Impact of intercropping on root distribution in coconut under coastal sandy soil

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PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTO-CHEMICAL EVALUATION OF PIPPALYADI YOGA: A POLYHERBAL FORMULATION

Pippalyadi Yoga is Churna Kalpana described by Acharya Chakrapani in Vandhyatva (infertility). Ovulatory dysfunction is the prime cause of Infertility among the world, Pippalyadi Yoga is useful in patients especially having Anovulation which is known as Abeejatva in Ayurveda. So a new pharmaceutical preparation Pippalyadi Yoga in the form of Churna (powder) was tried to standardize which is economical in terms of time and machinery usage. Pharmacognostical and phyto-chemical observations revealed the specific characters of all active constituents used in the preparation. The present work was carried out to standardize the finished product of Pippalyadi Yoga to confirm its identity, quality and purity. The presence of stone cells, oil globules, olio resin cells, parenchymatous cells, oval & beaker shaped starch grains, pollen grains were the characteristic features observed in the microscopy of the prepared drug. Phyto-chemical analysis showed Loss on drying 10.07 % w/w, ash value 6.55 %w/w, water soluble extract 14 % w/w, methanol soluble 13.40 % w/w, particle consistency above 60 mesh 4.10 % w/w, between 60-85 mesh 9.20 % w/w, between 85-120 mesh 13.30 % w/w & below 120 mesh 73.37 % w/w & pH 5.0. HPTLC of Pippalyadi Yoga is the preliminary quantitative analysis which shows 8 prominent spots at Rf. 0.09, 0.61, 0.67, 0.74, 0.80, 0.86, 0.91, 1.00 in UV 254 nm and 7 prominent spots at Rf. 0.06, 0.17, 0.63, 0.67, 0.75, 0.82, 0.88 in UV 366 nm. Pippalyadi Yoga, a polyherbal formulation of 4 ingredients was prepared and HPTLC finger print profile was developed and it can be considered pharmacopial standard of Pippalyadi Yoga

Pharmacognostical and phytochemical standardization of Baladi churna- A polyherbal formulation

Baladi Churna described by Acharya Bhavprkash in Vandhyatva (infertility). Endometrium dysfunction is the prime cause of Infertility among the world Baladi Churna is useful in patients especially having implantation failure due to defective endometrium, which is known as Kshetra deformity in Ayurveda. So a new pharmaceutical preparation Baladi churna was tried to standardize which is economical in terms of time and machinery usage. The present work was carried out to standardize the finished product of to confirm Baladi Churna entity, quality and purity. The presence of trichomes, spiral vessels, pollen grains were the characteristic features observed in the microscopy of the prepared drug. Phyto-chemical analysis showed Loss on drying 8.24% w/w, ash value 9 %w/w, water soluble extract 46.3 % w/w and pH 6.5. HPTLC of Baladi Churna is the preliminary quantitative analysis which shows 11 prominent spots in UV 254 nm and 10 prominent spots 366 nm. Baladi Churna, a polyherbal formulation of 6 ingredients was prepared and HPTLC finger print profile was developed and it can be considered pharmacopial standard of Baladi Churna

Livelihood responses to Lantana camara invasion and biodiversity change in southern India: application of an asset function framework

Natural resources play key roles as assets in the livelihoods of rural communities. However, the benefits of these assets in livelihoods are frequently conceived narrowly as income generating or vulnerability reducing. We contend that they have other important roles to play in poverty reduction and livelihood change. In this paper we use a case study of two ethnic communities in a village in southern India to investigate livelihood responses to change in forest biodiversity through an examination of changes in attributes of natural assets resulting from the invasion of Lantana camara and wider socio-economic change. The invasion of forest by Lantana has contributed to changes in the attributes and functions of four key natural assets: forest grazing, bamboo for basketry, Phoenix loureie for brooms, and wild yams. We observe that differences in households’ and individuals’ ability to substitute important functions of lost or declining assets affect their ability to adapt to changes in resource availability and attributes. Analysing changes in asset attributes for different user groups allows the social effects of environmental change to be disaggregated

The use of focus group discussion methodology: Insights from two decades of application in conservation

