Three herbs with medicinal properties as well as used commonly as spices: curry leaves (Murrayakoenigii), mint leaves (Mentha) and coriander leaves (Coriandrumsativum), were analyzed for their essential trace elemental content using Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analytical techniques. PIXE experiments were performed using 3 MV pelletron accelerator facility at Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar whereas ICP-MS analysis was done at Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. The elements V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb and Sr were commonly identified and quantified by both the analytical techniques. The obtained elemental data was compared among the studied leaves technique wise.

The aim of present study was to analyze the phytochemicals present in the extracts of Ziziphus nummularia leaves and stem and to evaluate the antibacterial activity of different extracts. The extracts of Ziziphus nummularia leaves and stem were prepared by using Soxhlet extraction protocol. Different solvents i.e. water, alcohol, petroleum ether and micellar medium were used successively to extract different photochemicals. Preliminary phytochemical screening of leaves and stem extract showed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, phenolic compounds. The antibacterial activities of extracts were evaluated by disc diffusion method. Antibacterial activity was screened against Escherichia coli, Bascillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Micellar extract of leaves exhibited the greatest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus. Micellar extract of stem showed the greatest antibacterial against Bascillus.

Nowadays, the field of nanotechnology is one of the most active researches in modern material science, among the utilized methods the eco-friendly methods “green mediated synthesis” of nanoparticles are the preferred as they are less toxic and economically effective. In the current study, the crude methanol leaf extract of Silene conoidea L. (SC) was used for the synthesis of its silver nanoparticles (SCAgNPs). The successful formation of the nanoparticles was confirmed by UV–visible spectrophotometry. Analysis of Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectrometric results revealed the possible involvement of phytoconstituents in the formed silver nanoparticles of crude extract. Moreover, field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used for determination of their shape and size; the nanoparticles were spherical in shape having an average particle size of 30 nm. The green synthesized nanoparticles’ extract (SCAgNPs) showed more phenolic compounds as well as flavonoid content compared to the crude extract. Moreover, it exhibited enhanced antioxidant potential against stable DPPH radical (2, 2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) using butyl hydroxyl toluene (BHT) as a reference standard. In addition to, significant cytotoxic activity towards three cell lines namely HEP-G2, HCT-116 and MCV-7 using Cisplatin as a reference anticancer drug as well as significant antimicrobial effect. The gained results support the advantages of using bio-green method for the production of nanoparticles having the potential of antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities

The present study was aimed to investigate the cellular and mo­lecular mechanisms of protective effects of isolated luteolin from Feronia limonia against liver carcinoma induced by Aflatoxin B1, a potent in­ducer of liver cancer. In this study we determined the protective effect of luteolin on liver tissue by measuring biochemical parameters, liver oxidative stress markers, serological and hematological parameters. Determination of total protein, DNA and RNA content was also done to elucidate its action. Aflatoxin B1 treatment to rats resulted in significantly altered levels of all the parameters when compared to the control rats. The administration of luteolin to the he­patocellular carcinoma bearing rats resulted in restoration of most of the enzyme levels; total protein content, DNA and RNA content. Luteolin has an ability to modulate the function of biochemical, enzymes levels, DNA and RNA syn­thesis in hepatocellular carcinoma which proved its anticarcinogenic activity.

Moringa oleifera is one of the 14 species of family Moringaceae and is commonly known as ‘Drumstick tree’ or the ‘horse radish tree’. It is a medicinal Indian herb which is rich in secondary metabolites such as terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolics etc. It has the following properties such as- antitumor, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, cholesterol lowering, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial and antifungal activities. Despite of above mentioned application, this study showcases the antioxidant and hemolytic activities. Leaves from three different region exhibit antioxidant activity -DPPH and MDA assays. The results obtained for antioxidant property (DPPH) was found to be higher in the samples collected from Bengaluru and for the MDA Assay we obtained higher values in the Rajasthan sample. Furthermore, leaf extracts are non-toxic to RBC in lower concentration.

