Pharmacognostical And Pharmacological Studies on Some Arisaema Species

Abstract

newline In this study rhizomes of Arisaema tortuosum, Arisaema jacquemontii, Arisaema concinnum and Arisaema flavum are selected for pharmacognostical and pharmacological studies to evaluate its medicinal importance. Along with pharmacognostical standards, extracts have been assessed for anxiolytic, analgesic, anticonvulsant and sedative activities. Pharmacognostical studies revealed globose or subglobose rhizomes which are externally brown to earthy brown and white internally with pungent taste. Diagnostic features were identified by various physiochemical constant and microscopic studies of rhizomes including secretary canal and number of surrounding epithelial cell, type of vascular elements, vascular bundles, starch grains, bundle of raphides, needle shaped and rosettes of calcium oxalate crystal. Phytochemical screening. TLC, HPTLC and microbial load have also been determined. Anxiolytic activity was carried out by EPM and Ymaze Model with standard drug diazepam. A. concinnum at 100mg kg and 200mg kg, A. flavum at 100mg/kg were found effective. Analgesic activity was carried out by tail immersion method and Acetic Acid induced writing test with standard drug pentazocine and diclofenac sodium respectively. In tail immersion all the four species were effective. In Acetic acid induced writhing test A. tortuosum and A. jacquemontii had shown maximum inhibition. Anticonvulsant activity was carried by PTZ and MES induced convulsion model with standard drugs diazepam and phenytoin sodium respectively. In PTZ model all species were effective. A. concinnum at 100mg kg abolished the convulsions. In the MES model A. concinnum and A. tortuosum were effective. Sedative activity was carried by phenobarbitone induced sleep potentiation and ketamine induced sleeping time with standard drug diazepam. In both model A. concinnum and A. jacquemontii were found effective. The data obtained from the studies provide scientific basis for its therapeutic use. newline newline