Hexane, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Talinum portulacifolium leaves were prepared and given individually at different doses to normal and streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats after an overnight fast. The blood glucose levels were measured at 0,1,2,3,4,5 and 6 h after the treatment. The hexane extract at a dosage of 0.5g/kg b.w has shown maximal blood glucose lowering effect (64.7%) in diabetes rats. The same dosage did not produce any hypoglycemic activity in normal rats. The antihyperglycemic activity of hexane extract of Talinum portulacifolium leaves was significantly higher than that of glibenclamide, an oral hypoglycemic agent. All the extracts exhibited dose dependent scavenging activities against 2,2-diphenly-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, nitric oxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide. Further, all extracts had relatively lower reducing power, compared to that of ascorbic acid. The total phenolic content of hexane, ethanol and aqueous extracts were found to be 61, 100 and 114 mg/gm of the dry extract respectively. TLC of the above extracts using the DPPH as a spraying reagent revealed yellow spots against purple background indicating the presence of potent antioxidant compounds. In conclusion hexane extract of Talinum portulacifolium leaves possess both antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activites, while the ethanol and aqueous extracts possess only antioxidant activity.

Cardiovascular diseases are becoming an increasing problem worldwide and hypercholesterolemia has been correlated for coronary heart diseases. Currently available hypolipidemic drugs have been associated with number of side effects. Herbal treatment for hyperlipidemia poses no side effects and is relatively cheap and locally available. In view of this, the present study was carried out to investigate the effect of gum ghatti of Anogeissus lalifolia on serum lipid levels of albino rats. Rats were made hyperlipidemic by the oral administration of cholesterol (400mg/kg body weight/day) along with cholic acid (50mg/kg) in coconut oil. The hypolipidemic effect was compared with control. The rats were divided into six groups of six animals each. In atherogenic diet induced hyperlipidemic model, the rats receiving treatment with gum ghatti at 250 mg/kg dosage showed significant reduction in serum triglyceride (82.75±0.63) only and there was no significant changes either in serum total cholesterol or elevation in HDL. Whereas, at 500 and 750 mg/kg dosage showed significant reduction in serum total cholesterol (72.85±0.60, 68.17±0.95) and serum triglyceride (78.92±0.34, 75.93±1.05). Further, the 750 mg/kg dose has also exhibited significant elevation in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (41.13±0.37).

In the present study selected medicinal plant samples used in the preparation of Indian herbal medicinal products were analysed, after nitric acid digestion, for the content of cadmium, mercury and lead, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The samples are procured by three method.1.Self collected from medicinal plant garden with the help of experts.2.Purchased from local drug collectors.3. Purchased from raw material stores. Result shows that 33% of sample analysed were contain toxic levels of cadmium, 40% were contain toxic levels of lead and no sample posses arsenic above the limit. (limit of cadmium, mercury and lead were 0.3,0.5 and 10 μg/g, respectively) PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Plants can contain heavy metals from their presence in the soil, water or air. High levels of toxic metals can occur when the plants are grown in polluted areas, such as near roadways or metal mining and smelting operations. In addition, high levels can be found when agricultural expedients are used, including Cadmium containing fertilizers, organic mercury or lead based pesticides, and contaminated irrigation water. Quality has to be built into the whole process beginning from the selection of starting material to the final product reaching the consumer. In the present study were carried out, to evaluate the quality and safety of crude drug. The result shows that Indian herbal drug industry needs to ensure procurement of standardized authentic raw material free from toxic contaminants. Such approaches remain important in global promotion of medicinal plants & herbal medicinal products from India.

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the chemical constituents and anti-ulcer profile of the methanolic extract of Neregamia alata Wight & Arn. (MENA) whole plant in albino rats. The phytochemical examination of methanolic extract of whole plant of Neregamia alata was performed by the standard methods. MENA at the doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight orally was administered to evaluate anti-ulcer activity by using pyloric ligation (PL) and hypothermic-restraint stress (HRS) induced gastric ulcer models in Albino rats. MENA, at doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg were found to be protective (36.47, 45.86 and 75.02% respectively), in PL induced ulcer models and significantly reduced free and total acidity by P Neregamia alata as a potent anti-ulcer agent.

