Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 52(1), September - October 2018; Article No.

24, Pages: 133-141 ISSN 0976 – 044X

Review Article

Pluchea lanceolata – An Overview

Prem Shankar Pandey*

Department of Rasa Shastra, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, India.
*Corresponding author’s E-mail: pspandey482@gmail.com

Received: 11-08-2018; Revised: 28-08-2018; Accepted: 10-09-2018.

ABSTRACT
Traditional medicine is still the primary form of treating diseases of majority of people in developing countries. The increasing
knowledge of metabolic process and the effect of plants on human physiology has emerged the range of application of medicinal
plants. The plant Pluchea lanceolata (Rasna) (Oliver & Hiern) Asteraceae has been used traditionally in Indigenous system of
medicine as an antipyretic, analgesic, bitter, laxative and nervine tonic. It is recommended for dyspepsia, rheumatoid arthritis and
bronchitis. The plant contains different secondary metabolites viz. flavonoids, terpenoids, sterols, alkaloids, tannins, phenols, acids,
oils, etc. Since these compounds are of pharmacological interest coupled with the use of this plant in traditional medicine prompted
to review the work carried out on this plant. The present review covers the standardization parameters viz. macroscopic and
microscopic characters, physicochemical analysis, phytochemical screening, chemical constituents and biological activities reported
on the plant Pluchea lanceolata. The present review revealed that Pluchea lanceolata is an important source of many therapeutically
and pharmacologically active constituents. The plant has been widely studied for its various chemical constituents and
pharmacological activities and finds its position as a versatile plant having a wide spectrum of medicinal activities. This Knowledge
will be the basis for development of new therapeutic approaches for diseases.
Keywords: Physicochemical, Phytochemical, Biological investigations.

INTRODUCTION thermogenic, used for allaying and the pain caused by the
sting of scorpions4-8.

M edicinal plants have been a major source of

treatment for human diseases since time
immemorial. They are the richest biosource of
drugs of traditional system of medicine, modern
medicines, food supplements, folk medicines,
Rasna, Pluchea lanceolata is a natural cure for all
problems of nervous system especially of the nerves.
Rasna helps in the conditions like neuritis, sciatica and
chronic inflammation of the nervous system. Because last
pharmaceutical intermediates and chemical inteties for part of the intestine is well controlled by the Vata so
synthetic drugs. Plant products still remain the principle problems like constipation and flatulence which are
source of pharmaceutical agents used in traditional associated with the last part of the intestine are well
medicine. In recent years, there has been a great demand treated by rasna. Rasna works as a Rasayana and a drug
for plant derived products in developed countries. These of choice to delay process of aging. Pluchea lanceolata is
products are increasingly being sought out as medicinal used as digestive disturbances like flatulence, abdominal
products, neutraceuticals and cosmetics. The increasing colic and indigestion. It is very useful in respiratory
knowledge of metabolic process and the effect of plants problems like asthma, bronchitis, pleuritis, chest pain.
on human physiology has enlarged the range of Being Vedana Sthapana and Vat pacifier, rasna is useful in
application of medicinal plants1-3. rheumatoid arthritis and Vata disorbers. Pluchea
lanceolata is useful in health problems related to female
Pluchea lanceolata (D.C.) Oliver and Hiern belongs to the
genital system like amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, ring
genus Pluchea (Family: Asteraceae). It is small shrub
worm and eczema. In skin diseases, a paste of rasna roots
grows mainly in sandy and saline soil, found is hotter
prepared in cow’s urine is applied. Its decoction is also
parts of India including Punjab, Rajasthan, Upper West
used to wash the affected area. Pluchea lanceolata is
Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and neighboring Asian countries
anti-toxic and has the property of reducing “Kaf and Vat”.
together with North Africa. It is known locally as “Rasna”,
For the treatment of rheumatism, it is given as
Gandhamula Rasya and Yuktarasa. Many controversies
Rasnaguggulam or Rasnapanckak orally and as
exist about the identification of Rasna but Pluchea
Mahanarayan oil or Mahamesa oil externally. Anti-
lanceolata is the most widely accepted plant. The plant is
inflammatory activity in the crude extract of Pluchea
used for the inflammation and bronchitis, psoriasis, cough
lanceolata has been reported earlier8-12.
and piles. It is also used as antipyretic, analgesic,
dyspepsia, rheumatoid arthritis, bitter, laxative and nerve In Ayurveda, the management of malaria considered as
tonic. The decoction of the plant is used to prevent the visham jwar, Pluchea lanceolata is a one of the ingredient
swelling of joints in arthritis, rheumatism and neurological of poly-herbal formulations has been used to treat jwar
disorders. The roots are antipyretic, bitter, laxative and (fever) including. “visham jwar”. According to Ayurvda,

