It grows uniquitouslyin all soils, sandy, rocky, and loamy. In India and South Africa, it is used as a fodder before flowering, but in Australia it is reported to cause livestock poisoning².

Tephrosia purpurea Linn. is commonly known as wild indigoin English, Kolanjiin Tamil, sharapunkhain Sanskrit, Sarponkhain Hindi, Thilain Gujarati, Vempaliin Telugu^3-4-5 . According to Ayverveda literature this plant has also given the name of wranvishapakawhich means that it has the property of healing all types of wounds⁶.It has been used in Ayurvedic system, Siddha, unani system of medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Experimental studies suggest that Tephrosia purpurea Linn exerts anti-ulcer, anti-oxidant, hepatoproductive and hypoglycaemic activities. It has been reported to possess hepatoprotective and mast cell stabilising effect in various experimental models⁷.

Species of Tephrosia

The genus Tephrosia is a Pantropical taxa with about 400 species distributed chiefly in Asia, Africa, Australia. Tephrosia belongs to the family Fabaceae (Leguminosae) and has earlier been classified by many taxonomists either into sections of subgenera, based mainly on the morphological traits classified Tephrosia into four sections namely Mundulea, Brissonia, Croccoides and Reineria. Of these only mundulea and Reineria, which includes rest of species of Tephrosia. Wood categorized the new world species of Tephrosiainto groups, one with a glasrous style and the other with a pubescent style. Gillett adopted this classification in African species of Tephrosia. Subseguently Brurnmitt divided Tephrosiainto subgenera, subg. Tephrosia with a glabrous style (according to which T. hamiltonii, T. Pumila, T. purpurea, T. spinosa, T. Strigosa, T.villosa etc. Were included) and subg. Barbisyla with a trichiferous style (which includes T. candida, T. maxima, T. pulcherima, T. tinctoriaetc). The above classification was criticized since same of the taxa (T. pumila T. maxima etc.) showed bothglabrous and trichiferous styles⁸.

Other species of Tephrosia

Tephrosia vogelii

1. Tephrosia kerrii

2. Tephrosia vestita

3. Tephrosia noctiflora

4. Tephrosia ionophlebia

5. Tephrosia coccinea

6. Tephrosia luzonensis

7. Tephrosia obovata.

Tephrosia kerrii

Herbs, perennial, to 3 m tall, densely yellow spreading villous. Stems erect, sturdy, ridged, apically branched. Leaves 11–17-foliolate; rachis 9–15 cm, including petiole ca. 5 mm; leaflet blades oblong-lanceolate, 5–8 × 1.5–2 cm, abaxially densely silverysericeous, adaxially olive-green and glabrous, secondary veins 20 on each side of midvein and conspicuous, base obtuse to cuneate, apex acute and cuspidate. Pseudoracemes terminal, when immature cone-shaped and covered by bracts, elongated to ca. 10 cm at anthesis. Pedice ca. 5 mm, densely white sericeous. Flowers ca.2.2 cm. Calyx ca. 8 × 6 mm; teeth narrowly triangular, most abaxial one longest and ca. 5 mm apex acute. Corolla red; standard obovate, yellow sericeous. Ovary sericeous, with numerous ovules. Legume linear, 8–10 cm × 6–8 mm, straight, spreading and slightly nodding, yellow sericeous, apex with a ca. 1 cm slightly ascending beak. Seeds 10–12 per legume but characters unknown.

Tephrosia vestita

Herbs, perennial, suffrutescent, 1–2 m tall, many branched, yellowish white velutinous. Stems zigzag ascending, ridged. Leaves 7–11 (or 13)-foliolate; rachis ca. 10 cm, including petiole1–1.5 cm; leaflet blades obovate-elliptic to narrowly elliptic, 2–4 × 1–1.8 cm, abaxially velutinous, adaxially rough and glabrous, secondary veins 15–20 on each side of midvein, base cuneate, apex rounded to retuse. Pseudoracemes terminal or opposite leaf near apex of branchlets, 3–7 cm, with congested flowers. Pedicel ca. 2 mm. Flowers ca. 1.7 cm, fragrant. Calyx ca. 3× 4 mm. Corolla white; standard suborbicular, yellow velutinous. Ovary sericeous, with numerous ovules. Legume linear, 5.5–6 cm × ca. 5 mm, straight, flat, densely yellow velutinous, apex abruptly pointed and with a ca. 1 cm beak. Seeds 10–12per legume, black, reniform, ca. 3 × 2.5 mm.