Cynodon dactylon pers (fam. Poaceae) whole plant is used in traditional system of medicine for the treatment of diarrhea. In the present investigation hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Cynodon dactylon whole plant were tested for anti diarrheal activity on castor oil induced diarrhea, gastro intestinal motility by charcoal meal and entero pooling models in albino rats. Methanol extract exhibited considerable reduction in inhibition of castor oil induced diarrhea. Methanol extract also showed a significant decrease in gastrointestinal motility by charcoal meal and decrease in weight of intestinal contents in enteropooling models. These results indicate that the plant possess good anti diarrheal activity.

The diuretic and laxative activity of different extracts of the barks of Spondias pinnata (Linn. f) Kurz (Family: Rubiaceae) were studied in Wistar albino rats. Furosemide (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and agar-agar (300 mg/kg, p.o.) were used as reference standards respectively for activity comparison. The chloroform and methanol extracts produced significant diuretic and laxative activity. On the other hand, the petroleum ether extract did not reveal significant activity. Urinary levels of sodium, potassium (by flame photometry) and chloride (by titrimetry) were estimated.

A questionnaire survey for the analysis of determinants influencing use of Ayurvedic medication was conducted amongst 2000 people from various categories approached at fifty different medical stores in Pune region, asking them to tick the option that they consider while using Ayurvedic medication. Results were calculated using descriptive analysis. 37.30% of people regularly consume Ayurvedic medication up to 50% of their total medication, wherein safety (52%) and faith (33.50%) were found to be the prime reasons for its consumption. The study also found that 58.45% of surveyed people follow physician's prescription and don't accept substituted medicine given by the chemist. A comparatively large number of people (41.55%) go for self medication influenced by various parameters. The use of Ayurvedic medication in pediatric patients and co- administration with allopathic medicine by qualified people is fairly less. The survey revealed that consumption of Ayurvedic medication in Pune region is increasing, wherein safety and faith are important parameters, however, like allopathic medication; people usually stick to the prescription issued by the physician. The increasing trend of self medication and lack of knowledge of herb drug interaction especially in non graduates are the major concerns need to be addressed for better outcome of the therapy.

In light of traditional claim of Chonemorpha fragrans in the treatment of diabetes were carryout evaluate its effect on rats. Alcoholic extract of Chonemorpha fragrans root (CF.alc.extract) administered orally at dose 100 mg/kg and 200mg/kg in different condition such as normal, glucose over loaded in normal rats, and alloxan induced diabetic rats. At dose 200 mg/kg per oral (p.o.) was produce significantly reduce blood glucose level in fasted normal rat and against glucose over loaded rats and alloxan induced diabetic rats at single dose as well as twelve day treatment. Histopathology studies on pancreas alloxan induced diabetic rats inflammatory changes were detected in pancreatic islets results from selectively destroy of insulin producing β-cells. These changes are dose-dependently inhibited by CF.alc.extract and gliclazide

Diabetes, the most prevailing metabolic disorder is attracting present research attention towards it. In the present study, the various extracts of the barks of Spondias pinnata (Family: Rubiaceae) was evaluated for hypoglycemic activity on adult Wistar albino rats at dose levels of 300 mg/kg p.o. each using normoglycaemic, glucose loaded and alloxan induced hyperglycaemic rats. Glibenclamide (2.5 mg/kg) was used as reference standard for activity comparison. Among the tested extracts, the methanol extract was found to produce promising results that is comparable to that of the reference standard glibenclamide. The preliminary phytochemical examination of the methanol extract revealed presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins and terpenoids. The present work justifies the use of the bark in the folklore treatment in diabetes.

