View of EXPLORING THE THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF VITEX NEGUNDO: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ITS ETHNOMEDICINAL USES AND PHYTO-PHARMACOLOGY AS AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY HERB

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Vol. 03, Issue 09,September 2018 Available Online: www.ajeee.co.in/index.php/AJEEE

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EXPLORING THE THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF VITEX NEGUNDO: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ITS ETHNOMEDICINAL USES AND PHYTO-

PHARMACOLOGY AS AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY HERB

Hariprasad Kadiyam

Asst. Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Princeton College of Pharmacy, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

G Lavanya

Asst. Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Princeton College of Pharmacy, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Abstract - An important medicinal plant with potent anti-inflammatory properties is Vitex negundo. Flavonoids, casticin, chryso-splenol, vitexin, Chrysophenol D, nishindine, and hydrocotylene are the plant's main components. The monoterpenes agnuside, eurostoside, and aucubin are also present. These components contribute to numerous pharmacological activities, including free radical scavenging, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antinociceptive, and anti-ulcer. The research that has been conducted on this plant over the years into its ethnobotanical claims, ayurvedic properties, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, analytical studies, and other aspects are discussed in this review.

1 INTRODUCTION

Linn's Vitex negundo (VN). is a member of the Verbenaceae family, more commonly known as Nirgundi. It is a substantial, fragrant shrub; with its typical five-foliate leaf pattern, which can be found in warmer regions of the majority of India and reaches 1500 m in the Western Himalayas. One of the most frequently used plants in Indian medicine is the shrub. It has been claimed to have numerous therapeutic properties. It includes alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, and tannins, among other chemical classes. Traditionally, leaves were thought to have sedative and insecticidal properties and were used to cover grain to keep insects away. The leaves' extracts were effective against E. coli and Micrococcus pyogenes var aureus.

It has been hypothesized that the fresh leaves of VN have anti- inflammatory, pain-relieving, antihistamine, membrane-stabilizing,

antioxidant, and PG synthesis inhibition properties. This additionally have hostile to ulcer action against piroxicam incited ulcers, most likely by expanding PG levels .Its different dynamic constituents groups different pharmacological exercises.

Ethnobotanical claim: Since antiquity, chasteberry has been used as a female remedy. Roman wives whose husbands were away with the legions spread the aromatic leaves on their couches because one of its properties was to reduce sexual desire. The chasteberry tree was given to it as its name. Chasteberry was used as a food spice in monasteries and was referred to as "Monk's pepper" or "Cloister pepper" due to its alleged ability to increase sexual desire in medieval times. It was also used as a significant European remedy for controlling and regulating the female reproductive system,

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2 according to tradition. It was once used to make menstruation more regular and treat dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea. It also helped women go through menopause and helped them get pregnant.

Distribution: It originated in India:

Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Karnataka, Kerala; States of America: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut).

Describe the plant: a medium-sized deciduous shrub that can grow to 3 meters. Drafting 8 is strong. From September to October, it blooms.

Insects pollinate the fragrant flowers, which are hermaphrodite (having both male and female organs). The plant can thrive in nutrient-poor soil, prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, and it needs well- drained soil. Soils that are alkaline, neutral, or acidic are preferred by the plant. Shade cannot support its growth. It needs soil that is either dry or wet (see Figure 1).

Fig. 1 Leaves and branches of vitex negundo

2 PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES:

 Human liver cells are shielded from carbon tetrachloride- induced calcium-mediated toxicity by negundoside, an irridoid glycoside extracted from Vitex negundo leaves. Through the inhibition of lipid peroxidation, improved intracellular calcium homeostasis, and inhibition of Calcium dependent proteases, it prevents CYPE1-dependent CCL4 toxicity.

 The anti-oxidant activity of Vitex negundo leaf extract was demonstrated by a decrease in the enzymic antioxidants SOD, CAT, GPX, G6PD, and non- enzymic antioxidants GSH, Vit- C, in complete freund's adjuvant arthritic rats.

 In a cotton pellet granuloma and carrageenan-induced hind paw edema test on albino rats, the anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism of action of Vitex negundo leaf extract were investigated. The study

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3 demonstrated that VN leaf extract prevented plasma MDA (malondialdehyde) levels and oxytocin-induced uterine contractions in rats. This suggests that VN inhibits prostaglandin synthesis and reduces oxidative stress, respectively, to have anti- inflammatory effects against both

acute and subacute

inflammation.

 The ability of the freeze-dried root extract of Vitex negundo to scavenge the DPPH (1, 1- diphenyl-2-picraylhrazyl) free radical and to prevent hydroxyl radical-mediated damage to deoxyribose was used to investigate the antioxidant activity of the root extract in vitro. While the leaf extract can reduce oxidative stress by reducing lipid peroxidation, it has not altered the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes.

