In-Vitro Pharmacological Investigations of the Plant Boerhavia Repens (Family: Nyctaginaceae)

Abstract

Boerhavia repens is an important medicinal plant having application in jaundice, fever and various other disorders. The whole plant Boerhavia repens was sun dried and extracted using methanol. Later the crude methanolic extract was fractionated into four different fractions using Petroleum ether, carbon tetra-chloride, Di-chloromethane and Ethyl acetate. The anti-oxidant activity of the different fractions was measured by the DPPH free radical scavenging activity. The ethyl acetate and the di-chloro methane soluble fractions showed very potent anti-oxidant activity by the DPPH free radical scavenging method. The anti-microbial activity of the different fractions was measured by disc diffusion method. The antimicrobial screening of the plant showed that the carbon tetra-chloride soluble fractions and the Petroleum ether soluble fractions showed mild antimicrobial activity. Evaluation of cyto-toxic activity was done using the brine-shrimp lethality bio-assay. The petroleum ether soluble fraction and the ethyl acetate soluble fractions showed significant cyto-toxic activity

A complete review on traditional Healers-Punarnava

“…The entire Boerhavia repens plant is used as a diuretic, laxative, emetic, and stomachic [29] . An essential medicinal plant, Boerhavia repens, is used to treat jaundice, fever, constipation, and as a blood purifier [30] . The leaves of Boerhavia repens are used to treat skin conditions [31] .…”

An Update Review on Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile of genus Boerhavia

“…The whole plant of Boerhavia repens is used as Stomachic, laxative, emetic and diuretic [29]. Boerhavia repens is an important medicinal plant having application in jaundice, fever, constipation and blood purifier [30]. For treatment of skin disorders, leaves of Boerhavia repens is used [31].…”