REVIEW ON PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF BAUHINIA PURPUREA L. FLOWER

REVIEW ON PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF BAUHINIA PURPUREA L. FLOWER

Swati Wakchoure * Puja Raut and Bharti Tribhuvne

Department of Pharmacognosy, SSJCOP, Asangaon, Thane, Maharashtra, India.

ABSTRACT: Medicinal plants are nature’s gift to human being to have disease free healthy life. It plays a vital role to preserve our health. India is one of the most medico-culturally diverse countries in the world where the medicinal plant sector is part of a time honoured tradition that is respected even today. Medicinal plants are believed to be much safer. In our country, more than 2000 medicinal plants have been recognized. Bauhinia purpurea Linn. (Caesalpinaceae; butterfly tree) is an important medicinal plant with various traditional uses. The present article including the detailed exploration of phyto-pharmacological properties of B. purpurea is an attempt to provide a direction for further research.

Keywords: Phytochemical screening, Medicinal plant, Bauhinia purpurea L. Flower

INTRODUCTION: The well-known and well established genus Bauhinia comprises of trees and shrubs that grow in warm climate. It is rare in southern most districts, 5-7m tall tree in deciduous forests which is often planted in gardens along roadside for its large purple beat flowers. The leaves are 10–20 cm long and broad, rounded, alternate and bilobed at the base and apex. The flowers are conspicuous, pink, and fragrant, with five petals. The fruit is a pod 30 cm long, containing 12 to 16 seeds and have long seeds as pea. Flowers and fruits appear in the month of December. Synonyms/Common names of plant Bauhinia purpurea-Purple Orchid tree, Mandaram, etc. B. purpurea is native to South China (which includes Hong Kong) and South-eastern Asia and it is found throughout India, ascending to an altitude of 1300m in Himalaya.

The different species of Bauhinia viz., B. reticulata, B. rufescens and B. variegata have been traditionally used to treat roundworm infections, conjunctivitis, anthrax, ulcerations, dysentery, blood-poisoning, leprosy, lung and skin diseases in Africa; while in India, extracts of the bark of B. variegata is used for treatment of cancer. Leaves are used as a plate for food and fodder during lean period, bark used as fibre, in dyeing and tannin extraction and its decoction is used as anthelmintic and in diarrhoea. The decoction of root is used for expelling gases, flatulence and gripping pain from the stomach and bowels. The decoction of flower works as a maturant for boils and abscesses. Root bark of Bauhinia purpurea L. Contains flavones glycoside. The present study was designed to investigate and evaluate the pharmacological basis for the use of B. purpurea in the folk medicine to expel the worms.

Morphological Character:

Botanical Name: Bauhinia purpurea

Common Name: Purple bauhinia, orchid tree, camel's foot tree, butterfly tree.

Hindi: Kota, raktakanchan, khairwal, karar, kanchan.

Malay: Tapakkuda

Nepali: Tanki

Spanish: Pie de cabra

Thai: Sieowaan,sieodokdaeng

Trade Name: Kachan, karar, khairwal

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Plantae

Clade: Tracheophyte

Division: Angiosperms

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Genus: Bauhinia

Species: B. purpurea

Cultivation and Collection: Propagation of Bauhinia species is from seeds or cuttings. They thrive in alkaline soils and do not tolerate salty conditions. Full sun exposure is preferred but they can be grown under partial sun. Generous watering is needed during summer, moderate moisture required in winter. Cultivation and collection Bauhinia variegata can be naturally propagated through the seeds when provided with favorable conditions, whereas artificial propagation is carried out by stump planting i.e. direct sowing of seeds. Branch cuttings normally root with difficulty, but these root well in August, November and February with the application of auxins. Direct sowing can be done in lines, spaced about 3 m apart. Germination starts in about a week after the onset of monsoon rains ensuring good soaking of soil. The entire plants have to be transplanted with the ball of soil. For planting out in July-August, previous year's seeds are sowed in March April (Mali et al., 2009). The ornamental plant is propagated with seeds, stem planting and branch cutting. Seeds are sown in March April. The seedlings are then transplanted in July-August. Their germination takes place on the onset of monsoon. In-vitro regeneration of was observed in Bauhinia variegata nodal explants from mature trees. Optimal shooting was obtained on media supplemented with 13.3 micrometre IBA within 15-20 days. Single shoots with 3-4 nodes initiates rooting when transferred to MS medium with 4.9 micrometre IBA within 45 days (Chandra et al., 2007). Flowers: vasantharutu. Flowering: February-april. Fruiting: May-june (Chandra et al., 2007.

TABLE 1: CHEMICAL CONSTITUENT

TABLE 2: USES

Dosage:

Twakchurnam- 4 grams.

