@article {1362, title = {Phytotomy and Microchemistry of Peperomia tetraphylla G. (Forst.) Hook. \& Arn.: A Lead to Accurate Identification}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {January 2025}, pages = {221-231}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {221}, abstract = {

Background: Our study aims to explore the anatomical characters of Peperomia tetraphylla, commonly called four-leaved peperomia and belonging to the family Piperaceae. Objectives: The investigation was undertaken to address the dearth of existing reports on the anatomical and histochemical aspects of Peperomia tetraphylla. Materials and Methods: Plant materials were collected, identified and preserved in Formalin-Aceto-Alcohol (FAA). The preserved specimens were sectioned using a rotatory microtome and stained with Toluidine blue, safranin and astra blue. Powder Microscopic studies and histochemical analysis were done using standard procedure. Results: Peperomia tetraphylla is a succulent herb with spike inflorescence of minute, perianthless flowers. The stem outline was undulate with cutinized single layered epidermis having glandular trichomes. Scattered collateral vascular bundles were present in the parenchymatous ground tissue. The section of the petiole shows a distinct epidermis with glandular trichomes. Vascular bundles are arranged in crescent shaped manner in ground tissue. Histochemical analysis shown the presence of alkaloids, tannins, starch, cutin, lignin, resin and crystals in various zone of leaf and stem of Peperomia tetraphylla. Conclusion: These characteristics are essential since it portrays the physical appearance of the plants which helps to regulate the genuineness of the drug.

}, keywords = {Histochemistry, Microscopic, Peperomia tetraphylla, Piperaceae, Powder microscopy}, doi = {10.5530/pres.20252003}, author = {Sudeepthi Nallasamy and Shalini Senapathi and Geetha Dhandapani and Jayashre Ramesh} } @article {1260, title = {Pharmacognostical Studies on Seeds of Argyreia nervosa (Burm. F.) Boj. and its Market Adulteration Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. Ex Corr{\^e}a}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {16}, year = {2024}, month = {June 2024}, pages = {495-507}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {495}, abstract = {

Background: The seeds of Argyreia nervosa (Burm.f.) Boj. (Syn.: A. speciosa (L.f.) Sweet., Convolvulaceae) is the source of Vriddhadaru of Ayurveda and Samudrappachai of Siddha. The seeds are used in Indian systems of medicine for rejuvenating, as an aphrodisiac, hypotensive, spasmolytic, antidiabetic, antiviral, antifertility, antibacterial and diuretic drug. The dried seeds of Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. ex Corr{\^e}a (Malvaceae) is Parisha/Kapitana according to Ayurveda and Puvarasu in Siddha. The latter is used instead of seeds of A. nervosa due to similar appearance. Objectives: A comparative study has been executed to identify the official source drugs by carrying out Pharmacognostical studies, for dried seeds of A. nervosa and T. populnea. Materials and Methods: The Macro-microscopic characterization and TLC/HPTLC profiling were carried out by appropriate methods published by standard books/Pharmacopoeias. Results: Observations were documented comparatively so that surface characters of testa and embryo; transverse section of testa, cotyledon, radicle and powder microscopy can be used as diagnostic features to differentiate the two sources. The TLC/HPTLC profile of ethanolic extract of two species provides a suitable method for monitoring identity, purity and also standardisation of these drugs in formulations. Conclusion: The results will help in differentiating these plant drugs and authentication/identification of the crude drug/raw drug standardization of the single drug or as a powder form, even when added to a formulation these drugs containing as ingredients.

}, keywords = {Baby wood-rose, Market adulteration, Powder microscopy, Seed anatomy, Vriddhadaru}, doi = {10.5530/pres.16.3.60}, author = {Sundharamoorthy Susikumar and Govindarajan Nartunai and Koppala Narayanan Sunil Kumar and Thatipelli Sujith and Ramachandran Shakila and Raju Ilavarasan} } @article {171, title = {Comparative Botanical and Phytochemical Studies of Ambiguous Medicinal Plant Species of Wedelia and Eclipta (Fam. Asteraceae) Used in ASU Systems of Medicine with Special Reference to in-silico Screening of Hepatoprotective Potential of Marker Wedelolacto}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {August 2020}, pages = {285-298}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {285}, abstract = {

Context: In traditional medicine, Kesaraja (Ayurveda) or Manjal karisali (Siddha) is effective for jaundice. Aim: Three species of Asteraceae need to be studied for their therapeutic superiority of their intended claim. They are Wedelia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr. Philipp J., Wedelia trilobata (L.) Hitchc. and Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. (Asteraceae). The present study aimed to screen and characterize the potential species for therapeutic purpose. Materials and Methods: The whole plants, W. chinensis (Osbeck) Merr. Philipp J., W. trilobata (L.) Hitchc. and Eclipta prostrata (L.) (Asteraceae) were collected and botanically identified. Preliminary phytochemical analysis and high-performance thin-layer chromatography finger printing with marker wedelolactone were done for the ethanolic extracts of these plants. Botanical and pharmacognostical diagnostic characters of the plants based on macro-morphological, micro-morphological and powder microscopical characterization were worked out. Comparative in-vitro antioxidant potential of ethanolic extracts of these plant species was carried out. Using ADMET SAR software, the pharmacokinetics of wedelolactone were predicted. Using Autodock 4.2 software, the binding energy of wedelolactone on targets of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity namely PPAR-α, AMPK, JNK-1, EGFR, Nrf2, ALT, ALP, GGT, CAR, Frizzled receptor, FXR, ERK1, LXR, mitochondrial glutamate dehydrogenase, p53, mTOR C1, CYP1A2, CYP2E1, 5-lipoxygenase, thrombin, UCP1, GSK1, RXR and PXR was predicted. Results: All the three plant species were pharmacognostically and chemically different. W. chinensis was found to possess more antioxidant potential than the other two plants. The marker compound wedelolactone was not detected in W. trilobata. Wedelolactone passed the Lipinski{\textquoteleft}s rule of five, and the docking analysis of wedelolactone confirmed high binding affinity toward PPAR-α, AMPK, Nrf2, CYP2E1, EGFR, JNK1, UCP-2, thrombin, 5-lipoxygenase, mTORC1, RXR, FXR, LXR, Frizzled receptor, GDH and Erk-1. Conclusion: Based on the above observations, we conclude that the presence of marker compound wedelolactone might have attributed the potency of W. chinensis and E. prostrata in counteracting acetaminophen toxicity when compared with W. trilobata.

}, keywords = {Antioxidant, Ayurveda, Botany, Docking, Eclipta prostrata, High-performance thin-layer chromatography, Macro-morphological, Micro-morphological, Phytochemical, Powder microscopy, Siddha, Wedelia chinensis, Wedelia trilobata, Wedelolactone}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_11_20}, author = {C Arunachalam and R Arunadevi and S Murugammal and N Monika and R Susila and S N Sunil Kumar} }