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Phytopharmacology of Tephrosia purpurea Linn: An Overview

Authors:
  • BLDEA’s SSM College of Pharmacy and Research Centre
  • BLDEA's COLLEGE OF PHARMACY,BIJAPUR-586103,KARNATAKA
  • BLDEA’s College of Pharmacy
  • BLDEA’s College of Pharmacy

Abstract

Tephrosia purpurea is a wild plant commonly known as “Sarapunkha” and has been recognized in different traditional system of medicines for treatment of various diseases of human beings. Different parts of the plant are traditionally claimed to be used for the treatment of ailments including diarrhoea, bronchitis, asthma, inflammation, boils, pimples, enlargement of the spleen, diseases of liver, heart, kidney and blood, in tumours, ulcers, leprosy and asthma. Therefore, in the present review an attempt has been made to explore the data on folklore uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Tephrosia purpurea.
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... Many parts of the plants from this genus have been used traditionally for the treatment of diseases like rheumatic pains, syphilis, dropsy, stomach ache, diarrhoea, asthma, respiratory disorders, as well as being used as abortifacient, laxative diuretic, anti-inflammato r y agent, ,.etc (Dzenda et al., 2007;Qureshi et al., 2010). It is also used as tonic, laxative, antiveno m, antiulcer, antidiarhheal, and in leprosy (Virupanagouda et al., 2011). ...
... But traditionally, many plants from this genus have been used for the treatment of diseases like rheumatic pains, syphilis, dropsy, stomach ache, diarrhoea, asthma, abortifacient, respiratory disorders, laxative, diuretic, and inflammation etc. (Dzenda et al., 2007;Qureshi et al., 2010). It is also reported to be used as tonic, laxative, antiveno m, antiulcer, antidiarrhoeal, and in leprosy (Virupanagouda et al., 2011). Of interest in the result obtained in this study is the ability of the extract to suppress and maintain a very low level of parasitaemia throughout the course of treatment and thereafter, a gradual increase in the level of the parasites in the blood up till the third and the fourth weeks that the animals died due to high parasitaemia. ...
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In vivo antitrypanosomal activity of 70% methanol extract of Tephrosia linearis was evaluated. Mice infected with Trypanosoma evansi in different groups were administered 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg body weight/day of the seventy percent (v/v) (methanol/water) crude extract of T. linearis intraperitoneally. The positive control group was treated with standard drug, berenil, while the negative control was infected and treated with normal saline. Doses of 300 and 400 mg/kg bw i.p. per day were found to significantly reduce the parasite loads and sustained the animals in the respective groups up to 3 and 4 weeks beyond the experimental period. There is drop in the percentage PCV during the first six days of the treatment but this was reversed in the subsequent days, except in the negative control group. The animals administered the highest effective (trypanostatic) dose of 400 mg/kg body weight for five consecutive days prior to infection were observed to develop infection 72 h post inoculation. The LD50 determined was found to be 2800 mg/kg bw. It is obvious that, higher doses of 300 and 400 mg/kg bw has trypanostatic effect. Though, the extract could not show any prophylactic activity, further purification may possibly yield a fraction with trypanocidal effect. Keywords: Tephrosia linearis, Methanol extract, Trypanosoma evansi, Antitrypanosomal activity, In vivo
... The plant is also used traditionally to treat jaundice, hepatomegaly, poisoning, abdominal swelling, and splenomegaly (Palbag et al., 2014). Pharmacological studies of T. purpurea indicated that the plant possesses estrogenic, antitumor, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiprotozoal, antifeedant, anti-oxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, antilipidperoxidative, antiallergic, antiulcer, anti-epileptic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, anxiolytic, membrane stabilizing potency, wound healing, immunomodulatory and spasmolytic activities (Chen et al., 2014;Patil et al., 2011). ...
