Objective: To perform the pharmacognostic study of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre (P. pinnata) stem bark. Method: The pharmacognostic studies were carried out in terms of organoleptic, macroscopic, microscopic, fluorescence analysis and physicochemical parameters. Results: The bark consisting of channelled, recurved, slightly quilled, usually 0.2-1 cm thick, lenticellate pieces with outer surface ash-grey to greyish-brown and internal surface yellowish-white to cream coloured having unpleasant odour and bitter taste. The main microscopic characterstics of the bark include phellem (5-20 or more layers of cork), phellogen (2-3 layered) followed by 10-15 layered phelloderm. Among other microscopic components were phloem parenchyma, phloem fibre and stone cells, traversed by wavy medullary rays. Further, physicochemical analysis of the bark power showed total ash, water soluble ash, acid insoluble ash and sulphated ash as 10.94, 1.96, 1.47 and 15.8 % w/w respectively. The alcohol and water soluble extractives values of the stem bark were 9.6 and 18.4 %w/w respectively. Conclusions: Various pharmacognostic characters observed in this study helps in botanical identification and standardization of P. pinnata L. in crude form.

Objective:To test whether the larvicidal activity of citral against Fasciola varies by season.
Methods:Mortality of Fasciola larva in different month of year (2011-2012) in in vitro and in vivo condition were observed at 2 h, 4 h, 6 h and 8 h exposure of citral.
Results:In vitro toxicity of citral against redia was highest in between the June to August (8 h LC50: 2.58-2.62 mg/L), whereas against cercaria 8 h LC50 was in between 3.44-2.62 mg/L. Highest in vivo toxicity against redia was noted in between June to August (8h LC50: 4.20-5.09 mg/L). The lowest toxicity was observed from November to April. The highest temperature, free carbon dioxide, and lowest pH, dissolved oxygen were observed from June to August.
Conclusions:The present study conclusively shows that varying a biotic factor can significantly alter the in vitro and in vivo toxicity of citral against sporocyst redia and cercaria larva.

Holoptelea integrifolia Roxb. (Indian Elm) is a very useful and popular traditional medicinal plant in India. During the last three decades, apart from the chemistry of plant compounds, considerable progress regarding the biological activity and medicinal applications of Indian Elm has been achieved. Ethno-medically, the leaves and stem bark of this plant have been used by tribes as antiviral, antioxidant, antimicrobial, abortifacient preparations and in the management of cancer. Recent studies on plant show that it has potential to fight against tumor and obesity as well. Phytochemical investigation shows the presence of chemical constituents such as terpenoids, alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrates, steroids, sterols, saponins, tannins, proteins and flavanoids. The isolated principles such as β-amyrin, β-sitosterol, holoptelin-A, holoptelin-B, hederagenin, hexacosanol, β-D-glucose, friedelin, epifriedelin, 2-amino naphthoquinone, 1,4-naphthalenedione, are considered as responsible for various activities. This review highlights the traditional uses, reported biological/pharmacological activities, isolated compounds and therapeutic applications of Holoptelea integrifolia which might be helpful for scientists and researchers to find out new chemical entities responsible for its claimed traditional uses.

Objective: To evaluate the in-vivo antioxidant potential of ethanolic extract of Mentha Pulegium against CCl4 induced toxicity in rats. Methods: Animals were treated with plant extract for 7 days and then toxicity was induced with a single CCl4 intraperitoneal injection. Pre-treatment with 600 mg/kg (p.o.) of ethanolic extract of Mentha Pulegium improved the glutathione, SOD, catalase, and peroxidase levels significantly as compared to control group. Results: The present studies revealed that Mentha Pulegium has significant in-vivo antioxidant activity and can be used to protect tissue from oxidative stress. The result showed that the activities of glutathione, SOD, catalase and peroxidase in group treated with CCl4 declined significantly than that of normal group. Conclusion: Ethanolic extract of Mentha Pulegium in the dose of 600 mg/kg, p.o., has improved the glutathione, SOD, catalase, and peroxidase levels significantly, which were comparable with Liv 52. Based on this study we conclude that Ethanolic extract of MenthaPulegium possesses in vivo antioxidant activity and can be employed in protecting tissue from oxidative stress.

