Pharmacological and biological evaluation of extracts from Gratiola officinalis  L. (Scrophulariaceae).
The crude extract of Gratiola officinalis and its n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions were subjected to biological (Brine Shrimp Bioassay, Insecticidal and Phytotoxicity/Cytotoxic) and neuropharmacological (Head dip, Open field Forced swimming test, Sodium pentothal induced sleep) activities. Results obtained in this study indicated that at high concentration dose (1000μg/ml), all test samples showed 60-95% phytotoxicity. In crude extract, n-butanol and aqueous fractions produced more than 85% phytotoxicity. While low concentration (10μg/ml) dose showed 25-28% phytotoxicity in all test samples. The crude extract was devoid of any effect against the growth of Callosbruchus analis and Tribolium castaneum and caused 10 mortality of Rhyzopertha dominica. n-Hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions caused 50, 30, 40, 10 and 20% mortality respectively of C. analis where as chloroform, ethyl-acetate, aqueous and crude extract, n-hexane, ethyl-acetate fractions also caused low mortality (10%) of Tribolium castaneum  and Rhyzopertha dominica respectively. In cytotoxic assay at 1000μg/ml concentration, n-butanol fraction produced 36.7% and the crude extract produced 13.3% mortality of brine shrimp, its aqueous fraction was inactive at all concentrations. The results of head dip, open field, mobility time and Pentothal Na induced sleep indicated that crude extract, n-butanol and ethylacetate fractions of G. officinalis had mild sedative effect. However aqueous fraction was found to produce a significant decrease in motor activities and potentiated the duration of sleep.
Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan. herbalist53@yahoo.com
Mansoor
M
Ahmad
Noor
N
Muhammad
Mehjabeen
Noor
N
Jahan
Manzoor
M
Ahmad
Salman
S
Habib
D000818:Animals; D001156:Artemia / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D028083:Scrophulariaceae / Q000737:chemistry
D007306:Insecticides; D010936:Plant Extracts