Hygeia journal for drugs and medicines

1-3

Authors: Prof.Dr.MK.Unnikrishnan

There was a time when fairly descriptive accounts were considered good enough to evaluate people, situations and outcomes. But not anymore! The clamour for transparency, accountability and equal opportunity have increased the democratic burden in the dispensation of justice. In India,for instance, it has become essential to rank a candidate’s entrance examination scores down to the second or third decimal for allotting a medical seat. Such absurd demands for accuracy in day to day transactions brings to my mind a good friend of mine, back home in my village, who depended on agriculture for his livelihood. He used to sport a curious vintage HMT watch, (analog of course)with only the hour hand. For some reason, he had not bothered to replace the broken minute hand. When I asked him why, he said that minutes do not matter to a farmer. “We think in seasons... I do not even need a watch. A calendar is more than enough to work in the farm. “

6-11

Authors: Shini Dominic * and V. Padmaja

Plan: To verify the effect of Amlodipine on 3 β HSD gene expression in rat testis and its modification upon stopping the drug / co administration of Astercantha longifolia seed extract. Preface: Though a few data are available on the potential of Amlodipine to adversely affect and that of Astercantha longifolia seeds to potentiate the male reproductive parameters, no studies are available on the effect of these on gene expression. Methodology: Different groups of rat were treated orally with Amlodipine and Amlodipine plus Astercantha longifolia seed extract. After treatment the Amlodipine treated group was kept untreated for recovery. Finally total RNA from all groups were extracted and PCR for 3 β HSD gene was performed and products were analyzed by gel electrophoresis. Outcome: Amlodipine treated groups showed down regulation of 3 β HSD expression but the same could be reversed after the recovery period of about 67 days. In groups treated with Amlodipine and Astercantha longifolia seed extract, 3 β HSD expression was up regulated in a dose dependent manner. It may be concluded that as 3 β HSD is involved in the conversion of cholesterol to testosterone, the decrease / increase in testosterone level may be due to the down / up regulation of 3 β HSD expression .

20-24

Authors: Manjima Prabhakaran, Bincy Reejo, D. Suresh Kumar*

Plan: The present study was planned to investigate the antibacterial activity of ethyl acetate,ethanol and hexane extracts of the fruits of Careya arborea Roxb. Methodology: Agar diffusion assay was carried out using the extracts. Outcome: All the tested bacterial strains viz., Escherichia Coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis) were found to be sensitive to all the 3 concentrations of ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of fresh and dry fruit, in ascending order.

31-39

Authors: M.Nithya*V. , Ambikapathy and A.Panneerselvam.

Plan: In this study 10 strains of mushroom Ganoderma lucidum were collected from various places and decided to screen their phytotoxicity activity and phytochemical constitution. Preface: The popular mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) was a bracket fungus and has been widely used for the promotion of health and longevity in Asian countries. The Dried powder of G.lucidum was popular as a cancer chemotherapy agent in ancient China. G.lucidum clearly demonstrated anticancer activity in experiments with cancer cells and has possible therapeutic potential as a dietary supplement or alternative therapy for breast and prostate cancer. And also the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum (Polyporaceae) are a well known Chinese crude drugs identified as a phytotoxic agent. However, since G.lucidum was available from different sources, it is advisable to test its biological activity. Methodology: G.lucidum strains collected was isolated and identified with potato dextrose agar medium. Then The secondary metabolites were qualitatively studied through phytochemical analysis. Outcome: Significant root length inhibition was observed at 100 ppm and 200 ppm. Similarly seed germination was also significantly inhibited at the concentration 100 ppm and 200 ppm extracts. The mean data of root length inhibition by ethanol extract in 100 ppm was 0.393 and 0.208 in 200ppm. Likewise the mean data of seed germination inhibition by ethanol extract in 100 ppm was 15 and 0.208 in200ppm. Overall Results supported that Ganoderma lucidum clearly supported the wider medicinal uses and established its anticancer activity.

48-62

Authors: J.Jayapal , A.C.Tangavelou , and A.Panneerselvam

Plan: Muniandavar Sacred Groves from Vaduvakudi at Thiruvaiyaru Taluk, Thanjavur district of Tamil Naduwas selected for floristic exploration to know the plant diversity of the vegetation,the availability of rare and endangered floras, the ecological significance,regeneration status and the anthropogenic pressures, to document the religiousbeliefs and spirituality and the participation of locals on conservation. Outcome : In the present study, theflora of Muniandavar Sacred Groves comprises about 180 plant species belongingto 158 genera and 75 plant families, Key stone species available in the Sacredgroves includes Anacardium occidentale, Borassus flabellifer, Ficusbenghalensis that harbors a number of birds and other survival of many otherspecies. Muniandavar sacred grove is in good vegetation status and theconservationists should take necessary action to protect this grove fromplastic pollution. An environmental awareness programme is planned to conductfor the local people in order to safeguard this sacred grove from pollution.

74-80

Authors: A.Radha, Jessy Sebastian, Manjima Prabhakaran and D. Suresh Kumar*

Plan: Ayurveda makes use of many Kvatha or hot infusions. In olden days the physician provided a handwritten recipe of the Kvatha in question and patients prepared these medicines at home. However, this tradition ended with the advent of commercial manufacture of Ayurvedic medicines in Kerala since 1902.Considering the growing popularity of Ayurveda, an attempt was made tocompare the quality of seven brands of Maharasnadi Kvatha, a formulation that is widely recommended by physicians. Methodology: Seven brands of MaharasnadiKvatha available in the local market were procured. Their pH, total dissolved solids, sodium benzoate content, HPTLC profiles and microbial load were measured. Additionally, the presence of alkaloids, tannins, phenols, and sterols was detected qualitatively. Total tannins, alkaloids, phenols and sterols were estimated. Outcome: The colour of the seven brands,their pH, total dissolved solids, sodium benzoate content, HPTLC profiles,microbial load and content of compound classes showed wide variation. HPTLC fingerprinting can serve as a useful technique to assess the quality of Ayurvedic medicines. The number of bands and their area percentages can serve as quality indices. Such methods can be used for improving the quality of Ayurvedic medicines.

95-105

Authors: S. Lakshmi Devi * and Madhu.C.Divakar

Plan:The present study aims to facilitate an updated phytochemical and pharmacological activity study reports of various researchers pertaining to the plant Wrightia tinctoria. Preface:Wrightia tinctoria (Roxb.) R. Br (Apocynaceae) is widely distributed in the plains and slopes of Shevaroy hills of Yercaud Town, situated in Salem district, Tamilnadu. Wrightia tinctoria is extensively used in a number of traditional medicines. Outcome:Chemical constituents isolated from different parts ofthe plant W. tinctoria and their biological activities reported are summarized in this review.

111-121

Authors: Konstantinos M. Kasiotis

Plan:This study includes the characteristics and variation of non volatile constituents in propolis samples collected from different regions of the world. The review covers the research activities after 2010 on propolis constituents. Outcome: Propolis constitutes a complex resinous material collected by honeybees serving as a defense system for their hives. Apart from this evident natural use, propolis is marketed by the pharmaceutical industry due to its claimed beneficial effects on human health such as antioxidant,antibacterial, antiviral and anticancer activities. These properties are attributed to the chemical compounds that are found in propolis mainly phenolic compounds and terpenes. In this review article the analysis of non-volatile compounds of propolis performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with various detectors, will be presented. Future trends and further insights are quoted and commented.