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Total extract of Tephrosia purpurea (T. purpurea) expressed potent ex-vivo bronchodilator effect in isolated Guinea pigs’ tracheal muscles. Fractionation of T. purpurea total extract (TPTE) using liquid–liquid technique followed by ex-vivo bronchodilator testing indicated that the activity was trapped to the chloroform (CHCl3) soluble fraction. Phytochemical study of the CHCl3 fraction guided by ex-vivo bronchodilator activity led to the isolation of 7 active flavones of which compounds 1 (epi-Tephroapollin G), 3 (Acetyltephroapollin C), 4 (4′’-Dehydroxytephroapollin E), and 5 (epi-Tephroapollin F) were new. Structures were identified using relevant spectroscopic tools including optical rotations and CD data. Compounds 1, 3, 4 and lanceolatin A (6) behaved like papaverine by inhibiting carbachol (CCh) as well as high potassium (K⁺)-mediated contractions at equivalent concentrations with varied potencies whereas (-)-Tephroapollin G (2) selectively inhibited CCh-mediated contractions but was not found active against high K⁺. epi-Tephroapollin F (5) and (-)-Pseudosemiglabrin (7) in contrast were significantly more potent to abolish CCh induced contraction when compared with high K⁺ similar to dicyclomine. Papaverine like dual phosphodiesterase enzyme Ca⁺⁺ ion inhibitory activities of 1, 3, 4 and 6 were confirmed indirectly by the bolster of the isoprenaline curves against CCh to the left whereas Ca⁺⁺ inhibitory effect of 1 and 3–7 was confirmed by the rightward deflection of Ca⁺⁺ concentration–response curves (CRCs) towards right with quashing of the maximum response in same fashion like verapamil. Moreover, compounds 2, 5 and 7 at lower concentrations showed selective blockade of muscarinic receptor similar to atropine. Oral administration of the TPTE, CHCl3 and 7 to guinea pigs significantly protected against bronchospasm induced by 0.2 % histamine aerosol in vivo.
... The chemical investigations disclosed the abundance of flavonoid and isoflavonoid compounds in Tephrosia species. Many species of this genus have been used to treat various diseases such as asthma, stomach ache, dropsy, inflammation, syphilis, rheumatic pain, etc. [13], diarrhoea and leprosy [14]. The majority of the member of Tephrosia possess piscicidal and insecticidal activities [15]. ...
... Tephrosin retinoid chemical is found in the seeds and leaves of this plant which can paralyze fishes; hence it is commonly called as Fish poison [3] . African tribal used this plant in curing animals bitten by snakes [4] .It is cultivated in the Rajasthan state as green manure which has been found capable in reducing soil salinity and maintaining PH of soil [5] . Trichodesma amplexicaule Roth is spreading branched and erected perennial weed with bisexual flowers. ...
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To estimate the ecological relationship of wild weeds with Hymenopteran pollinator experiments were conducted on Tephrosoria purpurea (L.) Pers and Trichodesma amplexicaule Roth. These plants are natural insecticides in nature so have the great economical importance in the study area. A sum of 17 bees species have been observed on Tephrosoria purpurea and Apidae family has been observed as the most abundant family followed by Megachilidae, Halictidae and Andrenidae. Trigona iridipennis Smith was reported as the most abundant bee while Megachile bicolor (Fab) as the least abundant bee. A sum of 15 bee species has been reported on Trichodesma amplexicaule on the day of observation. Apidae family was observed as most abundant family while Halictidae family observed as least abundant. Trigona iridipennis Smith was highest reported on both of the plants. Foraging rate has been observed in term of number of flowers visited by bees per minute in the different time intervals of the day. It was observed that peak foraging was observed in the noon between 10 hrs and 15 hrs when there were low humidity and high temperature as compared to morning (before 10 hrs) and afternoon (15 hrs). Result expressed a great relationship between activity of bees and abiotic factors of ecosystem. Apis florea and Nomia elliotii Smith were observed as the most frequent visitors on Tephrosoria purpurea while Andrena spp was observed as least frequent bee during the peak foraging time. On the other hand Apis dorsata and Megachile femorata Smith bees have been observed as most frequent visitors on Trichodesma amplexicaule and Nomia elliotii Smith as the least frequent bee. Foraging activity of bees in different time intervals of the day was statically analyzed by ANOVA. Result indicated that Null Hypothesis cannot be accepted because of P-Value were less than level of significance in both the cases. Experimental plants were found to be important for the survival of bee fauna in the stressful conditions of Thar Desert by providing pollen and nectar for nutrition.
