Abstract
The present study was aimed for the phytochemical screening of Phlebodium decumanum (Willd.) J. Sm. (PD) and Bauhinia variegata (L.) Benth. and their synergistic efficacy for the treatment of psoriasis. Herb extract ratio followed by Pharmacognostical screening for both the plants (PD and BV). Thereafter, TLC was performed to detect the constituents. Furthermore, two different dose levels (200 mg/ kg b.w., and 400 mg/kg. b.w.) were used for both the methanol extracts (based on acute toxicity study) and the result was compared with standard Rentino A (0.05%). Psoriasis severity index (PSI) according to the phenotypic changes (redness, erythema, and scales) and histological features (epidermal thickness) were evaluated for 28 days. Finally, the correlation study was performed between the activity, yield of extract and constituent present. Series of chemical tests revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids and polyphenols in both PD and BV plants and based on the chemical nature further Quercetin (flavonoid) was isolated from both the plants. Further, resulted progressive reduction (p<0.05) in the severity of psoriatic lesions (redness, erythema, and scales from histopathology study) from the 7th day to the 28th days and decreased epidermal thickness in animals treated with combined extracts at a dose of 400 mg/kg b.w. Finally, the result concluded that the isolated Quercetin showed significant antipsoriasis activity when compared with the combination of methanolic extract of both the studies plants by the mechanism of inhibition of the keratinocyte proliferation.