Effect of thymoquinone and Nigella sativa seeds oil on lipid peroxidation level during global cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury in rat hippocampus

Chemistry of Spices

Biotic stress caused by Tetranychus urticae mites elevates the quantity of secondary metabolites, cannabinoids and terpenes, in Cannabis sativa L.

Identification of Pu'er raw tea with different storage years by infrared spectroscopy

We recently reported that dietary fenugreek seeds lower the incidence of cholesterol
gallstones (CGS) in high-cholesterol fed mice and also regress pre-established
CGS. In this study, fenugreek was evaluated for hepatoprotective and antioxidant
influence in mice fed high-cholesterol diet (HCD). After feeding HCD for 10
weeks, groups of animals were maintained for further 10 weeks on HCD/basal
diet/basal diet containing 6 or 12% fenugreek. Activities of serum aspartate aminotrasferase,
alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase
increased with prolonged feeding of HCD. Activities of these enzymes
were lower in animals fed basal control/ fenugreek containing diets after initial
exposure to HCD, and were prominent in fenugreek groups. Hepatic lipid peroxides
decreased and antioxidant molecules increased in fenugreek fed groups.
Activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes – glutathione reductase, glutathione-Stransferase
and glutathione peroxidase were higher in fenugreek treatment. These
results suggested hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of fenugreek seeds
under conditions of lithogenicity.

Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Effect ofFenugreek (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum) Seedsin Mice under Lithogenic Condition.

Introduction Darjeeling tea of India is one of the most famous beverages globally. However, a large amount of tea crop is damaged every year by the attack of mites. Objectives The study aimed to determine the changes in different pigments and biochemical components of tea leaves due to mite infestation. Materials and methods We used UV-visible and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy simultaneously to understand the damages in pigment contents of the leaves of tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) due to attack of phytophagus mite, Oligonychus coffeae Nietner. Furthermore, chemical analysis of infested tea leaves was also performed to compare the nutrients of the plants, namely total phenol, protein and soluble sugar. Results The UV-visible study reveals severe reduction of the pigments such as chlorophyll (Chl), carotenoids and xanthophylls in the tea leaf due to mite infestation. The findings of the FTIR study, also shows variation in different physiochemical components in the leaf Chl. The sugar and protein content of the infested leaves have been reduced compared to uninfested ones. Results in the case of tea leaves plucked during first (March) and third (November) flushes show similar trends. Conclusion The increase in phenolic and alcoholic components and decrease in Chl contents may affect the quality of Darjeeling tea. The extent of damages done by the pests measured here could aid the pest management in tea gardens.

Phytochemical analysis of mite-infested tea leaves of Darjeeling Hills, India

India houses a wide variety of plants with medicinal properties on account of being a megadiversity country. Spices, comprising different parts of a plant (seeds, bark, etc.), are substances used for adding flavor to and preserving food items. They possess a myriad of health benefits, uses of which are documented in ancient literature. Panch phoron is a mixture of five spices, comprising whole seeds of cumin, fennel, fenugreek, mustard and black cumin. It is widely used in India, especially Eastern India, for adding flavor to food in daily cooking. The present study delves into various pharmacological properties of each of the five seeds comprising Panch phoron and is necessitated by the current interest in plant products as a cheaper and far better alternative than the synthetic drugs available but associated with side effects. It was seen that the seeds have myriad properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumorigenic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, gastroprotective and cardioprotective and may be used for the treatment of diabetes, cancer, inflammation, kidney problems, liver problems, etc., following proper scientific validation and long-term trials. The review aspires to scientifically validate the vast traditional use of this spice in the Eastern Indian cuisine and its immense scope in herbal therapeutics in the future.

/pdf/a-review-of-the-seeds-comprising-panch-phoron-a-spice-used-3gj9zsh2fn.pdf

A Review of the Seeds Comprising Panch phoron, a Spice used in Indian Cuisine

The red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae (Nietner) serves as a serious threat to the Darjeeling tea plantations affecting the quality of the leaves. Various plant extracts are currently being researched as an alternative to the chemical pesticides to control the red spider mites. In the present study, the leaves of Vitex negundo L. and the bulb of Allium sativum L. were analyzed for their acaricidal activity on the larval, nymphal and adult stages of the mite. Both the extracts were found to have potent activity against red spider mites and may prove to be potential acaricides in future.

/pdf/acaricidal-activity-of-nishinda-vitex-negundo-leaf-and-14yarluw3q.pdf

Acaricidal activity of nishinda (Vitex negundo) leaf and garlic (Allium sativum) bulb extract against red spider mite, Oligonychus coﬀeae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in tea plantations of Darjeeling hill, West Bengal, India

Debjani Sarkar

Papers

Phytochemical analysis of mite-infested tea leaves of Darjeeling Hills, India

A Review of the Seeds Comprising Panch phoron, a Spice used in Indian Cuisine

Acaricidal activity of nishinda (Vitex negundo) leaf and garlic (Allium sativum) bulb extract against red spider mite, Oligonychus coﬀeae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in tea plantations of Darjeeling hill, West Bengal, India