Selective Th2 Upregulation by Crocus sativus: A Neutraceutical Spice

The immunomodulatory activity of an Indian neutraceutical spice, saffron (Crocus sativus) was studied on Th1 and Th2 limbs of the immune system. Oral administration of alcoholic extract of Crocus sativus (ACS) at graded dose levels from 1.56–50 mg/kg p.o. potentiated the Th2 response of humoral immunity causing the significant increases in agglutinating antibody titre in mice at a dose of 6.25 mg/kg and an elevation of CD19+ B cells and IL-4 cytokine, a signature cytokine of Th2 pathway. Appreciable elevation in levels of IgG-1 and IgM antibodies of the primary and secondary immune response was observed. However, ACS showed no appreciable expression of the Th1 cytokines IL-2 (growth factor for CD4+ T cells) and IFN-γ (signature cytokine of Th1 response). A significant modulation of immune reactivity was observed in all the animal models used. This paper represents the selective upregulation of the Th2 response of the test material and suggests its use for subsequent selective Th2 immunomodulation

Effect of shading and plant density on growth, yield and oil composition of clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) in north western Himalaya

The experiments were commenced in January 2009 and repeated in 2010 at the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Palampur, India to investigate the effect of shading and plant density on plant growth, yield, volatile oil content and composition in clary sage. Four levels of shade (0, 25%, 50%, 75% shade) and three planting geometry levels (30 х 30 cm, 45 х 30 cm, 45 х 45 cm) were tested as per split plot design. Plants grown in full sunlight (control) produced significantly higher number of leaves than heavy shading (75% shade). Plant spread, root length, number of roots/plant, flower weight/plant, total biomass/plant, oil content and oil yield significantly reduced with increase in shade levels. Flower yield (q/ha) was significantly higher when the crop was planted under narrow spacing 30 х 30 cm compared with 45 х 30 cm and 45 х 45 cm spacing levels. Oil content and oil yield were not affected by different spacing levels. Linalyl acetate and sclareol were higher under 25% shade, germacrene D required 50% shade, but linalool was better in open environment

Effect of Transplanting Date on Growth, Yield and Oil Quality of Tagetes minuta L. in Mid Hill of North -Western Himalaya

A field investigation was conducted at CSIR- Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Palampur to study the effect of transplanting date on duration of phenophases, aerial biomass partitioning and essential oil productivity in wild marigold (Tagetes minuta). Tagetes crop was transplanted on six dates commencing from April 12 to June 26, 2008 at fortnightly interval. All the phenophases were hastened when the transplanting was delayed. Plant height, leaf number and branches/ plant were significantly higher in the crop which was transplanted in the month of April. Dry matter accumulation in different plant parts of tagetes was significantly higher in April 26 transplanted crop. In accordance with these results, herb yield was significantly higher in the crop which was transplanted on April 26. Delay in transplanting significantly decreased essential oil content. Delay in transplanting also caused variation in composition of the oil in the stem, leaf and flower. Flowers and leaves accumulated maximum essential oil. The proportion of dihydrotagetones (39.1 %) was higher in leaf oil while the presence of cis- ocimene (36.5 %) and ocimenones (41.3 %) in flower oil was recorded

Intraspecific variability of main phytochemical compounds in Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. from North Indian higher altitude Himalayas using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. is an important medicinal plant belonging to family Scrophulariaceae. It is known to contain iridoid glycosides, picroside I and II as major bioactive compounds. The present study provides an analytical HPLC method with well-resolved and symmetrical peaks for the two reference compounds picroside-I and picroside-II. Separation was achieved on RP-18e, Merck made column. The mobile phase consisted of methanol:water (60:40, v/v) in isocratic elution with flow rate 1 ml/min. Injection volume of standard and samples was 10 μl and run time was 30 min. The detection of analyte was carried out using photodiode array detector with wavelength of 270 nm. Calibration curves were constructed for each analyte. The HPLC method was developed and applied to determine the picroside-I and picroside-II in rhizome of all the seven accessions [Rohtang-3978 m (PKR-1); Marhi-3300 m (PKM-2); Manali-2050 m (PKM-3); Keylong-3350 m (PKK-4); Khoksar-3160 m (PKK-5); Manikaran-1737 m (PKM-6) and Chamba-996 m (PKC-7)] from higher altitude North Indian Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh. Both of these reference compounds have been detected in the rhizome samples of all these seven accessions of P. kurroa. After detailed comparison, it was concluded that the percentage of both analytes were found to be maximum, that is, picroside-I (3.5%) and picroside-II (2.0%) in rhizome parts of P. kurroa collected from Rohtang area (3978 m)

Effect of agro-techniques on the performance of natural sweetener plant–stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) under western Himalayan conditions

Two separate field experiments were conducted during 2007, 2008 and 2009 to evaluate the effect of agrotechniques on the performance of natural sweetener plant–stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) under western Himalayan conditions. In the first experiment during 2007 and 2008 two doses of farm yard manure (FYM) and seven inorganic fertilizers were compared with untreated plot (control). Application of 50:60:50 kg NPK/ha recorded significantly higher plant height, stem, flower and total weight/plant (dry) and consequently recorded higher dry leaf yield as compared to other treatments. However, stevioside and rebaudioside contents were found to reduce due to the application of manures/fertilizers. FYM application recorded higher marker compounds than inorganic fertilizers. Owing to higher dry leaf yield, 50:60:50 kg NPK/ha recorded highest steviol glycoside (stevioside and rebaudioside A) yield/ha than other treatments. In second experiment during 2008 and 2009, effect of land configuration and harvesting time on growth, yield and steviol glycosides of stevia was evaluated. Planting stevia in broad bed and furrow (BBF) recorded 31 and 23% higher leaf biomass over flat and camber bed methods, respectively. Steviol glycosides (stevioside and rebaudioside-A) concentration was higher when stevia was planted in camber bed as compared to flat and BBF. Significantly higher leaf biomass was obtained from stevia plants which were harvested once at 50% flower bud stage compared with those harvested once at the 60 and 90 days after transplanting (DAT). Rebaudioside -A content was higher when leaves were harvested at 50% flower bud stage. Owing to higher dry leaf yield, stevia planted in BBF and harvested at 50% flower bud stage recorded highest net return and B:C ratio than other treatments

Effect of organic manure and plant spacing on biomass and quality of Mentha piperita L. in Himalaya in India

Mentha piperita L. (peppermint) is one of the economically important aromatic–medicinal herbs in India. Cultivation of M. piperita has so far not been attempted under sub-temperate agro-climatic conditions in the mid-hill of Himalaya. A study on rationalization of level of farmyard manure (FYM) and plant spacing for M. piperita crop was conducted during 2007 and 2008 at IHBT (CSIR), Palampur. The treatments consisted of four levels of FYM (0, 15, 30, 45 t/ha), three plant spacing (25 4.х 15, 40 4. х 15 and 50 4.х 15 cm2). Crop yield significantly increased with the level of FYM and was significantly higher at 45 t/ha of FYM. The oil content in the crop ranged from 0.2% to 0.3%; however, it was not affected by FYM application. Menthone content significantly increased with application of FYM and was significantly higher at 45 t/ha of FYM, whereas content of menthyl acetate, neo-menthol and menthofuran significantly decreased with application of FYM. The crop yield, oil content and composition of the oil were not affected by variation in plant spacing. However, planting of M. piperita at 50 4.х 15 cm2 spacing and application of FYM at 45 t/ha was found to be favorable for biomass production and content of menthone