Six olive cultivars (Butko, Gorvela, Kara Sati, Kizil Sati, Kizil Butko and Otur) were investigated for the first time in terms of total phenolic content, oil percentage, fatty acid composition and antioxidant activity. Analysis was performed on the flesh part of the raw black olive fruits. The total phenolic content was estimated with the Folin-Ciocalteu assay and antioxidant activity with β-carotene linoleate model system. The fatty acid analysis was performed by gas chromatography. There were statistically important differences among olive cultivars in terms of all searched parameters. The fatty acid results showed that all cultivars characterized by high level of oleic acid (63.49-77.18%). The antioxidant activity and total phenolic content was the highest in cv. Kara Sati as 73.88% and 53.46 βg GAE/mg dry weight basis. The antioxidant activity was correlated with the amount of phenolics found in samples.

Hippophae rhamnoides L. is a member of the Elaeagnaceae family, different parts of it, especially juice and oil of the fruits, have been used for the treatment of several diseases in traditional medicine in various countries. In the present study we investigated the possible antiradical and antioxidant activities of the hexanoic extract obtained from ripe fruit of H. rhamnoides L. (HRE) in in vitro conditions using different antioxidant tests: ferric thiocyanate method, reducing power, metal chelating activities and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH·) free radical scavenging. Results of experiment revealed that HRE has a concentration-dependent antioxidant effect. Total antioxidant activity was measured according to ferric thiocyanate method. At the concentration of 10, 20 and 50 µg/mL, the inhibitory effect of HRE on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion was found to be 36.8, 50.8 and 68.7 %, respectively. On the other hand, percentage inhibition of á-tocopherol was found to be 8.9 %. In addition, HRE was also effective in reducing power, metal chelating activities and DPPH· free radical scavenging experiments. These various antioxidant activities were compared to α-tocopherol, EDTA or trolox which references antioxidants. The results obtained from present study clearly showed thad HRE had marked in vitro antioxidant and antiradical activites.

Rats and primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were used as the in vivo and in vitro models to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of sub-fractions from total methanol extract of Baliospermum montanum. Carbon tetrachloride was selected as hepatotoxin. Silymarin was the reference hepatoprotective agent. In the in vivo study, serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, albumin together with total protein and histopathological examination were the criteria for the evidences of liver injury. Carbon tetrachloride caused the alterations in all the biochemical parameters and centrilobular necrosis. Among the Ethyl methyl ketone and methanol sub-fractions tested (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg), methanol sub-fraction (150 mg/kg) of the bio-active total methanol extract and silymarin (100 mg/kg) enhanced liver cell recovery by restoring all the altered biochemical parameters back to normal. In the in vitro study, release of transaminases, total protein together and hepatocyte viability were the criteria. Primary cultures of hepatocytes were treated with carbon tetra chloride (10 μl/ml), and various concentrations (100, 500 and 1000 μg/ml) of ethyl methyl ketone and methanol sub-fractions of total methanol extract and silymarin (100 μg/ml). Carbon tetrachloride reduced the hepatocyte viability and also altered the biochemical parameters, which were restored significantly (P<0.05) by ethyl methyl ketone (1000 μg/ml) and methanol (500 and 1000 μg/ml) sub-fractions. These results suggest that Baliospermum montanum possess the hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in both rats and primary cultures of rat hepatocytes.

Investigation on Ballota andreuzziana (Family Labiatae) for flavonoids led to isolation of two aglycones from ethyl acetate fraction which were identified as 7-methoxy luteolin and 6,7-dimethoxy scutellarein, in addition to three glycosides known as luteolin-7-O-glucoside, 6, 4^'-dimethoxy scutellarein-7-O-glucoside and quercetin-7-O-rhamno-glucoside from butanol fraction. Antimicrobial studies revealed that, butanol extract exhibited the marked activity against M0. Phlei, S. aureus and C. albicans (I.Z. =16.3, 11.3, and 10.7mm, Conc.=150mg/ml) respectively. While, chloroform extract also showed the better activity against B. subtilis (I.Z. =11.0mm, Conc.=150mg/ml). Furthermore aqueous extracts exhibited no effects at all against all tested organisms at all concentrations also, all tested Gram negative bacteria and the fungus A. niger are resistance to all concentrations of tested extracts.

