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This study investigates the in vitro antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antifungal properties of Hemidesmus indicus leaf extracts using various solvents, including benzene, chloroform, methanol, ethanol, and aqueous solutions. The antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays, while the antidiabetic potential was evaluated through α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays. The antifungal activity was tested against Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus niger using the well diffusion method. Among the extracts, the methanolic extract demonstrated the highest efficacy, with IC50 values of 42.88 μg mL⁻¹ (DPPH), 29.62 μg mL⁻¹ (FRAP), 28.55 μg mL⁻¹ (α-amylase inhibition), and 31.64 μg mL⁻¹ (α-glucosidase inhibition). It also exhibited effective antifungal activity, particularly against Candida albicans. The chloroform extract showed effective activity, especially in the FRAP assay and enzyme inhibition tests, along with moderate antifungal properties. In contrast, the benzene, ethanol, and aqueous extracts demonstrated moderate to lower efficacy across all assays, though the aqueous extract showed significant antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger. These findings represents the significant potential of Hemidesmus indicus as a source of natural antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antifungal agents, with the methanolic extract showing the most promise.
The Indian sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus) is a commonly used plant in Indian traditional medicine of Ayurveda for the preparation of various non-alcoholic beverages. However, limited studies are available on the essential oil of H. indicus roots (HRO); therefore, the study evaluated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities of H. indicus root essential oil as well as insecticide potential against the common pests of stored food materials (Sitophilus oryzae, Callosobruchus maculatus and Tribolium castaneum). The repellant efficacy of HRO was found to be high against S. oryzae (8.21±0.55 μg/mL). Likewise, the fumigant potential was also observed for HRO against these pests; the higher activities were observed against S. oryzae and C. maculatus (32.46±1.42 and 35.18±1.62 μg/L). Besides, the essential oil was also found to be active as a contact poison, however, against all the three pests, the toxicity was above 100 μg/mm3, being the highest against C. maculatus (122.8±3.57 μg/mm3). To analyze the possible effect of the essential oil on grains, the different grains were allowed to germinate and compared to that of normal; thus, the non-toxic nature of HRO against the stored products is also confirmed. The essential oil shown to have DPPH hydrogen peroxide and ABTS radical scavenging, nitric oxide scavenging potential, and inhibition of lipoxgenase, alpha-amylase and alphaglucosidase. Overall, the present study concludes that the H. indicus may be a suitable repellant and fumigant agent against different pests of stored products and a possible antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic agent.
Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult., commonly known as Indian sarsaparilla or Anantamul, is an ethnopharmacologically important medicinal plant from the family Apocynaceae. Biosynthesis of an array of bioactive compounds such as methoxybenzaldehydes and their derivatives has been accountable for its intensive medicinal attributes. Low seed setting, over-exploitation from natural habitat and a need for selection and preservation of elite germplasms yielding higher levels of bioactive compounds have led researchers to enquire the standardization of micropropagation techniques and quantitative estimation of phytochemicals from H. indicus. The present work aims to have a comprehensive account on micropropagation in H. indicus, a comparative estimation of biotic and abiotic factors, viz. elicitors and precursors playing a crucial role in H. indicus tissue culture, a critical appraisal of applied protocols to nullify embellished claims and a discussion on future perspectives. The review also highlights the comparative effect of different plant growth regulators as well as their combined
role in rhizogenesis, callogenesis, base callus formation, callusing and somatic embryo–mediated indirect organogenesis, outcome of explant selection, contribution of abiotic (temperature, photoperiod, moisture, inorganic molecules) factors, role of carbon source, application of sterilization techniques and associated success rates, role of factors essential for acclimatization and secondary metabolite production, synthetic seed production and genetic transformation techniques. The compiled information
along with individual study details, respective outcome and variability of reports will aid in proper assessment of cited standardized tissue culture protocols in H. indicus especially in relation to secondary metabolite production. Moreover, the assessment of applicability of different methodologies in this aspect will aid in the selection of high-yielding germplasms or chemotypes which is not only profitable for industrial application but also important for basic and applied preclinical and clinical research studies.
