CHAPTER -2

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Huge amount of works have been carried out worldwide in the aspect of phytochemistry antioxidant
and antimicrobial activities of Euphorbiaceae family. Some important works are presented here to justify the
present study.

Medicinal plants have been proved to be an important source in the search of new drugs mainly
because of the diversity of pharmacological properties and chemical structures (Pandikumar, 2017).
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), 2003 about 80% of the population of developing countries
are unable to afford pharmaceutical drugs so they depend on plant based medicine for primary health care.

2.1 Therapeutic properties of the study species

Nature has been a source of medicinal agents for thousands of years and an impressive number of
modern drugs have been isolated from natural source. Interest towards natural products has increased large
scale (Taylor,etal., 1996). Sauropus quadrangularis Willd (Punarmuringa) belong to the family
Euphorbiaceae is a genus of subshrub distributed in India, Srilanka, Southern China, Southeast Asia and Indo
China. The plant Sauropus androgynous which belongs to the same genus has been used in large amount by
the Pandalugan society of Madura Island Java society of Marbaraman as vegetable that enhance breast milk,
relieve fever, cough, food colouring, goat feeding and for salivation of ritual tradition (Ari Hayati et al.,
2016). The leaves of Sauropus androgynous has a high level of vitamin B and C protein and
minerals.Nutrient contents of leaves is usually higher in more mature leaves (Senthamari selvi et al., 2012)

The plant S.androgynous is used as a green multivitamin in Southeast Asia and Malasia. Consumption
of its raw leaf juice for weight reduction resulted outbreak of brochiotis obliterans (Humidun bunawan et al.,
2015). Shaikh arshad ahmed et al., (2011) investigated medicinal uses of the plant Euphobia nerifolia against
abdominal troubles, bronchitis, piles, inflammation and enlargement of spleen, anaema, ulcers, fever and
chronic respiratory troubles. S.Divya et al., examined the wound healing capability of Croton
bonplandianum. The wound healing is due to the presence of chemical constituent rutin and antioxidant
enzymes. Phyllanthus niruri ia an important medicinal plant. The plant has widely used for the treatment of
hepatic disease, oedema, dropsical condition and urinary troubles (Paithanakar et al., 2011). Francesca pintus
et al., (2015) reported leaf extract of Euphorbia characias have potent effect and tyrosinase and melanin
synthesis in B16F10 melanoma cells without cytotoxicity. Rahul Shivaji Patil et al (2014) studied the use of
Hormonia riparia in traditional medicine for the treatment of urinary tract infections, typhoid, fever and
dermal infection.

2.2 Qualitative and Quantitative phytochemical analysis

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 Phytochemicals cure disease without causing any harm to human beings. This can also be considered
as mans friendly medicine. Advances made in phytocemistry and pharmacology, numerous active principles
of medicinal plants were isolated and used as valuable drug in contemporary medicines (Trivedi), 2004.
Phytochemicals are natural bioactive compounds found in different parts of the plant. The most important of
these bioactive compounds are alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. The availability and
cheaper cause of medicinal plants make them more attractive as therapeutic agents when compared to
modern medicines (Agbor et al)., 2005. The medicinal value of these plants lies in chemical substances that
produce definite physiological action on human body. Plants played an important role drug development

Aiswarya K.P et al., (2016) revealed the phytochemically active compound of the leaf, stem, fruit, and
root extracts of the plant Baceaurea courtallensis .V.E Ida Christ et al., (2013) made a comparative study
about the pharmacognostical, phytochemical and antioxidant activity of three plants such as Phyllanthus
niruri, Phyllanthus emblica and Sauropus androgynous from euphorbiacaea family. The study revealed the
crude methanolic extract of this plant exhibited a significant antioxidant activity which may be relevant in the
treatment of oxidative stress. Phytochemical screening of Jatropha curcas stem, bark, extract revealed the
presence of saponins, steroids, tannins, glycosides, alkaloids and flavonoids O.O. Igbinosa et al, (2009).

Narendra kumar singh et al., (2014) identified the phytoconstituents of the plant Croton
bonplandianum revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, tannins and saponins. R. Tamil selvan et al.,
(2012) studied the phytochemical screening of leaf extrats of Acalypha indica indicated the presence
saponins, flavonoids, terpanoids and cardiac glycosides. Phytochemical screening of Croton bonplandianum
to know the presence of secondary metabolites for antimicrobial properties. The result showed the presence
of alkaloid, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, resins and phenols. Methanolic leaf extract is effective against
fungi and bacteria M.V Jeeshna et al., (2011).

Chaithra.M et al., (2011) examined the phytochemical constituents and in vitro antioxidant activity of
alcohol and acetone extract of Euphorbia hirta. Due to the presence of various phytochemical constituents
(flavonoid, phenol, steroid). A.J.A.Petrus (2013) reported Sauropus androgynous have potential nutritive
value due to presence of vitamins and considered as healthy vegetable. Rahul Shivaji Patil et al (2016)
evaluated the ethanolic seed extract of Ricinus communis were rich sources of various phytochemicals and
shown the antibacterial properties. El Mahmood Muhammad Abubakar (2009) reported euphorbia hirta
contain some bioactive compound like alkaloids, flavonoids, anthroquinones, phenolics, tannins, saponin
show pronounced anti- bacterial activities

3. Biological activities

3.1 Antimicrobial studies

The development of microbial resistance towards the antibiotics has heightened the importance of
search for new potential effective plants and plant constituents against pathogenic microorganism Ahamed et

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al., (2006). Many aromatic plants have been used in folk medicine as well as to extend self-life of food
showing against bacteria fungi and yeast. Antimicrobial compounds of plant origin may occur in stems, roots,
leaves, barks, fruits and flowers of plants. Most of the currently available drugs for treatment of human and
animal diseases obtained from natural products especially medicinal plants (Mishra and Tiwari, 2011). The
problem of microbial resistance is growing and outlook for the use of antimicrobial drugs in the future is still
uncertain. The use of plant extracts and phytochemicals both with known antimicrobial activities have great
significance in therapeutic treatments.

