Seasonal variation in cytotoxic and antioxidant activity of Terminalia racemosa.
Journal name: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Original article title: A study of seasonal variation in cytotoxic and antioxidant activity of leaf and bark extracts of terminalia racemosa (family- combretaceae)
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Dipti Ranjan Behera and Sunita Bhatnagar
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research:
(An ISO 9001:2015 Certified International Journal)
Full text available for: A study of seasonal variation in cytotoxic and antioxidant activity of leaf and bark extracts of terminalia racemosa (family- combretaceae)
Source type: An International Peer Reviewed Journal for Pharmaceutical and Medical and Scientific Research
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The study examined the medicinal potential of Terminalia racemosa, a member of the Combretaceae family, known for its numerous medicinal trees. Despite its relatives like Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia chebula, and Terminalia bellerica being well-studied, Terminalia racemosa remains relatively unexplored. With seasonal variation influencing the medicinal properties of plants, this research focused on the cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of leaf and bark extracts collected at four different times throughout the year: February, May, July, and October. Various solvent extracts were prepared and tested for their activity to determine the optimal collection seasons for maximizing these medicinal properties.
Seasonal Influence on Cytotoxic Activity
One of the key findings of the study was the notable variation in cytotoxic activity of Terminalia racemosa extracts based on the time of collection. The brine shrimp mortality assay demonstrated that hexane, acetone, and methanol extracts yielded the best cytotoxic results in October, with measured inhibitions exceeding 90% for leaf samples. For bark samples, all extracts showed increased cytotoxicity from February to October. This indicates a significant seasonal influence on the cytotoxic properties of the plant, suggesting that environmental factors related to specific months can affect the concentration of bioactive compounds.
Antioxidant Activity Evaluation
In addition to cytotoxicity, the antioxidant activity of the plant extracts was assessed using a thin-layer chromatography (TLC)-based DPPH assay. The results indicated that samples collected in February and July were particularly rich in antioxidant compounds, as evidenced by the higher number of antioxidant bands observed in these months. The study underlines the significance of seasonal variation, as both leaf and bark samples showed consistent patterns with increased antioxidant activity during these collection periods. The findings align with previous research indicating that the production of secondary metabolites, such as polyphenols, can vary significantly across seasons.
Importance of Collection Timing for Medicinal Plants
The research emphasizes the necessity of proper timing for the collection of Terminalia racemosa to maximize the yield of its beneficial secondary metabolites and consequent biological activities. The study highlighted that active principles within other medicinal plants can also fluctuate based on the time of year, implying that careful attention to seasonal variations can enhance the efficacy of herbal remedies. With this understanding, herbal practitioners can improve their harvesting strategies to yield more potent preparations.
Conclusion
Overall, the study concluded that Terminalia racemosa exhibits significant cytotoxic and antioxidant activities, with seasonal variation playing a crucial role in the accumulation of its secondary metabolites. These findings contribute valuable insights for further research into the medicinal potential of this lesser-known species and highlight the importance of optimal collection times for effective utilization in herbal medicine. Future studies could expand on these results to explore the underlying mechanisms driving these seasonal differences, enhancing the medicinal application of Terminalia racemosa.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the focus of the study on Terminalia racemosa?
The study investigates the seasonal variation in cytotoxic and antioxidant activity of leaf and bark extracts of Terminalia racemosa, a lesser-explored member of the Combretaceae family, known for its medicinal properties.
How were the extracts of Terminalia racemosa prepared?
Leaf and bark samples were collected in four different months (February, May, July, and October), washed, dried, and ground into fine powder. Solvent extracts were then prepared using Soxhlet extraction based on polarity.
What methods were used to test cytotoxic activity?
Cytotoxic activity was assessed using the brine shrimp mortality assay, where brine shrimp larvae were exposed to various solvent extracts to observe motility and calculate percentage inhibition of motility for different concentrations.
What did the antioxidant activity assessment involve?
Antioxidant activity was evaluated using a TLC-based DPPH assay, where extracts were applied to TLC plates followed by spraying with DPPH to observe the formation of yellow antioxidant bands against a purple background.
What were the findings regarding seasonal variations?
The study concluded that cytotoxic and antioxidant activity varied significantly by season, with maximum cytotoxicity observed in October for leaf extracts and February and July yielding higher numbers of antioxidant bands for both leaf and bark samples.
What is the significance of this study?