Plants have been the basis of many traditional medicines throughout the world for thousands of years and continue to provide new remedies to mankind. Plants are one of the richest sources of bioactive compounds. A root of Hemidesmus indicus is one of the plant drugs used as a tonic, demulcent, diaphoretic and diuretic, in the treatment of syphilis, chronic rheumatism and urinary disorders and also possesses antibacterial effects. Present work aims to highlight the screening of phytochemicals and quantification of Hemidesmus indicus root. The parameters which have been evaluated as per the standard norms and presented in this study will provide valuable information for future research work.
“Anantmul” is an important and widely used medicinal plant. The study aimed to determine the physicochemical composition, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of Hemidesmus indicus (Asclepiadaceae). The roots of the plant were collected and sequentially extracted using petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and methanol. The preliminary phytochemical screening of extracts was carried out and found to be a good source of bioactive compounds. Biological activities of flavonoid and phenolic compounds have been discovered in several latest studies. Further phytochemical isolation was carried out, and Lupeol was isolated. Phenols are shown to be multifunctional antioxidants which will perform as singlet oxygen quenchers. Lupeol was evaluated for in-vitro antioxidant activity. It showed a correlation with antioxidant activity by DPPH (IC50 = 0.52, P 6 0.05) and H2O2 (IC50 = 0.43, P 6 0.05). The results show promising perspectives for the exploitation and use of anantmul rhizome as a constituent of anti-aging as well as anticancer diet. Keywords: Anantmul, Lupeol, Antioxidant, DPPH
Objectives: Phytochemical and safety evaluation of Hemidesmus indicus (Linn.) of Apocynaceae family was performed to establish the justification of its therapeutic significance in traditional medicine. Material and Methods: Phytochemical analysis of leaf, stem, and root was done according to standardized protocols. For determination of no-observed-adverse-effect-level female rats were randomized into five groups of six animals, each administered with root extract at 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg for 7 days. Blood was collected by a retroorbital puncture for serum biochemical parameters. Choleretic activity was done by intra-duodenal administration of H. indicus root extract (400 mg/kg). Results: Hemidesmus indicus revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, carbohydrate, glycosides, proteins, flavonone, flavone, and flavonol, polyphenolic contents, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. Root extract showed the highest amount of phytochemicals in comparison with leaf and stem. No significant difference was observed in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, albumin, urea, uric acid, creatinine, triglycerides, and cholesterol after treatments. The choleretic activity of H. indicus showed an insignificant upsurge in bile flow and bile solids. Conclusions: Hemidesmus indicus possesses phytochemicals responsible for its antioxidant and choleretic activity. Furthermore, administration of H. indicus root extracts up to 800 mg/kg is safe for in vivo studies in rats.
Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. is a treasure of the forest and herbal wealth. It is being used as folk medicines and as an ingredient in Ayurveda and Unani preparations against diseases of blood, inflammation, diarrhea, urinary disorders and rheumatism etc. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the role of natural nephroprotectant Hemidesmus indicus for the treatment of congestive heart failure. Hemidesmus indicus extracts were evaluated by using salt water induced left ventricular hypertrophy in Spargue dawley rat model. The property was evaluated using serum creatinine, urea, SGOT, SGPT and urine albumin, creatinine, Na+, K+ and Ca++ as biochemical parameters and histopathological changes including myocyte diameter, neutrophil infiltration and cardiac hypertrophy. Results obtained from the present study indicates that aqueous and methanolic extracts have more significant inhibitory effect on salt water feeding induced severity of microalbuminuria, serum urea and creatinine, myocyte diameter and retention of Na+ and water and increases the serum calcium level. We conclude from the present study that, potent natural nephroprotectant Hemidesmus indicus is also a potent cardioprotective.