Tephrosia coccinea

Herbs, perennial, suffrutescent, 40–50 cm tall, many branched. Stems woody, terete; young branchlets 4-sided, silveryor white appressedsericeous. Leaves subsessile, 5- or 7(or9)-foliolate; rachis 6–10 cm; leaflet blades linear-oblanceolateto oblong-oblanceolate, 4–6 × ca. 1 cm with basal pair smallest and terminal one longest, abaxially silvery sericeous, secondary veins 9 or 10 on each side of midvein. Pseudoracemes terminal or opposite a leaf, ca. 25 cm, with scattered flowers. Pedicel 3–6 mm. Flowers ca. 1 cm. Calyx ca. 5 mm. Corolla red; standard orbicular, outside sericeous, inside glabrous. Ovary stipitate, sericeous, with 10–12 ovules. Legume linear, ca. 6 cm × 7–8 mm, flat, tomentose. Seeds 8–12 per legume, black, reniform, ca. 8 × 5 mm.

Tephrosia pumila

Herbs, annual or perennial, procumbent or straggling, 20–30 cm tall. Stems thin and hard, ridged, densely spreading strigose. Stipules 3–4 mm. Leaves 7(–13)-foliolate; rachis 2–4 cm, including petiole 3–10 mm; leaflet blades narrowly obovatetooblanceolate, 1.2–2 × 0.4–0.8 cm, abaxiallystrigose, adaxially appressed pubescent, secondary veins 6 or 7 on each side of midvein and obscure, base cuneate, apex truncate to obtuse and cuspidate. Pseudoracemes terminal or opposite a leaf, ca. 2 cm, strigose, with 1–3 flowers. Pedicel 2.5–4 mm. Flowers ca. 6mm. Calyx ca. 3 × 2 mm. Corolla white, yellow, or rarely palepink; standard orbicular, pilose. Ovary withtrichomes, with numerous ovules. Legume linear, 3.5–4 cm × ca. 4 mm, shortly strigose, apex slightly ascending curved and

with a beak; styleremnant sharply reflexed. Seeds 8–14 per legume, brown, oblong-rhomboid, ca. 4 × 3 mm, mottled.

Tephrosia noctiflora

Herbs, perennial, suffrutescent, 0.5–1.5 m tall. Stems terete, with dense spreading trichomes. Stipules narrowly triangular, 6–11 mm, persistent, apex acuminate. Leaves 15–25-foliolate; rachis 7–11 cm, including petiole 0.7–1.3 cm; leaf letblades oblong-oblanceolate, 2.2–3.2 × 0.5–0.8 cm with terminalone slightly larger than others, abaxially densely appressedsericeous, adaxiallyglabrous, secondary veins 9–11 on each side of midvein, base cuneate, apex rounded to retuse and cuspidate. Pseudoracemes terminal, 15–25 cm, rigid and straight, with scattered flowers. Pedicel 2–4 mm. Flowers ca. 1 cm. Calyx ca. 5 ×5 mm, densely brown pubescent; teeth unequal, most abaxialone 4–6 mm and narrow, other ones short and broad. Corolla yellow, violet, or white; standard orbicular, brown sericeous. Ovary sericeous, with numerous ovules. Legume linear, 4.5–5 cm × ca. 5 mm, straight, densely brown pubescent, apex ascending curved. Seeds 7–9 per legume, black, reniform, ca. 4× 2.5 mm, usually transversely rugose.

Tephrosia pumila

Herbs, annual or perennial, procumbent or straggling, 20–30 cm tall. Stems thin and hard, ridged, densely spreading strigose. Stipules 3–4 mm. Leaves 7(–13)-foliolate; rachis 2–4 cm, including petiole 3–10 mm; leaflet blades narrowly obovate to oblanceolate, 1.2–2 × 0.4–0.8 cm, abaxiallystrigose, adaxially appressed pubescent, secondary veins 6 or 7 on each side of midvein and obscure, base cuneate, apex truncate to obtuse and cuspidate. Pseudoracemes terminal or opposite a leaf, ca. 2 cm, strigose, with 1–3 flowers. Pedicel 2.5–4 mm. Flowers ca. 6 mm. Calyx ca. 3 × 2 mm. Corolla white, yellow, or rarely pale pink; standard orbicular, pilose. Ovary with trichomes, with numerous ovules. Legume linear, 3.5–4 cm × ca. 4 mm, shortly strigose, apex slightly ascending curved and with a beak; styleremnant sharply reflexed. Seeds 8–14 per legume, brown, oblong-rhomboid, ca. 4 × 3 mm, mottled.

