Nutraceuticals and phytochemicals

It is always a question whether sensory and nutritional properties of walnut are being affected by drying methods and harvesting date or not. In this study, effect of three drying methods (sun drying and drying at 20 and 30°C) and four maturity stage (harvested weekly from 15 days after initiation of browning of packing tissue around the kernels until hull dehiscence) were tested on quality of two walnut cultivars (‘Chandler’ and ‘Jamal’). Our results revealed that the walnut kernels dried at 20°C have notably higher content of protein (13.1 gr/100 gr), saturated (palmitic [6.62%] and stearic acid [3.98%]) and polyunsaturated (linoleic [62%] and linolenic acid [14.59%]) fatty acids, higher walnut kernel color (85.33%) and lower walnut kernel shrivel (16.38%). Drying at 20°C also caused the lowest peroxide value (0.33 meq/ kg oil). Kernels of the Persian walnuts harvested later had a meaningful higher protein (14.49 gr/100 gr), oil (54.53%), saturated (9.37%) and unsaturated (96.36) fatty acid content, and lower shrivel index (13.46%) but with darker walnut kernel color (37.83%) and higher peroxide value (1.33 meq/kg oil) in comparison with the walnut kernels harvested earlier. Practical applications Nutritional and sensory quality of walnut kernel during postharvest life is determined by various factors. According to our results, from sensory and nutritional quality viewpoint, ‘Chandler’ is considered to be a more suitable cultivar than ‘Jamal’ and drying walnut kernels at 20°C better preserved its sensory and nutritional quality than drying at 30°C and sun drying method. Moreover, a positive correlation of walnut kernels color index and polyunsaturated fatty acid plus a negative correlation between shrivel index and nutraceutical properties of walnut kernels indicates that walnut kernel color and shrivel can simply reflect the nutritional quality of walnut kernels.

The antimicrobial activity of different solvent extracts (hydro alcoholic extracts of methanol) of different parts of Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl was evaluated for its antimicrobial potential.  The in vitro antimicrobial activity was evaluated by agar well diffusion method. Extraction was done by individual cold percolation method. The antimicrobial activity was tested against five Gram positive bacteria, five Gram negative bacteria and four fungi.  The MIC and MBC was also determined, including five antibiotics. All the parts possessed antimicrobial activity but to a different level.  The extracts showed better antifungal activity than antibacterial activity and Gram negative bacteria were more susceptible than Gram positive bacteria. The peel showed lowest MIC and MBC values indicating the therapeutic value of agro waste material.

Present study aims to evaluate antibacterial efficacy of Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia) seed extracts prepared in two different solvents. Antibacterial assay was performed by agar well diffusion method against Gram positive skin pathogens, like Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram negative skin pathogens, which included Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris and Escherichia coli. Bakuchi seed extract in methanol and diethyl ether exhibited broad spectrum antibacterial activity against skin pathogens, however comparatively bakuchi seed extract in methanol was found to be more promising with maximum zone of inhibition against K. pneumoniae with zone of inhibition 21mm in diameter and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 2.5mg/ml. These results confirmed the potential of the Bakuchi seed extract in the development of ayurvedic topical skin formulations.

Food and drugs from nature place a quite significant role in public healthcaresystem throughout the world1. Human inquisitiveness
and search for specific constituents of plants animals minerals and microbial origin which are beneficial to our overall health have
cost coining of terminologies such as functional food or nutraceuticals.Nutraceuticals have evolved from the recognition of the link
between food and health.

L'articolo è tratto da un lavoro sugli sviluppi scientifici più innovativi ed avanzati nel campo della nutrizione: nutraceutica, cibi funzionali, integratori naturali, superfoods, con accenni alla nutrigenomica, epigenetica e agli altri rami della scienza che oggi si occupano di alimentazione e dei suoi effetti.
Tematica ancora scarsamente conosciuta al di fuori dell’ambito degli specialisti, verte sullo studio dei componenti biochimici (nutraceuti) contenuti negli alimenti,  dei  loro effetti globali sull’organismo e dei cibi che li contengono. (“cibi funzionali” alla salute). Su di essa stanno investendo gli istituti di ricerca più avanzati (Giappone, Usa, Europa con numerosi progetti CE).
Il testo è prevalentemente  basato sulla sintesi di significativi contributi  della letteratura e della  ricerca in lingua inglese, “filtrati” seguendo un approccio di tipo olistico (inscindibile unità mente-corpo).
Il lavoro tiene anche conto degli aspetti legislativi a tutt’oggi presenti nei vari Paesi, di quelli politico-economici, ambientali,  etici e di quelli più specifici legati al rapporto nutrizione-benessere nell’ambito dello stile di vita complessivo.
E’ un’opera indirizzata a quella significativa fascia di lettori sensibili ed interessati alle tematiche nutrizionali sia sotto il profilo salutistico che sotto quello esistenziale.
Per questo è stata particolarmente curata una redazione orientata al lettore:  schede sinottiche e tabelle (ad es.:  cibi funzionali, nutraceuti in essi contenuti,  potenziali effetti benefici; nutraceuti presenti in integratori e superfoods, influenza sul funzionamento dell’organismo) .
L’obiettivo è quello di fornire al lettore conoscenze e strumenti utili per conseguire consapevolmente il proprio specifico benessere con l’ausilio di un’ alimentazione salutare.
 