This study highlights the importance of seasonal timing in the collection of medicinal plants for maximizing yield of bioactive compounds, suggesting that extraction methods should consider seasonal variations to enhance medicinal benefits.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Seasonal variation in cytotoxic and antioxidant activity of Terminalia racemosa.”. 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 in this context refers to the biological effects exhibited by the extracts of Terminalia racemosa, particularly focusing on cytotoxic and antioxidant actions. The study investigates how these activities vary with seasonal changes, highlighting the importance of timing in the collection of plant material for medicinal purposes.
2) Study (Studying):
The term 'study' indicates a structured investigation aiming to understand the medicinal potential of Terminalia racemosa. This involves assessing cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of the plant extracts, collecting data over different seasons to analyze variations, and drawing conclusions about the plant's health benefits and effective extraction periods.
3) Family:
In botanical terms, 'family' pertains to a group of related genera sharing common characteristics. Terminalia racemosa belongs to the Combretaceae family, which contains several medicinal plants, emphasizing the evolutionary and ecological connections among these species and their shared medicinal properties.
4) Terminalia chebula:
Terminalia chebula is a well-studied member of the Combretaceae family known for its extensive medicinal uses. Often highlighted in Ayurvedic medicine, its comparison with Terminalia racemosa underscores the significance of examining various members of the same genus to uncover their potential health benefits.
5) Bhubaneswar (Bhubaneshvar, Bhubanesvar):
Bhubaneswar is the capital city of Odisha, India, where the Regional Plant Resource Centre (RPRC) is located. The geographical context is crucial for the study as it influences the plant's growth patterns and availability, thus impacting the research on Terminalia racemosa's properties.
6) India:
India's rich biodiversity supports numerous plants with medicinal properties. The examination of Terminalia racemosa within this context is essential as it places the study within the broader scope of traditional medicine and phytotherapy prevalent in the country, highlighting the cultural importance of such plants.
7) Water:
Water serves as a critical component in the process of extracting compounds from plant materials. In this study, it was used in preparation and assays, emphasizing its role not only as a solvent but also in facilitating the biological assessments of the extracts’ activities.
8) Table:
The term 'table' refers to the organized presentation of data, specifically detailing the number of antioxidant bands in different extracts. Such tables help in visualizing and comparing results systematically, enabling better interpretation of the findings related to seasonal variations in extraction.
9) Terminalia arjuna:
Terminalia arjuna is another notable species in the Terminalia genus, recognized for its medicinal benefits, especially for cardiovascular health. This reference in the study emphasizes the potential shared medicinal properties among Terminalia species and their importance in traditional medicine practices.
10) Bhatnagar:
Bhatnagar, referring to Dr. Sunita Bhatnagar, is a key researcher involved in the study. Her contributions, expertise, and affiliation with the RPRC lend credibility to the research and signify the collaborative effort in investigating the pharmacological potential of Terminalia racemosa.
11) Arjuna:
Arjuna refers to both a common name and a medicinal species in the Terminalia genus. Its mention highlights the significance of the genus and may indicate the comparative health benefits explored in the study regarding cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of related species.
12) Genu:
The term 'genus' is a taxonomic rank used to classify species with shared characteristics. Describing Terminalia racemosa within the genus context underscores the biological relationships among species, which aids in understanding the ecological and medicinal implications of the plants studied.
13) Tree:
Tree signifies the growth form of Terminalia racemosa, which is a medicinal tree. Understanding its morphology is vital for comprehending its ecological significance, cultivation practices, and the implications of seasonal variations on its bioactive compound yields.
14) Emblica officinalis:
Emblica officinalis, commonly known as Amla, is a renowned medicinal plant in Ayurveda. Its inclusion highlights the study's focus on comparing different species of the Combretaceae family and elucidating the broader knowledge of herbal medicine in addressing health issues.
15) Pharmacological:
Pharmacological refers to the study of how plant extracts, particularly from Terminalia racemosa, affect biological systems. This term emphasizes the intent of the research to explore potential therapeutic uses of the plant's extracts especially in relation to cytotoxic and antioxidant activities.
16) Arjunarishta (Arjunarista, Arjuna-arishta):
Arjunarishta is a traditional Ayurvedic formulation derived from Terminalia arjuna. Its mention illustrates the practical applications of medicinal plants from the Terminalia genus and indicates the importance of exploring similar formulations that may involve Terminalia racemosa.
