Anticaries Activity of Azolla pinnata and Azolla rubra

The present study was carried out to investigate anticaries activity of two Azolla species viz., A. pinnata and A. rubra. Inhibitory efficacy of methanolic extract of both Azolla species was tested against six oral isolates of Streptococcus mutans by Agar well diffusion and Minium inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination. The S. mutans isolates were shown to be susceptible to extracts. Among Azolla species, A. pinnata displayed high inhibitory effect against oral isolates when compared to A. rubra as evidenced by wider inhibition zones and low MIC values. These Azolla species can be used to treat dental caries.Keywords: Azolla Dental caries Agar well diffusio

Analgesic Activity of Leaf Extract of Olea dioica (Roxb.)

The present study was carried out to investigate the analgesic activity of leaf extract of Olea dioica (Roxb) belonging to the family Oleaceae. Acute toxicity was determined by administering single oral dose of 2000mg/kg b.w to Swiss albino mice. The results showed no toxicity in terms of general behavior change and mortality and LD50 was found to be more than 2,000 mg/kg. Analgesic effect of extract was evaluated in Swiss Albino mice by Tail flick method. The animals were administered with 100, 200 and 300 mg extract/kg b.w and the positive control used for the study was Pentazocine (5mg/kg). The extract and Pentazocine showed significant analgesic activity as compared to control. The extract increased pain threshold indicating that the extract exhibit analgesic activity.Keywords: Oleadioica Analgesic activity Tail flick metho

Antifungal activity of Parmotrema tinctorum (Delise ex Nyl.) hale and Parmotrema cristiferum (Taylor) hale against seed mycoflora - A comparative study

Lichens are composite organisms comprising of a photobiont and a mycobiont. Studies have shown that extracts and secondary metabolites from lichens exhibit various bioactivities. The present study evaluates antifungal potential of crude methanolic extract of two corticolous Parmotrema species viz. Parmotrema tinctorum (Delise ex Nyl.) Hale and Parmotrema cristiferum (Taylor) Hale against a panel of fungi isolated from seeds of maize and groundnut. Extraction of powdered lichens was carried out by maceration process using methanol. Antifungal activity was evaluated by poisoned food technique. Both extracts were effective in causing dose dependent inhibition of radial growth of test fungi in poisoned plates. Among lichens, marked inhibitory activity was shown by P. cristiferum. At 1mg/ml concentration, P. cristiferum displayed an inhibition of >50% of all test fungi. The antifungal activity of two Parmotrema species against seed mycoflora could be ascribed to the presence of secondary metabolites in extracts

Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of a Glycoside Antibiotic from Streptomyces variabilis PO-178

In the present study, characterization and antibacterial activity of a glycoside antibiotic from fermentation broth of bioactive Streptomyces variabilis PO-178 recovered previously from Western Ghat soil of Agumbe, Karnataka, India was investigated. Mass cultivation of the strain PO-178 was carried out in Starch casein nitrate broth. The fermentation broth was extracted using butanol solvent in a separation funnel. The concentrated butanol extract was subjected to chromatographic techniques viz., thin layer and silica gel column chromatography for purification of bioactive components. Out of 3 fractions (A, B and C) obtained, only one fraction (C) displayed inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bioactive fraction C was subjected to spectral analysis (LC-MS, IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR) in order to determine the structure. On the basis result of spectral analysis, the purified fraction was predicted as a glycoside antibiotic with molecular weight 514 and molecular formula C24H34O12. The antibiotic displayed marked inhibitory activity against S. aureus as revealed by wider zones of inhibition and low minimum inhibitory concentration value

ETHNOBOTANICAL USES, PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF PEPEROMIA PELLUCIDA (L.) KUNTH (PIPERACEAE)-A REVIEW

Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth is a herb belonging to the family Piperaceae. In this review, an extensive literature survey was carried out to compile information available on medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of P. pellucida. The plant is used as food, flavoring agent and as medicine. The plant is used as medicine for treating various ailments or disorders such as asthma, rheumatism, wound, fever, stomach problems, kidney infection, hemorrhoid pain, joint pain, hypertension, diarrhea, snake bite and measles. The plant contains phytochemical groups such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, steroids and glycosides. Compounds such as dill apiole, phytol, stigmasterol, sitosterol, secolignans, tetrahydrofuran lignans, highly methoxylated dihydronaphthalenone, peperomins, sesamin and isoswertisin have been identified in the plant. Studies have shown that the plant exhibited several pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, neuropharmacological, antisickling, anticancer, enzyme inhibitory, antiulcer, hypotensive, immunostimulatory, fracture healing and antidiabetic activities which support the traditional use of the plant. Purified chemicals from the plant have also shown to exhibit certain pharmacological activities such as antiulcer, anticancer and antimicrobial activity. By this extensive literature review, it can be concluded that P. pellucida can be utilized as a promising candidate for developing newer drugs with potent pharmacological activities.Â

INSECTICIDAL, ANTIBACTERIAL, AND ANTIRADICAL ACTIVITY OF NICOTIANA PLUMBAGINIFOLIA VIV. (SOLANACEAE)