The main aim of the present study was to find out antibacterial property of Tinospora cordifolia belonging to the family Menispermaceae. Tinospora cordifolia is an important herb of tropical India in Ayurvedic system of medicines. It has been traditionally used for treatment of diabetes, jaundice, chronic diarrhOea, cancer, dermatological diseases, general debility, and asthma. Tinospora cordifolia was collected from the garden during winter and was identified by the botanical department of Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara. The work was performed using ethanolic and hydromethanolic extracts of the stem. A preliminary phytochemical screening was also performed for qualitative determination of the phytoconstituents. Antibacterial assay was carried out using different strains of bacteria like Escherichia coli (MTCC No.40), Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC No.87), Proteus vulgaris (MTCC No.742), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC No.424), Bacillus subtilis (MTCC No.441), Staphylococcus epid...

The  phytochemical  composition  and  antimicrobial  activity  of  the leaves  of  Alchornea  cordifolia,  Sanseviera  liberica  and  Uvaria chamae  were investigated. The ethanolic extracts of the leaves of the plants  were  tested  against  human  pathogens  (Escherichia  coli, Salmonella  typhi,  Shigella  flexineri,  Staphylococcus  aureus, Klebsiella  pneumonia  and  Candida  albicans).  The  antimicrobial activity  of  the  plants  extracts  was  carried  out  using  the  Agar  well diffusion  method.  The  phytochemical  screening  showed  that  the leaves  of  the  all  plant  species  had  flavonoid,  tannins  and  steroids.
Alkaloid  and  phenol  were  found  in  A.  cordifola  and  U.  chamae, while  saponins  were  observed  in  S.  liberica  and  U.  chamae. Averagely, the percentage phytochemical constituent of the leaves of the  plants  are  as  follows;  Alkaloid  (8.77-10.15),  flavonoid  (5.33-6.67),  phenols  (0.75-1.12),  saponin  1.41-5.96),  steroid  (0.6  -3.33) and  tannin  (0.001-0.067).  The  result  obtained  indicated  that  the ethanolic extracts of the  samples,  showed  moderate to high  activity against all the tested pathogens. The inhibition zone ranged from 7.04
mm  to  25.57  mm.  The  extracts  of  A.  cordifolia  had  the  highest activity  on  E.  coli  and  least  activity  on  S.  aureus,  while  S.  liberica had  the  highest  activity  on  S.  aureus  and  least  on  S.  typhi.  On  the other  hand,  the  leaves  of  U.  chamae  had  the  highest  activity  on  E. coli  and  least  on  C.  albicans.  The  concentrations  of  extracts  were found to affect the ability of the extracts to inhibit the growth of the pathogens.  The  higher  the  concentration  of  the  extracts,  the  higher
the concentration of the extracts, the higher the rate of inhibition f the pathogens.  The  minimum  inhibitory  concentration  (MIC)  ranged from  3.11  to  18.04mg/ml).  The  results  obtained  indicate  that  the leaves of these plants are good sources of phytochemicals and  have antimicrobial  activity  against  the  pathogens  tested,  thus  could  be exploited as alternative antimicrobial drugs fr treatment of diseases caused by these pathogens.

ABSTRACT
All over the world, especially in developing countries herbal drugs are playing an
important role in health care programmes.This is because they are being cheap and locally
available. There is a general belief amongst the consumers globally that herbal drugs are always
safe because they are “natural". However evidences suggests otherwise. The mere fact that a
product is "natural" may not signify that the product is safe. Although limited evidence suggests
that adverse effects associated with the use of herbal drugs are less likely to occur than with
conventional drugs, theydo occur though usually mild and only affecting a small number of
people. Recent evidence suggests that some of the herbs considered to be safe over the last many
decades have proven to be associated with health hazards. Herbal remedies can act either as
agonists or antagonists that potentiate some drug therapies. Therefore , an understanding of
conventional drugs is an essential prerequisite for effective herbal therapeutics.The advancement
of technology has enabled the scientists to detect minute amounts of carcinogenic and toxic
chemicals in these herbs and recognize or evaluate potentially hazardous effects of some of the
herbs which had been used in traditional medicine since centuries.
Key words: Safety and Toxicity, herbal medicines/ drugs, side / hazardous effects,
Pharmaceuticals, Botanicals, Allergic, Contamination & adulteration

