2nd draft

Pawar et al. (2011) conducted a study to investigate the pharmacognostical standardization of leaves of Caesalpinia pulcherrima  which is found throughout in India. Caesalpinia pulcherrima is one of Caesalpiniaceae family, commonly called peacock flower. This plant has many benefits especially the leaf part. It was used as antioxidant, antipyretic, antimicrobial, and antibacterial. From the study of Pawar et al. (2011), C. pulcherrima’s leaves were collected from garden of Government Hospital, India and were authenticated by botanist. In this study, the pharmacognostical standardization including morphological and microscopical characters of the leaves, historical test, powder characters, quantitative leaf microscopy, physico-chemical study, and preliminary phytochemical analysis. The result of microscopically transverse section of leaves consist of lamina and midrib region. Histological test reported that lignine, cuticle and calcium oxalate were substances inside the leaves of C. pulcherrima. Powder from C. pulcherrima’s leaves had green colour and presented xylem, phloem, stomata and epidermal cells. The fragment of lamina showed stomata and venation. Stomatal index was 20, stomatal number from upper part of epidermis was 28 and lower part was 31. The values of physico-chemical constants presented total ash, acid insoluble ash, water insoluble ash, and loss on drying were 5 ± 0.288, 1.375 ± 0.125, 1.25 ± 0.25, 8.33 ± 0.88 %w/w, respectively. Soluble extractives: alcohol, water, petroleum ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone presented the values were 8.2, 14.4, 1.4, 5, 5, 6 %w/w, respectively. In preliminary phytochemical analysis part presented flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, saponins, sterols, tannins, and triterpenes. In conclusion, the researcher suggested that the pharmacognostical characters might be useful to support about C. pulcherrima’s information and useful to prove the standardization criteria.

This study provides scientific evidence to support herbal medicine terms of the pharmacognostical standardization of leaves of C. pulcherrima which is necessary for new herbal drug development. However, there are some limitations.

1)      According to Chanda (2014), in India, pharmacognostical studies and standardization parameters should be consist of collection of plant materials, organoleptic characters, macroscopic study, microscopic study and Quantitative microscopy, powder microscopic observations, historical analysis, physico-chemical constants, phytochemical analysis, fluorescence analysis. In this study did not investigate all methods that were an important point to do pharmacognostical standardization.

2)      In physico-chemical constants part, ash value should test total ash, water soluble ash, acid insoluble ash and sulphated ash. The extractive values that are ethanol soluble extractive, water soluble extractive, determination of volatile oil in drug, determination of crude fibre content, determination of loss on drying, determination of foaming Index should be done in triplicate to avoid an error of results (World Health Organization, 1998).

3)      In this study, almost figures might not clear enough and there are no scale beside each picture to confirm any sizes such as the leaves, stomata, epidermal cells, xylem and phloem that they reported.

The strength of this study is that study of the habitat, general characters of plant, their gross, whole and powdered structures, and also chemistry of the constituents are include in the pharmacognostic study is very important. These places down parameters for standardization and authentication of medicinal plants and will prevent adulteration and substitution. These may be useful to therapeutics in the future also.

References

1.      Chanda, S. (2014). Importance of pharmacognostic study of medicinal plants: An overview. Journal of Pharmacognoscy and Phytochemistry, 2(5), 69- 73.

2.      Pawar, C.R., Kadtan, R.B., Gaikwad, A.A., & Kadtan, D.B. (2011). PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYSIO-CHEMICAL STANDARDIZATION OF CAESALPINIA PULCHERRIMA. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN PHARMACY AND CHEMISTRY, 1(4), 998- 1002.

