chapter 3 literature survey - information and library...

Chapter 3

Literature Survey

[CHAPTER 3] Literature Review

Department of Pharmacognosy, RCPIPER, Shirpur. 19

3.1 Plant profile - Ficus microcarpa L.f. (Synonym- F. retusa L.)

3.1.1 Vernacular names

English : Indian laurel, Chinese banyan

Hindi : Kamrup, Pinwal

Gujrati : Pilala

Marathi : Nandruk, Tunivriksha

Sanskrit : Kantalaka, Kuberaka

Figure 3.1 Natural habitat of F. microcarpa

3.1.2 Taxonomy

Table 3.1 The taxonomical classification of F. retusa (F. microcarpa)Kingdom Plantae – plantes, Planta, Vegetal, plants Subkingdom Viridaeplantae – green plants Infrakingdom Streptophyta – land plants Division Tracheophyta – vascular plants, tracheophytes Subdivision Spermatophytina – spermatophytes, seed plants,

phanérogames Infradivision Angiospermae – flowering plants, angiosperms, Class Magnoliopsida Superorder Rosanae Order Rosales Family Moraceae – mulberries Genus Ficus L. – fig Species Ficus microcarpa L. f. – laurel fig, curtain fig, Chinese

banyanBotanical name Ficus microcarpa L.f.; synonyms- F. retusa

3.1.3 Part used: Rootlets, bark and leaves



3.1.4 Distribution

It is well distributed in forests at low and medium altitudes ascending to 1,500 meters.

It occurs throughout India, southern China, and Taiwan.

3.1.5 Description

It is an evergreen tree, full grown to highest of 15 m (50 ft) or more, with a rounded

dense crown, smooth gray bark, milky sap, and long, thin, dangling aerial roots.

Leaves alternate, simple, leathery, deep glossy green, oval-elliptic to diamond-shaped,

13 cm (5 in) long, with short pointed, ridged tips. Flowers tiny, unisexual, numerous,

hidden within the “fig,” a fleshy, specialized receptacle that develops into a multiple

fruit (syco-nium), this green turning to yellow or dark red when ripe, sessile, in pairs

at leaf axils, small, to 1 cm (0.5 in) in diameter.

3.1.6 Chemical composition

It consists of wide range of phytochemicals: sterols, terpenoids, glycoside, flavonoids,

polyphenols, proteins and carbohydrates.

3.1.7 Medicinal properties and uses

The aerial roots used to treat dental caries and odontalgia. The bark and leaves are

astringent, refrigerant, acrid and stomachic. They are useful in wounds, ulcers,

bruises, flatulent colic, diarrhea, dysentery, diabetes, hyperdipsia, burning sensation,

haemorrhages, ulcerative colitis, leucorrhoea, psychopathy and hepatopathy. The bark

is given in buttermilk to cure liver diseases for seven days (Kirtikar and Basu, 1987a;

Warrier et al., 1995).

3.2 Literature review of F. microcarpa (F. retusa)

3.2.1 Phytochemical review

The bark leaves and aerial roots of F. microcarpa were well explored for their

phytochemistry. The different part of plant majorly contains triterpenoids and steroids

along with other phytoconstituents. The Li, Chiang and Kuo have done remarkable

research in phytochemistry.

3.2.1.1Bark

Li and Kuo (1997) were isolated phytoconstituents from F. microcarpa bark. The

methanol extract obtained from cold maceration was partitioned with n-butanol and



water. The n-butanol fraction was purified by silica gel column chromatography with

a gradient solvent system (hexane-ethyl acetate), yields crude compound 1 and 2.

Further purification by HPLC gave pure 1 (Ficuisoflavone) and 2 (Isolupinisoflavone

E). In another study, Kuo and Li (1997) isolated 28 phytoconstituents from the same

fraction. Among them fourteen triterpenoids (friedelin; friedelinol; canophyllol; α-

amyrin acetate; 3β-acetoxy-12-ursen-11-one; 12-oleanene-3,11-dione; lupeol;

betulinic acid; cycloart-23-ene-36β,25-diol; cycloart-25-ene-3β,24-diol and

taraxerone) eight steroids (β-sitosterone; β-sitostenone; β-sitosterol; stigmasterol; 6-

hydroxystigmast-40en-3-one; ergosetrol peroxide, 6΄-(β-sitosteryl-3-O-β-

gucopyranoside) two 4-hydroxy benzoates (methyl 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoate;

methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate), one flavones (catechin), one coumarin (marmesin), one

carotenoid like (4,5-dihydroblumenol) and one fatty alcohol (mixture of 1-penta- and

1-heptaeicosanol) were identified.