Objective: Ayurveda and Herbal medicine are two important forms of alternative medicine that are widely available in India. This work is mainly concerned with the identification of the compounds by HPLC analysis, phytochemical analysis, and antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Indian medicinal plant Hemidesmus indicus root extracts. Methods: In the present work the compounds of Hemidesmus indicus were identified from ethanolic extract, by HPLC. Different extracts (Hexane, Ethylacetate, and Ethanol) of its root were used for the determination of the antioxidant activity by using DPPH method. These extracts of Hemidesmus indicus were also checked for antibacterial activity using disc diffusion method against pathogenic bacteria such as Bacillus megaterium, staphylococcus aureus, pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsila pneumonia. Results: In the present work two (2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzaldehyde and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid) compounds of Hemidesmus indicus were identified from ethanolic extract, by HPLC technique which were used as medicine for antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The phytochemical analysis of H. indicus root extracts showed the presence of phenols, glycosides, flavonoids and steroids. All root extracts has very well anti-oxidant and antibacterial activity Conclusion: In vitro study indicates that these plant extracts is a significant source of natural antioxidant, which might be helpful in preventing the progress of various oxidative stresses and presence of alkaloids and polyphenols in higher concentration than the other phytochemicals suggests that these compound can be responsible for the antibacterial activity.
Herbal products derived from Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult, Leucas aspera (Wild.), Plumbago zeylanica L., and Tridax procumbens (L.) R. Br. ex Schult. are widely used in traditional medicine. Though the extracts of these plants were found to be antimicrobial in nature and have the potential to be used in clinics, the mechanism of action of is not reported. The ethanolic extracts of Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult, Hemidesmus indicus ethanolic extract (HIEE), Leucas aspera (Wild.), Leucas aspera ethanolic extract (LAEE), Plumbago zeylanica L., Plumbago zeylanica ethanolic extract (PZEE), and Tridax procumbens (L.) R. Br. ex Schult, Tridax procumbens ethanolic extract (TPEE) were tested for their antibacterial activity against E. coli. Antibacterial activity was analyzed by CFU assay and the effect on the bacterial membrane by fluorescence activated cell sorting and scanning electron microscopy. LAEE, PZEE, and HIEE displayed potent bacterial killing activity in a time and concentration dependent manner. TPEE did not display appreciable antibacterial activity. The antibacterial action involved disruption of membrane potential, inner membrane permeabilization, blebbing and leakage of cellular contents. Our results contribute to the understanding of the antibacterial mechanism of alcoholic extracts of the medicinal plants used in this study.
Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R.Br. is a valuable medicinal plant belonging to Asclepiadaceae family. Hemidesmus indicus has anti-inflammatory, antioxi-dant, antipyretic, antimicrobial and antileprotic properties. It is used as blood purifier and has diuretic, anti rheumatic and antidiarrhoeal and anti viper venom activity. A protocol has been developed for its micropropagation from nodal explants. The explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing different concentrations and combinations of growth regulators like Indole acetic acid (IAA), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), Kinetin (KN) and Adenine sulphate (AS). Multiple shoots were regenerated successfully from the nodal explants. Plant extracts were analyzed for phytochemical constituents. The qualitative analysis showed the presence of various phytochemicals like alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenols and tannins. Quantitative analysis for total phenols and flavonoids produced interesting results.
Peptic Ulcers are the most common condition experienced by most of the people due to urbanized lifestyle. Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. is a herbal drug mentioned for its treatment in the ancient Indian traditional medicine. To compare the Prophylactic and Curative effects of aqueous and Alcoholic extracts of Hemidesmus indicus in Drug induced ulcers. Aqueous and Alcoholic extracts of the drug were studied for their ulcer healing activity in Wistar Albino rats. Ninety Wistar albino rats were divided into nine groups with one control, four prophylactic and four curative groups. Ulcers were induced with Indomethacin in a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight twice in a gap of 15 hours. Aqueous extract was given in a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight and alcohol in a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. It was found that both have potential ulcer healing activity with alcoholic extract marginally better than aqueous extract. It can thus be concluded that Hemidesmus indicus R. Br is a effective drug in peptic ulcers. [Int J Res Med Sci 2013; 1(3.000): 243-247]
Hemidesmus indicus commonly known as Anantmool belongs to the family of Periplocaceae and it is used as a folk medicine and found to be an important medicinal ingredient from ancient ayurveda period to this 20 th century. This climbing vine plant is a common inhabitant of Gangetic India and West Benagl. It has several medicinal properties varying from anti-cancerous activity, chemopreventive activity, wound healing power to immuno-modulatory activity, anti-diarrheal activity, antioxidant properties; also anti-venom properties, anti-leprotic properties to diuretic activities.
The antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of six medicinal plant crude extracts were evaluated in vitro by using different models. In DPPH scavenging method, highest scavenging of DPPH was displayed by Hemidesmus indicus with IC50 values of 190.09 μg/ml while IC50 values of the reference ascorbic acid were 18.80 μg/ml. However, in reducing power assay, the Hemidesmus indicus was found to demonstrate highest reducing power among these plants. Moreover, the Hemidesmus indicus was found to posses high amounts of phenolic content and the Acalypha indica was found to posses high amounts of flavonoid content, expressed as Gallic acid equivalents (GAE) and quercetin equivalents (QE) respectively. Importantly, the Saussurea lappa showed highest total antioxidant capacity and Hemidesmus indicus showed moderate total antioxidant capacity expressed as ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE). All the plant extracts were subjected to Brine Shrimp lethality bioassay where, Saussurea lappa was found highly toxic to brine shrimp nauplii, having LC50 of 50.11 μg/ml while the LC50 of the reference anticancer drug vincristine sulphate was 1.04 μg/ml.
The Antioxidant and antihepatotoxic activities of 50% aqueous ethanolic extract of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. roots were assessed in experimental animals. In carbontetrachloride induced hepatic challenge in rats, a remarkable elevation of lipid peroxidation and a decrease in liver antioxidant enzymes levels were observed. Pretreatment with the 50% aqueous ethanol extract of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. roots inhibited these alterations. Based on these results we can suggest that in the liver protective and antioxidative effects of H. indicus, possibly involve mechanisms related to free radical scavenging effects.
Background:
A decoction (hot-water extract) comprised of Nigella sativa (seeds), Hemidesmus indicus (roots), and Smilax glabra (rhizome) has been reported to prevent chemically-induced hepatocarcinogenic changes in rats and to exert significant cytotoxic effects on human hepatoma (HepG2) cells. However, the decoction used in previous studies to determine cytotoxicity was not standardized. Further, during preparation of pharmaceuticals for clinical use, it is more convenient to use an ethanolic extract. Therefore this study was carried out to (a) develop standardized aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the plant mixture (N. sativa, H. indicus, and S. glabra) used in the preparation of the original decoction, and (b) compare the cytotoxic effects of these two extracts by evaluating cytotoxicity to the human hepatoma (HepG2) cell line.
Methods:
Aqueous and ethanolic extracts have been standardized by evaluating organoleptic characters, physicochemical properties, qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical constituents, and analysis of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) profiles. Cytotoxic potentials of the above standardized extracts were compared by evaluating their effects on the survival and overall cell activity of HepG2 cells by use of the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl) -2, 5 - biphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assays.
Results:
Results from MTT and SRB assays demonstrated that both extracts exerted strong dose-dependent in vitro cytotoxicity to HepG2 cells. The standardized aqueous extract showed a marginally (though significantly, P<0.05) higher cyotoxic potential than the ethanolic extract. Thymoquinone, an already known cytotoxic compound isolated from N. sativa seeds was only observed in the standardized ethanolic extract. Thus, compounds other than thymoquinone appear to mediate the cytotoxicity of the standardized aqueous extract of this poly-herbal preparation.
Conclusion:
It may be concluded that results obtained in the present study could be used as a diagnostic tool for the correct identification of these aqueous or ethanolic extracts and would be useful for the preparation of a standardized pharmaceutical product that may be used in the future for clinical therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Methanolic extracts of Plumbago zeylanica (Root), Acorus calamus (Rhizome), Hemidesmus indicus (Stem) and Holarrhena antidysenterica (Bark), used in Ayurvedic medicines for number of ailments were evaluated for their antioxidant activity by ferric thiocyanate (FTC) assay and compared with thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method. The order of antioxidant potential according to FTC assay was found to be highest in Plumbago zeylanica followed by Holarrhena antidysenterica, Acorus calamus and Hemidesmus indicus. Whereas there is slightly difference in activities as measured by TBA method. The antioxidant activity of medicinal plants was at par with the commercial antioxidant butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT), L-Ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol. Further, the radical-scavenging activity of the extracts was measured as decolourizing activity followed by the trapping of the unpaired electron of DPPH. The percentage decrease of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) standard solution was recorded maximum for Hemidesmus indicus (77.0%) followed by Plumbago zeylanica (73.41%), Acorus calamus (20.88%) and Holarrhena antidysenterica (20.06%) extracts at a concentration of 100 µg/ml. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of major phytocompounds like alkaloids, glycosides, phenolics and saponins. Moreover, total phenolics concentration equivalents to gallic acid was found in the range of 59.50 to 109.0 mg/g of plant extracts, which correlated with antioxidant activity. The findings indicated promising antioxidant activity of crude extracts of the above plants and needs further exploration for their effective use in both modern and traditional system of medicines.