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herbs are taken in combination with other herbs to trichomes; the covering trichomes were uniseriate,
neutralize the toxicity of one herb with the opposing multicellular (2 - 5 cells of about 90 m in size and
effect of the other or to enhance the particular effect of lignified while the granular trichomes were sessile as well
one herb with the help of other. Pluchea lanceolata is one as stocked. The function of collenchymatous tissues,
of the ingredient of more than 80 poly-herbal vascular bundles and parenchymatous bundle has also
7, 13, 14
formations . been studied. Further studies revealed that the
transverse section of the leaf passing through lamia
PHYSICOCHEMICAL STUDIES
shows a row of small sized palishade under both upper
Medicinal plants have played a significant role in ancient and lower epidermis in continuation within midrib18.
traditional system of medicine. An impressive number of
Stem
modern drugs have been isolated from natural sources.
Plant derived substances has recently become a great The transverse section of the stem of Pluchea lanceolata
interest owing to their versatile applications. According to is almost circular in outline covered with thick circle.
the WHO, the first step for identification, purification and Epidermis consists of single layer of thick walled cells
standardization of herbal drugs is the pharmacognostic along with covering and granular trichomes. Covering
(macroscopic and microscopic) and physicochemical trichomes are uniseriate, multicellular with two to many
studies which are essential for any phytopharmaceutical thick walled cells while granular ones are sessile as well as
products used for standard formulation. Preliminary stalked. Collenchymatous hypodermis lies underneath the
phytochemcial studies are helpful in finding out chemical epidermis, followed by 5 - 7 layered parenchymatous
constituents in the plant material that may well lead to cortex18.
their quantitative estimation. Pluchea lanceolata is one of
Root
the important medicinal plant having many therapeutic
uses. It is therefore necessary to establish the quality The transverse section of the root of Pluchea lanceolata is
control parameters for the leaf stem and roots of Pluchea almost circular in outline. Epiblema is single outer most
lanceolata with various pharmacognostical and layers made up of parenchymatous cells along with
standardization techniques. It comprises of macroscopical uniseriate multi cellular root hairs. Cortex is next to
and microscopical characters, physicochemical constants, epiblema and consists of parenchymatous cells with
extractive values with various solvents, fluorescence sufficient intercellular spaces. The cells of cortex contain
analysis, its reaction after treatment with chemical starch grains, oil cells and lignified cells. Cortex is followed
reagents under visible and in UV light, preliminary by endodermis and pericycle. The presence of phloem,
phytochemical screening of leaf, steam and root extracts parenchyma, phloem fibers, xylem and parenchymatous
following official compendia. The results help to establish has also been discussed17.
the standardization of the drug15-17.
Physicochemical Analysis
Macroscopic Characters
Air dried plant material of Pluchea lanceolata were used
The plant Pluchea lanceolata is an erect allelopathic, for quantitative determination of physicochemical values.
perennial under shrub growing up to 30-100 cm high. Total ash, acid insoluble and water soluble ash of all in
Stem is cylindrical, 2-3 mm in diameter. Outer surface is vivo (leaf, stem, root) and in vitro (callus) plant samples
whitish green, having branched and branches are were determined following WHO/QCMMPM guidelines
pubescent. Leaves are simple (0.8–1.3  3.1–4.7cm), (1992) for five times and their mean  SE were recorded.
alternate, sessile, oblong or lanceolate, apex with tiny The total ash value was found to be maximum in stem
point and round, base is narrow, margin is entire. and minimum is leaf. The extracts of all in vivo (leaf, stem,
Leathery and minutely velvety on both surface. Flowers root) and in vitro (callus) plant samples were prepared
are 3.5 mm in diameter, purplish in color, ovoid in shape, with different organic solvents such as hexane, benzene,
arranged in corymbs at the end of branches. Roots are chloroform, ethylacetate, acetone, ethanol, methanol and
about 3-20 mm in diameter, 10 to 20 inches in length, water following WHO guidelines. The exhactives were
somewhat twisted and gradually tapering. The external determined five times and their mean  SE was recorded.
surface is white when young while it is light to dark brown Water soluble extractive was found to be very high when
in mature one and the wood is brownish. External surface compared to other extractives17-20.
showed longitudinal rough striations, odour indistinct and
Fluorescence Analysis
fracture is short17.
The dried powdered Pluchea lanceolata plant samples
Microscopic Characters
(leaf, stem, root) was extracted with desired quantity of
Leaf different organic solvents (hexane, benzene, chloroform,
The transverse section passing through midrib of leaf of acetone, ethylacetate, ethanol and methanol) and after
Pluchea lanceolata reveals its isobilateral nature that has 24 hours fluorescence of each extractive was observed
upper and lower epidermis with thick circle, traversed and recorded in both day and UV light. This analysis
determines the constituents in the plant that gives a
with stomata. The leaf has both covering and granular
definite idea of the chemical nature18, 21, 22.
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It is thus concluded that the macroscopical and Formononetin-7-O-

