volubilis (LF) Benth. Ex. Hook. F and Mimosa rubicaulis

volubilis (LF) Benth. Ex. Hook. F and Mimosa rubicaulis

2.0 REVIEW OF RESEARCH LITERATURE
Exhaustive and up-to-date review of literature on antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial activities and
their methods of screening,
phytochemical and pharmacological review of the selected plants were conducted.
2.1 General introduction of the plants Euphorbia thymifolia Linn, Dregea
volubilis (L.F.) Benth. Ex. Hook. F and Mimosa rubicaulis Lam (www.IPNI.org)
2.1.1 Euphorbia thymifolia
Fig. 2.1 Euphorbia thymifolia Linn
2.1.1.1 Synonyms
Euphorbia burmanniana
Anisophyllum burmannianum
Anisophyllum thymifolium
Chamaesyce thymifolia
2.1.1.1 Systematic position
Kingdom
:
Division
: Magnoliophyta
Class
:
Order
: Malpighiales
Family
: Euphorbiaceae
Genus
: Euphorbia
Species
:
19
Plantae
Angiospermae
thymifolia
2.1.1.2 List of Euphorbia species
Euphorbia albomarginata
Euphorbia lathyris
Euphorbia amygdaloides
Euphorbia leuconeura
Euphorbia antisyphilitica
Euphorbia maculata
Euphorbia balsamifera
Euphorbia marginata
Euphorbia bulbispina
Euphorbia mamillaris
Euphorbia calyptrata
Euphorbia maritae
Euphorbia canariensis
Euphorbia milii
Euphorbia caput-medusae
Euphorbia myrsinites
Euphorbia characias
Euphorbia neriifolia
Euphorbia cyparissias
Euphorbia obesa
Euphorbia decidua
Euphorbia obtusifolia
Euphorbia dendroides
Euphorbia paralias
Euphorbia echinus
Euphorbia pekinensis -
Euphorbia elastica
Euphorbia peplis
Euphorbia epithymoides
Euphorbia peplus
Euphorbia esula
Euphorbia polychroma
Euphorbia falcata
Euphorbia pulcherrima
Euphorbia franckiana
Euphorbia purpurea
Euphorbia grantii
Euphorbia resinifera
Euphorbia granulata
Euphorbia rigida
Euphorbia griffithii
Euphorbia serrata
Euphorbia guyoniana
Euphorbia terracina
Euphorbia helioscopia
Euphorbia tirucalli
20
Euphorbia heterophylla
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Euphorbia hirta
Euphorbia virosa
Euphorbia horrida
Euphorbia hypericifolia
2.1.1.3 Vernacular names
English
:
Asthma plant, Chicken weed
Hindi
:
Duddhi, Dudhiya, Choti-dudhi
Kannada
:
Kempu, Nene hakki
Malayalam
:
Nilappakla
Sanskrit
:
Dugdhika
Tamil
:
Sittirappaladi
Telagu
:
Reddivarimanubala
2.1.1.4 Description
Monoecious, prostrate, annual herb with branches up to 25 cm long, with
numerous adventitious roots; stems with latex. Leaves opposite, distichous,
simple; stipules linear, c. 1 mm long, deeply 2–3-toothed; petiole c. 0.5 mm long;
blade ovate, up to 8 mm × 4 mm, base unequal, one side cuneate, the other side
rounded, apex rounded, margins shallowly toothed, glabrous above, sparsely longhairy beneath. Inflorescence a terminal or axillary cluster of flowers, called a
‘cyathium’, on short leafy shoots; cyathia almost sessile, c. 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm,
with a funnel-shaped involucre, lobes triangular, minute, margin hairy, glands 4,
minute, almost circular, red, with very small red appendages, each involucre
containing 1 female flower surrounded by few male flowers. Flowers unisexual;
21
male flowers sessile, bracteoles hair-like, perianth absent, stamen c. 1 mm long;
female flowers almost sessile, perianth a rim, ovary superior, glabrous, 3-celled,
