Current Issue : October - December Volume : 2011 Issue Number : 4 Articles : 15 Articles
An endangered species is a population of organisms/ plants which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters. WHO has listed over 21,000 plant species used for medicinal purposes across the world. India, having an array of topographic and climatic variations, harbour flora of greater diversity and an estimated 1,20,000 plant species, out of 4,00,000 known species of this planet inhabit Indian sub-continent. The primary factors contributing to extinction are habitat loss, introduced species, over exploitation and population. Deforestation processes practiced for agriculture or for construction of dams or for residential purposes cause soil erosion, which leads to leeching of some valuable nutrients needed for growth of medicinal plants and cause vanishing of important flora and fauna from the ecosystems which is an irreversible damage to the nature. Over harvesting and over exploitation is another factor, which has greatly threatened the existence of medicinal plants. Today, species become endangered primarily because of human activities. Their lists include about 34,000 species of plants that are threatened or endangered. Conservation of the threatened medicinal taxa is clearly one of the properties towards which available technologies must be directed, cultivation is one way to prevent the genetic erosion of medicinal plants in India....
Asthma is a disease is a mediated by reaginic other antibodies. Common asthma symptoms are acratchy throat, coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and a fight filing in the chest. Synthetic drugs give instant relief from symptoms of asthma but have lot of undesirable effect (like those of steroids) synthetic drugs used for conventional medicinal treatment of asthma include–bronchodilators, sympa- thomimetics, sypathomimetics, albuterol, formoterol, terbutaline, methylxanthine, aminophyllinedyphylline, antimiscarinics, impratropium, tiotropi-ummast cell stabilizers 9cromolynsodium, nedocromil sodium ) corticosteroids (aerosol, becl- omethasone, budesonide, triamcinolone, systemic betamethasone, prednisolone) leukotriene inhibitors. Asthma affects people 7% population of the united states 6.5% of British population and a total of 300 million people worldwide it affects over 5to10% of the population in industrialized countries asthma is characterized by a predisposition to chronic inflammation of the lungs in which the airways (bronchi)are reversibly narrowed resulting in difficulty in breathing the agents responsible for the early reaction (immediate bronchoconstriction) include histamine tryptase and other neutral proteases leukotriens C and D- and prostaglandins synthetic drugs may give instant relief from symtoms of asthama but have lot of undesirable effects (like those of steroids) herbal drugs (tylophora, coleus, ephedra, boswelia, and ginkgo etc ) as reported in ancient literature and screened for pharmacological activity are an excellent option for the treatment of various ailments including asthma....
Bacterial diseases are responsible for heavy mortality in wild and cultured fish. The problems in the farms are usually tackled by preventing disease outbreaks or by treating the actual disease with drugs or chemicals. The use of antimicrobial agents has increased significantly in aquaculture practices. Bacterial infection of fish and fishery products may influence human health either directly by including infection in fishes. The present study were undertaken to isolate the fish pathogen, V. alginolyticus from the diseased Asian sea bass, Lates calcarifer. Seven herbal plants were selected based on their antibacterial characteristics. In dichloromethane and aqueous solvent extraction maximum inhibition zone were in Punica granatum (16.66 ± 0.05 & 24.70 ± 0.10 mm), ethyl acetate solvent extraction had more effective in Musa sapientum (12.33 ± 0.30mm), ethyl alcohol solvent extraction maximum inhibition zone were in Curcuma zedoaria (30.16 ± 0.20mm) at 500µg/disc concentration. Punica granatum were showing more effective in zone formation compare with other six herbal plant extracts....
The present study was designed to evaluate the hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic activity of different doses of ethanolic extract of the Cassia tora in normal and alloxan diabetic rats. The oral administration of ethanolic extract at a dosage of 0.5 g/kg body weight exhibited a significant antihyperglycemic activity in alloxan diabetic rats, whereas in normal rats no hypoglycemic activity was observed. It was concluded that probably, due to its potent antioxidant properties, the Cassia Tora extract exerts remarkable antidiabetogenic effect....
The present study investigated the hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic potential of combination of sitagliptin and ursolic acid in normal fasted rats. In addition, the acute oral toxicity study on test drug combinations was conducted. The combination of sitagliptin and ursolic acid were studied at the ratio of 70:30, 50:50 and 30:70 treatment group. The oral administration of sitagliptin to non-diabetic rats produces mild hypoglycemia (p<0.01) whereas combinations of sitagliptin and ursolic acid did not show any significant decrease in the blood glucose below normal level when compared with normal control group. In oral glucose tolerance test, all groups treated with combination of sitagliptin and ursolic acid showed significant decrease in elevated glucose level (p<0.01) towards the normal as compared to control group. These results suggest that test drug combination possesses beneficial antihyperglycemic activity in controlling the elevated glucose level in non diabetic rats....