Weeds, roots 36, 37
microscopical findings of the plant Pluchea lanceolata will glucoside
lay down the standards which will be useful for detection
Diadzein Stems 38
of the identity and authenticity. The other parameters viz.
ash value, extractive values and fluorescence analysis will 5,7-dihydroxy-8-
Aerial parts 17
help to its quality control and assurance for future isobutylflavone
studies.
-Sitosterol Aerial parts 10
PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES
-Sitosterol glucoside Aerial parts 10, 25
Preliminary phytochemcial analysis was carried out in the
petroleum ether, ethylacetate, ethanol and methanol -Amryrin Aerial parts 10
extracts in vivo (leaf, stem, root) and in vitro (callus) plant
samples of Pluchea lanceolata. The presence of different -Amyrin acetate Aerial parts 10
constituents viz. alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids,
terpenoids, tannins, glycosides, saponins, proteins, -Amyrin Aerial parts 39
carbohydrates, sterols and phenols were tested using
standard procedures. The qualitative phytochemical -Amyrin caproate Aerial parts 39
screening of in vivo and in vitro plant part of Pluchea
-Taraxasterol acetate Aerial parts 10, 40
lanceolata revealed that the ethanolic and methanolic
extracts of the plant was found better suited for Taraxasterol acetate Aerial parts 40
maximum metabolitcs. Leaves part was found to be richer
in metabolites as compared to others in vivo (stem and Stigmasterol acetate Flowers 25
root) and in vitro (callus) plant parts. Based on the
phytochemicals of interest, it is necessary to use Stigmasterol Flowers 25, 39
appropriate solvent for extraction and isolation. Further,
preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the Sorghumol Roots 14, 29, 41
presence of major bioactive compounds. The
Sorghumol acetate Roots 14, 29, 41
pharmacognostic profile and phytochemcial screening
showed favorable effects for the standardization Boehmerol Roots 29
parameters of plant parts20, 23, 24.
Moretenol Flowers, leaves 25, 41
Phytochemical Constituents
The plant Pluchea lanceolata contains different secondary Moretenol acetate Flowers 25, 30, 41
metabolites which have been isolated using various
isolation procedures viz. successive extraction, column Neolupenol Flowers, leaves 25, 30, 41
chromatography. thin layer chromatography, paper
Neolupeol Aerial parts 30, 41
chromatography, gas liquid chromatography, GC-MS,
HPTLC etc. Their structures were established by various Pluchoic acid __ 34
physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. Various
chemical constituents isolated from Pluchea lanceolata Phenol, Ascorbic acid Aerial parts 42
are listed in the Table- 1.
Phloroglucinol,
Table 1: Chemical constituents isolated from Pluchea Chlorogenic acid, Roots 37
lanceolata Methylated coumarins

