Embilica Officinalis Research Articles

Biodiversity of Jashpur District Chhattisgarh, India

The biodiversity of Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh was studied using the methods of Frequency, density and abundance. For sampling Loro Ghat was taken. In the present study, at about 77 deciduous forest trees species belonging to 31 different families, were identified with their botanical name and their possible uses by the local tribes were recorded. It is observed that the family Fabaceae represent maximum number of seventeen species, followed by Moraceae with 7 species, Combretaceae with 06 species, Myrtaceae with 5 species Rutaceae with 4 species, Anacardiaceae Rubiaceae and Euphorbiaceae with 3 species, respectively. Besides, these families Annonaceae, Apocynaceae, Burseraceae, Embenaceae, Lamiaceae and Meliaceae were found with two species of each in the surveyed area. On the basis of data analysis Butea monosperma showed their maximum frequency, density and abundance i.e., 0.507, 1.074 and 2.117 respectively, during the sampling, and then followed by Cassia fistula and Shorea robusta with 0.313 and 0.388, respectively. On the other hand, Embilica officinalis, Ficus bengalensis, F. carica, F. glomerata, Pongamia pinnata and Pterocarpus marsupium showed minimum distribution in the forest. Surprisingly, the species like Santalum album, Mangifera indica and Annona reticulate, Terminalia arjuna and Tectona grandis were appeared with high abundance.

Advances in Management of Ovarian Cancer through Natural Resources: An Update

Since times immemorial, mankind has been dependent on Mother Nature in terms of natural resources for alleviating its sufferings. As per W.H.O., developing countries should fully explore their flora and fauna to become economically self-reliant. Country India enjoys having diverse climatic conditions of heavy rainfall, sandy deserts & snow-clad mountains, which play a perfect condition and host for the growth of plenty of medicinal plants with desirable phytoconstituents. Presently mankind is suffering from many diseases that were not so common in the olden days. Does it is a signal from our mother Nature to once again rediscover its treasure of natural resources for exploring answers for various prophylaxis and therapeutic needs of modern-day disorders and diseases? Cancer is the most fatal disease worldwide caused due to the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Ovarian Cancer is the fifth leading cause of death in females. The incidence and mortality rate of Ovarian Cancer is increasing day by day across the world. Biomarkers such as CA125, HE4, OVA1, and Cancer stem cells have been used for the detection of Ovarian Cancer. The current treatment of Ovarian Cancer is surgery and some common treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, adoptive cell therapy, use of medicinal plants and their derivatives. Some prominent medicinal plants like Quercus tinctoria, Curcuma longa, Taxus brevifolia, Allium sativum, Asparagus racemosa, Camptotheca acuminate, Symplocus racemosa, Ginkgo biloba, Genistein, Zingiber officinale, Azadirachta indica, Embilica officinalis, Podophyllum peltatum, Camellia sinensis, Saraca indica. A large number of phytochemicals which has anticancer compounds are flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, carotenoids, phenolics, and organosulfur compounds. Ayurvedic drugs highly effective on Ovarian Cancer are Arka, Bhallataka, Ahipena, Bhanga, Vishamushti, and Jayapala. The diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer in the initial stage is not possible mainly due to a lack of awareness on patients’ behalf. The main effective parameter is imaging for checking the extent and location of the disease. Some other parameters also included physical examination and transvaginal ultrasonography. Thus, the present review is an attempt to compile published reports through authentic sources regarding the current management scenario of Ovarian Cancer with the help of natural drugs or medicinal plants that inhibits or hinders the growth of cancer cell, which may serve as a ready reference for future researchers.

Anti-urinary tract infection activity of selected herbal extract towards isolated Kosakonia cowanii (OQ 073698)

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is one of the most common types of infection caused by the gastrointestinal tract of humans. UTI is the most common in women because a women''s urethra is shorter. In the present investigation, four UTI-causing bacteria were isolated on MacConkeys as well as on UTI agar media which is selective for UTI pathogens only. The isolated bacteria were tested for antibiotic resistance towards the selective antibiotics Ampicillin (10µg), Penicillin (10µg), and Chloramphenicol (30µg). Based on antibiotic resistance and morbific nature, the organism was screened. On the basis of morphological, biochemical characteristics and the 16S r-RNA sequencing method the organism was identified as Kosakonia cowanii. The nucleotide sequence was deposited to NCBI and received a unique accession number (OQ 073698). The anti-UTI activity was performed towards selective medicinal herbs by using ethanol, methanol and water as solvent extraction methods. The Embilica officinalis ethanolic extract (1 mg/ml) and standard antibiotic chloramphenicol showed 1.8 mm zone of inhibition against K. cowanii (OQ 073698). From the present study, it is concluded that E. officinalis ethanolic extract was effective to treat UTI infection. Another core finding from the present study includes - an isolated pathogen that was earlier resistant to ampicillin but when combines with E. officinalis and Boerhavia diffusa ethanolic extracts separately showed 2.0 mm zone of inhibition.

