Phytochemical and microbiological analysis of developed Freeze dried Watermelon and Tomato powder

Fruits and vegetables are the prominent source of various nutrients as well as phytochemicals. Due to their  higher water activity, they are prone to deterioration.The present study was conducted to prepare freeze dried powder mix of Watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) and Tomato(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill).Freeze drying or lyophilization is a method of food dehydration to make high quality food products without altering their colour, texture, flavour and nutritive contents. In this study, the phytochemical (qualitative and quantitative),microbiological and antioxidant capacity and lycopene content have been evaluated. For this analysis the variations of 10%,20%,30%,40% and 50% were prepared. Result shows a gradual increase in TPC, antioxidant capacity and lycopene content. The microbiological (bacterial and fungal) load for each variation was found to be constant for 45 days during 15 days interval

Antimalarial activity and clinical safety of traditionally used Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn.

330-334Traditional systems of medicine, such as Ayurveda and Chinese medicine in Asia have been provided novel concepts and modalities for healthcare. Critical bedside observations by astute physicians have been followed up by systematic trans-disciplinary research. Such clinical hits of novel biodynamic actions can lead to new drug candidates. In the study, this path was taken up to document antimalarial activity of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. (Parijat). Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn., a popular plant with fragrant flowers described in Ayurveda is being sporadically used for malaria by several Ayurvedic physicians. Patients with malaria were treated with the paste of five fresh leaves of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn, Given orally three times in a day for 7-10 days. The relief of symptoms and signs of malaria and the features of Visham jwara were graded basally and daily. Of 120 patients, ninety two (76.7%) showed complete clinical and parasitic cure within 7 days. Other 20 patients, who then continued on the same treatment, were cured by 10 days. Those patients who did not respond clinically and by parasite clearance were treated with standard antimalarial therapy. Parasite clearance was gradual and showed a direct temporal relationship with the level of initial parasitemia. The paste was well tolerated and no severe side effects were reported. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn, with the dose used showed significant clinical antimalarial activity and good tolerability. A standardized formulation has to be prepared for further studies with critical markers of disease severity as well as parasite clearance

Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutaki) Royle ex Benth as a hepatoprotective agent--experimental & clinical studies.

Picrorhiza kurroa (Pk), a known hepatoprotective plant, was studied in experimental and clinical situtations. The standardization of active principles--Picroside 1 and 2 was done with High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Picroside 1 ranged from 2.72 to 2.88 mg/capsule and picroside 2 from 5.50 to 6.00 mg/capsule. In the galactosamine-induced liver injury in rats, Pk at a dose of 200 mg/kg p.o. showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in liver lipid content, GOT and GPT. In a randomised, double-blind placebo controlled trial in patients diagnosed to have acute viral hepatitis (HBsAg negative), Pk root powder 375 mg three times a day was given for 2 weeks (n = 15) or a matching placebo (n = 18) was given. Difference in values of bilirubin, SGOT and SGPT was significant between placebo and Pk groups. The time in days required for total serum bilirubin to drop to average value of 2.5 mg% was 75.9 days in placebo as against 27.44 days in Pk group. The present study has shown a biological plausability of efficacy of Pk as supported by clinical trial in viral hepatitis, hepatoprotection in animal model and an approach for standardizing extracts based on picroside content