PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, ANTIMICROBIAL EVALUATION AND CONSERVATION STUDIES

Satyrium nepalense is an endangered medicinal herb found at the higher altitude of 2400-5000m. Local inhabitant used tubers of Satyrium nepalense as an energetic tonic and as an important medicine to cure different type of fever in traditional health care system of Uttarakhand (INDIA). Present study was carried out to evaluate the phytochemical, antibacterial screening against four (Streptococcus mutans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae) microorganisms in methanolic extracts and habitat studies for conservation of S. nepalense. Tubers of Satyrium nepalense were extracted separately with methanol by hot extraction process using soxhlet apparatus. The extracts were subjected to Lyophilization to get dry extract and preserved in aseptic condition. The different group reagents used for phytochemical s,reening as dragendorffs\u27s for alkaloid, molisch\u27s test for carbohydrates, shinoda test for flavonoids etc. Antibacterial study was carried out by disc diffusion method. The highest zone of inhibition was recorded as 15.0±0.00 mm against Klebsiella pneumonia and 15.0± 0.82 mm against Staphylococcus aureus. Phytochemical screening shows the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates/glycosides, f lavonoids and unsaturated sterols/ triterpenes in Satyrium nepalense. The result indicates that methanolic extract of Satyrium nepalense shows potent antibacterial activity against all four bacterial strains

Estimation of gingerol content in different brand samples of ginger powder and their anti-oxidant activity: A comparative study

Gingerol is the most abundant constituent of fresh ginger has potent antioxidant activity but it decreases during postharvest storage and processing. The present work efforts have been made to estimate Gingerol content in different brand samples of Ginger powder and their antioxidant activity compared with the sample cultivated through organic farming. Organic farmed sample was collected from the FRI, Dehradun (UK), other samples were taken from the markets of Srinagar Garhwal and Dehradun and was identified from the Dept. of Botany H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal (UK). All regents and chemicals were used of analytical and HPLC grade and extraction was carried out by hot solvent extraction method. FRAP method was used for Antioxidant activity. Simple reversed-phase HPLC-UV method, with gradient elution, was used to estimate the gingerol. A typical HPLC-UV chromatogram was obtained which exhibited a clean and smooth baseline with excellent resolution where all the marker peaks could be identified and quantified. The amount of gingerol in the sample S1 is 04.54%, in S2 is 08.01%, in S3 is 06.74%, in S4 is 04.20%, in S5 is 06.74% and in S6 is 08.54%, estimated respectively by HPLC analysis. Among all samples, S6 (ginger cultivated through organic farming) has significant quantity of gingerol in comparison to other market samples.The reducing ability of different samples of ginger extracts was in the range of 368.27 ± 23.43-3107.28 ± 42.31μmol/g dry weight. The FRAP values for the methanolic extracts of rhizomes in all six varieties were significantly lower than those of vitamin C and α-tocopherol, but higher than that of BHT. When we compared all five market samples with ginger cultivated through organic farming had excellent antioxidant activity. The results conclude that ginger which cultivated through organic farming has a significant antioxidant activity and has a positive relationship between antioxidant activities and total phenolic contents. The high antioxidant activity shows the higher level of total phenolic and flavonoids

EXPLORATORY STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFICACY OF JALAUKAVACHARANA (HIRUDOTHERAPY) IN THE MANAGEMENT OF VICHARCHIKA (ECZEMA)

Though the skin diseases are not a life threatening, they make the patient worried due to its appearance. Severe itching or burning or oozing disturbs his routine and its nature susceptible to be chronic. Even though many skin diseases may be cured yet the relapsing nature of few diseases (eczema, psoriasis, seborricdermatitis etc.) makes it much harassment for patients and trouble some for physician too. Eczema is a pattern of inflammatory response of the skin characterized by redness, skin edema, itching and dryness, with possible crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding. Ayurvedic science explains this disease as Vicharchika. As the Ayurveda classics have detailed the use of Jalauka (leech) in the treatment of various skin manifestations, the present study has been performed to assess the effectiveness of blood-letting by making use of leech in the management of Eczema. By the study, making use of leeches has found to be very effective in reliving the signs and symptoms of Eczema

Formulation and evaluation of herbal antioxidant face cream of Nardostachys jatamansi collected from Indian Himalayan region

Objective: To prepare and evaluate a herbal antioxidant face cream which is made by the ethanol extract of Nardostachys jatamansi (Valerianceae). Methods: Antioxidant activity of ethanol extract was assessed by previously reported 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method. By discovering different types of formulations, such as oil in water, we were able to create several face creams respectively classified from F1 to F6, by incorporating different concentrations of stearic acid and acetyl alcohol. The evaluation of all formulations (F1 to F6) has been done by the analysis of different parameters like pH, viscosity, spread ability and stability. Results: An ethanol fraction analyzed from a sample of Nardostachys jatamansi showed a significant antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 58.39 μg/mL while for ascorbic acid the IC50 value was 46.68 μg/mL. Among the six formulations (F1-F6) F5 and F6 showed good spread ability, good consistency, homogeneity, appearance, pH; there is no proof of a separation phase and ease of removal. Also the formulations F5 and F6 showed no redness or edema or erythema and irritation during irritancy studies. Conclusions: These formulations can be safely used on the skin. Hence, the study suggests that the composition of extract and the base of the cream F5 and F6 are more stable and safe, but it may produce synergistic action

Modified gift box technique for acute compound posttraumatic Achilles tendon repair in young patients

Background: Treatment of Achilles tendon rupture in young active patient remains controversial. Open primary repair remains the mainstay of treatment with prolonged rehabilitation and high wound complication rate (20%). In compound injuries it becomes the default treatment. Newer techniques are being tried to decrease re-rupture rate, decrease local complications and facilitate early rehabilitation. Modified gift box technique of open repair, which has shown higher strength of repair in in-vitro studies and good clinical results in the hands of its inventor. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical results of this technique in young active patients with compound Achilles tendon injury.Methods: This is a retrospective study. The parameters recorded at follow up included general demography, ability to single toe raise (on neutral, incline, decline), toe walking for 40 feet, and pain on VAS scale. Achilles tendon total rupture score and modified Rupp score were administered.Results: Out of the 8 patients included in the study, 7 patients had unilateral tear and 1 patient had bilateral tear. The mean age was 27 yrs (20-35) and mean duration of follow up was 17.4 months (08-24 months). Single toe raise and toe walking for 40 ft. was possible in all patients. Two patients complained of grade 2 pain on VAS Scale. The ATRS score was 97.1 (94-99) and modified Rupp score was 28.3 (26-29). Conclusions: Modified gift box technique gives excellent results in young active patients with compound Achilles tendon injury with no re-rupture and return of pre-injury activity