Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical Including Isolation of Phenolic Rich Fraction, HPTLC Analysis and Pharmacological Studies on the Leaves of Xanthium Strumarium (Linn).

The present study the ethnomedical information of the plant reveals that the leaves of Xanthium strumarium linn. were used as antirheumatic, antisyphilitic, diuretic, antitubercular, antimalarial, laxative and sedative . According to siddha system of medicine, leaves of this plant posseses cardioprotective property. The fruits of this plant were found to possess antibacterial and antifungal activities. The phytochemical studies on the leaves have been reported for the presence of flavanoids, tannins, alkaloids, sterols and carbohydrates. Some phytochemical studies have been documented for the presence of phenolic compounds in this plant. The cardioprotective and anti-arthritic activities have not yet been reported so far on the leaves of Xanthium strumarium.(X.S) Hence the present work has been designed in such a way as to carry out the following studies on the leaves Xanthium strumarium linn. Pharmacognostical studies on the leaves. Preliminary phytochemical screening on the extracts of X.S. Isolation of phenolic rich fractions from ethanolic extract of X.strumarium Estimation of total phenols, total tannins and total flavanoids. Phytochemical evaluation of both extract and phenolic rich fraction . by TLC and HPTLC studies. CONCLUSION: There are many unknown plants with high medicinal value still have not been recognised their importance. They have not been brought to the light of scientific world. This dissertation covers pharmacognostical, phytochemical and pharmacological studies on the commonly available medicinal plant Xanthium strumarium belonging to the family asteracea. Pharmacognostical parameters have been determined on the leaves inorder to substantiate and identify the plant for future work. Preliminary phytochemical screening on the leaves of X.strumarium confirms the presence of flavanoids, phenols, tannins, sterols, alkaloids, carbohydrates and saponins. Preparation of extract and isolation of phenolic rich fractions were carried out in this study. scavenging and it also exerted significant antioxidant potential by phosphomolybdenum method. Significant cardioprotective activity at 100mg/kg of EXS (p<0.001), 200 mg/kg of EXS (p<0.001)and 10 mg/kg EAXS(p<0.001) against Doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity in rats and the invivo antioxidant activity of these extracts may be ascribed for this cardioprotective activity which is confirmed by elevation of GSH (p<0.001)and reduction of TBARS (p<0.001) in the tissue parameters of the treated animals. 1000μg/ml of EXS and 250 μg/ml of EAXS showed significant anti – arthritic activity by inhibition of protein denaturation. Significant anti-bacterial activity exhibited by EAXS (300mcg) against Streptococcus pyrogenes which is a causative organism for rheumatic fever. Streptococci viridians and Enterococci faecalis also sensitive to this extracts and these pathogens cause endocarditis. Anti-bacterial activity of this extract was comparable with standard drug penicillin. It was evident from the phytochemical studies of this plant, that substantial amount of phenols, tannins and flavanoids were present in these extracts which exhibited significant invitro antioxidant activity. Determination of total phenolics(221.9mg/g), total tannins(327mg/g ) and total flavanoid content(23.03mg/g) confirms the significant concentration of these phytoconstituents in the ethanolic extract of X.strumarium. Total phenolic content was estimated for all the phenolic rich fractions which indicate that ethylacetate fraction have shown significant phenolic content.. Evaluation of phytoconstituents were performed by TLC and HPTLC studies on EXS and EAXS Pharmacological screening confirms, Both EXS and EAXS have exhibited radical scavenging activity by DPPH assay and EXS has shown radical scavenging activity by nitric oxide