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______Review Article

A BRIEF REVIEW OF PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF FIRECRACKER ( EQUISETIFORMIS)

Dephney Renisha Veigas*, Satish S and AR. Shabaraya Srinivas college of Pharmacy, Valachil, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. ______ABSTRACT is commonly known as firecracker plant. The name Russelia was given to the genus Scottish naturalist Alexander Russell (1715–1768) by the Dutch scientist Baron Nikolaus von Jacquin (1727-1817). It’s a perennial plant. This article briefly reviews the common medicinal uses and also focused on various research carried on the different pharmacological activity claimed in the plant. This is an attempt to compile and document information on different aspects of Russelia equisetiformis and highlight the need for research and development.

Keywords: Russelia equisetiformis, Pharmacological Activities.

INTRODUCTION COMMON NAMES Russelia equisetiformis is an evergreen, Coral fountain, Coral plant, Coral blow, perennial with attractive looking, Firecracker fern, Firecracker plant, Firecracker feature trailing, green stems and tubular red bush, Fountain bush. blossoms, formerly belonging to the polyphyletic family and OTHER VERNACULAR NAMES recently introduced into the new monophyletic Coral plant, firecracker flower, fountain plant family , is native to Tropical (English), Rasili (Hindi), Bao zhang zhu South America especially in Mexico.1-2 The (Chinese), Plante corail (French), Coral de name Russelia honours the Scottish italia (Italian), naturalist Alexander Russell. The species name reference to this plants resemblance ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS to horse tail rushes, and the Latin Phytochemically, the plant has been reported term equisetiformis means like . It is to contain triterpenes of lupane type. Two a deciduous, asparagus-like, many-branched, phenylethanoid glycosides, russectinol and tropical sub shrub (to 4’ tall) with trailing rush- russeliaoside, were repeatedly reported and like 4-angled stems and bright red tubular identified as active constituents of the plant. firecracker-like flowers (to 1.25” long) in Likewise, total phenolic content has also been drooping terminal cymes. Blooms freely from determined and quantified byJohnson and co- late spring to frost. Needle-like medium green workers. yielded alkaloids, flavonoids, leaves (to 1/2” long). Flowers are attractive to saponins, tannins, steroids, and terpenoids. 4 hummingbirds. Synonymous with Russelia It has around 20 essential oil compounds, The juncea.3 major constituents are hexadecanoic acid methyl ester 11.04%, 11-methyltetracosane CLASSIFICATION 8.44%, n-docosane 7.66%, α-pinene 7.26%, Kingdom :Plantae octadecanoic acid methyl ester 6.37%, Division :Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants eicosanoic acid methyl ester 6.16%, Class : Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons ctadecanoic acid ethyl ester 5.69%, geranic Subclass : Asteridae acid 5.60%, methyl tetradecanoate 5.27%, ß- Order : Scrophulariales pinene 4.60%. Phytochemical screening in Family :Scrophulariaceae extracts and fractions yielded alkaloids, Genus :Russelia Jacq. steroids, tannins, terpenoids. Species :Russelia equisetiformis Schltdl. & Cham. MEDICINAL USES Russelia equisetiformis is traditionally used in Nigeria to cure malaria, cancer, inflammatory disorders, diabetes, leukemia, and in hair preparations to promote hair growth. The fresh

