Volume 2, Issue 1

Quest for a healthy and long life has always been attempted by mankind. With life expectancy rising, ageing with grace and leading a healthy & independent life will remain one of the main health concerns of all countries. Ayurveda, the oldest documented organised system of health care has also dealt this important health segment under aegis of Rasayana concept. The stress on prevention and promotion was anyways stressed more than the curative approach in Ayurveda. Many herbs and other natural products were used to delay the ageing process. These herbs are still being widely used in Ayurvedic parlance for this purpose. Many of these herbs are also been scientifically investigated and are complying the current understanding of ageing process. Therefore, the available literature was screened and a comprehensive list of herbs having Rasayana effect and potential anti-ageing effect was drawn. On basis of the already done investigations, the herbs from this list were established as anti-ageing agents. Thus, it is suggested that the remaining plants should also be investigated for their anti-ageing effect. This will help the researchers save valuable time and money.

There is a trend for synthetics to replace natural compounds in Prescription and Over the Counter (OTC) Pharmaceuticals. Today, ephedrine, salicylates, vitamins, and xanthines are mostly synthetic and steroids are often semi synthetic. While agreeing with Farnsworth and Bingel (1977) that 25% of modern prescription drugs contain at least one phytochemical, I suspect that only about 10% of our leading drugs (excluding the illicit drugs, cocaine, crack, hashish, heroin, marijuana, and opium) now contain phytochemicals still extracted directly from the higher plants. Due to their long historical clinical use and reliable therapeutic efficacy, traditional Indian medicine attract and increase global attention, and many big pharmaceutical companies are using traditional Indian medicine as an excellent pool for discovering natural bioactive compounds. If only few constituents are emphasized, the holistic nature will be neglected, which needs to be studied and scientifically understood. With the growing need for safer drugs, attention has been drawn to their quality, efficacy and standards of the traditional Indian medicine formulations.

The stem bark of Calotropis procera was studied for macroscopic and microscopic characters. The physicochemical standardization of the powder was carried out for ash value (acid insoluble ash value and water soluble ash value), extractive values with different solvents, loss on drying, crude fiber content, swelling index and volatile oil content. Its reaction after treatment with chemical reagents under visible light and UV light at 254 nm and 366 nm was also observed. The preliminary phytochemical screening was done for chloroform and hydroalcoholic extracts.

In general, the body tissue is composed of cells with the local environment that plays an essential role in the attachment, proliferation, migration or differentiation of cells in the 3-dimensional organization. The cell behaviour is influenced by the surface and bulk properties of substrates like bio compatible inert material. Pullulan is one of the bio polymer which is frequently used in pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics industries. This polymer helps in fast dissolving drug delivery system which is suited for the drugs that undergoes highly first pass metabolic process and is used for enhancing the bioavailability with the reduction of dosage frequency. A glucose-based polysaccharide basically pullulan, has been shown to have a slow rate of hydrolysis in both the raw and cooked state at in vitro and in vivo conditions. The various types of inert bio-conjugates having anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties were synthesised by pullulan derivatisation and surface modifications. In the present review, recent advancements and literature regarding health sciences, medicine and the pharmaceutical approaches has been discussed.

Choornam is one of the most common dosage form used in Ayurveda and Siddha system of Medicine. A common misperception is that medicaments of natural substances may not cause toxicity. However, the safety of natural substances has been questioned recently due to the presence of heavy metals above the permissible range. In this study, an attempt was made to estimate the concentration of Cu, Zn and Pb in Choornas. Samples of four different types of Choornas were prepared as per IM-COPS standard procedure and digested by a Microwave-assisted method in closed vessels. The solvent used to digest the samples were HNO3 and H2O2 in the ratio of 4:6 with an irradiation power of 900W and time of 2.5 min. The digested samples were analyzed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The linearity was plotted for each standard in concentration range of Cu (0.5-2.5 µg/ml), Pb (1.0-5.0 µg/ml) and Zn (5.0-25.0 µg/ml). The concentration of Cu, Zn and Pb in the four formulated Choornas were in the range of Cu (7.0-42.0 μg/gm), Zn (393-1604.4 µg/gm) and Pb (35.7 – 41.8 μg/gm). Thus the analysis of laboratory prepared authentic formulations revealed the presence of lead beyond the limits specified by WHO and FDA [10 ppm]. Copper and Zinc were found within the permissible limits. The contamination may be due to improper selection, identification, collection and variation in processing conditions.

In vitro studies were conducted on the effect of temperature, pH and light levels on mycelial growth and spore germination of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. spinaciae Sensitivity of 12 isolates were tested against Benomyl (50%WP) by food poisoning technique. Some of these isolates were resistant (NMU Fo 1) to fungicide whereas others were sensitive (Fol). Radial growth and spore germination of fungicide resistant and sensitive isolates were checked by using Czapek Dox Agar (CZA) medium. The results revealed that radial growth and spore germination was maximum temp at 25 °C, followed by 15 °C. Maximum radial growth & spore germination was found at 6.5, followed by 7.5 pH. Continuous light and white light were found ideal for maximum radial growth and spore germination of F. oxysporum. It was seen that the radial growth, spore germination of resistant isolate was higher than that of the sensitive one.