Momoh A.O et al., (2012) investigated the anti-microbial activity of Ricinus communis oil in addition
to its purgative and anti- inflammatory and labor inducing activity. The antimicrobial activity of Phyllanthus
acidus was studied and the result revealed that leaf extract is more effective than fruit extract (A. Jagothi et
al., 2013). Yeruva Rosi Reddy et al (2016) evaluated the antimicrobial activity of Euphorbia nivulia and help
to discover new chemical classes of antibiotic substances that act as chemical classes of antibiotic substances
that acct as selective agents for infectious disease chemotherapy control. Bhasha shanmugam et al., (2014)
studied the antibacterial activity of Phyllanthus niruri. Different concentration of ethanolic, methanolic and
aqueous extract possesses antibacterial activity.
Devanaboyina Narendra et al (2015) studied the antimicrobial activity of hexane, ethyl acetate,
acetone, methanol and aqueous extract of flowers of the plant Euphorbia milli shown activity on gram
positive and negative bacteria. Marcel.T. Bayor et al., (2009) made an investigation on antimicrobial activity
of methanolic root extract of Croton membranous and showed its effectiveness in treating secondary bacterial
infection related with measles due to the presence of gomojosid H.
Wagaw sendeku et al., (2015) evaluated the potential ability of croton macrostachyus extract to
inhibit the human pathogenic bacteria. The chloroform extract has highest antibacterial activity. Ariswary.D
et al., made an antimicrobial study on croton spaciflorus fresh leaf and fruit extract. The extract is effective
antimicrobial agent with more inhibition on staphylococcus aureus. Masaddique Hussain et al., evaluated and
compared the antimicrobial spectrum of fresh extract, diluted latex, ethanolic, methanolic, and aqueous
extract of Euphorbia hirta and Euphorbia thymifolia against different pathogenic strains of bacteria and
fungi. Euphorbia hirta possess strong antibacterial activity and Euphorbia thymifolia.

3.2 Antioxidant studies

Antioxidants are those substances which possess free radical chain reaction breaking properties. It has
been established that oxidative stress is among the major causative factors in induction of many chronic and
degenerative diseases including atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, ageing, diabetes mellitus, cancer,
immunosuppression, neurodegenerative diseases and others (Young and Woodside, 2001). A great number of
aromatic, medicinal, spice and other plants contain chemical compounds exhibiting antioxidant
properties.Oxidative process is one of the most important routes for producing free radicals in foods, drugs
and even in living systems (Halliwell, 1994). Among the numerous naturally occurring antioxidants; ascorbic
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acid, carotenoids and phenolic compounds are more effective (Duh et al., 1999). The study done on
medicinal plants and vegetables strongly supports the idea that plant constituents with antioxidant activity are
capable of exerting protective effects against oxidative stress in biological systems (Cao et al., 1996). During
the last three decades antioxidant based research and drug formulations are used for various disease.
Desingu kamalanathan et al.,(2015) studied the antioxidant activity of Euphobia fusiformis leaf.
Antioxidant and radical scavenging ability of the extract of Euphorbia tirucalli was found to be inhibit the
proliferation of cancer cells (Benjamin munro et al., 2015). Madhusha reddy et al., (2014) reported the
antioxidant study of whole plant Euphorbia hirta contain alkaloids, steroid, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins,
carbohydrates and protein. The three extracts of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol showed the superoxide
anion scavenging activity, reducing power, hydroxyl free radical scavenging activity and nitric oxide
scavenging activity.
Sreenika et al., (2015) studied the antioxidant and anitumor activity of Euphobia milli flower extract.
Ethyl acetate flower extract has antioxidant and antitumor activity due to the presence of triterpens phenols
and flavonoids. Desore S.L et al., studied the ethanol leaf extract of Croton caudatum and reported the plant
is a potential source of antioxidant.
Manal A et al., (2015) evaluated the seed extact of Croton zambesicus for antioxidant ant
antimicrobial activity. Ethanol and ethyl acetate extract represented positive result on bacteria and
fungi.Chloroformic extract showed negative result. Ethanolic extract had high antioxidant efficiency than the
othe two. D. Sumalatha (2013) investigated the antioxidant and antitumor activity of Phyllanthus emblica
fruit. The result indicated that this plant extract could be an important dietary source with antioxidant and
antitumor activities.
I.P Tripathi et al., (2013) compared the antioxidant activity and polyphenolic content of four plants of
euphorbiaceae family such as Jatropha curcus, Euphobia hirta, Euphorbia nerifolia and Ricinus
communis.the result revealed that Euphobia hirta possess strong antioxidant activity as compared to all the
three plants, while Ricinus communis is the richest source of polyphenilic contents