neurochemical subtleties. Lengthy discussion is published verbatim and in general enhances the value of the papers. A major justification of the duplicate publication usually involved in printing symposia proceedings is the orientation provided in the field by bringing together related work, not merely in juxtaposition, but under evaluative discussion by leading investigators within and across disciplines. In this case comment was incisive and much remains cogent.

Screening Methods in Pharmacology.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the phytochemical constitution and antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of dried leaves of four medicinally important herbs Ocimum sanctum, Mentha spicata, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Spinacia oleracea utilized in our routine diet alongwith one medicinal important tree Gmelina arborea. Qualitative analysis of phytochemical constituentsâ€™ viz. tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, quinones, coumerin, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides and quantitative analysis of total phenolics, alkaloids, saponins and flavanoids was performed by the well-known tests protocol available in the literature. Antioxidant activity was studied through DPPH and reducing power assay.The phytochemical screening revealed the extract richness in Tannins, Phlobatannin, Saponins, Flavonoids, Steroids and Alkaloids. Quantitative analysis of phenolics, alkaloids, saponins and flavanoids had revealed that Mentha spicata possessed maximum phenolic (18.41 %), Gmelina arborea highest alkaloids (5.66 %) & flavanoids (22.80 %) and Trigonella foenum-graecum highest saponin (50.12 %) contents. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power assays. IC50 values obtained by DPPH activity for Mentha spicata crude extract was found to be 170Âµg/ml and reducing power was found to be maximum (1.92) at 1mg/ml concentration. The results suggest that Mentha spicata has promising antioxidant activity and could serve as potential source of natural antioxidants.

https://www.phytojournal.com/vol2Issue4/Issue_nov_2013/4.1.pdf

Phytochemical Analysis and Free Radical Scavenging Potential of Herbal and Medicinal Plant Extracts

Plant profile, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari): A review

Rasayana tantra is one of the eight specialties of Ayurveda. It is a specialized practice in the form of rejuvenative recipes, dietary regimen, special health promoting behaviour and drugs. Properly administered Rasayana can bestow the human being with several benefits like longevity, memory, intelligence, freedom from diseases, youthful age, excellence of luster, complexion and voice, optimum strength of physique and sense organs, respectability and brilliance. Various types of plant based Rasayana recipes are mentioned in Ayurveda. Review of the current literature available on Rasayanas indicates that anti-oxidant and immunomodulation are the most studied activities of the Rasayana drugs. Querying in Pubmed database on Rasayanas reveals that single plants as well as poly herbal formulations have been researched on. This article reviews the basics of Rasayana therapy and the published research on different Rasayana drugs for specific health conditions. It also provides the possible directions for future research.

Plant-based Rasayana drugs from Ayurveda.

Optimization of brain targeted chitosan nanoparticles of Rivastigmine for improved efficacy and safety

Asparagus recemosus enhances memory and protects against amnesia in rodent models

Objective To evaluate different physicochemical parameters and in-vitro antioxidant activity of Aconitum heterophyllum ( A. heterophyllum ), having great medicinal value in treatment of diseases associated to nervous system, digestive system, rheumatism, fever and also in case of bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Methods Various physicochemical parameters such as extractive values, haemolytic activity, foaming index, swelling index, heavy metal analysis and pesticide content as per the guidelines of WHO were included. Determination of starch grains, crude fiber, fluorescence powder drug analysis and preliminary phytochemical analysis of root of A. heterophyllum were also included. Various phytoconstituents such as total phenols, tannins, flavonoids, flavonols, alkaloids and saponins were quantified in the present study. The ethanolic extract was further screened for in-vitro antioxidant activity using different models. Results The result depicted a higher extractive value in case of aqueous extract which decreased as the polarity decreased. The haemolytic activity of A. heterophyllum was found to be 212.5 units/g of plant material while chlorinated and phosphate pesticides along with heavy metals were found to be within the standard limits of WHO. The quantitative estimations demonstrated the root to be highly rich in alkaloids while phenols, tannins, flavonoids and saponins were found in less quantity. The in-vitro antioxidant study showed a moderate to low activity in all models which may be attributed to low phenolic and flavonoid content. Conclusion The valuable information provided in the study will ascertain the identity and authenticity of A. heterophyllum and will help in maintaining quality and purity thus, preventing its adulteration.

