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The incidence rate of diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide. Herbal formulations have recently gained importance as an alternative therapeutic option in controlling diabetes without causing any side effects. In the present study, we have demonstrated maintenance of glycemic homeostasis and anti-adipogenic potential of a herbo-mineral formulation Divya MadhuKalp (DMK). Initially, we evaluated the presence of bioactive compounds in DMK using LC/MS-QToF analysis. In-vitro analysis of DMK in L6 (skeletal muscle) cells showed a significant increase in cellular glucose uptake. Similarly, a human equivalent dose of DMK significantly reduced blood glucose level in normoglycemic and oral glucose tolerance rat model. DMK extract also inhibited formation of advanced glycation end product and showed anti-α-glucosidase activity. Further analysis of DMK in 3T3 L1 pre-adipocytes demonstrated anti-adipogenic activity through reduction in intracellular lipid accumulation and triglyceride contents along with downregulation of major adipogenic transcriptional factors (PPAR-γ and C/EBPα) and, adipocytes marker genes (LPL, AP2 and adiponectin). In conclusion, DMK exhibited anti-diabetic and anti-adipogenic activities by synergistic effect of its bioactive compounds and can be considered as a potent herbo-mineral formulation for treating metabolic diseases.

Colchicine was extracted from Gloriosa superba seeds using the Super Critical Fluid (CO2) Extraction (SCFE) technology. The seeds were purified upto 99.82% using column chromatography. Colchicine affinity was further investigated for anticancer activity in six human cancer cell lines, i.e., A549, MCF-7, MDA-MB231, PANC-1, HCT116, and SiHa. Purified colchicine showed the least cell cytotoxicity and antiproliferation and caused no G2/M arrest at clinically acceptable concentrations. Mitotic arrest was observed in only A549 and MDA-MB231 cell lines at 60 nM concentration. Our finding indicated the possible use of colchicine at a clinically acceptable dose and provided insight into the science behind microtubule destabilization. However, more studies need to be conducted beforethese findings could be established.

Synthesis of some novel 6-acetyl-2-aryl/furyl chromones [4(a-b)] by Friedal-Craft's acylation of 2-aryl/furyl chromones [3(a-b)] and 1-(2’-aryl/furyl chromon-6’-yl)-3-aryl or heteroarylprop-2-en-1-ones [5(a-f)] by Claisen-Schmidt condensation is being reported in this publication. The synthesized compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and PMR spectral data. The synthesized compounds have been evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Most of the compounds have been found moderately active when compared with the reference standard drugs.

This communication presents characterization and comparison of the physico-chemical properties of different varieties of Manahshila with the corresponding polymorphs of realgar. Three varieties of Manahshila have been described in Ayurveda, viz. Shyamangi, Kanavirak and Khandakhya; the last two are acceptable therapeutically. Khandakhya contains high percentage of arsenic than Kanavirak. In this study, both samples of Manahshila have been collected. Their physical and chemical properties have been correlated with the polymorphs of realgar. XRD study classifies Kanavirak as alacranite and Khandakhya as realgar. EDXA study confirms 51.33% and 68.14% of arsenic in alacranite and realgar samples respectively. This work correlates the ancient description of Manahshila with contemporary mineralogical classification (polymorphs) of mineral realgar.

Purpose: Cancer is one of the life threatening diseases spreading worldwide now a days. Oncogenes on one hand are well known to be activated by proto-oncogenes and are suppressed by tumor suppressor genes (TSG). There are different strategies for targeting to the regulation of tumor suppression gene. P53 is a most targeted gene that regulates the cell cycle and hence functions as tumor suppression to maintain the integrity of DNA. Method: In the present study p53 was used as a parameter to evaluate the efficacy of a new herbo-mineral compound LAS02 a cancero-static compound formulated by Lavanya Ayurveda Hospital and Research Centre Lucknow, in different type of malignancies such as breast cancer, bone marrow, hepatic, ovarian, head & neck carcinoma. The serum samples were taken from the cancer patients at Lavanya Ayurvedic hospital and was tested by solid phase sandwich enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). Result: The main p53 valves before treatment more found to be 4.76 U/ml however, after treatment with our new herbo-mineral drug, the mean values of post treated p53 values were found to be significantly raised to 35.94 U/ml, which signifies the efficacy of treatment of LAS02 in enhancing the expression of p53 gene in different types of cancers. Conclusion: p53 protein is a guard of DNA and helps in enhancing repair of the damage of DNA done by cancerous pathology.