Plant species diversity and crown cover response to regeneration composition in community managed forest

Ghimire P, Lamichhane U. 2020. Plant species diversity and crown cover response to regeneration composition in community-managed forest. Asian J For 5: 36-41. The study was carried out to assess plant species diversity and crown cover response to regeneration composition in Nawalpur Saraswati (Basamadi) Community Forest of Hetauda Municipality of Makawanpur District, Nepal in November 2020 to December 2020. A stratified random sampling method with a total of 94 sample plots was laid out for the study. Altogether 44 species belonging to 26 families were recorded in the study site, of which 23 species were represented in tree category, 14 in shrub, and 7 in herb category. Both Shannon Weiner and Simpson's diversity index indicated good floral species diversity in the study area. The forest was dominated by Shorea robusta with 396 stem ha-1, followed by Terminalia bellerica 29 stem ha-1, Lagerstroemia parviflora 25 stem ha-1, and Terminalia tomentosa (syn. Terminalia elliptica) 21 stem ha-1 respectively. Both seedling and sapling were found in good number with seedlings 11,583 number ha-1and for seedlings it was recorded 1,896 number ha-1. Both seedling and sapling density was recorded higher in open crown coverage (seedlings=32625 number ha-1; saplings=5033 number ha-1) than in close crown coverage (seedlings=13,708 number ha-1; saplings=2,550 number ha-1). Therefore, the study concluded that crown opening facilitates growth and development of regeneration density in Shorea robusta and its associated forests. Furthermore, the information generated could be useful to predict future trends in species composition and stand structure in order to optimize the possible forest management strategies.

In Silico Investigations on the Probable Macromolecular Drug Targets Involved in the Anti-Schizophrenia Activity of Terminalia bellerica

Background: Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that affects around 1% of the population worldwide. The available antipsychotics alleviate only the positive symptoms of the illness. But their effect on the negative and cognitive symptoms is limited. The fruit powder of Terminalia bellerica has been found to possess antipsychotic activity which might be useful in treating the symptoms of schizophrenia. Objective: The present study was performed to evaluate the affinity of the active constituents of Terminalia bellerica towards macromolecular drug targets involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and, thereby determine the structural features of the ligands involved in the interactions with the proposed targets. Methods: A Molecular docking study was carried out on ten active constituents of Terminalia bellerica with four-drug targets involved in the aetiology of schizophrenia. These targets are dopamine, N-methyl-D-aspartate, Gamma-aminobutyric acid, and phosphodiesterase 10A receptors. The binding interactions between the target proteins and the ligands with the highest affinities were studied thoroughly. Results: β-sitosterol, ellagic acid, and quercetin displayed high binding affinity toward all the macromolecular drug targets. β-sitosterol possesses a high binding affinity for the dopamine receptor, while quercetin has high binding affinities for both dopamine and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. On the other hand, ellagic acid formed stronger binding interactions with Gamma-aminobutyric acid and phosphodiesterase 10A. Conclusion: Terminalia bellerica can serve as a new anti-psychotic drug from natural sources with more promising development.

Silver(I) Ion Removal Efficiency of Activated Carbon Prepared from Terminalia-bellerica (Barro) Seed Stone

Phosphoric acid-activated Terminalia-bellerica (Barro) seed stone powder was carbonized in a muffle furnace at three different temperatures (300, 400, and 500oC). The activated carbons (BAC-300, BAC-400, and BAC-500) were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), methylene blue number, and iodine number. The iodine number (357 mg/g) and specific surface area (537 m2/g) were a maximum for BAC-400. The BACs followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm and the maximum methylene blue adsorption capacity was 212.77 mg/g. The silver ion removal efficiency was a maximum at pH 6, 3 mg/L of adsorbent dose, and 20 mg/L of silver ion concentration. The BAC-400 could adsorb 40 % of silver ion within 5 mins with the initial Ag(I) ion concentration of 20 mg/L and an adsorbent dose of 1 mg/L. The percentage of adsorption enhanced to 100% with the increment of adsorbent doseto3 g/L.The adsorption kinetics of silver (I) ion on BAC-400 was well fitted to pseudo-second-order kinetics suggesting the chemisorption of silver ions. All the results attributed that low-cost viable adsorbent can be prepared from Barro seed stone for the efficient removal of silver ion from aqueous solution.

Pharmacognostical and pharmaceutical analysis of Triphala Kajjali tablet-an ayurvedic herbomineral formulation for metabolic syndrome

Background: Triphala is one of the most easily available and commonly used medicine which contains fine powder of three fruits viz. Terminalia chebula Retz. (Haritaki), Terminalia bellerica Roxb. (Bibhitaki) and Embilica officinalis Gaertn. (Amalaki) and is indicated as one of the drugs for management of disorders of Kapha and Meda. Due to bitter and astringent taste of Triphala in the powder form is a major complaint of the patients. So, to discover that form of Triphala, which is easy to take, effective in low dose, has long shelf life and simple to dispense is the need. For assurance of quality of herbal compounds pharmacognostical and pharmaceutical analysis should be done. Methods: Triphala Kajjali was subjected to microscopic evaluation for pharmacognostical, physiochemical analysis like hardness, weight variation, loss on drying, ash value, acid insoluble extract, pH value, water soluble extract, alcohol soluble extract and high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC).Results: Pharmacognostical study showed the presence of certain identifying characters of all of the ingredients of Triphala Kajjali that is Haritaki, Bibhitaki and Amalaki. In pharmaceutical study, preliminary physiochemical analysis showed that hardness of the tablet was 2.05 kg/cm2, ash value 4.03%w/w, loss on drying 5.5%w/w, water soluble extract 5.89%w/w, alcohol soluble extract 25.96%w/w and HPTLC showed 7 spots in 254 nm and 7 spots in 366 nm.Conclusions: Pharmacognostical and physico-chemical observations revealed the specific characters of all active constituents of Triphala Kajjali and confirmed the purity and genuinity of the drug.

ROLE OF SHILAJIT AND TRIPHALA KWATH IN HYPOTHYROIDISM: A REVIEW

Hypothyroidism is one of the burning issues in the current scenario and is affecting the lives of many people on various levels. Autoimmunity is responsible for over 90% of non-iatrogenic hypothyroidism in iodine-sufficient area. In iodine-sufficient areas, the most common cause of hypothyroidism is chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (also known as Hashimoto’s disease). Subclinical hypothyroidism is a mild form of primary hypothyroidism. Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism are weight gain, cold intolerance, fatigue, somnolence, dry skin, dry hair, menorrhagia are more common constipation, hoarseness of voice, aches and pains, muscle stiffness, deafness, depression, infertility is less common. As per Ayurveda (science of life), it is caused due to vitiation of Agni. Shilajit an exudate, contains mainly fulvic acid, humic acid, and trace element (iron, selenium) which includes anti-inflammatory, immune-stimulant, properties. Anaemia as a symptom is associated with Hypothyroidism. The constituent present in Shilajit that is Fulvic acid enhances the absorption of iron so that serum iron status increases and can be helpful in the management of hypothyroidism. Triphala is an Ayurvedic herbal formulation of dried fruits of Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica and Phyllantus emblica. The major phytoconstituent of Terminalia bellerica, Terminalia chebula and Phyllantus emblica fruits is gallic acid, which is known to have a wide range of therapeutic activity, e.g. anti-atherosclerotic, cardioprotective. In this review paper, it is being established that all these characteristics of Shilajit with Triphala kwath may be the probable reason for its effect on the management of hypothyroidism.