Pharmacological investigations of Litsea lancifolia (Roxb.) Hook. F.

Abstract

The petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of methanolic extract of Litsea lancifolia Roxb. leaves were subjected to different pharmacological screenings to explore its potential as anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, peripheral analgesic, hypoglycemic and CNS depressing agent. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction showed highest total phenolic content and free radical scavenging activity compared to the standard, acetyl salicylic acid. Potential antimicrobial activity was shown against P. aeruginosa (23.50 mm), E. coli (22.33 mm), B. cereus (18 mm) and S. paratyphi (18 mm). The crude extract demonstrated significant peripheral analgesic (p < 0.01) activity with 69.45 and 77.96% inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing at 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w., respectively. The crude methanolic extract also showed significant hypoglycemic activity (p < 0.01) at a dose of 500 mg/kg/day on the 7th day of treatment. All the organic soluble fractions exhibited noteworthy (p < 0.001) CNS depressant activity. Taken together, the plant can be considered as a good material for further chemical investigation to isolate the bioactive constituents.

The Analgesic Potential of Litsea Species: A Systematic Review

“…The method involves the administration of acetic acid at low concentrations into the peritoneal cavity of mice to induce abdominal writhing which is defined by arching of the back, extension of the hind limb and contraction of abdominal musculature [3]. Among the Litsea species that have been evaluated for analgesic activities, the fruit oil of L. cubeba, ethanolic fruit extract, CH 2 Cl 2 fraction and major hamabiwalactone constituents of L. japonica, methanolic and ethanolic leaf extract of L. glutinosa and methanolic leaf extracts of L. lancifolia, L. liyuyingi and L. monopetala have been shown to successfully reduce the frequency of acetic-acidinduced writhing in treated animals [20][21][22][23][24][25][76][77][78]82].…”

“…This suggests that the L. lancifolia may have potential therapeutic use against malaria, bacterial infections, hypertension, tumors and inflammatory illnesses. Based on pharmacological investigations, the methanolic extract of the leaves of L. lancifolia and its various fractions demonstrated notable antioxidant, analgesic, antimicrobial, CNS depressant, hypoglycemic, anti-diarrheal and anti-diabetic activities [20,152,157].…”

“…Thus far, only one study has been conducted on the antinociceptive effect of L. lancifolia. As part of the screening for pharmacological effects of the L. lancifolia leaves, the crude methanolic extract was demonstrated to have significant peripheral analgesic activity [20]. Specifically, 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.…”

“…Investigations on other compounds such as Conus venom peptides (MrIA, Contulakin G, Vc1.1, conantokin G), capsaicinoids, capsinoids and their synthetic analogues are also underway for development into new analgesics [19]. Despite these advances, progressive pharmacological investigations have continued to prospect other plant species as potential new sources of analgesic compounds including Litsea genus from the Lauraceae family [20][21][22][23][24][25][26].…”