Tephrosiao bovata

Herbs, perennial, small. Stems straggling, appressed pubescent, base woody. Stipules subulate, 2–4 mm. Leaves (9or) 11- or 13-foliolate; rachis ca. 5 cm, including petiole ca. 1.5 cm; leaflet blades obovate, ca. 1.4 × 0.6 cm, both surfaces appressedsericeous but abaxially especially dense,

secondary veins 5–8 on each side of midvein and obscure,

base roundedcuneate, apex emarginate and cuspidate. Pseudoracemesterminalor axillary, short. Flowers ca. 1 cm. Calyx campanulate, ca.3 mm. Corolla red; standard orbicular, outside pubescent. Ovary withtrichomes. Legume linear, 2–2.5 cm × ca. 4 mm, straight, densely velutinous. Seeds 6 or 7 per legume, pale brown, ellipsoid, ca. 2.5 × 2.2 mm.

Tephrosia purpurea

Plants ± pubescent. Stipules ca. 4 mm. Leaflet blades oblong-elliptic to oblanceolate-elliptic, 1.5–3.5 × 0.4–1.4 cm, abaxially appressed pubescent, adaxiallyglabrous. Racemes ca.10 cm, slender. Legume 4–5 cm × 4(–6) mm, with trichomes. Seeds grayish brown, spotted, smooth⁹.

Taxonomy, Morphological and Microscopic characteristics of Tephrrosia purpurea

Taxonomy

Tephrosia purpurea(Linn.) Pers. belongs to the family Fabaceae, occurs throughoutthe Indian subcontinent, thrives well in sandy or loamysoils and also in rocky areas. Tephrosia purpurea (Linn.) Pers.is a copiously branched herbaceous perennial, 30-60cm high, branches spreading, glabrousor sparsely pilose. Leaves 5-10 cm long, petioles 6-12 mm long, stipules linear-subulate, nerved, erect or sometimes reflexed. Leaflets11-21, oblanceolate, obtuse or retuse, mucronate, size ofleaflets varies from 2-2.8 by 0.8-1.2 cm, glabrousabove, clothed with fine appressed silky hair beneath, base cuneate; nerves close, ascending, slender, conspicuous on bothsurfaces; petiolulesof lateral leaflets 1.5-2.5 mm long.

Tephrosiapur purea roots were 8 to 25 cm long, cylindrical, tortuous, tapering and branched with lateral roots;bitter in taste, 0.4 to 4 cm in diameter, surface rough, longitudinally wrinkled and cracked, at places transversely cracked exposing the inner light solid wood. Scars left by the removal of the lateral roots are so prominent, externally brownish yellow, internally pale yellow. Smooth transversely cut surface of the root is circular with thin cork and narrow cortex. Many lateral roots with 2 to 6 cm long, fibrous, externally and internally brownish and pale brown in color respectively.

Microscopic characteristics

Transverse section of Tephrosia purpurea root

Transverse section of mature root showed a well developed periderm consisting of 6 to 10 layers of cork cells,2 to 4 layers of phelloderm and several layers of cortex. Cork cells are tangentially elongated and suberised. Phelloderm is composed of thin-walled parenchymatous cells filled with starch grains and prisms of calcium oxalate crystals. Cortex has parenchymatous cells containing prisms of calcium oxalate crystals and starch grains. Groups of thick walled pericyclic fibres are present at the lower end of cortex. Thick walled fibres, solitaryor in groups of two ormore were present in phloem.

Photoplate shows various layers in roots 10x (figure2a) and xylem and medullary rays in roots 40x (figure 2b)Many cells containing prisms of calcium oxalate crystals are associated with each group of fibres; starch grains are present in phloem parenchyma. Xylem vessel elements distributed singly or in groups of 2 to 4. Starch grains and prisms of calcium oxalate crystals are present in the medullary ray cells. The microscopic characters of roots can serve as diagnostic character and helpful in differentiation of species as well as identification of particular herb. We observed some morphological characters like number of leaflet is varied from one region to another region. Most of the microscopical characters of Tephrosiapurpurea roots are almost similar except we found the reticulate xylem vessel in our study. (Figure 2)

Powder characteristic of Tephrosia purpurea root

Powder was light brown in colour and odor was not characteristic. It was slightly bitter in taste. Microscopic study of powder showed various characters such as phloem fibres, concentric starch grains, pitted and border pitted xylem vessels, reticulate xylem vessels, crystal fibres and groups of cork cells shown in Figure 3.

