Gentiana ornata (Wall. ex G. Don) Griseb, also called decorated gentian or showy gentian, has been used as a decoction plant in temperate regions of Nepal. This work aims to evaluate the phytochemical properties, antioxidant values, and pharmacological properties of this plant collected from Lauribinayak, Gosainkunda Rural Municipality, Rasuwa, Nepal. The extract of whole plant was prepared by cold extraction process at 100% ethanol. Then, the qualitative preliminary phytochemical test of plant extract was performed to know its chemical constituents. The total phenolic content using Folin-Ciocalteu method, total flavonoid content using aluminium chloride colorimetric assay and antioxidant potential of the plant extract were also determined by using diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reagent. The pharmacological activities like oral acute toxicity test, antidiarrheal test and anti-ulcer test were also carried out in laboratory animals. The qualitative phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, anthocyanin, alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenolic constituents. The total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant assay value of this plant extract were 242.64±0.280 mg GAE/g, 39.23±0.005 mg QE/g and 42±0.072 µg/mL respectively. The extract showed no morbidity, mortality, toxicity signs, or symptoms in the oral acute toxicity test. Though it could not show considerable antidiarrheal effect by reducing gastrointestinal motility when compared to the standard drug, loperamide, it showed significant anti-ulcer effects by reducing gastric lesions when compared to the standard drug, sucralfate, which may be due to its mucosal protecting nature. Therefore, isolation and purification of phytochemicals responsible for the pharmacological activity of this plant have been recommended.

Primula bellidifolia has been conformed to occur in Nepal.

Algae play a crucial role in maintaining life on earth, are beneficial to aquatic ecosystems and serve as excellent indicators of water pollution. The current study was carried out to identify algal species from Gunde Lake, Lekhnath, Central Nepal. Microscopic images were taken and studied to identify algal species. A total of 50 species were recorded that belong to 13 orders, 16 families and 29 genera including new records of three taxa for Nepal viz. Cosmarium capense var. nyassae, Staurastrum forficulatum and Staurastrum polytrichum. Among identified taxa, Closterium was the most common genus with 10 species accounting for 20% of the total number of species. The second most common genus was Staurastrum with six species, contributing 12% of the total number of species. Hence, the current study reveals that Gunde Lake is rich in algal flora.