This is the final version of the article. Available from Wiley via the DOI in this recordFocus group discussion is frequently used as a qualitative approach to gain an in-depth understanding of social issues. The method aims to obtain data from a purposely selected group of individuals rather than from a statistically representative sample of a broader population. Even though the application of this method in conservation research has been extensive, there are no critical assessment of the application of the technique. In addition, there are no readily available guidelines for conservation researchers. Here, we reviewed the applications of focus group discussion within biodiversity and conservation research between 1996 and April 2017. We begin with a brief explanation of the technique for first-time users. We then discuss in detail the empirical applications of this technique in conservation based on a structured literature review (using Scopus). The screening process resulted in 170 articles, the majority of which (67%, n = 114,) were published between 2011 and 2017. Rarely was the method used as a stand-alone technique. The number of participants per focus group (where reported) ranged from 3 to 21 participants with a median of 10 participants. There were seven (median) focus group meetings per study. Focus group discussion sessions lasted for 90 (median) minutes. Four main themes emerged from the review: understanding of people's perspectives regarding conservation (32%), followed by the assessment of conservation and livelihoods practices (21%), examination of challenges and impacts of resource management interventions (19%) and documenting the value of indigenous knowledge systems (16%). Most of the studies were in Africa (n = 76), followed by Asia (n = 44), and Europe (n = 30). We noted serious gaps in the reporting of the methodological details in the reviewed papers. More than half of the studies (n = 101) did not report the sample size and group size (n = 93), whereas 54 studies did not mention the number of focus group discussion sessions while reporting results. Rarely have the studies provided any information on the rationale for choosing the technique. We have provided guidelines to improve the standard of reporting and future application of the technique for conservation.N.T.O. was funded by Cambridge Overseas Trusts, The Wildlife Conservation Society, Wildlife Conservation Network and WildiZe Foundation. NM was funded by the NERC grant (NE/R006946/1), Fondation Wiener Anspach and the Scriven post doctoral fellowships. K.W. was sup-ported by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CE11001000104) and Future Fellowship (FT100100413) programs and funded by the Australian Government

Quality Control Assessment of an Ayurvedic Medicine - Durvadi Ghrita

Background: Durvadi Ghrita is a Sneha Kalpana which is claimed to be effective in Madhumehajanya Timira (Diabetic Retinopathy).  In present study, it has been used for Nasya. Objective: Present study was planned to look out on herbal drugs used in the preparation of Durvadi Ghrita and standardization of drug by pharmacognostical and physicochemical parameters and HPTLC evaluation. Methods: Identification and authentication of all the raw drug was done by pharmacognostical study i.e. morphological characters, organoleptic characters and powder microscopy. Physicochemical evaluation and HPTLC of final product were done. Results: Pharmacognostical study of all the raw drugs of Durvadi Ghrita showed presence of oil globule, prismatic crystals of Durva. Lignified branched trichome, pollen grains of Utpala Kinjalaka. Trichome, border pitted vessels of Manjishtha. Collenchyma cells, border pitted vessel of Elvaluka. Lignified fibres, oil globules of Sita. Pitted fibres, pitted vessels of Usheera. Scalariform vessels, prismatic crystals of Musta. Pitted vessels and lignified fibres, crystal fibres of Chandana. Lignified cork, and stone cells of Padmaka etc. Pharmaceutical evaluation of Durvadi Ghrita showed results Specific Gravity 0.9125, Refractive Index 1.47, Acid Value 0.4608, Iodine Value 11.45 and Saponification Value 128.856. High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography, 12 spots were found at 254 nm and five spots were found at 366 nm. Conclusion: Identification and authentication of herbal drug used in the preparation of Durvadi Ghrita has been done. Pharmacognostical and physicochemical evaluation of prepared drug has been carried out which can be further useful for standardization of Durvadi Ghrita and other clinical researches

Phyto-pharmacognostical investigation w.s.r. Micrometric investigation of sheethavar seed (Celosia argentea linn.)