Xylan is available abundantly in nature as a major constituent of hemicellulose, a component of lignocellulosic biomass. Agricultural wastes such as straw, stalk, cob, hull, husk, bagasse and pulp of hardwood represent a major source of xylan. Xylooligosaccharides (XOS), the hydrolysis product of xylan is substrate for colonic commensal bacterial population, acting as potential prebiotic. Its fermentation produces short chain fatty acids, improves gut epithelial health and regulates metabolic process. These oligosaccharides possess bound phenolics including ferulic acid, coumaric acid, thus imparting additional antioxidant effect and immunomodulatory activity. This paper deals with xylan based oligosaccharides with an emphasis placed on the need of oligosaccharides and discusses in detail the health benefits of xylooligosaccharides.

Ficus odorata (Blanco) Merr., is an indigenous ethnomedicinal plant widely cultivated in Luzon and commonly used by the Aetas of Bataan for treating several ailments. There are no known reports as to its nutritional composition hence, this study. Thus, the study aimed to unravel the nutritional contents of F. odorata and relate it to the possible application on various medications for certain diseases and as a candidate for being a prebiotic agent. Results show that the plant contains high carbohydrates (45.7%) and dietary fibers (36.1%) with sufficient amount of proteins (15.2%) and less total fat (4.7%) content. Lastly, micronutrient analysis revealed that the plant is rich in calcium (3.35%) followed by potassium (1.38%) and with trace amounts of sodium and zinc. Ficus odorata is a fiber-rich food ingredient that can provide a wide range of health benefits. Moreover, it can be used as a prebiotic agent that can ably support the growth of probiotics. Therefore, F. odorata leaf powder may be a potential functional food component as prebiotics for probiotics.

The  antibacterial  activities  of  the  methanolic  leaf  and  bark  extract  of Persea
americana  was  tested in  vitro  on  bacterial  isolates  namely: Streptococcus
pyogenes,  Proteus  mirabilis,  Salmonella  typhi,  Klebsiella  pneumoniae,
Escherichia  coli, Bacillus  subtilis (NCIB  3610), Staphylococcus  aureus (NCIB
8588), Escherichia  coli  (NCIB  86), Klebsiella  pneumoniae  (NCIB  418)  and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NCIB 950), using the agar well diffusion method. The
leaf extract was able to inhibit the growth of the test organisms at a concentration
of  50.0mg/ml  except Escherichia  coli, Salmonella  typhi, Proteus  mirabilis and
Escherichia  coli (NCIB  86),  while  the  bark  extract  at  the  same  concentration
inhibited  the  test  organisms  except Salmonella  typhi, Escherichia  coli, Bacillus
subtilis  (NCIB  3610)  and Escherichia  coli  (NCIB  86).  The  highest  zone  of
inhibition  of  6.0  mm  and  12.0  mm  was  observed  on Staphylococcus  aureus
(NCIB  8588)  for  the  leaf  and  bark  extract  respectively,  while  the  least  zone  of
inhibition was observed on Klebsiella pneumoniae (2.0 mm) for leaf extract and
Proteus  mirabilis  (3.0  mm)  for  bark  extract.  The  Minimum  Inhibitory
Concentration (MIC) of the leaf extract ranged from 10.0 to 30.0 mg/ml and 5.0
to  30.0  mg/ml  for  the  bark  extract.  The  antibacterial  activity  of  the  methanolic
plant  extract  inhibited  the  growth  of  the  test  isolates  as  much  as that  of  the
commercial  antibiotics.  There  was  a  decrease  in  the  bacterial  count  as  the
exposure time to the extract increased in the rate of killing of the plant extracts on
the isolates. Phytochemicals such as saponins, tannins, flavonoids and terpenoids
were observed to be common to both extracts. The bark extract exhibited a higher
antibacterial activity as compared to the leaf extract.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical activity
of ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Albizia procera Roxb.
(Benth.) belonging to the family Mimosaceae. The aerial parts
were collected and extract prepared from ethanol by hot
continuous percolation method in Soxhlet apparatus for 24 hrs and
found triterpenoids, carbohydrates, glycosides, phytosterols,
phenolic compounds, saponins, tannins and flavonoids. Each
active compound shows different activities against different type
of diseases like cancer, liver disorders, diabetes, atherosclerosis
and inflammatory diseases etc. It also possesses antioxidant
properties. According to their characteristics, they can be involved
into medicinal plant category.

