Phytochemical Investigation and Preliminary
Pharmacological Screening of Alstonia Scholaris R. Br. As An Antipyretic
Ulhas S Surwase*1, Gazi H Shaikh1,
Shivanand M Patil1, Shivraj G Hunsnalkar1 and Rajesh Y
Chaudhary2
1Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, ASPM’s, K.T. Patil College of Pharmacy, Osmanabad.
413501 Maharashtra, India.
2Dept.
Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Faizpur, Maharashtra,
India.
*Corresponding Author E-mail:
ulhas_pharma@rediffmail.com
ABSTRACT
Alstonia
scholaris R.Br. is reported to possess
anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antidote, antiulcers, antimicrobial activity,
while anti-pyretic activity is still not scientifically investigated. The
animals were fevered by injection of Brewers yeast suspension (10mg/kg)
subcutaneously in the back below the nape of the neck. The petroleum ether,
chloroform and methanolic extracts were fed to fevered rats. Methanolic extract
showed significantly decrease in elevated temperature; while petroleum ether
and chloroform extract did not show significant activity as compared to
standard drug (Paracetamol) The methanolic extract was subjected to thin layer
chromatography and to column chromatography to separate the constituents and
the separated 4 constituents were subjected to evaluation of antipyretic
activity. It was observed that constituent 1, 2 and 4 did not show significant
decrease in elevated body temperature while constituent 3 significantly reduced
elevated body temperature as compared to standard drug.
INTRODUCTION:
Alstonia
scholaris R. Br. belonging to the
family of apocynaceae, widely cultivated throughout India, found in
sub-Himalayan tract from the Jammu eastward. In the literature survey it is
found to exhibit carminative, stomachic and expectorant properties. This plant
is also used in cases of snakebite. Literature survey revealed that the plant
has anti-diabetic1, anti-cancer 2, antibacterial 3,
antimicrobial 4, and bronchovasodialatory activity 5. The
present preliminary phytochemical screening on Alstonia scholaris indicates the
presence of sterols, triterpenoids, anthraquinone glycosides, alkaloids,
flavonoids and tannins. In the present study the antipyretic activity of leaves
of Alstonia scholaris was evaluated.
MATERIALS
AND METHODS:
Procurement
of Plant Material:
For
the present study, leaves of Alstonia scholaris were procured from the
local market. Leaves of Alstonia scholaris were dried in shade under
normal environmental conditions and then subjected to size reduction to coarse
powder.
Extraction: 6
The
coarse powder material was charged into the soxhlet extractor and hot
continuous successive extraction was carried out using different solvents
according to their polarity.
Pharmacological
screening:
Acute
toxicity study:
Acute
toxicity study was carried out according to OECD guidelines. According to test
2000 mg/kg dose was considered as LD50. 1/10 th of the LD50 as an effective
dose that is 200 mg/kg. 7
Antipyretic
activity:
Yeast
induced pyrexia method was adopted. The subcutaneous injection of Brewers yeast
suspension is known to produce fever in rats. A decrease in temperature can be
achieved by administration of compound with antipyretic activity.8
Chromatographic
techniques employed
The
active extract obtained from leaves of Alstonia scholaris was subjected to thin
layer chromatography to find out number of constituents present in it 9.
Column chromatography of the extract of leaves of Alstonia scholaris was
carried out to separate the constituents present in the active extract 10.
Table-
1: Effect of Alstonia Scholaris
Leaves Extracts Using Yeast Induced Pyrexia Method.
|
 Group
|
Rectal
Temp º
|
Time
after administration
|
|
Initial
|
18
hr after Yeast injection
|
30 Min
|
60
Min
|
90
Min
|
120
Min
|
180
min
|
|
Control
|
30.30
±0.02
|
32.86
±0.03
|
32.87
±0.02
|
32.79
±0.05
|
32.78
±0.04
|
32.81
±0.03
|
32.81
±0.04
|
|
Paracetamol
|
30.28
±0.02
|
32.88
±0.03
|
31.89
±0.02
|
31.33
±0.02
|
30.81
±0.03
|
30.74
±0.02
|
30.65
±0.06
|
|
Pet.
