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Artemisia roxburghiana is used for the management of diabetes mellitus in the Indian subcontinent. The present work aimed to validate the traditional claim of the plant in diabetes mellitus. In vitro studies were conducted using α-glucosidase and α-amylase assays whereas streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic Wistar rats were used for in vivo study. The aqueous-ethanol extract from the aerial parts was found to exhibit α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities with the IC50 values of 31.0 and 17.2 mg/mL, respectively when compared with acarbose (IC50 = 8.6 and 16.25 mg/mL, respectively). The extract showed a significant glucose-lowering effect in diabetic rats at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg in a dose-dependent manner, while acarbose (10 mg/kg) was used as a standard. The results revealed that A. roxburghiana aerial parts showed antidiabetic activity via inhibiting α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes. The present study also validated the ethnomedicinal claim of the plant in diabetes mellitus.

An efficient in vitro propagation protocol for Habenaria edgeworthii Hook. f. ex. Collett using seed-derived callus was established. The maximum seed germination was observed in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.0 μM α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Induction of callus was achieved on full and ½-strength MS medium supplemented with 1.0 μM NAA. The highest number of shoot (11.9 shoots/explant) was achieved in MS medium supplemented with 0.1 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.01 μM NAA. Further, elongated shoots when transferred to ½-strength MS rooting medium with different auxin concentrations induced roots (41.6–83.3%) and tubers (0–20.8%); however, a maximum of 87.5% rooting was achieved in a plant growth regulator (PGR)-free MS medium. Rooted shoots (plantlets) when transferred to a mixture of soil:sand:perlite (1:1:1 ratio) resulted in 68% survival. Inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers confirmed the genetic stability among regenerated plants. The phytochemical analysis of tissue culture-raised tubers showed higher phenolic content than wild tuber. The regeneration protocol developed in this study provides a basis for germplasm conservation and harnessing the total phenol and phenolic compounds of H. edgeworthii. Further, the methods can open avenues for application in other Orchidaceous plants of the Indian Himalayan region.

The essential oil content in inflorescence of Lavender (Lavander angustifolia Mill.) cultivated in the hills of Uttarakhand was found to be 0.55% on dry weight basis. Thirty four constituents, representing 92.22% of the oil, were identified by GC-MS. The major constituents of the oil were linalyal acetate (39.10%), linalool (28.7%), lavandulyl acetate α-terpineol (4.35%) and Trans-caryophyllene (2.76%). The quality of lavender oil produced in Garhwal Himalyan region of India was found to compete with standard quality of oil from other parts of the globe. Hence, lavender oil produced in Kalsi, Uttarakhand region of India has international quality standards.

Volatiles of rose water were analyzed by GC-MS. 2- phenyl ethyl alcohol as a major component, which from 77.3589.37%, followed by α-citronellol (0.95–5.71%) along with other minor constituents like geranial (0.07–2.49%), eicosane (0.08–0.20), heneicosane (0.08–1.07%), tricosane (0.01- 0.09%), and tetracosane (0.04–0.31%). The components of rose water varied qualitative and quantitatively among the locations. It was therefore, concluded that the climatic conditions of Uttarakhand hills are suitable for quality productions of the rose water, particularly Joshimath region which was found to be an elite source among the investigated samples.

Valeriana wallichii (Valerianaceae) is an indigenous medicinal and aromatic plant of Himalayan region and that is widely exploited for its roots and rhizomes which contain valepotriates and valerinic acids (with putative pharmacological activities). It is used as ethno medicine for the treatment of habitual constipation, insomnia, epilepsy, neurosis, anxiety, diuretic, hepatoprotective, analgesic and cytotoxic, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, nematicidal, anti inflammatory, etc. Several phytoconstituent have been isolated from different parts of the plant belonging to the category volatile oils, iridoids, alkaloids and flavonoids. A review of biological activities of Valeriana wallichii is discussed in this article.

Nardostachys jatamansi has been emerged a major player in herbal supplements and medicines both in daily selfcare and in professionally managed health care system. The principal constituents of N. jatamansi are jatamansone, sesquiterpenoid, spirojatamol, patchouli alcohol, jatamol A and B, jatamansic acid, nardostachone, nardol and resin. All the parts of N. jatamansi are used as antiseptic, anticonvulsant, antispasmodic, antibacterial, antipyretic, antifungal, antidote, antiemetic, analgesic, anxiety and locally as “dhoop”. Despite the huge medicinal properties, religious importance and critically endangered status, N. jatamansi could not receive much attention regarding conservation and sustainable utilization, and limited studies have been done so far on development of propagation and regeneration protocols. As the survival of N. jatamansi species is in risk, the present article highlights the major causes of threats and conservation measures developed so far.

Biochemical investigations have revealed the presence of Picroside I & II as important bioactive components of Picrorhiza kurroa. A simple, high precision RP – HPLC method with photodiode array detection has been developed for validation and simultaneous determination of Picroside I, and II in Picrorhiza kurroa. Picroside I, and II vary in different samples collected from varying sites: Picroside I ranging between 2.74 – 4.91% and Picroside II between 3.12 – 5.39%. Lohagang pass site has been the most promising source for Picroside I, and II.

Natural products from plants are rich source of chemical diversity and most of the pharmacologically active principles, currently used as drugs, including anticancer agents. Chemical composition, antimicrobial activities of the essential oils from leaves of Hyptis suaveolens Poit vary considerably among the locations. Among samples drawn from various locations, Ranipokhari sample possessed, sabinene (34.80%) and 1,8 cineol (16.19%), as major components. Mohand samples also have sabinene 1,8 cineol as major components but the quantum was less as compared to Ranipokhari. The oil obtained from Raniphokari samples was also having greater activity to inhabit bacteria and fungi as compared to Mohand. While DL-limonene was present in Ranipokhari samples, Mohand samples were devoid of the same. The results of the present study suggested location specific variations in potential of the oil constituents.

Among the Himalayan edible plants, Spondias pinnata Linn. (Local Name: Amara) grows naturally and sparsely distributed in the forest between 500 to 1500 m altitude. It has been identified recently a high priority bioresource with outstanding economic and ecological value. Therefore, the study have been undertaken to assess the nutritive and mineral potential of ripe fruits of S. pinnata and their comparison with other wild as well as horticulture fruits. The fruit of S. pinnata possess food energy 189–203 kcal/g, crude fat 12.23–12.54%, crude fiber 3.13–4.03%, total carbohydrate 23.54–16.30%, sodium 1.38–0.96%, calcium 0.93- 0.15%, iron 1.5–1.3%, and copper 0.9–1.23 0%, respectively. Results of the present study indicated that the nutritive and mineral potentials of S. pinnata is higher as compared to other wild edibles of the region and comparable with commercially available horticulture fruits.