Chondrokola Rosh (CKR) is a traditional metallic Ayurvedic preparation widely used by the rural and ethnic people of Bangladesh in dysuria. It is a preparation of various roasted metals (Hg and Cu), non-metal (sulphur and Mica) and medicinal herbs. Considering the controversy over the risk of toxic heavy metals in Ayurvedic herbo-mineral preparations, toxicological parameters on liver functions were investigated. A single dose of 100mg/kg body weight of the preparation was administered orally to the rats of both sexes for ninety days. In this evaluation a statistically significant (p<0.001) increase of serum albumin levels in male (17%) and female (15%) rat groups were observed. On the other hand, the plasma bilirubin level was decreased 50% and 28% respectively in both rats groups. But no remarkable differences were observed in plasma protein, sGPT, sGOT and ALP activities from their corresponding control values. This study showed that CKR had no remarkable toxic effect on liver of the animals despite the presence of traces of transformed heavy metals.
Capsicum annum L. (Family: Solanaceae) and Hemidesmus indicus (Linn.) R.Br. (Family: Asclepiadaceae) are commonly used in Tamilnadufor treating various ailments in the native system of medicine. The hydroalcoholic extracts of both plants at dose level of 100 mg/kg body weight showed demonstrable anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenan-induced hind paw model in rats. Nevertheless, the overall anti-inflammatory activity exhibited by the extracts are found to be less as compared with that of standard drug Indometacin. Preliminary physico-phytochemical analysis of the plants in question were attempted. The results are highlighted and discussed.
Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effect of Hemidesmus indicus Linn.R.root. (HIR) was investigated in rats. Administration of HIR (40 mg/g body weight/day) for four weeks significantly decreased the serum cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acids and phospholipid. Four weeks treatment of diabetic rats with HIR (40 mg/g body weight/day) showed significant hypoglycemic effect. Results of the present study show that HIR has hypocholesterolemic and antidiabetic effects.
The present study aims to evaluate the topical anti-inflammatory activity of "Pinda thailam", a herbal gel formulation containing aqueous extract of roots of Rubia cordifolia (Rubiaceae) and Hemidesmus indicus (Asclepiadaceae) which are known for their anti-inflammatory activity using the technique of carrageenin induced paw oedema in albino rats. The herbal gel formulation showed significant anti-inflammatory activity comparable to the reference standard Diclofenac sodium gel.
The macroscopic and microscopic characters, physical constant values, extractive values, ash values the behaviour of the powerdered drug on treatment with different chemical reagents, microchemical ad histochemical analyses were conducted to characterize some pharmacognostical parameters of Hemidesmus indicus (Linn) R,Br. (Asclepiadaceae).
To investigate the protective effects of hydroalcoholic and its fractions from roots of Hemidesmus indicus on arthritis in in vitro models of rodents.
Preliminary phytochemical analysis and thin-layer chromoatography were performed to analyze constituents of hydroalcoholic extract and its three fraction namely ethyl acetate fraction, chloroform fraction and residual fraction of root of Hemidesmus indicus. Arthritis rats models were established by Complete Freund's Adjuvant. The parameters including paw edema, body weight, arthritic index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum rheumatoid factor, serum C-reactive protein, serum nitrite level, and histopathology of synovial joints were observed. Methotrexate was taken as positive control.