Amla possesses antifungal potential against and

The present study was carried out to evaluate antifungal activity of methanolic extract from Emblica officinalis leaves against three phytopathogens viz., Alternaria alternate, Bipolaris specifera and Curvuleria lunata. Inhibitory potential of methanolic extract was analyzed by poisoned food technique in which different concentrations of test material were prepared in sterilized potato dextrose agar. Results of the present study revealed that Embilica officinalis has potential activity against the three test pathogens with IC value of 0.91±0.01 mg/mL, 1±0.015 mg/mL and 1.1±0.0152 mg/mL against Bipolaris specifera, Alternaria alternata and Curvuleria lunata respectively. Amla has some potential antifungal activity for the prevention and treatment of fungal infections.

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE INVITRO ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS AGAINST PATHOGENIC VIBRIO SPECIES FROM DISEASED PENAEUS MONODON (FAB)

The pathogenic Vibrio sp. were isolated from diseased shrimp of Penaeus monodon (FAB) using TCBS agar medium by streak plate method. Acalipha indica (L), Vinca rosea (L), Embilica officinalis (G), Ocimum sanctum(L) and Lucas aspera (L) medicinal plants are one of the most commonly used natural antimicrobial agents used traditionally. Hence an attempt has been made to screen the antivibrio activity of some selected medicinal plants against pathogenic Vibrio sp by disk diffusion method. Among the five plants tested, water extract of Lucas aspera showed the maximum zone of inhibition against Vibrio cholerae (18±3.4 mm in diameter) and the alcohol extract showed the maximum zone of inhibition against Vibrio harveyi (NL) (16±3 mm in diameter).

Embilica officinalis L. inhibits the growth and proliferation of Leishmania donovani through the induction of ultrastructural changes, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and apoptosis-like cell death

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by a protozoan parasite, Leishmania donovani (L. donovani). It affects around 1–2 million people around the world annually. There is an urgent need to investigate new medicament of it due to difficult method of drug administration, long period of treatment, high cost of the drug, adverse side-effects, low efficacy and development of parasite resistance to the available drugs. Medicinal plants have also been used for the treatment of different diseases in traditional system of medicines due to their holistic effects. The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland has already started the program for identification of potential medicinal plant and plant products having antileishmanial potential. Keeping all these in consideration, we planned to study the antileishmanial activity of one of the medicinal plant, Embilica officinalis L. (EO) fruit extract. EO fruit extract inhibited the growth and proliferation of promastigotes as well as intra-macrophagic amastigotes in dose-dependent manner. EO fruit extract induced morphological and ultrastructural changes in parasites as observed under Electron Microscope. It also induced the oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA laddering and apotosis-like cell death in parasites. Here, we for the first time reported such a detailed mechanism of action of antileishmanial activity of EO fruit extract. Our results suggested that EO fruit extract could be used for the development of new phytomedicine against leishmaniasis.

In-silico Inhibitory Potential of Triphala Constituents Against Cytochrome P450 2E1 for the Prevention of Thioacetamide-induced Hepatotoxicity

Background: Triphala, which is a combination of fruits of Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica and Embilica officinalis generally recommended as herbal drug formulation in the Indian traditional medicine system.
 Study Design: To study the in-silico inhibitory potential of Triphala constituents against cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) for the prevention of Thioacetamide-induced Hepatotoxicity
 Place and Duration of Study: The work has been performed at MUP's College of Pharmacy (B Pharm), Degaon, Risod, Washim, Maharashtra, India in between February 2021 to May 2021.
 Methodology: We have studied the inhibitory potential of Triphala on CYP2E1 by applying molecular docking tools. The major chemical constituents of Triphala i.e. gallic acid, chebulic acid, ellagic acid, epicatechin, syringic acid, and ascorbic acid were docked on CYP2E1.
 Results: Docking results revealed the very good inhibitory potential of Triphala in terms of binding affinity towards CYP2E1. All the chemical constituents have formed at least 2 and at most 6 hydrogen bonds with the crystal structure of CYP2E1. The binding energies (kcal/mol) of gallic acid, chebulic acid, ellagic acid, epicatechin, syringic acid, and ascorbic acid are -6.1, -7.1, -9.1, -8.3, -6.3, and -5.7, respectively. Ellagic acid has formed strong hydrogen bonds with Thr-303 and Thr-304 with bond length of 1.98 A0 and 2.26 A0 which confirms the excellent inhibition of CYP2E1.
 Conclusion: These findings can be used to control the CYP2E1-facilitated biotransformation and drug interactions in the development of new chemical entities. In future, these phytoconstituents can be used as lead molecules to overcome the cancer associated with oxidative stress resulting from the hyperactivity of CYP2E1.

PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIMICROBIAL SCREENING OF UDHARA VAYUHARA CHURNA

Ayurvedic medicines are being used increasingly to fight or prevent common diseases. Udhara vayuhara churna is a polyherbal formulation containing Piper longum (Piperceae) Zingiber officinalis (Zingiberaceae), Elettaria cardamom (Zingiberaceae), Plumbago zeylanica (Plumbaginaceae), Carum carvi (Umbelliferae), Acorus calamus (Araceae) and Embilica officinalis (Euphorbiaceae). Methanolic and aqueous extracts of Udhara vayuhara churna were screened for their antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The results of antimicrobial activity of aqueous and methanolic extracts of the Udhara vayuhara churna indicated that methanolic extract inhibited the growth of one or more test pathogens than aqueous extract. Udhara vayuhara churna formulation extracts showed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids and essential oils. This may be due to the multifunctional effect of all the seven plant ingredients of Udhara Vayuhara churn.

Pharmacognostical and pharmaceutical analysis of Triphala Kajjali tablet-an ayurvedic herbomineral formulation for metabolic syndrome

Background: Triphala is one of the most easily available and commonly used medicine which contains fine powder of three fruits viz. Terminalia chebula Retz. (Haritaki), Terminalia bellerica Roxb. (Bibhitaki) and Embilica officinalis Gaertn. (Amalaki) and is indicated as one of the drugs for management of disorders of Kapha and Meda. Due to bitter and astringent taste of Triphala in the powder form is a major complaint of the patients. So, to discover that form of Triphala, which is easy to take, effective in low dose, has long shelf life and simple to dispense is the need. For assurance of quality of herbal compounds pharmacognostical and pharmaceutical analysis should be done. Methods: Triphala Kajjali was subjected to microscopic evaluation for pharmacognostical, physiochemical analysis like hardness, weight variation, loss on drying, ash value, acid insoluble extract, pH value, water soluble extract, alcohol soluble extract and high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC).Results: Pharmacognostical study showed the presence of certain identifying characters of all of the ingredients of Triphala Kajjali that is Haritaki, Bibhitaki and Amalaki. In pharmaceutical study, preliminary physiochemical analysis showed that hardness of the tablet was 2.05 kg/cm2, ash value 4.03%w/w, loss on drying 5.5%w/w, water soluble extract 5.89%w/w, alcohol soluble extract 25.96%w/w and HPTLC showed 7 spots in 254 nm and 7 spots in 366 nm.Conclusions: Pharmacognostical and physico-chemical observations revealed the specific characters of all active constituents of Triphala Kajjali and confirmed the purity and genuinity of the drug.

Effect of Probiotic and Amla Powder Supplementation on Metabolic Profile and Milk Production of Summer Stressed Buffaloes Residing in Heavy Metal Polluted Areas of Ludhiana

Background: Oxidative stress is a unified concept for the assessment of metabolic status of buffaloes affected by a cocktail of heavy metal exposure from environment and it may significantly affect the metabolic profile and milk production during summer season. The present study aimed at evaluation of effect of probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 1026) and amla powder (Embilica officinalis) supplementation on levels of heavy metals, antioxidant status, oxidative stress in lymphocytes, metabolic profile and milk production of summer stressed buffaloes exposed to environmental heavy metal pollution. Methods: Twenty summer stressed lactating Murrah buffaloes of the same age group, close parity and in early lactation from the heavy metal exposed area were divided into two groups: Control (without supplementation) and Treatment group (supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae1026) @ 50 billion live cells / animal /day and Amla powder @ 86 mg/kg body weight for 30 days. Blood and milk samples were collected from both the groups on the day of starting of supplementation (i.e. day 0) and on there after days 15 and 30 and analyzed for antioxidant status, metabolic profile, milk yield and quality.Result: Oral supplementation of probiotic and amla powder for 30 days improved the antioxidant status, metabolic profile and milk production of summer stressed buffaloes residing in heavy metal exposed area. The percentage monetary gains from buffaloes fed probiotic and amla powder was 13.68% more as compared to control.