Plants contain phytochemicals with various bioactivities including antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Antioxidants are compounds which retard or inhibit the oxidation processes occur under the influence of atmospheric oxygen or reactive oxygen species. The main objective of the present study is to examine antioxidant and antimicrobial activities from methanolic bulb extract of zephyranthes citrina. Antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by studying DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS, TAC, Reducing power and Metal chelating using the standard procedures. The bulb methanolic extract of zephyranthes citrina has showed significant radical scavenging activity. The results that the extract can be used as a potent source of natural antioxidant and thus could prevent many free radical mediated diseases. Plants are the richest source of natural antimicrobial agents. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the selected methanolic extract were determined according to Disc Diffusion method on the following Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram negative (Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Klebseilla pneumoniae) bacterial strains. The result of the present study showed that theplant possesses significant antibacterial activities against all the above bacterial pathogens. Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Fusarium oxysporum were used for antifungal studies. Based on the results obtained, it is conclude that the extract exhibits moderate fungicidal properties that support their traditional use as antiseptics.

Nutrient and Phytochemical content of seeds of Syzygium cumini was investigated in the present study due to its traditional use and medicinal value. The powdered seeds of S.cumini was analyzed for protein, carbohydrates, free fatty acids, vitamins (β – carotene, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, folic acid, nicotinic acid) and minerals. Ash and moisture content of the powdered seeds were also evaluated. Ascorbic acid and potassium was found to be in higher level compared to the tested vitamins and minerals. The presence of phytochemicals in different solvents such as ethanol, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and hexane extracts of seeds was studied. Ethanol extract exhibited the higher number of phytochemicals. The above observations confirmed the role of rich amount of phytochemicals and nutrients for the medicinal activity of the plant S.cumini.

The essential oil of Salvia coccianea. Juss. ex Murr. (Lamiaceae) was analyzed by capillary GC and GC/MS. Total 60 components were identified constituting 91.1 % of the oil. The oil was found rich in oxygenated sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (32.6%). Germacrene D (15.6%), linalool (10.7%), β -caryophyllene (8.2%) and palmitic acid (8.9%) were the principal constituents. The oil showed good activity exhibiting the minimum bactericidal effect against Klebsiella pneumoniae at 125 µL/mL and against Bacillus subtilis at 250 µL/mL concentration. The oil showed quite significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, S. aureus, B. subtilis which was found comparable with the standard antibiotics used for comparison.

Urinary tract infection is an infection of part of the urinary tract. Lower urinary tract infection is characterised by asymptomatic bacteraemia, pelvic pain, frequent urination, urge to urinate, etc. UTI occurs more commonly in women than men. Patients suffering from diabetes mellitus type 2 are more susceptible to UTI as compared to non diabetic patients. Recurrence of UTI can be associated to resistance developed by the uropathogens against the antibiotics administered. The present study on analysis from urine sample obtained from diabetic patient suffering from UTI, isolated an organism identified to be Pseudomonas aeruginosa which was found to be multi drug resistant. Curcumin, the wonder drug component of turmeric was tested for its antimicrobial activities in vitro owing to its poor bioavailability and rapid metabolisation on absorption. In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial activity of crude curcumin extract from Curcuma longa on the bacterial isolate was observed to be nil. Further testing of antimicrobial activity of curcumin free turmeric extract was also observed to be zero.

Antioxidants are compounds produced by the body or found in foods, that defends cells against free radical damage. Study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant activities of methanolic, ethyl actetate and aqueous extracts of Vitis vinifera, Nigella sativa and Ocimum basiilicum. Preliminary screening was done to detect the presence of different components like alkaloids, phenolics, coumarins, tannins etc. in the extracts. Flavonoids were estimated by aluminium chloride method.Ethyl acetate extract of grape seed showed highest value of5141.25 ± 58.33QE, followed by extracts of basil seeds. Total phenols was also estimated and it was found that methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of seeds showed greater values. Total antioxidants was determined spectrophotometrically by DPPH assay and extracts of Nigella possessed high scavenging activity of 68% (approx).

