PHYTOCHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF EUPHORBIA SERPENS, EUPHORBIA GRANULATA (EUPHORBIACEAE) AND VERNONIA CINERASCENS (COMPOSITAE)

Abstract

The present research work emphasis on the biological and Phytochemical studies of the medicinal plants Vernonia cinerascens (Compositae), Euphorbia granulata and Euphorbia serpens (Euphorbiaceae). Dichloromethane and methanol extracts of the different parts of Vernonia cinerascens, Euphorbia granulata and Euphorbia serpens were prepared. These extracts were subjected to a battery of biological screening and it was observed that dichloromethane extracts of Vernonia cinerascens roots and that of Euphorbia granulata whole plant exhibited significant antifungal activity against Microsporum canis. Microsporum canis is responsible for tinea capitis and tinea corporis. Methanol extract of Vernonia cinerascens also showed significant antifungal activity against Fusarium solani. Fusarium solani is a pathogen responsible for fungal infections in plant and human. Dichloromethane and methanol extracts of Euphorbia serpens exhibited moderate antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus. Methanol extracts of Vernonia cinerascens and Euphorbia serpens showed antioxidant activity. All the extracts have dose dependent spasmolytic activity. Dichloromethane extract of Vernonia cinerascens root was subjected for Phytochemical investigations and afforded a new monoterpene, (3β-acetoxy-5α-angeloyloxy-7-deoxy-carvotacetone). Methanol extract of the same plant when subjected for isolation offered a new flavone (5,4'-dihydroxy-7-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-3'-methoxyflavone) and eight known compounds, namely, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-(2′-propenyl)-phenol, vanillic acid, isoferulic acid, caffeic acid, methyl gallate, uridine, 3'-methylquercetin and quercetin.