Effect of feeding Embilica officinalis (Amla) on milk quality in cattle affected with subclinical mastitis

Effect of feeding Embilica officinalis (Amla) on milk quality in cattle affected with subclinical mastitis

Comparative evaluation of antiulcer activity of combination of extracts of Embilica officinalis Gaertn and Musa sapientum Linn in rats

The present study is to evaluate the anti-ulcer activity of methanolic extract of unripe fruits of Musa Sapientum Linn. and the fresh juice of the fruits of Emblica Officinalis Gaertn in Wistar rats. The methanolic extract unripened fruits of Musa Sapientum Linn. and the fresh juice of the fruits of Emblica Officinalis Gaertn were combined and evaluated for the gastroprotective activity by ethanol-induced model and indomethacin-induced model in rats at a dose of 25mg/kg (p.o) and 50mg/kg (p.o) respectively. Biochemical parameters like ulcer index, the volume of gastric juice, pH of gastric juice, free acidity and total acidity were studied. The unripe fruits of Musa and the fresh juice of Embilica will contain flavonoids, flavones, abscisic acid which shows a significant reduction in gastric volume, pH, free acidity, total acidity and ulcer index at the doses of 25mg/kg (p.o) and 50mg/kg (p.o). The results show that the unripe fruits 0f Musa Sapientum Linn. and fresh juice from the fruits of Emblica Officinalis Gaertn will combinedly possess greater antiulcer activity than that of the individual drugs.

Triphala: A phytomedicine for local drug delivery – A strategic intervention

Background:In the Indian system of medicine (ISM) Triphala is one of the oldest and longest used natural herbal remedy which consist of mixture of equal parts of the Embilica officinalis Gaertn. (Family- Euphorbiaceae), Terminalia Chebula Retz. (Family- Combretaceae) and Terminalia beleria [Gaertn.] Roxb. (Family- Combretaceae). Currently, Triphala is being extensively researched for its various therapeutic effects including its anti-caries, antioxidant, anti-collagenase and anti-microbial activities. This fruit extract is used in various forms in the treatment of periodontitis.Aim:The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical and microbiological benefits of routine scaling and root planing (SRP) with adjunctive use of Triphala (Hiora GA) as local drug delivery agent in the management of periodontitis.Materials and Methods:Thirteen patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis were included in the present study. The control sites received SRP alone and the test sites received SRP with locally delivered Triphala (Hiora GA). The clinical parameters were evaluated at baseline, 15 days and 1 month. The plaque samples were cultured anaerobically for the keystone-periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella intermedia. The Mann–Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed to compare the results between the test and control groups.Results:Statistically significant improvement was observed in both groups. Intergroup comparison of prevalence of microorganisms also revealed a statistically significant difference (P = 0.0007) at 15 days and 1 month.Conclusion:Subgingivally delivered Triphala (Hiora GA) as an adjunct to SRP in the treatment of chronic periodontitis has shown anticipative results revealing slow and constant releasing property of Triphala.

Thermal assisted high-pressure processing of Indian gooseberry (Embilica officinalis L.) juice – Impact on colour and nutritional attributes

The effect of thermal assisted high-pressure processing (THPP) on the physicochemical properties, bioactive functional compounds and antioxidant capacity of Indian gooseberry juice was investigated within the domain of 200–500 MPa, 1 s-20 min and 30–60 °C. THPP did not significantly (p > 0.05) affect the pH, TSS and titrable acidity of the juice. Lightness (L*) of the juice was increased after processing and about 85% of ascorbic acid (AA) was retained after THPP at the extreme condition. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total phenolic content (TPC) in THPP treated samples increased with an increase in pressure upto 50 °C (20 and 28% respectively); temperature had a major degradation effect on these. Factor analysis revealed that AA content in the juice was the most sensitive response influenced by THPP. The degradation of ascorbic acid in the juice during THPP followed the first-order kinetics. The AA degradation rate (k) ranged from 1.57 × 10−3- 2.013 × 10−3 min−1. Within the studied domain, the activation volume for AA degradation ranged from 1.65 to 2.78 mL mol−1 and the activation energy between 12.5 and 16.4 kJ mol−1. The secondary model was developed for AA rate constant as a function of pressure and temperature within the domain.

