Phyto Pharmacological Investigation of Scurrula Parasitica A Parasitic Plant

Abstract

The study was helpful for identification of an unexploited hyper parasitic plant i.e. Scurrula parasitica. The pharmacognostical parameters will help the future researchers to identify the plant using these pharmacognostical characters such as macroscopical and microscopical. Since certain co- existing mistletoe are closely similar to Scurrula parasitica, the chances of adulteration (or) ignorance are possible. The morphoanatomical features can be held to be a valuable tool for setting the botanical standards. The preliminary phytochemical study showed the presence of Steroids, Carbohydrates, Proteins, Glycosides, Tannins and Flavonoids in different extracts of the Scurrula parasitica. The methanol extract showed the higher amount of phenolic compounds mainly in terms of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins. Due to the presence of this type of phenolic compounds, methanol extract of the plant possess to have anti- oxidant, anti- inflammatory, analgesic, immunosuppressive and antidiabetic activity. Various extracts of Scurrula parasitica were subjected to antibacterial and antifungal activity. Among which methanol and petroleum ether extracts shown significant sensitivity against bacteria and fungi respectively. This study reveals that the plant Scurrula parasitica might be useful in different bacterial as well as fungal infections. Results of pharamcognostic, phytochemical and biological studies recorded in the present dissertation is the first report available on the plant Scurrula parasitica. Macroscopical, microscopical and phytochemical standards evolved in this work could be used to detect this drug from the adulteration and substitution from the other plant materials available in the market. These therapeutic activities and toxicological data support the folklore claims of Mistletoe belonging to family Laranthaceae. The different significant pharmacological actions such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and antidiabetic of the plant Scurrula parasitica will be beneficial to the ailing society.