Phenolic rich Cocos nucifera inflorescence extract ameliorates inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and toxin-induced murine models.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the acetone extract of Cocos nucifera (CnAE), an important ingredient in several traditional drugs, have been studied using different in vitro and in vivo models. CnAE did not show any observable toxicity in RAW264.7 macrophages by MTT assay.

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) as a Tool for Standardization of Complex Herbal Drugs.

Herbal formulations have reached tremendous acceptability as therapeutic agents for several diseases mainly due to the indiscriminate use of modern medicine such as antibiotics, steroids and other synthetic drugs. The increasing popularity in plant-based drugs is leading to a fast growing market for plant-based drugs pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, functional foods, and even cosmeceuticals. The development of authentic analytical methods for complex herbal drugs, especially poly herbal formulations which can reliably profile the phytochemical composition, including quantitative analyses of marker/bioactive compounds and other major constituents, is a major challenge to scientists.

Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of some fruits.

Phenols, a major group of antioxidant phytochemicals, have profound importance due to their biological and free radical scavenging activities. To identify their potential sources extracts of some fruits and their different parts were studied for total phenolic contents (TPC), antioxidant (AOA) and free radical scavenging activities (FRSA). The amount of TPC varied from 10.

Amelioration effects against N-nitrosodiethylamine and CCl(4)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Swiss albino rats by whole plant extract of Achyranthes aspera.

Objective: The prevalence of oxidative stress may be implicated in the etiology of many pathological conditions. Protective antioxidant action imparted by many plant extracts and plant products make them a promising therapeutic drug for free-radical-induced pathologies. In this study, we assessed the antioxidant potential and suppressive effects of Achyranthes aspera by evaluating the hepatic diagnostic markers on chemical-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.

Analysis of diversity amongst widely distributed and endemic Atalantia (family Rutaceae) species from Western Ghats of India.

The genus Atalantia Correa is represented in India with four species and two varieties. The infra - generic classification and the species limits in Atalantia are, however, not well defined, due to the occurrence of intermediate forms. Two species, A.

Novel mechanism of modulating natural antioxidants in functional foods: involvement of plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria NRRL B-30488.

The significance of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) mediated increase in antioxidant potential in vegetables is yet unknown. The plant growth-promoting bacterium Bacillus lentimorbus NRRL B-30488 (B-30488) mediated induction of dietary antioxidant in vegetables ( Trigonella foenum-graecum, Lactuca sativa, Spinacia oleracea, and Daucus carota) and fruit ( Citrus sinensis) after minimal processing (fresh, boiled, and frozen) was tested by estimating the total phenol content, level of antioxidant enzymes, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide scavenging activities along with integral radical scavenging capacity by photochemiluminescence assay and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Minimal processing of vegetables showed that T.

Antidiabetic activity of Croton klozchianus in rats and direct stimulation of insulin secretion in-vitro.

Croton klozchianus is a relatively uninvestigated species with no pharmacological or phytochemical reports available, although it has been used clinically by Ayurvedic physicians to treat diabetes. We have investigated this use by studying the insulin secretion and antidiabetic activity of C. klozchianus.

Ethnopharmacological approaches to wound healing--exploring medicinal plants of India.

India has a rich tradition of plant-based knowledge on healthcare. A large number of plants/plant extracts/decoctions or pastes are equally used by tribals and folklore traditions in India for treatment of cuts, wounds, and burns. The present review thus attempts to analyze the ethnobotanical knowledge base for treatment of cuts and wounds which includes a usage of plants, methods employed by tribals and folklore practices prevailing in India.

Antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities of Desmodium gangeticum fractions in carrageenan-induced inflamed rats.

Flavonoid and alkaloid fractions of Desmodium gangeticum were evaluated for antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities in carrageenan-induced inflamed rats with the aim of studying the promising fraction for inhibitory action on ferrous sulphate induced lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and total reduced glutathione in liver and spleen homogenates of inflamed rats. The results showed that the flavonoid fraction of D. gangeticum possesses potent antioxidant activity compared with the alkaloid fraction and also with respect to the standard drug indomethacin, in terms of augmentation of the liver and spleen SOD, CAT and GPX activities, concomitant with a reduction in lipid peroxidation (TBARS).

Antioxidant activity of Desmodium gangeticum and its phenolics in arthritic rats.

Total alcoholic extract of Desmodium gangeticum, which exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity, was evaluated for the possible mode of action by studying its antioxidant potential in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats. Activity guided fractionation and isolation were carried out. The phenolics fraction showed maximum potency.

Antiulcer and antimicrobial activity of Anogeissus latifolia.

Ethnobotanically, the bark of Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb. ex DC.) Wall.

Free radical scavenging potential of Saussarea costus.

Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipschitz from the family Asteraceae is an important medicinal drug, the roots of which are widely used in folk medicine. The antioxidant activity of the plant has been studied using its ability to scavenge DPPH, nitric oxide, superoxide radicals along with its ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation and GSH oxidation.