... Caesalpinia bonducella is well known for its several medicinal properties. It has been reported that different parts of the plants are used for several ailments like diabetes [3,4,5], anti-inflammatory [6,7], anthelmintic [8], anti-estrogenic [9], antimalarial [10,11,12], and memory enhancer [13]. Overutilization of the plant for medicinal purposes and the destruction of natural habitat makes the species to be endangered [14]. ...
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... The base chromosome number of this genus is X=11 and are placed in the tribe Galegeae of the family Leguminosae [32]. Many plants from this genus have been used traditionally for the treatment of diseases like rheumatic pains, syphilis, dropsy, stomach ache, diarrhea, asthma, abortifacient, respiratory disorders, laxative, diuretic, and inflammation etc [33]. Tephrosia purpurea, an important plant of the genus is used as tonic, laxative, antivenom, antiulcer, antidiarhheal, and in leprosy [34]. ...
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Tephrosia vogelli is an important medicinal plant used for various traditional healing purposes such as fever, diarrhea, skin diseases, malaria and meningitis. Phytochemical screening of the root CH 2 Cl 2 :CH 3 OH (1:1) extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenes and absence of anthraquinones. Column chromatographic separation of the root CH 2 Cl 2 :CH 3 OH (1:1) extract yielded two flavonoids, compounds 13 and 14. The structures of these compounds were identified based on spectroscopic techniques (UV-Vis, IR and NMR).
... The hexane extract from Tephrosia egregia showed potent larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti (Arriaga et al., 2009a). The whole plant extract of Tephrosia purpurea was tested for its larvicidal activity against the larvae of Culexquinque fasiciatus (Virupanagouda et al., 2011). The extract showed 100% mortality in very small doses suggesting its beneficial use in controlling the mosquito reproduction (Deepak et al., 2012).Crushed seeds of Lepidium sativum mixed with fresh cattle faces, were used to control ticks (Regassa, 2000). ...
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Vegetation composition and its relation to environmental variables in the palm groves along Kharga, Dakhla and Paris Oases in the Western Desert of Egypt, were examined. The oases are the most prominent features of the Western Desert of Egypt. They are green patches amidst the surrounding sterile desert. The aridity index used by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP, 1997), indicates that this district lies in a hyper-arid region, with annual rainfall close to 0.0 mm. analysis of vegetation along environmental gradients that prevail in the study area using the relative importance values of 25 perennials in 62 quadrates, followed by multivariate data analysis was presented. Al together, 74 species (25 perennials, 41 annuals, 5 short-lived perennials and 3 biennials) belonging to 70 genera and 25 families of the flowering plants were recorded and one related to pteridophyta. Poaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae and Brassicaceae were the largest families, and constitute more than 56.76% of the total number of recorded species. Therophytes and chamaephytes were the most frequent, denoting a typical desert life-form spectrum. Phytochorological analysis revealed that 64 % of the studied species were Pluri-regional elements, of which 19 % being Cosmopolitan chorotype. It also showed the percentages of the Mediterranean species were 47.29% and 31.07%of the Saharo-Sindian species. Classification of the vegetation was analysed using TWINSPAN technique resulted in the recognition of six vegetation groups, each of definite floristic composition. Antimicrobial and acaricidal activities of methanolic extract for some wild taxa of the study area were screened. There were similarity for some species which found in northern coastal regions and other related to wild vegetation of the southern part of eastern desert of Egypt.