Formulations ofTephrosia purpurea

1. Routack

Routack is one such polyherbal formulation containing the whole dried plant of Tephrosiapurpurea. These ingredients have specific properties thatmay be useful in ameliorating the pathophysiology of anaphylaxis. The protective effect of this formulation in two different rodent models of anaphylaxis. The models represented the condition developed during an anaphylactic attack. In both these studies, the results suggested that routack offered significant protective effect against anaphylaxis, albeit at higher doses. The polyherbal formulation exhibited substantial protective effect against triple antigen induced anaphylaxis in rats. Routack was uncovered of its activity against systemic anaphylaxis induced by mast cell secretagogue, compound 48/80. This effect can be translated to the clinical side if the formulation can be incorporated as a dietary supplement in patients who are at risk of developing anaphylaxis. The 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of routack was showed significant protective effect¹¹.

2. Livergen

Polyherbal formulations available with a wide range of indications like protective to liver, appetite and growth promoters, gastrointestinal and hepatic regulator, as treatment for hepatic dysfunction, for hepatic regeneration as well as liver stimulant and tonic. Despite the widespread use, there is a lack of scientific evidence on their efficacy and safety. A polyherbal hepatoprotective formulation, namely Livergen was selected from Tephrosia purpurea. The criteria for selection was based on (i) claimed as Ayurvedic medicine, (ii)commercially available, (iii) liquid formulations for easy administration, (iv) with known hepatoprotective and (v) sufficient shelf life. This herbal drug have been traditionally used for liver diseases and the polyherbal formulations, claimed to be Ayurvedic medicines are being sold as liver tonics. The polyherbal hepatoprotective formulation Livergen was effective as hepatoprotective agent in normal dose (2.60 ml/kg bw, orally). The Polyherbal formulation Livergen had shown significant hepatoprptective activity by decreasing the enzyme level of SGOT, SGPT, ALP, Cholesterol, Bilirubin and significant increase in enzyme level of Total protein (P< 0.01)¹².

3. Hepjaun (HA-I)

HA-I is one of the well known proprietary polyherbal formulation, containing aqueous extracts of Tephrosia purpurea crude drugs. The Hepatoprotective activity of Hepjaun syrup (HA-I) and Modified Formulations (HA-II and HA-III) were evaluated and compared statistically after inducing hepatotoxicity in rats by subcutaneous administration of carbon tetra chloride (CCL4) with olive oil as a diluent in 1:1 %v/v on 2nd and 3rd day. The liver damage was confirmed by estimation of elevated levels of Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), serum bilirubin and liver weights. HA-I, HA-II, HA-III pretreatment (500mg/kg) significantly reduces the CCl4 induced elevated serum levels of SGOT, SGPT, SALP and Serum Bilirubin¹³.

Traditional uses

In the Ayurvedic system of medicine, various parts of this plant are used as remedies for impotence, asthma, diarrhoea, gonorrhoea, rheumatism, ulcers and urinary disorders. The plant has been claimed to cure diseases of kidney, liver, spleen, heart, and blood. The dried herb is effective as a tonic laxative, diuretic, and deobstruent. It is also used in the treatment of bronchitis, bilious febrile attacks, boils, pimples and bleeding piles. The roots and seeds reported to have insecticidal and piscicidal properties and they are also used as a vermifuge. In addition, the roots are reported to be effective in the treatment of leprous lesions while their juice is used to treat skin eruptions. An extract of the pods is effective for the treatment of pain, inflammation and their decoction is used to combat vomiting¹⁴. The roots are useful in inflammation, skin diseases, scrofula, elephantiasiasis, dyspepsia, stomachalgia, flatulence, haemorrhoids, asthma, bronchitis, ananemia, hepatosplenomegaly, verminosis, strangury, dysmenorrhoea, chronic fever, boils, pimples, odontalgia and gingivitis. In traditional Indian medicine, Tephrosiapurpurea is a common ingredient of formulations for liver ailments and used for different remedies such as bilious febrile attacks, liver and splenic affections, cirrhosis, hepatitis, piles, syphills and gonorrhoea. It is considered beneficial for liver, kidney, and spleen disorders¹⁵.