Exchangeable sodium induced changes in yield, water relation and cation composition of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill).

A pot experiment was conducted with the objectives to assess the adaptation potential of fennel crop grown at 10, 20, 25, 35 and 40 ESP (exchangeable sodium percentage) levels. Results showed that the rate of seed germination, plant growth including branching pattern, umbels per plant and 1000 test seed weight were adversely affected by sodic soils. Assuming that fifty percent reduction in seed yield and Na+/K+ ratio in leaf tissue as an index of alkali tolerance revealed that fennel was tolerant up to 25 ESP.

Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine: a comparative overview.

Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine (TIM) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) remain the most ancient yet living traditions. There has been increased global interest in traditional medicine. Efforts to monitor and regulate herbal drugs and traditional medicine are underway.

Action of Hygrophila auriculata against streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress.

Hygrophila auriculata (K. Schum.) Heine (Family: Acanthaceae) is a wild herb widely used in 'Ayurveda' as 'Rasayana' drug for treatment of various disorders.

Hepatoprotective effects of rubiadin, a major constituent of Rubia cordifolia Linn.

The hepatoprotective effects of rubiadin, a major constituent isolated from Rubia cordifolia Linn., were evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage in rats. Rubiadin at a dose of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg was administered orally once daily for 14 days.

Stakeholder-based SWOT analysis for successful municipal solid waste management in Lucknow, India.

The present investigation is a case study of Lucknow, the main metropolis in Northern India, which succumbs to a major problem of municipal solid waste and its management. A qualitative investigation using strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis (SWOT) has been successfully implemented through this community participation study. This qualitative investigation emphasizes the limited capabilities of the municipal corporation's resources to provide proper facilitation of the municipal solid waste management (MSWM) services without community participation in Lucknow city.

Antioxidant approach to disease management and the role of 'Rasayana' herbs of Ayurveda.

The disease preventive and health promotive approach of 'Ayurveda', which takes into consideration the whole body, mind and spirit while dealing with the maintenance of health, promotion of health and treating ailments is holistic and finds increasing acceptability in many regions of the world. Ancient Ayurvedic physicians had developed certain dietary and therapeutic measures to arrest/delay ageing and rejuvenating whole functional dynamics of the body system. This revitalization and rejuvenation is known as the 'Rasayan chikitsa' (rejuvenation therapy).

Healing potential of Anogeissus latifolia for dermal wounds in rats.

Wound healing potential of ethanolic extract of Anogeissus latifolia bark (ALE) for treatment of dermal wounds in rats was studied on excision and incision wound models. HPTLC of the total extract was recorded for the purpose of standardization. Various parameters of incision wound, viz.

Antioxidant potential of Anogeissus latifolia.

Anogeissus latifolia is widely used in the Indian indigenous system of medicine and is reported to contain leucocyanidins and tannoid principles like ellagic acid and its derivatives. In view of its wide use and its chemical composition, this study was aimed at examining the antioxidant activity of the extract of A. latifolia.

Antiulcer activity of Utleria salicifolia rhizome extract.

The effect of 50% ethanolic extract of Utleria salicifolia (USE) was assessed in different acute and chronic gastric ulcer models in rats. USE, 50-200 mg/kg administered orally, twice daily for 5 days showed dose-dependent ulcer protective effect in pylorus ligation (14.48-51.

Evaluation of hepatoprotective effects of Helminthostachys zeylanica (L.) Hook against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in Wistar rats.

The rhizomes of Helminthostachys zeylanica (L.) are used by the Kattunaikan tribe of Kerala, for the treatment of various hepatic disorders. In the present study, the effect of the methanolic extract of Helminthostachys zeylanica rhizomes on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in Wistar rats was studied.

Antifungal activity of wogonin.

The antifungal activity of the wogonin isolated from Holmskioldia sanguinea Retz was determined on four different fungal organisms. The pure compound wogonin significantly inhibited the growth of Aspergillus niger, Penicillium frequentance, P. notatum and Botrytis cinerea, in a concentration dependent fashion, when tested by turbidity and spore germination methods.

Studies on the antioxidant activities of Desmodium gangeticum.

Desmodium gangeticum is herbal species which is widely used in the indigenous system of medicine and is reported to contain flavone and isoflavanoid glycosides. In view of its wide use and it's chemical composition, this study was aimed at examining the antioxidant activity of the extract of D. gangeticum.

Hepatoprotective plants used by the tribals of wynadu, malappuram and palghat districts of kerala, India.

An intensive survey was carried out in Wynadu, Palghat and malappuram districts of Kerala to identify plants used by the tribals were identified in the survey. A brief account of 15 plant species used as single plant remedy for alleviating liver ailments by the tribals is given in this report. This ethnomedical information can lead the development of useful drugs against liver diseases.