A  pilot  study  was  conducted  to  study  the  phytochemical  and  antiinflammatory  activities  of  methanol  extract  of  leaves  of Basella
rubra. Phytochemical  studies  were  carried  out  to  determine  the  bio
active  constituents  present  in  the  methanol  extract of  B.  rubra.
Oxazolone  induced  inflammation  model  was  used  to  evaluate  the
methanolic  extract  of  B.  rubra  for  its  anti-inflammatory  activity.
Treatment of animals with methanol extract of leaves of  B. rubraat
dose  level  of  500mg/kg  b.w.  was  performed  and  found to  possess
marked activity of cure of inflammation induced by Oxazolone. The
changes  in  body  weight,  colon  structure,  histopathological  changes
and inflammation score were examined between control and treated
groups.  Rats  treated  with  only  Oxazolone  showed  changes  in
hematoxylin and eosin sections with wide areas of mucosal necrosis
with  elongated  irregularly  branched  glands  including  loss  of
differentiation  (goblet  cells).  Treatment  with  methanol  extract  of
leaves of  B. rubrasignificantly recovered in the colon inflammation.
The results of our study suggest that methanolic extract of leaves of
B.  rubra has  beneficial  effects  on  the  experimental  induced
inflammation.  This  reveals  that  Basella  rubra could  be  serves  as  a
potential anti -inflammatory and chemotherapeutic drug.

Objectives: To investigate the phytoconstituents of  D. scandens  and
evaluate its activity against potential wound pathogens  to validate its
uses.
Materials and methods: Antibacterial and antifungal activity of the
root  extracts  against  bacterial  strains  and  one  clinically  important
yeast  strain  was  assessed  using  the  agar  diffusion  assay,  minimum
inhibitory concentration  studies  and their effect was compared with
some  standard  antibiotics.  The  presence  of  major  phytoconstituents
was detected qualitatively and quantitatively.
Results:  Aqueous  ethanol  and  crude  alkaloid  extracts  showed
maximum inhibition of 37.5% and 33.13% and a minimum inhibitory
concentration  of  100  µg/ml  and  <  10  µg/ml  against Streptococcus
mutans and  Proteus  mirabilis,  respectively.  Most  of  the  test
pathogens,  except  P.  mirabilis,  were  found  to  be  susceptible  to  the
two standard antibacterial and two standard antifungal drugs assayed.
The phytochemicals detected included alkaloids, cardiac glycosides,
tannins and terpenoids. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence
of ~ 5% alkaloids.
Conclusion:  The  results  indicated  that  the  D.  scandens possesses
potential  broad-spectrum  antimicrobial  properties  and  the
phytochemicals detected correlate well with the ethnomedicinal uses
and hence require detailed phytochemical investigation for potential
pharmaceutical applications.

Present study reveals the comparative bioefficacy assessment of leaf and fruit extracts of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) using different solvents (petroleum ether, methanol and ethyl acetate) against various pathogenic organisms like Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis by disc diffusion assay through determination of MIC (minimal inhibitory concentrations). Steroids, phenols, phytosterols, gums & resins and terpenoids were found in the ethyl acetate and methanolic leaf extracts. Flavonoids were present in the petroleum ether and ethyl acetate leaf extracts whereas tannins were detected only in the methanolic leaf extract of Artocarpus altilis. Methanolic and ethyl acetate fruit extracts exhibits the presence of steroids, phenols and flavonoids. Zone of inhibition for Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were noted maximum with 50 µl of leaf extracts in ethyl acetate and methanol, 20 µl of petroleum ether leaf extract, 25 µl of petroleum ether leaf extract and 50µl of methanolic leaf extract respectively. The above observation for fruit extracts varies. The MIC values ranges from 0.3 mg/ml to 0.6 mg/ml which correspond to variations in different solvent media used for leaf extracts against four different pathogenic microbes. Maximum growth inhibition of Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis was noticed with 25 µl of methanolic fruit extracts with a MIC value of 0.45 and 0.3 mg/ml respectively. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed maximum zone of inhibition by 25 µl of ethyl acetate fruit extract with a MIC value of 0.45 mg/ml for both.

According to a recent report nearly 42 per cent Indian kids are
malnourished and stunted. The aim of our project was to develop
nutraceutical products using alfalfa as one of the components to
overcome undernourishment particularly among women and
children. The seeds of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) contain more
nutritional property when compared with other leguminous seeds. It
contains 18.9% of protein when compared with egg (13.1%), milk
(3.3%) and beef (16.5%). This paper reports the investigation results
of phytochemical analysis of alfalfa seed extracts using the procedure
of Sadasivam and Manickam (2009). The presence of proteins,
carbohydrates, saponins, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids
etc. was observed in sprouted alfalfa seeds extracted by solvents such
as ethanol, petroleum and chloroform. The presences of proteins,
carbohydrates, saponins, alkaloids etc were confirmed by the present
investigation. Thus the cost effective nutraceutical product containing
alfalfa along with other cereals and pulses would serve the humanity
to fight undernourishment in an easy and economical way.

