Introduction: Oxidative stress induced by alloxan has been shown to damage pancreatic beta cell and produce hyperglycemia in rats. Hence the present investigation has designed to appraise antidiabetic and antioxidant principle of the methanolic extract of Marsilea quadrifolia (MEMQ). Methods: Hypoglycemic effect was evaluated in alloxan induced diabetic rat. The oral administration of plant extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight was given to fasting glucose loaded rat with regard to normal control during 1 hr. study period and in alloxan induced (110 mg/kg body weight i.p.) diabetic rat in comparison with reference drug Metformin Hydrochloride (100 mg/kg) during 3 days study period. The antioxidant potential of MEMQ was checked by qualitative method and quantitatively through DPPH(1,1- diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) scavenging assay at 517 nm. Total phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity and reducing power activity was also assayed. Results: Considerable drop in elevated blood glucose level was observed in the alloxan induced diabetic (p<0.05 & p<0.001) rat. At a dose of 300 mg/kg the extract showed glucose level reduction of 47.57% in alloxan induced rat while 44.38% was found for Metformin after 3 days. Antioxidant activity using DPPH was found to increase in a concentration dependent manner with an IC50 value of 96.37 ± 3.62μg/ml higher than the standard one, IC50 16.59±0.59μg/ml. Total phenolic content was found 165.75 ± 0.961 mg/g in GAE and the total antioxidant capacity was equivalents of ascorbic acid (224.90 ± 1.42 mg/g). Conclusions: In all ways the extract showed significant antidiabetic and antioxidative potency. The present investigation suggests that MEMQ may be a potential source of natural antioxidant with good hypoglycemic activity.

Jeevak (Malaxis muscifera (Lindl.) Kuntze) and Rishibhak (Malaxis acuminata D.Don) belongs to family Orchidaceae, are critically endangered medicinal plants and two of the eight components of the vitality strengthening polyherbal Ayurvedic formulation “Astavarga”. The botanical identity of both plants suffers a lot of confusion and doubts in Ayurvedic literature. In lack of proper production, supply system and the increasing demands of herbal drugs are the major factors promoting the practices of adulteration and substitution. Therefore the standardisation of herbal drugs are essential for assuring the therapeutic efficacy of drugs. The present study is to carry out and verify the botanical / pharmacognostical identity of genuine sample and their phytochemical differences of market samples used in the name of Jeevak and Rishibhak.

Citrus aurantifolia (Christm) Swingle belongs to Family Rutaceae, is commonly known as Kagzi Nimbu or Acid lime. The peel is a leathery exocarp, or skin of the fruit containing numerous oil glands. Lime peel tea was traditionally used as an appetite stimulant, for cold and cough, for sore throat and as a digestive stimulant. It can also be use as an astringent for skin. Lime peel essential oil is use as an aroma and flavour enhancer. The present study deals with the pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical evaluation of Citrus aurantifolia (Christm) Swingle peel extract including macroscopic, microscopic characters, physiochemical evaluation and preliminary phytochemical study. Thin layer chromatography has also been performed. Microbial load of dried powder material was determined to avoid the contamination and for safety of crude drug. The present work will provide referential information for the correct identification and standardisation of the crude drug and will ensure the use of only genuine and uniform material in preparation of herbal formulation.

Introduction: Recently there has been a shift in universal trend from synthetic to herbal medicine, which we can say’ Return to Nature’. Cassia fistula or golden shower plant has plenty of medicinal values. This paper represent the isolation of two new chemical entities, present the leaves of cassia fistula and their medicinal aspects. Methods: Leaves of Cassia fistula was used as a plant material. Extraction was done with methanol followed by isolation procedure was done using HPTLC. Confirmation of compounds was done using UV, FTIR, NMR and MASS spectroscopy. In vitro antibacterial screening was carried out by disc diffusion method. Results: Air dried powdered leaves of Cassia fistula were extracted using methanol. From this extract two compounds were isolated in their pure form using Column chromatography and HPTLC. Identification of these two isolated compounds was confirmed by physico-chemical data, spectral interpretation and elemental analysis. Conclusions: This is the first report of the isolation of the 2 new compounds from cassia fistula leaves extracted in methanol extract. These compounds are seen to exhibit moderate antimicrobial property.

The present research work was carried out to study the antioxidant potential of methanolic extract of Jawarish amla using various in vitro tests including Reducing power assay, Superoxide anion scavenging activity assay, Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity assay, Nitric oxide scavenging activity assay, DPPH free radical scavenging assay, and hydrogen peroxide method. These various antioxidant activities were compared to standard ascorbic acid. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed that the extract of jawarish amla possesses flavonoids, steroids and phenolic compounds. In this study, quantitative determinations of flavonoids and phenols were conducted by colorimetric methods, using aluminum chloride method and Folin Ciocalteu reagent respectively. The results indicated that methanolic extract of Jawarish amla possess antioxidant property.

