Effect of selected antiasthmatic plant constituents against micro organism causing upper respiratory tract infection.

Most exacerbations of asthma can be proven to be associated with bacterial infections and there is scientific evidence that frequent respiratory infections particularly bacterial infections provoke asthma attack. Considering these facts different plant extracts and phytoconstituents with proven anti asthmatic property had been selected for screening anti microbial activity in in-vitro models. In the present study, Coleus forskohlii Willd. extract (10% Forskolin), Piper Longum L. Extract (20% Piperine), Adathoda vasica Nees. extract (30% Vasicinone), Curcuma longa L. extract (60% Curcumin) were screened for the antibacterial activity against human pathogens causing upper respiratory infection namely Haemophilus influenzae , Streptococcus pneumoniae , Streptococcus pyrogene and Staphylococcus aureus, by taking Gentamycin, Optochin, Bacitracin and Amoxicillin as reference standards. Except for Adathoda vasica Nees. extract, all the other selected plant extracts exhibited a moderate activity antibacterial activity against selected strains.

Antifertility activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Ailanthus excelsa (Roxb): an ethnomedicines used by tribals of Nilgiris region in Tamilnadu.

The practice of traditional medicine for the control of fertility in Nilgris is based on the use of plant medicine for many years. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of stem bark of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb (Simaroubaceae) (HEA) has been studied in rats to explore its antifertility activity. A strong antiimplantation (72%) and abortifacient activity (56%) was observed at the tested dose levels (200 and 400mg/kg, p.o.). The extract shows further more, significant (P<0.05) increase in uterine weight in immature ovariectomised rats. Simultaneous administration of extract with ethinyl estradiol cause significant antiestrogenic activity. All these observations suggest that hydroalcoholic extract of Ailanthus excelsa has antifertility effect.

A comparative pharmacognostical evaluation of two Artemisia species found in Nilgiris biosphere.

Artemisia pallens Wall. ex DC commonly known as "Davana" in Kannada and Artemisia abrotanum Linn. known as "Southernwood" (Asteraceae) are aromatic herbs, erect in habit, upto 60 cm tall, leaves are very small, much divided, bluish green. These plants find use in traditional systems of medicine viz., anthelmintic, tonic and antipyretic properties. Since, these species have not been scientifically evaluated; the present study was aimed to bring these plants under a suitable pharmacognostical scheme.

Standardization of kantha chendooram.

Siddha is a traditional medical system of India. According to siddha system of medicine, chendooram is a red colour powder generally made of metallic compounds. Mercury is used in the form of rasa chendooram (red oxide of mercury). This paper deals with the standardization of Kantha chendooram. It is a Siddha preparation of 8 ingredients, viz. 1. Purified Lode Stone, 2. Purified Sulphur, 3. Lead wort root powder, 4. Eclipta juice, 5. Lime juice, 6. Milk, 7. Egg albumin, 8. Madar Latex. In this study an attempt was made to standardize Kantha chendooram which has not been attempted by researchers earlier. Standardization of Kantha chendooram was in terms of its organoleptic characters, qualitative identification of phytochemical constituents, metallic quantification and in terms of pharmacognostical standardization.

Anti - tumour effect of berberis asiatica roxb. Ex. Dc. On dalton's lymphoma ascite.

Berberis asiatica Roxb. Ex. Dc., non Griff. Belongs to the family berberidaceae commonly occurring in the dry outer Himalaya, Assam etc. Roots along with stem bark s a reputed drug in Ayurvedic medicine contain several alkaloids. 50% Ethaolnic extract of roots reported to posses anti-cancer activity. The present study examines the antitumour effect of ethanolic root extract (BRE) against Dalton's lymphoma ascites tumour cells and solid tumour in swiss albino mice, A significant enhancement of mean survival time of BRE treated tumour bearing mice was found. Oral administration of BRE reduced the solid tumour induced by DLE and restored the altered haematological parameters to normal.

Anticandidal activity of Santolina chamaecyparissus volatile oil.

A search for naturally occurring drugs with antifungal activity lead to Santolina oil, a volatile oil distillate of Santolina chamaecyparissus. The studies revealed that Santolina oil was effective in controlling experimental candidiasis in vitro and in vivo. It had a synergistic effect on clotrimazole in controlling Candida albicans in vitro. It significantly controlled experimental vaginal candidiasis and experimental systemic candidosis. Santolina oil was able to control the superficial cutaneous mycoses. It is recommended as a potential candidate for further studies, including clinical studies.

Anti-pyretic activity of some plants in female albino rats: a preliminary report.

Ethanolic extracts of Ailanthus exceisa (AE). Toddalia asiatica (TA) and Araucaria bidwilli (AB) were screened by the anti-pyretic activity in yeast induced hyperthermic test model in the laboratory. Dose of AE (100), TA (60) and AB (30) mg., equivalent of the plant material per kg. Body weight of the extracts were administered orally to the female albino rats. Acute toxicity and preliminary phytochemical screening were conducted for all the extracts. LD 50 values on oral administration of the extracts were found to be AE (1000), AB (350) and TA (250) mg. per kg. body weight respectively. Both the root and aerial part fractions of TA displayed a pronounced anti-pyretic activity comparable to the standard drug paracetamol. AB oleoresin fraction was also found to show anti-pyretic effect. These observations however, confirm the folk-medical practices still prevailing among the tribes.