Wedelia Chininsis (Asteraceae)

                  Wedelia Chininsis (Asteraceae)

Introduction

A natural origin drugs play an important role in the public health care of any country. World health organization (WHO) has recommended the evolution of the effectiveness of plants in condition where there is a lack of safe synthetic drugs. Wedelia chininsis (osbeck) Merill, Asteraceae is a drug of natural origin (Herbal Medicine) and is most popular herbal medicine used in various medical system like Ayurvedic, siddha , Unani system of medicine.

Phytochemistry

Extensive studies have been carried out on W. chininsis. Chemical components isolated from the plants are as follows:

The expressed juice of the herb contained an oil soluble black dye, 11.2;Tannin 220; Carotene, 1.14; Chlorophyll ,3.75; Saponin (contradictory report) ,500;phtosterol, 3.75;Waxy compound, 27.5;Resin 44; chloroform extract (Resinous mass) 27;Gum, 80; Total sugar 1040/100 g juice;In Chines analysis showed the presence of an Alkaloid in the stems ,leaves and flowers.the leaves contain isoflavaniods and Wedelolactone (I) (0.05%).

The leaves contain Isoflavaniods , Bisdesmosidic, oneolic acid spinins and wedelolactone [18,19,22,43]

norwedelolactone (II) has been isolated from alcoholic extract of leaves [20,22], Norwedelic acid(III) (5,6-dihydroxy-2) (2',4',6' trihydroxyphyenyl)-benzoforan-3-carboxylic acid [18,22].

Pharma logical Uses

Although a lot of pharmalogical  investigations have been carried out based on the ingredients present but a lot more can be explored,expoloited and utilized.A summery of finding these is described below:

Hepatoprotective

The alcoholic extract of whole plant W. Calenduleceae exhibited protective activity against carbon tetracholorid - examination of the lever showed a marked improvements in groups receiving W.chininsis. It further conforms the heptaprotective effect of W.chininsis.All pharamalogical and histophatlogical effects with compared with Bupleurum chinies DC.(Family Umbellifearae) a well documented antihepatotatoxicity herb.it was concluded that W.chininses has a definite heptaprotective effect against liver injuries.the ethyl acetate soluble-fraction of the drug W.chininses exhibited antiheptatotoxic activity in assays employing ccl4-GalN-Phalloidin cytotoxicity in rat heptocutes.It showed a significant simulatory effect on liver cell regeneration[24].The coumestans showed the hepatoproctive effect against paracetamol induced hepatic injury.

Wound Healing

the effect of an aqueous extract of the leaves of W.calendulecea less,on wound healing in open and sutured wound modulus was discovered and found to be significant.The wound healing efficacy of ethanolic leaf extract from W.chininses was evaluated in exicision, incision and dead space wound models.its ethanolic extract was found to posses significant wound healing activit, which was evidence of decrease in the period of epithelialization ,increase in the rate of wound contraction,skin breaking strength , granulation tissue strength and its breaking strength.

Adaptogenic and antistress

The effect of alcoholic extract of W.chininses leaves were evaluated on stress induced changes in brain neurotransmitters and enzyme monoarime oxidase levels in Albino rats.The extract were found to possess normalizing against cold immobilization stress induced changes in norepinephrine (NE),dopamine (DA),5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT),5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5-HIAA) and enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO).The results obtained provide biochemical evidence for anti stress activity of the tested extracts.

Anthelmintic and febrifuge anticonvulsant 

W. chinensis has been used as Anthelmantic and febrifuge.The anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic and aqueous extract of whole plant of W.chinensis at a dose level to 250,500 750 mg/kg b.w, p.o.

was performed in mice by using MES and PTZ methods. It was concluded that Wedelia chinensis extracts may have potential  anticonvulsant activity[45].

Antibacterial and antimicrobial

The cytotoxicity and anti bacterial activity of petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts of calendulaceawere assayed by brine shrimp lethality bioassay and standardization disk diffusion method against 19 bacterial strains at a dose of 500 pico g/disc.The crude petroleum ether ,chloroform and methanol extracts showed antibacterial activity [22,49].The methanol extract from W.chinensis showed antibacterial activity against test organism with the zones of inhibition ranging from 8-17 mmand the acetone extracts shows the zone ranging from 8-13 mm.