Toxic or tonic, unexploited and emerging potential of Nerium species

Nerium oleander and other Nerium species - Nerium indicum and Nerium odorum popularly known for their toxic effects have been recently shown to be beneficial in ailments other than congestive heart failure for which these were previously utilized. Their neuroprotective action can be exploited to find a possible remedy for neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease. The present article deals with the pharmacognostic study, pharmacology and potential of the plant as a future remedy for neuro-degradation

Butea frondosa [flame of the forest] A review

Butea frondosa [Syn. Butea monosperma] is an important gum yielding tree and commonly known as Butea kino or Bengal kino. B. frondosa is a multipurpose herb and is frequently employed in number of medicinal preparations for the powerful astringent action of the gum. It is given internally for dysentery and diarrhoea. It is also used as diuretic, aphrodisiac and for the treatment of herpes, skin ulcers and in piles. Due to its astringent and anti-inflammatory action it has recently been employed in a number of cosmetic formulations. This article deals with the pharmacognostic, clinical and therapeutic significance of B. frondosa

review of the occurrence and tissue culture of carotene pigments in citrus species

Carotenoids are the predominant pigments of citrus fruits. Carotenes, cryptoflavin, cryptoxanthin, uterin, luteoxanthins, phytofluene and violaxanthin are the most common carotenoids studied extensively in citrus plants. In early stage of peel formation of Satsuma mandarin fruits, diol and hydrocarbons were most abundant carotenoid groups followed by polyol, diol, epoxide and monols. Sannen independently discovered that pale colouration of Turkish Satsuma mandarin fruits was due to lack of deep coloured carotenoids such as beta-citraurine and /beta-apo-8'carotenal. Interstocks significantly affected beta-carotene and lycopene in the peel and pulp of grapefruit on C. reshni stocks. In the tissue culture studies on Citrus plants of C. grandis, C. sinensis, C. aurantifolia, C. karna and C. jambhiri were regenerated from different types of explants both of reproductive and vegetative origin. Retention of the regenerative potentiality by cultures of proliferating shoots of C. grandis and C. aurantifolia over a period of more than 13 years and 7 years respectively is yet another aspect of far reaching significance for germplasm preservation by the development of Tissue banks

Malignancy: etiology and recent contemporary trends in the management of human tumors

Today, not only is cancer a major health problem, but the management and care of cancer patients is often complex. With the development of medical oncology, as a subspecialty of internal medicine, the internist is playing an ever increasing role in the care of cancer patients. The present article depicts an overview of the biology and etiology of neoplasma and summarizes an approach to management of different types of human tumors