Small Perennial Herb Research Articles

Pharmacognostic and Preliminary Phytochemical Evaluation of root of Coptis teeta Wall.

Coptis teeta Wall. (Family: Ranunculaceae) is a a small perennial herb also known as golden thread herb, Mamira and Mishmi. It is used in the treatment of ailments in traditional Systems of Medicine i.e., Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Chinese system of medicine. The aim of the studies was Morphoanatomical, powder analysis, and preliminary Phytochemical evaluation of the root of Coptis teeta Wall. Anatomical, powder microscopical studies and Physicochemical evaluation were carried out according to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Powder analysis histochemical test and preliminary phytochemical screening were carried out as per standard protocol. Microscopic studies of the root of Coptis teeta Showing Bark consists of periderm, secondary cortex, phloem or bast cells; Periderm consists of phellem, phellogen , phelloderm; Secondary cortex shows outer and inner cortex, Secondary phloem cells; Xylem cells consists of xylem vessels and tracheid and . pith (pi) at the middle of the root. Physicochemical studies showed total ash (3.69%), acid-insoluble ash (0.782%), alcohol-soluble extractive values (17.963 %), and water-soluble extractive values (32.344 %). Preliminary phytochemical screening reveals the presence of carbohydrates, protein, glycosides, phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and steroids. Pharmacognostic characters and a physicochemical parameter can be used as standards for the authentication of plants and detection of adulteration.

Studies on viability and efficacy of various invigoration techniques to improve germination parameters of Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb.

Bergenia ciliata, a small perennial herb with lithotriptic properties, belongs to the family Saxifragaceae. The rhizome, which is also the most significant commercial part of this plant, is typically used for propagation since the seeds are very tiny with poor viability and germination capacity. Seed invigoration is a well-recognized and effective technique to improve seed germination potential, ensure establishment, and enhance yield under varying environments. Thus, the present investigation aimed to study the seed viability as well as the effect of various invigoration techniques on germination parameters and seedling vigor of B. ciliata. Seeds were primed with 14 distinct conventional treatments varied either with concentrations or duration of exposures. Standardized method was followed for seed germination test, and the emerged seedlings were allowed to grow until day 15 when the various seedling parameters were analyzed. Seed soaking in TZ solution followed by bleaching with 4% NaOCl for 20 min recorded 88.5–95.8% viability. Results also indicated that germination and seedling growth parameters were greater under all priming treatments as compared to control. The maximum germination rate (93.75%) was observed under GA3@25 ppm. Total seedling length, dry weight and SVI were found to be higher under pre-sowing seed treatment with GA3@25 ppm in comparison with control or other treatments. Better activation of ‘pre-germinative metabolisms’ in primed seeds might result in improved germination and other indices. Moreover, the PCA and cluster analysis revealed that various pre-sowing treatments particularly GA3 would be recommended for improved seed germination of B. ciliata.

Biochemical, Molecular Characterization, Antioxidant, And Cytotoxicity Of Dicliptera Bupleuroides With Potential Drug Discovery: In Vitro And In Silico Analysis

AbstractDicliptera is a genus belonging to family Acanthaceae. Dicliptera bupleuroides is a small perennial herb commonly known as roxburg's foldwing. It is locally used in folkloric medicines for the treatment of different diseases and as a general tonic for wound healing. The current investigational study was to optimize solvent extraction protocol, to identify quantitative and qualitative biochemical composition, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of D. bupleuroides and to characterize the gene associated with biosynthesis of flavonol. The plant of D. bupleuroides was collected from district Abbottabad and separated into its four parts including leaf, stem, flower, and root. To extract the biochemical compounds, five different solvents were used such as methanol, acidified methanol, 80 % methanol, ethyl acetate, and n‐butanol. Total phenolic, flavonoids, flavonol, flavanol (catechin), and anthocyanin contents were determined and antioxidant potential of the extracts was evaluated using various antioxidant assays. The methanolic extracts of D. bupleuroides showed promising antioxidant potential towards DPPH, ABTS, H2O2, ferric, phosphomolybdate and hydroxyl radical scavenging capabilities.The extracts obtained from the solvents mentioned above were tested for cytotoxicity using the 3T3 cell line by using mouse fibroblast cells. The results indicated that none of the extracts demonstrated any toxic effects on the cells, suggesting that they are non‐toxic. The RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized using reverse transcriptase enzyme. Degenerate primers for dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR) gene were synthesized to amplify the desired product. The high quality of cDNA amplification showed the presence of the DFR gene in the Dicliptera bupleuroides leaf for the first time with a product size of 419 bp respectively. The DFR gene isolated from Dicliptera bupleuroides is involved in flavonol biosynthesis regulation. In addition, Glide molecular docking results proposed that the constituents within the n‐hexanic extract of Dicliptera bupleuroides not only furnish an updated approach to better understand the antioxidant potential of its various constituents to interact with an antioxidant target protein (PDB ID:3MNG) but also ensure promise in addressing these potential therapeutic modalities. The active compounds of D. bupleuroides could be suitable for pharmaceutical industries to develop stress related drugs.