Cordia macleodii Hook. (Boraginaceae), known as Sikari/Phanki by the tribals of Orissa, is a plant of ethnomedicinal importance and is available in Gandhamardana hills ranges of Orissa. Stem bark of this plant is used for healing wounds and for treating jaundice. In this study, an attempt has been made to study pharmacognostical characters of the stem bark which includes its macroscopic and microscopic characters and preliminary phytochemistry including TLC and HPTLC. Bark shows microscopic characters like cork, cortex, medullary rays, sclerenchyma fibres, phloem, cambium and crystals. The phytochemical tests show presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins and HPTLC profile shows presence of 9 spots and 8 spots at 254 and 366 nm respectively.

Balacaturbhadrika churna is an Ayurvedic formulation widely used in diarrhoea, fever, cough and asthma. The present article is an attempt to establish the scientific basis of one of the reputed Ayurvedic formulation. Investigations were carried out to study the physicochemical, phytochemical and spectrophotometric analysis of formulation. The values of percent loss on drying, angle of repose, Hausner ratio, Carr’s index of the lab formulation were calculated as 6.84 ± 0.224, 27.36, 1.25 and 20 respectively, which indicates the moisture contents of formulation is within the range and depict good flow characteristics. Total ash, acid insoluble ash and water soluble ash were found 8.148 ± 0.337, 3.281 ± 0.286, and 45.602 ± 0.414 respectively; the value of total ash indicates the inorganic contents of formulation are below the standard limits, above stated results were also compared with marketed formulation. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts of formulations and ingredients were prepared and evaluated for phytochemical analysis and the results of extractive values shows higher alcoholic extractive value (39.294±2.226) of formulation depict that alcohol is a better solvent for extraction. Three laboratory batches of formulation and Piper longum powder were estimated for their piperine content against standard piperine solution on double beam UV-Visible spectrophotometer at λ max 342.5 nm.

Introduction: Phyllanthus niruri, Andrographis paniculata and Embilica officinalis are most important and high value medicinal plant known for its hepatoprotective activity. Several analytical methods including HPTLC and HPLC are reported for respective phytoconstituents. However, there is no simultaneous estimation of phyllanthin and gallic acid reported. The Objective of present work is to develop and validate HPTLC method for simultaneous determination of phyllanthin and gallic acid in polyherbal hepatoprotective formulation. Method: The method is employed TLC alumina plates precoated with silica gel 60F-254 as a stationary phase and toluene: ethyl acetate: formic acid (5:3.5:0.5 v/v/v) as a mobile phase. The standard markers namely phyllanthin and galic acid were identified in polyherbal formulation containing P.niruri and E.officinalis by Rf value. Densitometric analysis of phyllanthin and gallic acid was carried out at 254nm. Results: The precision of method was confirmed by relative standard deviation (RSD) which was lower than the 2%. This method was found to give proper separation of phyllanthin and gallic acid. The linear regression data for calibration plot shown good relationship with r2=0.998 (phyllanthin) and 0.9991(Gallic acid) in the concentration range 5-9 μg/band. The method was validated for precision, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Conclusion: statistical analysis proves that method is accurate and reproducible. The method is economical and can be employed for routine analysis of marketed polyherbal hepatoprotective formulation containing P.niruri and E.officinalis.

Background: Tephrosia is a large tropical and sub-tropical genus belonging to the family Fabaceae. Tephrosia maxima is reported to be rich in phenols and flavonoid. The folklore of Andhra Pradesh use the plant for inflammatory conditions, in diabetes, as anti ulcer and anti cancer agents. Objective: The present work focuses on the o Pharmacognostical standardization on the root of the plant which will help in setting a suitable plant profile. Materials and Methods: The morphological, microscopical, proximate analysis, fluorescence analysis, preliminary chemical screenings followed by thin layer chromatographic analysis was performed. Quercetin was used as the standard in the TLC analysis. Results: A thin transverse section of the root showed the presence of mucilaginous vessels which was considered as tissue of diagnostic importance. Abundant vessels with lateral wall pits and perforation plates were seen throughout the powdered microscopy. The fluorescence analyses showed a range of fluorescent colours which help in the identification of chemical nature of constituents present. The physico chemical parameters like ash values extractive values, crude fibre content and loss on drying were conducted, the values of which will help in the detection of impurities. The thin layer chromatographic finger printings revealed the presence of quercetin or its derivatives as similar Rf values were observed. Conclusion: The results obtained in this research investigation will help in the development of a suitable monograph which will help in the proper identification and authentication of the plant from its related species.