styles 3, minute, 2-fid. Fruit an acutely 3-lobed, almost sessile capsule c. 1 mm ×
1 mm, base truncate, short-hairy, 3-seeded. Seeds are conical, c. 0.5 mm in
diameter, acutely 4-angled, shallowly transversely wrinkled, reddish brown,
without caruncle (Ram, 1970).
2.1.1.5 Phytogeography
It is found in India (Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttaranchal), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri lanka, West
Africa, the Indian Ocean islands and Southern Africa etc.
2.1.1.6 Ethnobotanical reports
The whole plant paste of Euphorbia thymifolia is used in the treatment of
diabetes and ethnic practices (Seung et al., 1990).
Euphorbia thymifolia is used to treat joint pains as anti-inflammatory
agent. Whole plant paste is used to apply on bones dislocation of animals, leaves
are used for snake bite and ringworm, seeds used as laxative for children
(Phanikumar and Alka, 2010).
Powder of Euphorbia nerrifolia flower and whole plant ash of
Euphorbia tirucalli are used for the treatment of asthma at dose of 500 mg/ 3
times and 250-500 mg twice a day orally, respectively. The calcinated product of
Euphorbia species like Euphorbia herta and Euphorbia thymifolia are used in the
asthmatic condition (Savithramma et al., 2007).
22
2.1.2 Dregea volubilis (L.F.) Benth. Ex. Hook. F.
Fig.: 2.2 Dregea volubilis (L.F.) Benth. Ex. hook. F.
2.1.2.1 Systematic position
Kingdom
: Plantae
Division
: Magnoliophyta
Class
: Magnoliopsida
Order
:
Gentianales
Family
:
Asclepiadaceae
Genus
: Dregea
Species
: volubilis
2.1.2.2 Synonyms:
Asclepias volubilis,
Marsdenia volubilis,
Schollia volubilis,
Wattakaka volubilis
2.1.2.3 Vernacular names
English
: Common coxcomb, crested coxcomb, Feather coxcomb
Telugu
: Doodeepalla, dudipala, palakura, palatige
Hindi
: Murd bel, murd-bel, nakchhikni, nakchikni
23
Sanskrit
: Hemajivanti, hemakshiri, hemalata, hemapurna, hemavalli,
hemavati
Malayalam
: Vattakkakkakkoti, wattakakacodi.
2.1.2.4 Description
Dregea volubilis is a stout, smooth, hoary or mealy, woody vine. Leaves
are ovate or somewhat rounded, 7.5 to 15 cm long, 5 to 10 cm wide, rather
leathery, rounded or pointed at the base, and pointed at the tip. Cymes are axillary
or interpetiolar, and umbel-like. Flowers are green, about 1 cm across. Follicles
are usually double, broadly lanceolate, 7.5 to 10 cm long, turgid, longitudinally
ribbed, and velvety until mature. Seeds are elliptic, concave, smooth, shining,
sharp-edged, and crowned with very fine, white, silky hairs (Kirtikar, 1991).
2.1.2.5 Phytogeography
It is widely distributed in India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh), Bangladesh and Sri
Lanka.
2.1.2.6 Ethnobotanical reports
In India the tribal people of Rapur forest division of Nellore district, A.P,
are applying Dregea volubilis leaves paste on affected area about 20 g and oral
administration of the same to control leucoderma (Neelima et al., 2011)
The leaves and unripe fruits of Dreagea volubilis are given in the case of
erysipelas, coughs and asthma (Vinodh et al., 2011).
In India, the tribal people of Paderu division, Visakhapatnam, A.P, are
using leaves and entire plant of Dregea volubilis for treatment of cold and eye
diseases, respectively (Padal et al., 2010).
24
2.1.3 Mimosa rubicaulis Lam.