International Journal of Pharma And Chemical Research I Volume 4 I Issue 2 I Apr – Jun I 2018 ISSN 2395-3411 Available online at www.ijpacr.com 73 entire plant decoction is taken orally to cure • Hair-Growth Promoting Effect kidney stones in Colombia, and the whole The study demonstrated the hair growth plant is utilized as complementary therapy for promoting potential of the crude methanol DM2 patients in Mexico. Additionally anti- extract of Russelia equisetiformis. The exact oxidant, anti- inflammatory, antinociceptive mechanism of action or the components and analgesic properties were reported for responsible for the hair growth promoting different extracts of Russelia equisetiformis, as activity in the plant extract could not be well as antibacterial, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, established in this study. Number of CNS depressant, hepatic function, membrane investigators have shown that flavonoids and stabilizing. triterpenoids possess hair growth promoting activity by strengthening the capillary wall of PHARMACOLOGICAL SCREENING the smaller blood vessels supplying hair • Antimicrobial follicles, improve blood circulation to nourish Antimicrobial effect of a methanolic extract the hair follicles and thereby promoting hair was noted on S. aureus, S. albus, S. typhi, P. growth Other workers also implicate flavonoids aeruginosa and K. edwardsiella. The effect in stimulating telogen to anagen phase, a was attributed to triterpenes in the extract.5 process involved in hair growth, and also cause expressions of some growth factors, • Diabetes / Leukemia such as insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1), Phytochemical Screening of Cnidoscolus vascular endothelial growth factors(VEGF), Aconitifolius and Russelia Equisetiformis Used keratinocyte growth factors(KGF) and for the treatment of Diabetes and Leukemia. 6 hapatocyte growth factors (HGF), all of which has stimulatory effects on hair growth. It may • Antinociceptive activity be possible that the two phenolic compound & This study examines the antinociceptive effect triterpenes contained in the plants extract are of the whole plant extracts of Russelia responsible for the observed hair growth equisetiformis. The result shows the promoting effect.9 ethylacetate fraction to be the most active, while the dichloromethane fraction exhibited • Membrane Stabilizing Activity least activity. The major isolated compound The experimental evidence indicates that, the from the ethylacetate showed a tremendous aqueous-ethanol extract of Russelia activity on acetic acid induced writhing with equisetiformis possesses membrane less activity on tail-flick response in mice. The stabilizing property in a concentration- structures of the two compounds were dependent manner. Russelia equisetiformis assigned on the basis of spectroscopic data. extract could serve as a useful supplementary Occurrence of these compounds in Russelia is therapy in haemolytic disease, and also in free reported here for the first time, and the results radical-mediated oxidative cell injury confirm the traditional uses of Russelia conditions. 10 equisetiformis in the treatment of inflammation and pain7 • Hepatic Function Impairment The study showed that both aqueous and •Antiinflammatory / Analgesic activity methanol extracts of Russelia equisetiformis In a study of the methanolic extract of have the potential to impair normal liver Russelia equisetiformis in rats and mice using function in rats. This is indicated by the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, acetic marked dose- dependent increase in serum acid-induced writhing and tail-flick testing, levels of transaminases (ALT and AST), results suggested that the extract possesses bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and a potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic significant reduction in total protein level. properties. The methanolic extract of R. These results were clear indication of cellular equisetiformis (10–40 mg/kg, i.p.) exhibited a leakage and loss of functional integrity of the significant and dose-dependent inhibition of cell membrane.Free radicals and peroxidants paw oedema induced by carrageenan in rats. have been implicated in the pathogenesis of It is possible that the effect of R. equisetiformis toxic liver injury. Many of the drugs that extract could result from an inhibitory action on precipitate liver disease produce free radicals the release of chemotactic agents or by during metabolism. Russelia equisetiformis inhibition of neutrophil migration. The extract has been reported to contain triterpenes and showed significant (P < 0.05) and dose- sterols, which could be sources of free radicals dependent analgesic activity. The extract after metabolism. In addition, it has been caused inhibition of abdominal constriction at reported that Russelia equisetiformis does not 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg 8. contain flavonoids, which have free radical

