-sensitive. Our study showed that species from seasonal habitats (S. nux-vomica and S. potatorum) have desiccation-tolerant morphophysiologically dormant seeds, while those from an aseasonal habitat (S. benthamii) have desiccation-sensitive morphophysiologically dormant seeds, revealing that their dormancy and desiccation tolerance behaviour are adaptations to their environment.

Cytotoxic and antioxidant activity of the polysaccharide isolated from the seeds of Strychnos potatorum

Abstract: Nonconventional natural treatments have gained wide acceptance due to their promise of a cure with minimal or no side effects in cancer, but little scientific evidence exists. The polysaccharides were extracted from the seeds of Strychnos potatorum and were successively purified by chromatography on DEAE cellulose and Sephadex G-100 column. The purified polysaccharide was identified to be a heteropolysaccharide 1,4 β-D- galactomannan characterized using FTIR, NMR. The molecular weight was determined to be ∼ 1.28 X 10 4 Da through MALDI-TOF analysis. Presented, here is the first use of the polysaccharide isolated from the seeds of Strychnos potatorum exhibiting promising cytotoxic activity with IC50 of 365 μg/mL against human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. The antioxidant property of the polysaccharide was also evaluated and they possess potential scavenging activity for DPPH assay and hydroxy radical scavenging assay with increase in concentration.

Evaluation of botanicals for the desalination potential of irrigation water

Abstract: Agriculture is the largest consumer of water in the world. Over exploitation of water resources is threatening the very sustainability of livelihood and hence use of poor quality water, brackish water and saline water is highly imperative as an adaptation strategy to conserve water resources. Crop selection, application of organic manures and blending with good quality water are the currently available options to manage the use of saline water, which are not always sustainable. The technology which paves way for removal of salts at the source itself can help the farming community to cultivate crops of their preference based on the market demand. Hence in an attempt to explore the desalination potential of botanicals viz., citrus peel, stumps and seeds of Moringa oleifera, bark of Indian goose berry (Phyllanthus emblica), Albizia (Albizia amara) leaf powder and powdered seeds of Tettamparal (Strychnos potatorum) at various reaction time viz., 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 minutes, 2 hours and 24 hours after addition in diverse forms, it was found that seeds of Strychnos potatorum was only effective in reducing the salinity of water by 0.01 to 0.25 units than the initial value, whilst the other additives resulted only in increased electrical conductivity. Although plethora of evidences speaks about the biosorption potential of these botanicals for heavy metals, their ability to adsorb sodium and chloride ions in irrigation water needs further exploration.

Biochemical Profiling and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Effect of Different Extracts of Strychnos potatorum

Abstract: The seeds of the plant Strychnos potatorum are widely used in the treatment of different ailments like bronchitis, diarroea, dysentery, urinary tract infections (Kavitha et al., 2014). Curative properties of a plant product are due to the presence of secondary metabltes lke flavanoids, alkaloids, terpenods either alone or as synergistic action. Flavonoids are very important in preventing different diseases like cancer, inflammation, diabetes etc. as it is a strong antioxidant agent (Almedia et al., 2008).Evidences suggest that cellular damage or oxidative injury arising from production of free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical causative factors in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders, inflammatory conditions, autoimmune diseases, atherosclerosis, aging diabetes, cancer and gastrointestinal disorders. Results from biological and phytochemical studies indicate that medicinal plants have profound antioxidant potential that can be exploited further in the prevention and treatment of these devastating disorders (Mazumdar et al., 2008).