ANALYSIS OF PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF ABRUS PRECATORIUS L

Abstract

Abrus precatorius is known to possess antiseptic and anti-inflammatory activity, which makes it useful in treatment of wounds. In the present study, different concentrations of ethanolic extracts of A. precatorius stem were investigated for evaluation of wound healing activity in rats. Wistar albino rats have been grouped into three sets- first set was uninfected with wounds, second set was infected with Staphylococcus Aureus and third set was infected with Candida albicans. Different concentrations of ethanolic extracts of A.precatorius (60, 90, 120mg\\g) were applied topically in the form of ointment to wounds inflicted on rats and healing was assessed by the rate of wound contraction and epithelialization period. On 15^th day, the extract treated rats exhibited 71 % reduction in uninfected wound area as compared to control which exhibited 59 % contraction. In case of wound infected with S.aureus, the extract treated rats exhibited 72 % reduction in wound area as compared to control which exhibited 51 % contraction approximately. In antimicrobial testing, ethanolic extracts of A.precatorius were screened against clinical wound isolates of Staphylococcus aureus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. All extracts were found to be active against the pathogens, while the ethanolic extract exhibited highest inhibition and document the beneficial effects for acceleration of wound healing activity in rats. Phytochemical tests showed the presence of tannins, triterpenes, glycosides, alkaloids, antraquinones and carbohydrates in crude extracts of A.precatorius.