Galangoisoflavonoside was isolated from the rhizomes of Alpinia galanga. Methanolic extract of Alpinia galanga was subjected to column chromatography and eluted with ethyl acetate-methanol (9:1) to yield compound (AG 12) Galangoisoflavonoside. The structure of newer compound was elucidated by various spectral techniques (UV, IR, ¹ HNMR, ¹³ CNMR, and MS). Chemical investigation of the methanolic extract of the rhizomes of Alpinia galanga furnished a new flavonoid (AG 12) Galangoisoflavonoside. Isolation of compound (AG 12) Galangoisoflavonoside in Alpinia galanga rhizomes is being reported for the first time.

The antioxidant activity of methanol and aqueous extract of Sambucus Ebulus (SE) was examined employing various in vitro assay systems, i.e. DPPH and nitric oxide radical scavenging, reducing power, linoleic acid and iron ion chelating power. IC₅₀ for DPPH radical-scavenging activity was 202.50 ± 1.38 for aqueous extract (SW) and 723.62 ± 3.36 μg ml^-1 for methanol extract (SM). Reducing powers of all the extracts also increased with the increase of their concentrations. Both of them exhibited a weak reducing power at 25-800 μg ml^-1. The SW extract had shown better reducing power than SM. Tested extracts exhibited week Fe²⁺ chelating ability. Both extracts exhibited high antioxidant activity. There were no significant differences between them in peroxidation inhibition. SW extracts manifested better pattern of activity than Vitamin C and BHA at different incubation times. SE fruit extracts exhibited different levels of antioxidant activity in all the models studied. The SE extracts had good reductive capability for anti-lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide-scavenging activity. Aqueous extract had higher total phenol and flavonoid contents than methanol extract.

The hexane, methanol and chloroform extracts of bulbs of orchid Prosthechea michuacana (PMIC) were studied for their wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties. Wound healing effects were studied on incision (skin breaking strength), excision (percent wound contraction). Collagen, hexosamine, total protein and DNA content in the granulation tissues were determined in addition to the rates of wound contraction and period of epithelialization. Topical applications of hexane extract PMIC produced increases in tensile strength, collagen content (hydroxyproline), and is better epithelisation thereby facilitating the healing. The hexane extract also was found possess significant anti-inflammatory activity in both acute (carrageenin-induced edema) as well as subacute (cotton pellet) animals models. Thus it could concluded that PMIC hexane may enhance the process of wound healing by influencing phases such as inflammation, fibroplasias, collagen synthesis and maturation, and wound contraction. Hexane extract significantly inhibited later phase of edema so it seems possible that P. michuacana blocks prostaglandins and cyclooxygenase release in later phase of acute inflammation, consequently decrease in granuloma weight indicates the suppression of the proliferative phase, which was effectively inhibited by the PMIC.

A study to evaluate the gastroprotective activity of hot water extract (HWE) of Alpinia calcarata Roscoe (Zingiberaceae) rhizomes was carried out. Three doses (500, 750, 1000 mg/kg) of HWE was evaluated for gastroprotective activity against ethanol induced gastric ulcers in rats. Oral administration of HWE provided dose dependent (r2 = 0.98) and significant (P< 0.05) protection against gastric damage caused by ethanol. The gastroprotective effect of HWE was superior to that of cimetidine, the reference drug. The HWE significantly (P< 0.05) inhibited gastric volume, acidity (total and free) and significantly (P< 0.05) increased the gastric pH. On the other hand, gastric mucosal secretion remained unaltered. Further, HWE possessed significant (P< 0.05) antihistamine activity. The HWE was well tolerated: no overt signs of toxicity, hepatotoxicity (in terms of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase) or renotoxicity (as judged by serum urea and creatinie). It is concluded that HWE of A. calcarata rhizome has strong and safe gastroprotective activity.