Chemical compounds Plant parts References Indole alkaloids Leaves 43

Flowers, whole n-Tridecanyl-n-

Pluchine 25, 26 octadecanoate,
plant Aerial parts 17
n-Nonadecanol
Quercetin, Aerial parts 25, 27-33
Pleuchioside,
Quercitrin Leaves 25, 32 Monoacetylpleuchioside,
3-Oxo-pleuchioside,
25, 27, 28, Leaves 44- 46
Isorhamnetin Leaves Pleuchiol,
34
Monoacetyl pleuchiol,
Hesperidin Weeds 35 3-Oxo-pleuchiol
Nonacosane,
Taxifolin-3-arabinoside Weeds 35 Heptacosane, Flowers 25
Hentriacontane,

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Octacosane BIOLOGICAL STUDIES

Plucheaursenyl acetate, Recently much attention has directed towards extracts
Plucheasesquiterpenyl
and biologically active compounds isolated from popular
ester, Pluchealactone,
plant sources. In the discovery of newer drug, molecules,
Plucheasesterpenyl Aerial parts 31
ester,
many plant products are evaluated on the basis of their
Plucheasequiterpenyl
traditional uses. The curative properties of medicinal
hexa-decanoate plants are mainly due to the presence of various complex
chemical substances of different compositions which
Two aliphatic
Aerial parts 47 occur as secondary metabolites20, 50.
hydrocarbons
Monoterpene ester [4- The plant Pluchea lanceolata contains different secondary
Isopropyl-cyclohex-1-en- metabolites viz. flavonoids, terpenoids, sterols,
7-(2’-ox)-2’-methyl butyl) taraxasterols, alkaloids, phenols etc. (see Table-1). Since
oate], these compounds and extractives of hexane, benzene,
Pluchea chromenone [2, chloroform, acetone, ethylacetate, ethanol, methanol and
Roots 48
2-Dimethyl-7-acetyl-8- water, obtained from Pluchea lanceolata, are of
hydroxychromenone], pharmacological interest coupled with the use of this
Plucheasterolide [Ergost, plant in traditional medicine prompted the research
5, 22-diene-3-ol-20, 28- scientists to check in vitro and in vivo plant parts of
olide] Pluchea lanceolata for different activities.
Six Compounds (1-6):
Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities
14, 15-Seco-urs-18 -H-
20(30)-en-3-yl acetate Arthritis means joint inflammation, is chronic progressive
(1), and disabling auto-immune disease. It can progress very
4, 8-Dimethyldodeca-7 Z- rapidly causing swelling and damaging cartilage and bone
en-y-1-9’, 10’- around the joints. It is systemic disease which can affect
dihydroxy undecan-1’- the hands, feet, wrists, shoulders, knees, spine, lips and
oate(2), internal organs such as the lungs, heart, eyes and other
-Dotriconta-29, 32- parts of the body. Arthritis can cause any part of the body
olide (3),4’-(2”- to be inflamed creating severe disability which affects a
Ketotutylcyclohexyl)- Aerial parts 31
person’s ability to carryout every day works. There are
20-eincoson-14l-α-1-
mainly two types of arthritis i.e. oesteoarthritis and
oic acid (4),
rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-
5,9,13,17-Tetramethyl-
immune disease that occurs when the body’s own
18-en-8-ol
immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium (cell
nonadicanoic acid
octanyl ester (5), living inside the joints) which causes joint pain, stiffnes,
3, 7, 11-
swelling and loss of joint function. Oesteoarthritis is
Trimethyldodeca-10-en- degenerative joint disease resulting from the wear and
yl-n-hexa-decan-9’-ol- tear from day to day life, which leads to pain, tenderness,
1-oate (6) swelling and decreased function of joints. The nature has
a remedy for these conditions and there are a number of
47 Compounds
representing various herbs that synergistically to reduce chronic joint
functional groups like inflammation such as oesteoarthritis and rheumatoid
COOH, OH, R-O-R,CO-, Stem powder, arthritis. Various extractives viz, hexane, ethylacetate,
38
alkanes, alkenes and callus ethanol, methanol, n-butanol, water and isolated
oxygen atom varied from chemical compounds viz. taraxasterol, taraxasterol
1-7-, nitrogen and acetate, psi-taraxasterol, querecetin, quercitrin,
fluorine (GC-MS/HPTLC) isorhamnetin, neolupenol, neolupeol, sorghumol,
58 Compounds by GC- sorghumol acetate, boehmerol acetate, moretenol,
MS., out of which nine moretenol acetate and other constituents from Pluchea
were major viz. Linalool, lanceolata, were studied for anti-inflammatory and anti-
-Caryphyllene, - arthritic activities51-54.
Terpineol, Spathulenol,
Linalylacetate, Aerial parts 49 The ethanolic extract of the aerial part of Pluchea
Naphthalene-1,6- lanceolata exhibited significant anti-inflammatory
dimethyl-4-(1-methhyl activity. The ethanolic extract was further fractionated
ethyl), -Copaene, into hexane, chloroform, n-butanol and water fractions.
Epicubebol and Trans-- These fractions were screened for anti-inflammatory
bergamontene activity within the acute carrageenin induced oedema

