EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF SEERAGA CHOORANAM IN- VITRO ASSAY (A SIDDHA POLYHERBAL PREPARATION)

Siddha Medicine (Tamil Citta- or Tami?-maruttuvam) is a system of traditional medicine originating in Tamil Nadu in South India. The drugs used by the Siddhars could be classified into three groups: Thaavaram, Thaathu and Jangamam seeraga chooranam is a drug under the category of Thaavaram. It is a poly herbal formulation which is mentioned in the text Pullipanivaithyam 500 which has been therapeutically used for Pithanoigal, Kirukirupu, Vaanthi, Mayakkam, Ajeeranam, Kaangai, Veppam.Siddha system emphasis mainly on healthy long life by preventing ageing and degenerative disease with medicines having antioxidant activity. Even though this drug has been used based on traditional knowledge no scientific work has been done to evaluate the antioxidant properties of Seeraga choornam based on various in vitro assays. The study result confirmed that the drug Seeraga choornam has promising therapeutic antioxidant activity when compared with the standard drug. This research work can help for medical practitioners to use this polyherbal compound for the treatment of cancer

Conducting polymer nanocomposite-based supercapacitors

The use of nanocomposites of electronically-conducting polymers for supercapacitors has increased significantly over the past years, due to their high capacitances and abilities to withstand many charge-discharge cycles. We have recently been investigating the use of nanocomposites of electronically-conducting polymers containing conducting and non-conducting nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and cellulose nanocrystals, for use in supercapacitors. In this contribution, we provide a summary of some of the key issues in this area of research. This discussion includes some history, fundamental concepts, the physical and chemical processes involved, and the challenges that these nanocomposite materials must overcome in order to become technologically viable. Due to space limitations, this is not a complete review of all the work that has been done in this field and we have focused on common themes that appear in the published work. Our aim is that this chapter will help readers to understand the advantages and challenges involved in the use of these materials in supercapacitors and to identify areas for further development

Preparation and Application of Electrodes in Capacitive Deionization (CDI): a State-of-Art Review

As a promising desalination technology, capacitive deionization (CDI) have shown practicality and cost-effectiveness in brackish water treatment. Developing more efficient electrode materials is the key to improving salt removal performance. This work reviewed current progress on electrode fabrication in application of CDI. Fundamental principal (e.g. EDL theory and adsorption isotherms) and process factors (e.g. pore distribution, potential, salt type and concentration) of CDI performance were presented first. It was then followed by in-depth discussion and comparison on properties and fabrication technique of different electrodes, including carbon aerogel, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphene and ordered mesoporous carbon. Finally, polyaniline as conductive polymer and its potential application as CDI electrode-enhancing materials were also discussed

Ethnomedicinal survey among Kani Tribes and traditional healers in Selected Tribal populations of Trivandrum district

Indian tribes constitute around 8.3% of the total population. The health problems of tribal communities are influenced by the interaction of various socioeconomic and political factors. An attempt is made to document the traditional knowledge of the Kani tribes in the floristically rich Peringamala panchayath of Thiruvananthapuram district. The investigation revealed that the Kani tribes were using 127 species of ethnomedicinal plants, belonging to 57 families. The most cited family was Fabaceae and leaves were the most frequently used plant parts for the treatment of various diseases. Some medicinal plants used by Kani tribes which are included in the list of rare and endangered categories, such as Aristolochia tagala, Holostemma adakodien, Entada scandens, Anaphyllum beddomeii, decalepsis arayalpathra which are vanishing from the tribal settlement areas. So special attention should be given to cultivate and conserve these rare medicinal plants by making them available for mass cultivation, either through conventional methods or other non-conventional methods like micropropagation. The study showed that the Kani tribes have good knowledge about medicinal plants that have been passed orally from generation to generation. Current healers may be the final generation of Kani tribal healers. Due to rapid socio-economic and cultural changes, there is a possibility of losing the treasure of tribal knowledge in near future. The wealth of this tribal knowledge would lead to a greater potential for the Indian system of medicine towards new drug discovery and development

In-vitro Anti-Oxidant Property of Vallarai (Centella asiatica) cultivated by conventional and traditional Methods

In ancient times, Siddhars have been described and also used the traditional methods to cultivate the anti-oxidant herbs for rejuvenation purpose and also they are listed some plants as anti-oxidant herbs. They were used Semicarpus anacardium manure for cultivation of anti-oxidant plants. In Siddha, these anti-oxidant herbs are mentioned as Kayakarpam (Rejuvenation therapy). Most of the Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) are caused by oxidative stress. These anti-oxidant herbs are helps to reduce oxidative stress and prevent the incidence of NCDs. Centella asiatica (Vallarai) is one of the Kayakarpa medicinal plants. The traditional cultivation method for Kayakarpa herbs are also described in Siddha especially for Centella asiatica (Vallarai). Therefore, this study was aimed to validate the in-vitro anti-oxidant property of Vallarai cultivated by conventional (sample A) and traditional methods (sample B). The study samples were screened for anti-oxidant activity by DPPH assay, Nitric Oxide radical scavenging assay, ABTS assay and H2O2 radical scavenging assay and the IC50 value of the study drug,  sample-A was 88.6 ± 8.536 (μg /ml), 183 ± 15.55 (μg/ml), 78.92 ± 8.43 (μg /ml) and 183 ± 11.64 (μg /ml) whereas sample- B was 57.06 ± 1.221 (μg /ml); 145.1 ± 13.12 (μg/ml); 96.45 ± 3.966 (μg /ml) and  132.3 ± 18.71 (μg /ml) respectively. This study results revealed that, both samples are possessing anti-oxidant property and sample B have greater scavenging activity compared to sample A. Hence, The Traditional method can be adopted for cultivation of anti-oxidant herbs, which helps to retain the active components and enhances the anti-oxidant potency of medicinal herbs