17) Accumulation (Accumulating, Accumulate):
Accumulation refers to the gathering of biochemical compounds, particularly secondary metabolites, within the plant as influenced by environmental factors like seasons. Understanding accumulation patterns helps ascertain optimal harvesting times to maximize medicinal benefits from the extracts studied.
18) Discussion:
Discussion in scientific research refers to the section where findings are interpreted and compared with existing literature. In this study, it explains the implications of the cytotoxic and antioxidant activities observed and situates them within a broader context of medicinal plant research.
19) Vibhitaka:
Vibhitaka is yet another common name for Terminalia bellerica, a notable species in Ayurveda. Including Hibhitaka emphasizes the diversity of the Terminalia genus and its collective role in traditional remedies, offering insights into the compounds that contribute to their medicinal efficacy.
20) Haritaki:
Haritaki is the common name for Terminalia chebula. This reference enriches the discussion on Ayurvedic formulations such as Triphala, showing that the study of Terminalia racemosa is part of a larger tradition of exploring herbal combinations for health applications.
21) Triphala (Tri-phala):
Triphala is a widely recognized Ayurvedic formulation combining three fruits: Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica, and Emblica officinalis. This illustrates the interconnectedness of these species within traditional medicine and the potential of Terminalia racemosa as an additional or alternative source of herbal medicine.
22) Medicine:
Medicine is the field related to health and healing, encompassing practices that utilize plants like Terminalia racemosa for therapeutic purposes. The study contributes to medicinal knowledge by exploring how seasonal variations affect the efficacy of herbal remedies.
23) Species:
Species refers to a specific group of organisms distinguished by unique characteristics. The focus on Terminalia racemosa as a lesser-explored species within the study highlights the importance of investigating diverse plants for their untapped medicinal potential.
24) Company:
Company may refer to the organizations or brands involved in the research, emphasizing collaboration among laboratories and institutions. This can encompass partnerships that facilitate the study and distribution of findings related to medicinal plants.
25) Salina (Shalina):
Salina refers to the scientific name for brine shrimp, Artemia salina, used in the cytotoxicity assays during the study. The mention underscores the methodology employed to evaluate the effectiveness of plant extracts while providing insights into their potential as therapeutic agents.
26) Behera:
Behera refers to Dipti Ranjan Behera, one of the contributing authors in the study. His role reinforces the importance of collaboration in scientific research, promoting diverse expertise to achieve comprehensive goals in investigating the medicinal properties of Terminalia racemosa.
27) Ranjan (Ramjan):
Ranjan is part of the name Dipti Ranjan Behera. The inclusion of authors' names in scientific literature is crucial for crediting research contributions. It emphasizes the collaborative efforts of various individuals in advancing knowledge about Terminalia racemosa's properties.
28) Forest:
Forest reflects the natural habitat where Terminalia racemosa is typically found. Understanding its ecological environment is essential for conservation efforts and for maximizing the effectiveness of cultivation and harvesting practices in relation to the plant’s medicinal properties.
29) Cancer:
Cancer refers to a class of diseases characterized by abnormal cell growth. The mention of cancer in the context of the study indicates the potential for Terminalia racemosa extracts to provide therapeutic benefits and highlights the importance of exploring plants for anticancer properties.
30) Nature:
Nature symbolizes the environment in which medicinal plants like Terminalia racemosa grow, affecting their composition and medicinal properties. The natural context is vital for understanding how to sustainably harvest plants for pharmacological applications.
31) Powder:
Powder refers to the form in which dried leaves and bark of Terminalia racemosa were processed for extraction. This physical state is significant for ensuring proper extraction methods and assessing the efficacy of the resulting phytochemical compounds.
32) Dipti:
Dipti is part of the name Dipti Ranjan Behera, a researcher and author of the study. Acknowledging contributors fosters accountability in scientific research and highlights the collaborative efforts involved in studying the medicinal properties of Terminalia racemosa.
33) Amla:
Amla, another name for Emblica officinalis, is a highly valued medicinal fruit in Ayurvedic medicine. Its mention alongside Terminalia racemosa illustrates connections among various medicinal plants used in traditional remedies and their collective significance in herbal practices.
34) Line:
Line could refer to a specific context in the data presentation or the representation of biological results in graphical or textual form. Clarity in data representation is crucial for understanding and communicating research findings effectively.
35) Salt (Salty):
Salt, in the research, pertains to the saline solution used in preparing brine shrimp for cytotoxicity assays. It plays a crucial role in creating a conducive environment for the brine shrimp to thrive, which is essential for obtaining reliable results from the experiments.