Traditional and other medicinal uses:

In traditional systems of medicine the plant is reported to possess beneficial effects as an anthelmintic, antiseptic, carminative, antiscorbutic, sudoprific, febrifuge, and cardiac stimulant. The rural people use the fresh juice of crushed seeds of this plant for infantile convulsions and mental disorders. The pungent seed can be pickled or used as a mustard substitute in curries and the oil of seed used for cooking⁹. Following the various traditional claims for the use of C. viscosa (CV) as a cure of numerous diseases, considerable efforts have been made by researchers to verify its utility through scientific pharmacological screenings¹⁰. The pharmacological studies have shown that CV possesses various notable biological activities such as anthelmintic, antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory¹¹, antipyretic, psychopharmacological, antidiarrheal, and hepatoprotective activities.

The leaves are prescribed in external applicable like inflammation of the middle ear, for healing of wounds and ulcers, dried and powdered seeds are valued as analgesic, anthelmintic. The whole plant is also considered as a remedy for liver diseases, cardiac disorders, bronchitis, flatulence, colic, dyspepsia, constipation and cough. A hot infusion of the root is used as restore consciousness, treatment of scurvy and rheumatic problems.

Photochemistry:

Cleome viscosa is a rich source of elements like nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous, calcium, iron manganese, zinc, sodium, chloride, magnesium, copper, boron, silicon and nutritional vitamin like vitamin C, source of flavonoids, anthraquinone glycosides, phenolic compounds, tannins, steroids, glycosides, fatty acids (linoleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid ) beta carotene, saponins, coumarin lignanes.

Phosphorous is tied to calcium in bone structure and play a significant role in CNS function, many enzymes contain as a base phospoprotein, phospholipids are involved in nerve conduction, and phosphate is a primary ion in extracellular and intracellular fluid. Potassium plays a major role in the treatment of diabetes as it effect on the secretion of insulin. Potassium deficiency may cause symptoms of fatigue, weakness, mental depression, abnormal heartbeat, dry skin, low blood pressure and muscle cramps. Calcium also plays a major role in CNS function, is major factor in neurotransmission and important in nerve impulses conduction. Manganese deficiency causes skeletal abnormalities, retard bone growth, change in hair color, and abnormal changes in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Zinc deficiency may be associated with mental lethargy, emotional disorders and irritability. Copper is essential for the synthesis of dopamine, copper deficiency may causes hypertension, antibiotic sensitivity, hyperactivity, hyperglycemia, manic disorders, insomnia, allergies and osteoporosis. Boron enhances brain function, promotes alertness, control cell growth and regulate the body uses the calcium, phosphorous and magnesium. Sodium maintains the acid alkali balance of the body^{12,
and 13}.

Pharmacological effects:

Antibacterial activity:

The ethanolic extracts of the leaves and flowers of Cleome viscosa and roots of Gmelina asiatica were tested for antimicrobial activity. The two plants exhibited a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, particularly significative against Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The leaf extract of C. viscosa showed moderate activity against pathogenic fungi¹⁴.

Anticonvulsant activity:

The aim of present was to evaluate the anticonvulsant effect of seed extract of cleome viscosa using MES and PTZ induced seizures models. The dried seeds were subjected to extraction in ethanol and water. The extract was subjected to phytochemical tests and the carbohydrates, flavonoids, coumarins, glycosides, and steroids were found to be present. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the seeds of cleome viscosa were observed for their anticonvulsant activity by maximal electro shock seizures (MES) test and pentyltetrazole (PTZ) test using swiss albino mice. Both the extracts showed significant activity in MES and PTZ induced convulsion ion comparison to control. From the literature surveys as well experiments performed. It can be said that cleome viscosa does possess anticonvulsant property¹⁵.

Wound healing:

Wound healing properties: the leaves and whole plant of cleome viscosa are used as a folk remedy for to cure the wounds, ulcers, inflation and skin infections. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the wound healing property of the leaves and whole plant of cleome viscosa on experimentally induced excision wound model in rats. The studies on the wound healing models revealed that the methanolic extract of cleome viscosa Possess significant wound healing activity¹⁶.

Anthelmintic potential:

Herbal drugs are traditionally used in various parts of the world to cure different diseases. The ayurvedic and sidha medical systems are very famous medical practices in india traditional medicines. In the present research studies, alcohol and aqueous extracts from the leaves of cleome viscosa were investigated for their anthelmintic activity against pheretima prostuma and ascardia gali. Three concentrations (50. 100 and150 mg/ml) of each extract were studied in activity, which involved the determination of time of paralysis and time death of the worm. Both the extracts exhibited significant anthelmintic activity at highest concentration of 150 mg/ml albendazole in same concentration as that of extract was included as standard reference and distilled water as control. The anthelmintic activity of alcohol and aqueous extracts of cleome viscosa has therefore been demonstrated for the first time¹⁷.

