volubilis (l.f.) benth. ex. hook. f and mimosa...

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2.0 REVIEW OF RESEARCH LITERATURE

Exhaustive and up-to-date review of literature on antioxidant, anti-

inflammatory, antimicrobial activities and their methods of screening,

phytochemical and pharmacological review of the selected plants were conducted.

2.1 General introduction of the plants Euphorbia thymifolia Linn, Dregea

volubilis (L.F.) Benth. Ex. Hook. F and Mimosa rubicaulis Lam (www.IPNI.org)

2.1.1 Euphorbia thymifolia

Fig. 2.1 Euphorbia thymifolia Linn

2.1.1.1 Synonyms

Euphorbia burmanniana

Anisophyllum burmannianum

Anisophyllum thymifolium

Chamaesyce thymifolia

2.1.1.1 Systematic position

Kingdom : Plantae

Division : Magnoliophyta

Class : Angiospermae

Order : Malpighiales

Family : Euphorbiaceae

Genus : Euphorbia

Species : thymifolia

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2.1.1.2 List of Euphorbia species

Euphorbia albomarginata

Euphorbia amygdaloides

Euphorbia antisyphilitica

Euphorbia balsamifera

Euphorbia bulbispina

Euphorbia calyptrata

Euphorbia canariensis

Euphorbia caput-medusae

Euphorbia characias

Euphorbia cyparissias

Euphorbia decidua

Euphorbia dendroides

Euphorbia echinus

Euphorbia elastica

Euphorbia epithymoides

Euphorbia esula

Euphorbia falcata

Euphorbia franckiana

Euphorbia grantii

Euphorbia granulata

Euphorbia griffithii

Euphorbia guyoniana

Euphorbia helioscopia

Euphorbia lathyris

Euphorbia leuconeura

Euphorbia maculata

Euphorbia marginata

Euphorbia mamillaris

Euphorbia maritae

Euphorbia milii

Euphorbia myrsinites

Euphorbia neriifolia

Euphorbia obesa

Euphorbia obtusifolia

Euphorbia paralias

Euphorbia pekinensis -

Euphorbia peplis

Euphorbia peplus

Euphorbia polychroma

Euphorbia pulcherrima

Euphorbia purpurea

Euphorbia resinifera

Euphorbia rigida

Euphorbia serrata

Euphorbia terracina

Euphorbia tirucalli

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Euphorbia heterophylla

Euphorbia hirta

Euphorbia horrida

Euphorbia hypericifolia

Euphorbia tithymaloides

Euphorbia virosa

2.1.1.3 Vernacular names

English : Asthma plant, Chicken weed

Hindi : Duddhi, Dudhiya, Choti-dudhi

Kannada : Kempu, Nene hakki

Malayalam : Nilappakla

Sanskrit : Dugdhika

Tamil : Sittirappaladi

Telagu : Reddivarimanubala

2.1.1.4 Description

Monoecious, prostrate, annual herb with branches up to 25 cm long, with

numerous adventitious roots; stems with latex. Leaves opposite, distichous,

simple; stipules linear, c. 1 mm long, deeply 2–3-toothed; petiole c. 0.5 mm long;

blade ovate, up to 8 mm × 4 mm, base unequal, one side cuneate, the other side

rounded, apex rounded, margins shallowly toothed, glabrous above, sparsely long-

hairy beneath. Inflorescence a terminal or axillary cluster of flowers, called a

‘cyathium’, on short leafy shoots; cyathia almost sessile, c. 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm,

with a funnel-shaped involucre, lobes triangular, minute, margin hairy, glands 4,

minute, almost circular, red, with very small red appendages, each involucre

containing 1 female flower surrounded by few male flowers. Flowers unisexual;

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male flowers sessile, bracteoles hair-like, perianth absent, stamen c. 1 mm long;

female flowers almost sessile, perianth a rim, ovary superior, glabrous, 3-celled,

styles 3, minute, 2-fid. Fruit an acutely 3-lobed, almost sessile capsule c. 1 mm ×

1 mm, base truncate, short-hairy, 3-seeded. Seeds are conical, c. 0.5 mm in

diameter, acutely 4-angled, shallowly transversely wrinkled, reddish brown,

without caruncle (Ram, 1970).

2.1.1.5 Phytogeography

It is found in India (Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,

Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttaranchal), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri lanka, West

Africa, the Indian Ocean islands and Southern Africa etc.

2.1.1.6 Ethnobotanical reports

The whole plant paste of Euphorbia thymifolia is used in the treatment of

diabetes and ethnic practices (Seung et al., 1990).

Euphorbia thymifolia is used to treat joint pains as anti-inflammatory

agent. Whole plant paste is used to apply on bones dislocation of animals, leaves

are used for snake bite and ringworm, seeds used as laxative for children

(Phanikumar and Alka, 2010).

Powder of Euphorbia nerrifolia flower and whole plant ash of

Euphorbia tirucalli are used for the treatment of asthma at dose of 500 mg/ 3

times and 250-500 mg twice a day orally, respectively. The calcinated product of

Euphorbia species like Euphorbia herta and Euphorbia thymifolia are used in the

asthmatic condition (Savithramma et al., 2007).