3.      World Health Organization. (1998). Quality control methods for medicinal plant materials. Malta: WHO Press.

1st draft

Pawar et al. (2011) conducted a study to investigate the pharmacognostical standardization of leaves of Caesalpinia pulcherrima which is spread in every part of India. Caesalpinia pulcherrima is one of Caesalpiniaceae family, commonly called peacock flower. This plant has many benefits especially the leaf part. It was used as antioxidant, antipyretic, antimicrobial, and antibacterial. From the study of Pawar et al. (2011), C. pulcherrima’s leaves were collected from garden of Government Hospital, India and were authenticated by botanist. In this study, the pharmacognostical standardization including morphological and microscopical characters of the leaves, historical test, powder characters, quantitative leaf microscopy, physico-chemical study, and preliminary phytochemical analysis. The result of microscopically transverse section of leaves consist of lamina and midrib region. Histological test reported that lignine, cuticle and calcium oxalate were substance inside the leaves of C. pulcherrima. Powder from C. pulcherrima’s leaves had green colour and presented xylem, phloem, stomata and epidermal cells. The fragment of lamina showed stomata and venation. Stomatal index was 20, stomatal number from upper part of epidermis was 28 and lower part was 31. The values of physico-chemical constants presented total ash, acid insoluble ash, water insoluble ash, and loss on drying were 5±0.288, 1.375±0.125, 1.25±0.25, 8.33±0.88 %w/w, respectively. Soluble extractives: alcohol, water, petroleum ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone presented the values were 8.2, 14.4, 1.4, 5, 5, 6 %w/w, respectively. In preliminary phytochemical analysis part presented flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, saponins, sterols, tannins, and triterpenes. In conclusion, the researcher suggested that the pharmacognostical characters might be useful to support about C. pulcherrima’s information and useful to prove the standardization criteria.

This study provides scientific evidence to support herbal medicine terms of the pharmacognostical standardization of leaves of C. pulcherrima which is necessary for new herbal drug development. However, there are some limitations.

1)      According to Chanda (2014), in India, pharmacognostical studies and standardization parameters should be consist of collection of plant materials, organoleptic characters, macroscopic study, microscopic study and Quantitative microscopy, powder microscopic observations, historical analysis, physico-chemical constants, phytochemical analysis, fluorescence analysis. In this study did not investigate all methods that were an important point to do pharmacognostical standardization.

2)      In physico-chemical constants part, ash value should test total ash, water soluble ash, acid insoluble ash and sulphated ash. The extractive values that are ethanol soluble extractive, water soluble extractive, determination of volatile oil in drug, determination of crude fibre content, determination of loss on drying, determination of foaming Index should be done in triplicate to avoid an error of results (World Health Organization, 1998).

3)      In this study, almost figures are not clear and there are no scale beside each picture to confirm size of leaves such as stomas, epidermal cells, xylem and phloem that they reported.

The strength of this study is that study of the habitat, general characters of plant, their gross, whole and powdered structures, and also chemistry of the constituents are include in the pharmacognostic study is very important. These places down parameters for standardization and authentication of medicinal plants and will prevent adulteration and substitution. These may be useful to therapeutics in the future also.

References

1.      Chanda, S. (2014). Importance of pharmacognostic study of medicinal plants: An overview. Journal of Pharmacognoscy and Phytochemistry, 2(5), 69- 73.

2.      Pawar, C.R., Kadtan, R.B., Gaikwad, A.A., & Kadtan, D.B. (2011). PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYSIO-CHEMICAL STANDARDIZATION OF CAESALPINIA PULCHERRIMA. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN PHARMACY AND CHEMISTRY, 1(4), 998- 1002.

3.      World Health Organization. (1998). Quality control methods for medicinal plant materials. Malta: WHO Press.

MINOR PROJECT

My research question is about the Caesalpinia genus in Thailand. Caesalpinia sappan is one of the popular plants in this genus that used to promote blood circulation in Thai traditional medicine. It contains an important compound called brazilin in their heartwood. The samples from different parts of Thailand at least 15 places will be test to confirm about the brazilin content.

Researchers who have looked at this subject are Zanin et al. and Gilbody et al. They reported that brazilin constituent is an important major compound of Caesalpinia sappan heartwood.