The possible synergism between WS and dopamine precursor L-dopa to inhibit haloperidol-induced catalepsy was investigated by using standard bar test in mice. The effect of WS (20-200 mg/kg, oral), L-dopa (20-200 mg/kg, oral) plus carbidopa and combination of subeffective doses of WS (20 or 50 mg/kg, oral) prior to L-dopa (20, 50 or 100 mg/kg, oral) plus carbidopa was assessed in haloperidol (1 mg/kg, i.p.) induced catalepsy. L-dopa and carbidopa combination was always administered in 10:1 ratio. WS (100 or 200 mg/kg, oral) and L-dopa (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg, oral) plus carbidopa treated groups showed a dose dependent reduction in cataleptic scores. Subeffective doses of WS (20 or 50 mg/kg, oral) prior to L-dopa (20, 50 or 100 mg/kg, oral) also potentiated the anticataleptic effect of L-dopa. These results indicate that subeffective doses of WS enhance the anticataleptic actions of L-dopa and the possibility of using WS as adjunctive therapy to reduce the doses and the adverse effects of dopamine precursor in Parkinson's disease.

The present study was undertaken to study the antidiabetic activity of the aqueous extract of Eucalyptus citriodora Hook. leaf in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The activity of the extract was studied on glucose loaded and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. In both the tests, the extract has shown significant and considerable antidiabetic effect in a dose dependent manner. On oral administration of the extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg of body weight, the reduction of blood glucose level was 22.9% after 4th hr and on continuous administration the reduction in blood glucose level after 21 days was 49.9 and 56.8% with dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight respectively. Aqueous extract of leaves of E. citriodora exhibited significant antidiabetic activity which was comparable with the standard drug Glibenclamide.

We have investigated the effect of Nyctanthes arbortristis (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) and Calotropis gigantea leaves and flower chloroform (10, 20, 50 mg/kg) and Calotropis gigantea flower petroleum ether extracts (10, 20, 50 mg/kg) in high-fructose diet induced insulin resistance in rats. The fasting serum glucose, insulin, triglyceride and cholesterol levels were measured in blood serum for 27 days of treatment. The fasting serum glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index (FIRI) levels of high-fructose diet (control) rats significantly (P<0.001 vs. normal) increased, like wise, serum triglyceride, cholesterols significantly (P<0.001-P<0.01 vs. normal) increased. The Nyctanthes arbortristis and Calotropis gigantea leaves and flower treatment prevent significantly (P<0.001-P<0.01) vs. control) increase serum glucose, insulin, levels in high fructose-diet treated rats, except in glucose Calotropis gigantea leaves 50 mg/kg, while significantly (P<0.05-P<0.01 vs. control) decreased in triglyceride, cholesterol, except in triglyceride Nyctanthes arbortristis leaves 50 mg and in cholesterol Nyctanthes arbortristis leaves and flowers 50 mg. Further more, high-fructose diet (control) had higher in FIRI (P<0.001) than normal. In contrast, Nyctanthes arbortristis and Calotropis gigantea significantly (P<0.001) decreased FIRI in the high-fructose diet treated rats.

The aim of the study is to find anti-inflammatory activity of the compound obtained from the petroleum ether extract of the fruits of Dregea volubilis. Fruits of Dregea volubilis were extracted by petroleum ether and through column chromatography led to obtain a compound. The structure of the compound was determined on the basis of IR, MASS, NMR (PMR, CMR and DEPT) spectroscopic analysis. The compound was screened for anti-inflammatory activity in albino rats using acute carageenan induced paw oedema. The petroleum ether extract of the fruits of Dregea volubilis Benth led to isolation and characterization of a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound designated as taraxerol and characterized as D- friedoolean- 14- en, 3 ol [Figure 1]. It has shown significant anti-inflammatory activity in albino rats. Anti-inflammatory activity in albino rats has been shown by taraxerol obtained from the petroleum ether extract of the fruits of Dregea volubilis.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate antistress and immunomodulatory activity of aqueous extract of Momordica charantia (MC). Antistress activity was evaluated by measuring the swimming time in mice and cold immobilization induced stress for 10 days in rats, using Withania somnifera (100mg/kg) as reference standard. Immunomodulatory activity was evaluated by carbon clearance assay and percentage adhesion of neutrophils to nylon fibers using Levamisole as reference standard. The degree of protection was determined by measuring gastric ulceration, adrenal gland and spleen weights and by measuring levels of serum glucose, AST and ALT. Swiss albino mice of either sex were divided into 4 groups such as normal control, MC lower dose (450 mg/kg, p.o), MC higher dose (900 mg/kg, p.o) and standard group, treated with standard drug Levamisole (50 mg/kg, p.o). MC increased the swimming time in mice significantly (P<0.001) and the results are comparable to that of standard Withania somnifera. MC has also significantly (P<0.001) reversed the cold immobilization induced changes in glucose, AST, ALT, ulcer score, weight of adrenal gland and spleen. MC improves the phagocytic index in a dose dependent manner. MC at higher dose significantly (P<0.001) increased the percentage of adhesion of Neutrophils to nylon fibers when compared with the normal control animals. The results were comparable with that of standard drug levamisole. Momordica charantia has significant antistress, immunomodulatory activity.