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2.1.2 Dregea volubilis (L.F.) Benth. Ex. Hook. F.

Fig.: 2.2 Dregea volubilis (L.F.) Benth. Ex. hook. F.


2.1.2.2 Synonyms:

Asclepias volubilis,

Marsdenia volubilis,

Schollia volubilis,

Wattakaka volubilis


English : Common coxcomb, crested coxcomb, Feather coxcomb

Telugu : Doodeepalla, dudipala, palakura, palatige

Hindi : Murd bel, murd-bel, nakchhikni, nakchikni

Kingdom : Plantae

Division : Magnoliophyta

Class : Magnoliopsida

Order : Gentianales

Family : Asclepiadaceae

Genus : Dregea

Species : volubilis

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Sanskrit : Hemajivanti, hemakshiri, hemalata, hemapurna, hemavalli,

hemavati

Malayalam : Vattakkakkakkoti, wattakakacodi.

2.1.2.4 Description

Dregea volubilis is a stout, smooth, hoary or mealy, woody vine. Leaves

are ovate or somewhat rounded, 7.5 to 15 cm long, 5 to 10 cm wide, rather

leathery, rounded or pointed at the base, and pointed at the tip. Cymes are axillary

or interpetiolar, and umbel-like. Flowers are green, about 1 cm across. Follicles

are usually double, broadly lanceolate, 7.5 to 10 cm long, turgid, longitudinally

ribbed, and velvety until mature. Seeds are elliptic, concave, smooth, shining,

sharp-edged, and crowned with very fine, white, silky hairs (Kirtikar, 1991).


It is widely distributed in India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala,

Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh), Bangladesh and Sri

Lanka.

2.1.2.6 Ethnobotanical reports

In India the tribal people of Rapur forest division of Nellore district, A.P,

are applying Dregea volubilis leaves paste on affected area about 20 g and oral

administration of the same to control leucoderma (Neelima et al., 2011)

The leaves and unripe fruits of Dreagea volubilis are given in the case of

erysipelas, coughs and asthma (Vinodh et al., 2011).

In India, the tribal people of Paderu division, Visakhapatnam, A.P, are

using leaves and entire plant of Dregea volubilis for treatment of cold and eye

diseases, respectively (Padal et al., 2010).

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2.1.3 Mimosa rubicaulis Lam.

Fig. 2.3 Mimosa rubicaulis Lam.


Kingdom : Plantae

Division : Angiosperms

Class : Eudicots

Order : Fabales

Family : Fabaceae

Genus : Mimosa

Species : rubicaulis

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2.1.3.2 List of Mimosa species

Mimosa aculeaticarpa

Mimosa aculeaticarpa var.

biuncifera

Mimosa arenosa

Mimosa asperata L.

Mimosa borealis

Mimosa casta L.

Mimosa ceratonia L.

Mimosa diplotricha

Mimosa dysocarpa

Mimosa dysocarpa var.

dysocarpa

Mimosa emoryana

Mimosa grahamii

Mimosa grahamii var.

grahamii

Mimosa hostilis

Mimosa hystricina

Mimosa latidens

Mimosa laxiflora

Mimosa malacophylla

Mimosa microphylla

Mimosa nuttallii

Mimosa pellita

Mimosa pigra L.

Mimosa pigra var. pigra

Mimosa pudica L.

Mimosa quadrivalvis L.

Mimosa roemeriana

Mimosa rupertiana

Mimosa scabrella .

Mimosa schomburgkii

Mimosa somnians

Mimosa strigillosa

Mimosa tenuiflora

Mimosa texana

Mimosa turneri

Mimosa verrucosa


Hindi : Kacheyta, kinglu, shiah-kanta

Tamil : Bida

Telugu : Kodimudusu chettu , chandra, sarjjasasamu

2.1.3.4 Description

It is a large straggling shrub which is very prickly. It sports long clusters

of many pink spherical flower-heads which are 1-1.5 cm across. The flowers fade

to white - so, at any time the clusters sport both pink and white flower-heads.

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Leaves are double-compound, 8–15 cm long, with thorny rachis. Leaves have 3-

12 pairs of side-stalks, each with 6-15 pairs of tiny oblong leaflets 4–8 mm. Pods

are thin, flat, curved, 8–13 cm long, 1 cm wide, breaking into 4-10 rectangular 1-

seeded units, leaving the remains of the pod attached to the shoot. It is considered

useful for hedges. The wood is suitable for tent pegs and for making gunpowder

charcoal. Roots and leaves are used medicinally. Himalayan Mimosa is found in

the Himalayas, from Afghanistan to Bhutan, at altitudes of 300–1900 m.

flowering: June–September (Chopra et al, 1965).


It is found in India (Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,

Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir), Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri

lanka etc.

2.1.3.6 Ethnobotanical report

In Nepal, the Chepang community is using Mimosa rubicaulis roots for

sprains, abdominal spasms and wounds (Arun, 2011).

In Pakistan, the Mimosa rubicaulis shub is used for treatment of piles, burns

and vomiting (Asma et al., 2009).

