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With its importance in and influence to our lives, well-being and survival, science has never been more vulnerable to prejudices and scandals as a platform of all sorts of academic misconducts. Lessons are taught by some of the biggest unethical conducts in the recent past which had prompted more stringent ethical guidelines and publication procedures. The case of Yoshitaka Fujii as a scientist with the most number of publications retracted is astonishing. The ability of Yoshihiro Sato to deceive the world leading journals and their referees is astonishing. These cases show that individual or few publications with fabricated data is impervious to detection, but when a series of such faked results is available, it cannot dodge the function of reviewing eventually. The story of Hwang Woo-Suk will forever remain a quintessential pitfall of scientific corruption. The way the purported creation of human stem cell deceived one of the leading journals in the world will be a scientific monument. What could more exemplify breaching ethical standards in human experimentation at the highest level than by He Jiankui’s creation of gene-edited babies? These are the chronicles in the science hall of shame.

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a family (Coronaviridae) of viruses that cause respiratory disorders in birds and mammals. They were originally discovered as infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) of chickens in the early 20th century. A group of related viruses subsequently discovered from mice and humans led to the collective naming as coronaviruses, as they were all characterized by a solar corona-like ring on their surface, called the spikes. The first known human CoVs were among viruses that cause common cold and considered as modest threats to human health. But the emergence of zoonotic CoVs such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) during every recent past decade resulted in pandemics with loss of human lives. With no vaccine to prevent, and no drug to treat the infections, the miniscule viruses evolve into behemoths of plagues. SARS-CoV-2 with its infection, COVID-19, is particularly rampant and malicious and is bound to cause colossal impacts not only on human health but also on global economy. Understanding of their evolutionary strategies and pathogenic adaptions had given us fair warnings. Yet, the world was ill-prepared. This article highlights the scientific messages that could have mitigated the COVID-19 pandemic, the evolutionary mechanisms in SARS-CoV-2 and related CoVs that bely drug and vaccine development, and above all, the possible epidemics in the future.

Callicarpa arborea and Hemigraphis alternata are two medicinal plants claimed to have antimicrobial property in Indian traditional medicine. The methanol extracts of the stem bark of C. arborea and the leaves of H. alternata were prepared and tested for antibacterial activity using disk diffusion method. Four Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella typhimurium; and two Gram-positive bacteria such as Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus subtilis were used. C. arborea extract was effective against all the bacteria tested, while H. alternata did not show any inhibitory activity. These findings suggest that C. arborea is a good source of antibacterial compound.

The advancement of medicine owes in large measure to a German engineer Ernst Ruska, whose invention of transmission electron microscope in 1931 won him the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physics, when it comes to infectious diseases. Encouraged by his physician brother Helmut Ruska to use the prototype instrument for the study of viruses, the course of virology was shifted to a different and unprecedented level. Virus could then be seen, identified and imaged. The University of Maryland happened to acquire an American model of transmission EM, the RCA EMU, using which the first structural study was done for the first known coronavirus (then was simply known as infectious bronchitis virus) in 1948. The virus was described as rounded bodies with filamentous projections. The magnification was not great and the resolution was poor. The study was followed by a series of studies using improved techniques and better EM spanning the next decade. An upgraded version RCA-EMU2A gave better images in 1957 and the virus was described as doughnut-like structure. Using Siemens Elmiskop, D.M. Berry and collaborators made the first high-resolution pictures in 1964. The thick envelope which gave doughnut-like appearance and filamentous projections reported before could be discerned as discrete pear-shaped projections called the spikes. These spikes form a corona-like halo around the virus, which were also seen in novel human viruses (B814 and 229E) that caused common colds. The discoverer of B814, David Tyrrell and his aid June Almeida, a magnificent electron microscopist, established that IBV, B814 and 229E were of the same kind of virus in 1967, which prompted to create the name coronavirus in 1968. This article further highlights the detail structural organisation of coronaviruses emanating from these pioneering research.

