Ethnomedical Knowledge of Plants used by the Tribal people of Purandhar in Maharashtra, India

This study presents the results of a field survey of the plants used medically by the tribal people of Purandhar in Maharashtra, India. Tribes like Dhangars and Gowlis inhabit the dry deciduous forests of the region. This is an effort to record the valuable ethnomedical knowledge of these Purandhar tribes. A total of 77 species belonging to 30 families and 56 genera were included. These plants are used to treat various aliments, discomforts and diseases like whooping cough, asthma, diabetes, diphtheria, conjunctivitis, snake bite, scorpion bite, etc

Binder free 2D aligned efficient MnO2 micro flowers as stable electrodes for symmetric supercapacitor applications

δ-MnO2 thin film electrodes (M1) deposited on stainless steel mesh using CBD were used in symmetric supercapacitor device (SSM/M1//M1/SSM) with aqueous 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. The device shows 138% retention of specific capacitance after 2500 cycles.</p

Molecular analysis reveals that lack of chasmothecia formation in Erysiphe necator in Maharashtra, India is due to presence of only MAT1-2 mating type idiomorph

The heterothallic, ubiquitous fungus Erysiphe necator causes powdery mildew disease of grapevines and in many countries it is reported to reproduce both asexually and sexually. Sexual reproduction results in the formation of chasmothecia (cleistothecia) on infected surfaces when the colonies of two opposite mating types meet on the infected plant parts and the temperatures are favorable for their development. Chasmothecia are reported from north India, but not from peninsular India, even though powdery mildew is reportedly present in these regions at least since the beginning of the last century. Through systematic survey of ten vineyards in Maharashtra and adjoining Karnataka in peninsular India, we confirmed the absence of chasmothecia under natural conditions. Analysis of temperature data from two locations in Maharashtra showed that the Tmax and Tmin were favourable for chasmothecia initiation (10 °C to 30 °C) and maturation (15 °C to 30 °C) for a sufficient period of time.Multiplex PCR of 120 E. necator field isolates collected from peninsular India showed presence of a single band of 232 bp corresponding to MAT1-2 mating type idiomorph or MAT- phenotype. None of the samples gave band of 408 bp corresponding to MAT1-1 mating type idiomorph. Further, two bands of 408 bp and 232 bp were detected in only one powdery mildew sample collected from Kashmir, in north India while the other nineteen samples gave a single band of 232 bp.&nbsp; Thus, molecular analysis established that E. necator is not sexually reproducing in Maharashtra due to presence of only one mating type idiomorph. The study also brings out that MAT1-1 mating type idiomorph is not as common in nature as MAT1-2 and explains why in many other countries, too, chasmothecia were first observed as late as half to one century after start of grape cultivation. &nbsp;&nbsp

Understanding Grahani as an Anatomical Structure: A Correlative Study

The word Grahani incepted from Grahana which means to hold or to retain something. According to Shabdakalpadruma, Grahani is Agnyadhishtana Naadi referring it to a tubular structure. In Samhitas we get references for Grahani as Agni Adhishtana, which is the site for Agni. Grahani also does the Karma of Annagrahana to which Chakrapani comments Grahana means Dharana. Charaka Samhita explains Grahani is situated above Nabhi and it holds Apakwa Anna and eliminates the Pakwa Anna. Susruta and Vagbhata additionally explain Grahani as synonymous to Pittadhara Kala and it extends from Amashaya to Pakwashaya. So, Grahani includes all those anatomical structures wherein Annagrahana, its Shoshana due to Pitta Tejas, Pachana and Vimunchana of Pakwa Anna takes place. The structural and functional involvement of gastro intestinal region in the digestion, absorption, assimilation and excretion of ingested food materials is well understood. This correlative study is an effort to understand the possible anatomical entities and applied anatomy of Grahani as explained by our Acharyas

Dimensionality of Carbon Nanomaterials Determines the Binding and Dynamics of Amyloidogenic Peptides: Multiscale Theoretical Simulations

Experimental studies have demonstrated that nanoparticles can affect the rate of protein self-assembly, possibly interfering with the development of protein misfolding diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and prion disease caused by aggregation and fibril formation of amyloid-prone proteins. We employ classical molecular dynamics simulations and large-scale density functional theory calculations to investigate the effects of nanomaterials on the structure, dynamics and binding of an amyloidogenic peptide apoC-II(60-70). We show that the binding affinity of this peptide to carbonaceous nanomaterials such as C60, nanotubes and graphene decreases with increasing nanoparticle curvature. Strong binding is facilitated by the large contact area available for π-stacking between the aromatic residues of the peptide and the extended surfaces of graphene and the nanotube. The highly curved fullerene surface exhibits reduced efficiency for π-stacking but promotes increased peptide dynamics. We postulate that the increase in conformational dynamics of the amyloid peptide can be unfavorable for the formation of fibril competent structures. In contrast, extended fibril forming peptide conformations are promoted by the nanotube and graphene surfaces which can provide a template for fibril-growth

