Studies on Medicinal Plants of Sri Lanka

Abstract

The major alkaloid of Sida acuta was shown to be cryptolepine which has antimicrobial activity against Proteus vulgaris. Thirty one samples of leaf, stem, root and seed of six Sida species collected from different localities in Sri Lanka were screened for the pharmacologically important alkaloids, cryptolepine, ephedrine, and vasicine. Medicinal applications of S. acuta and S. cordifolia have been related to dieir constituent alkaloids.