Phytochemical studies

The preliminary phytochemical study investigation of all the extract shows the presence of Anthraquinone. Pet ether and ethanol extract shows presence of alkaloids, steroids and sterols, triterpenoids and fixed oil. Ethanol and aqueous extracts shows the presence of flavonoids, while as aqueous extract shows presence of carbohydrate, Protein, Amino acid, tannins and phenolic compounds and saponins¹⁶.The plant of Tephrosia purpurea Linn also shows the presence of glycosides, rotenoids, isoflavones, flavanones, chalcones, flavanols, flavones and sterols¹⁷,coumarins, quercetins¹⁸.

Flavonoids like tephrosin, pongaglabol and semiglabrin have been isolated from aerial parts of the plant¹⁹. Recently invented constituents are as an isoflavone, 7,4-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyisoflavone, and a -tephropurpurin, lanceolatin B, maackiain, 9-methylene-dioxypterocarpan, medicarpin, rotenone, deguelins. Three novel flavonoids, (+)-tephrosinsA, and B and (+)-tephrosone, were also isolated from Tephrosia purpurea. The leaves contain up to 2.5 rutin⁷,2% glycoside osyritin, β-sitosteroland lupeoland root contain isotephrosin²⁰.

Rotenoides and flavonoides like isolonchocarpin and lanceolatin A, lanceolatinB²¹, Purpurenone, a new β-hydroxychalcone, (+)-purpurin, a diasteroisoer of (-)-purpurin, dehydroisodernicin, and (-)-maackiain have been isolated from roots of Tephrosia purpurea²². A new flavone, psedosemiglabrinolhas been isolated along with semiglabrino^[²³.Two new prenylated flavonoids, purpuriteninand purpureamethide, have been characterised from the seeds of Tephrosia purpurea together with the known compounds karanjin, kanjone and sitosterol²⁴. Flavonolslike karanjonoland dibenzoyl methanes like o-methylpongamolhave been isolated from plant of Tephrosia purpurea²⁵.

A new prenylated flavone, named terpurin flavones has been isolated from the stem of this plant²⁶.A new flavanone purpurin has been isolated from benzene extract²⁷and pongamol in its pure enol form has been isolated from the petrol and benzene extracts of whole plant together with β-sitosterol, ursolic acid and spinasterol by column chromatography²⁸.

Pharmacological studies

Antibacterial activity

The methanolic extract of roots was evaluated by Gupta at al²⁹, for its in vitro antimicrobial properties by agar disc diffusion method. The crude methanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea at the concentration ranging between 250 µg/ml and 1000 µ/ml inhibited the growth of both Gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus pers. Micrococcus luteus) and Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomsonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium). The Gram positive bacteria tested appeared to be more susceptible to the extract than the Gram negative bacteria. The extract also showed significant antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans.

In another study by Abayasekara³⁰, ethanolic root extracts of Tephrosia purpurea were found to be active against p. Aeruginosa, two other pseudomonas strains and two coliform strains. Priliminary testing of antimicrobial activity of T. Purpurea against 3 standard cultures (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. Coli) and one clinical isolate of Candida spp. Was performed with water extracts of leaves, pods and roots using the ‘disc diffusion bioassay’. Subsequently, the antimicrobial activity of ethanolic root and leaf extracts against the above three standard isolates and clinical isolates of two strains of Staphylococcus, two strains of Pseudomonas and nine coliforms were tested using the ‘well method’. The active extracts were subjected to the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration agar dilution of each extract. The ethanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea (128 mg/dm³) showed the significant antibiotic activity against the two strains of Staphylococcus, two strains of pseudomonas and nine coliforms.

Anti-inflammatory activity

The ethanolic extract of orally administered Tephrosia purpurea was evaluated by Shenoy Smitha at al³¹, for its anti-inflammatory activity inacute and sub acute inflammation. Carrageenan induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma were the two models for acute and subacute inflammation. The ethanolic extract of orally administered Tephrosia purpurea (100mg/kg) significant anti-inflammatory effect in sub acute inflammation but not in acute inflammation in rats by comparing with standard aspirin.

In another study by Gopalakrishna³², ethanolic extracts of Tephrosia purpurea (250, 500mg/kg, b.w) roots and aerial parts shows significant in acute and sub acute as well as analgesic activity by tail immersion method. Furthermore, the activities of the plant extracts were compared with the standard indomethacin (20mg/kg, ip).