Zanin et al. (2012) argues that brazilin is a natural pigment commonly used as a dye and found in Caesalpinia sappan L., where is particularly abundant (8-22% w/w). The compound brazilin is homoisoflavonoids, collectively isolated from alcoholic extraction of heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan L. 

Gilbody et al. (1901) argues that there is long history about the substance called “Brazilin” that is the major compound of Caesalpinia sappan wood. Since the year 1190, brasil from dye wood was mentioned by Kimichi (Spanish writer). In 1500, this plant was discovered in South America and credible that the named the northerly section Brazil. In the East Indies, central and South America, the Antilles and Africa, the brazil- wood tree (Leguminosae, species Caesalpinia) is widely classified in the tropics. The wood is very hard and deep red colour. It rapidly changes to red when exposed the air.

Debate centers on the basic issue if brazilin content is an important compound from Caesalpinia sappan  heartwood. This compound may used to confirm their benefit that is to promote blood circulation. So, it is important  to study about brazilin that extract from sappan wood in every part of Thailand.

My research will be closer to both Zanin and Gilbody at the point of brazilin content which is extract from heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan. The study of Zanin and Gilbody were tested in different places and times, but their result showed that brazilin was contained in the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan. So, I will be try to extracting the sappan's heartwood from every part in Thailand to confirm about the brazilin compound also.

Hopefully, my contribution will be confirm that brazilin content is contain in the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan in every part of Thailand. It will be support that people who consume this plant obtain fully benefits such as to promote their blood circulation and antioxidant.

References List
            

      Zanin, J.L.B., Carvalho, B.A., Martineli, P.S., Santos, M.H., Lago, J.H.G., Sartorelli, P.,  Viegas, C., and Soares, M.G. Review The Genus Caesalpinia L. (Caesalpiniaceae):  Phytochemical and Pharmacological Characteristics. Molecules 17 (2012): 7887-7902.

      

      Gilbody, A.W., Perkin, W.H., Yates, J. Brazilin and Haematoxylin PartI. J. Chem. Soc. 79 (1901): 1396.

ASSIGNMENT #2

WRITING INTRODUCTION

            STAGE 1:
Nowadays, many people think that the products that are labeled or made from natural or herbal are always safe and good for them. It may not absolutely true if the herbal medicines or herbal products do not have to go through the testing. Some plants may be harm if users select the wrong part, wrong species, or wrong dose. So, it is very important to study about the standard of plants and pharmacological activities from the constituents inside herbals. The improvement will be occur if we know the structure of plant and develop their quantitative and qualitative.

STAGE 2: 

The family Caesalpiniaceae is one of the important and interesting herbal for study in Thailand. This family has more than 500 species worldwide. There are many reports about pharmacological activities and several chemical compounds. Only 18 species of Caesalpiniaceae are found in Thailand (Smitinand, T. 2001). Four species that are C. sappan, C. bonduc, C. pulcherrima, and C. mimosoides are spread in every part of Thailand and have been used in Traditional Thai Medicine for years. Caesalpinia sappan L. used for promote blood circulation, decline hypertension, antithirsty, and also mixed with other herbals for cure other diseases. The heartwood of sappan had an important constituent named “Brazilin”. It is a natural pigment commonly used as a dye and had several biological properties such as anti-inflammation, antibacterial, etc. Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb or Sa-ward in Thai is an extensive climber, with branches finely grey and downy, armed with both hooked and straight, hard yellow prickles. This plant used for treat ascites, urinary disorder, wound, etc. Caesalpinia pulcherrima Swartz. or Peacock flower or Hang Nok Yung Thai is a large peremial shrub, 1-3 m tall and widely distributed in tropical areas and has been used as ornamental plant. It used for cure bronchitis, asthma, the roots used as drain menstrual and heal inflammation also. Pawar et al. (2011) reported that the microscopic study of Caesalpinia pulcherrima presented collenchyma, vascular bundle, spongy parenchyma, palisade cells, and stomata. The total ash, acid soluble ash, water insoluble ash, loss on drying, alcohol soluble extractive were tested in the part of physicochemical study (p. 998). Caesalpinia mimosoides Lamk. or Cha-luead is a climbing shrub, densely hispid and bristly on all parts. The leaves are bipinnate, flowers are bright yellow and broadly obovate petals. In Traditional Thai Medicine used Arial parts of this plant for support fainting and promote blood circulation. In the experiment, there are several methods for analyze brazilin compound. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) are using for test the active compound in plant extracts. These are widely used, easy, rapid, inexpensive, and suitable for plant screening by recognize the compound.

