Comparative assessment of edaphic features and phytodiversity in lower Dachigam National Park, Kashmir Himalaya, India

The present study was conducted to investigate the comparative assessment of edaphic factors and phytodiversity of herbaceous vegetation on seasonal basis spring (March to May), summer (June to August), autumn (September to November) and winter (December to February), at two different ecosystems in lower Dachigam National Park, Kashmir Himalaya. Phytosociological attributes of plant species were studied by randomly laying 25 quadrats of 1×1 m2 size at both sites. The vegetation data recorded was quantitatively analysed for density, frequency and abundance. Plant diversity was evaluated using different diversity indices. The abundance to frequency ratio (A/F) for different species was determined by eliciting the distribution pattern (regular <0.025, random 0.025-0.05 and contagious >0.05). The results indicated edaphic factors highest at site II (MC, 35.55%), (OC, 4.73%) and (TN, 0.36%). pH showed acidic to nearly alkaline kind of nature at both sites with site I at higher side (5.95 to 7.52). Phytodiversity revealed site II comparatively higher in Shannon diversity and species richness during summer season (3.66, 7.92). However, evenness index showed similar trend with equal value at both sites (0.94). Dominance showed an inverse relationship to diversity (H′). Species at both sites were contagiously distributed followed by random one whereas regular distribution was almost negligible. The study concluded that seasons have great influence on edaphic factors and species diversity. An increase in species diversity was observed during spring and summer season which declined thereafter as autumn and winter approached resulted in decrease in diversity due to multitude of factors.Keywords: Soils, biodiversity, community structure, seasons, species, grazing, forest

Ecological study of an important medicinal plant of Kashmir valley, Capsella bursa pastoris

The vegetation of a geographical landscape relies heavily on the local environment. Altitude is a major factor in shaping the phytodiversity and biomass. The biomass study is essential for estimating the productivity of natural ecosystems. The demand for medicinal plants has been increased and it has become a trend to utilize forests and its products according to their productivities. The present study was aimed to investigate the attitudinal and other ecological variations in biomass of an important medicinal plant of Kashmir, Capsella bursa pastoris. The method, we used to estimate the biomass of selected medicinal plant at different ecological sites, was the harvest method. We compared the biomass (fresh and dry matter) of two protected siteshaving altitudinal and other ecological variations. The maximum biomass was recorded at the site I with lower altitude and the minimum value was recorded at site II with higher altitude. The minimum above ground biomass was recorded at site II. However, at Bijbehara, biomass variation was observed at two different sites. Maximum biomass was found at the site II (Dara Shikoh garden Bijbehara). The below-ground biomass showed a considerable increase on decreasing altitude. Roots react instantly to better soil moisture conditions. The maximum biomass in underground parts at the site I may be because of translocation of the main materials from the above-ground parts to the below-ground parts as the above-ground biomass was greater at same altitude. The minimum biomass at higher altitude and the ecologically disturbed site may be because of unfavourable microclimatic conditions and degradation of medicinal plants by grazing activity respectively.Â

FIP/AAPS Joint Workshop Report: Dissolution/In Vitro Release Testing of Novel/Special Dosage Forms

In 2003, the FIP Dissolution Working group published a position paper on dissolution/drug release testing for special/novel dosage forms that represented the scientific opinions of many experts in the field at that time (1). The position paper has supported activities, programs, and decisions in the scientific, technical, and regulatory community. Due to the rapid evolution of new practices and techniques for in vitro testing, the FIP Special Interest Group (SIG) on Dissolution/Drug Release decided to revise the previous paper and added proposals for further harmonization of in vitro release testing practices for different pharmaceutical dosage forms. This article represents the current updates to the previously published paper. This revision has been aligned to coincide with the USP taxonomy including route of administration, intended site of drug release, and dosage form. The revised paper includes information from current literature, expert discussions, and presentations from recent workshops (2,3). The authors acknowledge and expect further updates to be made as additional progress is made in the relevant areas. Thus, comments and additional contributions are welcome and may be considered for the next revision of the position paper