Egyptian Vultures: The Unfortunate Victims

Vultures are the keystone species and very important scavengers responsible for the maintenance of balance of ecosystem. Diclofenac is the main reason of mass decline in the population of vultures in India but there are other factors too that are adversely affecting the vultures, like the shortage of food after the change in lifestyle of people, the closure of slaughterhouses in Uttar Pradesh, indiscriminate cutting of trees as a part of urbanization, and the unawareness regarding the importance of vultures. Due to rapid urbanization and deforestation the whole natural equilibrium has changed. It has displaced vultures from their habitats. The present study aimed at showing the drastic decline in the population of Egyptian Vultures in Rae Bareli district of Uttar Pradesh. Repeated surveys show that there has been a decline in individuals from an average 171 individuals to only 02 individuals. Strict measures and proper awareness with comprehensive education regarding the environment helps people to understand how important these species are and there is the necessity to keep these species alive from the brink of extinction

Preclinical valuation of anti-hyperglycemic and antioxidant action of Nirmali (Strychnos potatorum) seeds in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic Wistar rats: A histopathological investigation

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of Strychnos potatorum seeds in streptozotocin-nicotinamide–induced diabetes in experimental animals. Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) was induced in overnight fasted rats by an intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) and, after a 15-minute interval, 120 mg/kg of nicotinamide. S. potatorum extract 200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg body weight was administered orally to the rats once daily for 21 days. The blood glucose level was assessed by a glucometer. The serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and total lipid were determined by using diagnostic kits. Measurement of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione–S-transferase (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were determined to ascertain the antioxidant activity. A significant reduction in the blood glucose level was observed in diabetic animals treated with the different doses of the extract, compared to untreated diabetic rats. The treatment with the extract significantly increased the levels of GSH, GPx, GST, CAT, and SOD in the drug-treated group to levels comparable to the levels in the diabetic control group. The result of this study thus shows that 50% of the ethanolic extract at different doses possesses significant antidiabetic activity and potent antioxidant potential in diabetic conditions

Antioxidant mediated protective effect of Parthenium hysterophorus against oxidative damage using in vitro models

BACKGROUND: Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae) is a common weed occurring throughout the globe. In traditional medicine its decoction has been used for treatment of many infectious and degenerative diseases. This work was therefore designed to assess the phytochemical constitution of P. hysterophorus flower and root extracts and to evaluate their reducing power, radical scavenging activity as well as protective efficacy against membrane lipid damage. METHODS: Dried flower and root samples were sequentially extracted with non-polar and polar solvents using Soxhlet apparatus. The phytochemical screening was done using standard chemical methods and thin layer chromatography. Total phenolic content was determined spectrophotometrically. Reducing power and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity assays were used to measure antioxidant activity. Protection against membrane damage was evaluated by inhibition of lipid peroxidation (TBARS assay) in rat kidney homogenate. RESULTS: Flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides were present in all the extract. The total phenol contents in flower and root extracts were found to be in the range 86.69-320.17 mg propyl gallate equivalent (PGE)/g and 55.47-253.84 mg PGE/g, respectively. Comparatively better reducing power was observed in hexane fractions of flower (0.405) and root (0.282). Benzene extract of flower and ethyl acetate fraction of root accounted for appreciable hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (75-77%). Maximum protection against membrane lipid peroxidative damage among flower and root extracts was provided by ethanol (55.26%) and ethyl acetate (48.95%) fractions, respectively. Total phenolic content showed positive correlations with reducing power and lipid peroxidation inhibition (LPOI) % in floral extracts as well as with hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and LPOI % in root extracts. CONCLUSION: Study established that phytochemicals present in P. hysterophorus extracts have considerable antioxidant potential as well as lipo-protective activity against membrane damage

Communal roosting of Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus in Uttar Pradesh, India

The behaviour of birds to settle or rest at a place at specific times of day and night is called roosting. Some birds prefer solitary roosting while others roost communally. The Communal roosting behaviour of Egyptian vulture was studied in five districts (Sambhal, Lakhimpur Kheri, Aligarh, Bareilly and Faizabad) of Uttar Pradesh, India from January 2014- December 2017. Total count was conducted at roosting sites in all the seasons (summer, winter and monsoon). The maximum number of individuals counted at the roost site was in Sambhal followed by Lakhimpur Kheri, Aligarh, Bareilly, Faizabad. Four different roost substrates were identified: Ground, tree, building, and electric pylon. A maximum (63%) of Egyptian vultures were observed roosting on the ground, followed by electric pylon (19%), tree (10%) and minimum on building (8%). The present study confirmed that Egyptian vultures are communal roosters and a number of roosting individuals most probably depended on the availability of food of the area. Egyptian vultures are globally endangered species and so far no work has been done on their roosting behaviour in India; therefore the present study will prove beneficial to plan for their conservation strategies

Inhibitory activity of Indian spice plant Cinnamomum zeylanicum extracts against Alternaria solani and Curvularia lunata, the pathogenic dematiaceous moulds

