An Investigation on Pharmacological Evaluation of Phytochemicals of Leaves and Seeds of Ricinus Communis Linn – A Review Study

Abstract

The aim was to isolate and characterize the bioactive phytoconstituents present in the leaves and seeds of Ricinus communis L. and to evaluate chemically standardized extracts or selected fractions for hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity under controlled preclinical conditions, with safety assessed before efficacy. Authenticated leaf and seed material, supported by a taxonomist's certificate and a deposited voucher specimen, was processed in parallel but strictly separate streams. Hepatoprotective activity was evaluated in a carbon tetrachloride model with serum biochemistry, hepatic oxidative-stress markers and blinded histopathology as endpoints; anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan-induced hind-paw edema; and analgesic activity by the hot plate and acetic acid writhing tests. In the carbon tetrachloride model the hydroethanolic seed extract at 200 milligrams per kilogram afforded 75.0 per cent protection against the rise in alanine aminotransferase, against 85.9 per cent for silymarin at 100 milligrams per kilogram, with concordant improvement in every other biochemical, oxidative and histological endpoint. In the carrageenan model the triterpenoid-rich fraction at 50 milligrams per kilogram inhibited paw edema by 50.8 per cent at three hours, exceeding the ethanolic leaf extract at 400 milligrams per kilogram, which achieved 44.3 per cent.