CYTOTOXICITY OF CHLOROFORM EXTRACT OF TODDALIA ASIATICA L. LEAF

The diverse and magnificent plant kingdom of the world is widely known for its medicinal importance. The potential medicinal properties of plant species have contributed significantly in the development of various herbal therapies for a number of diseases across the globe. The benefits of herbal medicine over allopathic medicine have helped medicinal plants to regain their importance in the field of health and medicine. Cancer is one of the major health problems that have widely affected the worlds population. There is a great need to combat this disease with better and more effective medication as compared to existing therapies. Toddalia asiatica belongs to Rutaceae, a woody liana, is used traditionally in the treatment of malaria, sprains, cough, fever, neuralgia, epilepsy, dyspepsia and other disease conditions. Extracts of the plant have been reported to have anticancer, anti-HIV, antimicrobial, antifeedant activities. In the present study an attempt has been made to investigate the cytotoxic effect of chloroform extracts of Toddalia asiatica leaves on cervical cancer cells. Extracts were studied for their toxicity by trypan blue dye exclusion assay, Cell viability was studied by LDH assay and Apoptosis was measured by DNA fragmentation assay. The study clearly showed the dose dependent cytotoxic effect of extract in HeLa cell line with an CTC50 of 170.00. The LDH leakage was observed in an dose dependent manner with an LDH IU/mg of total protein of 38.92.The dying cells showed characteristics of apoptosis such as, DNA fragmentation at both the concentrations that is at 100 and 200µg/ml. The data in the present study clearly demonstrated cytotoxic effects of extract on human cervical cancer cells

ETHNO-BOTANICAL CLAIMS COLLECTED FROM TRIBAL AND RURAL PEOPLE OF KADAPA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH

The main aim of the study is to collect the ethnobotanical claims on therapeutic actions of twenty-seven (27) plant species belonging to Fourteen (14) families of angiosperms; practicing by tribal and rural people of Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh. The study was directed in the tribal villages and provincial regions like; Badvel, Balapalli, Chitvel, Guvvala cheruvu, Kukkaladhoddi, Lankamalai, Mamandur, Palakonda hills, Pulivendula, Rajampeta, Rayachoti and Settipalli in Kadapa District. The governed tribal populations in these regions are Yanadhi accompanied by Yerukula, Nakkala, and Sugalis. Tribal and rural people of the investigated areas have been applying all these plant materials in the form of ash, boiled, crude, curry, decoction etc. for treating 27 disease conditions like; anorexia, bilious affections, piles, burning sensation in the stomach, cold and cough, dandruff, dental diseases, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, redness of eye, facial paralysis, fever, fissures, cracks, flatulence, haemorrhage, hair loss, indigestion, intestinal ulcers, loss of libido, migraine, pains, swellings etc. The botanical name, family name, habit, habitat, part(s) used, flowering and fruiting time, the name of the diseases against which the plants are used and mode of administration with dosage for most of the claims is discussed in detail. The provided information could be used to find new medications of natural origin by the systematic research on pharmacological and clinical trials

STANDARDIZATION OF BALAMULA CHURNA (SIDA CORDIFOLIA L. ROOT POWDER)

Objective: In this study, an attempt was made to generate information based on, physicochemical parameter preliminary phytochemical screening and HPTLC data needed for proper identification and authentication of Balamula Churna. Methods: The physicochemical parameters such as water-soluble extractive, alcohol soluble extractive and loss on drying at 105 °C, total ash and acid insoluble ash were determined according to standard methods. HPTLC studies were conducted and Rf values were documented. Results: Physicochemical parameter value were documented as pH (6.81%), LOD (7.5%), water-soluble extractive value (6.32%), alcohol soluble extractive value (5.92%) total Ash (9.00%) and Acid Insoluble Ash (1.60%). Preliminary phytochemical screening reveals the presence of glycoside, alkaloid, carbohydrate, phenol, flavonoid and saponin. HPTLC screening showed the presence of significant phytoconstituents with Rf value 0.02, 0.27, 0.34 and 0.96. Conclusion: All the results obtained from this study can be helpful in evaluation quality, detection of adulteration and substitution and emphasizing the importance of standardization

Kalanchoe dineshii (Crassulaceae), an addition to the flora of Andhra Pradesh, India

Kalanchoe dineshii Syam Radh & Nampy collected from Amadaguru, Sri Satya Sai District, is communicated in this paper as an addition to the flora of Andhra Pradesh. Taxonomic description, colour photographs, short notes on habitat, phenology and distribution are presented in the paper

Ethnopharmacognastical investigation on Ipomoea pes-tigridis Linn.

