Evaluation of Effects of Parthenium Hysterophorus L., Leaves Extracts against Milk-induced Eosinophilia in Mice

Parthenium hysterophorus L., compositae, also known as congress weed, carrot weed, star weed, reaching a height of 2 m in weeks of germination, is believed to have entered India accidentally in the mid 1950's and is now available abundantly all over the India. Leaves are traditionally used in the treatment of asthma and allergy, leavas of the plant were extracted successively using aqueous and ethanol solvents to obtain the respective extracts. In the present study, we have investigated the role of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Parthenium hysterophorus against milk-induced leukocytosis and eosinophilia in albino mice. The results of the study revealed that pretreatment with both the extracts caused significant reduction in the total leukocyte and eosinophil counts in animals in dose-dependent manner. From these results, it can be concluded that the plant Parthenium hysterophorus is having antieosinophilic activity. INTRODUCTION: Parthenium hysterophorus L., compositae, also known as congress weed, carrot weed, star weed, white top, chatak chandani, bitter weed, ramphool, and gajar grass, reaching a height of 2 m in weeks of germination, is believed to have entered India accidentally in the mid 1950's and is now available abundantly all over the India 1 . All parts of the plant are reported to be used as bitter tonic, febrifuge, emmenagogue, antidyscentric, etc. 2 Antimicrobial spermicidal activities 3 and Hypoglycemic effect 4 , Antifungal activity 5 . The plant is used by some people in the state of Maharashtra and Gujarat (India) in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. QUICK RESPONSE CODE DOI: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.5(4).1303-06 Article can be accessed online on: www.ijpsr.com DOI link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.5(4).1303-06 However, no scientific data is available regarding the effect of Parthenium hysterophorus L. on blood glucose level. In the present investigation, we have evaluated effect of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Parthenium hysterophorus against milk-induced eosinophilia in albino mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plant material: Fresh plant of Parthenium hysterophorus L. was collected in the month of July-August and was authenticated at the Plant Anatomy Research Center, Chennai. (Reference No: PARC/203/2012) Preparation of the extract/ drug: The fresh leaves of Parthenium hysterophorus collected and dried under shade, sliced into small pieces with mechanical grinder. The powder was passed through sieve no.30 and stored in a container.Then the marc was defatted with Ethanol 95% (75-78oC) by using hot percolation method (Soxhlet apparatus).