Sree Rama Murthy at al³³, studied the hepatoprotective effect of Tephrosia purpurea in rats by inducing hepatotoxicity with D-galactosamine HCl (acute) and carbon tetrachloride (chronic). Tephrosia purpurea (aerial parts) powder was administered orally at a dose of 500mg/kg. Serum levels of transaminases (SGOT and SGPT) and bilirubin were used as the biochemical markers of hepatotoxicity. Histopathological changes in the liver were also studied. The results of the study indicated that the administration of tephrosia along with the hepatotoxins offered a protective action in both acute (D-galactosamine) and chronic (CCl₄) models.

In another study by Jain³⁴, ethanolic extract of leaves and flavonoid (isolated from leaves extract) from Tephrosia purpurea were evaluated for hepatoprotective activity in rats by inducing hepatotoxicity with carbon tetrachloride. These fractions were administered orally at a dose 100 mg/kg/day. Serum level of transaminases, alkaline phosphate, and total bilirubin were used as biochemical markers of the study indicated that the hepatoprotective changes in the liver were also studied. The results of the study indicated that the hepatoprotective activity was more in ethanolic extract of leaves than isolated flavonoid.

Antihyperglycimic andAntilipidperoxidative activity

Sethupathy at al³⁵, studied the antihyperglycemic and antilipidperoxidative effects of ethanolic seed extract of Tephrosia purpurea (TpEt) in streptozocin induced diabetic rats. Hyperglycemic associated with an altered hexokinase and glucose 6 phosphatase activities, elevated lipid per oxidative, disturbed enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants status were observed in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of “TpEt” at a dose 300mg/kg bw showed significant antihyperglycemic and antilipidperoxidative effects as well as increased the activities of enzymatic antioxidants and levels of non enzymatic antioxidants. The antihyperglycemic effect of plant drug (TpEt) was comparable to that of the reference drug glibenclamide.

Antiepileptic activity

The ethanolic extract of the Tephrosia purpurea was found to be useful to be useful to control lithium-pilocarpine status epilepticus in albino rats of wistar strain. Status epilepticus was induced in male albino rats of wistar strain by administration of pilocarpine (30mg/kg, i.p.) 24 after lithium chloride (3mEq/kg, i.p). Different doses of the extract of Tephrosia purpurea were administered orally one hour before the injection of pilocarpine. The severity of the status epilepticus was reduced with the administration of ethanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea (250, 500, and 1000mg/kg) orally³⁶.

Anti-helicobacter pyroli activity

The methanolic extract (50µg/ml or 25µl) showed promising activity against clinical isolates and standard strains of Helicobacter pyroli, including metronidazole-resistant strains. Fractionation of the extract revealed the n-hexane and chloroform fractions to possess marked activity. The extract and the less polar fractions remained functionally active in acidic condition similar to stomach environment, exhibited consistent bacteriostatic activity during repeated exposure, and demonstrated synergism, complete or partial, even with antibiotic-resistant strains³⁷.

Antihyperlipidemic activity

The ethanolic extract of leaves of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. was evaluated the lipid lowering properties on experimentally Dexamethasone induced rats. The lipid parameters studied are Total cholesterol(TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLD-C), Triglycerides and atherogenic index. Extract was administered orally for eight days at a dose of 600 and 1200mg/kg in Dexamethasone induced rats. The level of TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and Triglycerides were reduced significantly. (p<0.001) while HDL-C level was significantly increased when compared to control groups of rats. In conclusion these suggested that ethanolic extract of leaves of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. can reduce the lipid levels significantly³⁸.

Antiulcer activity

Theaqueous extract (1 to 20 mg/kg) of roots of Tephrosia purpurea (AETP) showed significant antiulcer activity in rats in which gastric ulcers were induced by oral administration of ethanol or 0.6 M HCL or indomethacin or by pyrolic ligation and duodenal ulcers were induced by oral administration of cysteamine HCL. AETP was administration in the dose of 1 to 20 mg/kg orally 30 min prior to ulcer induction. The antiulcer activity was assessed by determining and comparing the ulcer index in the drug group with that of the vehicle control group. Gastric total acid output and pepsin activity were estimated in the pylorus ligated rats. Omeprazole was used as a reference drug³⁹.

