Volume 1, Issue 3

Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) is high demanding antidiabetic plant belonging to Astaraceae family. Stevia has high nutritive value as it is non calorie sweetner containg calcium phosphorous, sodium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, proteins and other nutrients. This investigation was carried to study and compare presence of active phytochemical component in various leaf extracts of Stevia. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids and saponins. The other secondary metabolites like tannins, steroids and flavonides were present in trace amounts in aqueous extract as compared to alcoholic extract. Phytochemical analysis resulted in the presence of tannins in high concentration which was followed by alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroidal compounds, reducing compounds and anthraquinones. This study will provide phytochemical information for preparation of concentrated and effective extract of Stevia.

Mosquitoes are the major vector for the transmission of malaria, dengue fever. Yellow fever .filariasis, schistosomiasis and Japanese encephalitis (JE): in India. Malaria is one of the most important caused of direct or indirect infant, child and adult mortality with approximately two to three million new cases arising every year. Anopheles subpictus grassi is distributed throughout India. Afghanistan, Borneo, china, malaysia, philippines, Sri lanka. Java and indonesia.it is a dominant species in Haryana and Uttaranchal states. Thought it is a non - vector species same infected specimens with malaria parasite have been reported from India, Indonesia and java An. calicifacies Is the main vector of malaria and An. subpictus is a significant secondary vector in Sri lanka. An subpictus is recognized as the secondary vector of malaria in south East Asia with a large number of cases being reported from India.2400 million (about 40 x) of the world`s population India contribution 77 percent of the total malaria in solution Asia. Ex-tritaeniorhynchus is a primer vector of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus with a distribution throughout Southeast Asia and south Asia. Keiser et al have reported thout global annual incidence and mortality estimates for JE are 30,000 to 50,000 and 10,000 respectively.

Padmaka, Prunus puddum Roxb usually called as the Himalayan Cherry tree is a drug with a significant ethno botanical & therapeutic importance. It was in use since time immemorial for medicinal and other uses & it has got religious importance in Hindu culture. Several phyto-constituents have been isolated and identified from different parts of the plant such as Genistein Prunetin, Puddumin, Padmakastein etc. It is used in the treatment of stone and gravel in the kidney, bleeding disorders, burning sensation and skin diseases. It is a best anti- abortifacient. Very limited studies have been undertaken till date to prove its pharmacological activities. This article reviews the details of the drug such as Morphology, Distribution, Ethno botanical claims, and pharmacological activities.

Studies have shown that conventional treatment methods with drugs, physiotherapy and exercises for common neck pain (CNP) may be inadequate. Yoga techniques have been found to be effective complimentary therapies in chronic low back pain and also for stress reduction in other diseases. Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the role of a yogic relaxation called mind sound resonance technique (MSRT) as an adjunctive in the management of CNP. Methods: In this randomized controlled study, 60 patients with CNP were assigned to two groups (yoga, n = 30) and (control, n = 30). The yoga group received yogic MSRT for 20 minutes in supine position after the conventional physiotherapy program for 30 minutes using pre-recorded audio CD and the control group had non-guided supine rest for 20 minutes (after physiotherapy), for 10 days. MSRT provides deep relaxation for both mind and body by introspective experience of the sound resonance in the whole body while repeating the syllables A, U, M and Om and a long chant (Mahamrityunjaya mantra) several times in a meaningful sequence. Both the groups had pre and post assessments using visual pain analog scale and neck disability score (NDS) questionnaire. Results: Mann-Whitney U test showed significant difference between groups in pain (P < 0.01) and NDS (P < 0.01)) with higher reduction in yoga (P < 0.01) than that in the control group. Wilcoxon's test showed a significant improvement in both groups on variables (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Yoga relaxation(MSRT) as an adjunctive adds significant complimentary benefits to conventional physiotherapy for CNP by reducing pain and disability.

Shoot regeneration of Bacopa monnieri was achieved, on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4.4 µM benzyl aminopurine (BA) from different explants. Nodal explants initiated 75-80 shoots, leaf explants 55-65 shoots and internodal explants 50-55 shoots within 40 days of culture. The initiated shoots were multiplied in MS medium containing 2.2 μΜ ΒΑ. Ascorbic acid (50 mg/l) and citric acid (25 mg/l) increased the number of shoots and conservation period of the cultures. Isabgol, when used as gelling agent provided consistent multiplication of cultures compared to microbiology grade agar and cultures were conserved in medium containing 3% (w/v) isabgol for a period of 190 days as against an average of 120 days in 1% (w/v) agar containing media. The conservation period was increased to a period of 200 days in medium gelled with 3% (w/v) isabgol containing 50 mg/l ascorbic acid and 25 mg/l citric acid and more than 80% of the cultures survived in this medium. Rooting was achieved ex vitro by culturing the isolated shoots in autoclaved soilrite moistened with 1/10 strength MS salts. Rooted plantlets were established in soil. Genetic stability assessment with random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers showed no variation in the banding pattern of the cultures grown in different concentrations of growth regulators, agar or isabgol and additives containing media. These studies provide a feasible in vitro multiplication and conservation method and genetic stability assessment of B. monnieri cultures.