Pushpachurnam- 2 grams.

Decoction- 50-100 ml (Chandra et al., 2007).

Stem bark powder- 3-6 grams Decoction- 40-80 ml Flower juice- 10-20 ml.

Flower juice for decoction- 20-30 ml (Chandra et al., 2007).

Kanchanara guggulu- ½ Tula (Khare, 2007).

Bark powder- 2-4 masha.

Pushppa powder- 1-2 masha (Kumar, 2013).

Pharmacological Activity Bahunia purpurea  L. Flower:

Antihelmintic Activity: The extracts of flower of Bauhinia purpurea L. exhibits moderate to significant Anthelmintic activity at the dose of 50-250 µg/ml. All the extracts were tested for anthelmintic activity, piperazine citrate was employed as reference standard. It has been observed that all the tested extracts showed mild to moderate anthelmintic activity. Extracts EtOAc and MeOHextract of flower of Bauhinia purpurea L.was found to be most active agents among the extracts. Also aqueous extract of flower of Bauhinia purpurea L. was showing good Anthelmintic activity.

Antimalarial, Antifungal and Antitubercular Activity: Root extract (B. purpurea) led to the isolation of eleven novel compounds named as Dihydrodibenoxepins and dihydrobenzofuran compounds. Dihydrodibenoxepins was evaluated and showed marked Anti-malarial with inhibitory concentration range 5.8-11.2 micromolar. However oxepins and dihydrobenzofuran showed potent Anti-fungal activity with inhibitory concentration range 49.6-130.1 micromolar. Antimycobacterium activity of root extract of B. purpurea was investigated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra using the micro plate Alamar Blue assay method. The extract and its isolated bioactive compounds possessed profound antimycobacterium potential comparable with standard drug Isoniazid and kanamycin sulphate.

Antimicrobial Activity: Aqueous and organic extract of B. purpurea was investigated in organic and for antimicrobial activity against microorganisms Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans using the disk diffusion method. Potent inhibitory activity was reported in methanolic extract of B. purpurea.

Anti-diarrheal Potential: Ethanolic extract of the leaves of B. purpurea was investigated for its anti-diarrheal potential in rats as experimental animal by using castor oil induced diarrhea and gastrointestinal motility test by using charcoal meal. The extracts at the doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg were reported to possessed significant activity compared with the standard in both the models. The concluding remark of the study was the plant established its folklore claim

Antiepileptic (Anticonvulsant): Antiepileptic activity of ethanolic extract of B. purpurea on Swiss Albino mice using PTZ (pentylenetetrazole induced seizure) and MEZ (maximum electric shock) model at different doses was studied. The significant anticonvulsant activity was supported by marked decrease in duration of various phases of epilepsy like flexion, extensor, convulsion and stupor phases.

Anti-Depressant Activity: B. purpurea ethanolic leaves extract was investigated for antidepressant potential in Swiss Albino mice using forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Ethanol extract at the dose 100, 250 and 500 mg per kg and duration of immobility and mobility was evaluated for 4 minutes. Extract at 500 mg per kg when administered in mice produced fall in immobility time in TST and FST models. Action was reported comparable with standard antidepressant drug Imipramine.

Anti-inflammatory and Anti-arthritic Activity: Hydroalcoholic extract (stem bark) of B. purpurea was investigated for anti-inflammatory and antiartthritic activity on adult albino wistar rats using Carrageenan induced paw edema and Adjuvant induced arthritis model respectively. Rats and compared with standard lipid lowering drug atorvastatin. Hyperlipidemia was induced with high fat diet containing cholesterol, sodium cholate and coconut oil mixed with animal feed. On administering the extract as 300mg/kg/day orally for 30 days, authors reported modest increase in body weight accompanied by significant rise in serum HDL-C level, decrease in Total Cholesterol, LDL and Triglycerides level. Atherogenic Index, an important indicator of Congestive Heart Disease was also lowered with this dose.

Anti-cancer Activity: In significant studies, four new components were isolated from B. purpurea roots, stems, pods and leaves, named bauhinia statins 1 to 4, chemically identified as dibenzo [b,f] oxepins (2a, 3-5). These four compounds were had significant growth inhibition against human cancer cell lines. Similarly, Bauhinia statins 1-(2a) indicated potential to inhibit P388 cancer cell line proliferation. The structure of new statins was established with Mass Spectroscopy and 2D NMR.