Ilex khasiana is a rare and endangered medicinal plant endemic to northeast India. Remaining largely unexplored,it is purported to have a range of medicinal values and may soon join the medicinal plant hall of fame.Extracts of the leaves were prepared using solvents of increasing polarity, namelypetroleum ether (IKP), chloroform (IKC) and methanol (IKM).The preliminary phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, phytosterols, triterpenoids, saponins, reducing sugars, glycosides and carbohydrates. Free radical-scavenging activity was assessed using2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH). IKC exhibited the highest activity with an IC50 of 17.22 ± 1.87, followed by IKM with an IC50 of 26.93 ± 5.14 and IKP with an IC50 of 37.16 ± 5.11. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)was used as the standard DPPH scavenger and showed an IC50 of 8.31 ±0.72. IKM and IKC also showed positive antibacterial activity againstGram-negative bacteria such asEscherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, andKlebsiella pneumoniae, and a Gram-positive bacteriaBacillus subtilis. IKP did not indicate any inhibition against the selected bacteria. Our findings substantiate the basis for further investigations on the medicinal potentials of the plant.

Spilanthes acmella Murr., popularised as toothache plant, is a well-known culinary and medicinal plant for different purposes, but its use as an anthelmintic is apparently exclusive to the Mizo people of India and Myanmar. A chloroform extract of Spilanthes acmella Murr. was analysed in a single quadrupole GC-MS system, from which it was found that the major compound was an alkylamide, N-isobutyl-(2E,4Z,8Z,10E)-dodecatetraenamide. A comparative study was performed on the anthelmintic activity of the plant extract and praziquantel (PZQ) against an intestinal cestode, Raillietina echinobothrida. In terms of efficacy, PZQ was more potent, but the plant extract was also effective at all concentrations tested. PZQ caused severe shrinkage and folds of the tegument, constriction of the suckers, dislocation of spines and erosion of microtriches. The plant extract caused shrinkage and folds on the main body but not on the scolex. Damage on the suckers is more pronounced than in PZQ-treated cestodes. The spines were completely removed. The current findings indicate that S. acmella is a good source of compounds with anthelmintic activity.

Alexander Fleming, a Scottish physician at the St. Mary’s Hospital, London, made two epoch-making discoveries, lysozyme and penicillin. But contrary to popular fables, the events were not that serendipitous. He was already an established microbiologist and it took him dogged labours to vindicate his discoveries. He simply had the right mind. Penicillin was especially a hard nut to crack upon which he toiled for half a year with his associates just enough to make a convincing conclusion on the antibacterial property. He in fact utterly failed in understanding what it actually was. As he himself unpretentiously stated: “I did not invent penicillin. Nature did that. I only discovered it by accident.” But that did not debar him for sharing the 1945 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Howard Florey and Ernst Boris Chain, who isolated the compound and worked out the medicinal applications. Strangely, Fleming’s biography has been presented in bits and pieces on the crucial elements of his discoveries, and usually contradictory. This chronicle is trying to mend the gaps and broken pieces in the historical records.

Ilex khasiana Purk. is an evergreen tree of Aquifoliaceae family reportedly endemic to Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, India; but it is also seen in a localised area of Aizawl, Mizoram, India. There is a vast history about the genus Ilex with reference to their medicinal uses in different traditional practices such as, in the treatment of coronary heart diseases, hypertension, hyperlipemia and hepatitis. Interestingly, I. khasiana is relatively unknown and yet it is known to possess multiple medicinal characteristics. The antioxidant potential studies were conducted on leaf extract specimens from Mizoram, using petroleum ether (IKP), chloroform (IKC) and methanol (IKM). IKM had the highest total antioxidant activity with 76.42 ascorbic acid equivalent (AE) mg/g, followed by IKP with 44.27 AE mg/g, and then by IKC with 17.08 AE mg/g respectively. The reducing power assay showed a concentration-dependent activity against potassium ferricyanide. The total phenolic content was found to be 3.46 gallic acid equivalent (GAE) mg/g for IKM and 1.450 GAE mg/g for IKC respectively. The total flavonoid content was 41.9 quercetin equivalent (QE) mg/g for IKC and 30.8 QE mg/g for IKM. IKP did not show any activity in phenolic and total flavonoid assays.