Local indigenous fruit-derived juices as alternate source of acidity regulators.

Acidity regulators are additives that alter and control food acidity. The objective of this study was to explore local indigenous fruits as sources of natural acidity regulators. Juices extracted from Garcinia indica (kokum), Embilica officinalis (amla) and Tamarindus indica (tamarind) were used as acidulants for media such as coconut milk and bottle gourd juice. The buffering capacity β, acid composition, antioxidant activity and shelf-life study of the acidified media were estimated. Potentiometric titration showed G. indica to possess the highest buffering capacity in both ranges. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed T. indica contained a high level of tartaric acid (4.84 ± 0.01 mg g-1 ), while G. indica had citric acid (22.37 ± 0.84 mg g-1 ) and E. officinalis had citric acid (2.75 ± 0.02 mg g-1 ) along with ascorbic acid (2.68 ± 0.01 mg g-1 ). 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity was high for E. officinalis (91.24 ± 0.66%) and T. indica (90.93 ± 0.817%) and relatively lower for G. indica (34.61 ± 3.66%). The shelf-life study showed total plate count to be within the prescribed limits up to a week, in accordance with safety regulations. This investigation confirmed the suitability of indigenous fruit juices as alternatives to existing acidity regulators. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Cadmium Induced Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats: Ameliorative Effect of Quercetin and Embilica Officinalis Plant Extracts

Cadmium Induced Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats: Ameliorative Effect of Quercetin and Embilica Officinalis Plant Extracts

Agri–Silvi–Horti Systems for Semiarid Regions of North-West India

Reduction in yield of arable crops under agroforestry in the tropics and subtropics is well known, but information on how different agroforestry systems influence the yield of crops is scanty. All types of agroforestry models may not be useful for all sites, but the old and traditional practices can be manipulated for meeting site-specific needs. Therefore, various agroforestry models (agri–silvi–horti systems) were developed to study their performance under semiarid conditions in north-west India. The experiment was conducted in ten-year-old silvi–horti systems comprising of shisham (Dalbergia sissoo L.) + aonla (Embilica officinalis Gaertn.), shisham (D. sissoo) + guava (Psidium guajava L.), khejri (Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce) + aonla (E. officinalis) and khejri (P. cineraria) + guava (P. guajava) planted at a spacing of 6 m × 6 m. Three crop sequences, viz. cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)—wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub)—barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) R. Br.)—oat (Avena sativa L.), were intecropped for 2 years. The crops were also grown in open field. The fodder yield of the kharif crops, namely pearl millet, cowpea and cluster bean, was significantly suppressed by different silvi–horti systems during the period of study, and maximum yield was observed in sole cropping. Among different silvi–horti systems, maximum fodder yield of cowpea (10.27 t/ha) and clusterbean (5.67 t/ha) was recorded under khejri + guava, whereas pearl millet fodder yield (18.93 t/ha) was maximum in khejri + aonla silvi–horti system. Minimum fodder yield (3.47 t/ha) was recorded in clusterbean under shisham + guava, whereas maximum fodder yield (29.3 t/ha) was recorded in pearl millet under sole cropping. In rabi season, maximum grain yield of wheat (4.07 t/ha) and barley (4.38 t/ha) was recorded under sole cropping while minimum yield of wheat (2.34 t/ha) and barley (2.79 t/ha) was recorded under shisham + aonla. Fodder yield of oat was also influenced significantly by different silvi–horti systems. Maximum oat fodder yield of 62.00 t/ha was harvested from open field followed by 56.20 t/ha under khejri + guava. Maximum fruit yield (13.40 t/ha) was observed in aonla + wheat + khejri agri–silvi–horti system. Appreciable build up in organic carbon content (OC) and decrease in soil pH under agri–silvi–horti systems as compared to sole cropping. The available NPK content also increased under agri–silvi–horti systems and decreased with increasing soil depth. The agri–silvi–horti system of khejri + guava + clusterbean–barley fetched higher net returns (Rs. 76,650/ha), while the net returns from sole cropping of clusterbean–barley was only Rs. 15,953/ha.

Anti Bacterial Efficacy of Terminalia Chebula, Terminalia Bellirica, Embilica Officinalis and Triphala on Salivary Streptococcus Mutans Count - A Linear Randomized Cross Over Trial.