Valeriana hardwickii is indigenous to Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon, where it is traditionally being used as an antispasmodic and antidiarrheal, besides its culinary use as spice. The aim of this paper was to provide pharmacological validation to these medicinal uses. The crude aqueous-methanolic extract of Valeriana hardwickii rhizome (Vh.Cr) was studied on isolated rabbit jejunum and castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice for spasmolytic and antidiarrheal properties, respectively. Vh.Cr caused concentration-dependent (0.01ââ?¬â??1?mg/mL) relaxation of spontaneous contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum and inhibited K+-induced contractions (0.01ââ?¬â??0.3?mg/mL), similar to verapamil, suggestive of calcium channel blockade (CCB). The CCB effect was confirmed when pretreatment of the jejunum preparations with Vh.Cr produced a concentration-dependent (0.03ââ?¬â??0.1?mg/mL) rightward shift in the Ca++ concentration-response curves, as caused by verapamil. Vh.Cr exhibited dose-dependent (100ââ?¬â??300?mg/kg) protection against castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice. Loperamide, a standard antidiarrheal drug, similarly prevented the diarrhea. These data indicate the presence of CCB effect in the extract of Valeriana hardwickii rhizome, possibly mediating its antispasmodic and antidiarrheal activities and provide a scientific base for its traditional use in hyperactive gut disorders....
India is having large flora and fauna due to its climatic condition. Many of the plants are used since ancient time in different system of medicine to treat several disorders. Cyperus rotundus is commonly known as Nagarmotha. Its rhizomes are used in powder form along with shikekai. It contains sesquiterpenoids. In Ayurveda it is thought as the best medicine for digestive system and fever. It is also used to treat uterine disorders including dismenorrhea. The rhizomes have also shown promising pharmacological actions....
To investigate the cytotoxic effect of some Bangladeshi medicinal plant extracts, 16 Bangladeshi medicinal plants were successively extracted with n-hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water. The methanolic and aqueous extracts were screened for cytotoxic activity against healthy mouse fibroblasts (NIH3T3) and three human cancer-cell lines (gastric: AGS; colon: HT-29; and breast: MDA-MB-435S) using the MTT assay. Two methanolic extracts (Hygrophila auriculata and Hibiscus tiliaceous) and one aqueous extract (Limnophila indica) showed no toxicity against healthy mouse fibroblasts, but selective cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells (IC50 1.1ââ?¬â??1.6?mg?mL-1). Seven methanolic extracts from L. indica, Clerodendron inerme, Cynometra ramiflora, Xylocarpus moluccensis, Argemone mexicana, Ammannia baccifera and Acrostichum aureum and four aqueous extracts from Hygrophila auriculata, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, X. moluccensis and Aegiceras corniculatum showed low toxicity (IC50 > 2.5?mg?mL-1) against mouse fibroblasts but selective cytotoxicity (IC50 0.2ââ?¬â??2.3?mg?mL-1) against different cancer cell lines. The methanolic extract of Blumea lacera showed the highest cytotoxicity (IC50 0.01ââ?¬â??0.08?mg?mL-1) against all tested cell lines among all extracts tested in this study. For some of the plants their traditional use as anticancer treatments correlates with the cytotoxic results, whereas for others so far unknown cytotoxic activities were identified....
Asthma is a disease characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, which vary in severity and frequency from person to person 1. The currently used drugs for the treatment of this disease in modern medicine are so far from satisfactory as they provide only symptomatic relief, produce several adverse effects and may lose effectiveness on continued use. The Anti-asthmatic activity of Moringa Oleifera Lam. root was studied against histamine and Ach induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs, against agonist induced contraction of Guinea pig ileum and against egg albumin induced rat peritoneal mast cell degranulation. Activity was also studied using bronchoalveolarlavaged (BAL) fluid of guinea pigs and by carrying out histopathology of egg albumin sensitized guinea pig lung. Treatment with M.Oleifera increased PreConvulsion Time of guinea pigs against histamine as well as Ach induced bronchospasm. M.Oleifera also showed dose dependent inhibition of agonist induced contraction on guinea pig ileum. Egg albumin induced mast cell degranulation was inhibited by M.Oleifera. Treatment with M.Oleifera for 15 days resulted in significant decrease in Total Leukocytes Count (TLC) as well as Differential Leukocytes Count (DLC) in BAL fluid. M.Oleifera shown bronchodilator activity, non-specific spasmolytic activity and mast cell stabilizing activities. Also it inhibits the migration of leukocytes on exposure to antigens, thus confirming its anti-asthmatics activity....
The methanolic extract of Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant & Fern. root tubers (MECB) was screened for hepatoprotective effect in carbon tetrachloride ( CCl4 ) induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. The degree of protection was measured by estimating an increase in biochemical parameters like serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminse (SGPT), total protein and level of serum biliruibin (both total and direct). Hepatoprotective activity of methanolic extract at a dose of 400 mg / kg body weight, p.o .was compared with silymarin (100 mg /kg, p.o.) treated animals. Methanolic extract of Chlorophytum borivilianum root tubers ( 200 mg /kg & 400 mg /kg) exhibited significant reduction in serum hepatic enzymes when compared to rats treated with carbon tetrachloride alone....