The toothache plant, Spilanthes acmella (L.) Murray, is an important culinary and medicinal plant. Here, we study its probable properties as a protective agent for DNA damage and cell proliferation, the two molecular events in oncogenesis. Plant extract was prepared by hot extraction using methanol as solvent. Various chemical tests were performed to collectively understand its free radical-scavenging activity, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, nitric oxide, potassium ferricyanide, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide assays. Free radicals used or produced in these assays represent those that cause DNA damages in cells. The plant extract showed free radical-scavenging activity in all the tests and was as effective as standard drugs. Cancer cell lines such as Dalton’s lymphoma ascites (DLA) and Chinese hamster lung carcinoma (V79) cells were used for anticancer assays. The plant extract showed anticancer activity only on lymphoma cells; but there was no discernible inhibition on carcinoma. The study shows that S. acmella is a promising source of therapeutic agent in the prevention of cancer development and DNA damage.

Cogon grass, Imperata cylindrica (L.) Räuschel, was studied for its flavonoid and phenol contents. A series of extracts of the underground (rhizome-root) parts was prepared by hot extraction using solvents of different polarities such as chloroform, methanol, and petroleum ether. The total flavonoid content of the plant extracts was determined based on the reaction with aluminum chloride, sodium nitrite, and sodium hydroxide. Quercetin was used as a standard reference. Chloroform extract showed highest content of flavonoids with 30.88 mg QE/g dry wt., followed by petroleum ether extract which was 22.05 mg mg QE/g dry wt., and methanol extract has the least value with 7.35 mg QE/g dry wt. The total phenolic content of the plant was estimated based on the reaction of Folin-Ciocalteu reagent using gallic acid as the standard reference. Again, the chloroform extract had the highest content with 7.54 mg GAE/g dry wt., while methanol extract contained 5.03 mg GAE/g dry wt., and petroleum ether extract contained 3.63 mg mg GAE/g dry wt. Our study shows that I. cylindrica is a good source of antioxidants.

Cogon grass Imperata cylindrica is a perennial grass belonging to the family Poaceae, and the rhizome-root portion of which is used for the treatment of bacterial infections, ringworms and other skin infections. Among the Mizo people they are directly consumed or juiced for the treatment of intestinal infection. Its chemical and biological properties are poorly documented. In this study, a methanol extract of the rhizome-root was prepared by hot extraction in a Soxhlet apparatus. Standard chemical tests were conducted. The presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates including reducing sugars, phytosterols, tannins, saponins and proteins were confirmed as the major bio-compounds. Free radical-scavenging activities were also determined. The plant extract indicated concentration-dependent scavenging activity on DPPH with an inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 2.14 µg/ml. H2O2 was similarly scavenged, in which the IC50 was 2.221 µg/ml. Our results suggest that I. cylindrica has important medicinal values.

Scrub typhus is one the most important re-emerging infectious disease, and perhaps, the most important bacterial disease. Caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, it is transmitted through the bite of mites belonging to the genus Leptotrombidium, in which the bacteria are obligate parasites. Though the mites are natural ectoparasites of rodents and other animals, in which there is no disease, opportunistic infection to humans gives rise to a serious disease. Known to Japanese physicians as tsutsugamushi (insect disease), human infection is caused by the larvae of trombiculid mites, the fact established by Mataro Nagayo and co-workers established in 1917. The pathogen was discovered by Naosuke Hayashi in 1920. In Mizoram, the disease has been rampant since 2011. This paper summarises available data on the prevalence of the infection in different districts base on collective information from various sources. Records between 2012 and 2018 show that over a thousand people had been infected and 35 people had died of the disease.

Jawaharlal Nehru was most instrumental in instilling scientific temper at the birth of modern India. In contrast, as Bharatiya Janata Party came into power in 2014, their top-down governance is explicitly trying to promote Vedic science. The Prime Minister boasted off of genetics in Mahabharata, and plastic surgery in the Vedas. The origin of Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle form the Vedas is the pride of the Home Minister. The Minister of Science and Technology contended that the Vedas contain better theory than E = mc2. There is increased veneration of cattle. A large-scale promotion of bovine urine and dung as medicine, called cowpathy or, as they embrace it, panchagavya is on the rise. To that effect, gold was discovered in the urine of Gir cows, but really to no effect. Their cows breathe in and out oxygen, and peafowl are confirmed celibates. The Minister of State for Human Resources Development ridiculed evolutionary biology proclaiming that Darwin’s theory is scientifically flawed. We, the people of India, deserve better wisdom. As Nehru would have put it, “a baseless dogma or a hopeless aspiration” of this sort will never elate India, or any nation for that matter, to scientific progression, not to say economic and social developments.

Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the order Rickettsiales such as Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neorickettsia, Rickettsia, and Orientia are the causative agents of infectious diseases collectively known as rickettsioses. Of the different rickettsial diseases, spotted fever and scrub typhus have ravaged India for the past couple of centuries. Specifically called the Indian tick typhus, spotted fever was discovered in India in the latter half of the 19th century. After several decades of dormancy, the disease re-emerged in several parts of India. Scrub typhus, originally discovered in Japan, has been recognised to be endemic to a so-called Tsutsugamushi Triangle, extending from Russian Far East and Korea in the north to northern Australia in the south and Afghanistan in the west, but the geographical description has now been breached. Not only in India, scrub typhus has emerged as the leading infectious disease in all endemic areas. Almost all Indian states have records of recurrent outbreaks. Infection can be of dire consequences, as multi-organ dysfunction and neurological disorder (meningocephalitis) are the common complications. This article discusses the historical background and scientific reports of rickettsioses in India.

Three flukes, Schistosoma haematobium (urinary blood fluke), Clonorchis sinensis (Chinese liver fluke), and Opisthorchis viverrini (Southeast Asian liver fluke) are, by official decree, Group 1 (fully proven) human carcinogens. Thus, they comprise a group of preventable carcinogens. But considering the situation of prevailing infection, from the lifestyle and food habits of people in the endemic regions, it is unlikely that they are eradicated in the near future. S. haematobium is transmitted by snails and infection is acquired from snail-infested water. C. sinensis and O. viverrini are both transmitted from eating fish. As medically important flukes, it is crucial to understand their biology, and this is an attempt to explain that in the light of the history of their discovery. Further, this is written with a hope that several facts, often erroneously presented in scientific literature, about these flukes are rectified.

Cancer is multifaceted and multifarious disease. The diversity of cancer is complicated by so many types of carcinogens. Remarkably, helminth parasites are among the first well-established cancer agents. It started with the celebrated discovery of a roundworm Gongylonema neoplasticum (more famously, but wrongly, as Spiroptera carcinoma) by Johannes Fibiger, only to show that Nobel Prize selection can be a fallible operation. After almost a century of scepticism, it is now conceded that helminths, other than G. neoplasticum, are truly carcinogenic. For the first time in history, the International Agency for Research on Cancer finally proclaimed in 2009 that three flukes, Schistosoma haematobium (urinary blood fluke), Clonorchis sinensis (Chinese liver fluke), and Opisthorchis viverrini (Southeast Asian liver fluke) are Group 1, i.e. fully proven, carcinogens. The first is the leading cause of bladder cancer, while the latter two are of that of the bile duct (cholangiocarcinoma). This is the story of how they came to be.

Cancer is a disease of antiquity. The Ancient Greeks were familiar with onkos (from which we have the term oncology)—tumour of all sorts. Hippocrates coined karkinos and karkinoma, our source of the words cancer and carcinoma. Of a plethora of carcinogens, parasitic worms (helminths) constitute a considerable health concern. Three trematodes, Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini, and Schistosoma haematobium are now officially classified carcinogens. But the discovery of helminths as cancer-causing agents took wrong turns and marks an inglorious chapter in the history of science. The carcinogenicity of worms, vindicating Rudolf Virchow’s reiztheorie (irritation theory) of cancer origin, was glorified in the scientific forefront by Johannes Fibiger in the 1910s. Discovery of a new nematode, which he proudly named Spiroptera carcinoma, and his subsequent demonstration that the parasite could induce stomach cancer in rats, earned Fibiger a retrospective Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1926, and a lasting fame. But not in an appealing way. His achievement did not withstand the test of time. S. carcinoma was annulled as an invalid taxon in zoology—supplanted by Gongylonema neoplasticum—and eventually was branded as a non-carcinogenic agent.