Phytochemical and Antioxidant Activity of Water and Methanol Extracts of Oldenlandia corymbosa

Background: Oldenlandia corymbose is a small perennial herb used traditionally to clear toxins, activate blood circulation, and relieve urinary obstruction. Objectives: This study investigated the phytochemical and antioxidant activity of water and methanol extracts of Oldenlandia corymbosa. Materials and Methods: Total phenolic, flavonoids, and tannin contents of Oldenlandia corymbosa were determined using Folin-Ciocalteau reagent, Colorimetric AlCl3 method, and spectrophometry method respectively. The antioxidant activities were analyzed using 2,2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), metal chelating activity (MCA), 2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethyl) benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging, and phosphomolybdenum assay (PMA). Results: The total phenolic, flavonoid and tannin of the methanolic extracts were found to be higher than that of the water extracts. The DPPH, FRAP, MCA, ABTS and PMA for the water extracts were found to be 56.05 ± 0.1 %, 0.018 ± 0.002 mg Fe(II) equivalent/g, 0.346 ± 0.04 mg EDTA equivalent/g, 63.67 ± 0.6 mg trolox equivalent/g, 0.82 ± 0.03 ascorbic acid equivalents/g and greater than that of the methanol extract 47.26 ± 0.09 %, 0.009 ± 0.0001 mg Fe(II) equivalent/g, 0.198 ± 0.002 mg EDTA equivalent/g, 62.68 ± 0.7 mg trolox equivalent/g and 0.365 ± 0.008 ascorbic acid equivalents/g respectively. These results show that, though the methanol extracts contain more polyphenolic compounds, the water extract exhibits more antioxidant activity. Conclusion: The water extract of Oldenlandia corymbosa shows superior antioxidant activity due to the synergistic effects of its phytoconstituents than that of methanol extracts and can serve as a natural remedy for managing oxidative stress.

Impact of Plant Growth Regulators on Strawberry Plant – A Review

Strawberry is soft, luscious, nutritious, tasty, and perishable fruit which are grown in temperate climatic conditions where the plant like a small perennial herb and also grown in a sub-tropical climate whose plant behaves as an annual belonging to the family Rosacea. Application of growth regulators has been practiced commercially to increase the production and quality of crops. Gibberellic acid has a significant role in plant heights, number of runners, number of flowers, fruit set percentage, number of fruits, fruit size, fruit weight and fruit quality. In this study we present influence of gibberellic, yield and fruit quality of strawberry, Triacontanol and NAA on growth on yield and quality, chlormequat. Gibberellins are well-known for acting as a long-day hormone in short-day plants. Gibberellin treatment increases vegetative growth but limits flower development applied gibberellic acid promoted blooming and growth. However it was observed that the highest effect on leave, runner, crown, inflorescence and flower production. Triacontanol, Activol and NAA resulted in increased vegetative growth of strawberry as compared control. Highest crown height (7.2cm) was obtained with 100 ppm Activol and highest leaf number/plant (7.2) and leaf region (49.4m2) were obtained with 50ppm tricontanol treated plants.

A mechanistic review of pharmacological activities of homeopathic medicine licorice against neural diseases.

The use of medicinal plants has grown in popularity in recent decades because, as natural ingredients, they have fewer adverse effects and are more effective than synthetic alternatives. As a small perennial herb, Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Licorice) has been investigated for its therapeutic efficacy against neural disorders mainly ischemic stroke as well as the neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease which has been attributed to its HMGB inhibitory function, reactive oxygen scavenging and anti-inflammatory activity. The objective of current review is to review the evidence for the pharmacological effects of licorice and its vital active components on neurological disorders and the underlying signaling networks. We reviewed Papers published from 2000.1.1 up to 2 January 2023 in web of science, Google Scholar and PubMed data bases using key words including "Licorice," "Glycyrrhiza glabra L.," "Glycyrrhizic acid," "brain," "neurodegenerative disease," "Alzheimer's," and "Parkinson" were used to search in title/abstracts. Licorice extract and/or its active components can be used safely in therapeutic doses for optimizing the management of a multiple neurodegenerative disorders, and hampering the extent of neural tissue injury and neurologic deficits subsequent to cerebrovascular accidents.