ABSTRACT
Obesity is capturing the whole world very rapidly. Both medical community and
common people are aware of the health risks associated with obesity. Different
phytochemicals present in medicinal plant parts have antiobesity properties. The
antiobesity properties of medicinal plants are exhibited by different mechanisms. There
are different studies for exactly knowing the cause of animal obesity. A new scientific
approach about the present situation of this disease may initiate additional research in the
field to assess the contribution of phytochemicals in obesity and possibly to prevent or
treat the widespread epidemic of obesity. This review will try to focus and summarize on
the main findings available in the literature regarding the effect of different medicinal
plants and their extracts on human obesity. In this paper we review the present
knowledge in the field as this may be of importance to those who deal with research on
antiobesity for the benefit of the common people.
Keywords: Obesity, adipocytes medicinal plants, phytochemicals, hypolipidemia,
hypercholesterolemia.

Context: Azadirachta indica has long been used in herbal or folk medicine as a remedy for the treatment of malaria and the administration of herbal preparations has raised concerns on their toxicity. Aims: To determine the phytochemical content of A. indica and its therapeutic effect on indices of clinical importance in malaria-induced male Wistar rats. Methods: Plant material was extracted with ethanol, and the lethal dose (LD50) on the rats was determined before the study. Normal and Plasmodium berghei infected rats were divided into eight groups of five rats each with groups 1 and 2 serving as normal and disease control respectively. Lumartem was administered twice daily at oral therapeutic doses of artemether/lumefantrine (2/12 mg/kg) and plant extract at 300 and 500 mg/kg body weight. After 5 days of treatment, all the animals were sacrificed according to their groups for the experimental analysis. Results: The plant extract was considered safe with LD50 > 5000 mg/kg body weight. Quantitative phytochemical studies showed a high concentration of alkaloids, tannin, and terpenoids. Treatment with both extracts of A. indica and lumartem in malaria-infected rats showed a slight reduction in triglycerides while total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL levels increased significantly (p < 0.05). Increase in body weight of rats treated with A. indica was dependent on the concentration of extract administered. Treatment of malaria with the extract and lumartem resulted in a slight restoration of the hematological values. Conclusions: This study shows that both Azadirachta indica and lumartem was practically safe and well tolerated.

Topic: Current practices relating to regulations, commercialization, and promotion of herb, food, and phytochemicals Medicinal plants are used with the intention of health maintenance, to be administered for specific conditions, or both, whether in modern or in traditional medicines. Many phytochemicals with established or potential biological activity have been identified in plants. The compounds found in plants (phytochemicals) are of several kinds, but most are in four main biochemical classes: terpenes, alkaloids, glycosides, and polyphenols. Medicinal plants are used widely in non-industrialized societies and developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Southern America, mainly because they are thought to be very effective, cheaper than modern medicines, and readily available. Plants, including many currently used as culinary spices and herbs, have been used as medicines, not certainly effectively, from ancient times. Polyphenols of many classes are widely spread in plants. Plants having phytoestrogens, a type of polyphenols, have been administered for decades for gynecological conditions, such as fertility, menopausal, and menstrual problems; among these plants are Pueraria mirifica, anise, kudzu, angelica, and fennel. The astringent rind of the pomegranate, having polyphenols known as punicalagins, is commonly used as a medicine. Angelica, having phytoestrogens, has been used for gynecological disorders for long. Nicotine, an alkaloid, from tobacco directly binds to Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the body, accounting for its pharmacological effects. Cardiac glycosides are powerful drugs from the medicinal plants including lily of the valley and foxglove; they include digitoxin and digoxin which support heart beating, and work as diuretics. Terpenoids and terpenes of many kinds are contained in many medicinal plants, and also in resinous plants such as conifers; they are strongly aromatic. A number of the terpenoids and terpenes have medicinal uses: for instance, thymol (an antiseptic) was once used as an anti-worm medicine (vermifuge). In most of the developing countries, especially in the rural areas, local traditional medicine, inclusive of herbalism, is the lone source of health care for individuals, while in the developed countries, alternative medicine including dietary supplements are aggressively marketed using claims of traditional medicine.

Since the time immemorial plants have been the source of valuable medicines for mankind. Resurgence of interest on traditional medicines during the last few years led to a spurt in demand for herbal drugs the world over. As a result, there has been a renewed interest in screening plants for novel biologically active compounds particularly to combat such ailments which have defied synthetics drugs. More than 20,000 different chemicals have been so far been isolated from plants. But many of these complex biochemicals cannot be synthesized economically on a commercial basis. Biotechnology has played an important role in the area of secondary metabolite production. Distinct progress made in stimulation of synthesis of plant chemicals, screening and selection of high yielding cell lines, plant cell and tissue culture, cell immobilization, hairy root culture, use of elicitors, feeding metabolic precursors and biotransformations, genetic engineering have offered mankind the great potency of powerful techniques and provided much needed boost to secondary metabolite production.

