Bark Anatomy of Podocarpus elongatus (Ait) L.Herit and Screening of Phytochemical Constituents with Antimicrobial Potential

Background: Conifer Podocarpus elongatus belongs to the family Podocarpaceae and some species of Podocarpus are used in traditional medicine. The present study was undertaken to study the anatomical features of the bark of Podocarpus elongatus (Ait) L.Herit. The study was also focused on the antimicrobial activity and phytochemicals present in the bark extract. Methods: The bark was collected from the P. elongatus from Nilgiri Hills of Ooty, Tamil Nadu. The anatomical structures of the bark were elucidated macroscopically and microscopically by using the sectioning techniques. The phytochemical examination was done to confirm the presence of phytochemical components in the methanol extract. The antimicrobial activity was also studied based on the zone of inhibition. Result: The surface of the bark was highly distinguished from other related species, in the pattern of colour, stripes and thickness. Microscopical study envisaged that periderm is characterised by well distinct, continuous structures of the branchy sclereids with thick undulate, continuous segments that have been originated from a deeper cortex. TLS and RLS of the bark view elucidated that the phloem component appeared to be a vertical plane in the fibres. Phloem rays were found as uniseriate with wide sieve cells. Furthermore, antimicrobial activities of the bark exhibited potential effects against examined bacterial and fungal strains.

HUMAN PANCREAS IN PERINATES AND ADULTS- A CADAVERIC STUDY

Background: Literatures are available on study of both macroscopical and microscopical anatomy of adult pancreas. Microscopical study of fetal pancreas are also found. Very few studies are available on macroscopical study of pancreas in perinates. Macroscopic anatomy of the pancreas in perinates is important for surgical and investigative procedure. The present study aimed to record anatomical variation of the pancreas i Objectives: n perinates and adults. The study was done in Anatomy department, Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, Assam. 35 Methods: perinatal and 15 adult specimens from cadaver were collected. A thorough morphological study was done and the results were recorded. Results: Normal macroscopic anatomy & variations, if any, of the pancreas were noted and discussed with previous studies. Conclusion: Knowledge of the anatomy of the pancreas will be added to the previous study for future reference. It will be helpful for planning a safe surgery in pediatric age group and for diagnostic procedures, provide a comparison with the adult and provides data for evolutionary changes.

Phyto Pharmacognostic Study of Lagerstroemia speciosa - An Analytical Study

Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers (Hindi - Jarul, Taglog - Banaba) a member of Lythraceae family is found all over India, specially in Bengal, Assam and Deccan Peninsula. The leaves of L. speciosa is widely used for lowering blood sugar levels in Philippines, Japan and Taiwan. Pharmacognostical investigation of leaves of L. speciosa was done by evaluating its morphological, microscopical studies, Physicochemical and phytochemical parameters. Rasa Nirdharana was done. Microscopical study revealed presence of epidermal cells contained clusters of rosette aggregate calcium oxalate crystals and few cells were mucilaginous. Lower epidermis showed the presence of anomocytic stomata. Physical constants of leaf powder showed, loss on drying - 3.8%, total ash - 6.7%, acid insoluble ash - 1.039%, water soluble extractive value - 8.88%, alcohol soluble extractive value - 4.49% and pH - 5.75. Preliminary phytochemical study revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, triterpenes, tannins, proteins and iron. Rasa Nirdharana confirmed the leaves are Kashaya in Rasa. The Pharmacognostical study was useful for authentication of leaves of Lagerstoemia speciosa.

Microscopical Characters, Heavy Metals Level and Histopathological Effects of Lawsonia inermis L. Leaves in Female Mice

Aims: The study is intended to compare the freshly collected henna (Lawsonia inermis L.) and the market henna in term of microscopical key elements and heavy metals contamination. Moreover, this study is aimed to investigate the effect of henna and its oily additives on kidney histology in female mice. Study Design: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tripoli and Animals House, Biotechnology Research Center in 2010. Methodology: The powders of collected and market henna have been subjected to a microscopical study with magnification of 5x then 40 x to investigate the henna key elements, which are calcium oxalate clusters, anomocytic stomata, starch grains and fibers. Three elements: arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pd) were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAs) for the collected and market henna. For histopathological study, an aqueous extracts of L. inermis leaves and L. inermis leaves-oils were prepared by maceration. Eighteen female Albino Wister mice (3-4-months, 20-25 gm) were injected with the prepared extracts subcutaneously by dose 50 ml/kg/day for 5 days. Kidneys were collected and subjected to histopathological study. Results: From this study, the microscopical investigation exhibited the presence of some elements which are never mentioned as the henna key elements. Both market and collected henna were contaminated with a high level of heavy metals specially lead (Pd). The histopathological findings implied that there are many histological changes on the kidney tissues such as aggregation of round cells and congestion of blood vessels. Conclusion: The market henna might be adulterated with other types of plant. The presence of a high concentration of lead (Pd) in the collected henna as well as the market henna might be considered as the cause of some L. inermis adverse effects. L. inermis leaves and L. inermis leaves-oils aqueous extracts implied many abnormalities in the kidney tissues.