Herbal drugs have great growth potential in the global market today. Ayurvedic literature is replete with a number of medicinal plants that are claimed to promote wound healing. However, they need scientific verification and validation. Hence wound healing activity of medicinal plants was scientifically evaluated by using different wound model in albino rats. This scientific study of wound healing plants, which can promote or aid in the normal wound healing process, could help patients whose wounds do not scar easily. Plant products as potential agents for wound healing are largely preferred because of their widespread availability, non-toxic, ease of administration, almost free from side effects and adverse reactions, highly useful in the treatment of chronic wound healing and their effectiveness as crude preparation....
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and insufficiency of secretion or action of endogenous insulin. At least 171 million people worldwide have diabetes. This figure is likely to more than double by 2030 to reach 366 million. There is a need to search for new drugs with minimum side effects and good therapeutic activity. Herbal medicines play a major role in the treatment of diabetes. Combination of phytoconstituents from well documented plants source can be a new approach to consider in management of diabetes and its associated complications. Curcumin and quercetin are well known phytoconstituents obtained from Curcuma longa and Thea sensis (Tea) respectively. Curcumin (60 mg/kg, p.o.) and quercetin (10 mg/kg, p.o.) are reported to possess antihyperglycemic activity. In the present study, the effect of three different combinations C1, C2 and C3 in the ratio of 70:30, 50:50 and 30:70, respectively of curcumin and quercetin, on plasma glucose, was evaluated in normoglycemic animals. In the hypoglycemic study, normoglycemic animals treated with combinations did not show any significant change in the blood glucose level as compared to normal control group. In anti-hyperglycemic study, all the combinations significantly prevented the increase (p<0.01) in the glucose level at 30, 90 and 150 min. as compared to normal control group. Curcumin alone and quercetin alone showed significant decrease (p<0.01) in elevated glucose level at 90 and 150 min as compared to normal control group. Among all combinations C.2 showed better antihyperglycemic effect in oral glucose tolerance test....
This work deals with, the antioxidant activity of Methanol extracts of H. shulli belonging to family Acanthaceae commonly known as “Kolsundar” were evaluated by various in-vitro antioxidant assay like DPPH ( 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging method, reducing power ability, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay. Total phenolic contents and tannins was estimated using Folin ciocalteau colorimetric method and tannin precipitation method respectively. The comprise antioxidant activities were compared to Standard antioxidants such as DPPH, Ascorbic acid. The Methanolic extract of HS have effective reducing power, free radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and metal chelating activities. This antioxidant property depends on concentration and increasing with increased amount of sample. In addition, total phenolic compounds in the Methanol extract were determined as Gallic acid equivalents. The results obtained in the present study indicated that the H.Schuli is a potential source of natural antioxidant. Although, the tests presented here showed the usefulness of HS extracts as in vitro antioxidants it still needs to be that this extracts show their activity in emulsions, biological systems and health implications. These results suggested that HS had potent antioxidant activities and could be explored as novel natural antioxidant....
Many herbal plants contain various pharmacological activity have been used in different illments. Semicarpus Anacardium linn belonging to Anacardiceae family ‘is a well known plant for its medicinal value in the sidhha and ayurvedic medicine. Chemical as well as phytochemical studies of Semecarpus Anacardium shows it contain biflavonoid, phenolic compounds like bhilawanols and semicarpol, minerals, vitamins and amino acid. A variety of nut extract preparations from this source are effective against many diseases like cancer, Arthritis, tumours, infection etc. Phytochemical studies of stem bark shows antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity....
The antidiabetic effect of N. sativa seed ethanol extract (NSE) was assessed in Meriones shawi after development of diabetes. Meriones shawi were divided randomly into four groups: normal control, diabetic control, diabetic treated with NSE (2?g?eq?plant/kg) or with metformin (300?mg/kg) positive control, both administered by daily intragastric gavage for 4 weeks. Glycaemia and body weight were evaluated weekly. At study's end, an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) was performed to estimate insulin sensitivity. Upon sacrifice, plasma lipid profile, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin levels were assessed. ACC phosphorylation and Glut4 protein content were determined in liver and skeletal muscle. NSE animals showed a progressive normalization of glycaemia, albeit slower than that of metformin controls. Moreover, NSE increased insulinemia and HDL-cholesterol, compared to diabetic controls. Leptin and adiponectin were unchanged. NSE treatment decreased OGTT and tended to decrease liver and muscle triglyceride content. NSE stimulated muscle and liver ACC phosphorylation and increased muscle Glut4. These results confirm NSE's previously reported hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic activity. More significantly, our data demonstrate that in vivo treatment with NSE exerts an insulin-sensitizing action by enhancing ACC phosphorylation, a major component of the insulin-independent AMPK signaling pathway, and by enhancing muscle Glut4 expression....
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