SANKHAHOLI (EVOLVULUS ALSINOIDES LINN): A VALUABLE HERB OF UNANI MEDICINE

Sankhaholi (Evolvulus alsinoides) is a small perennial herb belonging to the family Convolvulaceae. It is also known as Vishnukranti (Sanskrit), Sankhavalli (Marathi) and Vishnukraandi (Tamil). According to Unani Medicine the notable medicinal properties reported for the treatment of flatulence, haemorrhoids, diabetes, frequency of micturition, burning micturition, gonorrhea, syphilis, and other renal and bladder diseases. It contains pentatriacontane, triacontane and betasitosterol. Various pharmacological properties reported are Antihypertensive, Antioxidant, Anti Stress, Hypolipidaemic etc. This review presents a detailed survey of the literature on the identification of plant, phytochemistry and medicinal properties from the perspective of Unani Medicine and pharmacological studies.

The licorice flavonoid isoliquiritigenin attenuates Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced inflammation through Notch1/NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe genus Glycyrrhiza is a small perennial herb that has been traditionally used to treat many diseases across the world. Licorice (Gancao in Chinese) is the dried root and rhizome of G. glabra, G. uralensis or G. inflata. Licorice plays an important role in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and is the most frequently used in Chinese herbal formulas. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a flavonoid extracted from licorice, and has been evaluated for its various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-oxidant activities. Excessive and persistent inflammation in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection is not conducive to the elimination of Mtb, but contributes to serious pulmonary dysfunction. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of ISL in the Mtb infection. MethodsIn vitro models of Mtb-infected macrophages were established. Murine macrophage Raw 264.7 cells and primary peritoneal macrophages were used in this study. Cell viability was determined by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The effects of ISL on the secretion levels of interleukin -1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α), and interleukin −6 (IL-6) were detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) were measured by the real time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. Western blot was used to assess the effects of ISL on the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and Notch1/NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Immunofluorescence assays was used to detected the translocation of phosphorylation of p65 subunit of NF-κB. ResultsIt was revealed that ISL inhibited the secretion of IL-1β and the activation of pore-forming protein (gasdermin D, GSDMD) by suppressing the activation of NLPR3 inflammasome induced by Mtb infection. ISL was also shown to have promising inhibitory effects on inflammatory factors, such as TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS and COX2. Regarding the anti-inflammatory mechanism of ISL, it was found that ISL exerted its anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activation of Notch1/NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. ConclusionISL reduced Mtb-induced inflammation through the Notch1/NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. ISL might be used as a potential adjuvant drug to treat tuberculosis by adjusting host immune responses.

A REVIEW ON CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF THE GENUS PICRORHIZA (SCROPHULARIACE)

Picrorhiza (family Scrophulariace), commonly known as ‘kukti’ is a small perennial herb found in the Himalayan regions of China, Pakistan, India, Bhutan and Nepal at an altitude of 3000-5200 m. Different plant parts and its extract have traditionally been used as a remedy of various ailments such as fever, asthma, jaundice, anemia, abdominal pain, dysentery, cold, stomach problems. Picrorihza has been investigated for its chemical composition and biological activities by various researchers. The major chemical constituents found in this plant were iridoid glycosides, cucurbitacins (triterpenoids) glycosides, phenylethanoid glycosides and phenolics. The Picrorihza has various pharmacological properties, including hepto-protective, antimicrobial, anti-mutagenic, cardio-protective, anti-malarial, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, and neuroprotective and antioxidant activities. A thorough bibliographic investigation was carried out by analyzing worldwide scientific databases including Pub Med, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Wiley online as well as offline sources. The Present review is aimed to provide an updated overview of traditional uses, chemical constituents and biological activities of Picrorihza to explore its therapeutic potentials and to provide bases for future research.

