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Pharmacognostical study of a medicinal plant of india–sarcostemma acidum
Abstract
Sarcostemma acidum is widely used by the folk people in the treatment of verity of diseases and disorders. The present study was therefore carried out to provide requisite pharmacognostic details about the plant. Methods: macroscopy, microscopy, physicochemical analysis, preliminary phytochemical screening and other WHO recommended parameters for standardization were performed. Result: A perennial leafless, jointed shrub with green, cylindrical, fleshy glabrous, twining branches having milky white latex, taste bitter; Flower white or pale greenish white with fragrant odour. The microscopy reveals dicotyledonous plant having circular vascular bundles in stem, absence of pith in root and anomocytic type of stomata on stem bark. Other physicochemical tests like moisture content, ash value, extractive values were determined and Preliminary phytochemical screening showed presences of carbohydrates, triterpenoids, phytosterols, saponins and lignins. Extraction of chemical constituents and chromatographically analysis (TLC) were performed. Conclusions: The microscopic using histological identification, microscopic constants, and other physico chemical examinations of Sarcostemma acidum can be used as a rapid, inexpensive and botanical identification technique is useful in standardization, hence would be of immense value in authentication of plan. © 2014, International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical Research. All rights reserved.
... Somlata (SarcostemmaacidumWight.&Arn.)is a perennial jointed trailing shrub with green, cylindrical, fleshy glabrous branches containing milk white latex, bearing opposite leaves which are reduced to scales (Fig. 1). The length of the stem is 2 to 4 meter and diameter 0.5 to1cm; the root is brownish in color with a depth of 5 to 8 inches containing 3 to 5 sub root branches, colorbrownish; The plant flowers between July to February and bears light yellow, purple [10] or white or pale greenish actinomorphic flowers in umbels with 0.8 to 1cm diameter containing sepals, petals, stamens (5 each) 2 ovaries and androcium and gynocium are joined together with the help of 5 stigma and bears fruits follicles, with flatand ovate seeds [11,12] .The shrub is distributed wildly in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and European countries. In India it is distributed in dry rocky places in Coast of Coromandel , Konkan, Deccan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,Western Ghats (Sahya mountain ranges)Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar and Bengal [10,11] . ...
... and gums and waxes [16] . The plant stem decoction shows presence of sucrose, terpines, phytosterol and saponins, ethanol extract contains redusing and nonredusing sugar, triterpinoids and phytosterol, Chloroform extract contains steroids and triterpinoids [12] . ...
... Sarcostemmaacidumpossess a significant therapeutic potential and showsbitter, cooling, emetic, narcotic, and rejuvenating effect. The plant is generally used in vitiated condition of pith, hydrophobia, psychopathy,dipsia, general debility, depression, pyschosis and fatigue [11] .The plantis a natural source of membrane stabilizers and can be an alternative remedy for phytosterol and saponins, ethanol extract contains redusing and nonredusing sugar, triterpinoids and phytosterol, Chloroform extract contains steroids and triterpinoids [12] . ...
Somlata or Moon plant (Sarcostemma acidum Wight. & Arn.) existing in warmer regions in
European and Asian countries like India, China, Pakistan, Srilanka, Iran has various religious
and pharmacological significances. The perennial, fleshy, glabrous branched, milky latex
secreting shrub has been considered by majority of the researcher as an important candidate for
divine “soma plant”, mentioned in Vedic literatures. The plant with unique features has been
given several names from one region to another. There are also alike species but are considered
poisonous to human use. However certain species like Ceropegia juncea are similar to S.acidum
on the basis of their use and property. The plant mainly contains alkaloids, phenols, triterpenes,
tannins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, proteins, free amino acids, steroids, fixed oils, fats,
mucilages, gums, wax etc. The stem also contains sucrose and phytosterol.The plant shows
antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial gastroprotective, antioxidant,
antifertility, insecticidal activities and thus hasa wide pharmaceutical application. The ethanol,
acetone or methanol fraction of the plant extract both singly or in combination, exhibits strong
therapeutic properties and can be used in preparing new formulations to cure various human
ailments. This article is a comprehensive study of morphology, distribution, chemical
composition and pharmaceutical uses of the plant. Moreover the study recommends more
research on this plant to explore its various medicinal properties along with new approaches for
its preservation.
... Leaves are opposite mainly reduced to scales (Fig. 1b) [14]; roots are brownish, and flowers actinomorphic, with pale green or white in colour. The plant is bitter, cooling, narcotic, acrid, emetic, and rejuvenating [15] containing carbohydrate terpenes, phytosterols, saponins, and lignin [16]. The plant possesses antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifertility, anti-ulcer, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, and central nervous system inhibitory property [17][18][19][20][21]. ...
Objective: The aim of this study is to collect and enumerate the uses of Sarcostemma acidum (Somlata) in the treatments of various diseases and to evaluate knowledgeable information on traditional practitioners among different communities in India. Methods: This was an extensive survey of literature on ethnopharmacological uses of S. acidum in Indian system of traditional medicine (TM), and the collected information documented in tabular form. Results: The collected literature reveals that the plant is used as TM by the indigenous community in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttaranchal, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These communities are using the whole plant in 29%, stem 15%, latex 24%, roots 10%, leaves 17%, and flowers in 5% of cases for treating 40 different types of ailments important being ear ache, snake bite, rheumatism, dog bite, emetic, chronic ulcer, and bone fracture. Conclusions: Due to insufficient knowledge, lack of information and overexploitation has made the plant species under threat. The present survey provides proper documentation of ethnomedicinal uses of the plant and provides a valuable source of information for traditional practitioners and researchers with a special emphasis on developing policies for conservation and sustainable use of this species.