International Journal of Pharma And Chemical Research I Volume 4 I Issue 2 I Apr – Jun I 2018 ISSN 2395-3411 Available online at www.ijpacr.com 74 scavenging and antioxidant activities. • Anti-Inflammatory Therefore, it is suspected that the free radical Study isolated lupeol. The lupeol extract generated by the metabolism of Russelia showed significant & dose-dependent anti- equisetiformis accumulates and adversely inflammatory activity in acute and chronic affect liver function as indicated by an increase models of inflammation viz egg albumin- in the serum levels of liver enzymes.11 induced paw edema, formaldehyde–induced arthritis & cotton pellet granuloma invivo tests. • Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Prednisolone was used standard drug.14 Cytotoxicity activity Russelia equisetiformis extract and fractions • Anticonvulsant activity showed significant antioxidant potential in Study of methanol extracts of RE for terms of scavenging free radicals. The DPPH anticonvulsant activity using picrotoxin (PCT) scavenging and linoleic acid oxidation assays showed significant protective activity against showed the antioxidant potential of the plant. picrotoxin, probably through GABAergic The methanol extract by H2O2 induced neurotransmission or facilitating GABAergic oxidative damage in plasmid pBR322 DNA action in the brain. Results suggest a potential was evaluated and it was found that it use as supplementary therapy for protected the DNA, which may be due to the management and/or control of childhood presence of phytochemicals which showed convulsions & epilepsy.15 antioxidant properties. The potential of the extract and fractions • Antimalarial activity against selected bacterial and fungal strains The ethanol extracts of Russelia equisetiformis showed antimicrobial properties. The show some intrinsic antimalaria activity by cytotoxicity of the plant extract and fractions its percentage chemo suppression and were assayed by haemolytic activity against prophylactic ability against chloroquine- human RBCs and the percentage lysis studied resistant P.Berghi parasites. This performance in vitro. It was observed that the plant may can surely be improved upon in future studies have a minor cytotoxicity as the percentage if the crude extract is purified and the active lysis of RBCs was found to be below 5.0%. substituents identified. The extracts have Due to the minor cytotoxicity the plant may be considerable low or no toxicities in used as an herbal medicine.12 experimental mice. Acute toxicity tests with the extracts have also demonstrated their safety • CNS Depressant Activity because the highest dose used for the A Study was conducted to evaluate crude screening did not cause death. Interestingly, methanol extracts and fractions of Russelia the highest dose used to treat parasite- equisetiformis in mice using amphetamine- infected mice, which elicited antimalarial induced stereotypy, picrotoxin-induced activity, was much lower than the highest convulsion & phenobarbitone sleeping time. acute dose. This findings support the Results showed central nervous system traditional use of this plant for the treatment of depressant activities. malaria.16 The experiment showed that in mice, as the dose of Russelia equisetiformis increased from Free radical scavenging activity 100 mg/kg to 400 mg/kg, the time spent The methanol extract of Russelia sleeping increased & the time it took to change equisetiformis, which exhibited significant into the sleep stages other than REM sleep antiinflammatory activity, was evaluated for the decreased. However, this plant taken in large possible mode of action by studying its doses such as 400 mg/kg led to the death of antioxidant potential in adjuvant- induced the mice on amphetamine which is a stimulant arthritic rats. 1, 1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl on the CNS. The high dosage of Russelia (DPPH) radical scavenging effect was equisetiformis which is suspected to act as a determined by spectrophotometric method. dopamine receptor blocker along with the The enzymatic activity of the superoxide amphetamine would lead to convulsions and dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, showed a cause serious brain damage resulting in the significant increase, while the lipid peroxide animal’s deaths. The smaller doses of 100 & content was found to decrease to a large 200 mg/kg had longer amount of time before extent in MRE and indomethacin-treated rats. the onset of seizure. Overall, the experiment There was also significant and concentration- shows that R. equisetiformis is a depressant dependent increase in the percentage on the central CNS & acts by blocking the inhibition of DPPH, comparable to that of neurotransmitter GABA.13 vitamin E and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) which are natural and synthetic antioxidants,