Celosia argentea Linn. is a leading leafy vegetable of Nigerian country and India. It is herb, ornamental plant which belongs to family Amaranthaceae also having medicinal use in antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, antiapoptosis etc. For proper methodical evaluation, authentication, macroscopy, microscopy, physicochemical parameters, phytochemical screening and qualitative of seed of C. Argentea has been observed under standard approach. The morphological study showed small black shining spherical, lenticular 3mm in diameter, greyish black in color, slightly aromatic in odour and gritty in touch. Microscopical transverse section of cock’s comb seed showed outer layer of epidermis consisting radially elongated rectangular dark brown color cell, narrow collapsed celled band, outer epidermis of tegmen, followed by parenchyma zone with angular cells of perisperm loaded by starch grains and crystals. Cock’s comb inner cell consists of prismatic crystals and aleurone grains. The unplumbed physicochemical parameters and qualitative screening of seed of cock’s comb are as per standard procedure and useful for future analysis

Pharmacognostical and physicochemical analysis of Tamarindus indica Linn. stem

Tamarindus indica Linn. fruits (Chincha) are extensively used in culinary preparations in Indian civilization. Its vast medicinal uses are documented in Ayurvedic classics and it can be used singly or as a component of various formulations. Besides fruit, the Kasta (wood) of T. indica L. is also important and used to prepare Kshara (alkaline extract) an Ayurvedic dosage form. Pharmacognostical and physicochemical details of Chincha Kasta are not available in authentic literature including API (Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India). The study is an attempt in this direction. T. indica L. stem with heartwood was selected and morphological, microscopic and physicochemical standardization characters along with TLC finger print, and fluorescence analysis were documented. Transverse section of stem showed important characters such as phelloderm, stone cells layer, fiber groups, calcium oxalate, crystal fibers, and tylosis in heartwood region. Four characteristic spots were observed under UV long wave, in thin layer chromatography with the solvent combination of toluene: ethyl acetate (8:2). The study can help correct identification and standardization of this plant material

Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L. Sprague) based intercropping for higher system productivity of semiarid tropics of Northern Karnataka

Field trials were executed at the University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka during the kharif season of 2016 and 2017 to study the growth and productivity of ajwain and leafy vegetables under intercropping system and the cost economics of cropping systems in Northern Karnataka. The experiments were carried out with thirteen treatments comprising sole ajwain and sole crops of leafy vegetables (Fenugreek, Coriander, Dill and Amaranthus) and various combinations of ajwain+ leafy vegetables in 1:1 and 1:2 ratios adopting randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that the sole crop of ajwain exhibited superior growth and yield. However, in intercropping systems, the combination of ajwain and coriander at a 1:1 ratio demonstrated the highest growth and yield parameters. The sole crop of ajwain recorded the maximum plant height (84.64 and 84.55 cm), number of branches per plant (52.38 and 52.19), number of umbels per plant (166.54 and 164.93), number of umbellate per umbel (12.44 and 12.34), and seed yield (12.95, 12.88 q/ha during both years, respectively). This performance was comparable to intercropping with ajwain + coriander (1:1). Sole crops of fenugreek, coriander, dill, and amaranthus yielded higher fresh market yields compared to different intercropping systems. Notably, growing ajwain as an intercrop with coriander at a (1:1) resulted in a significantly higher land equivalent ratio (1.61) and a higher benefit-cost ratio (2.99), followed by ajwain + fenugreek (1:1) (2.98)

Pharmaceutico-Analytical study of Shadbindu taila

Introduction: Shadbindu taila is an Ayurvedic herbo-mineral preparation used in a variety of clinical conditions especially in diseases of upper part of body. This taila is described as exceptionally beneficial for improving the strength of hands. Before a human trial it is essential to evaluate the quality and authenticity of the trial drug, Standardization is needed for assuring quality of any drug and it should be started with the identification and authentication of the drug Materials and method: Pharmacognostical evaluation carried out at Pharmacognosy department, ITRA, Jamnagar, pharmaceutical and HPTLC study were done at Pharmaceutical chemistry department, ITRA, Jamnagar. Microbiological evaluation was carried out at department of Microbiology I.T.R.A, Jamnagar. Results: Organoleptic examination:  Colour: Greenish Brown, Odour: Aromatic, Taste: Salty, Touch: Viscous, oily. Pharmaceutical evaluation: specific gravity 0.9177, density 0.8753 Refractive Index 1 .4860, Acid Value 4.042, Saponification Value 132.43, Iodine Value 169.33 HPTLC at 254nm (short wave) showed mainly 6 major spot and at 366 nm (long wave) showed 2 major spots. No organisms isolated in aerobic and fungal culture, in microbiology evaluation. Conclusion: The trial drug is authentic and devoid of any adulteration. All quality control parameters were found to be within the permissible pharmacopeial limits and the stability and shelf life of the trial drug also will be more as per the pharmaceutical parameters