Pharmacognostical studies on leaves of ataiantia monophyia correa.

Leaves of Atalantia monophylla are used in chronic rheumatism and paralysis. The Pharmacognostical studies like histological characters, leaf constants, ash values and extractive values of leaves of Atalantia monophylla Corr were carried out. The preliminary phytochemical analysis were also carried out.

Effect of Cassia auriculata Linn. on serum glucose level, glucose utilization by isolated rat hemidiaphragm.

An aqueous leaf extract of Cassia auriculata (C. auriculata) was found to lower the serum glucose level in normal rats. Maximum reduction in serum glucose level was observed after 4 h at a dose levels of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract. In normal rats the serum glucose level reduction at 4th h was 23% by 100 mg/kg body weight and 31% by 200 mg/kg body weight. In alloxan-induced diabetic rats, chronic administration of the extract significantly reduced the serum glucose level from third day to till the end of the experiment. The extract was also found to inhibit the body weight reduction induced by alloxan administration. Glucose uptake and glycogen deposition studies suggest that C. auriculata leaf extract probably has no direct insulin like effect which can enhance the peripheral utilization of glucose.

Diuretic, laxative and toxicity studies of Cocculus hirsutus aerial parts.

The aqueous extract of the Cocculus hirsutus aerial parts (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant diuretic activity and laxative effect in rats. The acute toxicity, orally evaluated in mice, was found to be higher than 3000 mg/kg.

Purgative and anti-inflammatory activities of cassia didymobotrya, fresen.

Aqueous and ethanol extracts of cassia didymobotraya were investigated for purgative and anit-inflammatory activities in albino mice and rats, respectively at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. Anti-inflammatory activity was screened by 1% carageenan induced paw edema method and purgative activity was screened by the method described by Akah etal, Both the extracts exhibited significant purgative and anti-inflammatory activities, which are comparable to standard drugs, Senna (20mg/kg) and indomethacin (20mg/kg). Ethanol extract showed higher purgative and anti-inflammatory than aqueous extract. The percentage of protection of aqueous, ethanol extracts and indomethacin were found to be 35.29,37.25 and 43.13.

Some pharmacognostical characteristics of tragia involucrata linn. Roots.

The macroscopical characters of the roots, physical constant values, extractive values, colour, consistency and extractive values with different solvents, behaviour on treatment with different chemical reagents, fluorescence characters of liquid extracts and root powder after treatment with different chemical reagents under ultraviolet light of the powdered roots of Tragia involucrata Linn. (Fam Euphorbiaceae) were studied to fix some pharmacognostical parameters which will enable the future investigators for indentification of the plant. Preliminary phytochemical study on different extracts of the roots were also preformed.

Studies on the antibacterial potential of Cryptostegia grandiflora R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) extract.

Different extracts of Cryptostegia grandiflora (Roxb) Rbr. leaves were investigated for their antibacterial potential against Pseudomonus cepacia NCIM-2106, Bacillus megatorium NCIM-2087, Staphylococcus aureus NCIM-2492, Escherichia coli NCIM-2345, Bacillus subtilis NCIM-2349 and Bacillus coagulans NCIM 2323. Almost all the extracts produced significant antibacterial activity against all the microorganisms being tested and the effect so produced was comparable to the standard antibiotic, tetracycline hydrochloride. The petroleum ether (60 degrees-80 degrees C) extract showed maximum efficacy.

Cytotoxic and anti -tumour properties of ethanolic extract of bacopa monnieri (L) penn.

Bacopa Monnieri (L) penn. Belongs to the family scrophulariaceae is commonly used in Ayurvedic system of medicine to treat various disease. The present stud examines the anti-tumous effect of ethanolic extract of whole plant bacopa monnieri (L) (EEMB) by in vitro short term chemosensitivity and in vivo tumous model test systems. EEBM dose dependently inhibited the proliferation of transformed cell lines significantly. Fifty percent dose on 3 hour exposure to EEBM was 150 µg/ml for Dalton's lymphoma ascites tumour cells (Dla). Oral administration of the EEBM retarded the development of solid tumour and restored the altered hematological parameters near to normal.

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.