3.2.1.2 Aerial roots and leaves

Chiang and Kuo (2000), isolated ten new taraxastane-type triterpenes from the aerial

roots of Ficus microcarpa [20-taraxastene-3β,22α-diol, 3β-acetoxy-20-taraxasten-

22α-ol, 3β-acetoxy-22α-methoxy-20-taraxastene, 3β-acetoxy-20α,21α-

epoxytaraxastan-22α-ol, 3β-acetoxy-19α-methoxy-20-taraxastene, 3β-acetoxy-19α-

hydroperoxy-20-taraxastene, 3β-acetoxy-20α,21α-epoxytaraxastane, 3β-acetoxy-11α-

hydroxy-11(12→13)abeooleanan-12-al, 3β-hydroxy-20-oxo-29(20→19) abeolupane,

and 29,30-dinor-3β-acetoxy-18,19-dioxo-18,19-secolupane)], six new triterpenes of

ursane-type (3b -acetoxy-11a-methoxy-12-ursene, 3b -acetoxy-11a-ethoxy-12-ursene,

3b-acetoxy-11a-hydroperoxy-12-ursene, 3b -hydroxy-11a-hydroperoxy-12-ursene),

two oleanane-type triterpenes (3b -acetoxy-11a-ethoxy-12-oleanene, 3b -acetoxy-11a-

hydroperoxy-12-oleanene (Kuo and Chiang2000). Chiang and Kuo (2001), isolated

novel peroxytriterpenes 3 beta-acetoxy-12 beta,13 beta-epoxy-11 alpha-

hydroperoxyursane, 3 beta-acetoxy-11 alpha-hydroperoxy-13 alpha H-ursan-12-one, 3

beta-acetoxy-1 beta,11 alpha-epidioxy-12-ursene, (20S)-3 beta-acetoxy-20-

hydroperoxy-30-norlupane, 3 beta-acetoxy-18 alpha-hydroperoxy-12-oleanen-11-one,

and 3 beta-acetoxy-12-oleanen-11-one; except (20S)-3 beta-acetoxylupan-29-oic acid)

; while in additional study Chiang and Kuo (2003) isolated novel α-tocopheroids (α-

tocospiros A, B, together with α-tocopherol). Ouyanga and Kuo (2006), isolated

ficuscarpanoside B, (7E, 9Z)-dihydrophaseic acid 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside and



ficuscarpanic acid were isolated from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa. Their

structures were elucidated by spectral methods. Chiang et al. (2005) isolated oleanonic

acid, acetylbetulinic acid, betulonic acid, acetylursolic acid, ursolic acid, 3-

oxofriedelan- 28-oic acid, and 3β-acetoxy-25-hydroxylanosta-8, 23-diene isolated

from aerial roots of F. microcarpa, these compounds showed significant cytotoxic

activity against human nasopharyngeal carcinoma HONE-1, oral epidermoid

carcinoma KB, and colorectal carcinoma HT29 cancer cell lines. Wang et al. (2010)

identified orientin, isovitexin-3″-O-glucopyranoside, isovitexin, and vitexin flavone

C-glycosides from leaves. New water-soluble phenylpropanoid constituents,

ficuscarpanoside A, guaiacylglycerol 9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, and erythro-

guaiacylglycerol 9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, along with known guaiacylglycerol,

erythro-guaiacylglycerol, 4-methoxy guaiacylglycerol 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, and

3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy phenyl) propan-1,2-diol, have been isolated from the aerial

roots of Ficus microcarpa (Ouyang et al., 2007).

