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Background: Shankhpushpi is a well-known Ayurvedic memory enhancing medicine associated with controversy. Among the various varieties, Convolvulus pleuricaulis and Clitorea ternatia are widely used in commercial memory enhancing formulations under the name of Shankhpushpi. Convolvulus pleuricaulis is recognized as true shankhpushpi in North side of India, however in southern part of India, Clitorea ternatia is accepted as Shankhpushpi. Objectives: The present study aims to compare neuroprotective efficacy of C. pleuricaulis and C. ternatea by in vitro, in vivo methods and establish scientifically validated data to choose appropriate shankhpushpi variety for commercial use. Materials and Methods: Both herbs were extracted in the Soxhlet apparatus with 70% ethanol for 5 - 6 hours at 60 - 65° C. The presence of neuroprotective principles - taraxerol and scopoletin in extracts was confirmed by the Thin Layer Chromatography. The preliminary screening for neuroprotective efficacy of extracts was done by in vitro free radical scavenging, Acetyl cholinesterase enzyme inhibition and LOX enzyme level estimation. Invivo study of extracts included behavioral assessment of adult rats by Y maze, Morris water maze using scopolamine induced Alzheimer's disease like model. Result: Extracts of both C. pleuricaulis and C. ternatea significantly scavenged free radicals, inhibited acetyl cholinesterase and LOX enzyme in vitro. But in in-vivo study, significant retention of spatial and working memory was observed in rats administered with C. pleuricaulis as compared to C. ternatea. Conclusion: C. pleuricaulis more significantly shields against memory loss and dementia by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and memory impairment. Hence should be used in commericial neuroprotective formulation as chief source of Shankhpushpi instead of C. ternatea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are about 150 species of Ocimum in the world and out of that 68 species are found in India. Comparative pharmacognostic study of these Ocimum species is unspecified. Growing demand of Ocimum plants demands quality standards for correct identification of desired Ocimum species. Objectives: Hence aim of present study is to establish comparative pharmacognostical, phytochemical and biological standards for most commonly found and morphologically confusing five species of Ocimum. Methods: Macroscopic, microscopic, preliminary phytochemical evaluations, extraction of essential oils, TLC analysis, in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial potency of selected five species carried out and compared. Results: This comparative study reports that O. sanctum should be preferred in medicine use among selected five species based on phytochemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial potency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blepharis repens (Vahl) Roth of Acanthaceae family, commonly known as Hadsan in Marathi and Haridachchu in Kannada, is threatened species due to exploitation from natural habitat. Objectives: The objective of present study is to establish scientifically well evaluated pharmacognostic and biological efficacy parameters. Methods: Microscopical parameters of leaf, root and stem are evaluated. Powder microscopy, physicochemical analysis, elemental analysis, fluorescence analysis, preliminary phytochemical screening and estimation of major phytoconstituents of whole herb powder are carried out. In vitro biological evaluation of Blepharisrepens carried out for antioxidant potential by DPPH method, in vitro anticancer activity by SRB assay and antimicrobial efficacy by both agar well diffusion and bioautography methods. Results: Morphologically, roots are cylindrical and elongated, leaf has symmetric base, entire margin, acute apex while stem is cylindrical, elongated. Microscopic evaluation reveals that both leaf and stem are covered with trichomes. Leaf has unicellular uniseriate trichomes while stem has multi-cellular uniseriate covering trichomes. Physicochemical evaluation revealed that total ash, acid insoluble ash and water-soluble ash values 13.85 7.7 and 3.1% respectively. Petroleum ether, alcohol and water extractive values found 0.84%, 1.64%, and 3.52% respectively. Loss on drying value is found 3.43%. Element analysis of whole herb confirms presence of nitrogen, sulphate and carbonate. Fluorescence tests are performed by treatment with different acids and alkalis and exposure to ultraviolet light. Phytochemical screening shows presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids and saponins. Estimation of phytochemicals like carbohydrate, alkaloid, tannin and flavonoid found 5.78%, 1.43%, 5.7% and 1.48% respectively. Biological evaluation reveals that plant has significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activity while plant is devoid of in-vitro anticancer activity against human leukemia cell line HL-60. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since from past many years plant, Argyreia nervosa, is used in various formulations for its different pharmacological actions, may be as main ingredient or part of combination. Aim of present study is to establish detail pharmacognostical, phytochemical standards and evaluate folk claim of antifungal potency scientifically for most commonly used leaf part of plant Argyreia nervosa. Leaves of Argyreia nervosa are evaluated for macroscopic, microscopic, preliminary phytochemical evaluations, optimisation of extraction solvent and method, fractionation, TLC analysis and in vitro anti-fungal potency by disc diffusion and bioautography methods. Fractions of ethanolic extract evaluated for antifungal potency against seven different fungal strains. Argyreia nervosa leaves ethanolic extract and its fractions have strong antifungal activity which is due to the presence of flavonoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new simple, rapid, selective and precise high performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method has been developed for simultaneous estimation of vasicine, glycyrrhizin, eugenol, and cineole in herbal cough syrup. The retention factors of vasicine, glycyrrhizin, eugenol, and cineole are 0.53, 0.44, 0.75, and 0.77, respectively. Chromatography was performed on 60F254 percolated TLC plate using n-hexane : ethyl acetate : glacial acetic acid (8.5 : 1.0 : 0.5 v/v/v). Methods are validated according to ICH guidelines and can be adopted for the routine analysis of vasicine, glycyrrhizin, eugenol and cineole in herbal cough syrup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present communication deals with the identification and characterization of bioactive principles from the roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum. Method: Methanolic extract and its fractions were used to isolate different phytoconstituents. The structures of isolated compounds were characterized and elucidated with chemical and spectroscopic techniques such as Infra Red, Nuclear Mass Resonace and Mass spectroscopy experiments. Fatty acids were characterized by GC-MS analysis. Result: Three Fatty acids were isolated and confirmed. One sterol stigmasterol was isolated. One new saponin named as Chlorophytoside-I (3β, 5α, 22R, 25R)-26-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-hydroxy-furostan-12-one-3 yl O-β-D-galactopyranosyl (1-4) glucopyranoside was isolated. Conclusion: The roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum contain three important fatty acids, common sterol stigmasterol and one furostanol saponins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses the antifungal potential of cinnamaldehyde containing silver nanoparticles (AgNps) against Candida albicans.