Naphthalimide-buckybowl tweezer for selective recognition of fullerene C70

Supramolecular tweezers-like receptors represent a simple and efficient approach for the molecular recognition of fullerenes. Straightforward synthesis and easy fine-tuning of their geometry are the advantages that allow one to achieve strong binding and specific selectivity. However, the use of buckybowls in constructing tweezers and incorporating fluorescent dyes is still underexplored. To achieve this goal, we have designed mono- and di-substituted receptors by attaching indacenopicene to a naphthalimide dye. The tweezers-like receptor shows the highest selectivity for C70 with an affinity of 2150 M−1, which is about 50-fold stronger than the recognition of C60. DFT and NMR data indicate that the preferred binding mode involves the ellipsoidal C70 molecule coordinating with buckybowls at its poles. In this arrangement, the naphthalimide core establishes two CH–π interactions with the fullerene. The results indicate that conjugating buckybowls with naphthalimides in a suitable design presents a promising method for selective binding and fine-tuning photoinduced electron transfer in the host–guest complex.70 in C70 im Titel tiefgestell

Rootstock affects stress relieving enzymatic activity during bud break in 'Red Globe' grapevine under semi-arid condition

       The role of stress relieving enzymes during bud sprouting in grapevines has already been established in different varieties. However, data on 'Red Globe' variety under tropical conditions are not reported. The present study was conducted to generate data on stress relieving enzymatic activities during bud sprout in 'Red Globe' on different rootstocks under arid conditions of India. Influence of different rootstocks on stress relieving enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, ascorbic acid oxidase and polyphenol oxidase) involved in bud sprouting under tropical conditions with double pruning and single cropping pattern was evidenced. Positive interactions were observed between enzymatic activities of stress relieving enzymes, increased bud break (64.25 %) and reduction in days taken to bud sprout (8.43 days). Among the rootstocks under study, vines on 110R and own rooted vines have strong impact on stress relieving enzymes that resulted into early and increased bud sprouting. Also, the dynamics of enzymatic activity can be used as biological indicators for forecasting the end of bud dormancy and recommencement of growth

Online) An Open Access

ABSTRACT Present investigation was carried out to assess the chemical composition, sensory evaluation, shelf life and microbial quality of ginger peda. Peda was prepared from buffalo milk with constant level of sugar (30 per cent by weight by Khoa) and different levels i.e. 0% (T 0 ), (T 1 ) 2%, (T 2 ) 4% and (T 3 ) 6% of ginger powder by weight of Khoa. The product prepared using 2% ginger powder was found most acceptable on the basis of overall acceptability. The average standard plate count of fresh sample was found to be 8, 6, 5 and 3 x 103 cfu per gm for treatments T0, T1, T2 and T3 respectively. Yeast and mould and coliform count were not observed in fresh peda samples. It was observed that the overall acceptability score of treatment T0, T1, T2 and T3 was 8.49, 8.01, 7.52 and 6.89 respectively. The cost for preparation of bottle gourd Peda for treatment T0, T1, T2 and T3 was Rs. 153.53, Rs.152.42, Rs. 151.34 and Rs. 150.29 per kg, respectively. It can be concluded that the peda with ginger powder can be very well utilized for preparation of nutritious, palatable and low cost Peda by blending 2 percent ginger powder with 95 per cent buffalo milk Khoa on weight basis

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF FAST DISSOLVING TABLET OF VALSARTAN BY USING MIXED HYDROTROPY TECHNIQUE

The purpose of this labor is to create and assess quick-dissolving pills of Valsartan utilizing the mixed hydrotropy concept to enhance its solubility and dissolution rate. Valsartan, an antihypertensive agent, exhibits poor aqueous solubility, posing challenges in achieving prompt therapeutic action. The mixed hydrotropy approach leverages a combination of hydrotropic agents to improve solubility and bioavailability. In this study, Nicotinamide, Sodium benzoate, Ammonium acetate, Sodium acetate and Lactose were selected as hydrotropic agents and incorporated into the tablet\u27s makeup. After the tablets were prepared using the simple compression method, we evaluated the formulations based on pre-compression properties like bulk density, tapped density, and compressibility index. Evaluations were conducted on post-compression parameters, including hardness, friability, weight variation, wetting time, water absorption ratio, in vitro dispersion time, and drug concentration, to ensure tablet quality and uniformity. The efficacy of the mixed hydrotropy strategy has been demonstrated by in vitro dissolving studies, which demonstrated a significant increase in the rate of valsartan dissolve from the FDTs in comparison to pure medicine and conventional tablets. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analyses indicated no significant drug-excipient interactions, ensuring the stability of the formulation. In conclusion, the mixed hydrotropy approach proved to be a viable and efficient method to increase the rate of solubility and dissolved Valsartan, leading to successful development of fast dissolving tablets that could potentially improve patient compliance and therapeutic efficacy in hypertension management