3.2.2 Ethnopharmacological review

F. microcarpa dried leaves, aerial roots, and bark are used for diverse health ailments

in traditional and folklore remedies. Traditionally, the bark has a reputation for

efficacy in the treatment of liver diseases (Kirtikar and Basu, 1987a). In China,

adventitious rootlets used for toothaches, for which they are dried, powdered and

applied to the decaying or aching tooth. The ash from F. microcarpa provides the best

quality lye for preparing Okinawa Soba, the famous traditional food of Okinawa

(Nakama, 2003). In Kerala, plant used for treatment of leucoderma, ulcers, leprosy,

itching, and biliousness. Bark used for liver diseases. Powdered leaves and bark used

for rheumatic headaches. Leaves and roots used for wounds and bruises (Sasidharan et

al., 1985).

3.2.3 Pharmacological review

3.2.3.1 F. microcarpa bark (FMB)

Antioxidant and hyaluronidase activity

In preliminary antioxidant studies on different parts of F. microcarpa, the methanol

extract of FMB showed strong antioxidant activity. The study on methanol extract of

FMB was extended, where methanol extract was fractioned with solvents of different

polarity such as hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and water. The highest antioxidant



activity was observed in ethyl acetate fraction. This fraction was subjected for

isolation of phytoconstituents using preparative HPLC and purified on Sephadex LH-

20 column chromatography. Seven compounds were isolated from ethyl acetate

fraction and identified as protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, methyl chlorogenate,

catechin, epicatechin, procyanidin B1, and procyanidin. All isolated compounds

showed strong antioxidant activity while catechin, epicatechin, procyanidin B1, and

procyanidin B3 exhibited excellent inhibitory activity against hyaluronidase (Ao et al.,

2010).

Antibacterial and antioxidant activity

Ao et al. (2008) studied the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of different part of F.

microcarpa. The methanol extracts of bark, fruits and leaves of F. microcarpa

exhibited excellent antioxidant potential and antibacterial activity against tested gram-

positive and gram-negative bacteria. Amongst extracts, methanol extracts of F.

microcarpa bark exhibited strongest antioxidant activity and shown to posses highest

total phenolic content. Furthermore, methanol extract of bark were fractioned with

hexane, ethyl acetate and water; ethyl acetate fraction of bark extract exerted strong

antioxidant and antibacterial effects with high amount of total phenolics (436 GAE

mg/g extract). EC50 values of bark ethyl acetate fraction were 4.83, 1.62 and 63.2

µg/ml in DPPH, ABTS·+, superoxide radicals scavenging methods, respectively.

Inhibition zones of ethyl acetate fraction against Bacillus brevis, Bacillus cereus,

Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Achromobacter polymorph were 18.0, 15.5,

16.5, 16.0 and 8.0 mm, respectively. Twelve phenolic compounds (Catechol;

coumaran; p-vinylguaiacol; syringol; p-propylphenol; vanillin; p-propylguaiacol;

isovanillic acid; 4-n-propylresorcinol; syringaldehyde; protocatechuic acid; oleanolic

acid) were identified in ethyl acetate fraction by GC–MS and HPLC analyses. Ao et

al. (2009) extended antioxidant and antibacterial study on aerial roots of F.

microcarpa, with similar kind of extraction and fractionation scheme. The ethyl

acetate fraction possessed the highest amount of phenolic content, antioxidant

potential and antibacterial activity against gram positive and negative bacteria. The

similar twelve phenolic compounds were identified using GC-MS and HPLC analysis.

The study concluded that high level of phenolic compounds may be responsible for

strong antioxidant and antibacterial activities of F. microcarpa bark extract.



Anti-secretary activity

Anti-secretary activity of ethanolic extract of Ficus retusa L. stem bark was evaluated

using ethanol, and cold-restraint stress induced gastric ulcer models in albino Wistar

rats (Rao and Kumar, 2012). Ethanol extract showed dose dependent inhibition in

ethanol induced gastric lesions (70.02 and 59.75% protection; 500 and 250 mg/kg)

and cold-restraint stress induced gastric lesions (69.67 and 60.28% protection; 500

and 250 mg/kg) indicating anti-secretary potential.

3.2.3.2 Leaves and aerial roots

Anti-inflammatory activity

Anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity of ethyl acetate and methanol extract

(100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) of F. microcarpa leaves was assessed in carragennan

induced rat paw odema and carbon tetra chloride induced hepatotoxicity, respectively.

