Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of extract and fractions from the root of Rauvolfia serpentina(L.) Bth.ex Kurz

Objectives Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disease characterized by confusion, behavior changes, decline in memory and cognitive skills. One of the strategies in the treatment of AD is to use acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. The current study aims to determine the AChE inhibitory activities of the extract and fractions of the root of Rauvolfia serpentina. Methods Extraction was carried out by maceration method using ethanol, followed by liquid–liquid partition using n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. Further fractionation was conducted by using vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC). The AChE inhibitory assays were performed by using Ellmann’s method. Phytochemical screening was carried out by TLC method. Results The ethanolic extract of R. serpentina showed inhibition against AChE enzyme with an IC50 value of 7.46 μg/mL. The extract and fractions showed higher inhibition against butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) compared to AChE. Amongst three fractions obtained, the n-butanol fraction showed the strongest inhibition with an IC50 value of 5.99 μg/mL against AChE. VLC fractionation of the n-butanol fraction yielded 13 subfractions (VLC 1–VLC 13). Four out of 13 subfractions gave more than 80% inhibition against AChE, namely subfractions 4–7, with IC50 values ranging from 4.87 to 47.22 μg/mL. The phytochemical screening of these subfractions suggested the presence of alkaloids. Conclusions The ethanolic extract, as well as fractions of R. serpentina root, are potential for AChE inhibitor. The alkaloid compound may be responsible for this activity.

Assessment of Genetic Variation in Selected Members of Family Apocynaceae using SDS-PAGE

Genetic variation of any plant species is very interesting in reducing genetic vulnerability as well as stabilizing production. In this regard, a study was undertaken to analyze the genetic variation among selected members of family Apocynaceae by using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). In this study, a total of 53 protein bands were analyzed, out of them all bands were polymorphic with a total of 100% polymorphism. The electrophoresis of the proteins revealed protein bands in the range of 151 kD to less than 11 kD molecular weight. The similarity index calculated on the basis of presence and absence of protein bands ranged from 0.04 to 0.200. A dendrogram was constructed based on UPGMA (unweighted pair group method using arithmetic averages) clustering method revealed three clusters. Cluster I contained three species namely Thevetia peruviana, Catharanthus roseus and Nerium indicum, in which Thevetia peruviana and Catharanthus roseus were more close than Nerium indicum, while cluster II included only one species namely Rauvolfia serpentina. Carissa carandus emerged as the most primitive species forming an out group (cluster III). Thus, this study revealed that the SDS-PAGE method plays a key role in the study of protein based variation among selected plant species.

Indirect organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis for regeneration of Rauvolfia serpentina L. from root explants

Highest frequencies (75%) of friable embryogenic nodular calli were recorded from the root explants in the presence of MS + 4.0 mg/l BAP and 4.0 mg/l NAA. In combinations of BAP and NAA 45.4% callus produced direct plantlets formation and 36.3% only from aerial part of shoots. MS medium with 1.0 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l Kn produced compact callus where 13.3% produced direct plantlets formation and 45.7% produced only shoot formation. Well-developed globular somatic embryos were found to form when the callus were cultured more than 6 - 8 weeks on MS with 1.0 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l Kn. After acclimatization the well rooted plantlets were transferred to pot and grown successfully in soil.

Ethnomedicinal Practices by Tharu Ethnic Community in Rupandehi and Nawalparasi Districts, Western Nepal

Tharus are the marginalized indigenous people of Nepal. This study was carried out using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA), and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) from 2019 to 2020. The ethnomedicinal data were collected using a semi-structured interview with 75 key informants, local healers, and Guruwas. A total of 74 plants, belonging to 39 families, for the treatment of 11 categories of ailments, were documented. The highest informant consensus factor (FIC) value was for respiratory troubles (0.84), followed by the skeletomuscular disorder (0.83), and dermatological trouble (0.82). The highest frequency of citation (%) was found in Azadirachta indica (90 %), followed by Calotropis gigantea (67 %), Euphorbia antiquorum (67 %), and Rauvolfia serpentina (51 %). Fabaceae (6 spp.) was the most dominating family; herbs (47 %) the most frequently used life forms; leaves (32 %) the most frequently used plant part, and juice (30 %) being the most widely preferred mode of drug preparation. Different parts of the plant species were used for the treatment of more than one ailment using a different mode of drug preparation, and a single species was used to treat more than one ailments. The high average FIC value (0.72) showed that there was a higher agreement among the informants for the use against certain categories of ailments. Some plants like Rauvolfia serpentina, Piper longum, and Asparagus racemosus need a proper conservation strategy, as their population is decreasing in this area.