Hardwickia  binata Roxb.  (Fabaceae)  root  bark  exudate  has  been
traditionally used by tribes of Chitteri hills to cure breast cancer. The
main  objective  of  this  study  is  to  give  a  scientific  validation  to  the
traditional use of  H. binata. The root bark exudates of  H. binatawas
collected  from  Chitteri  hills,  shade  dried,  coarsely  powdered  and
extracted  with  methanol  using  soxhlet  apparatus.  The  Physico
chemical  properties,  qualitative  phytochemical  studies,  quantitative
phytochemical  studies  and  GC-MS  analysis  was  carried  out.  The
cytotoxic  effect  of  methanol  extract  of  H.binata root  bark  exudate
was  studied  against  cancer  cell  lines  by  MTT  assay. The
phytochemical studies indicated the presence of flavonoids, saponins,
phenols and tannins. GC-MS study also revealed the  presence of 22
organic compounds out of which 18 compounds were reported with
various activities and five compounds reported to possess anticancer
activity.  In  vitro  cytotoxic  activity  on  the  cell  lines  showed  more
degree of inhibition against African Green Monkey Kidney Epithelial
cells  (Vero),  Human  cervical  cancer  cell  lines  (HeLa)  and  Human
breast cancer cells (MCF-7).

Objective of the study
Medicinal  plant  research  has  become  very  important  considering  the  herbal
resources  our  rain  forest  is  bestowed  with  which  if  harnessed  could  solve  the
challenges in malaria treatment in the area of accessibility and treatment cost. The
present  study  on  antimalarial  activity  of  locally  cultivated Artemisia  annua in
Langtang  South  area  of  Plateau  State  against Plasmodium  berghei  and  the
phytochemical  screening  of  the  leaf  extract  is  to  evaluate  the  efficacy,
phytochemical content and possible indigenization of the herbal based medicine
which for now is not native to Nigeria.
Methodology
In vivo anti-malarial sensitivity of plant extract was assessed using the 4-day test
for  anti-malarial  activity  against  a  chloroquine  sensitive Plasmodium  berghei
NK65  strain in  Swiss  albino  mice, Phytochemical  analysis  and  the  lethal  dose
(LD50) in mice screening were also determined.
Results
There  was  a  dose -dependent  inhibition  of  parasitaemia  in  the In  vivo
antiplasmodial  tests,  with  maximum  effect  at  300  mg/kg.  LD50 in  mice  was
estimated to be 2750 mg/kg and the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence
of terpenes, steroids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids and carbohydrate.
Conclusion
The leaf extract of A. annua contains biologically active principles that  possess
anti-malarial activities, therefore further studies of its active components will be
carried out.

Shade dried flowers of Plumeria rubra f. rubra and Plumeria
rubra f. lutea were subjected to successive solvent extraction by
soxhlation using n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and
methanol. The extracts were subjected to preliminary
phytochemical screening using standard procedures and the data
obtained from the flowers of both the species was comparatively
evaluated. The methanolic extracts, rich in phytochemical
constituents, were screened for analgesic activity (acetic acidinduced
writhing & tail immersion methods) using diclofenac
(10mg/kg b.w) as standard and antipyretic activity (brewer’s
yeast-induced pyrexia test) using paracetamol (100mg/kg; p.o.) as
standard at dose levels of 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w. Oral
administration of methanolic extracts of Plumeria rubra f. rubra
and Plumeria rubra f. lutea (MEPR & MEPL) produced
significant reduction in number of writhes induced by acetic-acid.
Moreover, in tail immersion, MEPR & MEPL significantly raised
the pain threshold at different time intervals, in comparison with
control. There was a significant dose-dependent inhibition in both
the methods. In antipyretic activity, MEPR & MEPL significantly
reduced hyperthermia at either dose levels. The results obtained in
all the animal models were highly significant and comparable to
that of standard drugs. Hence, from the above findings, it can be
concluded that Plumeria rubra possesses potent analgesic and
moderate antipyretic properties. However the methanolic extract
of flowers of Plumeria rubra f. rubra was found to be more potent
than that of Plumeria rubra f. lutea flower extract.