Ether
|
30.28
±0.04
|
32.80
±0.04
|
32.62
±0.02
|
32.50
±0.03
|
32.41
±0.02
|
32.10
±0.06
|
31.56
±0.04
|
|
Chloroform
|
30.26
±0.02
|
32.71
±0.06
|
32.49
±0.02
|
32.20
±0.02
|
31.97
±0.06
|
31.95
±0.03
|
31.43
±0.04
|
|
Methanol
|
30.27
±0.07
|
32.90
±0.03
|
32.61
±0.05
|
32.65
±0.03
|
31.70
±0.02
|
30.96
±0.03
|
30.84
±0.03
|
P<0.01
with respect to corresponding control, n
= 6, Values are mean+ standard deviation.
Table
2: Screening of Antipyretic Activity of Separated Constituents
|
Group
|
Rectal
Tempº
|
Time
after administration
|
|
Initial
|
18
hr after Yeast injection
|
30 Min
|
60
Min
|
90
Min
|
120
Min
|
180
min
|
|
Control
|
31.26
±0.02
|
33.82
±0.03
|
33.81
±0.02
|
33.80
±0.05
|
33.80
±0.04
|
33.78
±0.03
|
33.79
±0.04
|
|
Paracetamol
|
31.25
±0.02
|
33.85
±0.03
|
32.88
±0.02
|
32.35
±0.02
|
31.81
±0.03
|
31.73
±0.02
|
31.71
±0.06
|
|
Constituent
1
|
31.22
±0.04
|
33.82
±0.04
|
33.66
±0.02
|
33.31
±0.03
|
33.12
±0.02
|
32.95
±0.06
|
32.87
±0.04
|
|
Constituent
2
|
31.23
±0.02
|
33.81
±0.06
|
33.67
±0.02
|
33.24
±0.02
|
33.17
±0.06
|
32.98
±0.03
|
32.86
±0.04
|
|
Constituent
3
|
31.22
±0.07
|
33.83
±0.03
|
33.12
±0.05
|
32.41
±0.03
|
32.11
±0.02
|
31.97
±0.03
|
31.84
±0.03
|
|
Constituent
4
|
31.23
±0.07
|
33.80
±0.03
|
33.66
±0.05
|
33.43
±0.03
|
33.12
±0.02
|
32.94
±0.03
|
32.85
±0.03
|
P<0.01
with respect to corresponding control, n = 6, values are mean + standard
deviation.
Evaluation
of antipyretic activity of separated constituents of Methanolic extract:
Separated
constituents of methanolic extract was observed and supported by results.
(table 1 and 2)
RESULTS
AND DISCUSSION:
Antipyretic
activity of Active extract:
Extract
obtained were subjected to evaluate antipyretic activity by yeast induced
fevered rats. Paracetamol (150mg/kg) was taken as standard drug. Methanolic
extract showed significant decrease in elevated body temperature while
petroleum ether and chloroform extract did not show significant decrease in
elevated body temperature as compared to standard drug.
2)
Antipyretic activity of separated constituents of Methanolic Extract:
The
separated constituents were evaluated for the antipyretic activity at a dose of
200mg/kg. It was observed that constituents 1, 2 and 4 did not show decrease in
elevated body temperature while the constituent 3 significantly reduced elevated body temperature as compare to standard drug.
CONCLUSION:
Methanolic
extract of Alstonia scholaris shows decrease in elevated body
temperature. Separated constituents of methanolic extract 1, 2 and 4 did not
reduce d while constituent 3 reduced elevated body temperature as compared to
standard drug. From the study, it can be concluded that the separated
constituent 3 possess antipyretic activity.
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