IT may occasion some surprise to those men of science who are ill-acquainted with India, and who so frequently express the view that Governments are unappreciative of the importance of science to learn that as far back as 1886 the Government of India arranged for Dr. George (later Sir George) Watt, professor of botany in the Presidency College, Calcutta, to prepare a "Dictionary of the Economic Products of India". The six volumes of this standard work were published during the years 1889-99. In 1908 Sir George Watt published a condensed version, "The Commercial Products of India". Whatever the defects of these 'dictionaries', they have been of inestimable value to all interested in Indian natural products. The Wealth of India A Dictionary of Indian Raw Materials and Industrial Products. Raw Materials, Vol. 1. Pp. xxvii+254+39 plates. 15 rupees ; 24s. Industrial Products, Part 1. Pp. xii+182+8 plates. 8 rupees ; 12s. (New Delhi : Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, 1948.)

The Wealth of India

Background: Atherosclerosis is the major cause of morbidities and mortalities worldwide. In this study we aimed to review the mechanism of atherosclerosis and its risk factors, focusing on new findings in atherosclerosis markers and its risk factors. Furthermore, the role of antioxidants and medicinal herbs in atherosclerosis and endothelial damage has been discussed and a list of important medicinal plants effective in the treatment and prevention of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis is presented. Methods: The recently published papers about atherosclerosis pathogenesis and herbal medicines effective in the treatment and prevention of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis were searched. Results: Inflammation has a crucial role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The disease is accompanied by excessive fibrosis of the intima, fatty plaques formation, proliferation of smooth muscle cells, and migration of a group of cells such as monocytes, T cells, and platelets which are formed in response to inflammation. The oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) to Ox‑LDL indicates the first step of atherosclerosis in cardiovascular diseases. Malondialdehyde factor shows the level of lipoperoxidation and is a sign of increased oxidative pressure and cardiovascular diseases. In special pathological conditions such as severe hypercholesterolemia, peroxynitrite concentration increases and atherosclerosis and vascular damage are intensified. Medicinal plants have shown to be capable of interacting these or other pathogenesis factors to prevent atherosclerosis.

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Atherosclerosis: process, indicators, risk factors and new hopes.

The therapeutic value of Aegle marmelos Correa (Rutaceae), commonly known as ''Bael," has been recognized as a component of traditional medication for the treatment of various human ailments. The plant, though, being highly explored, still lacks sufficient evidences for the best variety possessing the highest degree of medicinal values. The present study is focused on phytochemical screening of aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of 18 varieties/accessions of A. marmelos. The crude extracts of A. marmelos revealed the presence of several biologically active phytochemicals with the highest quantity of alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenols in Pant Aparna variety. The antibacterial efficacy was investigated against pathogenic bacterial strains and the highest inhibitory activity of aqueous extract was obtained against S. epidermidis, whereas methanolic extract was found to be most potent against S. aureus at 40 mg/mL concentration. However, in aqueous : ethanol, the best results were observed against E. aerogenes followed by K. pneumonia and S. epidermidis. The MIC of aqueous and methanol extract of Aegle marmelos ranged from 10 mg/mL to 40 mg/mL whereas in aqueous : ethanol it ranged between 40 mg/mL and 160 mg/mL. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of many bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alcohols, aldehydes, aromatic compounds, fatty acid methyl esters, terpenoids, phenolics, and steroids that can be postulated for antibacterial activity.

/pdf/phytochemical-evaluation-antimicrobial-activity-and-6c0gepjyw1.pdf

Phytochemical evaluation, antimicrobial activity, and determination of bioactive components from leaves of Aegle marmelos.

Moringa is a small genus comprising 13 species of trees and shrubs distributed in Africa and Asia. Moringa species have a broad variety of uses in medicine, food, cosmetics and oil production. Various parts possess many medicinal uses, pharmacological activities and provide sources of numerous medicinal compounds. Moringa oleifera is the best known and most widely distributed species in the genus and is the most popular and promising due to its multifarious beneficial uses. Over the past two decades, many reports have appeared in mainstream scientific journals documenting the nutritional and medicinal properties of this species. Organizations have also promoted and advocated M. oleifera as a “miracle tree” and as a result it has gained growing international interest. However, the Moringa genus includes 12 other species that have not yet been fully explored and recognized even though they have shown great potential and diversity as medicinal plants. Although, M. oleifera holds much promise in contributing to medicine and in alleviating malnutrition around the world; a genus of more potentially valuable and beneficial species remain almost unexamined and deserve further research into their uses. There is a large wealth of indigenous knowledge about the medicinal properties of the family, but further scientific investigation is warranted to confirm the indications of traditional practices. This review will present a compilation of available literature on the traditional medicinal uses, pharmacology and phytochemistry of all 13 species of the family and will highlight the importance of protecting these threatened species.