To ensure reproducible quality of herbal products, proper control of starting material is important. The first step towards ensuring quality of starting material is authentication. Thus, in recent years there has been a rapid increase in the standardization of selected medicinal plants of potential therapeutic significance. Despite the modern techniques, identification of plant drugs by pharmacognostic studies is more reliable. Pharmacognostical parameters of the leaves were studied with the aim of drawing the pharmacopoeial standards for this species. Macroscopical and microscopical characters, physico-chemical constants, phytochemical study for the presence of various secondary metabolites and HPTLC fingerprint profile of methanolic extract were studied. The present investigation on Amaranthus spinosus leaf might be useful to supplement information in regard to its identification parameters. Such studies are important in the way of acceptability of herbal drugs in present scenario of lacking regulatory laws to control quality of herbal drugs.

Sophisticated modern research tools for evaluation of the plant drugs are available today but microscopic method is one of the simplest and cheapest methods to start with for establishing the correct identity of the source materials. The leaves of Terminalia catappa (Combretaceae) are reported to have good medicinal values in traditional system of medicines. But the pharmacognostic and Phytochemical standardization of the leaves were not validated till date. With the aim of drawing the pharmacopoeial standards for this species, the present study deals with pharmacognostical parameters for the leaves of Terminalia catappa which mainly consists of Macroscopical and microscopical characters, physio-chemical constants, quantitative microscopy parameters and Preliminary phytochemical screening. This information will be of used for further pharmacological and instrumental evaluation of the species and will assist in standardization for quality, purity and sample identification.

The present study investigates the phytochemical constitution and antioxidant activity of various solvent (aqueous, butanol and ethyl acetate) extracts of the leaf and bark of Alstonia scholaris. The antioxidant assays performed include DPPH, ABTS and FRAP. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, proteins, phenols and steroids in aqueous extracts of both leaf and bark of the plant. Butanol extract also showed moderate presence of the phytochemicals in the preliminary screening. The aqueous and butanol extracts showed significant antioxidant activity with DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays when compared to the ethyl acetate extract. IC50 value of aqueous extract of bark and leaf were found to be 1.21 mg/mL and 2.83 mg/mL respectively in the DPPH assay and 210 μg/mL and 523 μg/mL in the ABTS assay. At 2 mg/mL concentration, the aqueous extract of bark and leaf showed ferric reducing power of 130.70 μmoles/mg and 109.52 μmoles/mg respectively in the FRAP assay. The TLC analysis of the aqueous extract of the bark, which showed highest antioxidant activity among the other extracts, was also performed.

The essential oil from the aerial parts of Plectranthus caninus Roth (Lamiaceae), obtained by hydro-distillation was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC /MS) and evaluated for antimicrobial, free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory activities. Thirty-four compounds representing 91.02% of the total oil were identified. The major constituents of the oil were camphor (22.36%) and α-thujene (14.48%). The oil was tested against 21 bacterial and 4 fungal strains using disc diffusion method and found to be active against a broad spectrum of pathogens including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as some fungal strains. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the oil against the bacterial strains tested ranged from 10 to 400 μg/ml, and from 800 to 1000 μg/mL against the fungal strains employed. The in vitro antioxidant activity was assessed using 2,2-diphenyl- 1‑picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. The oil reduced DPPH in a concentration dependent manner with an EC ₅₀ value of 3.5 μl/ml. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated on the basis of inhibition of carrageenaninduced mouse hind paw oedema whereby doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg were found to inhibit significantly increase in paw volume during the late phase of inflammation. The study provides evidence for the broad-spectrum antimicrobial, significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of Plectranthus caninus essential oil, a possible explanation for the traditional use of the plan

Introduction: Elaeagni Folium has been used as a crude drug to cure lung deficiency cough, asthma and shortness of breath for a long time in China. The research aimed to optimize the extraction condition and measure the amount of total flavonoids in this medicinal material. Methods: Reflux extraction was an efficient method, compared with sonication and soxhlet extraction, to extract total flavonoids. On the basis of single factor test, the L9(34) orthogonal test was used in the optimization of technological parameters by investigating the ethanol concentration, extraction time and the material /solvent ratios. Using 0.1 mol·L⁻¹ aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) solution as chromogenic agent, the total flavonoids content was measured by ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry. Results: The optimal extraction parameters showed that: ethanol concentration was 85%, ratio of solvent to raw material 40:1 and extraction time 1.5 h. The amount of total flavonoids in the leaf of Elaeagnus pungens Thunb. collected in different harvest time and habitats was 20.8-33.2mg·g^-1. Conclusions: It indicated that the amount of total flavonoids had significant difference in this crude drug from different habitats but at the same time, while the total flavonoids content was stable in the samples collected in different harvest time but at the same habitat.