Antidiarrheal activity:

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of a methanol extract of the entire plant Cleome viscosa L. (CVME) (Family; Capparidaceae) for its anti-diarrheal activity against some of the experimental models of diarrhea in rats. CVME showed significant inhibitory activity against castor-oil-induced diarrhea and [PGE.sub.2], induced enter pooling in rats. The extract also showed a significant reduction in gastrointestinal motility in the charcoal meal test in rats. The results obtained establish the efficacy and substantiate the folklore claim as an anti- diarrheal agent¹⁸.

Antipyretic potential:

The antipyretic activity of a methanol extract of Cleome viscosa Linn. (CVME) was investigated for its, potential on normal body temperature and yeast-induced pyrexia in albino rats. The CVME, at doses of 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg BW p.o., showed significant reduction in normal body temperature and yeast-provoked elevated temperature in a dose-dependent manner. The effect also extended up to 5 h after the drug administration. The anti-pyretic effect of CVME was comparable to that of paracetamol (150 mg/kg p.o.,), a standard anti-pyretic agent¹⁹.

Hepatoprotective activity:

Cleome viscosa Linn. (Family Capparidaceae) is naturalised throughout the hot and moist parts of India. Fresh leaves of this plant are used very effectively for the treatment of jaundice in the folk medicines of the Bundelkhand region of India. The hepatoprotective activity of the ethanolic extract of leaves was investigated against thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The test material was found to be effectively hepatoprotective, as evidenced by biochemical parameters and histopathological studies. The hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic extract was comparable to that of silymarin, a standard hepatoprotective agent. The results of the present study support the traditional beliefs of the hepatoprotective effects of C. viscosa^{20, 21}.

To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Cleome viscosa Linn. (Capparidaceae) against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in experimental animal models. Leaf powder of Cleome viscosa was extracted with ethanol. The hepatoprotective activity of the extract was assessed in induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Various biochemical parameters were estimated and histopathological studies were also performed on rat liver. The hepatoprotective activity was also supported by determining a functional parameter, i.e. thiopental-induced sleep of mice poisoned with the test material was found effective as hepatoprotective, through in vivo and histopathological studies. The extract was found to be effective in shortening the thiopental induced sleep in mice poisoned with. The hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic extract was comparable to that of silymarin, a standard hepatoprotective agent. The results of the present study show that ethanolic extract of Cleome viscosa has significant hepatoprotective activity²².

Psychopharmacological effects:

Methanol extracts of the entire plant Cleome viscosa Linn. (CVME) was evaluated for different psychopharmacological actions such as general behaviour, exploratory behaviour, muscle relaxant activity and phenobarbitone induced sleeping time and effects on normal body temperature in rats and mice. The extract was found to cause reduction in spontaneous activity, decrease in exploratory behavioural pattern by the head dip and Y-maze test; reduction in the muscle relaxant by rotarod, 30° inclined screen and traction tests and caused signiﬁcant lowering of body temperature. In addition, CVME signiﬁcantly potentiated the phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time. Preliminary tests indicate that the methanol extract of Cleome viscosa Linn. In doses of 200–400 mg/kg has signiﬁcant psychopharmacological activity²³.

Analgesic activity:

The analgesic activity of methanol extract of Cleome viscosa, given orally at the doses of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg was evaluated for its analgesic activity in mice using the acetic acid-induced writhing and the tail flick, tail clip, tail immersion methods. The extract showed promising activity in all the tests²⁴.

Antinociceptive, cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of Cleome viscosa leaves:

The methanol extract of the dried leaves of Cleome viscosa L., Cleomaceae, was investigated for its possible antinociceptive, cytotoxic and antibacterial activities in animal models. The extract produced significant writhing inhibition in acetic acid-induced writhing in mice at the oral doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (p<0.001) comparable to the standard drug diclofenac sodium at the dose of 25 mg/kg of body weight (p<0.001). The crude extract produced the most prominent cytotoxic activity against brine shrimp Artemia salina (LC50 28.18 μg/mL and LC90 112.20 μg/mL). The extract of C. viscosa L. exhibited significant in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Shigella sonnie, Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholera, Streptococcus epidermidis, Shigella flexneri and Staphylococcus aureus with the zones of inhibition ranging from 10.76 to 16.34 mm. The obtained results provide a support for the use of this plant in traditional medicine and its further investigation²⁵.

