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American Society for Testing and Materials

Chem. Pharm. Bull.(オピニオン)

Nigella sativa (N. sativa) (Family Ranunculaceae) is a widely used medicinal plant throughout the world. It is very popular in various traditional systems of medicine like Unani and Tibb, Ayurveda and Siddha. Seeds and oil have a long history of folklore usage in various systems of medicines and food. The seeds of N. sativa have been widely used in the treatment of different diseases and ailments. In Islamic literature, it is considered as one of the greatest forms of healing medicine. It has been recommended for using on regular basis in Tibb-e-Nabwi (Prophetic Medicine). It has been widely used as antihypertensive, liver tonics, diuretics, digestive, anti-diarrheal, appetite stimulant, analgesics, anti-bacterial and in skin disorders. Extensive studies on N. sativa have been carried out by various researchers and a wide spectrum of its pharmacological actions have been explored which may include antidiabetic, anticancer, immunomodulator, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, bronchodilator, hepato-protective, renal protective, gastro-protective, antioxidant properties, etc. Due to its miraculous power of healing, N. sativa has got the place among the top ranked evidence based herbal medicines. This is also revealed that most of the therapeutic properties of this plant are due to the presence of thymoquinone which is major bioactive component of the essential oil. The present review is an effort to provide a detailed survey of the literature on scientific researches of pharmacognostical characteristics, chemical composition and pharmacological activities of the seeds of this plant.

A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb

Psidium guajava: a review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology.

THIS text-book of pharmacognosy has already found wide recognition among teachers and students of pharmacy. Its subject matter has grown from a laboratory manual intended for use in practical classes, and now comprises the requirements for the Chemist and Druggist Qualifying Examination of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. A Textbook of Pharmacognosy By T. C. Denston. Fourth edition. Pp. xviii + 594. (London: Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd., 1945.) 27s. 6d. net.

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A Textbook of Pharmacognosy

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is defined as the growth of microbes without free flowing aqueous phase. The SSF is alternative to submerged fermentation for production of value added products like antibiotics, single cell protein, Poly unsaturated fatty acids, enzymes, organic acids, biopesticides, biofuel and aroma production. However, the advantages of SSF in various processes are found to be greater than in submerged fermentation. This paper reviews the advantages of solid-state fermentation over submerged in production of different value added products, important features of various bioreactor designs, recent developments in utilization of various agro-industrial residues as substrates and the importance of mathematical modeling. With advances through modeling and optimization techniques, production-using SSF is advantageous and appropriate for production of many value added products like enzymes, antibiotics, and organic acids. This technique not only decreases the cost of the process but also makes product cheaper for consumers.

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Solid-State Fermentation: An Overview

Antidiabetic effect of Punica granatum flowers: effect on hyperlipidemia, pancreatic cells lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in experimental diabetes.

Lovastatin, an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, was produced by submerged fermentation using Monascus purpureus MTCC 369. Five nutritional parameters screened using Plackett–Burman experimental design were optimized by Box–Behnken factorial design of response surface methodology for lovastatin production in shake flask cultures. Maximum lovastatin production of 351 mg/l were predicted in medium containing 29.59 g/l dextrose, 3.86 g/l NH4Cl, 1.73 g/l KH2PO4, 0.86 g/l MgSO4·7H2O, and 0.19 g/l MnSO4·H2O using response surface plots and point prediction tool of DESIGN EXPERT 7.0 (Statease, USA) software.

Optimization of nutrient parameters for lovastatin production by Monascus purpureus MTCC 369 under submerged fermentation using response surface methodology.

A water extract of Psidium guajava leaves was screened for hypoglycemic activity on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. In both acute and sub-acute tests, the water extract, at an oral dose of 250 mg/kg, showed statistically significant hypoglycemic activity.

Effect of water extract of Psidium guajava leaves on alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

The steam-distilled volatile oil obtained from partially dried grass (citronella grass) Cymbopogon nardus (Linn.) Rendle (Syn. Andropogon nardus Linn.), cultivated in the Nilgiri Hills at Ooty, India, was analysed by capillary GC and GC–MS. The partially dried grass contained 35 components, of which 29 constituents, comprising 92.7% of the oil, were completely identified. The oil contains 16 monoterpenes (79.8%), nine sesquiterpenes (11.5%) and four non-terpenic compounds (1.4%). The prominent monoterpenes were citronellal (29.7%), geraniol (24.2%), γ-terpineol (9.2%) and cis-sabinene hydrate (3.8%). The predominant sesquiterpenes were (E)-nerolidol (4.8%), β-caryophyllene (2.2%) and germacren-4-ol (1.5%). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Mohd Tarmizi Ali

Papers

Solid-State Fermentation: An Overview

Antidiabetic effect of Punica granatum flowers: effect on hyperlipidemia, pancreatic cells lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in experimental diabetes.

Optimization of nutrient parameters for lovastatin production by Monascus purpureus MTCC 369 under submerged fermentation using response surface methodology.

Effect of water extract of Psidium guajava leaves on alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Volatile constituents of Cymbopogon nardus (Linn.) Rendle