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Scutellaria (Lamiaceae), which contains over 350 species, usually known as skullcaps, is found throughout Europe, the United States, and East Asia. In traditional Chinese medicine, several species are used to wipe out heat-evil and remove surface ills (TCM). The current study examines the ethnopharmacology, biological activity, and chemical substances associated with Scutellaria species. More than 295 chemicals, including flavonoids and diterpenes, have been identified. Scutellaria and its active principles have been shown in studies to have a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifeedant, phytotoxic, acaricidal toxicity, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antianalgesic activities. Currently, effective monomeric compounds or active components from Scutellaria have been evaluated for pharmacological action in vivo and in vitro. More data facilitates applications and exploitation of novel medication development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The medicinal plants signify a massive basin of potential phytoconstituents that could be valuable as a substitute to allopathic drugs or considered as an analogue in drug development. Phyllanthus nlrurl L. (Euphorbiaceae) is generally used in traditional medicine to treat ulcer and inflammation. In this project we investigated the methanolic extract of leaves of Phyllanthus nlrurl for anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activity. Methods: The anti-inflammatory activity of methanol extract of Phyllanthus nlrurl leaves was evaluated at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. while using ibuprofen (20 mg/kg, p.o) as the standard drug. The animals used were Swiss albino rats. Inflammation was induced by injecting 0.1 ml carrageenan (1% w/v) into the left hind paw. Paw tissues from the different groups were examined for inflammatory cell infiltration. On the other hand, antiulcer activity of methanolic extract of P. nlrurl leaves at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. were examined against ethanol-acid induced gastric mucosal injury in the Swiss albino rats - keeping omeprazole (20 mg/kg, p.o.) as reference. The rats were dissected and the stomachs were macroscopically examined to identify hemorrhagic lesions in the glandular mucosa. Results: P. nlrurl significantly (p < 0.01) decreased carrageenan-induced paw edema; it exhibited a reduction of 46.80%, 55.32% and 69.14% at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. These findings were further supported by the histological study. The methanolic extract also disclosed good protective effect against ethanol-acid induced gastric mucosal injury in the rats. Administration of the extract's doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) demonstrated a significant (p < 0.01) reduction in the ethanol-acid induced gastric erosion in all the experimental groups when compared to the control. The methanolic extract at the higher dose (400 mg/kg) resulted in better inhibition of ethanol-acid induced gastric ulcer as compare to omeprazole (20 mg/kg). Histological studies of the gastric wall revealed that toxic control rats revealed mucosal degeneration, ulceration and migration of numerous inflammatory cells throughout the section. On the other hand, MEPN treatment groups showed significant regeneration of mucosal layer and significantly prevented the formation of hemorrhage and edema. Conclusions: The investigation suggests that methanolic extract of P. nlrurl leaf possess anti-inflammatory activity and promotes ulcer protection as ascertained by regeneration of mucosal layer and substantial prevention of the formation of hemorrhage and edema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]