Allelopathy refers to the beneficial or harmful effects of one plant on another plant by the release of chemicals from plant parts by leaching, root exudation, volatilization, residue decomposition and other processes in both natural and agricultural systems. The present study has been made to evaluate the allelopathic influence of Vitex negundo L. against germination, growth and biochemical constituents changes of two pulses namely, green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) R.Wilczek) and blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.). Hepper). Various concentrations of (2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20 25%) aqueous leaf extracts were prepared from matured leaves of V. negundo and germination studies were conducted. The lower concentrations (2.5 and 5%) of leaf extracts stimulated the seed germination, growth and biochemical constituents (Chl., amin oacid, protein and total sugar) of black gram and green gram. In higher concentrations an inhibitory effect was observed in all the parameters studied in two pulses and the inhibitory effects were more prominent in green gram than black gram seedlings.

Excoecaria agallocha L. also known as milky mangrove and ‘Blind-Your-Eyes’-belonging to Euphorbiaceae family commonly grown in the mangrove forest of Pitchavaram, Tamil Nadu,south India was tested for its allelopathic potential against seed germination and early seedling growth of green gram (Vigna radiata (L.)R. Wilczek.),Black gram (Vigna mungo (L.)Hepper),groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), pearlmillet (Pennisetum typhoides St.& Hub.) and fingermillet (Eleusine coracana Gaertn.).Green house experimental studies were conducted in plastic pot with normal field soil for the evaluation of germination and growth attributes of crop plants by applying various concentrations (2,5,10,15,20 and 25%) of leaf extracts of E.agallocha. The results showed that the germination percentage was gradually decreased, seedling lengths also affected in all the five crops from lower concentration to higher concentrations of leaf extracts. The fresh and dry weights, Chlorophyll, aminoacid and protein contents of crop sesedlings were decreasing with increasing concentration of leaf extracts.The inhibitory effect was concentration dependent.The results clearly indicated that the leaf extracts of E. agallocha exhibited strong inhibitory effects on the germination and growth parameters of millets than pulses.

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and micro architectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures. Aims To assess the effectiveness of integrated approach of yoga therapy in the management of osteoporosis. Methods and Materials Total of 17 subjects, randomized to yoga (n=8) and exercise (n=9) groups. Subjects were volunteers. Yoga group was administered integrated approach of yoga therapy and light weight bearing exercises for the exercise group. Assessments were made at the 1 and the 21st day using Short Form 36 (SF-36) and self evaluation questionnaires (STAI) and a visual pain scale. The analysis was done using SPSS 10.0. Results and Conclusion Exercise group has shown a significant difference in physical functioning component of SF-36. Yoga group has shown a significant change in STAI Form 1 and 2, in SF-36 pain component and visual pain scale. Exercise has shown significant change in physical functioning and pain components of SF-36 and visual pain scale. The study hints that yoga can be a good tool to handle the anxiety levels which forms an important part of management of this particular disease.

Survey of Sironj Tehsil of Vidisha district reports the distributionspecies of Anopheles among which Anopheles culicifacies was predominant among rural area and an stephensiwas found to bedominating in urban area.

Traditional medicine also known as indigenous or folk medicine comprises medical knowledge systems that developed over generations within various societies before the era of modern medicine. Traditional medicines are prepared from a single plant or combination of more than one plant. Indian contribution to herbal market and emphasis on novel research is continuously increasing. Phytochemical constituents are responsible for medicinal activity of plant species. Hence in the present study preliminary phytochemical screening of some important medicinal plants was carried out, qualitative phytochemical analysis of these plants confirm the presence of various secondary metabolites like saponins, triterpenoids, steroids, anthraquinons, coumarins, fatty acids, tannins, lignins, leucoanthocyanins, emodins, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids and phenols. The results suggest that the phytochemical properties for curing various ailments and possess potential anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant and leads to the isolation of new and novel compounds.

Stem explant of Cissus quadrangularis L., belongs to vitaceae family were cultured on MS media supplemented with 2,4D, NAA, IBA. Callus formation on the surface of stems on high and low concentrations of NAA alone and combined with BAP, stimulated the callus induction. However, concentrations of IBA used here, inhibited Shoot induction. Induced Callus is used for the study of secondary metabolite. Within 90 to 120 days of the culture it showed growth up to 90 %. Aim of this study is to enhance the phytochemical after applying tissue culture technique.

Griffonia Simplicifollia is an Antidepressant drug which is water soluble. The matrix tablets have best for water soluble drug in sustained release. Matrix tablet of Griffonia Simplicifollia for its very useful formulation. Griffonia Simplicifollia 5HTP is a safe way to boost Serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter useful for proper brain function it also increases melatonin and endorphin levels. Serotonin deficiency has been implicated in anxiety, depression food Cravings, Insomnia, headaches, muscle and joint pain, panic disorder and hyperactivity. Clinical studies in Europe and Japan have exhibited equal result to pharmaceutical antidepressants. The present study is to lay down an efficient approach to develop a suitable herbal matrix tablet formulation a large number of excipients are screened of the excipients for the final formulation on the basis of the derived properties of granules like, angle of repose, Carr's index, Hausner's ratio as well as on the basis of their effect on the physical characteristics of the tablets. The evaluation study was performed such as Weight Variation, Thickness, Hardness, Friablity and in-Vitro study and stability study.