Insight on Vernonia Plant for its Pharmacological Properties: A Review.

Vernonia is a woody shrub of the family Asteraceae. Over 1500 species are distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. There are more than 54 species known to possess similar morphological features with the characteristic bitter taste. The pharmacological properties of different parts like seeds, leaves, and roots are well documented in folk medicine. They are rich in biologically active constituents such as alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroid tannins, and carotenoids having broad therapeutic activities like antiinflammatory, hypoglycemic, hyperlipidemia, antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidative, antiproliferative, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, etc. The present study summarizes and discusses the phytochemical profile, pharmacological properties, and toxicological effects of the Vernonia plant.

Punica Granatum Peel Waste- An Underutilized Substrate of Therapeutic Potential: An Overview.

India is the second largest consumer and producer of fruits globally. It leads to ample solid waste per year from fruit processing industries that have been proven hazardous to the surroundings. Punica granatum (Pomegranate) belongs to the Lythraceae subfamily Punicoideae, which exhibits immense nutritional properties and delicious flavoring components. The weight of this fruit mainly consists of peel, i.e., 50%, followed by 40% of arils and 10% of seeds. Thus, the major byproduct is a peel that holds many valuable bioactive compounds in higher concentrations viz saponins, carotenoids, steroids, polyphenols, quercetin derivatives, caffeic acid, phenolic acids, flavonoids, ellagitannins, p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, anthocyanidins, triterpenoids, glycosides, tannins, and many more. Consequently, it results in wide-ranging therapeutic applications, including antioxidative, anti-microbial, antihypertensive, anti-carcinogenic, anti-genotoxic, anti-inflammatory, glucoregulation, cardio-protective, hepato-protective and nephroprotective effects along with prebiotic potential. Considering their nutritional and therapeutic aspects, these peels can be used for many purposes rather than being disposed of. With a value-added approach, it is utilized in many food and non-food sectors. So, this review aims to explore the therapeutic potential of P. granatum peel and enlighten its diverse applications in the food industry.

In vitro studies on effect of different concentration of NaCl on Jatropha curcas.

Short-term effect of different concentrations of NaCl on callus cultures of Jatropha curcas was investigated at different concentration of NaCl (0, 20, 40, 60, 80,100 mM). Results showed a decrease in fresh weight of callus cultures when subjected to increasing concentration of salt in the medium. Callus morphology correspondingly changed from off-white to blackish-brown above 40mM to acutely necrotic stage at 100 mM NaCl. The callus cultures after recurrent selection (at 20mM for 20 days) were transferred to salt free optimized callus regeneration medium expressed 90.0% recovery. The callus placed in 40mM, 60mM concentration of NaCl exhibited moderate tolerance and showed 64.0% and 56.0% recovery. In 80mM concentration, callus showed moderate susceptibility and showed 6.9% recovery of callus.