To evaluate effect of Polyherbal Formulation (PHF) on drug induced hepatotoxicity in rats and assessment of any possibility of co administration of PHF along with such hepatotoxic drug. Hepatotoxicity in rat was induced by Methotrexate (1mg/kg p.o./week for 3 weeks) and protective effect of PHF (0.25ml/kg/p.o. and 0.5ml/kg/p.o. either along with drug or followed by inducing hepatotoxicity) was measured by estimating marker enzymes for liver function like Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase and . glutamic transpeptidase. Oxidative stress markers like lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, super oxide dismutase and catalase. Protein profile likes Total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, Total albumin and Total protein. Histopathological study was carried out to confirm hepatotoxicity. Methotrexate induced hepatotoxicity characterized by significant (P<0.001) increase in marker enzymes for liver function and oxidative stress. Protein profile significantly depleted. Administration of PHF either along with Methotrexate or followed by inducing hepatotoxicity significantly improved (P<0.001) the level of marker enzymes for liver function, oxidative stress and depleted proteins profile. The study suggests protective role of PHF in drug induced hepatotoxicity and it can be utilized to treat the hepatotoxicity with long-term clinically useful drugs.

Currently, no standard protocols and objective measures are existing in present system for quality analysis of herbal sunscreens. Present work is an attempt to compile rapid, non-invasive technologies to investigate the sunscreens containing various herbs like aloe vera, jojoba, cucumber, wheat germ, olive etc for their efficacy in protecting skin from UVA and UVB sunrays. Commercial herbal sunscreens containing herbs aloe vera, basil, green tea, etc and bearing SPF range 10-40 coded as HS1- HS14, were analyzed by subjective, photostability and other parameters evaluation. All sunscreens shown pH [6.09±0.01 to 8.30±0.03], Saponification value [6.01±0.2 to 207.57±0.3], Acid value [1.56±0.6 to 17.27±0.5], Ash value [0.01±1 to 0.08±2 gm], Spreadibility [96±0.9 to 98±0.9 %], Layer thickness [28.99±1.55 to 32.25±1.00 %]. Viscosity profile showed the pseudoplastic behaviour of all formulations. Phase separation was observed in HS1 to HS4, HS7& HS9 to HS12 during stability study. None of them were found to be irritant [erythema score = 0] and have microbial count load in the range of to 31±1 to 34±2 CFU/gm. 98±5 % of all sunscreens has shown SPF as per labelled claim by In-vitro and In-vivo method. HS 6, 9, 11 were found to be unstable in UVA range. HS8, most preferred by volunteers after Psychometric evaluation. Results of the study scientifically verified that herbs are having enough potential to protect skin to protect skin from harmful sunrays and it is worthwhile for consumers to use herbal sunscreens. Overall study is useful to substantiate product claims.

The present study was aimed at improving the content of therapeutically active principle, andrographolide and whole plant biomass of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall.Ex Nees, by foliar application of plant growth regulators. The pot cultured plants were treated with Gibberellic acid (GA₃), Indole acetic acid (IAA), Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and Benzyl amino purine (BAP), in the concentration of 25, 50, and 100mg/l each. The plants sprayed with distilled water were maintained as control. The foliar application of these growth regulators was initiated at 30 DAT and continued upto flowering stage at an interval of 10 days. The HPLC analysis revealed that, application of IAA-50mg/l was very effective to enhance the andrographolide content (45%), which was followed by NAA-50mg/l (37%) over control. The whole plant biomass (Panchang) of Andrographis is used in medicine and hence fresh and dry biomass was also determined. The results indicated that NAA (Fresh Weight: 221%, Dry Weight: 155%) and IAA (Fresh Weight: 215%, Dry Weight: 120%) emerged out as the best treatments for improving fresh and dry biomass over control. The treatments of IAA and NAA (50mg/l) were found to be most effective for improving whole plant biomass as well as andrographolide content which can be recommended for the growers.