The methanolic extract of whole plant of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn and its various fractions were tested for their bronchodilatory effect against histamine induced acute bronchospasm in guinea pigs. The methanolic extract and its fractions viz. petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform and ethyl acetate exhibited significant protection against bronchospasm, induced by histamine in guinea pigs. However significant (p<0.001) protection was exhibited by methanolic extract which was comparable with Chlorophenarmine maleate (2mg/kg) included as the standard in the study. The results of present study suggest that, the plant Sphaeranthus indicus shows the bronchodilatory activity.

Anthocyanins (ACN) are part of a large and wide spread group of plant constituents known collectively as flavanoids. In the present research work anthocyanins were extracted from Ficus racemosa fruit. Family: Moraceae, using acidified methanol (1% HCL in methanol). The extracted anthocyanins were isolated and purified using the Amberllite - XAD4 resin. Anthocyanins were characterized by means of Chromatographic and Spectral data obtained from HPLC and UV Spectroscopy. Two major pigments identified were Peonidin -3-glucoside and Pelargonidin -3-glucoside. Peaks for anthocyanins, which are present in very low amount, and in less concentration, can be verified by means of commercially available external standards. The samples were diluted in the mixture of methanol and formic acid just before the injection on the column and separated on Lichrospher-100 Reversed phase C18 end capped column (5 micron) 125mm x 4mm using gradient solvent system consisting of 5Mm of phosphoric acid and acetonitrile . DAD detector was employed at 520 nm for anthocyanins. An Ficus racemosa fruit anthocyanosides preparation (equivalent to 30% of anthocyanidins) demonstrated significant vasoprotective effect in rabbits, the skin capillary permeability increase, due to chloroform, was reduced after i.p. (25-100 mg/kg) anthocyanosides. Comparison was made between the action of the methanol extract and a known protective microvascular drug proxerutin (25 mg/kg). The mixed of anthocyanosides was more active that the proxerutin.

Hyperoxaluria is the foremost initiating cause for urolithiasis in renal cavities, where urolithiasis is a common urinary tract disorder. There is much expectation of finding active anti-urolithiatic compounds from indigenous plant as there are still uses in therapeutic despite the progress in conventional chemistry and pharmacology in producing effecting drugs. Most patients still have to undergo surgery to get rid of painful disease. In our present study on anti-urolithiatic agents from plants which was compared with synthetic chemical substance. As we have selected the sequential extracts of Tribulus terrestris with pet ether, chloroform, alcohol and water and compared the activity with the synthetic steroidal drug spironolactone which was used on the lithiatic induced rats and estimated the effect of the extract by doing the invo and invitro analysis alongside by histopathological studies and found the ethanolic extract of the drug was found to be effective than other treatment.

Fruits of Dregea volubilis were extracted by petroleum ether and subjected to column chromatography for obtaining the pure compound. The structure was determined on the basis of IR, MASS, NMR (PMR, CMR and DEPT) spectroscopic analysis. The compound was screened for analgesic activity in swiss albino mice by inducing writhing reflex with acetic acid. The petroleum ether extract of the fruits of Dregea volubilis Benth led to isolation of a pentacyclic triterpenoid designated as taraxerol and characterized as D- friedoolean- 14- en, 3 ol [Figure 1]. In vitro analgesic activity has been shown by the isolated taraxerol. The compound taraxerol obtained from the petroleum ether extract of the fruits of Dregea volubilis showed analgesic activity in swiss albino mice.