Microwave extraction is an advanced technique which gives more amount of extract in shorter period of time. In this present study the leaves of Ocimum Sanctum were investigated for its qualitative phytochemicals and antibacterial activity. The powder itself was also investigated for its total ash, acid soluble, water soluble ash, bulk density and tapped density. Carr’s index and Housner’s ratio were calculated as per literature. The powder leave were extract using different solvents and observed that different solvents gives  different extraction yield. The extract was further analyzed by FT-IR. The phytochemicals poses antibacterial activity against some tested bacteria.

This study is focused on exploring the antibacterial property of Careya arborea Roxb. bark and leaves that are commonly being used in traditional medicines for skin diseases. The antibacterial potential of bark and leaf extracts (50% hydro alcohol, ethanol and aqueous) was screened against four bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC No. 25923), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC No. 12228), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC No. 27853) and Escherichia coli (ATCC No. 25922) by determining minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) followed by agar well diffusion method. The result indicated that all the extracts exhibited antibacterial properties. The highest antibacterial potential was observed in the leaf ethanolic extract against Escherichia coli with 20mg/ml MIC value. The experiment confirmed the efficacy of Careya arborea Roxb. bark and leaf extracts as natural antibacterial and suggested the possibility of employing them in drugs for the treatment of skin infectious diseases caused by the tested organisms.

The fungus Penicillium oxalicum was isolated from fresh leaves of Kalanchoe tomentosa (Crassulaceae). The endophytic fungus Penicillium oxalicum has been subjected to chemical and biological investigations resulted in the isolation of four compounds identified as; Ergosta-7, 9 (11), 22-triene-3β- ol (1),  methyl pentatetracontanoate (2), tetracontan-1-oic acid (3)  and  Cerebroside A  (4).  These compounds were isolated for the first time from this fungus. The structure elucidation of isolated metabolites was carried out using spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR).  Cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of isolated compounds and fungus extracts were also studied and significant results were obtained.

We have devoted the present work to the chemical analysis of the seeds of Carapa procera. Biochemically, the dried seeds contain a solids content of about 95.07% and 4.93% moisture content. The seeds give a good oil yield (Soxhlet extraction) which is about 54.26% in 8 hours of extraction. The seed is a modest source of protein (7.37%) and contains 30.03% carbohydrate. Its carbohydrate content gives it an appreciable energy value (637.94 kcal) comparable to that of conventional oilseeds which is 550 - 650 kcal per 100g of dry matter. In addition to its bitterness, the seed of Carapa procera is recommended in case of energy deficiency. The study reveals a total polyphenol content of about 960 μg EAG / g dry matter. This content suggests that the seed has antioxidant potential. The mineral composition of the seed shows the coexistence of macroelements (N; Ca; Mg; P; K) and trace elements (Mn; Zn and Cu) in appreciable quantity. In addition, the seeds of Carapa procera could be useful in nutrition than in oligotherapy.

Seasonal variations have an influence on the availability of secondary metabolites of plants, which impacts their therapeutic efficacy. For some plants, the bioavailability of secondary metabolites, and thus the harvest period, is better in the spring, while for others it is summer. Celtis australis (Cannabaceae), a deciduous tree, is used in the treatment of various diseases in many traditional systems around the world. In the present work, seasonal influence on total polyphenols, flavonoids and condensed tannins contents as well as on the antioxidant potential of leaves hydro-methanolic extract from Celtis australis have been evaluated. Plant leaves were harvested during spring and summer which are its flowering and fruiting seasons respectively. The total phenols, flavonoids and condensed tannins contents were quantified by spectrophotometry using Gallic acid, Quercetin and Catechin as standards respectively. The antioxidant potential of the plant extracts was evaluated using three complementary methods: DPPH radical scavenging activity, conjugated dienes and TBARS inhibition during linoleic acid peroxidation. Our results showed that the levels of all quantified compounds increased significantly during the growing season until midsummer and this increase is positively correlated with the antioxidant potential of the plant extract. It can be concluded that leaves harvesting should occur in the middle of the summer to obtain a better medicinal efficacy of the plant.