Genus Alstonia is comprised of around 155 species throughout the world. Phytochemical screening of Alstonia genus has demonstrated the presence of diverse phytochemicals that include at least 800 distinct metabolites. The main classes of metabolites are alkaloids, iridoids, flavonoids, fatty acids, etc. Secondary metabolites from this genus also bring positive results when employed as anticancer, anti-spasmodic, antitussive, antiarthritic, antioxidant, etc. Alstonia boonei is listed as an antimalarial drug in African pharmacopoeia. In China, a formulation consists of A. scholaris leaves-Dengtaiye tablets are used for the treatment of cough and fever symptoms. Recently, A. scholaris leaves-derived indole alkaloids have been registered as an investigational new botanical drug (No. 2011L01436) and China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has approved its phase I/II clinical trials for the treatment of respiratory diseases. Pharmacokinetic and safety analysis of this botanical drug in healthy human subjects have revealed a safe profile under the dose regimen experiment. Apart from that, strictamine, an indole alkaloid isolated from A. scholaris exhibited a similar in vitro antiviral activity to that of acyclovir. The present chapter is mainly focused on the critical analysis of various secondary metabolites isolated from Alstonia (approximately 15 species). Apart from that, pharmacological, toxicological and intellectual property rights studies have also been included.

Methanol and hexane extracts of leaves of Moringa oleifera and aerial parts of Alternanthera sessilis were screened for the presence of different classes of phytoconstituents. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, terpenoids, polyphenols, glycosides, and coumarins in methanol extracts. Volatile oils, quinines, and phytosterols were absent in all extracts and saponins were present in all extracts. The biological activity of all the extracts was tested by performing brine shrimp bioassay. All the extracts except hexane extract of Moringa oleifera were found to be cytotoxic against brine shrimp nauplii. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the extracts. Methanol extracts of Moringa oleifera showed the strongest antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 65.77 μg/mL. Regarding the ascorbic acid (IC50 value 39.53 μg/mL) as standard, methanol extracts of both plants showed high free radical scavenging activity than that of hexane extracts.

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BACKGROUND Moringa oleifera Lam is a plant found in Himalayan foothills. A large corpus of literature exists about moringa and its medicinal values. Various medicinal and health properties of moringa make it a part of various phytomedicinal preparation.It is used as a part of routine diet and has anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-hyperglycaemic and anti-tumour properties. It is also used in production of seed oil, fodder and medicine. It is highly useful as a nutritional supplement, in the management of various diseases and in the management of public health problems. Moringa oleifera Lam is an important part of South Indian diet. Its antibacterial properties were found to be effective against E. coli, Salmonella typhi and Shigella dysenteriae. Hence, it may be used as a low-cost material for water purifications in poor communities. This plant has significance in dental health due to its antimicrobial effect on bacteria present in dental plaque like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans. There has been limited research on efficacy and safety of various Moringa oleifera (MO) extracts and parts in oral healthcare. MO has found its applications in various aspects of public health. As a plant with high nutritional value and relatively low cost, it has been endorsed as a plant with immense potential as for use as nutrient supplement in the parts of the world with widespread malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies. Further research needs to be conducted in the field of pharmacological management and prevention of oral disease. KEY WORDS Antimicrobial, Dental Diseases, Moringa oleifera, Streptococcus mutans.