Pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and antimicrobial studies of S. indicum.
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical and Anti-microbial studies of Solanum indicum leaves
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.
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Original source:
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A.R. Srividya, A. Arunkumar, Bony Cherian, V. Maheshwari, S. Piramanayagam, V. Senthoorpandi
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical and Anti-microbial studies of Solanum indicum leaves
Year: 2009
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Solanum indicum Linn, a member of the Solanaceae family, is widely distributed in tropical regions, including India, Ceylon, Malaya, China, and the Philippines. Known in Tamil as "Karimulli" and referred to in English as "Poison berry," the plant's leaves have been investigated for their chemical constituents and antimicrobial properties. The study utilized standard extraction methods and employed various solvents such as chloroform, acetone, ethyl alcohol, and water to investigate the phytochemical profile and evaluate antimicrobial activity against different bacterial strains.
Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Activity
The chemical analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrates and sterols in chloroform and alcohol extracts, whereas the acetone extract also showed sterol content, but the aqueous extract identified no significant constituents. Notably, the ethanolic extract displayed antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Escherichia coli, while chloroform, acetone, and ethanol extracts exhibited activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, no extracts demonstrated antifungal activity, and the aqueous extracts showed no antimicrobial activity against any tested organisms.
Conclusion
The results indicate that Solanum indicum possesses noteworthy antibacterial properties, particularly in its ethanolic and chloroform extracts, emphasizing its potential as a source of antibacterial agents. The absence of antifungal activity and the limited effectiveness of aqueous extracts suggest that further research could aim to explore and isolate specific bioactive compounds responsible for the observed antimicrobial effects. These findings contribute to understanding the phytochemical composition and biological significance of Solanum indicum, supporting its traditional use in herbal medicine.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What are the main findings regarding Solanum indicum leaves?
The leaves contain stellate trichomes and various phytochemical constituents. Ethanolic extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against specific bacteria, while aqueous extracts showed no antimicrobial effects.
What types of antimicrobial activity were observed in the extracts?
Ethanolic, chloroform, and acetone extracts demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Escherichia coli. However, none of the extracts showed antifungal activity.
How was the extraction process for Solanum indicum conducted?
100 grams of fresh leaves were extracted using soxhlet apparatus with different solvents like chloroform, acetone, ethyl alcohol, and water for 72 hours until fully exhausted.
What structural features characterize the leaves of Solanum indicum?
The leaves are dorsiventral, mesomorphic, with prominent stellate trichomes, a thin epidermal layer, and a distinct vascular structure featuring bowl-shaped xylem and phloem bundles.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and antimicrobial studies of S. indicum.”. 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) Activity:
Activity refers to the observed effects or actions exhibited by a substance, such as a plant extract, in biological assays. In the context of Solanum indicum, it highlights the measurable outcomes of its extracts against various microorganisms, particularly their ability to inhibit bacterial growth, representing a significant aspect of pharmacological research.
2) Solanum indicum:
Solanum indicum, commonly known as poison berry, is a plant belonging to the Solanaceae family. It is native to tropical regions, including countries like India and Malaya. This plant is studied for its medicinal properties, particularly its leaves, which exhibit various bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic effects.
3) Phytochemical:
Phytochemicals are natural compounds found in plants that contribute to their color, flavor, and disease resistance. In the case of Solanum indicum, phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds, such as alkaloids and sterols, which are linked to its antimicrobial properties and overall health benefits.
4) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
An antibiotic is a type of medication used to treat bacterial infections. While the study of Solanum indicum explores its natural antibacterial properties, the term 'antibiotic' draws a connection to the broader field of antimicrobial therapy, where plant-derived compounds may serve as alternatives to synthetic antibiotics in medicine.
5) Water:
Water is a crucial solvent in chemical and biological processes, facilitating the extraction of plant compounds during phytochemical studies. In the research concerning Solanum indicum, aqueous extracts did not exhibit significant antimicrobial activity, emphasizing the importance of solvent choice in determining the efficacy of bioactive compounds.
6) Drug:
A drug is a substance used for medical treatment, especially for diagnosis, cure, or prevention of diseases. The leaves of Solanum indicum are analyzed for their potential as a natural drug due to their phytochemical constituents, which may offer therapeutic benefits, including anti-bacterial properties.
7) Science (Scientific):
Science is the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experimentation. The research on Solanum indicum employs scientific methods to investigate its pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and antibacterial properties, contributing to our understanding of traditional medicine efficacy.
8) Poison berry:
Poison berry is an English common name for Solanum indicum, reflecting the plant's toxicity in certain conditions. This term is significant in the study, as it highlights both its potential medicinal applications and the need for caution due to its poisonous reputation in folklore and botanical classifications.
9) Discussion:
Discussion in scientific research refers to the analysis and interpretation of results. In the study of Solanum indicum, the discussion section elaborates on the significance of the findings, comparing them to existing literature, and exploring the implications of its antibacterial activity and phytochemical diversity.
10) Malaya:
Malaya refers to the historical region in Southeast Asia, which is significant in the distribution of Solanum indicum. This geographic context highlights the plant's tropical origins and its use in traditional medicine practices across various cultures in the region, enhancing its ethnobotanical relevance.
11) Cina:
China, as part of the distribution range for Solanum indicum, plays a vital role in the plant's cultural and medicinal uses. The mention of China in studies emphasizes the significance of regional biodiversity and traditional uses of plants, contributing to a global understanding of herbal medicine.
12) Shand (Sand):
Sand, in the context of this research, refers to the microcrystal or sand-type calcium oxalate crystals found in the mesophyll of Solanum indicum. These crystals are of interest in anatomical studies as they can indicate the plant's physiological characteristics and may play a role in its defense mechanisms.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and antimicrobial studies of S. indicum.’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Antifungal activity, Aqueous extract, Anti-microbial activity, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Acetone extract, Chloroform extract, Microscopic studies, Extractive value, Bacillus cereus, Phyto-chemical tests, Alcohol extract, Stomata, Sulphated ash, Analytical parameter, Venation pattern, Solanum Indicum Linn.