Abstract

In the present study, the ethanol extracts of two plant species namely Hymenodictyon excelsum Roxb. Wall and Mussaenda corymbosa Roxb. from the Rubiaceae family were screened for their phytochemical and pharmacological activities. Phytochemical investigations revealed the presence of important chemical moieties such as alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, falvonoids, saponins, reducing sugars etc. Extracts of M. corymbosa (EMC) showed potent 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition at 100 µg/ml. In the antimicrobial activity test by disc diffusion method, the extract of H. excelsum (EHE) showed poor antibacterial activity but good antifungal activity and it strongly inhibited the species, Trichophyton sp. Whereas, EMC at dose of 500 µg/disc showed strong inhibition against Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, Salmonella typhi but it was inactive against the test fungi. EHE and EMC showed potent anti-inflammatory, membranstabilizing, analgesic, antipyretic, and moderate amylase inhibition activities. H. excelsum showed stronger central nervous system (CNS) depressing activity on Swiss mice compared to EMC. In conclusion, the plant species may be considered as a medicinal plant and therefore its folk use and further exploitation.

Key words: Investigantions, Hymenodictyon excelsum, Mussaenda corymbosa, pharmacological, phytochemical.