No abstract

Acanthus ilicifolius (Acanthaceae), a mangrove medicinal plant, is widely used by the local inhabitants of the Sundarbans (India) to treat a variety of diseases. As a part of our continued search for novel bioactive products from mangrove medicinal plants, we were able to document the anti-inflammatory effects of this plant. In the present study, we have performed a detailed evaluation of the gastroprotective activity of the methanolic extract of Acanthus ilicifolius using different models of gastric ulceration. Unlike the conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, a methanolic extract of Acanthus ilicifolius leaves (MEAL) possessing significant anti-inflammatory properties, as revealed from our previous studies displayed in rats in dosages of 200 mg and 400 mg/kg BW after intraperitoneal administration, showed significant protective activity (anti-ulcer activity) against the gastric lesions induced by aspirin, indomethacin, stress, ethanol, and pylorus ligation. In pylorus-ligated rats, administration of Methanolic extract of Acanthus ilicifolius leaves (MEAL) significantly decreased gastric volume, acidity, and peptic activity. Moreover, pre-treatment with MEAL significantly restored the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), along with significant inhibition of both lipid peroxidation and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in pylorus-ligated animals. Ulceration induced with ethanol was significantly inhibited with MEAL, and the extract also resulted in the reduction of both lipid peroxidation and myeloperoxidase activity. Furthermore, in this experimental model, administration of MEAL improved the activities of SOD, CAT, GSH, and GPX. A similar pattern of action was also noticed in cold-restraint stress-induced (CRS) ulceration, where MEAL pre-treatment inhibited CRS-induced ulceration, improved the status of antioxidant enzymes, and also reduced the level of lipid peroxides. These results suggest that extracts of the leaves of Acanthus ilicifolius may exhibit anti-ulcer activities additional to the anti-inflammatory properties.

Objective: This research is to evaluate the pharmacognostic parameter, phytochemical analysis, and in vitro antioxidant properties of hydromethanol extract. Method: This study carries out the collection and authentication of the plant, extraction, pharmacognostic study, preliminary phytochemical screening, and antioxidant property of leaves hydromethanol extract were evaluated by scavenging the following free radicals – DPPH (2,2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl), hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, and reducing power. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett’s test was performed. The minimum value of *p˂0.05 considered as significant, **p˂0.01 and ***p˂0.001. Results: Powder microscopy of the leaves showed the presence of stomata, calcium oxalate crystals, trichome, fibers, and oil glands. The total ash was considered to be 3.75%, water-soluble ash 1.25%, and acid-soluble ash 3%. Hydromethanol (3:7) extract yielded 38.8%, moisture content 15.6%. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract showed the presence of carbohydrates, glycoside, saponin, phenol, tannin, flavonoid, and steroid. The total flavonoid content was considered to be 32.25 mg/g of quercetin and the total phenolic content of the extract was found 610 mg/g of gallic acid. The IC50 radical scavenging effect of extract and gallic acid was considered to be 3.62 and 3.46 for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 10.4 and 24.73 for hydrogen peroxide, and 48.76 and 58.83 for nitric oxide. Conclusion: The phytochemical constituents of the extract were well-known pharmacologically active chemicals and significant antioxidant potential was shown by the extract. This study finds out the rationality of the use of this plant as a medicinal plant. Further studies would be needed to explore their potential as a treatment for fever, diarrhea, and dysentery.