Controversies in water-lilies [Nilofar]

The botanical, chemical, medicinal and pharmacological background of some plants of the genus Nymphaea [N. alba, N. lotus and N. stellata], commonly known as water-lilies in English, has been described to resolve the controversy regarding the indigenous name, Nilofar, used for this group of species. Based on this and the pharmacognostic studies reported earlier, the name Nilofar, has been assigned to N. alba

Chemistry of the medicinal plants of the genus trianthema [family ficoidaceae]

The genus Trianthema belonging to the family Ficoidaceae includes Trianthema portulacastrum, T. triquetra, T. pentandra, T. govinda, T. monogyna and T. decandra as important species, which are weeds and shrubs of the tropical region. This manuscript reviews the chemical constituents like hydrocarbons, proteins, amino acids, glycosides, alkaloids, oxalic/fatty acids, of these plants. It also describes the medicinal aspects of these shrubs as well

chemistry of indigenous medicinal plants of the genus vitex [family-verbenacease]

The botanical and chemical background of plants of the genus Vitex of Verbenaceae family has been described. Many investigators isolated and characterised a variety of compounds such as flavones/flavonoids, glucosides, amino acids, fatty acids, substituted aromatic acids and essential oils from these plants, while a few other chemical components have been mentioned as well. The medicinal and curative effects generally associated with chemical constituents of their flowers, fruits, leaves and roots have been briefly outlined for a number of ailments. The essential oils obtained from Vitex negundo, in isolation and in combination with others possessed not only knocking-down and in-activation of a variety of pests [especially S. cearealella of stored rice] but also caused mortality

Diacetone alcohol, natural occurrence, toxic effects, other health hazards and diversified uses

Diacetone alcohol, a beta-hydroxy ketone, is prepared on an industrial scale by aldolization of acetone in the presence of basic catalysts. It undergoes dealdolization and dehydration in various amines and dehydrating agents respectively. It occurs as a component of flavour and aroma of different plants, fruits and their products. It is found in a few animal bodies and in some insect secretions, where it functions as a sex-attractant alarm pheromone. It is toxic to man, some fishes, bacteria and even plants. Diacetone-urea adduct finds uses in animal feed, where it acts as growth stimulant. Its use has also been reported in clinically important formulations. It has wide applications in the surface coating, cleaning and corrosion inhibition. It acts as a good frothing and foaming agent in various ores. It finds limited applications in the analytical chemistry

Non-nutritive sweeteners, synthetic: part I

The use of sugars and carbohydrates has long been recognised as causing a variety of ailments like obesity, dental caries, diabetes mellitus, heart diseases and other metabolic disorders. It led to the recognition and importance of non-nutritive sweeteners which are the best means of reducing caloric intake. Among such sweeteners are saccharin, cyclamates, dulcin, exathiainone salts etc. The synthetic approaches employed for their synthesis/derivatives have been briefly discussed. Different peptides used have also been briefly mentioned. The comparison of their toxicity and sweetness has been made. The criteria set by the W.H.O. for their use as sweetener have also been reviewed. Thus, the entire background of these synthetic non-nutritive sweeteners has been thoroughly described

Non-nutritive sweeteners plant based: part II

Today there is little disagreement that a real need exists for an alternative to sucrose because sugars and carbohydrates have long been recognized as causing a variety of ailments like heart diseases, diabetes mellitus, obesity, dental caries and other diseases associated with carbohydrates metabolic disorders. There exists a genuine need among researchers for acceptable non-nutritive sweeteners to help control calories intake and alleviate diet-related health problems. In this manuscript only naturally occurring non-nutritive sweeteners such as phyllodulcin, non-glycosidic dihydrochalcones, glycyrrhizin and the sweet substances from Rebaudiana have been briefly discussed. The historical discovery of the West African plants, properties of their extracts and the isolation of sweeteners like Monellin, Thaumatins and Miraculin and the potential for commercial applications of these proteins have also been described. The comparison of their sweetness and toxicity has been made and the background of the naturally occurring non-nutritive sweeteners traced as well

Gur as nutritive food and medicine

A brief history of the solidified cane juice [gur] and its traditional and present methods for its manufacturing have been described. Improvements made in its technique have been suggested, which eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals. Expert opinion about its nutritional and medicinal uses have been susbstantiated with its components, determined with modern techniques. It has suggested that the use of this cheap and useful material in the big cities be encouraged to control lead poisoning caused by gasoline emission

Essential oils and their role as flavouring agents in medicines, cosmetics and allied products

About 200 essential oils are known commercially, but only 25 of them are produced in large volume. Some of the essential oils and the countries producing them have been mentioned. A brief account of over 30 essential oils concerning mode of their production, their chemical nature and uses in numerous pharmaceutical preparations have been described. Moreover, the users have been cautioned against their excessive doses, which lead to problems of kidney, bladder and urethra. Local production of even those essential oils which may be produced locally is almost non-existing Attention has been drawn to remedy the situation