 The deffated seeds of Vitex negundo were extracted using chloroform, which produced four triterpenoids with anti- inflammatory properties: 2-beta, 3-alpha-diacetoxy-18-

hydroxyoleana-5, 12-dien- 28-oic acid, 3-beta-acetoxyolean-12-en- 27-oic acid, 2-alpha, 3-alpha- dihydroxyoleana-5, 12-dien- 28- oic acid

 Portion subordinate

histomorphological changes created by VN separate were seen in examples of heart, liver and lung, which showed that the major poisonous attack of VN was on heart. As non-reversible

dyspnoea developed,

cardiopulmonary arrest was the leading cause of death. Dyspnoea brought on by cardiac toxicity in the form of vascular dilatation and hemorrhage is the leading cause of death.

 The antinociceptive capacity of Vitex negundo linn was investigated through the use of the tail flick test in rats and acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. extract from the leaf that suggests that VN has both central and peripheral analgesic properties. Opioid receptors do not appear to mediate the central analgesic effect.

 It has been hypothesized that the fresh leaves of VN possess anti- inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, which may be mediated through the inhibition of PG synthase, antihistamine, membrane stabilizing, and antioxidant properties. This also has anti-ulcer activity against ulcers caused by piroxicam, possibly by raising PG levels.

 The total polyphenol content of the plant's total methanol extract was standardized. When tested for its anti-inflammatory properties using the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema method, the standardized extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg reduced edema in a manner that was comparable to that of diclofenac sodium (25 mg/kg).

The concentrate likewise showed major areas of strength for an extremist searching movement by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl technique and caused a critical decrease in the development of thiobarbituric corrosive

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4 responding substances when assessed for its lipid peroxidation inhibitory movement. The findings strongly suggest that one of the mechanisms underlying its antiinflammatory activity may be radical quenching.

 The minimum inhibitory concentration assay was used to measure the antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial activity-generating fraction was identified through bioactivity- guided fractionation. The 5- lipoxygenase, 2, 2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl, and tetrazolium cellular viability assays were used to evaluate the toxicity profile, anti-oxidant activity, and anti-inflammatory activity, respectively. Using the tritiated hypoxanthine incorporation assay, the antimalarial activity of the extracts and isolated compound was also examined against the chloroquine-resistant Gambian FCR-3 strain of Plasmodium falciparum.

3 USES

The entire plant is utilized for therapeutic purposes. Astringent, febrifuge, sedative, tonic, and vemifuge properties make the leaves useful for relieving acute rheumatism joint swelling. Oil made from the leaf juice is applied to sinuses and scrofulous sores, and the juice of the leaves is used to get rid of foetid discharges and worms from ulcers.

The dried fruit is used as a vermifuge and to treat angina, colds, coughs, rheumatic conditions, and other conditions.

The fresh berries are ground up into a pulp and used as a tincture to treat

paralysis, limb pain, weakness, and other ailments. The root is used to treat colds and rheumatic diseases because it is an expectorant, febrifuge, and tonic. It is believed that the plant as a whole can prevent malaria and treat bacterial dysentery.

Antitumor and bactericidal properties have also been demonstrated by the leaf extracts. In grain stores, the leaves are used to repel insects. The leaves' extracts are effective against insects. The new leaves are ignited with grass as a fumigant against mosquitoes. A decoction of the stems is utilized in the treatment of consumes and burns.

4 SAFETY AND TOXICITY:

 Side effects of using Vitex negundo are rare. Minor gastrointestinal upset and a mild skin rash with itching have been reported in less than 2% of the women monitored while taking Vitex negundo. It is not recommended for use during pregnancy.

 The LD50 was established at 7.58 g/kg, b. w.

5 CONCLUSION

Chemical components and pharmacological studies of Vitex negundo have been thoroughly investigated. Considering the plant's anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti- arthritic, and anti-ulcer activity is crucial. Tissue culture and biotechnology, on the other hand, offer opportunities to increase plant yields of essential chemical constituents. There have been few reports of toxicological and analytical studies. To guarantee the plant's free use, the work could also be carried out in this manner.

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5 REFERENCES:

1. Kirtikar, K. R. Basu, B. D. Indian Medicinal Plants, Periodical Book, New Delhi, II Edition, Vol III 1994: 1937 2. The Wealth of India, CSIR, New Delhi,

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4. Prajapati, Purohit, Sharma, Kumar, A Handbook of Medicinal Plants: pp:543 5. The Useful Plants of India, National

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