Fig. 2.3 Mimosa rubicaulis Lam.
2.1.3.1 Systematic position
Kingdom
: Plantae
Division
: Angiosperms
Class
: Eudicots
Order
: Fabales
Family
: Fabaceae
Genus
: Mimosa
Species
:
rubicaulis
25
2.1.3.2 List of Mimosa species

Mimosa aculeaticarpa

Mimosa malacophylla

Mimosa aculeaticarpa var.

Mimosa microphylla
biuncifera

Mimosa nuttallii

Mimosa arenosa

Mimosa pellita

Mimosa asperata L.

Mimosa pigra L.

Mimosa borealis

Mimosa pigra var. pigra

Mimosa casta L.

Mimosa pudica L.

Mimosa ceratonia L.

Mimosa quadrivalvis L.

Mimosa diplotricha
Mimosa roemeriana

Mimosa dysocarpa
Mimosa rupertiana

Mimosa dysocarpa var.
dysocarpa

Mimosa emoryana

Mimosa grahamii

Mimosa grahamii var.
grahamii

Mimosa hostilis

Mimosa hystricina

Mimosa latidens

Mimosa laxiflora

Mimosa scabrella .

Mimosa schomburgkii

Mimosa somnians

Mimosa strigillosa

Mimosa tenuiflora

Mimosa texana

Mimosa turneri

Mimosa verrucosa
2.1.3.3 Vernacular names
Hindi
: Kacheyta, kinglu, shiah-kanta
Tamil
: Bida
Telugu
: Kodimudusu chettu , chandra, sarjjasasamu
2.1.3.4 Description
It is a large straggling shrub which is very prickly. It sports long clusters
of many pink spherical flower-heads which are 1-1.5 cm across. The flowers fade
to white - so, at any time the clusters sport both pink and white flower-heads.
26
Leaves are double-compound, 8–15 cm long, with thorny rachis. Leaves have 312 pairs of side-stalks, each with 6-15 pairs of tiny oblong leaflets 4–8 mm. Pods
are thin, flat, curved, 8–13 cm long, 1 cm wide, breaking into 4-10 rectangular 1seeded units, leaving the remains of the pod attached to the shoot. It is considered
useful for hedges. The wood is suitable for tent pegs and for making gunpowder
charcoal. Roots and leaves are used medicinally. Himalayan Mimosa is found in
the Himalayas, from Afghanistan to Bhutan, at altitudes of 300–1900 m.
flowering: June–September (Chopra et al, 1965).
2.1.3.5 Phytogeography
It is found in India (Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir), Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri
lanka etc.
2.1.3.6 Ethnobotanical report
In Nepal, the Chepang community is using Mimosa rubicaulis roots for
sprains, abdominal spasms and wounds (Arun, 2011).
In Pakistan, the Mimosa rubicaulis shub is used for treatment of piles, burns
and vomiting (Asma et al., 2009).
2.2 Past work on the plants Euphorbia thymifolia Linn., Dregea volubilis
(L.F.) Benth. Ex. Hook. F and Mimosa rubicaulis Lam.
2.2.1 Phytochemical work
A structure representation and careful review of available literature throws
light on the efforts made by eminent researchers on these three plant species.
(Euphorbia thymifolia Linn., Dregea volubilis (L.F.) Benth. Ex. Hook. F and
Mimosa rubicaulis Lam)
27
2.2.1.1 Euphorbia thymifolia Linn
Qualitative estimation of phytoconstituents of ethanolic extract of
Euphorbia thymifolia was revealed the presence of bioactive compounds like
alkaloids, phenols and tannins etc (Nagaraju et al, 2012).
Preliminary phytochemical evaluation of Hexane, ethyl acetate and
ethanol extracts of E. thymifolia reveals the presence of phytoconstituents cymol,
(-) isopinocamphenol, limonene, phytol, piperitone, (E,E) 2, 4 decadienal,
pentadecanoic acid and etc (Kundan and Ganga, 2011).
It was reported that the total flavonoid content in the petroleum ether
and ethyl acetate extracts of E. thymifolia quantified using Quercetin equivalent
(Sobin et al., 2012).
2.2.1.1.1 Major compounds isolated from E. thymifolia
Limonene