Cnidoscolus aconitifolius belonging to Euphorbiaceae family is widely used as a folk medicine among South American countries such as Mexico and Brazil. C. aconitifolius can be considered as a potential green leafy vegetable, largely due to the presence of various secondary metabolites. The different bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, Alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids etc. along with terpenoids with unique structure are exclusive for this genus. C. aconitifolius has numerous nutraceutical benefits proven with pharmacological studies such as anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, anti-microbial etc. The recent upsurge of consumer interest for health promoting products has opened up new vistas for C. aconitifolius application in food product research and development. Limited knowledge about this underutilized plant is representing an opportunity to explore the plant as novel ingredient with vast functional attributes. Keywords: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, phytochemicals, nutraceutical ...

Phytochemicals—the bioactive compounds found in plants—not only hold historical significance in various medical traditions, but also form the basis of many modern-day drugs. Phytochemicals are often used for primary disease prevention or as adjuncts to conventional therapies—despite uncertain effectiveness or safety. On the other hand, phytochemicals have given rise to numerous conventional drugs, which are widely used in mainstream medicine and compose the primary therapeutic strategies for numerous conditions (including cancer). In this review, we will discuss general safety considerations for integrating phytochemicals in the oncology setting. The supportive evidence and safety concerns of popular plant-based cancer therapies will also be summarized. Finally, a brief overview of the established and emerging anticancer drugs with botanical origins will be provided.

Galls are outgrowths which are formed on the outer surface of different plants parts as a result of response to the
infections of various parasites, from Bacteria, Fungi several other insects. They affect the plant growth by reducing
the photosynthesizing area or by consuming the plant’s stored food materials but at the same time they are of great
interest to Biologist, Plant Pathologist .They are mostly a rich source of Tannins. Many plant species mostly oak
plants have been reported for their different galls. But olive leaf galls have not yet been reported so far. This study is
the first ever report on leaf galls of wild olive from Shamshukii, District Karak, KPK, Pakistan.

Dillenia  pentagyna Roxb.  is  a  medium  sized  tree  belonging  to  the
family Dilleniaceae. It is commonly known as Kaihzawl in Mizoram.
Traditionally,  a  decoction  prepared  by  boiling  the  bark  of  Dillenia
pentagyna Roxb.  is  used  for  various  stomach  ailments  and
inflammatory  diseases.  Preliminary  phytochemical  screening  and
evaluation  of  in-vitro  antioxidant  activity  were  carried  on  the
methanolic  extract  obtained  from  the  bark  of Dillenia  pentagyna
Roxb.  The  presence  of  flavanoids,  triterpenoids,  tannins,  alkaloids,
glycosides,  steroids  and  carbohydrates  was  indicated  by  the  tests
conducted.  The  in-vitro  antioxidant  activity  was  evaluated  using
DPPH radical scavenging activity, Reducing power, Hydroxyl radical
scavenging  activity  and  determination  of  total  phenolic  and
flavanoids  content.  Ascorbic  acid,  BHA,  Gallic  acid and  Quercetin
were used as reference standards. The methanolic extract of the plant
shows strong antioxidant activity camparable to that of the reference
standards.

The present investigation was carried out to determine the phytochemical constituents and their localization histochemically for two endangered plants of Western Ghats such as Hoya wightii ssp. palniensis and Elaeocarpus recurvatus. The antioxidant content of different plant parts and their free radical scavenging activity were also analyzed. This study provides referential pharmaco-botanical and phytochemical information for the conservational importance of these endangered plants.

Context: Azadirachta indica has long been used in herbal or folk medicine as a remedy for the treatment of malaria and the administration of herbal preparations has raised concerns on their toxicity. Aims: To determine the phytochemical content of A. indica and its therapeutic effect on indices of clinical importance in malaria-induced male Wistar rats. Methods: Plant material was extracted with ethanol, and the lethal dose (LD50) on the rats was determined before the study. Normal and Plasmodium berghei infected rats were divided into eight groups of five rats each with groups 1 and 2 serving as normal and disease control respectively. Lumartem was administered twice daily at oral therapeutic doses of artemether/lumefantrine (2/12 mg/kg) and plant extract at 300 and 500 mg/kg body weight. After 5 days of treatment, all the animals were sacrificed according to their groups for the experimental analysis. Results: The plant extract was considered safe with LD50 &gt; 5000 mg/kg body we...

ABSTRACT: The success of gene therapy depends on the choice of a suitable vector that is biocompatible and efficient in delivering therapeutic DNA into disease cells. After more than two decades, such an ideal vector is still a wish. Viral vectors though naturally evolved to transfect cells are immunogenic. As alternatives, non-viral vectors such as polyethyleneimine have been exploited. We decided to investigate the in-vitro cytotoxicity of branched polyethyleneimine 800D, 25kD and linear 20kD on HeLa and Vero cells. At exponential phase, cells were exposed to polymers at concentration range of 0.5 to 1000mg/ml. Cells were MTT assayed after 24, 48 and 72hours for viability (IC 50 ). Linear PEI was less toxic than the branched PEI in both cells. The IC 50 (mg/ml) values (Mean±SEM, n=6) post 72hours of PEI800D, 25kD and PEI20kD on HeLa cells were 2.42±0.22, 2.92±0.59, and 3.03±0.11 and for Vero cells, 7.42±0.29, 7.26±0.12, and 6.89±0.53 respectively. Two tailed t-test (P&lt;0.05) of ...