             STAGE 3: 

Although there are many reports that related with Caesalpiniaceae family, there are no information about DNA fingerprinting and microscopic characterization for improve their qualitative and quantitative. Many reports presented that the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan contained an important chemical substance called "Brazilin". In Thailand, Caesalpinia sappan is spread in every parts, so it should be to investigated at least from 15 places and to be confirmed their quality.   

             STAGE 4& 5: 

In this present study will be try to investigate the quantitative analysis of brazilin in Caesalpinia sappan, the microscopic characterization by leaf measurements and transverse section of plant, and the molecular evaluation by DNA fingerprinting of four species of Caesalpiniaceae Family (C. sappan, C. bonduc, C. pulcherrima, and C. mimosoides).

ASSIGNMENT #1

Title: PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL STANDARDIZATION OF LEAVES OF CAESALPINIA PULCHERRIMA
Author: C. R. Pawar, R. B. Kadtan, A. A. Gaikwad, and D. B. Kadtan
Journal: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN PHARMACY AND CHEMISTRY
Year: 2011
Volume: 1(4)
Page: 998-1002

Abstract:

     Caesalpinia pulcherrima belonging to family Caesalpiniaceae is distributed throught out India. Commonly it is known as Peacock-flower. Plant shows diterpenoids, isovouacaperol, sitosterol and flavonoids. The plant is considered as emmenagogue, purgative and stimulant, abotificient and also used in bronchitis, asthma and malarial fever, leaves used as antipyretic, antimicrobial. Flower also shows antioxidant and antiviral activity. The present study deals with the macroscopical and microscopical studies of Caesalpinia pulcherrima leaf. Macroscopically, the Caesalpinia pulcherrima is compound leaf, ovate shape, entire margin and glabrous surface, asymmetrical base, small petiole. The microscopic study showed presence of collenchyma, vascular bundle, spongy parenchyma, palisade cells, stomata. Some distinct characters were observed while studying the transverse sections. Physiochemical studies revealed total ash, acid insoluble ash, water insoluble ash, loss on drying, alcohol soluble extractive, water soluble extractive and preliminary phytochemical studies of the leaves were also carried out. The present study might be useful to supplement information in regard to its identification parameters.

Reference:

     Pawar, C., Kadtan, R., Gaikwad, A., & Kadtan, D. (2011). PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL STANDARDIZATION OF LEAVES OF CAESALPINIA PULCHERRIMA. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN PHARMACY AND CHEMISTRY, 1(4), 998-1002.

Results:

- The microscopic study showed presence of collenchyma, vascular bundle, spongy parenchyma, palisade cells, stomata. Some distinct characters were observed while studying the transverse sections.

- Physiochemical studies revealed total ash, acid soluble ash, water insoluble ash, loss on drying, alcohol soluble extractive. Preliminary phytochemical studies of the leaves were also carried out.

Citations:

1.  Pawar et al. (2011) reported that the microscopic study of Caesalpinia pulcherrima presented collenchyma, vascular bundle, spongy parenchyma, palisade cells, and stomata. The total ash, acid soluble ash, water insoluble ash, loss on drying, alcohol soluble extractive were tested in the part of physicochemical study (p. 998).

2.  The microscopic study of Caesalpinia pulcherrima presented collenchyma, vascular bundle, spongy parenchyma, palisade cells, and stomata. The total ash, acid soluble ash, water insoluble ash, loss on drying, alcohol soluble extractive were tested in the part of physicochemical study (Pawar et al., 2011, p.998).