The extracts showed dose dependant pharmacological response. Amongst them, ethyl

acetate extract showed potent anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity in

experimental animal models (Jayaraju and Sreekanth 2011a, b). In the similar study,

Bairagi et al. (2012) observed the significant anti-inflammaotry and analgesic activity

for crude methanol extract of leaves.

Antidiabetic activity

The methanol and water extracts of Ficus retusa leaves were evaluated for anti-

diabetic potential in experimental animals. The extracts showed significant blood

glucose lowering ability in a dose-dependent manner. No over sign of hepatotoxicity

and renotoxicity were observed in chronic toxicity studies. The study established F.

retusa leaves as a potential and safe alternative diabetic (Joshi et al., 2010).

Anti-histaminic activity

Li et al. (2009) studied the antiasthmatic activity of F. microcarpa leaves water

extracts and their fractions. The some of the water extract was filtered through

membrane filter to obtain membrane fraction, and remaining half was dried and

extracted successively with n-butanol, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions. These

fractions and extracts were evaluated for antitussive and expectorant activity in

experimental animals. The membrane fraction had remarkable antitussive and



expectorant activities. The water and methanol fractions able prolong latency time of

cavy and thus reported as effective anti-asthmatic fractions.

Antihyperlipidemic activity

Awad et al. (2011) has evaluated hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effects of

unsaponifiable fraction of hexane extract of Ficus microcarpa leaves in

hypercholesterolemic rats (cholesterol administration; 30 mg/0.3 ml 0.7%

tween/animal). The leaves extract (500 mg/kg body weight) was administered 5

times/week for 9 weeks to animals.The effect of the extract on the lipid profile was

recorded by measuring the levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein

cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and

total lipids. The Lipid peroxides, glutathione and superoxide dismutase were

measured as antioxidants. The study demonstrated the unsaponifable fraction of

hexane extract possess significant antioxidant and hypolipidemic activity through its

role in counteracting LDL oxidation, enhancement of HDL synthesis and inhibition of

lipid peroxidation.

Antioxidant activity

Abdel-Hameed (2009) reported strong antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate fraction

followed by n-butanol of methanolic extract F. microcarpa leaves. Further, it was

concluded that the antioxidant property was attributed due to presence of high

phenolic content.

Antifungal activity –latex

Taira et al. (2005) identified and reported new three chitinases from the latex of

gazyumaru (Ficus microcarpa), designated gazyumaru latex chitinase (GLx Chi)-A, -

B, and -C. GLx Chi-A,-B, and -C are an acidic class III (33 kDa, pI 4.0), a basic class

I (32 kDa, pI 9.3), and a basic class II chitinase (27 kDa, pI > 10) respectively. All

GLx Chi showed effect on antifungal activity based on ionic strength. The chitin-

binding activity of GLx Chi-B was enhanced by increasing ionic strength. The results

suggested that the chitin-binding domain of basic class I chitinase binds to the chitin

in fungal cell walls by hydrophobic interaction and assists the antifungal action of the

chitinase.



3.3 Plant profile - Luffa acutangula(L.) Roxb var. amara C.B. Clarke

(Synonyms: L. amara)

3.3.1 Vernacular names

English : Ridged gourd, angled loofah, ribbed gourd, Chinese okra, silk squash

(En)

Hindi : Turai, Kadaviturai.

Gujarat : Kadvanturian, Kadvighisodi

Marathi : Dodaki

Sanskrit : Tiktakoshataki, Katukoshataki

Figure 3.2 Natural habitat of L.amara and fruit of L. amara

3.3.2 Taxonomy

3.2 Table The taxonomical classification of Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. var. amara C.B. Clarke

Kingdom Plantae – plantes, Planta, Vegetal, plants Subkingdom Viridaeplantae – green plants Infrakingdom Streptophyta – land plants Division Tracheophyta – vascular plants, tracheophytes Subdivision Spermatophytina – spermatophytes, seed plants,

phanérogames Infradivision Angiospermae – flowering plants, angiosperms Class Magnoliopsida Superorder Rosanae Order Cucurbitales Family Cucurbitaceae – gourds, squashes, citrouilles, gourdes Genus Luffa Mill. – Luffa Species Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. – sinkwa towelsponge

