Project No. : AS-01/2010-11
Year. : 2010-11
Project Title: Isolation, purification and activity against Mycobacterium species from some medicinal plants of North – East India
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Principal Investigator & Organization : Prof. A.K. Buragohain, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Napaam, Teexpur, Dist. Sonitpur – 784028, Assam
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Summary of Project / Major Outcome /Achievements : The aim of the said project was preparation and standardization of plant extracts with potential activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)- the causative organism of TB, by assaying the same against the model organism Mycobacterium smegmatis. In-depth documentation of the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used for the treatment of MTB in some ethnic communities of Assam and the North-East was first compiled. Three hundred plant extracts from different angiospermic plant species were thereafter screened for their antimycobacterial activity against M. smegmatis ATCC 14468. The top five plants species identified on the basis of both the highest antimycobacterial activity as well as lack of cytotoxicity were Trapa natans, Achyranthes aspera, Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus, Syzigium aromaticum, Andrographis paniculata. These plant species served as candidates for partial purification of their extracts and consequent preparation of concoctions. GC-MS analyses of the fractions were thereafter employed to identify the probable compounds present in the positive fractions. Eight antimycobacterial compounds viz. Ferullic acid, Palmitic acid, Apigenin, Capric Acid, Resorcinol, Eugenol, Squalene and Tannic acid were thus identified from the purified fractions. The antimycobacterial property of these fractions was further confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of the M. smegmatis cells treated by the same. Fifteen different combinations of the fractions were also obtained from the combinatorial study which exhibited synergistic anti-mycobacterial activity.
Project No. : AS-09/2006-07
Year. : 2006-07
Project Title: Pharmacological studies on Drymaria cordata and Plantago ovata with reference to their analgesic and anti inflammatory activity
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Principal Investigator & Organization : Dr. (Ms.) Chandana Choudhary Barua, College of Veterinary Science, Deptt. of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Assam Agri. University Guwahati - 781 022
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Summary of Project / Major Outcome /Achievements : For development of plant based herbal drug, traditionally used medicinal plants viz., Drymaria cordata and Plantago erosa were studied for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity along with wound healing and other pharmacological properties. The methanol and aqueous extracts of both of the plants revealed more phenolic and flavonoid contents along with in-vitro anti-oxidant activity than the hydroethanol extract. Analgesic activity of hydroethanol and aqueous extracts were better than the methanolic extracts. Anti-inflammatory activity of hydroethanol estract was the best along all three extracts viz., methanol, hydroethanol and aqueous. DCHE and PEHE also exhibited anxiolytic and CNS depressant activity. The hydroethanol and aqueous extract of both the plants possess anticonvulsant property. However, none of the plant extract showed muscle relaxant activity.
Project No. : AS-06/2006-07
Year. : 2006-07
Project Title: Formulation of mosquito repellant & larvicidal biopesticide from certain ethno medicinal plants of N.E. India
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Principal Investigator & Organization : Dr. M.C. Kallita, Department of Biotecnology, Gauhati University, Guwahati - 781 014
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Summary of Project / Major Outcome /Achievements : A survey of North-East Indian Region for traditionally used phytopesticidal plants was conducted and found that 30 plant species were having larvicidal potential out of which 10 of the species exhibiting potent mosquitocidal activities against two targeted mosquito species, with their aqueous & solvent extracts were studied. Essential oil of Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum exhibited highest repellent activity & leaf extract of Pongamia pinnata should potential ovicidal activity, whereas its seed oil had the highest effect. Based on this incense sticks and mosquito repellent gel were also developed. Preliminary larvicidal screening were done in all the species collected during these 3 years of time. Among these plant species, 30 species were reported having larvicidal potential to a level based on screening undertaken with aqueous and solvent extracts. The Pongamia pinnata, Zanthoxylum oxphyllum, Ricinus communis, P. parviflorus, Z.budrunga, Croton tiglium, C. flexuosus, Azadirachta indica, Acorus calamus and Toddalia asclaticam are among the few plants exhibit potent mosquitocidal activity. The NE region as endowed with very rich biodiversity of medicinal plants; it is the need of the hour to address the issue coupling with proper infrastructure and sophisticated analytical facilities necessary for exploring natural products. Our past experiences reveal that it is not that possible to develop plant based pharmaceutical products of commercial interest within a span of three years. Only we have been able to focus on a few ethno plant of the region as mentioned having exceptional repellency and larvicidal efficacy against mosquitoes. More research is quite necessary to develop the antimosquitocidal drug molecule form those plants so as to explore product of pharmaceutical importance and commercial application.
