Pharmacological Evaluation Of Medicinal Plants: A Review Of Recent Studies

Abstract

In this study, we conducted a series of pharmacological tests to assess the effects of Euphorbia neriifolia Linn. (a member of the Euphorbiaceae family) leaf hydro-alcoholic extract. Our investigation encompassed the evaluation of its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antidiarrheal, and antiulcer properties. All experiments were carried out on rats, utilizing varying doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), with the LD50 of the extract determined to be 2779.71 mg/kg.

The results of our study revealed compelling findings. Notably, Euphorbia neriifolia exhibited a robust analgesic effect against thermal stimuli (P<0.001), while also demonstrating significant effects in response to mechanical and chemical noxious stimuli (P<0.01). The anti-inflammatory activity of Euphorbia neriifolia was also pronounced, with statistical significance ranging from P<0.001 to P<0.01, particularly at a dose of 1000 mg/kg. In models of carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma, the extract displayed considerable anti-inflammatory effects (P<0.001 to P<0.01).

Furthermore, our findings indicated that the extract acted as an effective hypernatraemic and hyperchloraemic diuretic, significantly increasing urine volume. Euphorbia neriifolia also exhibited laxative properties by increasing wet defecation, particularly in conjunction with castor oil. In addition to its anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects, the extract provided substantial protection against ethanol-induced ulceration, and this protective effect was dose-dependent. On pyloric ligated ulceration, the extract similarly exhibited a dose-dependent effect.

Biochemical analysis of the gastric mucosa demonstrated that the extract led to significant increases in total hexoses (P<0.001), hexosamine (P<0.05), sialic acid, and total carbohydrate content (P<0.001), while resulting in a decrease in total protein content (P<0.001).

These pharmacological activities are likely attributed to the presence of phytoconstituents such as tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and triterpenoidal saponins in the Euphorbia neriifolia extract.