Evaluation of standardisation parameters, pharmacognostic study, preliminary phytochemical screening and in vitro antidiabetic activity of Coccinia indica fruits as per WHO guidelines.

Coccinia indica an annual creeper is available all over India and well known for its antidiabetic property. In the present investigation, aqueous extract, and ethanolic extract of the fruits were made using hot extraction procedure using soxhlet apparatus, decoction and maceration. The qualitative phyto-chemical screening procedure was performed on each extract. Phyto-chemical study reveals that carbohydrates, tannins, phenols, alkaloids, saponins was present in both the extracts. An attempt has been made to highlight this folk herbal medicine through present study which will assist in the identification of fresh as well as dried crude samples of fruits anatomically and physiochemically. TLC finger printing and fluorescence analysis of powdered fruits has been conducted and reported .The antidiabetic activity is conducted by enzyme inhibition (α-glycosidase) in invitro method on each extract and ethanolic extract showed significant inhibition.

Anti lipid peroxidation activity of piper trioicum roxb. and physalis minima l. extracts

Attempt has been made to evaluate free radical scavenging activity of ethanolic extract of Piper trioicum Roxb. and Physalis minima L. individually. In this study goat liver has been used as lipid source. This in vitro evaluation was done by measuring the malondialdehyde [MDA] of tissue homogenates. The results suggest that the ethanolic extract of the Piper trioicum Roxb. and Physalis minima L. has the ability to suppress the lipid peroxidation and it was also found that Piper trioicum Roxb. extract has more activity than Physalis minima L. extract

Scrutinizing the aqueous extract of leaves of Pedalium murex for the antiulcer activity in rats

Peptic ulcer is manifested largely due to an alteration in lifestyle and diet. The antiulcer efficacy of the aqueous extract of leaves of Pedalium murex on ethanol induced gastric lesions was investigated in our studies. This has been substantiated by ascertaining the content of total acid, acid volume, total protein, ulcer index and glutathione. Ulceration was induced in 36 hours fasted rats by the administration of 80% ethanol [1ml/kg] orally. The reference standard [famotidine, 3mg/kg] and aqueous extract of leaves of Pedalium murex in doses of 50, 100, 200mg/kg was given to different groups, one hour before the administration of ethanol. Marked gastric mucosal lesions were observed with ethanol. A perceptible elevation in ulcer index, total acidity, acid volume, total protein and diminution of glutathione was observed. Pretreatment with aqueous extract of leaves of Pedalium murex particularly at a dose of 200mg/kg in a single schedule and 100mg/kg for 15 and 30 days treatment annihilated these alterations and elevated the level of glutathione. Therefore the aqueous extract of leaves of Pedalium murex could be regarded as a favorable antiulcerogen which could be attributed to its content of flavonoids and mucilage

Impact of the aqueous extract of eclipta ALBA on maternal aggression in rats

Parturient females display impulsive behavior represented in the form of aggressive bouts when exposed to conspecifics. Prolonged aggression during the postpartum period could affect maternal care. Eclipta alba is traditionally known to induce neuropsychiatric alterations, however its ability to circumvent maternal aggression has not been elucidated. The present study was aimed to investigate the ability of the aqueous extract of Eclipta alba to suppress maternal aggression. In the single dose study, 100, 200 and 500mg/kg body weight of the aqueous extract of Eclipta alba was administered to parturient females 30 minutes prior to maternal aggression testing against intruder males. In the multiple dose study, 100, 200 and 500mg/kg of the extract were administered for 15 and 30 days and maternal aggression was quantified. Administration of the extract for 15 and 30 days in dose schedules of 200 and 500mg/kg body weight significantly suppressed agonistic encounters by the dams and therefore had beneficial anti-aggressive activity