Biochemical and antibacterial activities were investigated with the crude extracts of five green algal species viz., Ulva fasciata, Enteromorpha compressa, Caulerpa racemosa, Caulerpa taxifolia and Cladophora patentiramea to evaluate the total carbohydrate, protein and lipid content and their antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative bacteria.

Wild Gathered Food Plants in the European Mediterranean: A Comparative Analysis. Economic Botany 60(2):130–142, 2006. The Mediterranean basin has a long and multifaceted cultural history and harbors a high biodiversity. Epidemiological studies have drawn attention to certain traditional Mediterranean diets. However, wild gathered food species, which are an important, but fast disappearing element of these diets, so far have been largely neglected in scientific studies. In this study we compare ethnobotanical data obtained from field studies conducted in Southern Italy, Southern Spain, mainland Greece, and Crete resulting in the identification of a core group of 18 culinary used wild gathered plant species. This group comprises species like Papaver rhoeas L., Sonchus asper L., S. oleraceus L., and Silene vulgaris L. We argue that the culinary use of wild gathered weedy greens evolved together with the neolithization process, since this offered the necessary ecological niches for them to thrive, thereby enriching and securing the diets of European agriculturalists. Especially wild gathered Asteraceae species seem to form a sort of proto-nutraceutical, which accounts for a significant input of biologically active compounds in the diet. Plantas silvestres comestibles recolectadas en el Mediterráneo Europeo: Un anali-sis comparativo. Il bacino Mediterraneo ha vissuto una lunga e multisfaccettata storia culturale e gode di una ricca biodiversità. Studi epidemiologici hanno attirato attenzione su certe diete mediterranee. Attualmente l'uso culinario di piante selvagge e commestibili, elemento impor-tante di queste diete, si sta perdendo e ha ricevuto poca attenzione dal punto di vista scientifico. In questo lavoro mettiamo a paragone una serie di dati etnobotanici ottenuti da ricerche di campo nel sud dell'Italia, nel sud della Spagna, nella Grecia e a Creta risultanti nell'identificazione di un gruppo principale di 18 specie selvatiche ad uso culinario. Questo gruppo comprende specie come il Papaver rhoeas L., il Sonchus asper L., il S. oleraceus L. e il Silene vulgaris L. Metti-amo in evidenza che l'evoluzione dell'uso culinario delle verdure selvatiche è avvenuto durante il processo di neolitizazzione poiché questo ha fornito le nicchie ecologiche necessarie. Attra-verso il loro uso gli agricoltori europei hanno arricchito e assicurato la loro dieta. In modo parti-colare le specie raccolte selvatiche appartenenti alle Astaraceae sembrano formare un proto-integratore rappresentando una fonte significativa di composti biologicamente attivi nella dieta. Piante commestibili raccolte in ambiente selvatico nell'Europa Mediterranea: Analisi comparativa. La Cuenca Mediterránea tiene una historia cultural larga y po-lifacética y alberga una biodiversidad extraordinaria. Diversos estudios epidemiológicos han atraído atención sobre algunas dietas mediterráneas tradicionales. Sin embargo, las especies silvestres comestibles recolectadas, un elemento importante de estas dietas que va desapare-ciendo rápidamente, han sido hasta ahora casie olvidadas en los estudios científicos. En este artículo comparamos datos etnobotánicos obtenidos de estudios de campo realizados en el sur de Italia, de España y de la Grecia continental y en Creta, que conducen a la identificación de un grupo central de 18 especies de plantas recolectadas, silvestres, usadas en alimentación.

The antioxidative activity of almond leaf was evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH),total phenolic content and reducing power assays. The 80% methanolic leaf extracts had the highest percentage inhibition (73.42%) of free radical followed by water and then 95% ethanol extract. The IC50 values of 80% methanol (10.00mg/ml) was significantly lower than that of the standard, ascorbic acid (12.45mg/ml) and this reflected the ease with which they mop/scavenge free radicals. The three different solvent extracts from almond leaf had demonstrated its antioxidative action by scavenging (inhibiting) DPPH radical, with appreciable amount of phenols and its concomitant reducing activity. The DPPH and TPC had the same order: 80%methanol > water > 95% ethanol whereas the reducing power had 80% methanol > 95% > water. Almond leaf could also be used as natural and phytotherapy in the management of oxidative stress-related diseases.