... Among these, sacidumlignan A (1) showed moderate antimicrobial activities against two Gram-positive bacteria in vitro. [11] THERAPEUTIC USES Narcotic, emetic, pitta, dipsia, antiviral, rejuvenating, hydrophobia, antimicrobial, lactation, rheumatic pain, diabetes, edema, antidote, and anti-inflammatory [5,11,[24][25][26][27][28][29] Pulpy mesocarp Nasal drops (externally remedy) in epilepsy [10,30] Fruit and seed Anti-rabies [31] OTHER USES India Brahmins now use the stalks of S. brevistigma under the name "Pitica" or "Putica" as Soma. It is possible that they used the plant in their religious worship as a surrogate of Soma. ...
Natural products had been used by many cultures and traditions from thousands of years for their bioactive pharmacophores by modern pharmaceutical companies. The potential bioactive phytocompounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and steroids are potential source for drug discovery. The present review deals with chemical compounds, medicinal properties, biological activities, and pharmacological effects of Sarcostemma acidum Roxb. Voigt. The plant species S. acidum Roxb. Voigt is a member of the Asclepiadaceae family, locally known as Khair, Khimp, Khurasni tanto, Art thor, Soma, and Somavalli. In English, Moon plant and Moon creeper, and in Hindi, Somlata used in the Indian traditional system of medicine. This review focused on different properties of S. acidum Roxb. Voigt a multifaceted plant.
The use of natural herbs for the prevention or treatment of ailments gives sound recommendations fostering the development of quality medicines with excellent phytonutrients. So, attempt was made to test the antiulcer activity of selected plant. Objective of the study was to evaluate the gastric anti-ulcer activity of ethanolic extract of Sarcostemma acidus (ESA) stem in experimental animals. Antiulcer activity of ESA was investigated in indomethacin induced ulcer models in Wistar rats. In models, the parameters determined were ulcer index and % protection, pH and gastric volume. The extract (150 mg/kg) showed significant (P <0.001) reduction in ulcer index and % protection as compared to control. It can be concluded that ESA possess anti ulcerogenic property due to the presence of flavonoids and antioxidants which can scavenge free radicals responsible of ulcer induction.
The paper enumerates the traditional uses of 43 plant species belonging to 43 genera representing 30 families, which are used by the village communities of Krishna district for the treatment of different diseases and disorders. Half of the remedies are taken orally, accounting for 45% of the medicinal use. Most of the remedies reported are from trees and climber species. The most widely sought after plant parts in the preparation of medicines in the study area are the leaves and stem bark. Huge numbers of medicinal plant species are available in the study area for the treatment of skin diseases (eruptions, eczema, leucoderma, sores, cracks, cuts, boils, wounds, external tumors, etc.), body pain and swellings. Hence, a proper documentation of useful plants with their present status and local traditional knowledge as well as practices is urgently needed.
The hilly regions of Western Ghat in Karnataka supported to have several thousands of medicinal plants along with other rich flora and fauna. It also helped to develop traditional knowledge and folklore of medicine to cure various diseases and ailments. This knowledge is used by supplier, agents and pharmaceuticals to exploit the rich forest resource in the form of raw drugs. The collection of drugs from natural condition is helping to generate employment to the families, which are living below the poverty line in the cover of forest. From the available, commonly available and regular in use medicinal plants of forests were selected for the study. Information was collected from local people, Vaidyas, physicians and literature about plant name, family, local name, Sanskrit name, parts used and uses to cure various health related problems.
A survey was conducted to gather information about utilization of plant resources for the treatment of eye infections, prevalent in tribal habitations of Nallamala forests, Andhra Pradesh. The intensive foray yielded 33 species belonging to 29 genera and 22 families of flowering plants. The medico- botany along with formulations and dosimetry of the crude drugs were reported.
An ethnobotanical survey was carried out to collect information on the use of medicinal plants by Paliyan tribes in Sirumalai hills of Eastern Ghats. About 90 medicinal plants are used in 17 various health problems; highest being for wound healing (12%). The majority of the remedies are prepared from freshly collected plant parts especially leaves from single species only. The treatment mode is usually oral, but some pastes using ingredients such as honey, common salt and milk are also applied.
To evaluate the possible antifertility activity of Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb) Voigt. stem extract in male rats.
Male rats were given 70% methanol extract of S. acidum stem orally at dose levels of 50 and 100 mg/kg/day for 60 days. Fertility was evaluated with mating test. Sperm motility and sperm density in cauda epididymides were also assessed. Biochemical and histological analyses were performed on blood samples and on the reproductive organs.
S. acidum stem extract resulted in an arrest of spermatogenesis without any systemic side effect. Sperm motility as well as sperm density was reduced significantly. Treatment caused a 80% reduction in fertility at the 50 mg dose and complete suppression of fertility at the 100 mg dose. There was no significant change in RBC and WBC count, hemoglobin, haematocrit, sugar and urea in the whole blood and cholesterol, protein and phospholipid in the serum. The protein and glycogen content of the testes, fructose in the seminal vesicle and protein in epididymides were significantly decreased. Cholesterol in the testes was elevated. Treatment at both of the doses caused a marked reduction in the number of primary spermatocytes (preleptotene and pachytene), secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. The number of mature Leydig cells was decreased, and degenerating Leydig cells was increased proportionately.
S. acidum stem extract arrests spermatogenesis in male rats without noticable side effects.