Antioxidant

Hygrophila erecta (Burm.f.) Hochr. belonging to the Acanthaceae family, is a moisture loving genera and a perennial herb whose seeds are used as a skin-regenerating product. The concentrated ethyl acetate soluble fraction of methanolic extract of this whole plant resulted in a mixture of a mixture of 4-methoxybenzoic acid and 4-methoxycinnamic acid, another mixture of two ester derivatives: methyl linoleate and methyl stearate, lupeol, β-Sitosterol and Stigmasterol. The crude methanolic extract of the whole plant was partitioned to petroleum ether soluble fraction, chloroform soluble fraction, ethyl acetate soluble fraction and aqueous soluble fraction for the purpose of investigations of different biological activities. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction expressed the highest antioxidant property in DPPH free radical scavanging method, whilst the different extractives exhibited moderate to strong cytotoxicity in brine shrimp lethality test and the highest activity was shown by pet ether soluble fraction. Furthermore, the pet ether soluble fraction also demonstrated highest thrombolytic activity compared to the standard streptokinase, while the other fractions showed moderate to lower activity. However, no antimicrobial activity was observed for any of the fractions investigated using standard tetracycline and ciprofloxacin. The methanolic extract further produced statistical significant peripheral analgesic and antidiarrheal activity at both 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg doses. Although, it expressed blood glucose lowering activity, but it was not statistical significant.

Kayea assamica (King and Prain) is a native tree of Assam, India, which is known as Sia-Nahar in local language (Assamese). The aqueous extract of bark possesses antimalarial activity and methanolic extract of barks possess coumarin derivatives like therapin A, B and C, which are reported to have cytotoxic activity. This research is focused on the antioxidant activity and antidiabetic property of the leaves of K. assamica. Methanol, chloroform and hexane extract is used to estimate the polyphenol content. The methanolic extract showed highest phenolic content [(88.03 ± 0.33) mg GAE/g of dry material]. The flavonoid content [(58.44 ± 0.23) mg QE/g of dry material] in the methanolic extract was also highest. The antioxidant capacity was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The methanol extract was showing comparable IC50 value of 5.4 ± 0.54 μg/ml against the standard drug (ascorbic acid). The leaves extracts were tested for capacity to scavenge the ABTS free radicals. The capacity to quench the free radicals was highest in methanolic extract (IC50 value of 6.9 ± 0.54 μg/ml). The anti-diabetic capacity was investigated with the assist of α-amylase inhibiting assay and α-glucosidase inhibiting assay. The methanolic extract of leaves of K. assamica showed better α-amylase inhibition (17.42 ± 0.25 μg/ml) and α-glucosidase inhibition (IC50 of 13.19 ± 0.64 μg/ml) and was comparable to standard drug acarbose (IC50 of 19.42 ± 0.86 μg/ml). The result obtained can provide an insight into the utilization of leaves of K. assamica as potent antioxidant and anti-diabetic herbal drug.

AIDS is a syndrome caused by infection with Human Deficiency Virus (HIV), a member of Lentivirus subfamily of retrovirus family. Serotypes HIV-1 is most virulent. The virus is transmitted sexually, vertically, through contaminated blood transfusion, syringes, needles, blades, tattooing, etc. The incubation period is 3 months to five years depending on pre-existing immunosuppressant. The T-helper lymphocytes are major target of viruses because CD4 receptor is present predominantly on it. And hence the progressive immunodeficiency state resulting from T-cell deficiency (T4/ CD4) with viremia with opportunistic infection which leads to malignancy or cachexia. In children the clinical features includes failure to thrive, severe recurrent infections, lymphadenopathy, delayed development, Persistent weight loss, chronic diarrhea, microcephaly, hepatospeenomegaly, chronic Parotid swelling, lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, recurrent otitis media. Pediatric HIV has been categorized in four types as N, A, B, C. In Allopathy there is no specific treatment yet for HIV infection and immunodeficiency state rather than preventative aspects. However antiretroviral drugs can improve the quality of life and prolong it. Ayurveda provides a number of single, compound herbal, Herbomineral Rasayan drugs contributing unique Rasayan Therapy having diversified actions on different systems of the body like Immunomodulation, Antioxidant. Also several of drugs have its own Adaptogenic effect on Psychological, Neurological, Endocrine systems etc, which also helps in the HIV-AIDS. Scientific studies showed that Ayurvedic preparations were effective in improving immune status and quality of life of the patients having HIV-AIDS.

Ficus recemosa is an underutilized vegetable; however, it has many folk medicinal uses. Still there is a lack of systematic report on the phytochemicals present in this underutilized vegetable. The objectives of this study were to investigate the phytochemicals and to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory activity of Ficus recemosa fruit extracts using five different solvents. Five different extracts (in methanol, ethanol, chloroform, n-hexane and petroleum ether) of mature Ficus racemosa fruits were prepared by employing maceration process. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses of phytochemicals in the extracts were performed. Several in vitro assay methods were used to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Qualitative test detected the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, flavonols, resins, saponins, proanthocyanidins, coumarins, steroids and tannins in the extracts. Quantitative analyses demonstrated the highest content of polyphenols such as phenolics (56.90±1.37 mg gallic acid/ g dry weight), flavonoids (32.33±2.60 mg of catechin/ g dry weight), flavonols (4.21±.19 mg of quercetin/ g dry weight) and proanthocyanidins (12.59±.39 mg of catechin/ g dry weight) in ethanolic extract. DPPH and Superoxide radical scavenging assays of methanolic extract showed the strongest antioxidant activity (IC50 values are 42.80±1.78 and 72.95±4.10 µg/ml, respectively) than those of other extracts, whereas, ABTS and nitric oxide scavenging assays of ethanolic extract showed the highest activity with the IC50 value of 65.15±3.4 and 140.3±2.35 µg/ml, respectively. In egg albumin and BSA denaturation assay ethanolic extract was found to be the most effective. Extracts of Ficus racemosa fruits possesses a wide range of pharmacologically important phytochemicals which exhibited strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Effects of four different drying methods which are usually employed for the drying of tea leaves for getting different grades of tea leaves were studied in case of Psidium gujava, Natural drying method, Steam processing method, Temperature variation method, High temperature method. The first process was the conventional shade drying method, in all the process vacuum drying was involved in the final stages. Steam processing method was found to be more superior as compared to other methods.