2.2 Past work on the plants Euphorbia thymifolia Linn., Dregea volubilis

(L.F.) Benth. Ex. Hook. F and Mimosa rubicaulis Lam.

2.2.1 Phytochemical work

A structure representation and careful review of available literature throws

light on the efforts made by eminent researchers on these three plant species.

(Euphorbia thymifolia Linn., Dregea volubilis (L.F.) Benth. Ex. Hook. F and

Mimosa rubicaulis Lam)

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2.2.1.1 Euphorbia thymifolia Linn

Qualitative estimation of phytoconstituents of ethanolic extract of

Euphorbia thymifolia was revealed the presence of bioactive compounds like

alkaloids, phenols and tannins etc (Nagaraju et al, 2012).

Preliminary phytochemical evaluation of Hexane, ethyl acetate and

ethanol extracts of E. thymifolia reveals the presence of phytoconstituents cymol,

(-) isopinocamphenol, limonene, phytol, piperitone, (E,E) 2, 4 decadienal,

pentadecanoic acid and etc (Kundan and Ganga, 2011).

It was reported that the total flavonoid content in the petroleum ether

and ethyl acetate extracts of E. thymifolia quantified using Quercetin equivalent

(Sobin et al., 2012).

2.2.1.1.1 Major compounds isolated from E. thymifolia

Limonene

Ee-2,4 Decadienal

Piperitone

2.2.1.2 Dregea volubilis (L.F.) Benth. Ex. Hook. F

Three novel polyoxypregnane glycosides, volubiloside A, B & C were

isolated from the flowers of Dregea volubilis (Niranjan et al., 2002).

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Three new polyhydroxy pregnanes named dregealol, volubilogenone &

volubilal were isolated from the flowers of Dregea volubilis (Nilendu et al.,

2003).

The preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed that the Anthocyanins,

anthracene glycosides, catecholic compounds, coumarins, flavonoids, Iridoids,

saponins, steroids and volatile oils are noticed in Dregea volubilis (Venkata

Krishnaiah et al., 2008)

A pentacyclic triterpenpoid, Taraxerol, was isolated from the petroleum

ether extract of fruits of Dregea volubilis (Biswas et al., 2009).

2.2.1.2.1. Major compounds isolated from Dregea volubilis

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Taraxerol

2.2.1.3. Mimosa rubicaulis Lam

Flavonoid compounds Quercetin and luteolin are reported in M. rubicaulis

stem (Amir et al., 2012).

The preliminary phytochemical analysis reveals that the methanolic extract

of M. rubicaulis contains tannins (Amir et al., 2011).

A 4-ethyl ether was reported in Mimosa rubicaulis (Shahriar and Robin,

2010).

2.2.1.3.1. Major compounds isolated from Mimosa rubicaulis

Quercetin

Luteolin

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2.2.2 Biological Activities

A careful review on different activities was carried out for the three

species and concluded below.

2.2.2.1. Euphorbia thymifolia

The methanolic extract of Euphorbia thymifolia shows significant activity

against streptozotacin induced diabetic neuropathy (Pooja et al., 2011).

It was reported that the fresh latex of Euphorbia thymifolia has promising

antimicrobioal activity (Ganpati et al., 2011).

It has been reported that the aerial parts of the Euphorbia thymifolia

having good amount of antioxidants, nutrients and minerals (Kundan and Ganga,

2011).

Methanolic and aqueous extracts of Euphorbia thymifolia exhibited

antileumintic activity in dose dependent manner giving shortest time of paralysis

and death with 100 mg/ml concentration (Sandeep et al., 2009).

The ethanolic extract of Euphorbia thymifolia protected against CCl4

induced liver damage in rats. Their results validate the use of Euphorbia

thymifolia in traditional medicines for the treatment of jaundice and inflammation

related disorders (Singh et al., 2009).

2.2.2.2. Dregea volubilis

The dried leaf extracts of Dregea volubilis was found to possess anti-

leukemic activity in a concentration-dependent manner (Nandi et al., 2012).

All the extracts of Dregea volubilis have shown larvicidal activity (Emdad

et al., 2011).

Polyoxypregnane glycoside from Dregea volubilis extract inhibits IL-1 β-

induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase via activation of NF-KB in human

chondrocyte (Akanit et al., 2012).

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Methanolic extract of Dregea volubilis leaves was proved for anti tumor

activity (Emdad et al., 2011).

It has been reported that the Dregea volubilis leaves extract has anti

oxidant activity (Pornkamon et al., 2011).

Extract from the whole plant or stem parts has been used traditionally as

an anti-inflammatory medicine to treat several diseases including eye ailments,

tracheitis & stomachache (Sahu et al., 2002).

The stem extracts of Dregea volubilis has ameliorated concanavalin-A

induced liver injury by facilitating apoptosis of activated T-cells (Fangyuan et al.,

2008).

2.2.2.3. Mimosa rubicaulis

Mimosa rubicaulis stem methanolic extract was possessed significant

antimicrobial activity (Amir et al., 2011).

volubilis (l.f.) benth. ex. hook. f and mimosa...

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