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test on mice and rats. The highest activity was found with ethyl-), -copaene, epi-cubebol and trans--
the hexane extract from which psi-taraxasterol acetate bergamontene identified (GC-MS). The experimental
was isolated as one of the active constituent10. results showed that hydrodistilate of Pluchea lanceolata
significantly inhibited anti-cholinesterase activity as
Neolupenol, a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from
compared to reference compound physostigmene. The
Pluchea lanceolata flowers was studied to determine its
study supported the use of Pluchea lanceolata for the
anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenin induced
management of neurodegenerative ailments like
rat-paw oedema. The degree of oedema inhibition was 49
Dimentia and Alzeimer’s disease .
found to increase with dose as well as time interval and
was found to be maximum at 300 min. Neolupenol when It has been investigated that the effect of major
administered at 100 mg/kg p.o. was found to exhibit 70% pentacyclic triterpene and its naturally occurring acetate
oedema inhibition which was greater than that of derivative isolated from Pluchea lanceolata as
reference compound ibuprofen (50 mg/kg. p.o., 65% lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated neuro-inflammatory
30
inhibition and 300 min) . condition associated to inflammatory cytokine production
in rat astrocytoma cell line. The log concentration
The terpene sorghumol, sorghumol acetate, boehmerol
dependence of Pluchea lanceolata, taraxasterol
acetate, moretenol, moretenol acetate, neolupenol,
significantly (p < 0.05) attenuates the release of pro-
neolupeol and psi-taraxasterol acetate isolated from
inflammatory cytokines, which in situ produced acetyl
Pluchea lanceolata were subjected for anti-inflammatory
derivative, taxaxasterol acetate, did not inhibit the LPS
testing which exhibited significant anti-inflammatory and
induced IL-6 production at lower concentration (p < 0.05).
anti-arthritic activities in carrageenin induced paw-
The Surface-Dock molecular modeling study was also
oedema model in albino rats at 50 mg/kg p.o. dose
14,53,55 conducted to stimulate the binding capacity of
level .
compounds into the active site of the cytokines and
Pluchea lanceolata has been used in massage oil in proteins. The differential inhibition of cytokines by
traditional system of medicine. The plant Pluchea taraxasterol and taraxasterol acetate was further
lanceolata is extracted with different organic solvents viz. confirmed by high docking scores showing the hight
methanol, ethanol, petroleum ether and chloroform. The afinity to target proteins. The findings thus supported the
different extracts obtained are then boiled separately comparatively greater role of Pluchea lanceolata
with oil, till the solvent is completely evaporated. The oil triterpene than its in situ produced acetate derivative in
obtained from these solvent extracts was checked for its neuro-inflammation associated disorders59.
anti-inflammatory activity with carrageenin induced rat-
Antimalerial Activity
paw oedema. The prepared oil was compared with the
marketed sample of mahanarayan oil. The ethanolic oil The antimalerial activity of methanol, ethanol,
extract has shown to be having highly active anti – ethylacetate, chloroform and hexane extracts of Pluchea
inflammatory agent56. lanceolata together with taraxasterol acetate isolated
from hexane extract were tested. Hexane extract and
The anti-inflammatory activity was carried out by HRBC
taraxasterol acetate exhibited promising antimalerial
(Human Red Blood Cell) membrane stabilization method
activity in vitro and in vivo condition. Taraxasterol acetate
and anti-arthritic activity by the inhibition of protein
attributed in inhibition of the pro-inflammatory cytokines
denaturation method. The methanolic extract of all plant
as well as afford to significant increase in the blood
parts exhibited notable anti-inflammatory activity and
glucose and haemoglobin level when compared with
remarkable anti-arthritic action. The membrane
vehicle treated infected mice. In vitro and in vivo safety
stabilization was found to be maximum in leaves (86.8%
evolution study revealed that hexane extract is non-toxic
at dose of 1000 g/ml) and that of protein denaturation
at higher concentration. The study thus validated the
was also found to be maximum in leaves (70.85% at a
ancient Indian traditional use of Pluchea lanceolata as an
dose of 1000 g/ml) as compared to other in vivo (stem
antimalerial agent12.
and root) and in vitro (callus) plant parts. The study
supported the isolation and use of active constituents Anti-asthamatic activity
from in vivo and in vitro plant parts of Pluchea lanceolata
The anti-asthamatic potential of ethylacetate fraction was
in treating inflammations and rheumatism. The effect of
evaluated by in vitro animal model in isolated guinea pig
Pluchea lanceolata extracts on gynaecological disorders
tracheal chain preparation. The study was carried out
was also studied and found that the extracts exhibited
using dose 100 g/ml of ethylacetate fraction that
significant uterine relaxant activity57,58.
showed significant relaxant action against histamine
Neurological Activity induced contraction. The ethylacetate fraction showed
significant anti-asthamatic activity of 57.81  1.22 at the
Cholinesterase inhibitory activity of the essential oil of
Pluchea lanceolata was evaluated using mouse brain dose of 100 g/ml and can be used for its ant-asthamatic
homogenate. The major components of essential oil properties60.
were linalool, -coryophylline, -terpeneol, spathulenol,
linalylacetate, naphthalene-1, 6-dimethyl-4-(1-methyl
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Immunosuppressive effect Renal carcinogensis and chemotherapy induced emesis