The objective of the study was to develop a topical poly herbal gel for the treatment of mild acne vulgaris. Aqueous extracts of Garcinia mangostana and Aloe vera were formulated in an aqueous based carbopol-934(1%w/w) gel system. Preformulation studies on solubility, partition co-efficient, MIC, MBC were determined along with compatibility studies using a validated HPLC method. Six formulations of the gel were prepared by varying the proportions of polymers and evaluated for their physicochemical properties like pH, spreadability, viscosity and microbial assay. Based on these tests, formulation F-6 containing 1% carbopol-934 was selected as best formulation and carried over to in-vitro drug diffusion studies wherein it showed Cumulative Drug Release of 81.03% at the end of 8 hours with a flux of 0.0879 mg/cm2/hr.The microbial assay of all the formulations demonstrated better inhibitory activity against Propionibacterium acne and Staphylococcus epidermidis compared to the marketed clindamycin phosphate gel in equivalent amounts of application. Conclusion: It was concluded from the study that aqueous extract of Garcinia mangostana and Aloe vera can be formulated in an aqueous based gel system for topical therapy of mild acne vulgaris.

Gymnosporia rothiana is used in Indian folk medicine as an antiulcerogenic agent. Despite of its promising use, there has been no scientific report present regarding its antiulcer activity. Therefore, this study was intended to evaluate the antiulcer property of various extracts of leaves of Gymnosporia rothiana at different dose levels in ethanol induced and indomethacin induced gastric ulcer models. It was observed that oral administration of all the extracts shows significant reduction in ulcer lesion index as well as increase in volume and pH of gastric content in both experimental models, being petroleum ether extract the most effective at dose of 250 mg/kg; it significantly reduced gastric lesion index (70.06%), in comparison to omeprazole (71.20%) and methanolic extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg (67.22%). Increased gastric mucosal defense mechanism by petroleum ether extract is probably due to its high levels of terpenoids like β amyrin, lupeol, friedelin. The present results clearly shows antiulcer effect of Gymnosporia rothiana against various irritants has been mainly due to cytoprotective effect mediated through prostaglandin and partly due to free radical scavenging activity.

The monotypic Zhumeria majdae Rech.F. & Wendelbo was recently described as the first member of new genus Zhumeria (Lamiaceae). In Iranian folk medicine, the leaves of plant were used for antiseptic properties. The antimicrobial activity of Zhumeria majdae essential oil was evaluated against a panel of microorganisms including gram negative, gram positive, yeast and fungi using disc diffusion method and micro broth dilution assay. Generally, the oil exhibited similar levels of antimicrobial activity against different microorganisms but some microorganisms appear to be more sensitive. In particular, oil showed significant power against Klebsiella pneumoniae followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Vibrio cholera, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus cereus. Klebsiella pneumoniae with MIC and MBC values 0.5, 1 μl ml ^-1 was the most sensitive among the tested microorganisms. The oil showed bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Enterobacter aerugenes. The oil showed inhibitory effect against Bacillus subtilis, Proteus vulgaris, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa among Gram negative bacteria and Bacillus subtilis among Gram positive ones and Aspergillus niger among fungi and yeast were the most resistant to the essential oil.

