April 2012
Medicinal properties of plants from the genus Cissus: A review
Traditional medicine has been practiced in different parts of the world from time immemorial. Even now it is heavily relied on by native people. Moreover, a quarter of the allopathic medications are based on compounds isolated from natural products. With increase in drug recalls resulting from severe side-effects, the pharmaceutical industry also is interested in finding new drugs from natural sources with fewer or no...
April 2012
Phytopharmacological profile of Gratiola officinalis Linn.: A review
Gratiola officinalis Linn. (Plantaginaceae), commonly known as common Hedgehyssop or “Herb of Grace” is well-known for its pharmacological properties. Various parts of this plant (root and herb) are being used in phytomedicinnes. This review focuses on the classification, etymology, habitat and distribution, botanical description, medicinal, food and miscellaneous uses and structures...
April 2012
Proximate analysis of the resins and leaves of Boswellia sacra
The analysis of the proximate composition of the leaves and various grades of resins obtained from Boswellia sacra was performed using standard methods of AOAC. The resins and leaves analyzed in this study were found to have the following ranges of the proximate composition: moisture (5.41 to 11.54%), dry matter (88.45 to 94.58%), alcohol soluble extractive (14.09 to 64.84%), ash (1.02 to 6.66%), crude fats...
April 2012
Chemical composition of essential oil, antibacterial activity and brine shrimp lethality of ethanol extracts from Sedum pallidum
The essential oils of Sedum pallidum is obtained by hydro distillation and analyzed by (GC/MS) for determining their chemical composition and identification of their chemo types. The major component was Hexadecanoic Acid (33.5%), other predominant components were Phenol (9.96%), Eicosane (9.19%), Cyclotrisiloxane, hexamethyl (4.78%), Oxime-methoxy-phenyl (4.34%), Neophytadiene (4.32%), Phytol (3.86%), 3-alpha...
April 2012
Microanatomical and high performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) standardization of Ipomea pes-tigridis L (Convolvulaceae) aerial parts
Ipomoea pes-tigridis is an annual herbaceous twining vine which belongs to the family Convolvulaceae. Each part of the plant is used for multitude biological uses. The current work is oriented towards exploring the microanatomical, physicochemical and phytochemical aspects of the plant. The transverse section (TS) of the leaf and TS and longitudinal section (LS) of the stem were studied. The powdered microscopical...
April 2012
Antibacterial activities of essential oil and crude extracts from Matricaria pubescens (Desf.) growing wild in Bechar, South west of Algeria
Crude extracts (Aqueous, ethanolic) and hydrodistillated-essential oil from aerial parts ofMatricaria pubescens (Desf.) were investigated for their antibacterial activities againstseven strains of bacteria. We wanted to proof an antibacterial activity of Matricaria pubescens (Desf.) with two most commonly used methods: disc diffusion method and broth dilution method. With the disc diffusion...
April 2012
Changes in H+-ATPase activity of plasma membrane-enriched vesicles isolated from physic nut roots and leaves of energy and medicinal plant, Jatropha curcas L., as an adaptation mechanism to salinity
The plasma membrane H+-ATPase (PM H+-ATPase) plays a key role in the activation of ion and nutrient transport, and is proposed to be involved in salt tolerance. This study investigates the acclimation of PM H+-ATPase in physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) roots and leaves treated with 0, 50 and 200 mM NaCl for 5 days. Upon comparison with control roots, the H+-ATPase hydrolytic activity, Vmax, Km, H+-pumping activity...
April 2012
Evaluation of genetic fidelity of in vitro propagated shampoo ginger (Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith) using DNA based markers
Drug yielding potential of shampoo ginger (Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith) is due to the presence of important phytoconstituent such as Zerumbone, which is currently being explored for its effects on cancer and HIV. Slow multiplication rate, high susceptibility to rhizome rot and leaf spot disease restricted the availability of the wild gingers. Thus, a protocol has been developed for in vitro propagation...
April 2012
Molecular cloning, characterization and functional analysis of a new isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase gene (IPI) from Curcuma wenyujin
A new isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase gene cwipi (GenBank: GU724874) was cloned from the Curcuma Wenyujin cDNA library. The full-length cDNA contained a 708 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein of 235 amino acids with calculated molecular mass of 27.36 kDa and isoelectric point of 5.14. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated thatcwipi has a high level similarity to other IPIs belonged to...