Rats treated with hydroalcoholic extract (450 mg/kg, p.o.), ethyl acetate (75 mg/kg, p.o.), chloroform (60 mg/kg, p.o) and residual fractions (270 mg/kg, p.o.), showed significant decrease in physical and biochemical parameters compared with arthritic model rats. Hydroalcoholic extract and its ethyl acetate fraction of Hemidesmus indicus showed significantly higher anti-arthritic activity than chloroform and residual fraction. Histopathological analysis demonstrated that both of hydroalcoholic extract and its ethyl acetate fraction had comparable anti-arthritic activity with methotrexates.
The present study suggests that Hemidesmus indicus has protective activity against arthritis and the activity might be attributed to presence of terpenoid in hydroalcoholic extract, as well as in ethyl acetate fraction.
Discovery of quorum sensing (QS) system to coordinate virulence and biofilm formation in bacterial pathogens has triggered search for safe, stable and non-toxic anti-QS compounds from natural products. Ethanolic extracts of 24 Indian medicinal plants were tested by agar well and disc diffusion assay for anti-QS activity using Chromobacterium violaceum (CV12472 and CVO26) reporter strains. AHL from C. violaceum CV31532 was isolated and partially purified for its use in CVO26 based bioassay. Effect on swarming-motility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1) was also recorded at sub-MIC concentrations of extracts. Of the 24 medicinal plants screened Hemidesmus indicus (L.) Schult (root), Holarrhena antidysenterica (Roth) A.DC. (bark), Mangifera indica L. (seed) Punica granatum L. (pericarp) and Psoralea corylifolia L. (seed) demonstrated varying level of inhibition of violacein production in the reporter strains. Moreover, a significant reduction in swarms was recorded over control. The inhibition of violacein production and swarming motility may be due to direct or indirect interference on QS by active constituents or the interactive effect of different phytocompounds present in the extracts. These plant extracts may be selected for activity guided fractionation to identify and characterize the active principle.
Ethnopharmacological relevance:
Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult. (Apocynaceae) is widely used in traditional medicine in the different parts of the Indian subcontinent due to the various biological activities attributed to its different parts, especially the roots. It has traditionally been used for treating snakebites, scorpion stings, diabetes, urinary diseases, dyspnea, menorrhagia, oligospermia, anorexia, fever, abdominal colic and pain, dysentery, diarrhea, cough, rheumatism, pain including headache, inflammation, pyrosis, skin diseases, leprosy, sexually transmitted diseases and cancer. In Ayurveda, the plant is used in the treatment of bone-loss, low body weight, and fever, stress, topical wound and psoriasis. Besides, Ayurvedic literature also depicts its use as anti-atherogenic, anti-spasmodic, memory enhancing, immunopotentiating and anti-inflammatory agents.
Aim of the study:
In this review, we aim to present a comprehensive update on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, specific pharmacology, and toxicology of H. indicus and its bioactive metabolites. Possible directions for future research are also outlined in brief.
Materials and methods:
Popular and widely used international databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar and JSTOR were searched and traditional literature were consulted using the various search strings to retrieve a number of citations related to the ethnopharmacology, biological activity, toxicology, quality control and phytochemistry of H. indicus. All studies on the ethnobotany, phtochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of the plant up to May, 2019 were included in this review.
Results:
H. indicus has played an important role in traditional Indian medicine (including Ayurveda) and also in European medicine. The main pharmacological properties of H. indicus include hepatoprotective, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-ophidian, cardioprotective, nephroprotective, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Phytochemical evaluations of the roots have revealed the presence of aromatic aldehydes and their derivatives, phenolics, triterpenoids and many other compounds, some of which were attributed to its bioactivity. This review also compiles a list of Ayurvedic formulations and commercial preparations where H. indicus has been used as an active ingredient. We have included the critical assessment of all the papers cited in this manuscript based on experimental observation and other important points which reflects the loop-holes of research strategy and ambiguity of the papers reviewed in this manuscript.
Conclusions:
The study presents an exhaustive and updated review on the traditional, pharmacological and phytochemical aspects of H. indicus with notes on its quality control and toxicological information. Although the crude extracts of H. indicus exhibit an array of pharmacological activities, it is high time to identify more active phyto-constituents by bioactivity-guided isolation besides elucidating their structure-activity relationship. More designed investigations are needed to comprehend the multi-target network pharmacology, to clarify the molecular mode of action and to ascertain the efficacious doses of H. indicus. Moreover, H. indicus is not fully assessed on the basis of its safety and efficacy on human. We hope this review will compile and improve the existing knowledge on the potential utilization of H. indicus in complementary and alternative medicine.