Antimicrobial effect of Siddha preparation Vazhai kizhangu neer and Amuri against common urinary pathogens

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection.It occurs in any part of the urinary tract mostly affects lower urinary tract which is common in women. Almost half of all women will experience UTI once during their lifetime. The elderly, patients with diabetes or multiple sclerosis, patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome/human immunodeficiency virus, patients with spinal cord injuries and/or catheters are at high risk for UTI. Resistance development, adverse reactions of antibiotics, and other problems lead to find out the alternative approaches like remedies from natural resources in controlling UTIs. This study is aimed to validate the anti-microbial effect of natural products VazhaiKizhangu Neer and Amuri obtained from plantain tree (Musa paradisiaca Linn.) which are used for UTI in siddha system. The both samples were subjected to antimicrobial activity by well diffusion method. The result shows that, the zone of inhibition (in mm) for VazhaiKizhangu Neer and Amuri against common urinary pathogens E.coli, Pseudomonas aeuriginosa, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae was 14, 15; 9, 11; 0, 12; 14,13 respectively. These results revealed that both samples are potentially effective in suppressing microbial growth of urinary pathogens. Comparatively, the Antimicrobial activity of Amuri was almost equal to VazhziKizhzngu Neer. This study may authenticate the usage of VazhaiKizhangu Neer and Amuri for the management of Urinary Tract Infections

Effect of ball-milling on the rate and cycle-life performance of graphite as negative electrodes in lithium-ion capacitors

A commercial graphite is ball-milled and the pristine and ball-milled graphites are characterised for use as negative electrodes in lithium-ion capacitors (LICs). Ball milling graphite results in a decrease in discharge capacity when the charge rate is relatively slow, whereas, it leads to an increase in discharge capacity when the charge rate is high. When charged at 0.1 C, the discharge capacities of pristine, 3 h, 10 h and 30 h-milled materials at 6 C are 75, 69, 67 and 66% of theoretical capacity, respectively; however, when charged at 60 C, the discharge capacities of pristine, 3 h, 10 h and 30 h-milled materials, at 60 C, fall to 0.9, 13, 23 and 24% of theoretical capacity, respectively (theoretical capacity: 372 mAh g-1, for LiC6 stoichiometry). This difference in the discharge rate capability behaviour of the pristine and ball-milled graphites with charge rate is attributed to the interplay of two different charge storage mechanisms: Li-ion intercalation and Li-ion adsorption that co-exist; but the later becomes more significant for milled samples. In terms of cycle-life performance, pristine and ball-milled graphites follow similar trends observed for their rate capability behaviour

Electro chim

Supercapacitors are of practical interest owing to their high power density and exceptionally long cycle life. Also, it has been used and developed such as memory back up for electric home appliance and information transport devices, renewable energy and power assist for transportation and machinery, voltage sag and renewable energy sources for stable electric power. Significantly, electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) consist of stacked activated carbon shows superior high power characteristics whereas it has low energy density as a drawback. Therefore, hybrid capacitor is one of possible candidates and is developing for high energy density. The hybrid capacitor is made up with activated carbon electrode for electric double layer capacity and anode for intercalation and deintercalation of lithium ions. Although it shows inevitable increase of energy density [1-3], the total output power is lower than that the EDLC due to chemical reaction on the anode. To increase the power density, the decrease of intercalation length for low diffusion resistance is necessary. The hybridization of activated materials with carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofiber, and graphene is intriguing for the application of highly conductive cathode electrode. Here, we introduce the preparation of carbon electrodes to enhance the output power on the anode without highdimensional and high cost method. In general, high density electrode has high power characteristics because of low contact resistance. However, in this study, the decrease of electrode density can be increase dramatically the output power in the high current density. This result may give rise to the decrease of diffusion resistance due to the low electrode density and the stable surface electrolyte interface (SEI) at the reacting surfaces

Polyterthiophene/CNT composite as a cathode material for lithium batteries employing an ionic liquid electrolyte

A polyterthiophene (PTTh)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) composite was synthesised by in situ chemical polymerisation and used as an active cathode material in lithium cells assembled with an ionic liquid (IL) or conventional liquid electrolyte, LiBF4/EC&ndash;DMC&ndash;DEC. The IL electrolyte consisted of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIBF4) containing LiBF4 and a small amount of vinylene carbonate (VC). The lithium cells were characterised by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling. The specific capacity of the cells with IL and conventional liquid electrolytes after the 1st cycle was 50 and 47 mAh g&minus;1 (based on PTTh weight), respectively at the C/5 rate. The capacity retention after the 100th cycle was 78% and 53%, respectively. The lithium cell assembled with a PTTh/CNT composite cathode and a non-flammable IL electrolyte exhibited a mean discharge voltage of 3.8 V vs Li+/Li and is a promising candidate for high-voltage power sources with enhanced safety.<br /