With little known pharmacological potentials, Imperata cylindrica is infamous as an invasive grass. But to the Mizo people, the rhizome-root part is a convenient and potent remedy for intestinal helminthiasis. It is an acclaimed effective deworming agent against both tapeworm and roundworm infections, which makes it more interesting for the fact that antiparasitic drugs are usually active against a particular group of helminthic worms. GC-MS analysis of the chloroform extract indicated the presence of 13 volatile compounds, among which trans-13-Octadecenoic acid was by far, at relative abundance of 98.4%, the most abundant. There were 17 compounds in the petroleum ether extract with n-hexadecanoic acid at relative abundance of 99.7% is the major compound. Biologically active compounds such as 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, 6-methylenebicyclo [3.2.0] hept-3-en-2-one, campesterol, and stigmasterol were detected. An in vitro test showed that both the extracts were effective against the tapeworm Raillietina echinobothrida but only the chloroform at the highest concentration (20 mg/ml) was effective on the roundworm Ascaridia galli. These data imply that the plant extracts are a potential source of antiparasitic compounds.

Introduction Acacia pennata (L.) Willd. is a well-known shrub in the south and southeast Asian regions, where the natives use it for a wide range of purposes from medicines to culinary cuisines. Among the Mizo tribes of India the plant is used in the treatment of gastrointestinal infections. Methods To validate this traditional practice, a defined set of poultry tapeworm, Raillietina echinobothrida , was treated with varying concentration viz . 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 mg/mL, of the methanol extract of the root bark. Similar treatment was concurrently performed for a broad-spectrum drug albendazole, in corresponding concentrations. Results Assessment of the survival indicated that the plant extract caused concentration-dependent effects comparable to that of albendazole, with significant mortality ( P t- test) of the test worms at all concentrations tested in comparison with those of the control group. Morphological observations using scanning electron microscope revealed that the tapeworms in the 20 mg/mL plant extract treatment group exhibited profound structural damages. The scolex became massively shrunken, with the special attachment organs reduced to crooked appendages. Overall deformation of the tegument was apparent throughout the body surface. All the body segments shrivelled up, deflated and wrinkled into fluffy folds. The fine hairy microtriches completely disappeared, and replaced by an irregular mass of conglomerate tissues. Conclusion The study shows that A. pennata has an anthelmintic property that requires further investigations as to the nature and mode of action of the active compounds.

Millettia taiwaniana Hayata (family Fabaceae) is a medicinal plant used for deworming intestinal helminth infection in the Mizo traditional medicine. The methanol extract of the root bark reportedly contains rotenoids such as cis-12a-hydroxyretenone, rot-2′-enonic acid, cis-12a-hydroxyrot-2′-enonic and rotenone, which are established as the major bioactive compounds. The plant extract was tested in vitro to evaluate its anthelmintic activity against an intestinal tapeworm, Taenia tetragona. Electron microscopy revealed massive destruction on the body surface (tegument). The tegument is extensively eroded throughout the scolex and proglottids. The important sensory and absorptive organs called microtriches present on the tegument were completely lost. Attachment organs known as suckers completely collapsed and the spines were entirely removed. The proglottids were wrinkled and formed numerous blebs all over the tegument. These findings show that the plant extract exhibits anthelmintic activities on intestinal helminth parasites.

Acmella oleracea (family Asteraceae) is known for its diverse applications such as food supplement, vegetable, antioxidant, antineoplastic, antimicrobial, ornamental plant and pig fodder. We prepared an aqueous extract from which the presence of alkaloids, tannins and saponins were detected. These chemical groups have been known for their wide-ranging therapeutic properties. The antibacterial activity was tested on Gram-negative bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, and a Gram-positive species Bacillus subtilis. The plant extract showed no activity compared to that of the standard antibiotic tetracycline. Cytotoxic activity was also studied on cancer cell lines. We found an inverse relationship between treatment concentration and percent inhibition for HeLa (ATCC® CCL-2™) and V79 (ATCC® CCL-93™), however, the plant extract showed negligible effect on Dalton's lymphoma ascites even at the highest concentration tested. The lower degree of inhibitions observed at higher concentrations for HeLa and V79 suggests that the plant extract might confer proliferative effect rather than antimitogenic effects on the cancer cells. The results indicate that A. oleracea has unique medicinal properties, which in turn provide the rationale for further investigations.