  Objectives: Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv. belongs to the family Solanaceae. The present study was carried out to determine insecticidal, antibacterial, and antiradical activity of aerial parts of N. plumbaginifolia.Methods: Extraction was carried out by maceration process using methanol. Insecticidal activity was assessed, in terms of larvicidal effect, against II and IV instar larvae of Aedes aegypti. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against a panel of 7 bacteria by agar well diffusion assay. Antiradical activity was determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonate (ABTS) free radical scavenging assays.Results: The extract was found to cause dose-dependent mortality of larvae of A. aegypti. The lethal concentration 50 value of extract for II and IV instar larvae was found to be 0.41 and 0.99 mg/ml, respectively. Extract was effective in inhibiting all bacteria. Gram-positive bacteria displayed marked susceptibility when compared to Gram-negative bacteria. Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli were susceptible to highest and least extent, respectively. Extract scavenged both DPPH radicals and ABTS radicals dose dependently. Extract scavenged ABTS radicals more efficiently (inhibitory concentration [IC50] value 13.51 μg/ml) when compared to DPPH radicals (IC50 value 17.43 μg/ml).Conclusions: The plant N. plumbaginifolia appears to be a promising resource for developing agents with insecticidal, antibacterial, and antiradical activity. The observed bioactivities could be attributed to the presence of phytochemicals which are to be isolated, characterized, and subjected for bioactivity determinations. The plant can be used to prevent arboviral diseases, infectious diseases, and oxidative damage

AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF DOSHA AND DUSHYA IN THE MANIFESTATION OF VATAKANTAKA

The health of the human body depends on the equilibrium state of Dosha, Dhatu and Mala. Knowledge of disturbance in equilibrium of the Dosha and Dushya helps us to know the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of the disease.The term “Vatakantaka” denotes a disease of Vata in which the pain is experienced at heel by the patient. Even though Vatakantaka has been mentioned under Vatavyadhi, the Samprapti Ghatakas and detailed pathogenesis is not available in any classical text. Such details are essential for proper planning of treatment.This study is intended to assess the Dosha and Dushya that are involved in the manifestation of Vatakantaka.30 individuals were diagnosed as Vatakantaka were taken for the study. The Dosha and Dushya assessment were done with the help of questioner. The statistical analysis shows involvement of Vata Dosha and Asthi Dhatu in the pathogenesis of Vatakantaka

Antimicrobial Activity of Ramalina conduplicans Vain. (Ramalinaceae)

The members of the genus Ramalina (Ramalinaceae) are fruticose lichens growing on various types of substrata. The present study was conducted with an aim of determining antimicrobial activity of Ramalina conduplicans Vain. The powdered lichen material was extracted sequentially using petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and ethanol. The solvent extracts were screened for antibacterial activity by Agar well diffusion assay against 15 bacteria which included reference strains and isolates from burn, dental caries and urinary tract infections. Poisoned food technique was performed to determine antifungal effect of solvent extracts against fungal isolates from anthracnose of chilli, foot rot of finger millet and mouldy grains of sorghum. Usnic acid, Salazinic acid and Sekikaic acid were detected in the lichen. The solvent extracts were shown to exhibit dose dependent inhibitory activity against test bacteria. Ethyl acetate extract inhibited reference bacterial strains to higher extent. Among solvent extracts, only ethanol extract inhibited all urinary tract bacteria. S. aureus isolates from burn were inhibited to higher extent when compared to S. mutans isolates from dental caries. The solvent extracts exhibited varied inhibitory activity against test fungi. Ethyl acetate extract inhibited Alternaria sp., Aspergillus flavus and Sclerotium rolfsii to higher extent while Colletotrichum capsici and Helminthosporium sp. were inhibited to higher extent by petroleum ether and ethanol extract respectively. The observed inhibitory potential of solvent extracts of R. conduplicans could be ascribed to the presence of secondary metabolites. The lichen can be used in the treatment of bacterial infections and to manage plant pathogenic fungi.Keywords: i Antimicrobial Agar well diffusion Poisoned food techniqu

ANALYSIS OF EFFECT OF AMLA RASA (SOUR FOOD) IN DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS ON MAMSA DHATU (MUSCLE TISSUE)

It is said that one should consume Shad-Rasayuktha Ahara for better nourishment. The nutritive value of the 6 Rasas (taste) has been explained in the classics of Ayurveda along with their harmful effects when used in excess. When Amla Rasa is taken in excess it produces Dantaharsha (Morbid sensation of teeth), Trishna (thirst) etc.Objectives - The present study is designed by administering Amla Rasa Pradhana Drvya given in different concentration 10% and 15% and effect on the Mamsa Dhatu is assessed by certain blood parameters.Material and Methods -Wistar strain albino rats of either sex, weighing of 200-300 g. Obtained from S.D.M Centre for Research in Ayurveda, Udupi, Karnataka. 5Groups were taken and Group 1 is Control, Group-2 is 15% Chincha, Group-3 is 15% Vrukshamla, Group-4 is 10% Chincha, Group-5 is 10% Vrukshamla which receives drug and laboratory food for 28days, next day blood was collected by supra-orbital puncture with the help of micro capillary tubes under mild ether anesthesia.Results - There was increase in the Total Protein, Serum Albumin and serum creatinine levels and decrease in Serum globulin, Serum Urea level and Body weight.Conclusion – the study suggests that there is catabolic action of the Amla Rasa on the Mamsa Dhatu and anabolic act action on serum protein especially at the level of liver, so there will be a loss of muscle tissue which suggests Mamsa Vidhahyati action