Cassia sophera from the family caesalpiniaceae is being used in local traditional medicine for asthma and bronchitis. Powdered leaves of C. sophera was extracted with ethanol and subjected for sequential fractionation with chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol respectively. Phytochemical analysis demonstrated the presence of flavonoids and antraquinone glycosides in all of the fractions. In the present study, antiasthmatic activity of parent ethanol extract and chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol fractions of C. sophera were evaluated. For the evaluation, carrageenan induced paw edema, histamine induced bronchoconstriction, clonidine and haloperidol induced catalepsy, milk induced leukocytosis, and eosinophilia and passive paw anaphylaxis has performed. The paw edema significantly (p<0.05) inhibited by the parent extract, ethyl acetate, chloroform and ethanol fraction at 4th hr with the percent inhibition 54.2%, 50.4%, 44.3%, 60.7% respectively. In the present study C. sophera significantly (P<0.05) protected the bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs against histamine-induced bronchospasm. The parent extract, ethyl acetate, chloroform and ethanol fractions showed 62.7%, 60%, 55% and 64% protection at 4th hour respectively. The clonidine induced catalepsy was found to be inhibited significantly (P<0.05) by parent extract, ethyl acetate, chloroform and ethanol fraction at 120 min (144.00±4.830, 150.50±9.773 175.33, ±13.990, 142.50 ±4.233 sec). The parent extract, ethyl acetate, chloroform and ethanol fractions failed to revert the haloperidol induced catalepsy. In milk induced leukocytosis, milk treated group showed 4575.0 ±117.44 per cu mm leukocyte. The parent extract, ethyl acetate, chloroform and ethanol fractions reduced leukocyte count (1550.0±78.528, 2083.3±35.746, 2750.0±73.030, 1266.7±72.648 per cu mm resp.) and eosinophil count (38.333±2.216, 82.333±2.1246, 2.500±1.057, 40.500±2.078 per cu mm resp.) where milk treated group showed 137.50 ±3.471 per cu mm of eosinophils. The animals pretreated with parent extract, ethyl acetate, chloroform and ethanol fraction showed significant (p<0.005) inhibition in reducing paw edema in passive paw anaphylaxis with the percent inhibition 49.7%, 25.7%, 38.0%, 46.5% resp. In the present investigation, it can be concluded from the result obtained that C. sophera possesses significant antiasthmatic activity.

Twelve fatty acids identified from the methanol extract of Paullinia pinnata L. root extract by the use of Gas Chromatography coupled with mass spectrophotometer were screened for antibacterial activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria as well as three resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus SA1199B, XU212 and RN4220 resistant to norfloxacin, tetracycline and erythromycin respectively. Using the 96-well microtitre plate method, azelaic acid (a dicarboxylic acid), showed the highest activity against all organisms tested with minimum inhibitory concentration range of 32-256 μg/ml while palmitic, oleic, eicosanoic and stearic acids also showed weak to moderate activity against Staph. aureus, B. subtilis, E. coli and P. aeruginosa. However, docosanoic, tetradecanoic and eicosenoic acids had no activity against all organisms tested. The results also indicated that while the crude methanol extract possess potent antioxidant activity by bleaching DPPH radical (IC ₅₀ of 3.8μg/ml), the fatty acids did not show any significant radical scavenging action.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate antistress, annxiolytic and hypnotic activity of Vedic calm, a polyherbal formulation comprising of Bacopa monnieri, Centella asiatica, Evolvulus alsinides and many other related plants extracts, all of which are classified in ayurveda as rasayanas which are reported to promote physical and mental health and also possess depressant activity. Antistress activity was evaluated by cold immobilization induced stress for 10 days in rats using Withania somnifera (100 mg/kg) as reference standard. Antianxiety activity was evaluated by elevated plus maze and light and dark box in acute study and elevated plus maze in chronic study of 10 days in rats, using diazepam (2 mg/kg) as reference standard. Hypnotic activity was evaluated by potentiation of thiopental induced sleeping time in mice. Stress was evidenced by occurrence of gastric ulcer, elevation of adrenals weight, liver weight, serum glucose, AST, ALT, cholesterol, WBC and reduction of spleen weight. Vedic calm pretreatment in rats with doses of 135 mg/kg, 270 mg/kg p.o. and standard drug Withania somnifera significantly reversed all the changes those were due to stress. The Vedic calm at 270 mg/kg significantly increased the time spent and number of entries into open arms in elevated plus maze and increased the time spent and number of entries into light box in light and dark box model. The Vedic calm at a dose of 390 mg/kg significantly potentiated duration of thiopental induced sleeping time in mice. The Vedic calm showed significant antistress, anxiolytic and hypnotic activity.