Albendazole, a member of benzimidazole group of compounds, has been shown to have a broad spectrum activity against all classes of helminth parasites. Although it has also been experimentally proven to be effective against cestode infection of poultry, the actual effects of the drug are not yet described. The present in vitro study demonstrated that the commercial prescription drug Zentel® was significantly effective against adult Raillietina echinobothrida Megnin, the major cestode parasite of domestic chicken, Gallus domesticus Linnaeus. It clearly exhibited dose-dependent lethal activity at the different concentrations that were tested. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the drug caused extensive structural alterations on the body surface of the cestode. Severe contraction and shrinkage were evident throughout the entire length of the body. The suckers on the scolex became invaginated due to shrinkage. The distinct body segments, the proglottides, were completely distorted. The fine hairy microtriches on the tegument were obliterated and in its place were formed abnormal clumps of tissues. The results of this investigation are in favor of the use of albendazole as a drug of choice in the management of poultry helminthiasis.

The anthelmintic activity of the ethanol extract of Acacia oxyphylla Graham ex Bentham (Mimosaceae) stem bark was tested against Ascaridia galli Schrank (Nematoda), the intestinal roundworm of domestic fowl. Different concentrations of the extract (0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 mg/mL) were prepared in 0.9% phosphate buffered saline (PBS) with 1% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). In vitro treatment of the adult roundworms indicated concentration-dependent efficacy of the plant extract. Similar concentrations of a broad-spectrum antiparasitic drug, albendazole, were used as a standard reference. Control experiments consisted of nematodes maintained in 0.9% PBS with 1% DMSO. Albendazole was significantly effective (P < 0.05) at all concentrations tested in causing mortality of A. galli. However, the plant extract showed concentration-dependent efficacy only at the concentrations of 2, 5, 10, and 20 mg/mL. In order to ascertain the anthelmintic effect, scanning electron microscopy was performed, which indicated devastating...

Acmella oleracea has been widely used in various traditional medicines for the treatment of different diseases ranging from infection, helminthiasis, peptic ulcer to dental abscess. In this experiment, we analysed the antioxidant property of the methanol extract of A. oleracea by hydroxyl radical-scavenging assay and hydrogen peroxide-scavenging assay. In both the scavenging assays, the plant extract showed free radical scavenging activities in a concentration-dependent manner. The cytotoxic property was also determined by MTT assay, which indicated a potential cytotoxic effect on cancer cell lines such as HeLa (ATCC® CCL-2TM) and V79 (ATCC® CCL-93TM) cells. Higher cytotoxicity was noticed on V79 with an IC50 of 54.341 μg/ml. The plant extract was only moderately toxic on HeLa. The results indicated that the plant contains important bioactive compounds having pharmacological properties.

One of the most widely used medicinal plants among the Mizo people of India is Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen (family Asteraceae). In addition to its medicinal properties, it is regularly used as vegetable. Its traditional applications include the treatments of anaemia, body ache, cancer, gastric ulcer and infections, gingivitis, gout, inflammations, laceration, malaria, stammering, and intestinal helminthiasis. In this study, different extracts of the whole plants were prepared using hexane, chloroform and methanol. The methanol extract indicated the presence of highest number of bioactive compounds, such as carbohydrates, phytosterols, flavonoids, and tannins. 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to determine the antioxidant activity. The plant extract exhibited similar concentration-dependent scavenging activity of the free radicalas that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The total antioxidant activity was estimated against ascorbic acid, and it showed higher value than BHT. Antibacterial activity was studied using the methanol extract and tetracycline as a standard reference. Corresponding to that of the antibiotic, 10 and 20 mg/ml of the plant extract were treated with two Gram-negative bacteria P. aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, and two Gram-positivebacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. However, the plant extract showed no antibacterial activity on these species. Nonetheless, the study provides important information on the basic pharmacological properties of the plant.