... The plants of genus Tephrosia of family Leguminosae are widely distributed in many tropical and subtropical countries of the world and have been used in folk medicine for the treatment of large number of diseases 9 . Different parts of the plant are traditionally claimed to be used for the treatment of ailments including diarrhoea, bronchitis, asthma, inflammation, boils, pimples, enlargement of the spleen, diseases of liver, heart, kidney and blood, in tumors, ulcers, leprosy and asthma 10 . Tephrosia purpurea root have good cytotoxic activity 11 , anticancer properties chemopreventive efficacy, antilipidperoxidative effect 12 and antiulcers properties 13 15 . ...
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Herbal drugs are traditionally used in various parts of the world to cure different diseases. The purpose of present study is to characterize phytoconstituents in the various part of Tephrosia purpurea. The root, stem and leaves of Tephrosia purpurea were washed, air dried and then powdered. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of various part of Tephrosia purpurea were used for the phytochemical investigation to find out the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical constituents in the plant. The result of the phytochemical analysis of Tephrosia purpurea showed presence or absence in addition to quantitative (mg/100mg) contents of flavonoid and Phenol in the plant.Present study will help to identify the different parts of the plant from which higher quantities of the phytochemical can be derived and for the development of new herbal drugs from Tephrosia purpurea. Keywords: Phytoconstituents, Phytochemical, Tephrosia purpurea, Aqueous ethanolic extract, Flavonoid, Phenol.
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A BSTRACT Rather than relying on synthetic chemicals, herbal medicine employs natural substances found in plants. Natural substances have less potential for adverse effects; hence, these treatments are preferred. Tephrosia purpurea Linn., or sharapunkha in Sanskrit, is a suberect, perennial herb that is extremely branching and herbaceous and extensively cultivated in India. T. purpurea Linn. has been used extensively in conventional medicine for centuries. Both the whole plant and individual portions of the plant have medicinal uses in Ayurvedic practice. Antiulcer, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, antiasthmatic, hepatoprotective, antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, wound healing, immunomodulatory, and anti-allergic properties have all been observed in pharmacological tests of T. purpurea Linn. A wide range of phytochemicals with potential medical applications have been identified in the plant. The whole plant contains various phytoconstituents such as Isolonchocarpin, pongamol, Lanceolatin A, Lanceolatin B, Karanjin, Kanjone, and β-sitosterolis. T. purpurea has been the subject of numerous phytochemical analyses, which have uncovered the existence of a wide range of photoactive components. Metal nanoparticles are used in many research areas, such as those that study bacteria, viruses, diagnostics, cancer treatment, and targeted drug delivery. This is because metal nanoparticles (NPs) have unique physical properties and chemical reactions. This article offers a thorough examination of the plant T. purpurea Linn. pharmacology and phytochemistry, as well as conceptual information on the plant’s metallic NPs.
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At present, plants are still an important source of medicine in the health care delivery system. Their role is salient in the growth of medicines and served as a design for the development of folklore, nutraceuticals, food supplements, and other chemical molecules for synthetic/semi-synthetic drugs. Medicinal plants are the major component in the Unani System of Medicines. Sarphuka (Tephrosia purpurea L. Pers.) is one of the most important herbs extensively studied for its medicinal properties by modern scientific methods. Various bioactive compounds have been isolated and analyzed from the different parts of the plant. The entire plant is useful in the treatment of various ailments like liver cirrhosis, splenomegaly, inflammation, skin disease, cellulitis, gonorrhea, leprosy, etc. It has a blood purifier, diuretic, anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic, and hepatoprotective activities. In the present review, pharmacognostical profile, phytochemical analysis and pharmacological studies on Sarphuka (Tephrosia purpurea L. Pers.) have been discussed.