April 2012
Authentication of Illicium verum using a DNA barcode psbA-trnH
The objective of this research was to test an appropriate DNA barcode from four candidate barcoding loci (matK, rbcL, psbA-trnH and ITS2) for discrimination between Illicium verumand its congeneric toxic adulterants in trade. Twenty fresh samples from 8 species of the genera Illicium were collected from four areas of China, and two samples of medicinal material of I. verum were...
April 2012
Neuronal activities of Portulaca oleracea in adult rats
Portulaca oleracea (purslane) belonging to the family “Portulacaceae” was considered to be an anti-magic herb used to protect against variety of diseases. Here, we investigated the neuronal activities of P. oleracea in adult rats. Animals were treated with 1.5 ml/kg of aqueous extract of purslane (leaves and stem) for 12 days. Cerebellum, pons and medulla, cerebral cortex, thalamus and...
April 2012
Antioxidation and cytotoxic activities of selected medicinal herbs used in Malaysia
Free radicals, with their single electrons and reactive nature, could easily interact with different cellular compartments and cause oxidative damage. Prolonged oxidative stress could lead to DNA mutations, neurodegenerative diseases and heart disorders. These disorders could deteriorate our overall well-being and prove to be fatal. Medicinal herbs, rich in their secondary metabolites, could provide the antioxidants and...
April 2012
Anti-diabetic effect of Otostegia persica extract on diabetic rats
The Otostegia persica is traditionally used in some regions of Iran as medicinal herb for anti–diabetic properties. Thus, in this study the effect of aqueous extract of O. persica on the blood glucose, insulin, triglycerides, HDL-C, total cholesterol, and histopathology of pancreas of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats were evaluated. Thirty five male Wistar rats weighing 150-200 g were...
April 2012
Intraspecific variability of main phytochemical compounds in Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. from North Indian higher altitude Himalayas using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography
Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. is an important medicinal plant belonging to family Scrophulariaceae. It is known to contain iridoid glycosides, picroside I and II as major bioactive compounds. The present study provides an analytical HPLC method with well-resolved and symmetrical peaks for the two reference compounds picroside-I and picroside-II. Separation was achieved on RP-18e, Merck made column. The...
April 2012
Composition and insecticidal activity of the essential oil of Artemisia igniaria Maxim. flowering aerial parts against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
The aim of this research was to determine chemical composition and insecticidal activity of the essential oil of Artemisia igniaria Maxim. (Asteraceae) aerial parts against the maize weevils (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky). Essential oil of A. igniaria aerial parts was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 40...
April 2012
Anti-diabetic activity of aqueous root extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum L. in streptozotocin-induced-diabetic rats
The present work is to study for the first time the anti-diabetic properties of aqueous extract of roots of Anacyclus pyrethrum L. in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and to achieve a primary pharmacological screening contained in the aqueous extract. A total of 20 rats including 10 diabetics and 10 normal rats were used for this study. The anti-diabetic activity of aqueous...
April 2012
Evaluation of anti-apoptotic, anti-injury and anti-hepatitis B virus effects of isochlorogenic acid C in vitro
To study anti-hepatitis effect of isochlorogenic acid C from Laggera alata, anti-apoptotic and anti-injury properties of test compound were evaluated using the d-galactosamine (d-GalN)-induced apoptosis/injury model in human hepatocyte line HL-7702 cells. Hepatocyte apoptotic changes were demonstrated by DNA ladder analysis and caspase-3 activation. Hepatocyte injury was assessed by cell viability. Meanwhile,...
April 2012
Effect of two herbal polyphenol compounds on human amylin amyloid formation and destabilization
Human Islet amyloid polypeptide gathering in the β-cell of the pancreas has been implicated in the pathology of type 2 diabetes. Inhibition of the formation of amylin fibrils could be therapeutic aims for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, the fluorimetric assay was used to examine the role of two herbal polyphenol compounds including Rosmarinic acid and Curcumin on amyloid formation and...
April 2012
Antimalarial, antiemetic and antidiabetic potential of Grewia aslatica L. leaves
Ethnopharmacological knowledge has firm traditional and conceptual base built on a tremendous observational data and theoretical structure but lack experimental base, and scientific evidence is needed to prove rationale of using this indigenous flora to preserve and prosper the cultural legacy. Researchers are blending traditional knowledge with experimental methodology for testing efficacy and safety of these herbal...
April 2012
Investigation of adventitious shoot regeneration from in vitro stem explants of Melissa officinalis L.