Piperitone
Ee-2,4 Decadienal
2.2.1.2 Dregea volubilis (L.F.) Benth. Ex. Hook. F
Three novel polyoxypregnane glycosides, volubiloside A, B & C were
isolated from the flowers of Dregea volubilis (Niranjan et al., 2002).
28
Three new polyhydroxy pregnanes named dregealol, volubilogenone &
volubilal were isolated from the flowers of Dregea volubilis (Nilendu et al.,
2003).
The preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed that the Anthocyanins,
anthracene glycosides, catecholic compounds, coumarins, flavonoids, Iridoids,
saponins, steroids and volatile oils are noticed in Dregea volubilis (Venkata
Krishnaiah et al., 2008)
A pentacyclic triterpenpoid, Taraxerol, was isolated from the petroleum
ether extract of fruits of Dregea volubilis (Biswas et al., 2009).
2.2.1.2.1. Major compounds isolated from Dregea volubilis
29
Taraxerol
2.2.1.3. Mimosa rubicaulis Lam
Flavonoid compounds Quercetin and luteolin are reported in M. rubicaulis
stem (Amir et al., 2012).
The preliminary phytochemical analysis reveals that the methanolic extract
of M. rubicaulis contains tannins (Amir et al., 2011).
A 4-ethyl ether was reported in Mimosa rubicaulis (Shahriar and Robin,
2010).
2.2.1.3.1. Major compounds isolated from Mimosa rubicaulis
Quercetin
Luteolin
30
2.2.2 Biological Activities
A careful review on different activities was carried out for the three
species and concluded below.
2.2.2.1. Euphorbia thymifolia
The methanolic extract of Euphorbia thymifolia shows significant activity
against streptozotacin induced diabetic neuropathy (Pooja et al., 2011).
It was reported that the fresh latex of Euphorbia thymifolia has promising
antimicrobioal activity (Ganpati et al., 2011).
It has been reported that the aerial parts of the Euphorbia thymifolia
having good amount of antioxidants, nutrients and minerals (Kundan and Ganga,
2011).
Methanolic and aqueous extracts of Euphorbia thymifolia exhibited
antileumintic activity in dose dependent manner giving shortest time of paralysis
and death with 100 mg/ml concentration (Sandeep et al., 2009).
The ethanolic extract of Euphorbia thymifolia protected against CCl4
induced liver damage in rats.
Their results validate the use of Euphorbia
thymifolia in traditional medicines for the treatment of jaundice and inflammation
related disorders (Singh et al., 2009).
2.2.2.2. Dregea volubilis
The dried leaf extracts of Dregea volubilis was found to possess antileukemic activity in a concentration-dependent manner (Nandi et al., 2012).
All the extracts of Dregea volubilis have shown larvicidal activity (Emdad
et al., 2011).
Polyoxypregnane glycoside from Dregea volubilis extract inhibits IL-1 βinduced expression of matrix metalloproteinase via activation of NF-KB in human
chondrocyte (Akanit et al., 2012).
31
Methanolic extract of Dregea volubilis leaves was proved for anti tumor
activity (Emdad et al., 2011).
It has been reported that the Dregea volubilis leaves extract has anti
oxidant activity (Pornkamon et al., 2011).
Extract from the whole plant or stem parts has been used traditionally as
an anti-inflammatory medicine to treat several diseases including eye ailments,
tracheitis & stomachache (Sahu et al., 2002).
The stem extracts of Dregea volubilis has ameliorated concanavalin-A
induced liver injury by facilitating apoptosis of activated T-cells (Fangyuan et al.,
2008).
2.2.2.3. Mimosa rubicaulis
Mimosa rubicaulis stem methanolic extract was possessed significant
antimicrobial activity (Amir et al., 2011).
32