Lonicera quinquelocularis: a rich source of antioxidant for protection against chronic diseases

The purpose of the research work was to examine the in vitro antioxidant activity of the different aqueous and organic fractions of Lonicera quinquelocularis Hardwicke. The methanol extract was dissolved in distilled water and fractioned with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol, successively. The antioxidant potential of the remaining aqueous and organic fractions was determined by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical [DPPH] scavenging activity, total antioxidant activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power [FRAP] assay, ferric thiocyanate assay and total phenolics method. Among these fractions ethyl acetate fraction displayed the maximum antioxidant activity with IC[50] of [11.13+/-0.12micro g/ml]. It also exhibited the highest total antioxidant activity [0.595+/-0.00], FRAP value [128.2+/-4.54micro g/mL] and total phenolic contents [66.89+/-7.73micro g/g] as compared to other organic fractions. Phytochemical investigation of the above mentioned fractions showed the presence of flavanoids, phenolics, terpenoids, sugars, alkaloids, tannins, saponins and cardiac glycosides in appreciable amounts, which have major contribution towards antioxidant activity

Preparation of new formulations of balm as a remedy of flu and their efficacy

Influenza, called the flu, is an acute, highly contagious infection of the respiratory tract, which commonly occurs in children or adults of any age mostly in the winter. In the present study three new formulations of petroleum jelly and essential oils based balm were prepared for the treatment of flu and their efficacy was studied on different age group people i.e. infants, adults, and old age. Results showed that the prepared balms not only gave relief from headache, fever, cough etc., but also they reduced the intensity of viral infection