An efficient in vitro plant regeneration system from stem explants was established inMelissa officinalis. Factors influencing shoot regeneration from stems including culture medium type, combinations of plant growth regulators, and carbon source in the medium were investigated. Murashige and Skoog medium (MS medium) was found to be best for promoting shoot regeneration, followed by B5 and WPM medium. The...
April 2012
Evaluation of some central nervous system (CNS) activites of aqueous methanolic extract of Paspalidium flavidum Linn
The aqueous methanolic extract of Paspalidium flavidum was evaluated for its effect on Central Nervous System (CNS) in mice. The CNS effects of crude extract were studied by forced swimming test, tail suspension test, tail flick test and Phenobarbitone induced sleeping time. The crude extract exhibited a significant (P<0.001) decrease in immobility time when tested in force swimming and tail suspension...
April 2012
Cytological and morphological characterization of selected synthetic hexaploid wheats derived from tetraploid durums and diploid Aegilops tauschii
Synthetic hexaploid (SH) wheat are used for the improvement of bread wheat which has very low genetic diversity. Crossing SH lines with bread wheat is one way of transferring the agronomically important traits into wheat cultivars which can result in increased biomass production and crop yield. This study investigates the cytological and morphological differences of selected SH lines which reflect the genetic diversity...
April 2012
Effects of drying methods on antioxidant properties in Robinia pseudoacacia L. flowers
The effects of different drying methods (sun drying, hot-air drying, freeze drying and microwave-vacuum drying) on the antioxidant properties and phenolic content in Robinia pseudoacacia L. flowers (RPF) were investigated. Simultaneously, the correlation between phenolic content and antioxidant capacity was discussed. Results showed that antioxidant properties and phenolic content in...
April 2012
Effects of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) pulp oils on the gastric secretion, gastric emptying and its analgesic activity
Sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) pulp oils (SBPO) were evaluated for its effect on gastric secretory function, gastric emptying and analgesic activity, as a potential treatment for stomach discomfort and gastric ulcers. The actions of SBPO on gastric acid, pepsin and mucus secretions were studied in Shay rats. SBPO, when administered for 7 days at the dose of 3.5 and 7.0 ml/kg, caused a...
April 2012
Inheritance pattern of vital post-emergence morphometric and meristic traits of spring wheat
Inheritance pattern of eight yield related post-emergence traits was studied in a 5 × 5 diallel cross involving five wheat varieties / lines viz., Iqbal 2000, Parwaz 94, Shahkar 95, line 6500 and line 8736. Subsequent results obtained by “DIAL 98” programme revealed that the traits like plant height, flag leaf area, number of tillers per plant, peduncle length and number of grains...
April 2012
Antioxidant potential of various parts of Ferula assafoetida L.
Ferula assafoetida Linn, (Apiaceae) is used in herbal medicine globally for cure and prevention of many diseases. Current research has been carried out to investigate antioxidant potential of this plant. Results indicated that sufficient amount of total phenolic contents and total flavonoid contents are present in its leaves, flowers and seeds. Some top-benched bioassays like 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical...
April 2012
Antidepressant-like effects of Chaihu-Shugan-San via c-jun amino-terminal kinase signal transduction in rat models of depression
Chaihu-Shugan-San (CHSGS), a traditional Chinese medicinal herbal formula, recorded in Jingyue Quanshu, has been indicated that oral administration of the extract from it can remit depressive disorder. C-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK/SAPK) signal transduction play a key role in the apoptosis of nerve cells, be reported closely correlated with depression. This study was designed to investigate CHSGS...
April 2012
Effects of the application of organic manure and biofertilizer on the fruit yield and yield components in Dill (Anethum graveolens)
The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of organic manure and biofertilizer on the fruit yield and yield components in the dill plant height, umbel number per plant, weight of 1000 seeds, biologicals and fruit yield. The experiment was carried out at the Hamand Research Station in Damavand in 2011. Vermicompost (0, 4, 8 and 12 ton/ha) and biofertilizer, mixture of Azotobacter...
April 2012
Effects of salinity stress on growth and yield of Aloe vera L.
Salt stress is a limiting factor of plant growth and yield, and becoming a serious problem in the world. In this research the effect of salinity stress on Aloe plant was studied. Aloe plants were irrigated with nutrient solutions containing different levels of NaCl (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 ds/m) in December and harvesting took place three times with one month interval in January, February and March. Results revealed that the...
Advertisement
Advertisement