The traditional medicine differs from country to country and region to region and is dependent on indigenous cultural practices. Since one decade there is a growing demand of natural products as potential preventive and therapeutic agents all over the world.Many international agencies especially WHO recognized Ayurveda, Unani, siddha as a part of integrated system of medicine to achieve health for all. Despite WHO recognition acceptance of Ayurveda has been limited mainly due to:i) Lack of scientific validation in current acceptable terms;ii) A general inadequacy of Good Manu-facturing Practices;iii)Non availability of safety profile at pre-clinical and clinical levels;iv)In-adequate documentation of true extent of toxicity;iv)Contamination of herbal products.Therefore,validating ther-apeutic claims of traditional preparation and evaluation of safety profile has become important not only for global acceptance but for compliance to National and International regulatory guidelines. Our efforts at Centre for Advanced Research for Preclinical Toxicology(PCT),Food and Drug Toxi-cology Research Centre (FDTRC), National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad a premier research organization of ICMR has undertaken safety and efficacy evaluations of various traditional formulations by applying the modern approaches. Anti-inflammatory evaluation of Rasna panchaka:The study plan was initiated in consultation with qualified Ayurvedic physician and after confirming the potential benefits in a limited clinical trial. This was followed by experimental evaluation using in vitro anti-oxidant activity,ex-plant culture system,in situ mimicking model (rat paw edema and granuloma pouch).The experimental study results have substantiated the anti-inflammatory activity as reported and near matching to clinical observations. i. Anti-atherosclerotic potentials with traditional herbs and nutraceuticals-PHF:The study was designed based on the traditional literature and other modern scientific documents.The modern tools include ethano-botanical validation, in vitro (molecular techniques), in silico,in vivo (advanced techniques) systems have been utilized to confirm the anti-atherosclerotic property of the poly herbal formulation(PHF). ii. The role of Terminalia arjuna as a cardiotonic in various Ayurvedic formulations is well docu-mented.We have evaluated the potential health benefits of Arjuna Ksheera Paka(AKP). iii. Occimum sanctum (O. sanctum) a known herb in every household as Tulasi. There is a belief and a traditional literature mentioning that it has immunomodulatory and carminative property.The investi-gations carried out in vitro (Th1/Th2 cytokines) and in vivo (myelosuppressed mice model) demonstrated potential immunomodulatory action. The validation of herbal plant Cocculus hirsutus,Cuscuta reflexa, Tinospora cordifolia&Achyranthus aspera as immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory agents is under progress. In India,many national and international laboratories are working in the areas of natural medicines. The clarity and regulatory systems still needs to be identified between natural medicine and traditional system of practices.The Act of Ayurvedic,Siddha and Unani(ASU)drugs is regulated under the provi-sions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act,1940 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules,1945 made there under. Rule 158-B is for the manufacture of products.In addition,the rules required proof of effectiveness for Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani drugs under Section 3(a) of the Act are under the process of revision to make it mandatory. The studies were carried out with traditional system of medicine in India requires strategic collabo-rations with innovative initiatives.

The use of medicinal plants to cure human illness has been practiced from time immemorial. Nowadays, the vast majority of people still rely on their traditional materia medica for their daily health care needs. The use of plant species for treatment of various human ailments has been mentioned in Ayurveda and other Indian literature. Some of these drugs are believed to enhance the natural resistance of body to infection. So there are many plants having immunostimulatory activity. This paper reviews plants which have shown reported immunostimulatory activity.

We illustrated a case of presumed spontaneously regressed retinoblastoma in a blind eye. The tumour remained stable, with no extraocular spreading, for 20 years. Associating signs included band keratopathy, leukocoria, dislocated lens, calcified retinal masses and tractional retinal detachment.

Giant-cell tumour (GCT) of bone, a primary yet locally aggressive benign tumour, commonly affects patients between the ages of 20 and 40 years, with the peak incidence occurring in the third decade. Women are affected slightly more than men. The distal end of the ulna is an extremely uncommon site for primary bone tumours in general and giant cell tumours in particular. Wide resection of the distal ulna is the recommended treatment for GCT in such locations. Radio-ulna convergence and dorsal displacement of the ulna stump are known complications following ulna resection proximal to the insertion of the pronator quadratus. This leads to reduction in grip power and forearm rotatory motion. Stabilization of the ulna stump with extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon after wide resection of the tumour has been described in the literature. We report a case of GCT of distal end of ulna treated with wide resection and stabilization with ECU tendon.

Objective: Anti-fertility activity of ethanolic extract of Jatropha gossypifolia leaf in female albino mice. Methods: Jatropha gossypifolia leaf extract, when administered orally, altered the estrous cycle pattern in female mice, prolong the length of estrous cycle with significant increase in the duration of diestrus stage and reduced significantly the number of litters in albino mice. Treatment of mice with extract of 250 and 450 mg/kg body weight/day for 21 days caused a prolonged estrous cycle with significant increase in the duration of diestrus phase and elongation of estrus stage in treatment with higher dose (450 mg/kg body weight/day). Results: The analysis of the principal hormones involved in estrous cycle regulation showed that the plant extracts altered gonadrotrophin release (LH, FSH and prolactinn) and estradiol secretion. Conclusions:The results indicated the anti-fertility effect of Jatropha gossypifolia leaf extract in female albino mice.

The genus Michelia, belonging to family Magnoliaceae, consists of about 80 plant species mainly distributed in South Asian countries. The plants of this genus have been traditionally used in curing various diseases like fever, colic, leprosy, eye disorders, inflammation, antidote for scorpion, etc. Ninety-four compounds isolated from nine species of the genus Michelia like sesquiterpenes, steroids, flavonoids, aporphines, phenols, esters, benzenoid and alkaloids have antibacterial, anticancer and antiplasmodial activities. This review presents first time detailed information on chemical and biological properties of constituents isolated from the genus Michelia.