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ABSTRACT:
Metallochlorophyllin belongs to a group of compound, porphyrins containing a chelated metal ion in the center of the molecule. The central metal atom consists of metals like copper, magnesium, zinc etc with loss of phytol chain. The present study was to extract the metallochlorophyllin from Leucas aspera L. and to check its antifungal activity. The result shows that the metallochlorophyllins (Sodium copper chlorophyllin, Sodium magnesium chlorophyllin, Sodium zinc chlorophyllin) of Leucas aspera L. has significant anti fungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus microsporus with Amphotericin-B (Std) 20 pg /ml as positive control. The active zone of inhibition of Sodium copper chlorophyllin was around 7-15 mm, Sodium magnesium chlorophyllin 15-22 mm, Sodium zinc chlorophyllin 6-10 mm against the pathogenic fungi. This result confirms that the medicinal value of metallochlorophyllins of Leucas aspera L. as an anti fungal sources.
KEYWORDS: Metallochlorophyllins, antifungal, Medicinal plants.
INTRODUCTION:
Medicinal plants produce many chemical compounds for biological functions, including defence against fungi, insects and mammals. Ethnobotany, the study of traditional human uses of plants, is recognized as an effective way to discover future medicines1,2. Researchers found around 120 compounds isolated from the higher plants that were used in modern medicine, from traditional plant sources and more than 80% show a positive correlation between modern therapeutic use and the traditional use of the plants derived3. The World health organization (WHO) estimates the population of some Asian and African countries presently use herbal medicine for some aspect of primary health care. By comparing modern medicines, herbal medicines are grown from seed and gathered from nature for little or no cost.
Chlorophyllin (CHL), a water soluble sodium salt containing sodium and copper as the central metal ion. Metallochlorophyllin is a derivative of chlorophyll in which the chelated metal magnesium is replaced by other metals such as copper, zinc etc. Sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC), copper as the chelated metal was found to be a mixture of copper chelate of chlorophyll derivatives4. It is used as a food additive 5 and medicine for gastrointestinal disorders6. Sodium zinc chlorophyllin (SZC) also known as chlorophyll zinc salt, is a natural green raw material obtained from chlorophyll, made of magnesium with zinc substitution, dark green powder or crystal, soluble in water with green transparent solution without...