Antioxidant activity

The ethanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea (100, 200, and 400mg/kg) exhibits antioxidant activity in vivo and the ethyl acetate soluble fraction has improved antioxidant potential than the extract. The ethyl acetate fraction of the same extract was studied for free radial scavenging and antilipidperoxidation activity. The IC50 values in both of these in vivo assays were found to be significantly reduced for ethyl acetate fraction compared with the ethanolic extract of the plant. The observation was further supported by comparing the in vivo antioxidant activity for both the ethanolic extract and its ethyl acetate fraction⁴⁰.

Wound healing activity

The plant Tephrosia purpurea was found to be effective in healing external wounds. Wound healing potential of ethanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea (5% w/w) (aerial part) in the form of simple ointment using three types of wound models in rats as incision wound, excite on wound and space wound. The results were comparable to standard drug fluticasone propionate ointment, in terms of wound contraction, tensile strength, hitopathological and biochemical parameters such as hydroxyproline content, protein level, etc⁴¹.

Anti-allergic activity

The ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Tephrosia purpurea administered orally at a doses of 50,100 and 200 mg/kg, significantly reduced an elevated WBC count in response to antigen challenge in sensitized mice. The extract also significantly inhibited eosinophil infiltration without any significant change in the mononuclear cell population. The extract failed to alter neutrophil adhesion to nylon fibres. However, it produced a significant inhibitory activity on enzyme lipoxygenase at concentrations of 100 and 200 µg/ml. The inhibitory effect of ethanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea on late-phase allergy could be attributed to the inhibition of leukotriene synthesis⁴².

Anticarcinogenic activity

The ethanolic root extract of Tephrosia purpurea (Linn.) Pers. (TpEt)showed the chemo preventive potential on 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)- induced hamster buccal pouch carcinoma. Oral administration of TpEt at a dose of 300mg/kg, b.w., to DMBA (on alternate days for 14 weeks)- painted animals significantly prevented the incidence, volume and burden of the tumor⁴³.

Anthelmintic activity

The Pet ether, Ethanol, Aqueous extracts of seeds of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. exhibited anthelmintic activity in dose-dependent manner giving shortest time of paralysis and death with 100mg/ml concentration for Pheretima posthuma. Pet ether extract cause paralysis of 27min and earthworm remain alive for 60 min., the aqueous extract shows paralysis within 10.4 min and time of death 46.2 min and the ethanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. cause paralysis within 5.4 min and time of death 10.6 min. Ethanolic extract (50, 100mg/ml) was found to be most potent among the all extract⁴⁴.

Anxiolytic activity

The hydroalcoholic extract of Tephrosia purpurea (L) Pers (HAETP) was evaluated the anxiolytic activity in mice using the elevated plus-maze (EPM), elevated zero-maze(EZM), Y-maze and hole-board models. Furthermore, the anxiolytic effects of HAETP were compared to a known active anxiolytic drug diazepam. The extract, administered orally, in two different doses of HAETP 200mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, was able to increase the time spent and the number of arm entries in the open arms of the elevated plus-maze and elevated zero-maze, as well as decrease the visits by mice in the Y-maze, also significantly increase nose poking, line crossing and rearing in hole-board. This effect was comparable to that of the diazepam (2.0mg/kg). These results indicate that hydroalcoholic extract Tephrosia purpurea (L) Pers is an effective anxiolytic agent⁴⁵.

CONCLUSION:

In recent years, ethnobotanical and traditional uses of natural compounds, especially of plant origin received much attention as they are well tested for their efficacy and generally believed to be safe for human use. They obviously deserve scrutiny on modern scientific lines such as phytochemical investigation, biological evaluation on experimental animal models, toxicity studies and investigation of molecular mechanism of actions of isolated phytoconstituents. Tephrosia purpurea is reported to possess antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antihyperglycemic, antilipidperoxidative, antioxidative, antiallergic, anticarcinogenic, anti-helicobacter pyroli, antiulcer, antihyperlipidemic, antiepileptic, wound healing, anxiolytic and anthelmintic activities but number of other pharmacological activities are yet to be explored. The review emphasis on the utility of Tephrosia purpurea in Ayurvedic well established now in modern medicine system. In future studies, the isolated principles from different parts of the plant needs to be evaluated in scientific manner using specific experimental animal models and clinical specific experimental animal models and clinical trials are to be bone to understand the molecular mechanism of action, in search of lead molecule from natural resources.

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Received on 23.01.2012

Modified on 07.02.2012

Accepted on 12.02.2012

Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 4(2): March-April 2012, 134-143