The extract of root bark of Salacia oblonga (SO) belonging to the family Celastraceae was tested for the anti-mutagenic activity using sperm abnormality test in Wistar rats. The hydroalcoholic extract (0.5 and 1 gm/kg, b.w, p.o. daily for 7 days) was evaluated against Mitomycin-C (MMC-2 mg/kg, b.w, i.p.) induced testicular toxicity by estimating the sperm shape abnormality and sperm count. The sampling was done after 48 hours and 72 hours of the clastogen treatment. The antioxidant activity of the SO was evaluated by measuring the serum levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase. The results indicated that prior treatment of SO had suppressed the changes produced by MMC. SO at a dose of 1.0 gm/kg bw had shown significant (p<0.01) inhibition in the sperm shape abnormality and sperm count in both the time intervals, while the lower dose (0.5 gm/kg, b.w) showed inhibitory effect mainly at 48 hr duration compared to the MMC group. The results also indicated that SO has improved (p<0.01) the status of serum antioxidant enzymes compared with the MMC group. The data from the study suggests that SO possess antimutagenic effect against MMC and the activity could be due its antioxidant potential.

This study examined the gastric ulcer healing potential of black tea (Camellia sinensis) using Sri Lankan high grown Dust grade No: 1 black tea in rat acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer model. Three oral doses (84, 167 or 501 mg/ml) of black tea brew (BTB) made according to ISO recommendations were used in the evaluation of gastric ulcer healing activity. The results showed a significant (P < 0.05) and dose-dependent gastric ulcer healing activity (in terms of reduction in gastric ulcer area). This effect had a rapid onset (with in 14 days). The gastric ulcer healing activity of BTB was however inferior (by 9 fold) to omeparazole, the reference drug. BTB displayed in vitro antioxidant activity (using DPPH assay; by 2985-3923 Trolox equivalents ìg/l), and also inhibited in vitro nitric oxide production (3-78 %). In addition, BTB had antihistamine activity (by wheal test; by 33.5%) and increased the gastric pH (from 3.3 to 5.9) and impaired the gastric acid output (by 69%). It is concluded that black tea possessed strong, oral gastric ulcer healing activity which is mediated via multiple mechanisms.

The inhibition of lipid peroxidation by Pleurotus ostreatus was established using Thiobarbituric (TBARS) assay. Three solvent extracts of P. ostreatus namely, the acetone, dichloromethane and hexane extracts were used. All three extracts showed inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The antioxidant indexes at 1.25 mg/ml concentration of acetone, dichloromethane and hexane were 38%, 43% and 36% respectively. Ergosterol was isolated and characterized from the dichloromethane extract. The antioxidant index of ergosterol at 1.25 mg/ml was 73% when tested using the same method. There exist a possibility that ergosterol can inhibit the peroxidation of common fatty acids present in egg yolk substrate (which was used for TBARS assay). The relative susceptibilities for peroxidation of ergosterol, linoleic acid and linolenic acid were investigated using computational calculations. It was found that the addition of an oxygen molecule to ergosterol is kinetically much more feasible than the addition of the same to linoleic or linolenic acids. The energy barriers for peroxidation with triplet oxygen at HF/3-21 G level of theory for ergosterol and linoleic acid (trans, trans) were 231.85 kJmol¹ and 420.52 kJmol^-1 respectively. It was also found that the former reaction is thermodynamically less favorable compared to the latter. The results from theoretical investigation support the experimental observation of the capability of lipid peroxidation inhibition by ergosterol.

Tubers of Ipomoea mauritiana that are used as Vidari in Ayurveda are important ingredients in popular Ayurvedic nutraceutical products such as Chyavanprash. The objective of the current study was to develop distinct phytochemical and microscopy protocols and standards that can be used in quality control of the crude drug. Chromatographic analyses of methanol extracts of the tuber gave typical fingerprints, where Scopoletin, a standard reference marker, resolved at Rf 0.56 under TLC and at Rt 21.5 min under HPLC conditions. Three bright blue fluorescent bands at Rf 0.70, 0.56 and 0.45 under the TLC conditions were characteristic of the raw drug. Scopoletin was quantified to be 0.029-0.034 % using the HPTLC and HPLC methods. Powder microscopic features of authentic tubers of Ipomoea mauritiana were characterized by the presence of cluster crystals, simple and compound starch grains with a range of 10-50 µm and orangish-brown cell fragments of laticiferous elements. Longitudinal sections showed the laticifers (latex cells) of articulated anastomosing type and the transverse section of the tubers were mostly characterized by the specific successive cortical cambial activity.