Physicochemical standardization and evaluation of in-vitro antioxidant activity of Aconitum heterophyllum Wall

Medicinal plants are widely being used by the traditional medical practitioners for curing various diseases in their day-to-day practice. Biophytum sensitivum DC (Oxalidaceae) is used as a traditional folk medicine in ailments such as inflammation, arthritis, wounds, tumors and burns, gonorrhea, stomach ache, asthma, cough, degenerative joint disease, urinary calculi, diabetes, snake bite, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea. It is a small, flowering, annual herb with sensitive leaves. It grows throughout tropical Africa and Asia, especially in Philippines and the hotter parts of India and Nepal. Phytochemical studies have shown that the major pharmacologically active constituents are amentoflavone and a polysaccharide fraction, BP100 III. Recent pharmacological study shows that it has antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, chemoprotective, antidiabetic and wound healing potential. This review attempts to describe the ethnobotany, pharmacognosy, traditional uses, chemical constituents, and various pharmacologic activities and other aspects of B. sensitivum.

Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Biophytum sensitivum DC.

Cinnamomum wightii Meissn. (Family ⎯ Lauraceae) is a tree mainly found in the Western Ghats and Shola forest of the South India. Pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of crude drug has been done as per WHO guidelines and IHP 2002. The crude flower buds are globoid to round in shape, dark brown with 1-2 cm long pedicel. Transverse section through petals showed both the outer and inner epidermis with numerous stone cells and secretory glands scattered in the cortex. The quantitative values found are: foreign organic matter (0.71%), loss on drying (11.88%), total ash (6.41%), acid insoluble ash (2.07%), water soluble ash (0.38%), alcohol soluble extractive (28.63%) and water soluble extractive (7.23%), foaming index (200), swelling index (0.85 ml), volatile oil content (0.20%) and pesticide residue content. The powdered crude flower buds have shown the presence of stone cells, vessel element, covering trichomes, spiral xylem vessel and fragments of anthers filamentous cell layer. Phytochemical screening of methanolic extract showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, coumarins, reducing sugars, phenolics, tannins, sterols and mucilage. Quantitative estimation of the methanolic extracts of various phytoconstituents, viz. total tannins (156.5 mg/g), total phenolics (146.40 mg/g), total flavonoids (30 mg/g) and total flavonols (3.6 mg/g) content has been estimated spectrophotometrically. These findings may serve as diagnostic tools for identification of the crude drug.

http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/13804/1/IJNPR%203%281%29%2033-39.pdf

Pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of Cinnamomum wightii Meissn. flowers

Cytomorphological and physicochemical evaluations of rhizomes of Cryptocoryne spiralis, used as a substitute of Aconitum heterophyllum for treatment of diarrhea in the Indian Siddha medicine, were carried out. The study included macroscopical and microscopical description of rhizomes of plant. Physicochemical parameters including ash values, extractive value loss on drying, foaming index, swelling index, and foreign matter were evaluated. Pesticide residue, starch grains, total saponin content, total hemolytic activity, fluorescence drug analysis, and phytochemical screening of rhizomes extracts were done. Total phenols, tannins, flavonoids, flavonols, and total alkaloids were quantified from the ethanolic extract. In vitro antioxidant activity of the extract was determined by total antioxidant capacity, reducing power assay, and scavenging methods including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, nitric oxide, H2O2, and deoxyribose. The parameters obtained in the present study may be used as referential informati...

Alakh N. Sahu

Papers

Asparagus recemosus enhances memory and protects against amnesia in rodent models

Physicochemical standardization and evaluation of in-vitro antioxidant activity of Aconitum heterophyllum Wall

Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Biophytum sensitivum DC.

Pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of Cinnamomum wightii Meissn. flowers

Cytomorphological and Physicochemical Evaluations of Cryptocoryne spiralis