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Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis have been recognized as pus-forming bacteria triggering an inflammation in acne. The present study was conducted to evaluate antimicrobial activities of Indian medicinal plants against these etiologic agents of acne vulgaris. Ethanolic extracts of Hemidesmus indicus (roots), Eclipta alba (fruits), Coscinium fenestratum (stems), Curcubito pepo (seeds), Tephrosia purpurea (roots), Mentha piperita (leaves), Pongamia pinnata (seeds), Symplocos racemosa (barks), Euphorbia hirta (roots), Tinospora cordyfolia (roots), Thespesia populnea (roots), and Jasminum officinale (flowers) were tested for antimicrobial activities by disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. The results from the disc diffusion method showed that 07 medicinal plants could inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes. Among those Hemidesmus indicus, Coscinium fenestratum, Tephrosia purpurea, Euphorbia hirta, Symplocos racemosa, Curcubito pepo and Eclipta alba had strong inhibitory effects. Based on a broth dilution method, the Coscinium fenestratum extract had the greatest antimicrobial effect. The MIC values were the same (0.049 mg/ml) for both bacterial species and the MBC values were 0.049 and 0.165 mg/ml against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, respectively. In bioautography assay, the Coscinium fenestratum extract produced strong inhibition zones against Propionibacterium acnes. Phytochemical screening of Coscinium fenestratum revealed the presence of alkaloid which could be responsible for activity. Taken together, our data indicated that Coscinium fenestratum had a strong inhibitory effect on Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis. .
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Objective: To evaluate the antiinflammatory activity of orally administered ethanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea in acute and subacute inflammation in rats. Methods: An ethanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea was prepared. Carrageenan induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma were the models for acute and subacute inflammation respectively. Four groups of rats in each model were treated orally with 2% gum acacia, 100 mg/kg of aspirin, 500 mg/kg and 1 000 mg/kg of ethanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea respectively. In carrageenan induced paw edema model, subplantar injection of 1% carrageenan was made into the hind paw of the rats sixty minutes after the administration of the respective drugs. The paw volume was measured immediately after injection of carrageenan, at 3 hours and at 6 hours. Then percentage inhibition of edema was calculated. In the cotton pellet granuloma model, animals were administered drugs for six days after placing cotton pellets in the axilla on each side. On the 7th day, dry weight of granuloma was calculated. Results: The rats treated with Tephrosia purpurea did not exhibit any significant decrease in paw volume and serum ceruloplasmin levels as compared to the control and aspirin treated groups in the acute inflammation model; while, there was a significant (P < 0.01) decrease in the weight of granuloma in Tephrosia purpurea and aspirin treated groups as compared to control in subacute inflammation. Conclusions: The ethanolic extract of orally administered Tephrosia purpurea shows significant antiinflammatory effect in subacute inflammation but not in acute inflammation in rats.
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The present work is to evaluate the anxiolytic activity of a hydroalcoholic extract of Tephrosia purpuria (L) Pers (HAETP) in mice using the elevated plus-maze (EPM), elevated zero-maze (EZM), Y-maze and hole-board models. Furthermore, the anxiolytic effects of HAETP were compared to a known active anxiolytic drug diazepam. The extract, administered orally, in two different doses of HAETP 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, was able to increase the time spent and the number of arm entries in the open arms of the elevated plus-maze and elevated zero-maze, as well as decrease the visits by mice in the Y-maze, also significantly increase nose poking, line crossing and rearing in hole-board. This effect was comparable to that of the diazepam (2.0 mg/kg i.p.). These results indicate that hydroalcoholic extract Tephrosia purpuria (L) Pers is an effective anxiolytic agent.