Chemical diversity analysis and biological activities evaluation of different polyphenolic extracts of Marrubium deserti De Noé from Algeria

Ethnopharmacological relevanceMarrubium deserti De Noé (Lamiaceae) commonly known as desert horehound, is a small perennial herb distributed in arid climates. This plant has been used in Algeria for the treatment of cold, cough, fever and inflammation.Aim of the study: This study aimed to perform a phytochemical analysis and to evaluate the effect of diethyl ether (ExDiEth), n-butanol (ExBut) and hydroalcoholic (ExHyD) extracts of the aerial parts of M. deserti De Noé on inflammation, nociceptive response and fever in animal models. Materials and methodsThe total phenolic content and the different phenolic fraction (flavones-flavonols, free aglycones, anthocyanidins, C-glycosides and flavonic heterosides) were quantified in order to study the chemical diversity. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema test and the nociceptive response was determined by the chemical method using acetic acid-induced writhing response and formalin-induced paw licking tests and by the thermal method using the hot plate in mice. In addition, anti-fever was investigated using yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. ResultsQuantitative analysis revealed that among all extracts, ExBut had a higher phenolic content and the aerial parts of M. deserti De Noé collected from two different sites (Biskra and Tamanresset) had a significant difference in the contents of flavonic heterosids and flavones-flavonols. PCA and CA showed a strong intra-specific variability of M. deserti De Noé individuals. Our results showed that the ExDiEth, ExBut and ExHyD treatments prevented the increase of paw oedema by 56.25%, 66.65% and 45.56% inhibition percent, respectively. Moreover, treatments with these extracts significantly (p<0.05) decreased the number of writhing and increased the reaction time to thermal stimulation as well as demonstrated reduction in paw licking time both at early and late phases. Likewise, they also showed a significant reduction of yeast-induced pyrexia till 4 h of treatment. ConclusionResults from this study show that M. deserti De Noé aerial parts exhibited anti-inflammatory, analgesic with central and peripheral actions and antipyretic activities which could be associated with the presence of some phytochemicals as flavones, flavonols, flavonic heterosids and phenolic acids.

A narrative review of botanical characteristics, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Valeriana jatamansi jones

: Valeriana jatamansi Jones (family Caprifoliaceae) is a small perennial herb with multiple pharmacological activities for centuries. This review focuses on the elaborate analysis of Valeriana jatamansi Jones regarding botanical characteristics, phytochemistry and pharmacology. Valepotriates and flavonoids are the major bioactive compounds mainly isolated from the roots/rhizomes. Both the major chemical constituents and different extracts of Valeriana jatamansi Jones are shown to possess the neuroprotective, antidepressant, anti-tumor, gastrointestinal, cytotoxic, anti-virus, antioxidant, sedative and other activities. This review could be helpful to provide a strong bolster for a promising natural resource of drugs for the treatment of various diseases and a long term development in exploring highlighted area. Crude plant of Valeriana jatamansi Jones contains various compounds and a wide range of pharmacological activities. However, further studies are warranted to illuminate the mechanisms responsible for these activities at the molecular levels. Moreover, novel methods and technology should be utilized to explore more components with latent bioactivitities.

Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, and Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae).

Traditional herbal remedies have been attracting attention as prospective alternative resources of therapy for diverse diseases across many nations. In recent decades, medicinal plants have been gaining wider acceptance due to the perception that these plants, as natural products, have fewer side effects and improved efficacy compared to their synthetic counterparts. Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Licorice) is a small perennial herb that has been traditionally used to treat many diseases, such as respiratory disorders, hyperdipsia, epilepsy, fever, sexual debility, paralysis, stomach ulcers, rheumatism, skin diseases, hemorrhagic diseases, and jaundice. Moreover, chemical analysis of the G. glabra extracts revealed the presence of several organic acids, liquirtin, rhamnoliquirilin, liquiritigenin, prenyllicoflavone A, glucoliquiritin apioside, 1-metho-xyphaseolin, shinpterocarpin, shinflavanone, licopyranocoumarin, glisoflavone, licoarylcoumarin, glycyrrhizin, isoangustone A, semilicoisoflavone B, licoriphenone, and 1-methoxyficifolinol, kanzonol R and several volatile components. Pharmacological activities of G. glabra have been evaluated against various microorganisms and parasites, including pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and Plasmodium falciparum, and completely eradicated P. yoelii parasites. Additionally, it shows antioxidant, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities. The current review examined the phytochemical composition, pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetics, and toxic activities of G. glabra extracts as well as its phytoconstituents.

