A Study on Justicia flava (Forssk.) Vahl.: Pharmacognostic Characterization and Antiplasmodial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of the Leaves

Justiciaflava (Acanthaceae) is utilized in folk medicine for treating malaria, inflammatory conditions, and respiratory infections. In this study, the antiplasmodial and anti-inflammatory activities of the 70% hydroalcoholic leaf extract of J. flava (JFE) were investigated. The antiplasmodial activi...

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Main Authors: Evelyn Asante-Kwatia, Michael Kwesi Baah, Arnold Donkor Forkuo, Daniel Anokwah, Reinhard Isaac Nketia, Lord Gyimah, Abraham Yeboah Mensah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/9133288
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author Evelyn Asante-Kwatia
Michael Kwesi Baah
Arnold Donkor Forkuo
Daniel Anokwah
Reinhard Isaac Nketia
Lord Gyimah
Abraham Yeboah Mensah
author_facet Evelyn Asante-Kwatia
Michael Kwesi Baah
Arnold Donkor Forkuo
Daniel Anokwah
Reinhard Isaac Nketia
Lord Gyimah
Abraham Yeboah Mensah
author_sort Evelyn Asante-Kwatia
collection DOAJ
description Justiciaflava (Acanthaceae) is utilized in folk medicine for treating malaria, inflammatory conditions, and respiratory infections. In this study, the antiplasmodial and anti-inflammatory activities of the 70% hydroalcoholic leaf extract of J. flava (JFE) were investigated. The antiplasmodial activity was assessed by the suppressive test and Rane’s curative test. The carrageenan-induced paw oedema assay in chicks was used to assess the anti-inflammatory activity. In Rane’s curative test, JFE significantly suppressed the parasitaemia level (p < 0.0001) by 56.85%, 63.85%, and 77.85% at 30, 100, and 300 mg·kg−1, respectively. The highest suppression of parasitaemia in the suppressive test was 51.31% at 300 mg·kg−1. The extract prolonged the survival time of infected mice significantly and prevented weight loss and hypothermia which are cardinal signs of P. berghei-induced infection. JFE inhibited foot oedema in chicks with a maximum percentage inhibition of 54.00 ± 5.20%. Pharmacognostic characterization of J. flava revealed it to have simple, petiolate, oppositely arranged leaves which are broadly lanceolate in shape with entire to slightly crenate margins. Microscopy of the leaf showed wavy-walled epidermal cells, diallelocytic stomata, abundant clothing and secretory trichomes, pitted vessels, collateral conjoint vascular bundles, cystoliths, and prismatic calcium oxalate crystals. Flavonoids, tannins, phytosterols, triterpenoids, coumarins, alkaloids, and saponins were detected in the plant. This study has provided important parameters for the correct identification of J. flava and given the scientific credence to its antimalarial and anti-inflammatory effects in traditional medicine. J. flava is a potential source of new antimalarial and anti-inflammatory compounds.
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spelling doaj-art-438dc28b5c6d43e2834322fa79acce092025-08-20T02:17:41ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal1537-744X2023-01-01202310.1155/2023/9133288A Study on Justicia flava (Forssk.) Vahl.: Pharmacognostic Characterization and Antiplasmodial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of the LeavesEvelyn Asante-Kwatia0Michael Kwesi Baah1Arnold Donkor Forkuo2Daniel Anokwah3Reinhard Isaac Nketia4Lord Gyimah5Abraham Yeboah Mensah6Department of PharmacognosyDepartment of Herbal MedicineDepartment of PharmacologySchool of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical SciencesDepartment of PharmacognosyDepartment of PharmacognosyDepartment of PharmacognosyJusticiaflava (Acanthaceae) is utilized in folk medicine for treating malaria, inflammatory conditions, and respiratory infections. In this study, the antiplasmodial and anti-inflammatory activities of the 70% hydroalcoholic leaf extract of J. flava (JFE) were investigated. The antiplasmodial activity was assessed by the suppressive test and Rane’s curative test. The carrageenan-induced paw oedema assay in chicks was used to assess the anti-inflammatory activity. In Rane’s curative test, JFE significantly suppressed the parasitaemia level (p < 0.0001) by 56.85%, 63.85%, and 77.85% at 30, 100, and 300 mg·kg−1, respectively. The highest suppression of parasitaemia in the suppressive test was 51.31% at 300 mg·kg−1. The extract prolonged the survival time of infected mice significantly and prevented weight loss and hypothermia which are cardinal signs of P. berghei-induced infection. JFE inhibited foot oedema in chicks with a maximum percentage inhibition of 54.00 ± 5.20%. Pharmacognostic characterization of J. flava revealed it to have simple, petiolate, oppositely arranged leaves which are broadly lanceolate in shape with entire to slightly crenate margins. Microscopy of the leaf showed wavy-walled epidermal cells, diallelocytic stomata, abundant clothing and secretory trichomes, pitted vessels, collateral conjoint vascular bundles, cystoliths, and prismatic calcium oxalate crystals. Flavonoids, tannins, phytosterols, triterpenoids, coumarins, alkaloids, and saponins were detected in the plant. This study has provided important parameters for the correct identification of J. flava and given the scientific credence to its antimalarial and anti-inflammatory effects in traditional medicine. J. flava is a potential source of new antimalarial and anti-inflammatory compounds.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/9133288
spellingShingle Evelyn Asante-Kwatia
Michael Kwesi Baah
Arnold Donkor Forkuo
Daniel Anokwah
Reinhard Isaac Nketia
Lord Gyimah
Abraham Yeboah Mensah
A Study on Justicia flava (Forssk.) Vahl.: Pharmacognostic Characterization and Antiplasmodial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of the Leaves
The Scientific World Journal
title A Study on Justicia flava (Forssk.) Vahl.: Pharmacognostic Characterization and Antiplasmodial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of the Leaves
title_full A Study on Justicia flava (Forssk.) Vahl.: Pharmacognostic Characterization and Antiplasmodial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of the Leaves
title_fullStr A Study on Justicia flava (Forssk.) Vahl.: Pharmacognostic Characterization and Antiplasmodial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of the Leaves
title_full_unstemmed A Study on Justicia flava (Forssk.) Vahl.: Pharmacognostic Characterization and Antiplasmodial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of the Leaves
title_short A Study on Justicia flava (Forssk.) Vahl.: Pharmacognostic Characterization and Antiplasmodial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of the Leaves
title_sort study on justicia flava forssk vahl pharmacognostic characterization and antiplasmodial and anti inflammatory properties of the leaves
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/9133288
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