In India, indigenous remedies have been used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus since the time of Charaka and Sushruta. Plants have always been an exemplary source of drugs and many of the currently available drugs have been derived directly or indirectly from them. The ethnobotanical information reports that about 800 plants may possess anti-diabetic potential. Out of several Indian medicinal plants 33 plants were reviewed. The most effective antidiabetic Indian medicinal plants are Acacia arabica, Aegle marmelose, Agrimonia eupatoria, Allium cepa, Allium sativum, Aloe vera, Azadirachta indica, Benincasa hispida, Beta vulgaris, Caesalpinia bonducella, Citrullus colocynthis, Coccinia indica, Eucalyptus globules, Ficus bengalenesis, Gymnema sylvestre, Hibiscus rosasinesis, Ipomoea batatas, Jatropha curcus, Mangifera indica, Momordica charantia, Morus alba, Mucuna pruriens, Ocimum sanctum, Pterocarpus marsupium, Punica granatum, Syzigium cumini, Tinospora cordifolia, Trigonella foenum graecum. A wide array of plant derived active principles representing numerous chemical compounds has demonstrated activity consistent with their possible use in the treatment of diabetes.

Asthma is a common disease that is rising in prevalence worldwide with the highest prevalence in industrialized countries. Asthma affects about 300 million people worldwide and it has been estimated that a further 100 million will be affected by 2025. Since the ancient times, plants have been exemplary sources of medicine. Current asthma therapy lack satisfactory success due to adverse effect, hence patients are seeking complementary and alternative medicine to treat their asthma. Ayurveda and other Indian literature mention the use of plants in various human ailments. India has about 45,000 plant species and among them several thousand are claimed to possess medicinal properties. Researches conducted in the last few decades on the plants mentioned in ancient literature or used traditionally for asthma have shown antiasthmatic, antihistaminic and antiallergic activity. This review reveals that some plants and their extract have antiasthmatic, antihistaminic, anticholinergic and antiallergic activity.
Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Ayurvedic ; Plant Extracts ; Plants, Medicinal

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the antinociceptive activity of the methanol extract of Ricinus communis leaves (MRCL).

METHODSAntinociceptive activity was evaluated using acetic acid induced writhing test, formalin induced paw licking and tail immersion method in mice at doses of 100, 125 and 150 mg/kg bw.

RESULTSThe results indicated that MRCL exhibited considerable antinociceptive activity against three classical models of pain in mice. Preliminary phytochemical analysis suggested the presence of saponin, steroids and alkaloids.

CONCLUSIONSIt can be concluded that MRCL possesses antinociceptive potential that may be due to saponin, steroids and alkaloids in it.

Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Analgesics ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Pain ; drug therapy ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Ricinus ; chemistry ; Saponins ; administration & dosage ; chemistry

Veins of the head and neck exhibiting anatomical variations or malformations are clinically significant. Anatomical variation in the external jugular vein is very common. However, anatomical variation in the retromandibular vein is rare. In this paper, we report a rare case of complete absence of the retromandibular vein. In the absence of the retromandibular vein, the maxillary vein divided into anterior and posterior divisions. The posterior division joined the superficial temporal vein to form an atypical external jugular vein, and the anterior division joined the facial vein to form an anonymous vein. In clinical practice, radiologists and surgeons use the retromandibular vein as a guide to expose the branches of the facial nerve during superficial parotidectomy. Therefore, absence of the retromandibular vein is a hurdle during this procedure and may affect the venous drainage pattern from the head and neck.
Anonyms and Pseudonyms ; Drainage ; Facial Nerve ; Head ; Jugular Veins* ; Neck ; Parotid Region* ; Veins*

Veins of the head and neck exhibiting anatomical variations or malformations are clinically significant. Anatomical variation in the external jugular vein is very common. However, anatomical variation in the retromandibular vein is rare. In this paper, we report a rare case of complete absence of the retromandibular vein. In the absence of the retromandibular vein, the maxillary vein divided into anterior and posterior divisions. The posterior division joined the superficial temporal vein to form an atypical external jugular vein, and the anterior division joined the facial vein to form an anonymous vein. In clinical practice, radiologists and surgeons use the retromandibular vein as a guide to expose the branches of the facial nerve during superficial parotidectomy. Therefore, absence of the retromandibular vein is a hurdle during this procedure and may affect the venous drainage pattern from the head and neck.
Anonyms and Pseudonyms ; Drainage ; Facial Nerve ; Head ; Jugular Veins* ; Neck ; Parotid Region* ; Veins*

Imaging technology with its advancement in the field of urology is the boon for the patients who require minimally invasive approaches for various kidney disorders. These approaches require a precise knowledge of the normal and variant anatomy of vessels at the hilum of the kidney. During routine dissections, a variation in the branching pattern of the right renal artery was noted in an adult male cadaver. The right renal artery divided into upper and lower divisions 6cm away from the hilum of the kidney. The upper division gave 4 branches, and the lower division gave two branches. These two branches further bifurcated and gave 2 branches each. Thus, there were 8 prehilar branches of renal artery. The multiple prehilar branches led to a congested atmosphere at the hilum of the kidney. This arterial congestion might result in hindering the blood flow at the renal hilum. Apart from this, it might cause difficulties in diagnostic and therapeutic invasive procedures. Knowledge of this variation is of importance to radiologists and urologists in particular.
Adult ; Atmosphere ; Cadaver ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Pelvis ; Male ; Renal Artery* ; Urology