Pharmacognostic studies of polygala senega L. Root: A homoeopathic drug

Background: Polygala senega L. is a small perennial herb belonging to the family Polygalaceae. The roots are used as stimulant and expectorant in bronchitis. In Homoeopathy, it is used for hypopyon, paresis of oculomotor nerve, catarrh of pharynx, sore throat, catarrh of bladder, influenza, asthma, whooping cough, soreness in chest, pleurisy, pneumonia, hydrothorax, pleuropneumonia, pneumonia, hydrothorax and ascites. Objective: The objective of the present study deals with morpho-anatomical, powder and physicochemical characteristics of the root of P. senega for developing standards for authentication of drug. Materials and Methods: The current study includes morpho-anatomical, powder and physicochemical studies of the root of P. senega. Physicochemical studies comprise extractive values, ash values, chemical tests, weight/millilitre, total solids, alcohol content and loss on drying. Results: The root are yellowish brown to light brown and has as its unique mark a projecting line on its down side. The distinguishing microscopic characteristics of the root included the presence of multilayered phellem, abundant phelloderm interrupted by tracheary elements, acicular crystals, abnormal development of phloem and V-shaped medullary rays. Physicochemical studies of the raw drug and mother tincture are standardised and depicted. Conclusion: The pharmacognostic and physicochemical data depicted in this study may serve as pharmacopoeial standards for identification and authentication of the homoeopathic drug P. senega.

Chromosome Number of Dendranthema coreana (Asteraceae)

Dendranthema coreana, which occurs at high altitudes on Mt. Halla, Jeju-do, Korea, is a small perennial herb with large, solitary heads. The species was found to have a chromosome number of 2n = 90, w

Inhibitory Potency of Selected Therapeutic Bioactive Molecules of Standardized Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Extract on CYP3A4 and CYP2D6: Exploring Possible Herb-Drug Interactions

Context Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth (Scrophulariacae) is a small perennial herb distributed in the alpineHimalayan tract and in some tropical parts of India. The production of two compounds Phenyl tetraglucoside and Phenolic diglucoside bioactive in Picrorrhiza kurroa. It may suggest that it is containing an interesting bioactive compound. Aim This research aimed to characterize the new phenyl tetraglucoside and phenolic diglucoside compounds in Picrorrhiza species (kurroa sp.) found on the Himalayan and some tropical parts of India. Subjects and Methods Isolation of bioactive compounds through total methanol extracts. It has been done with spectral studies using thin layer chromatography. The structures of both compounds were elucidated on the basis of UV, IR, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (H1 and C13 NMR) and Mass spectroscopic studies. Results Elucidation showed that compounds found as a new Phenyl tetraglucoside, namely, as 3-methoxy-4 hydroxyphenyl-n-butanyl-o-α-L-glucopyranosyl-(4a→1b)-α-L glucopyranosyl-(4b→1c)-α-L-glucopyranosyl-(4c→1d)-α-L-glucopyranosyl-4d-(3'-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-n-pent-7', 9'- dien-11'-oate, Phenolic diglucoside and vanillyl glucoside. Conclusion Results of this study suggest that a Picrorhiza kurroa species is a potential source of various active compounds.

Distribution of Phytochemicals and Bioactivity in Different Parts and Leaf Positions of Stevia Rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni- a Non-caloric, Natural Sweetener

Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni (Asteraceae) is a small perennial herb which is widely cultivated for its sweet leaves and possesses 250-300 times the sweetness than sucrose due to the presence of steviol glycosides (mainly stevioside and rebaudioside). It is commonly known as candy leaf, sweet leaf and sugar leaf. Even though, this plant has been studied extensively for its sweetness, information on therapeutically important active components presence in stevia is scattered or lacking. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine the distribution of Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) of different parts and different leaf positions of S. rebaudiana. Leaf fresh weight, dry weight and leaf area at different leaf positions were recorded. The TAC, TPC and TFC were determined using Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay (FRAP), modified Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method and calorimetric method respectively. Leaf fresh weight and leaf dry weight were increased with the maturity. All tested plant parts demonstrated the presence of TPC, TFC and TAC. The significantly higher TPC, TFC and TAC were reported in leaves than other parts of plant. The order of increase of active components was leaf>flower>stem>branch>root. TPC, TFC and TAC of different leaf positions revealed that TAC, was decreased gradually from immature to mature leaf (1st leaf>2nd leaf>3rd leaf>4th leaf>5th leaf). Moreover, all tested phytochemicals (phenolics and flavonoids) and antioxidant capacity were significantly higher in extracts prepared from the first leaf. Interestingly, a strong significant correlations were observed between TAC and tested secondary metabolites (TFC, R2=0.85). The results of the present study are vital important in cultivation, harvesting and quality control aspects of S. rebaudiana.