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Tephrosia purpurea leaves were studied for its protective and curative effect against gentamicin-induced acute renal injury in albino rats of both sexes. The maximum free radical scavenging activity of ethanolic extract was made the basis of selection of this extract for in vivo study. In study, gentamicin intoxication caused significant increase in blood urea (69.48 ± 4.34) and serum creatinine (3.017 ± 0.208) from normal levels 33.72± 1.92 and 0.818 ± 0.073, respectively, in control group. In the preventive regimen, the extract (200 mg/kg) showed significant reduction in the elevated blood urea (45.44 ± 1.88) and serum creatinine (1.84 ± 0.192), respectively. Histopathological changes were in line with biochemical findings. In the curative regimen (200 mg/kg) blood urea was found to be 41.21 ± 2.28 and serum creatinine level was 1.42 ± 0.122, which revealed significant curative effect. In vivo antioxidant activity was also determined. Reduced glutathione (GSH) level was significantly (P< 0.05) increased in the extract treated groups whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) was reduced significantly (P< 0.05). The findings suggest that the ethanol extract of Tephrosia purpurea leaves possesses marked nephroprotective and curative activities without any toxicity. The proposed mechanisms of activities are antioxidant activity and inhibition of overproduction of NO and Cox-2 expression. It is further concluded the activities may be attributed to phenolic and flavonoidal compounds like quercetin. Our study reveled that Tephrosia purpurea could offer a promising role in the treatment of acute renal injury caused by nephrotoxin like gentamicin.
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The isolation and characterisation of ten unusual and closely related flavonoids from the roots of T. purpurea are reported. Three of these compounds are new natural products and they all contain an isopentenyl derived unit attached to C-8 (in the flavones) or the corresponding C-3′(in the chalcones), suggesting that they are derived from a common biosynthetic precursor. The 1H and 13C n.m.r. spectra of use in structure elucidation are reported.
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Tephrosia purpurea, commonly known as Sarphonka, is widely used in the traditional Indian system of medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent and also used in various liver, spleen and kidney disorders. The protective role of this plant has been investigated in gentamicin-induced rat kidney cortical cell damage. The alcohol extract of T. purpurea showed a significant hydroxyl radical scavenging activity in vitro. Using a Trypan blue exclusion assay, it was found that the extract markedly increased the percentage viability of the isolated rat kidney cortical cells in gentamicin-induced cell damage. By the evaluation of LDH activity and acid phosphatase content, it was established that the cell damage was minimized in the case of cells treated with the extract of T. purpurea. The hydroxyl radical scavenging effect of the extract was enhanced with increases in the concentration of drug, suggesting the role of free radical scavengers in minimizing gentamicin-induced kidney cell damage.
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The modulatory effect of Tephrosia purpurea on benzoyl peroxide-induced cutaneous oxidative stress is described. Benzoyl peroxide is an effective cutaneous tumour promoter acting through the generation of oxidative stress. Benzoyl peroxide treatment increases cutaneous microsomal lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide generation. The activity of cutaneous antioxidant enzymes, catalase glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase is decreased and the levels of cutaneous glutathione are depleted.Prophylactic treatment of mice with T. purpurea 12 h before benzoyl peroxide treatment resulted in the diminution of benzoyl peroxide-mediated damage. The susceptibility of cutaneous microsomal membrane to lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide generation was significantly reduced (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). In addition depleted levels of glutathione and inhibited activity of antioxidant enzymes were recovered to a significant level (P < 0.05). The protective effect of T. purpurea was dose-dependent.The results suggest that T. purpurea is an effective chemopreventive agent in skin that may suppress benzoyl peroxide-induced cutaneous toxicity.
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Tephrosia purpurea (family: Fabaceae), which is used in traditional remedies for the treatment of febrile attacks, enlargement and obstruction of liver, spleen, and kidney, was found to have significant antileishmanial activity, and has been extensively fractionated to locate the abode of activity. A fraction (F062) obtained from N-butanol extract of T. purpurea showed consistent antileishmanial activity at 50 mg/ kg × 5 days by oral route against Leishmania donovani infection in hamsters. Activity was further confirmed in a secondary model, i.e., Indian langur monkeys (Presbytis entellus). Thus, the fraction F062 from this plant possesses potential to produce significant antileishmanial activity by oral route without producing any toxic side effects. Drug. Dev. Res. 60:285–293, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.