Pharmacological relevance:
Root of Hemidesmus indicus (L). R. Br., an herbal drug of India is traditionally used to prevent or treat female hormonal disturbance related disorders and assuaging symptoms of menopausal conditions.
Aim of the study:
Lack of scientific data for potential use in bone loss, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of ethanol extract of Hemidesmus indicus root for osteoporosis in ovariectomised rats.
Materials and methods:
Thirty wistar female rats were randomly divided into five groups. One group was sham operated and other four groups were undergone dorsal ovariectomy (OVX). After four weeks of post-operative recovery, three OVX groups, viz. Group1, Group2 and Group3 were treated for ninety days with standard raloxifene (RLX) 1mg/kg/day, Hemidesmus indicus root extract (HIRE) 100mg/kg/day and HIRE 200mg/kg/day respectively. Sham and OVX control groups were fed with equal 1% vehicle volume. Serum and urine biochemistry (alkaline phosphatase, tartrate resistant acid phosphatase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, calcium, phosphorous and hydroxyproline), weight of body, uterus and vagina, femur parameters, three point bending of tibia and fourth lumbar vertebra compression were examined. Furthermore, bone architecture and uterine hypertrophy were examined by histopathological studies.
Results:
Application of HIRE has increased bone strength and restored bone turnover markers such as alkaline phosphatase, tartrate resistant acid phosphatase and hydroxyproline moreover, improved femur parameters indicated mineralized bones, similar to the results observed with raloxifene treatment. Histopathology studies showed fibrocartilaginous proliferation of trabecular bone and absence of uterine hypertrophy.
Conclusion:
The results strongly suggest that HIRE prevents bone loss in OVX induced osteoporosis without estrogen like side effects. It might be a potential remedy like raloxifene for postmenopausal or estrogen deficiency caused osteoporosis.
Free radicals are capable of damaging molecules in cell membrane, mitochondria, DNA etc. Cell damage caused by free radicals appears to be a major contributor to aging and degenerative disease such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, cataract, liver diseases, diabetes mellitus, inflammation, renal failure, etc. Naturally there is a dynamic equilibrium between the free radicals produced in the body and antioxidants that scavenge them to protect the body against deleterious effects. The amount of antioxidants present under normal physiological conditions may be insufficient to neutralize free radicals generated. Therefore recently, natural plants have received much attention as sources of biological active substances including antioxidants. In this study, the antioxidant activity of 70% methanolic extract of roots of Hemidesmus indicus (MEHI) was studied by using various in vitro assays. Hemidesmus indicus (Family: Asclepiadacea) is commonly known Indian Medicinal Plant which is widely recognised in traditional systems of medicine. It contains various phytoconstituents belonging to the category glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, sterols and volatile oils. Hemidesmus indicus has been reported as useful in blood disease, dysentery, skin diseases, and asthma. The antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of roots of Hemidesmus indicus was evaluated by using the free radical scavenging activity assay (DPPH method), reducing power assay, nitric oxide scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and H2O2 scavenging activity. The result of the study shows that methanolic extract of Hemidesmus indicus possesses significant free radical scavenging properties.
Dementia is one of the age-related mental problems, and a characteristic symptom of Alzheimer's disease. Nootropic agents are clinically used in situations where there is organic disorder in learning abilities and for improving memory, mood and behavior, but the resulting side-effects associated with these agents have made their utility limited. Ayurveda emphasizes use of herbs, nutraceuticals or lifestyle changes for controlling age related neurodegenerative disorders. The present study was undertaken to assess the potential of an ayurvedic rasayana (rejuvenator) drug Hemidesmus indicus roots as a memory enhancer. Elevated plus maze and passive avoidance paradigm were employed to evaluate learning and memory parameters. The chloroform and n-butanol fractions of ethanolic extract H. indicus root (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg, p.o.) were screened for claimed potential in mice. The n-butanol fraction of H. indicus extract significantly improved learning and memory at all doses mice. Hence, H. indicus might prove to be a useful memory restorative agent in the treatment of dementia seen in the Alzheimer's disease.