The immunosuppressive properties of Pluchea lanceolata Ferric nitriloacetate (Fe-NTA) is a well established renal
were studied. The alcoholic extract of Pluchea lanceolata carcinogen. Pluchea lanceolata attenuates Fe-TNA
leaves inhibited the humoral antibody response and cell induced renal oxidative stress, hyperproliferative
mediated immune responses. Flow cytometric studies resporse and renal carcinogenesis in rats. Oral treatment
also revealed the down regulation of pro-inflammatory of rats was thus carried out with Pluchea lanceolata
cytokines and this is suggestive of its possible therapeutic extract (100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) which resulted
usefulness in treatment of the inflammatory states of the in significant decrease in lipid peroxidation, xanthene
body and autoimmune disorders like arthritis. However, oxidase, hydrogen per oxide generation, blood urea
the clinical margin of safety in long term therapeutics has nitrogen, serum creatinine, renal ODC activity, DNA
to be established along with its biopharmaceutical synthesis (p < 0.001) and incidence of tumors. Renal
evaluation for further therapeutic considerations61. glutatheonse content (p < 0.001) its metabolizing
enzymes (p < 0.001) and antioxidant enzymes (p < 0.001)
Immunostimulating effect
were also recovered to significant level (p < 0.001). Thus
The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of whole plant the study supported Pluchea lanceolata as a potential
powder of Pluchea lanceolata was explored on the chemopreventive agent and suppresses Fe-TNA-induced
respiratory burst in human Polymorphonuclear renal carcinogenesis and oxidative damage response in
65
Neutrophils (PMN) as compared to known stimulant wistar rats .
Phorbol-12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA). Prior to the in
Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic against a wide
vivo tests, the bioactivity of the PMN was assessed using
range of cancers but causes significantly nausea and
the Trypan blue dye exclusion test. The formation of
vomiting. The effects of methanolic root extract of
various Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) was measured
Pluchea lanceolata was investigated against cisplatin
performing in vitro assays viz. Phagocytosis of Candida
induced nausea using a rat pica. In rat pica model, rats
albicans, Nitro Blue Tetrazolium (NBT) assay and Nitric
react to cisplatin (emetic/nausea stimuli) with altered
Oxide (NO) assay. The studied concentration of
feeding habits manifested by increased consumption of
hydroalcoholic extract of whole plant powder of Pluchea
kaolin. The pica in rats was measured to quantify cisplatin
lanceolata were 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/ml. An increase in
induced nausea and to evaluate the protective effect of
the respiratory burst at all the studied concentrations was
pretreatment with methanolic Pluchea lanceolata extract
observed in all the assays indicating its
given orally. Cisplatin at 3 mg/kg (i.p.) induced significant
immunostimulating effect62.
pica indicated by reduced food intake and increased
Antibiotic activity kaolin consumption, suggesting the presence of
nausea/emesis. Cisplatin-induced pica decreased
The aqueous ethanol extract of Pluchea lanceolata was
