Volume 4, Issue 3

Use of plants for treating various ailments is as old practice as man himself. Since ancient times, medicinal plants have been an excellent source of herbal medicine and to treat various ailments. Leaves, juice of leaves, paste of leaves, powder of leaves, stem, root, root powder, bark, seeds, oil of seeds, seed powder, flowers, powder of dried flowers, fruits, fruit powder, and leaf decoction etc; are herbal medicines obtained from medicinal plants are benign to treat various ailments. Herbal medicines are natural and believed to be much safer in the treatment of various ailments. Hence, the present research work provides information on medicinal plants: a source of herbal medicines to treat various ailments. A total of 26 species of medicinal plants with their herbal medicines belonging to 19 families were recorded at Rajendra Nagar, Guntakal, Ananatapuram (Dist), A.P., India. In the present work total numbers of herbal medicines 31 are reported to treat 23 ailments.

This study investigated the phytonutrient profile and potential applications of selected edible foliages, namely papaya, guava, cauliflower, and radish leaves, in the preparation of traditional Kashayams. The research evaluated the total ash content, mineral content (calcium, iron), vitamin C, and total antioxidant capacity of these leaves. Additionally, the organoleptic acceptability of Kashayams prepared from both fresh and dried forms of these foliages was assessed by a panel of 10 members, with thulasi kashayam serving as a control. Results indicated that Kashayams made with fresh cauliflower leaves showed good overall acceptability, though the control (thulasi) scored highest. Kashayams from dried leaves generally received lower acceptability scores due to bitter taste. Nutritional analysis revealed that papaya and guava leaves had the highest ash content (5 g/100g). Radish leaves were found to be the richest source of calcium (2250 mg/100g), guava leaves of iron (25.2 mg/100g), and papaya leaves of vitamin C (23.04 mg/100g). Furthermore, cauliflower leaves demonstrated the highest total antioxidant activity (74.19% radical scavenging activity at 400mg concentration), followed by radish leaves. The study concludes that these underutilized edible foliages are valuable sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds, suggesting their potential for incorporation into medicinal preparations like Kashayams, despite some organoleptic challenges that may require further optimization.

Helixanthera wallichiana (Schultes)Danser belonging to loranthaceae was studied for phytochemical and Pharmacognostical standards. The result of organoleptic studies revealed that it posses characteristic odour,coffee brown colour and slightly salty taste. The fluorescence analysis of the plant powderunder visible light and uv light by treatment with various chemical reagents showed different colour changes. The presence of various secondary metabolites like alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols and tannins etc. were confirmed in the ethanolic extract.

Majority of the diseases occurs due to decreased level of the endogenous antioxidants like SOD (Super oxide dismutase), GPX (Glutathione per oxidase) and CAT (catalyse). Therefore exogenous anti-oxidants like vitamin C and E, zinc, beta carotene etc. need to be incorporated. These anti-oxidants protect the cell from damage caused by free radicals and increase cell longevity. In Ayurvedaperspective such type of function may be attributed toMadhurarasa. Acharya Charaka mentioneda group (Skandha) of drugs basing on their rasa (taste). Also he stated that these drugsdo possess not only Madhurarasa, but also Madhuravipaka and Madhuraprabhava. Scientifically one of its Rasayana properties can be evaluated by anti-oxidant activity. The present review of Madhuraskandha drugs showed that majority of drugs do possess anti-oxidant activity.

Obesity and its related complication is one of the global wide problems leading to cause more than 53 diseases and in India around 30 million people are suffering with obesity. Modern methods of treatment, such as synthetic drugs and surgery, still have to be improved to show safety and efficacy. It main concerns with such treatments are the high costs and adverse effects create obesity and its related diseases. As a result, there is great interest in the use of plant-based medicinal agents as an alternative therapy. This review aimed to provide the survey of literature on accessible medicinal plants sources for the treatment of obesity and this study attempts to explain how these medicinal plants act in humans to reduce weight loss, with safer and more efficient treatment.