Varity Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. var. amara C.B. ClarkeBotanical name Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. var. amara C.B. Clarke



3.3.3 Part used: leaves, fruits

3.3.4 Distribution

Luffa amara (LA) is believed to have originated in India, distributed in south India

and West Bengal

3.3.5 Description

It is monoecious, annual, climbing or trailing herb, with acutely 5-angled stem;

tendrils up to 6-feet, hairy. Male inflorescence racemose with 15–35 cm long

peduncle.

Leaves alternate, simple; stipules absent; petiole up to 15 cm long; blade broadly

ovate to kidney-shaped in outline, 10–25 cm × 10–25 cm, shallowly palmate 5–7-

lobed with broadly triangular to broadly rounded lobes, cordate at base, shallowly

sinuate-dentate, pale green, scabrous, palmately veined.

Flowers unisexual, regular, 5-merous, 5–9 cm in diameter; 0.5 cm long, lobes

triangular, 1–1.5 cm long; petals free, pale yellow; male flowers with 3 free stamens

inserted on the receptacle tube, connectives broad; female flowers solitary, on pedicels

2–15 cm long, with inferior, densely pubescent, longitudinally ridged ovary, stigma 3-

lobed.

Fruit a club-shaped, dry and fibrous capsule 15–50 cm × 5–10 cm, acutely 10-ribbed,

brownish, dehiscent by an apical operculum, many-seeded. Seeds are broadly

elliptical.

3.3.6 Chemical composition

All the parts of plant are extremely bitter due to presence of triterpenoids; major

cucurbitacin-B. Seed contains maximum concentration i.e. 0.12%. It also consists of

steroids and α-amyrin, flavonoids, carotenoid like compounds and phenolic acids.

Seed consist of mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.

3.3.7 Medicinal properties and uses

The wild verity, i.e. L. acutangula var amara has high value in traditional system of

medicine; this is widely used by local healers and traditional practitioner for treatment

of various diseases. The plant posses laxative and purgative properties and reported to

be useful in skin diseases and asthma. It is used as a diuretic and given in splenic



enlargements. The 2-3 drops of juice of the fresh fruit or decoction of the dried fruits

without seed recommended as nasya in jaundice. Seeds are used emetic, expectorant

and demulcent (Kirtikar and Basu, 1987b).

3.4 Literature review of Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb var. amara C.B. Clarke

3.4.1 Phytochemical review

In the phytochemical screening, Torvi and Hunashal (2012) noted the presence of

important secondary metabolite such as, steroid and glycoside in L. amara fruits.

Nagao et al. (1991) isolated and identified the seven oleanane type of triterpenoids

saponins, acutoside A-G and H-I, from the 50% methanolic extract of LA fruits. In

Recent studies on fruit Wang et al. (2002), isolated luffanguline from LA seeds as a

novel ribosome inactivating peptide. The plant also reported to present β-carotene,

luffin, amarin and 2-deoxy cucurbitacin (Nardkarni, 1994). The flavonoids

distribution among the luffa species was studied by Schilling and Heiser (1981), they

found the presence of luteolin and apigenin in leaves and flowers.

Figure 3.3 Phytoconstituents of L. amara

3.4.2 Ethnopharmacological review

During the ethnopharmacological survey in Rajasthan, Katewa et al. (2008) collected

the information on uses of medicinal plants, based on the exhaustive interviews with

local physicians practicing indigenous system of medicine in tribal folks of Aravalli



hills of Mewar region tribes; Bhil, Garasia, Damor and Kathodia. They found that half

tea spoon of L. amara seed powder is taken orally with water for 3–4 days for urinary

bladder stone.

Samvatsar and Diwanji. (2000), documented plant utilized for jaundice by tribes of

Western Madhya Pradesh of India. Where, LA commonly known as Kadwiturai, and

their leaf and fruit parts was used for treatment of jaundice. About 2-3 drops of leaf

or green fruit juice without using water dropped into one of the nostrils for 4 days.

