Anti-parasitic activity of certain indigeous plants
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Anti-parasitic activity of certain indigeous plants
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.
Annie Mathai, K.S. Devi
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Anti-parasitic activity of certain indigeous plants
Year: 1992
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The study investigates the antiparasitic activity of various indigenous plant extracts against the bovine filarial parasite Setaria digitata, which serves as a model for human filarial infections. With lymphatic filariasis posing a significant public health threat to over 300 million people in India, traditional plant-based remedies have long been utilized in the treatment of various ailments, including parasitic infections. The research highlights the exploration of plant-derived treatments, particularly focusing on the efficacy of different indigenous plants, and aims to ascertain the active components responsible for antiparasitic effects.
Efficacy of Strebulus asper
Among the indigenous plants tested, Strebulus asper emerged as the most effective in exhibiting antiparasitic activity. The extracts derived from this plant showed notable lethality against S. digitata, with a significant reduction of the parasite observed as early as five hours after treatment at lower concentrations and within two hours at higher concentrations. The study demonstrated that the active compounds are likely non-polar substances, given that the extracts' antiparasitic effects were most pronounced in the chloroform and ether phases during partitioning with organic solvents. This suggests that the active principles may be smaller, soluble entities that can exert rapid effects on the parasite.
Conclusion
The findings from this study underscore the potential of indigenous plants, particularly Strebulus asper, as a source of antiparasitic agents, possibly providing an alternative or complementary approach to existing treatments for filarial infections. The research paves the way for further investigations aimed at isolating and characterizing the active compounds responsible for the observed antiparasitic effects. Such developments could contribute significantly to the repertoire of treatments available for managing lymphatic filariasis and related parasitic diseases, thus addressing an urgent public health need.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What was the focus of the study conducted by Annie Mathai and K.S. Devi?
The study aimed to test the antiparasitic activity of various indigenous plant extracts against the bovine filarial parasite Setaria digitata.
Which plant extract showed the most effective antiparasitic activity?
Strebulus asper was found to be the most effective plant extract in combating the parasite, demonstrating significant activity at both tested concentrations.
What were the methods used to prepare and test plant extracts?
Aqueous extracts of various plant parts were boiled, filtered, and tested for activity. Further tests involved partitioning with organic solvents to assess the polarity of active compounds.
What was the impact of dialysis on the extracted plant activity?
Dialysis revealed that the antiparasitic activity of Strebulus asper was present in small solute particles, as worms in the outer aqueous phase died while those in the dialysate remained active.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Anti-parasitic activity of certain indigeous plants”. 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:
The term 'Activity' refers to the biological effect observed from the plant extracts in the study. It denotes the effectiveness of the indigenous plants in killing or impairing the bovine filarial parasite Setaria digitata. The measurement of activity is crucial as it quantifies the potential of these extracts for therapeutic applications.
2) Worm:
In this context, 'Worm' represents the bovine filarial parasite Setaria digitata, the target organism for the antiparasitic testing. Understanding the characteristics and biology of the worms is vital, as it directly influences the methodology of the experiments and the interpretation of the antiparasitic efficacy of the plant extracts.
3) Water:
'Water' is significant as the primary solvent used for preparing plant extracts in traditional medicine. The aqueous extracts are particularly important in this study, representing a common practice in herbal medicine and influencing the extraction of the phytochemicals responsible for the observed antiparasitic activity.
4) Drug:
'Drug' refers to the therapeutic agents derived from plant extracts. This study evaluates the potential of indigenous plants as natural drugs against parasitic infections, providing insight into alternative therapies or complementary approaches in public health, particularly concerning filariasis, which is traditionally treated with synthetic drugs.
5) Medicine:
'Medicine' encompasses the broader field of health and healing practices. It includes the use of plant extracts investigated in the study as possible therapeutic agents. The research demonstrates the ongoing relevance of traditional medicine and the potential for discovering new treatments within indigenous knowledge for managing parasitic infections.
6) Discussion:
'Discussion' indicates the section of the paper where authors interpret and contextualize their findings. It is relevant as it allows researchers to explore the implications of their results, assess the significance of the antiparasitic activity observed, and propose future directions for research and potential applications in healthcare.
7) Substance:
'Substance' pertains to the chemical components extracted from the plants. The research specifically highlights the importance of identifying non-polar compounds as potentially active antiparasitic agents. Understanding the nature of these substances is crucial for isolating and characterizing active ingredients for therapeutic use against parasitic diseases.
8) Science (Scientific):
'Science' represents the systematic study and application of knowledge, which underpins this research. The authors conduct experiments grounded in scientific methodology to explore the antiparasitic properties of indigenous plants. This highlights the importance of scientific inquiry in validating traditional remedies and advancing pharmacological knowledge.
9) Devi (Devī):
'Devi' refers to one of the authors, K.S. Devi, indicating her contributions to the research. Author affiliations provide credibility and context, as they highlight collaboration within the academic and scientific community. Recognizing individual contributions emphasizes the collective effort in advancing understanding of plant-based antiparasitic treatments.