From the oral health perspective, it is well established that microorganisms have an important role in caries aetiology. From the dawn of civilization, herbal plants have served an array of roles. Triphala a tradtional herbal Ayurvedic formula consists of three native fruits of india including Terminalia Chebula (T. chebula), Terminalia Bellirica (T. bellirica) and Embilica Officinalis (E. officinalis). As per Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI) Triphala is prepared by combining a 1:1:1 mixture of ground dry fruits called myrobalans. Till date, an inadequate number of clinical researches on herb based mouth rinses have been reported in Asia, especially in India and other Southeast Asian countries (where these products are most accepted and widely used). The present study was planned to assess the effectiveness of Triphala with its three constituents. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Triphala, T. chebula, T. bellirica and E. officinalis aqueous extract rinses separately on Streptococcusmutans count at various time intervals. This is a double-blind, linear cross over, within group experimental trial conducted among subjects visiting the Department of Public Health Dentistry aged 15 to 40 years. In this design, subjects received all of the treatments sequentially in time. The independent variables to be assessed in this study were all the four interventions of herbal preparations used and the dependent variable assessed is anti bacterial efficacy. Each subject receives two or more different treatments. All the subjects were exposed to all four interventions: 1) T. chebula; 2) T. bellirica; 3) E. officinalis; and 4) Triphala and were provided 15 ml of the freshly prepared 10% rinse. The subjects were instructed not to eat or drink between salivary samples collection. Post rinse unstimulated salivary samples were collected at five minutes and 60 minutes intervals. All the salivary samples were transferred immediately to microbiological laboratory in sterile containers within one hour for microbiological analysis. The mean Colony Forming Units (CFUs) of S. mutans with Triphala when compared to other three intervention was significantly reduced at 5 minutes and 60 minutes (p=0.001). E. officinalis showed least reduction of mean CFUs when compared to other three groups. It can be concluded that all four rinses were effective in reducing S. mutans CFUs, but 10% Triphala has greater efficacy than its other constituents.

Productivity and economics of different agri-silvi-horti systems under drip irrigation

A field experiment was conducted in two years old fruit and tree species namely shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) + aonla (Embilica officinalis), shisham (D. sissoo) + guava (Psidium guajava), khejri (Prosopis cineraria) + aonla (E. officinalis) and khejri (P. cineraria) + guava (P. guajava) during 2007-08 and 2008-09 planted at a spacing of 6m×6m. The crop sequences, viz. ridgegourd (Lifa acutangula) - tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), moongbean (Vigna radiata) - fallow and cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) - fallow were raised in the interspaces of the trees. Ridgegourd and tomato were raised with drip irrigation, while moongbean and cluster bean were raised as rainfed. The trees and crops were subjected to three drip irrigation treatments, viz. T1 (100% ETc), T2 (70% ETc) and T3 (40% ETc) with three replications per treatment. Yield of intercrops was not affected by the different silvi-horti systems. The irrigation treatments influenced the yield of crops and growth of trees. Maximum yield (39323 kg/ha) of tomato and growth of trees was recorded under 100% replenishment of water except in case of shisham, where maximum height (803.0 cm), diameter (15.4 cm) and crown spread (550 cm2) was recorded under 70% replenishment of water after 48 months of plantation. Maximum irrigation water use efficiency (19.34 g/l) was recorded for ridgegourd under 40% replenishment of water when grown in association with khejri + aonla. Intercropping of tomato and ridgegourd with khejri + guava was found most remunerative with maximum NPV, BC ratio and net returns after sole cropping.

Traditional Utilization and Harvesting of Medicinal Plants in Mandla District of Madhya Pradesh

Utilization and harvesting practices of medicinal plants used by local people of Ghughri block in Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh was studied through questionnaire survey. The study resulted in the documentation of 43 medicinal plants of these 95% was used by traditional healers for curing various diseases. Tree species were used in maximum cases, followed by herbs and shrubs. Tree bark was the most used plant part for medicinal purpose, followed by root. In all studied villages, the quantities of medicinal plants collection for own consumption was higher than the quantity collected for sale. Species like Embilica officinalis, Terminalia bellirica, Aegle marmelos, Semecarpus anacardium, Buchanania lanzan, Terminalia chebula, and Syzygium cumini were mainly used by local people for own consumption and not for sale. There was almost consistency in collection of medicinal plants across the studied villages however the collection was determined by the season of species availability. Some species being rare and found in limited area was either not collected or collected by a few villagers. The findings of the study are further discussed in the sustainability perspective of medicinal plants and traditional healing systems.