International Journal of Pharma And Chemical Research I Volume 4 I Issue 2 I Apr – Jun I 2018 ISSN 2395-3411 Available online at www.ijpacr.com 75 respectively. The results obtained in the 2. Eman M Ahmed, Samar Y Desoukey, present study indicate that MRE possesses Mostafa A Fouad, Mohamed S. A free radical scavenging and antioxidant Pharmacognostical Study of Russelia properties.17 equisetiformis (Sch. & Cham). International Journal of Antihelmintic Properties Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical invitro anthelmintic activity of Russelia Research. 2016; 8(1):174-192. equisetiformis leaves in comparison with 3. R G Olmstead, C W Depamphilis. anthelmintic drug Piperazine citrate was Disintegration of the studied. In vitro Anthelmintic activity of Scrophulariaceae. American Journal different solvent extracts (petroleum ether, of Botany.2001; 88(2): 348-361. chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol) of 4. Muhammad Riaz, Nasir Rasool, Russelia equisetiformis were carried out on Iftikhar Hussain Bukhari, Muhammad mature Pheretima posthuma. The results of Shahid. Antioxidant, antimicrobial and the study revealed that all the solvent extracts cytotoxicity studies of Russelia produced a significant anthelmintic activity in a equisetiformis, African Journal of dose-dependent manner. Methanol extract Microbiology Research. 2012; 6(27): offered a good anthelmintic activity at 15 5700-5707. mg/ml concentration, where the time of 5. Studies on Antibacterial properties of paralysis was 15 and death was observed at Russelia equisetiformis (Schlect & 27 min, followed by ethyl acetate extract. The Cham) Scrophulariacae. negative control DMF did not show any activity and positive control standard piperazine citrate 6. Frederick O Oladeinde. Phytochemical recorded death at 13 min and paralysis at 10 Screening of Cnidoscolus Aconitifolius min18. and Russelia Equisetiformis Used for the Treatment of Diabetes and Antipyretic Activity Leukemia. PhD / African Healing Screening of antipyretic activity was carried Wisdom: From Tradition to Current out in animal model, where pyrexia was Application and Research induced by subcutaneous injection of 20% w/v yeast aqueous suspension in the back, below 7. Awe EO, Adeloye A, Idowu T, Olajide the nape of the neck. After 18 hours, the same OA. Antinociceptive effect of Russelia grouping of animals in the anti-inflammatory equisetiformis leave extracts: study and their respective treatment were Identification of its active constituents. followed except group 2 (positive control) Phytomedicine. 2008;15:301-305. which received acetyl salicylic acid 100 mg/kg as the reference drug in vehicle orally. The 8. Awe EO, Makinde JM, Olajide rectal temperature before and after treatment, OA, Wakeel OK . Evaluation of the which was recorded with the help of a digital anti-inflammatory and analgesic thermometer at every hour up to four hours, properties of the extract of Russelia was compared with control. The experimental equisetiformis, evidence indicates that, the extract of Russelia Inflammopharmacology.2004;12(4)399 equisetiformis possesses antipyretic activity. 19 -405.

Hepatoprotective properties 9. Awe EO, Makinde JM. The hair growth Data obtained from this study show that promoting effect of Russelia equisetiformis plant extract may (Schclect&Chan), Journal of Natural possess significant hepatoprotective activities Products.2009; (2):70-73. on toxicant induced liver damage in the 10. Awe EO, Makinde JM, Adeloye OA, experimental models and thereby offer useful Banjoko SO. Membrane stabilizing prophylactic measure. Hepatoprotective activity of Russelia equisetiformis, activity of Russelia equisetiformis could be due Schlecht and Chan. Journal of Natural to membrane stabilizing and free radical Products. 2009; (2):03-09. scavenging activities.20 11. OT Kolawole, SO Kolawole. Effects of Russelia equisetiformis methanol and REFERENCES aqueous extracts on hepatic function 1. MC Carlson. Monograph of the Genus indices. Biology and Medicine.2010; 2 Russelia. Chicago Natural History (3): 38-41. Museum, Fieldiana botany. 1957; 2(4): 12. Muhammad Riaz, Nasir Rasool, 244. Iftikhar Hussain Bukhari, Muhammad

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International Journal of Pharma And Chemical Research I Volume 4 I Issue 2 I Apr – Jun I 2018