Hepatoprotective Activity: A study for hepatoprotective activity of B. purpurea employed methanolic extract of shade dried leaves on rats. Animals were divided into 6 groups designated as group I (normal control), group II (negative control),group III (positive control) and group IV,V,VI as pre-treatment group with 50 mg, 250 mg and 500 mg per kg body weight given orally, once daily for 7 days. Hepatotoxicity was induced by oral administration of paracetamol. Biochemical evaluation revealed decrease in ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotranseferase) and alkaline phosphatase on treatment with extract and silymarin. Histopathologically, methanolic extract of B. purpurea reversed toxic effect of paracetamol, namely necrosis, inflammation and hemorrhage.

Anti-Obesity Activity: Methanolic extract of B. purpurea bark was administered orally as 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg body weight to Male Wistar rats on high fat diet for 6 weeks. Sibutramine, the standa decreased body weight of obese rats by 30%, while 28 % and 24% was weight reduction observed in rats due to 400mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight extract dose. At the end of treatment period, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein level in blood serum decreased notably with parallel rise in high density lipoprotein level.

Fibrolytic Effect: B. purpurea bark powder on daily administration at the dose of 6 g/kg for 7 days was investigated for its fibrolytic effect in chronic mastitis with induced fibrosis. Experimental goats were divided into four groups, I and III animal group received ceftriaxone at 20 mg/kg intravenously, whereas group II and IV goats were orally administered with B. purpurea bark powder. Disease was reported to induce by using intramammary inoculation of coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus in group III and IV goats. The authors concluded with the study that daily administration of bark powder enhanced the bioavailability of ceftriaxone due to its fibrolytic effect.

Amelioration of Hyperthyroidism: B. purpurea ethanolic leaves extract was investigated in an albino wistar rat model. LT4 inducing agent (0.5 miligram per kilogram) administered for 12 days exhibit rise in serum level of triiodothyronine, thyroxine concentration and decrease in thyroid stimulating hormone concentration. Concurrent administration of B. purpurea (100 mg per kg) extract to LT-induced hyperthyroid animals reversed all changes and supported to its potential in management of hyperthyroidism. Efficacy was reported as effective and comparable to that of reference drug Propylthiouracil ¹⁵. Also, daily administration of B. purpurea at dose 2.5 mg/kg for 20 days increased serum T4 concentration and O2 consumption suggesting its role in Hyperthyroidism

Anti-diabetic Activity: Intraperitoneal administration of Streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) led to rise in levels of fasting blood glucose and maintained for 2 weeks. Daily administration of methanolic extract of B. purpurea at the dose of 100mg/kg produced a dose dependent decrease in blood glucose level ¹¹. The antidiabetic potential of different extract of stem and bark was also evaluated using Alloxan-induced diabetes assay in mice. Methanolic extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg was found to possessed significant anti-diabetic activity

Cytotoxic Activity: Study investigated different plant parts like leaves, bark and roots showed cytotoxic activity by implementing Brine shrimp lethality method of bioassay ¹³. Bioactive compounds isolated from B. purpurea showed cytotoxic activity towards KB and BC cell lines with significant Inhibitory concentration value.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION: The review research on B. purpurea suggested a huge biological potential of this plant. It is strongly believed that detailed information as presented in this review on the phytochemical and various biological properties of the extracts might provide detailed evidence for the use of this plant in different medicines. The phytochemical variation and efficacy of the medicinal values of B. purpurea are dependent on geographical locations. Even today, plant is the almost exclusive source of drugs for a majority of the world population. Therefore, it remains a challenge for the scientist to provide efficient, safe and cheap medication, especially for the rural area. These Bauhinia species and their quantification of individual phytoconstituents as well as pharmacological profile based on in vitro, in-vivo studies and clinical trial should be further investigated.

CONCLUSION: Developing country like India, herbal formulations forms a basis in primary health care for about 80% of the population as it gives fewer side effects due to its better compatibility with human body. From our results, it is understood that leaf and flower of Bauhinia purpurea contains chemical constituents, nutrients when tested qualitatively and quantitatively. Flower contains protein in higher concentration. While, the carbohydrate, amino acid content was higher in leaf. This shows that it might have a therapeutic potential which aids in the maintenance of good health. Kanchnara (Bauhinia purpurea Linn.) is the medicinal plant with a potential to cure various diseases.

We have discussed about the pharmacological activities, traditional, medicinal uses, cultivation, collection, chemical constituents and history of. The Bauhinia purpurea important chemical constituents present in it are flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins and terpenoids which are responsible for different pharmacological properties of Bahunia purpurea L. Flower. In this review article, we have gathered information to represent the botanical, pharmacognostical, ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological literature on Bauhinia purpurea L. Flower.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Nil

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: Nil

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    How to cite this article:

    Wakchoure S, Raut P and Tribhuvne B: Review on pharmacological activity of Bauhinia purpurea l. flower. Int J Pharmacognosy 2023; 10(8): 463-69. doi link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.IJP.10(8).463-69.

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