Kanaka et al. (2013) documented that local inhabitants of reserve forests of

Mahadevpur, Karimnagar utilizes L. amara fruit for treatment of diabetes.

3.4.3 Pharmacological review

Antioxidant activity

Kalyani et al. (2011) reported Luffa amara seed oil from petroleum extracts contains

fatty acids such as lauric, myristic, plametic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acid.

Furthermore, the study demonstrated significant antioxidant activity of this extract.

Anti-inflammatory activity

Gill et al. (2011) evaluated ethanol extracts of Luffa amara seeds for analgesic and

anti-inflammatory activity. The ethanol extracts reduced paw edema in a dose-

dependent manner, with a maximum inhibition of 60.8% at 300 mg/kg and

comparable with standard diclofenac sodium. Further, extract showed significant

analgesic activity with reaction time 6.25 ± 0.52 and 5.80 ± 0.52 at 400 mg/kg in tail

flick and tail immersion experimental models, as compared with standard

(pentazocin).

In another similar study, Iyyamperumal et al. (2013) evaluated the antioxidant and

anti-inflammatory effect in acute and chronic animal models. The study results

revealed that ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of LA leaves possess significant dose

dependent manner activity. Ethanol extracts demonstrates the highest anti-

inflammatory activity i.e. 72.5% (500 mg/kg) at 5th hrs after carrageenan

administration when compared with ethyl acetate extract (65%; 500 mg/kg). Likewise,

in chronic cotton pellet granuloma model, ethanol extracts exhibited maximum

inhibition i.e. 56.9% (500 mg/kg) compared with ethyl acetate extract (52%).



Similarly, the antioxidant ability of ethanol extract was better than ethyl extract of LA

leaves.

Anti-diabetic and gastroprotective activity

Pimple et al. (2011) investigated antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic potential of

petroleum ether, methanol and aqueous extracts of Luffa acutangula (LA) fruits. The

methnolic extracts of fruits showed the highest antioxidant activity, which may be due

to high polyphenolic content. The methnolic and aqueous extracts showed potent

antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic in streptozotocin induced non-insulin dependent

diabetes mellitus in rats. In another study of Pimple et al. (2012) reported that

methanol extract gave ulcer maximum protection in diabetic rats.

Hepatoprotective activity

Jadhav et al. (2010) demonstrated hepatoprotective activity of hydro-alcoholic

extracts edible species of L. acutangula in CCl4 and rifampicin induced

hepatotoxicity. The hydro alcoholic extracts prevented the elevation of serum

biochemical marker enzymes and restore the total protein, in dose dependent manner,

in both the models. The study revealed the hepatoprotective activity of hydroalcholic

extract by potentiating the endogenous antioxidant system and inhibition of lipid

peroxidation.

Antimicrobial activity

Dandge et al. (2012) examined antimicrobial activity of Luffa amara fruit and leaf

water extracts. The fruit exhibited more potent antibacterial and antifungal activity

than leaf extract. E. coli showed highest sensitivity than Staphylococcus aureus,

Pseudomonas aeroginosa; while fungi Curvularia lunata was found highly sensitive

to leaf and fruit extract.

In another study, chloroform and aqueous extract of LA fruit were evaluated for

antimicrobial potential. Chloroform extract showed higher antimicrobial potential

compared with aqueous extract (Torvi and Hunashal, 2012).

CNS depressant activity

Missar et al. (2004) evaluated CNS depressant activity of ethanol extract of LA fruits

using behavioral changes, exploratory activity, barbiturates sleeping time in animal

models. The extract exhibited dose-dependent CNS depressant activity.



Ameliorative activity

Jadhav et al. (2013) reported protective effect of hyroalcoholic effect of L. acutangula

in doxorubicin induced cardiac and nephrotoxicity in mice. Pretreatment with hydro-

alcoholic extracts significantly reversed the serum biomarkers such as alanine amino

transferase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatinine phophokinasein heart and kidney

tissue in doxorubicin treated mice. In addition, the LA extract demonstrated

inhibition of elevated MDA level and restored depleted glutathione, catalase, and

superoxide dismutase in heart and kidney tissue. The ameliorative effect in cardio and

nephro-toxicity in mice was found to be related to its antioxidant property which

finally results in membrane stabilization.