CONCLUSION:

Based on the literature, it can be concluded that cleome viscosa has a high potential for therapeutic effect. it is the best approach for the several search of molecules for the management of various diseases. Besides, various studies being carried out in animals such as albino rats and mice indicate its safety and non-toxicity. Reported activities have confirmed its anthelmintic, antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antipyretic, antidiarrheal, psychopharmacological, and hepatoprotective activities.

Other parts of the plant such as leaves, seeds, root which are documented to possess important medicinal uses and pharmacological effects. In future studies, the other plant parts as well as isolated components need to evaluate in scientific experimental animal models and clinical trials to understand the molecular mechanism of action.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

We thankful to the management of Swami Vivekananda Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vangapally, Yadagirigutta, Nalgonda, Andhra Pradesh, India, for providing all facilities during the study and special thanks to Mr. Venkatesh and G. Jamadani for their tired less help.

REFFERENCES:

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11. Tiwari U, Rastogi B, Thakur S, Jain S, Jain and Saraf DK, Studies in the immunomodulatory effects of cleome viscosa. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 66(2); 2004:171—176.

12. Sangirta M, Lavate CD, Shendkar, Rasika torane and Nirmala deshpande. Detection of elements present in edible seeds of cleome viscosa. International Journal of Pharmatechnology Research, 3(2); 2011: 925-928.

13. Anonymous, the Indian pharmacopoeia, Govt. of Indian Publication, Delhi 1966; 2nd ed. pp.947-948.

14. Sudhakar M, Rao CHV, Rao PM. Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of Cleome viscosa and Gmelina asiatica. Fitoterapia. 77(1); 2006: 47-9.

15. Mishra A, Mishra AK, Jain SK. Anticonvulsant activity of cleome viscosa seed extracts in swiss albino mice. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2; 2010:177-181.

16. Panduraju. Wound Healing Properties of cleome viscosa linn. Journal for drugs and medicines, 3 (1); 2011: 41-45., www.hygeiajornal.com

17. Raman R, Chadak, Nishikant K Bhairaj, Subhash J Devdhe, Hiral F Majmundae. In vitro evaluation of anthelmintic potential of leaves of cleome viscosa. International Journal Pharmaceutical Science Review and Research. 5(3); 2010: 77-79.

18. Devi BP, Boominathan R, Mandal SC. Evaluation of anti-diarrheal activity of Cleome viscosa Linn. Extract in rats. Phytomed. 9; 2002:739–42.

19. Devi BP, Boominathan R, Mandal SC. Evaluation of antipyretic potential of Cleome viscosa Linn. (Capparidaceae) extract in rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacol. 87; 2003:11–3.

20. Nishant Kumar Gupta, Vinod Kumar Dixit. Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of Cleome viscosa Linn. Extract. Natural Product Research. 23(14); 2009: 1289-1297, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

21. Gupta NK, Dixit VK. Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of Cleome viscosa Linn. Extract. Indian Journal Pharmacology. 41; 2009: 36-40. http://www.ijponline.com/text.asp? 2009/41/1/36/48892

22. Recknagael R. Carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity. Pharmacological Reviews. 19; 1967:145–96.

23. Parimala Devi B, Boominathan R, Mandal SC. Studies on psychopharmacological effects of Cleome viscosa Linn. Extract in rats and mice. Phytotherapy research PTR 18(2); 2004:169-172.

24. Devi BP, Boominathan R, Mandal SC. Studies on analgesic activity of Cleome viscosa in mice. Fitoterapia. 74; 2003:262–266.

25. Bose, Utpal, Bala, Vaskor, Ghosh, Tarak Nath, Gunasekaran, Karthikeyan; Rahman, Ahmed Ayedur. Antinociceptive, cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of Cleome viscosa leaves: An article available from: http://dx.doi.org/vol-21-issue-1/2011.

Received on 19.10.2011

Modified on 18.11.2011

Accepted on 27.11.2011

Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 4(1): Jan. - Feb. 2012, 44-48

Sl. no	Characteristics	*Cleome viscosa*
1)	Habit	Glandular pubescent annual herbs, 30-80 cm tall
2)	Leaves	3-5 foliolate, petioled, leaflets elliptic-oblong, glabrous above, pubescent beneath, sessile or subsessile
3)	Flowers	1-1.5 cm across, solitary, axillary, in terminal lax racemes.
4)	Capsules	4-8 cm long, cylindric, viscid, and minutely beaked.
5)	seeds	Numerous, dark brown, reniform, 1.2 mm long.
6)	Flowering and Fruiting	Throughout the year