significantly when animals were pretreated with
evaluated for anti-bacterial activity against medically
methanolic extract of Pluchea lanceolata at dose of 400
important bacteria, S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniac and
mg/kg p.o. (p < 0.05). Pluchea lanceolata methanolic
P. aeruginosa. The in vivo anti-bacterial activity was
extract pretreatment decreased cisplatin-induced kaolin
performed by agar disc diffusion and agar well diffusion
intake in the rat model of stimulated nausea suggesting
method. The anti-bacterial activity of the aqueous
that Pluchea lanceolata methanolic extract and/or its
ethanolic extract of Pluchea lanceolata was compared
active constituents may play a therapeutic role as
with standard antibiotics. The results signify that the
protective against chemotherapy-induced emesis66.
extract possess more growth inhibitory activity than the
standard antibiotics against all the tested organisms63. Cadmium chloride induced oxidative stress and
genotoxicity
It was further studied for the microbial activity of Pluchea
lanceolata extract against multidrug resistant Vibrio Cadmium intoxication induces lipid peroxidation and
cholerae. Three V. cholerae stains were isolated from the causes oxidative damage to various tissues by altering
collected water from local area. The growth pattern of V. antitoxidant defence system enzymes. Oral pretreatment
cholerae stains were observed on TCBC agar and 3%, 5% with Pluchea lanceolata extract at doses of 100 and 200
and 8% salt concentration. The multidrug resistance mg/kg for consecutive days before cadmium chloride
activities of these stains were examined by different intoxication caused a significant reduction in
antibiotics viz. kanamycin, gentamicin, ampicillin, sefixine, malanoaldehyde formation and xanthine oxidase activity
streptomycin and oxacilline. The methanolic extract of (p < 0.001). A significant restoration of the activity of
the leafs of Pluchea lanceolata, containing secondary antioxidant defence system enzymes was obtained. A
metabolites inhibited the growth of isolated stains of V. significant dose-dependent decrease in chromosomal
cholerae at all concentrations (100%, 50%, 25% and aberrations and micro nuclii formation has also observed
12.5%) and zone of diameter increased with the increase (p < 0.05). The study indicated that pretreatment with
of concentrations. It is thus concluded that the extract of Pluchea lanceolata attenuates cadmium chloride induced
Pluchea lanceolata is a potent antibacterial drug in the oxidative stress and genotoxicity by altering antioxidant
treatment of V. cholerae It is non-toxic in vivo studies64.
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Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 52(1), September - October 2018; Article No. 24, Pages: 133-141 ISSN 0976 – 044X

enzymes and reducing chromatid breaks and micronuclii Acknowledgement: Thanks to Prof. V.B. Pandey,
67
formation . Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical
Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, for humble
Antioxidant activity
suggestions and compiling this review.
The antioxidant activity of methanolic and aqueous root
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