3.5 Conclusion

The detail literature review showed that the selected plants are traditionally and in folk

used for liver diseases. The phytochemistry of F. microcarpa was extensively studied.

The plant was not yet standardized for pharmacognostically. The pharmacological

activity limited to antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic studies; while no reports

were available for hepatoprotective evaluation and phytochemical correlation.

The L. acutangula has two variety that are edible known as L. acutangula var.

acutangula and other wild i.e. L. acutangula var. amara (L. amara). Their

morphology and phytochemistry is distinct. The most of literatures were published

without clear identification. The fruit of the plant is highly recommended in traditional

and folk medicine for liver disease. Despite of this, the plant has not standardized for

pharmacognostically and pharmacologically. The preliminary reports on

phytochemistry of L amara fruit were available. Thus, indicates the need of

pharmacological evaluation with phytochemical correlation.

3.6 References

Abdel-Hameed, E. S. S. (2009). Total phenolic contents and free radical scavenging

activity of certain Egyptian Ficus species leaf samples. Food Chemistry, 114(4),

1271-1277.

Ao, C., Deba, F., Tako, M., and Tawata, S. (2009). Biological activity and

composition of extract from aerial root of Ficus microcarpa L. fil. International

Journal of Food Science and Technology, 44(2), 349-358.



Ao, C., Higa, T., Ming, H., Ding, Y. T., and Tawata, S. (2010). Isolation and

identification of antioxidant and hyaluronidase inhibitory compounds from

Ficus microcarpa L. fil. bark. Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal

Chemistry, 25(3), 406-413.

Ao, C., Li, A., Elzaawely, A. A., Xuan, T. D., and Tawata, S. (2008). Evaluation of

antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Ficus microcarpa L. fil. extract. Food

Control, 19(10), 940-948.

Awad, N. E., Seida, A. A., Hamed, M. A., and Elbatanony, M. M. (2011).

Hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activities of Ficus microcarpa (L.) in

hypercholesterolemic rats. Natural product research, 25(12), 1202-1207.

Bairagi, M. S., Aher, A. A., Pathan, B. I., and Nema, N. (2012). Analgesic and anti-

inflammatory evaluation of Ficus microcarpa L. leaves extract. Asian Journal of

Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, 5(4), 258-261.

Chiang, Y. M., and Kuo, Y. H. (2000). Taraxastane-type triterpenes from the aerial

roots of Ficus microcarpa. Journal of natural products, 63(7), 898-901.

Chiang, Y. M., and Kuo, Y. H. (2001). New Peroxy Triterpenes from the Aerial Roots

of Ficus microcarpa. Journal of Natural Products, 64(4), 436-439.

Chiang, Y. M., and Kuo, Y. H. (2003). Two novel α-tocopheroids from the aerial

roots of Ficus microcarpa. Tetrahedron Letters, 44(27), 5125-5128.

Chiang, Y. M., Chang, J. Y., Kuo, C. C., Chang, C. Y., and Kuo, Y. H. (2005).

Cytotoxic triterpenes from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa. Phytochemistry,

66(4), 495-501.

Dandge, V.S., Rothe, S. P., and Pethe, A. S. (2012). Antimicrobial activity and

pharmacognostic study of Luffa acutangula (l) Roxb var amara on some

deuteromycetes fungi. International Journal of Science Innovations and

Discoveries, 2(1), 191- -196.

Gill, N. S., Arora, R., and Kumar, S. R. (2011). Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anti-

inflammatory and Analgesic Potential of the Luffa acutangula Roxb. Var.

amara. Research Journal of Phytochemistry, 5(4), 201-208.

Iyyamperumal, U., Mohanavelua, N., Pitchaimuthua, S., Rahab, S., Periyannanc, M.,

and Ilavarasand, R. (2013). Anti-inflammatory and in vitro antioxidant potential



of extracts leaves of Luffa acutangula (var) amara in rodent model (rats).

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 5(2), 79-83

Jadhav, V. B., Thakare, V. N., Suralkar, A. A., and Naik, S. R. (2013). Ameliorative

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