The present investigation was undertaken to analyze the Pharmacognostical, physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical profile in the leaves and roots of Ipomoea pes-tigridis Linn. with the back ground of Ethnic importance. This plant is used by the tribes of Nellore district as a single drug remedy to treat as Laxative and skin diseases. In the present work the leaf and root part of the plant were subjected to various microscopical and physico- preliminary phyto chemical evaluations. In the microscopical studies, the different cell structures and arrangements were studied. Physicochemical parameters like loss on drying, total ash value, acid insoluble ash, water insoluble ash, various extractive values etc., were carried out. Further, qualitative tests for various functional groups like Triterpenoids, alkaloids, glycosides etc..., were carried out

ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY TRIBES OF CHITTOOR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH TO CURE MUSCULAR PAIN AND INFLAMMATION

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out to collect the first-hand information on medicinal plants used by the inhabited and traditionally rich tribal communities (Chenchus, Yanadis and Nakkalas) in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh (AP) for the treatment of muscular pain and inflammation. The information was gathered by an integrated approach of botanical collections, group discussions and questionnaire. The survey revealed thirty forty (34) ethno-medicinal plants belonging to twenty one (21) angiospermic families specifically used for the preparation of medicinal remedies. The tribal claims on the medicinal plants are listed with Latin name, family, local name, part used, method of preparation, dose and its use in pain and inflammation conditions. The habit of frequently used plant were recorded includes tree species (44 %) followed by herbs (35 %) climbers (12 %), under shrubs (6 %) and shrub (3%). Most frequently utilized plant parts were leaves, followed by root, latex, whole plant, bark, fruits, rhizome and seeds. In this particular study the most dominant family was found to be Euphorbiaceae. The result clearly indicates that people living around Chittoor forest area hold valuable traditional knowledge of the use of medicinal plants for their primary health care need related to muscular injury and inflammation. These plant resources are important component in their local livelihood and to control overexploitation of these resources sustainable management approach and proper conservation strategy for the area is also highly recommended by bringing the involvement of local communities and forest department. More in-depth investigations on these claims through phytochemical and pharmacological parameters are required to explore their activities to deal with the conditions of pain and inflammation

SCIENTIFIC VALIDATION AND STANDARDIZATION OF PARPATAKA AN AYURVEDIC DRUG WITH RESPECT TO FUMARIA INDICA

Objective: Fumaria indica is an essential curative herb and asserted as a prevalent weed across the plains of India. The entire plant is popularly employed in conventional systems of medicine for its therapeutic activities like anthelmintic, diuretic, diaphoretic, laxative, purging and stomachic. The entire plant is regarded to have therapeutical purposes in Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine and is employed in the preparation of important Ayurvedic formulation Parpataka. In Unani systems of medicine, it is used as shahtara. This contemporary study is intended to authenticate and validate the species Fumaria indica with respect to Parpataka drug. Methods: The chief objective of this contemporary research work is to assess the various pharmacognostic properties like Macroscopical, Microscopical, Physiochemical and Fluorescence studies. Microscopical studies include cell structure and their arrangement, Physicochemical parameter s include loss on drying, total ash value, acid insoluble ash, water-insoluble ash, various extractive values etc. Qualitative tests for various functional groups were also carried out. Results: The microscopical characters of leaf, stem and roots, physicochemical, preliminary phytochemical profiles were established. Conclusion: The pharmacognostical screening on Fumaria indica is significant data for the identification and to determine the quality and purity of the plant material in future reviews

Ethnobotanical and dietary uses of Bamboo unveiled by the tribes and local inhabitants of Chittoor district, West Godavari and East Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh

Aim and Objective: To unveil and document the folklore claims and dietary recipes of Bambusa bambos and Dendrocalamus strictus. Materials and methods: The study was intended to examine the 101 tribal individuals like traditional healers, tribal doctors and elder people in the field trips on their regular utilization of different species of Bamboo. Results: The study explored 13 contemporary folklore claims on B. bambos and D. strictus species solicited from various tribal pockets of Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh and dietary recipes from the tribes of West Godavari  and East Godavari  districts, Andhra Pradesh. Conclusion: With this study, it can be concluded that various parts of Bambusa bambos and Dendrocalamus strictus are practiced as conventional drugs to treat different ailments by local tribes and conventional healers from Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. Besides this, the young shoots of Bambusa bambos are a fabulous dietary hotspot for several minerals. This recipe of Bamboo shoots has been in permanence among the tribes of West Godavari and East Godavari  districts for the past several generations. Ayurveda has also validated this fact owing to its therapeutic properties. By all its nutritive potential, it can be determined that it is not only good to the taste receptors but also healthy