Over the past decade, herbal and ayurvedic drugs have become a subject of world importance, with both medicinal and economical implications. A regular and widespread use of herbs throughout the world has increased serious concerns over their quality, safety and efficacy. Thus, a proper scientific evidence or assessment has become the criteria for acceptance of herbal health claims. In the present study we examined the antioxidant effects of ethanolic extract of roots of Clerodendrum serratum (CSR) at various concentrations in the DPPH radical scavenging assay, FRAP assay (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) and the Hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging assay. The results of the present study revealed that the plant extract has significant antioxidant activity and are encouraging for further assessment to elucidate the mechanism of action and to identify the bioactive compounds implicated in the antioxidant effect and the membrane stability.
The fragrant roots of Hemidesmus indicus (Indian sarsaparilla) is used in Indian native medicine and herbal tea preparations. The volatiles obtained by steam distillation (yield, 0.25%) contained 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (91%) and (−) ledol (4.5%), which are isolable in pure form, as the major constituents. The GC–MS analysis of the residual oil showed the presence of over 40 minor constituents. Among them, nerolidol (1.2%), borneol (0.3%), linalyl acetate (0.2%), dihydrocarvyl acetate (0.1%), salicylaldehyde (0.1%), isocaryophyllene (0.1%), α-terpinyl acetate (traces) and 1,8-cineol (traces) are important as aromatic and bio-active principles. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Essential oil extracted from the leaves of Chenopodium ambrosioides Linn. (Chenopodiaceae) was tested against the aflatoxigenic strain of test fungus Aspergillus flavus Link. The oil completely inhibited the mycelial growth at 100 μg/ml. The oil exhibited broad fungitoxic spectrum against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium oxysporum, Sclerotium rolfsii, Macrophomina phaseolina, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Helminthosporium oryzae and Pythium debaryanum at 100 μg/ml. The oil showed significant efficacy in inhibiting the aflatoxin B1 production by the aflatoxigenic strain of A. flavus. During in vivo investigation it protected stored wheat from different storage fungi for one year. Chenopodium oil also exhibited potent antioxidant activity when tested by ABTS method. All these observations suggest the possible exploitation of the Chenopodium oil as potential botanical fungitoxicant in ecofriendly control of post harvest biodeterioration of food commodities from storage fungi.
In many forested ecosystems, the architecture and functional ecology of certain tree species define forest structure and their species-specific traits control ecosystem dynamics. Such foundation tree species are declining throughout the world due to introductions and outbreaks of pests and pathogens, selective removal of individual taxa, and over-harvesting. Through a series of case studies, we show that the loss of foundation tree species changes the local environment on which a variety of other species depend; how this disrupts fundamental ecosystem processes, including rates of decomposition, nutrient fluxes, carbon sequestration, and energy flow; and dramatically alters the dynamics of associated aquatic ecosystems. Forests in which dynamics are controlled by one or a few foundation species appear to be dominated by a small number of strong interactions and may be highly susceptible to alternating between stable states following even small perturbations. The ongoing decline of many foundation species provides a set of important, albeit unfortunate, opportunities to develop the research tools, models, and metrics needed to identify foundation species, anticipate the cascade of immediate, short- and long-term changes in ecosystem structure and function that will follow from their loss, and provide options for remedial conservation and management.
The antienterobacterial activity of the chloroform and methanol extracts of Hemidesmus indicus root was demonstrated using a variety of methods and different enterobacterial strains. Although the constituents were similar in the chloroform extract (CHI) and the fatty substance separated (ME1) from the methanol extract (MHI), ME1 was found to be more effective than CHI as evident from the disc diffusion method. ME1 was found to be more active than MHI, followed by CHI. This may be due to the inefficient diffusion of CHI into the medium. In a modified agar well diffusion and swab method the activity of the extract against different strains was observed in a single plate. The extracts inhibited growth in a dose dependent manner; both MHI and CHI were most effective against S. flexneri, least effective against S. dysenterie and moderately effective against the other strains. The presence of antimicrobial trace elements such as copper and zinc, along with other active constituents may contribute to the antienterobacterial activity of Hemidesmus indicus root.
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