	 

	Key words: Moringaceae, Moringa oleifera, traditional medicine, pharmacology, phytochemistry.

https://www.academicjournals.org/article/article1380718428_Padayachee and Baijnath.pdf

An overview of the medicinal importance of Moringaceae

Ethnomedicinal plants used to treat skin diseases by Tharu community of district Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, India

In atherogenic diet induced hyperlipidemic model, the rats receiving treatment with the aqueous extract of the leaves of E. prostrata showed significant reduction in total cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein and elevation in high density lipoprotein cholesterol. The aqueous extract of E. prostrata was found to possess significant hypolipidemic activity. The results also suggest that E. prostrata leaf extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg b.wt. concentrations is an excellent lipid-lowering agent.

http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/5332/1/IJEB%2045%287%29%20617-619.pdf

Hypolipidemic activity of Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. leaf extract in atherogenic diet induced hyperlipidemic rats.

Alkaloids, tannins, saponins, steroid, terpenoid, flavonoids, phlobatannin and cardie glycoside distribution in seven medicinal plants belonging to different families were assessed and compared. The medicinal plants investigated were Aegle marmelos, Cynodon dactylon, Eclipta prostrata, Moringa pterygosperma, Pongamia pinnata, Sida acuta and Tridax procumbens. The significance of the plants in traditional medicine and the importance of the distribution of these chemical constituents were discussed with respect to the role of these plants in ethnomedicine in India.

Phytochemical constituents of some Indian medicinal plants.

Moringa concanensis Nimmo (Moringaceae) is one of the important medicinal plant. It is restricted in its distribution. The present study was aimed at recording traditional knowledge about this plant in various localities of Perambalur district, Tamilnadu. The medicinally useful part, drug preparation, mode of administration and the disease which can be treated have been discussed in this paper.

Traditional Medicinal Knowledge on Moringa concanensis Nimmo of Perambalur District, Tamilnadu.

The aqueous extract of Phyllanthus amarus Schum & Thorn, was selected for preliminary phytochemical and antibacterial activity against human pathogens. Minimum inhibitory concentration was performed by broth dilution method and the zone of inhibition was studied by agar disc diffusion method at concentrations of 10 and 20 mg/ml in DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide). The results revealed the antimicrobial activity of extract against the the strains of microorganisms concentrations in ranges of 60 and 500 μg/ml. Aqueous extract of leaves and roots of Phyllanthus amarus exhibited significant antibacterial activity against eight test bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus albus, Streptococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus vulgaris. The plant under study revealed the presence of alkaloids, phytosterols, phenolic compounds and tannins, proteins and amino acids , lignins and saponins.

Preliminary phytochemical investigation and antibacterial activity of Phyllanthus amarus Schum & Thorn.

M Ramakrishnan 1,2 , R Bhuvaneshwari 3 , V Duraipandiyan 1 and R Dhandapani 4 * Department of Biotechnology, Thanthai Hans Roever College, Perambalur-621 212, Tamil Nadu, India Division of Plant of Biotechnology, Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai-600 034, Tamil Nadu Department of Botany, AVC College, Manapandal, Mayladurai-609 305, Tamil Nadu Department of Botany, Aringer Anna Government Arts College, Nammakal-637 002, Tamil Nadu

http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/12740/1/IJNPR%202%283%29%20350-353.pdf

Dhandapani R

Papers

Hypolipidemic activity of Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. leaf extract in atherogenic diet induced hyperlipidemic rats.

Phytochemical constituents of some Indian medicinal plants.

Traditional Medicinal Knowledge on Moringa concanensis Nimmo of Perambalur District, Tamilnadu.

Preliminary phytochemical investigation and antibacterial activity of Phyllanthus amarus Schum & Thorn.

Hypoglycaemic activity of Coccinia indica Wight & Arn. fruits in Alloxan-induced diabetic rats