Objective: To investigate phytochemical screening, antimicrobial activity and qualitative thin layer chromatographic separation of flavonoid components, antioxidant activity and total flavonoid compound of Terminalia arjuna.
Methods:For phytochemical screening, some common and available standard tests were done. Antimicrobial bioassay was done through agar well diffusion method. Detection of antioxidant activity and flavonoid compounds were done through thin layer chromatography. Total antioxidant activity was measured by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) in colorimetric method. Aluminum chloride colorimetric method was used for total flavonoid determination.
Results:Phytochemical screening showed the active compounds presence in high concentration, such as phytosterol, lactones, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and tannins and glycosides. The antimicrobial activity of extract showed that greater inhibition zone against Gram negative bacteria than Gram positive bacteria. This methanolic extract showed a promising antioxidant activity, as absorption of DPPH redicles decreased in DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Flavonoids components having antioxidant property present in the methanol extract at a level of 199.00 mg quercetin equivalent/g of dried methanol extract in colorimetric method.
Conclusions: The Terminalia arjuna bark extract revealed the presence of bio-active constituents which are known to exhibit medicinal as well as physiological activities.

Pharmacokinetics of cefotaxime (50mg/kg, i.m.) were studied in both healthy and kidney damaged female black Bengal goats. Uranyl nitrate (0.75mg/kg) was administered intravenously, once daily for five consecutive days to induce kidney damage. The pharmacokinetic variables were calculated in both cases. Kidney damage caused several changes in the determined variables. The Cmax and Cmin of cefotaxime observed at 0.50 and 5 h in normal goats were 24.91+/-1.51 and 1.22+/-0.07 microgram/ml, respectively, while the same in kidney damaged goats at 1 and 72 h were 75.00+/-0.45 and 3.10+/-0.09 microgram/ml, respectively. Renal damage condition significantly increased t1/2,ka (0.48+/-0.01 h), t1/2,ke (20.03+/-0.16 h), AUC (2440.10+/-24.26 microgram. h/ml) and significantly decreased Vdarea (0.59+/-0.007L/kg), Vss (0.58+/-0.007 L/kg) and ClB (0.02+/-0.008 L/kg/h) values of cefotaxime compared to normal goats.
Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/blood/*pharmacokinetics ; Area Under Curve ; Cefotaxime/blood/*pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Goat Diseases/chemically induced/*metabolism ; Goats ; Half-Life ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Kidney Failure/chemically induced/*metabolism ; Uranyl Nitrate

Objective: To investigat the mechanism of antitumor efficacy of Origanum dayi (O. dayi) and Ochradenus baccatus (O. baccatus) extracts by exploring apoptosis-inducing potential. Methods: The aqueous extracts of aerial parts of aforementioned plants were prepared and used for this study. HepG2 cells were treated with varying concentrations (0, 2 and 5 mg/mL) of each plant extract for 24 or 48 h. Cell apoptosis was measured by annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate binding assay and flow cytometry. The expression levels of various apoptosisrelated genes were determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results: O. dayi and O. baccatus extracts exerted apoptotic effects on HepG2 cells for 48 h following treatment. O. dayi extract was found to be a better apoptosis-inducing agent than O. baccatus extract as the former delivered greater efficacy at a lower concentration. Both extracts manifested upregulation of Bax, Bad, cytochrome c, caspase-3, caspase-7, caspase-9 and poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase. Conclusions: The aqueous extracts of O. dayi and O. baccatus are capable of inducing apoptosis in HepG2 cells through modulation of mitochondrial pathway which explains their antitumor activities. These desert plants may serve as useful resources to develop effective remedies for hepatocellular carcinoma and other human malignancies.

It is estimated that 80% of the world population depends on traditional medicine for primary healthcare need. Trianthema portulacastrum Linn. (family: Aizoaceae) is a small perennial weed found in the Americas, Africa, India, and other regions of the world. This plant is used extensively in Indian traditional medicines and is also consumed as a vegetable throughout Asia for its perceived health benefits. Phytochemical analysis of T. portulacastrum reveals the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, and phenolic compounds. Emerging studies demonstrate that crude extracts as well as bioactive phytoconstituents of T. portulacastrum exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-infective, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities. A growing number of in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate various biological and pharmacological activities, including prevention and amelioration of hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, infectious diseases and cancer. This review aims to present and analyze available literature to understand the full potential of T. portulacastrum in health promotion and disease prevention. Current limitations and future directions of research on this medicinal and dietary plant are also critically discussed.
Aizoaceae ; chemistry ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; India ; Nutritive Value ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Plants, Edible ; Plants, Medicinal