@article {1097, title = {Pharmacognostic Studies and Antibacterial Activity of Corchorus olitorius L. Leaf}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {14}, year = {2022}, month = {October 2022}, pages = {474-482}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {474-482}, abstract = {

Background: Corchorus olitorius L. (Family: Tiliaceae) or {\textquoteleft}Tossa Jute or Nalta Jute is an important fiber crop in India and Bangladesh. Its leaves are used as folk medicine, food source and have demulcent, diuretic, lactagogue, purgative, antidiabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and tonic effects. The aim of the research is to evaluate the pharmacognostic characteristics and antimicrobial activity of Corchorus olitorius L. (C. olitorius). Materials and Methods: The pharmacognostic studies were carried out in terms of organoleptic, macroscopic, microscopic, physico-chemical evaluation, phytochemical screening, fluorescence analysis, TLC fingerprinting by standard procedures. Antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria E. coli was determined by agar well diffusion method. Results: The leaf of C. olitorius showed serrate margin, stipules at the base, and acute to acuminate apex. Leaves surface microscopy showed numerous prismatic calcium oxalate crystals and covering trichomes. The moisture content 6.6\% w/w, ethanol and water-soluble extractive value 4 and 17.6\% w/w, total ash 12\% w/w, while acid insoluble and water-soluble ash value 2.2 and 2.0\% w/w respectively were determined. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, polyphenols, phytosterols/triterpenoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannins, and proteins. Thin layer chromatographic profiling of ethanolic extract was carried out which showed different Rf values. The antimicrobial test showed that aqueous extract has better antimicrobial activity around the tested bacteria (E. coli) than ethanolic extract. Conclusion: The results are helpful in the standardization of the leaf part of the plant C. olitorius. The aqueous leaf extract possessed antimicrobial properties. There is a need to isolate its constituents responsible for antimicrobial activity.

}, keywords = {Corchorus olitorius, Fluorescence analysis, Pharmacognostic, Standardization}, doi = {10.5530/pres.14.4.69}, author = {. Manvi and Mohammad Irfan Khan and . Badruddeen and Juber Akhtar and Mohammad Ahmad} } @article {117, title = {Nutraceutical Potential of Molokhia (Corchorus olitorius L.): A Versatile Green Leafy Vegetable}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {13}, year = {2021}, month = {April 2021}, pages = {01-12}, type = {Review Article}, chapter = {01}, abstract = {

Molokhia is a nutritious green leafy vegetable consumed in African and Middle Eastern countries as a viscous soup. Although the leaves are used in the traditional medicine and also reported to exhibit a number of pharmacological effects, its utilization is limited to some cultures and does not find wider utilization in the mainstream dietary habits. This review is aimed to present the nutritional and nutraceutical potential of molokhia to promote consumption of this valuable leafy vegetable. An unbiased literature search was conducted using online resources such as Google Scholar and PubMed to collect published reports on various biological/pharmacological activities of molokhia. Chemical structures of bioactive compounds were downloaded from PubChem. The leaves of molokhia are rich sources of Vitamin A (β-carotene), C, E, B1, B2, folic acid and minerals such as iron and calcium in addition to common macromolecules. Among carbohydrates, acidic polysaccharides are of particular interest because of their notable biological effects including antidiabetic and antioxidant. The vegetable is also a good source of a diverse category of phytochemicals including alkaloids, saponins, tannins, terpenes, flavonoids, and phenolics. Different extracts exhibit potent antidiabetic, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, analgesic, and wound healing effects. The extracts have shown to safe even at a dose of 3.2 g/kg body weight in experimental animals. Molokhia is a nutritious leafy vegetable loaded with essential micronutrients and phytochemical that could be handy in promoting general health. Further research is warranted to develop novel food product formulation using molokhia.

}, keywords = {Corchorus olitorius, Green leafy vegetable, Molokhia, Pharmacology, Polysaccharides, Toxicity}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_100_20}, author = {Faiyaz Ahmed} }