Properties of Polyscias fruticosa: antipyretic, anti-inflammatory.
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: On the antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and molluscicidal properties of polyscias fruticosa (l) harms
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
This page presents a generated summary with additional references; See source (below) for actual content.
Original source:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.
Bensita Mary Bernard, Nilani Pakianathan, Madhu C. Divakar
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: On the antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and molluscicidal properties of polyscias fruticosa (l) harms
Year: 1998
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The study investigates the pharmacological properties of the n-butanol extract of Polyscias fruticosa (L) Harms, a plant recognized for its potential medicinal benefits. The research examines anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, and molluscicidal activities of the extract, specifically focusing on its effects in laboratory animal models. Despite the plant’s use in traditional medicine, previous systematic phyto-pharmacological studies were scarce, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation. The study aims to elucidate the extract’s properties, which align with existing claims about its effectiveness in various health-related applications.
Analgesic Activity and Anti-inflammatory Action
One important aspect of the research is the analysis of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties exhibited by the n-butanol extract (NBES). The results highlighted that the extract significantly reduced paw edema induced by egg white injection in rats, demonstrating a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect. At the higher dosage of 500 mg/kg, the NBES showed a 54.14% inhibition in paw edema compared to 71.95% inhibition by the standard drug, phenyl butazone. Furthermore, the analgesic capacity was evaluated through the acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice, where the extract proved effective in reducing the number of writhes at higher concentrations, showcasing protective effects against pain. These findings underline the potential of NBES as an alternative therapeutic agent in managing inflammation and pain.
Conclusion
The research indicates that the n-butanol extract of Polyscias fruticosa possesses significant pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, alongside its molluscicidal properties. The extract's ability to induce mortality in freshwater snails supports its potential use in combating schistosomiasis, a serious health concern linked to snail-borne parasites. Furthermore, the study ensures the extract's safety, having shown no toxic effects at evaluated doses. Overall, the results provide valuable insights that support the traditional uses of Polyscias fruticosa while also laying the groundwork for future studies on its therapeutic applications in modern medicine.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What properties of Polyscias fruticosa were studied in this research?
The study investigated the anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, and molluscicidal properties of the n-butanol extract from Polyscias fruticosa leaves, highlighting its pharmacological potential.
How was the n-butanol extract prepared in this study?
Fresh leaves of Polyscias fruticosa were Soxhlet extracted with 70% ethanol, concentrated, and then sequentially extracted with chloroform, ethyl acetate, and finally n-butanol, yielding a saponin-rich extract.
What results did the study find regarding analgesic activity?
The n-butanol extract showed significant analgesic activity, with higher doses resulting in a marked reduction in the number of writhing induced by acetic acid in mice.
What was the effectiveness of the extract against freshwater snails?
The molluscicidal activity of the n-butanol extract demonstrated significant mortality rates in freshwater snails, indicating its potential use in controlling molluscan hosts of schistosomiasis.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Properties of Polyscias fruticosa: antipyretic, anti-inflammatory.”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Drug:
Drug refers to any substance used for medical treatment, which can include natural or synthetic compounds. In the context of the study, the term is particularly relevant as it points to the n-butanol extract of Polyscias fruticosa, which was tested for multiple pharmacological properties including analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory effects.
2) Activity:
Activity signifies the ability of a compound to produce a specific effect or biological response. In this text, it relates to the therapeutic effects tested for the n-butanol extract (NBES) of Polyscias fruticosa, highlighting its anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, and molluscicidal activities, demonstrating its potential medicinal value.
3) Water:
Water is a polar solvent and plays a crucial role in the extraction processes described. The study utilized water to dilute the ethanolic extract before further extraction with chloroform and ethyl acetate, ultimately isolating the n-butanol extract, which contained active compounds responsible for the tested bioactivities.
4) Edema (Oedema):
Oedema refers to the swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues, often forming a critical aspect of inflammatory responses. The study assesses the n-butanol extract's ability to reduce oedema in rats induced by egg white, indicating its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent in pharmacological applications.
5) Science (Scientific):
Science is the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experimentation. This study contributes to the field of pharmacognosy by systematically investigating the pharmacological effects of a specific plant extract, thereby advancing scientific knowledge on herbal medicinal applications.
6) Pharmacological:
Pharmacological encompasses the study of drugs and their effects on biological systems. The study focuses on assessing the pharmacological properties of the n-butanol extract from Polyscias fruticosa, including its mechanisms for anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and molluscicidal actions, contributing to understanding its medicinal potential.
7) Toxicity:
Toxicity signifies the degree to which a substance can cause harm to an organism. In this study, acute toxicity was evaluated by administering the extract to mice, establishing its safety profile—demonstrating no adverse effects at doses up to 2.5 g/kg body weight, which is essential for justifying further pharmacological applications.
8) Glass:
Glass refers to the material used for laboratory containers in experiments, particularly relevant for conducting the molluscicidal activities. The study utilized labeled glass beakers for testing the effects of various concentrations of the n-butanol extract on snails, highlighting the controlled environment necessary for accurate bioactivity assessments.
9) Pharmacology:
Pharmacology is the branch of medicine that focuses on drugs and their effects on living organisms. This study belongs to pharmacology as it investigates the effects and mechanisms of Polyscias fruticosa's n-butanol extract, providing insights into potential therapeutic applications and introducing a promising candidate for further research.
10) Inflammation:
Inflammation is a biological response to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens or irritants, often characterized by redness, swelling, and pain. The study measures the anti-inflammatory effects of the extract on induced oedema in rats, emphasizing the extract's utility in managing inflammatory conditions through its pharmacological properties.
11) Discussion:
Discussion refers to the section where results are interpreted and contextualized. In the study, it allows for the analysis of the outcomes from various bioactivity tests on the n-butanol extract, enabling researchers to draw conclusions about its therapeutic potential, safety, and relevance in traditional medicine and modern pharmacology.
12) Medicine:
Medicine embodies the science and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases. This study pertains to medicine by exploring the potential of a traditional herbal extract for therapeutic use, providing scientific evidence for its efficacy, and suggesting its integration into modern medicinal practices for treatable conditions.
13) Neurosis:
Neurosis refers to a range of psychological conditions characterized by anxiety and obsessive behaviors. While not directly addressed in this study, it connects to the wider context of pharmacology and herbal medicine as treatments for neurotic conditions may benefit from insights into the anti-anxiety or analgesic properties of herbal extracts.
14) Madhu:
Madhu is a co-author of the study, representing contributors to the research work. The involvement of individuals such as Madhu emphasizes the collaborative nature of scientific research, where multiple experts contribute to exploring the drug potentials of Polyscias fruticosa and advancing phytopharmacological knowledge.
15) Usa (Uṣā, Usā, Ūsa, Usha, Uṣa, Ūṣā, Ūṣa):
Usha refers to one of the authors involved in conducting the study. Author contributions in research highlight the importance of collaboration and collective expertise in furthering knowledge about the pharmacological effects of natural substances like the n-butanol extract of Polyscias fruticosa, vital for potential applications in medicine.
16) Worm:
Worms represent the targeted organisms in the study, particularly in reference to molluscicidal activity against fluke worms that cause schistosomiasis. The research highlights the importance of controlling these intermediate hosts, thereby establishing the significance of Polyscias fruticosa as a potential bioactive agent in combating parasitic infections.