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dematiaceous moulds are pathogenic microorganisms and act as etiological agents of mycoses with different degrees of severity in humans and animals. These moulds also cause loss of food crops and storage food products. The information regarding antimicrobial efficacy of the plant preparations on these moulds is scanty. The present study reveals phytochemical characterization and the effect of bark and leaf extracts of Indian spice plant, <it>Cinnamomum zeylanicum </it>(Cz), against the growth of two species of dematiaceous moulds, <it>Alternaria solani </it>and <it>Curvularia lunata</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cz bark and leaf samples were sequentially extracted in different solvents using Soxhlet apparatus. Phytochemical analyses of extracts were done as per standard protocols. The antifungal bioassay of extracts was done by hanging drop technique. The inhibition of fungal spore germination was monitored under influence of three different concentrations of extracts.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The lowest test concentration (50 μg/ml) of extracts of Cz bark prepared into acetone and that of Cz leaf into petroleum ether and ethanol exhibited complete inhibition (100%) of spore germination in both the moulds. At 100 μg/ml concentration all the extracts showed about 50 to 100% inhibition. However, the treatment of the spores of the two fungal species with highest concentration (500 μg/ml) of bark and leaf extracts in all the solvents showed 100% fungicidal activity as it completely arrested the germination of spores. Relatively lower activity of aqueous extracts at 50 and 100 μg/ml concentrations suggests that the antifungal ingredients present in Cz bark and leaf are more soluble in organic solvents than water.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results demonstrated that the Cz bark and leaves contain certain fungicidal constituents exhibiting potential antimould activity against <it>A. solani </it>and <it>C. lunata</it>.</p

Surface Functionalization of TiO2 with Plant Extracts and their Combined Antimicrobial Activities Against E. faecalis and E. Coli

Abstract: The aim of this study is to enhance the antibacterial activity of TiO2 by pure plant extracts of Bauhinia variegata and Tinospora. cordifolia by making a composite of plant extract and TiO2. Plant extracts, TiO2 and plant extracts/TiO2 composites were investigated against two bacterial strain Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli. X-ray diffraction investigations have confirmed the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles in the plant extract/TiO2 nanocomposites. UV-visible investigations have shown an enhanced photocatalytic activity of plant extract/TiO2 nanocomposites compared to that of pure TiO2 and pure plant extract. Plant extract/TiO2 nanocomposites have shown various level of antibacterial activity on different test microorganisms. The highest antibacterial potentiality expressed in terms of zone of inhibition (ZOI) in mm was exhibited by the aqueous extract of Bauhinia variegata /TiO2 (45 mm against Enterococcus faecalis and 30 mm against Escherichia coli) and benzene extract of Tinospora cordifolia /TiO2 (26 mm) nanocomposites. This is the first study on these types of bio-nano composite materials and it serves as basis for further research on these types of composite materials as a potent antibacterial agent

Diversity of Spiders in Kukrail Reserve Forest, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

Spiders belong to order Araneae of Class Arachnida and phylum Arthropoda. The present study was carried out to investigate the diversity of spiders in Kukrail Reserve Forest, located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Kukrail Reserve is a subtropical dry deciduous forest, covering an area of 5,000 hectare, located on the co-ordinates N-26054’ 399’, E-080 59’ 046’.The study was conducted from December 2013 to September 2014. During the study a total of 61 Spider species were identified belonging to 45 genera &amp; 16 families. Out of this, majority of spiders were belonging to family Salticidae followed by Araneidae. Total species reported here represents about 25% of total spider families found in India

Screening of traditionally used medicinal plants for their antimicrobial efficacy against oral pathogens and GC-MS analysis of <em>Acacia nilotica </em>extract

162-168Oral diseases are one of the major public health issues. Due to acquisition of pathogenic resistance over conventional antimicrobials, the search for natural alternatives continues. In the present study, thirty two methanol and ethyl acetate extracts prepared from 14 different plant species were screened against oral pathogens. Principal Component Analysis indicated that methanol extract of Acacia nilotica twig was the most influential with highest F1 score and showed almost 2 fold higher antimicrobial activity in comparison to others. GC-MS analysis of Acacia nilotica twig revealed the presence of various bioactive such as limonene, stigmasterol, linoleic acid, ricinoleic acid, santalol, undecylenic acid. Evaluation of antimicrobial potential of medicinal plants may thrive a safe, inexpensive and efficient therapeutic in developing formulation for oral care products

Efficacy of Fungicides for Control of White Mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Lib.) De Bary in Lima Bean

White mold of lima bean (Phaseolous lunatus) caused by&nbsp;Sclerotinia sclerotiorum&nbsp;is a major disease in India. Isolates of the pathogen from different region of Uttar Pradesh were assayed both&nbsp;in vitro&nbsp;and in the greenhouse (in vivo) for their sensitivity to eight commercially available fungicides, viz., dithiocarbamic acid, carbendazim, ziram, phenylthiourea, carboxin + dithiocarbamic acid, difenoconazole, hydrogen sulphide, and mancozeb. Phenylthiourea and difenoconazole were found to be most effective and these inhibited radial growth of the test organism a level of to 71.5% and 70.5%, respectively. These two fungicides were also found as most promising in controlling the disease under greenhouse conditions, reducing disease severity to 0.14% and 0.22%, respectively compared to the control where it was 18.9%

Ayurveda Concept of Bhasma, Specific Role in Diseases Management and Precautionary Measurements Related to Bhasma: A Review

Metals and metallic preparations have a great historical background in Ayurveda system. Metals such as; Parada (Mercury), Rajata (Silver), Tamra (Copper), Swarna (Gold), Lauha (Iron), Vanga (Tin) and Yasada (Zinc) possessing some therapeutic value. However these metals can’t be used without processing or purification, therefore they are used in incinerated form as Bhasma. These herbo-metallic preparations offer different therapeutic values and utilizing since evaluation of ayurveda. The proper preparation method, dose regimen and duration of use are some important aspects need to be considered while using Bhasma. Bhasma may produce severe adverse effects if used without considering precautionary measurements. Present article described various ayurveda perspective of Bhasma. Keywords: Ayurveda, Bhasma, Herbo-metallic, Incinerated