Antimicrobial Screening of Euphorbia hirta L. and Pedalium murex L. - A Comparative Study

Medicinal plants have been used for centuries as remedies for human diseases because they contain components of therapeutic value.Herbal medicine is still mainstay of about 75-80 % of the whole population, mainly in developing countries, for primary health care because of better cultural acceptability, better compatiability with the human body and fewer side effects.Euphorbia hirta (amman pacharisi) is a small perennial herb which belongs to the family of Euphorbiaceae and it is used to treat bronchitic asthma, ameoboidal dysentry and laryngeal spasm.Pedalium murex (yanai nerunjil) is a much-branched annual herb. This belongs to the family of Pedaliaceae and is used to treat gonohorrea, urinary track infections and spermatohorrea.The present study is to compare the antibacterial and antifungal activity of aqueous and organic solvent leaf extracts of Euphorbia hirta and Pedalium murexThe antimicrobial assay is done by disc diffusion method []against bacterial species (Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Aeromonas liquefaciens and lcaligenes spp.) and fungal species (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus erythrocephalus and Fusarium spp.).

Comparative proteome analysis of Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex benth. in response to drought

Introduction Picrorhiza (Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth.) is a small perennial herb (Family Plantaginaceae) and grows primarily in the north-western Himalayan region at an altitude of 3000-5000 m above mean sea level. Its underground parts, rhizomes and roots are widely used in traditional system of medicine due to its antioxidative, hepatoprotective,

High-performance thin-layer chromatographic quantification of kaempferol and apigenin in the whole-plant powder ofSida spinosaLinn.

Sida spinosa Linn. (synonyms: S. alba L., S. angustifolia Lam., S. angustifolia Mill.), Malvaceae, is an annual erect, branched small perennial herb, which grows abundantly on cultivated fields, waste areas, road sides, and hotter parts of India. S. spinosa has been used in traditional medicine for a variety of therapeutic purposes as astringent, cooling stomachic and in nervous, urinary, and cardiac diseases. A high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method has therefore been established for quantification of kaempferol and apigenin in plant powder of S. spinosa Linn. Chromatographic separation was performed on silica gel plates with dichloromethane-methanol-formic acid 8.0:1.0:0.5 (v/v), as mobile phase. Detection and quantitation were performed by densitometry, with a deuterium lamp, at 340 nm. The responses to reference standards were linear in the concentration range 150–450 μg mL−1 for kaempferol and 50–150 μg mL−1 for apigenin. The relative standard deviation for instrumental precision, ...

A study on the regenerative potential of the root and leaf extracts of Elephantopus scaber L.: An antidiabetic approachats through up-regulated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression

Ayurveda and other Indian literatures mentioned the use of plants in the treatment of various human ailments. Plants have been used by man as natural remedies from time immemorial.Elephantopus scaber L., belonging to the family Asteraceae, is a small perennial herb located in tropical climates. Anachuvady as it is called literally means “elephant’s foot”. Its leaves seem to grow as a bunch protruding from a point at the bottom. The leaves and the roots are used in treating diahorrea, liver disorders, tumors, inflammations and ulcers. Our present study indicates that the root and leaves of E. scaber (ES) can be used as a potent antihypergycemic agent. The phytochemical constituents of this plant indicate that it contains sequiterpene lactones, terpenoids, deoxyelephantopin, isodeoxyelephantopin and scab-ertopin. The crude extract of the leaf and root were prepared and Type I diabetes was experimentally induced in white albino Wistar rats (60 mg/kg body weight), after which they were divided into 9 groups of 6 rats each and analysed for various biological assays. They were later subjected to histopathological studies for investigating the regenerative potential of the plant. ES extracts reduced the blood glucose level, glycosylated hemoglobin, a change in the lipid profile and kidney functions, liver and muscle glycogen, serum insulin levels and histopathological studies. We conclude that ES extracts possess regenerative properties which are exhibited in the destructed pancreas and ethyl acetate root extract and methanol leaf extract of E. scaber L. However, they performed better as compared to other extracts, which paved way for further research in bringing about a permanent remedy for diabetes. Key words: Elephantopus scaber L., streptozotocin, hypoglycemic, glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1C), serum insulin, liver and muscle glycogen, plasma glucose, lipid profile and kidney function tests, regeneration.