NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository Collection: IJNPR Vol.1(3) [September 2010]

Analysis of phytochemical variability in Neem formulations

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Analysis of phytochemical variability in Neem formulations

Authors: Gunasekaran, S; Anita, B

Abstract: Herbal drug development includes various steps, starting from a passport data on raw materials, correct identification, pharmacognistic and chemical quality, standardization, safety and randomized clinical trials. Addressing standardization is vital and needs broader consideration. Adulteration in market samples and availability of sub-standard products is one of the greatest drawbacks in promotion of herbal products from India, therefore, present study was undertaken to evaluate the phytochemical variability in neem formulations available in the market. Five Ayurvedic formulations, containing neem as the main ingredient was chosen for the study. The samples were tested for the amount of limonoids like 2', 3’ dehydrosalannol, salannin, nimbolide and azadiradione using HPLC (High-performance liquid chromatography) technique. The wide variations in the amount of the active principles in the samples highlight the need for stringent quality control measures in herbal industry.

Page(s): 291-295

Antibacterial, antifungal, pisicidal and cardiac activities of Derris heyneana (Wight & Arn.) Benth.

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Antibacterial, antifungal, pisicidal and cardiac activities of Derris heyneana (Wight & Arn.) Benth.

Authors: Badhe, Ravindra V; Badhe, Sonali R; Jangam, Sumitra J; Rane, Prafful; Thomas, Asha B

Abstract: Derris heyneana (Wight & Arn) Benth. is a wild climber found in Sahyadri mountains in western India. This plant is less known and less studied; no comparative studies on this plant are currently available. In the present paper antibacterial, antifungal, piscicidal and cardiac activity of this plant are reported. Four Gram positive, four Gram negative and four fungal species were used for antibacterial and antifungal activities. Haplochilus panchax fish was used for piscicidal activity, and isolated frog heart (Rana tigrina) was used to find out cardiac activity comparing with Propranolol. The hydroalcoholic extract of leaves and stems exhibited good antibacterial and antifungal activity compared to Amoxicillin and Ketoconazole. Piscicidal activity for hydroalcoholic extract of leaves and stems was found to be significant and cardiac studies suggested -adrenergic blocking activity.

Page(s): 287-290

Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni- A Review

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni- A Review

Authors: Madan, Swati; Ahmad, Sayeed; Singh, G N; Kohli, Kanchan; Kumar, Yatendra; Singh, Raman; Garg, Madhukar

Abstract: The Sweet Herb of Paraguay, Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni is fast becoming a major source of high potency sweetener which produces sweet taste but has no calorific value. Many research activities on its chemical and biological properties have been done in recent past. Several countries including India have started its commercial cultivation. The published literature on this crop is quite scattered. Therefore an effort to compile the literature and review the current status of research and development including cultivation practices has been done in this paper.

Page(s): 267-286

In vitro antifungal study of the efficacy of some plant extracts for inhibition of Alternaria carthami fungus

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:58:59 GMT

Title: In vitro antifungal study of the efficacy of some plant extracts for inhibition of Alternaria carthami fungus

Authors: Ranaware, Abhijit; Singh, Vrijendra; Nimbkar, Nandini

Abstract: The antifungal activity of aqueous extracts of seven plant species, viz. bulbs of Garlic (Allium sativum Linn.) and leaves of Datura (Datura metel Linn.), Lantana (Lantana camara Linn.), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus hybrid), Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus G. Don) and Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) against safflower leaf spot disease-causing fungus, Alternaria carthami, under in vitro conditions was investigated. Linear growth reduction of the pathogen on PDA plates at 20% plant extract concentration was recorded seven days after inoculation. A. sativum bulb extract exhibited maximum inhibition of the pathogenic fungus (48.68%) followed by D. metel (44.25%), while O. sanctum extract showed the least inhibitory effect (25.02%). The observations indicate the efficacy of aqueous plant extracts as potential inhibitors of Alternaria carthami.

Page(s): 384-386