Objectives:Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum. (Apocynaceae) is known to possess cardioactive glycoside such as thevetin A, thevetin B, neriifolin, peruvoside, thevetoxin, and ruvoside. Traditionally, T. peruviana leaves are used as abortifacient. The aim of the present study is to evaluate antifertility potential of T. peruviana leaves.Subjects and Methods:Cardiac glycoside freed leaves of T. peruviana were extracted with methanol using maceration method. The dried cardiac glycoside-free methanolic extract of T. peruviana leaves (TPL-Me-G) was screened for phytoconstituents and evaluated for its effect on estrogen-primed female Sprague-Dawley rat uterus model. It was further studied for effects on the estrous cycle, implantation, and effect on estrogen and progesterone.Statistical Analysis Used:Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA followed by Dunnett's t-test.Results:Alkaloids, flavonoids, essential oils, carbohydrates, and amino acids were found to be present in the glycoside-free extract. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in n-butanol: acetone: water (4:1:5) revealed the presence of quercetin and kaempferol. The presence of flavonoids (quercetin 0.0326% and kaempferol 0.138% on dry weight basis) was reconfirmed by high-performance TLC analysis. The extract was able to induce uterine contractions (EC50, 0.170 mg/ml) in a dose-dependent manner. Further investigation showed significant (P < 0.001) extension of estrous cycle and anti-implantation activity of the extract by reduction of the progesterone level.Conclusions:Methanolic extract of T. peruviana leaves (TPL-Me-G) containing quercetin 0.0326% and kaempferol 0.138% possesses a significant (P < 0.001) antifertility potential by virtue of decreasing the progesterone level.

Background:In ethno-medicinal practices, the roots of Cissampelos pareira(Patha) are used in the treatment of various ailments related to urinary problems and skin infections, and in tumorinhibitor activity, antibacterial, antimalarial, diuretic activity,anticonvulsant activity etc., The main problem encountered in standardization of Ayurvedic drugs is proper identification of the source plant.Materials and Methods:The macroscopic features of each anatomical component have been observed by a high-resolution camera. The moisture content, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and water—alcohol and ether extractive values of the powdered sampleswere determined by the method as per WHO guidelines. The phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of Cissampelos pareira root was performed by the standard chemical ltests and by TLC on silica gel G using solvent systems proposed by Harborne.Result:The microscopic characteristics showed the wavy epidermis with unicellular trichomes. Lignified xylem vessels, radial medullary rays, and prismatic calcium oxalate crystals had also been found. Phytochemical screening revealed that the Cissampelos pareira root extract contains terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, amino acid proteins, and carbohydrates. Alkaloids and essential oil were detected in TLC of the Cissampelos pareira root extract developed using blends of methanol:concentrated ammonia (200:3) and n-butanol:acetone:water (3:1:1) and benzene:ethyl acetate:formic acid(9:7:4) as solvent systems for alkaloid whereas chloroform(100%), benzene (100%), chloroform:benzene(1:1),and ether:benzene(1:1) as solvent systems for essential oil.Conclusion:These findings will be useful toward establishing pharmacognostic standards on identification, purity,quality, and classification of the plant, which is gaining relevance in plant drug research.

Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum (Apocynacae) leaves have a reputation of abortifacient activity. We investigated traditional claim and found that methanolic leaf extract produce antifertility activity by lowering the progesterone level in rat model. Aim of the present study was to find out the chemical constituent (s) responsible for antifertility activity of methanolic leaf extract of Thevetia peruviana (Pers.). The ethyl acetate, chloroform and toluene fractions of methanolic extract of T. peruviana leaves freed from cardiac glycosides [TPL-Me-G] were selected for phytochemical investigation and in-vitro uterotonic activity. The methanolic extract of T. peruviana leaves (1.103g) was fractionated with toluene (100ml, n=20); chloroform (100ml, n=20); and ethyl acetate (100ml, n=20) in the successive order. These fractions were examined for phytoconstituents and evaluated for in-vitro uterotonic activity. The toluene fraction (TPL-T) was found to have triterpenes, flavonoids and phytosterols. Quercetin (0.8904%) is present in TPL-T. The chloroform fraction (TPL-Ch) was found to contain flavonoids, triterpenes and phytosterols. Presence of alkaloids and flavonoids (quercetin 0.1606%) were observed in ethyl acetate fraction (TPL-Et-Ac). In contrast to TPL-Et-Ac, the TPL-T and TPL-Ch induced dose dependent uterine contraction in the isolated estrogenized rat uterus model. Highest uterotonic activity was found with TPL-Me-G which has kaempferol as phyto-constituent additionally. The in-vitro uterotonic activity is not influenced by quercetin and primary contributor is kaempferol though some unknown phytoconstituent/s also contributes to uterotonic activity and synergizes the action of kaempferol too. So, further research is needed to identify other contributory unknown phytoconstituent/s for antifertility activity of methanolic leaf extract of Thevetia peruviana (Pers.).

Synthetic Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NASAIDs) are the choice of drug for inflammation. NASAIDs caused severe side effects like hyperacidity, gastric ulcer and so on. To avoid the side effects of NASAIDs, there is an urgent need for searching new molecule from natural origin. Present study is therefore aimed to explore Grevillea robusta A. Cunn, ex R.Br. Family proteaceae leaves for anti-inflammatory activity. Microscopic measurement (fibre length and width), Ash values and extractive values of Grevillea robusta leaves were determined to set the pharmacognostic standards. Chemical constituents were evaluated through chemical tests. The Ethanol extract of Grevillea robusta leaves (GRLE)) were subjected to evaluate in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity through HRBC method and Heat induced haemolytic method. The leaves of Grevillea robusta showed significant anti-inflammatory activity. The Ethanol extract (GRLE) showed significant anti-inflammatory activities. GRLE was found to contain polyphenols as chemical constituents which was the basis of anti-inflammatory activity. On the basis of result we can conclude that Ethanol extract of leaves of Grevillea robusta has good anti-inflammatory activity. GRLE could be used for treatment of inflammation.

Context: Methanolic extract of C. pareira stem and T. peruviana leaves are capable of producing antifertility activity in female rat by increasing estrogen level and decreasing progesterone level. Aim: The aim of the present study is to C. pareira L stem and T. peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum leaf for estrogenic activity. Material and Method: Methanolic extract were made from C. pareira stem and T. peruviana leaves (after removal of cardiac glycoside) using cold maceration process. Extracts were tested for estrogenic activity on female immature rat (50-60 gm) at dose level of 250mg/kg. Obtained data were compared with control and standard (estrogen treated) group data. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis of all data was made with statistical packages (GraphPad Instat) and ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s ttest was used for statistical analysis. Result: Decrease in the absolute weight of the uterus and uterine weight to body weight ratio in CPS-Me and TPL-Me-G group treated were significant (p<0.05) as compared to control. Conclusion: In our earlier studies it was found that methanolic extract of C. pareira stem and T. peruviana leaves increased serum estrogen level and decreased progesterone level in pregnant rat. In the present study, these extracts decreased the absolute weight of the uterus and uterine weight to body weight ratio significantly (p<0.05). So, we can conclude that these two-extract possessed partial estrogenic activity.