STANDARDIZATION OF SNOW MOUNTAIN GARLIC

Background: Snow mountain garlic (SMG) is also known as Kashmiri garlic and ek pothi lahsun is herb which grows in high altitude and in low temperature conditions. It has shown beneficial effects in breathing discomforts like common cold, Asthma, flu also refines the blood circulation Various standardization parameters have been recorded in this study. Objectives: The present study focuses on standardization of SMG. Materials and Methods: The standardization parameter follow WHO Guidelines of herbal drugs. Standardization parameter like macroscopic characters, extractive value (hot extraction), ash value (total ash, acid insoluble ash and water-soluble ash), bitterness value, swelling Index, phytochemical screening have been studied. Results: The pharmacognostic studies shows that SMG is semi obtuse in shape and have pale brown outer covering and inner colour is white with little sticky latex. It has characteristic odour and slight astringent taste. The physiochemical analysis shows different extractive values in solvents, with maximum extractives obtained in hydro alcohol (45%). total ash value observed was 1.038%, acid insoluble ash 0%, water soluble ash 0.16%, bitterness value of 0.030mg/ml, swelling index of 1.06 and foaming index was found to be less than 100. Conclusion: The Standardization of snow mountain garlic was performed and the data obtained can be further utilized for establishing the identity and purity of the drug. Key Words: Snow mountain garlic, Kashmiri garlic, Standardization parameter, Physiochemical analysis, Phytochemical evaluation

The antifungal activity of vapour phase of odourless thymol derivate

Thymol is a substance with a great therapeutic potential possessing antibacterial and antifungal activity, with a characteristic odour that remains long after application but is not pleasant at higher concentrations. In this study, attention has been focused on describing the chemical and biological properties of the simply prepared trimethylsilyl ether of thymol (kubicin). Interestingly, kubicin has similar volatility as thymol, undergoes hydrolysis in the water (moisture; forming thymol and trimethylsilanol) and can be used at 6,000 times higher concentration than thymol without any negative and irritating odour. Kubicin showed diverse fungistatic and fungicidal activities when tested by direct contact assay, or in vapour phase. The volatile vapour of kubicin was effective on all tested fungal strains. These results suggest that vapours of kubicin might provide an alternative way to fight against fungal contamination.

Pharmacognostic Study of Justicia beddomei (C. B. Clarke) Bennet

Justicia beddomei (C. B. Clarke) Bennet synonym Adhatoda beddomei C.B. Clarke consists of the fresh or dried leaves Dried leaves are of a dull brownish-green colour, characteristic odour and bitter taste. The leaves of the plant contain major alkaloids called vasicine, vasicinone and deoxyvasicinone, sitosterol and its glucoside, which are shown to be having bronchodilator and antihistaminic effects. These alkaloids are said to exist in combination with an acid that has been named adhatodic acid. Leaves yield essential oil and an alkaloid vasicine. Roots contain vasicinol and vasicinone. Roots also contain vasicoline, adhatodine, anisotine and vasicolinone. Several alkaloids like quinazoline and valicine are present in this plant. The leaf extracts of Justicia beddomei (C. B. Clarke) Bennet is used as an expectorant especially in chronic bronchitis and asthma. It relieves cough and breathlessness. It is also prescribed commonly for local bleeding due to peptic ulcer, piles etc. Its local use gives relief in pyorrhoea and in bleeding gums. In the present study, detailed Pharmacognosy of this plant is studied as it is used as substitute for Adathoda vasica.

A Review on Macroscopy, Microscopy and Pharmacological Activity of Cayratiatrifolia Linn.

Cayratiatrifolia (Linn.)Domin is a perennial climber, family Vitaceae, found in India, Asia and Australia. The plant is found in hilly regions as well as the hotter part of India from Jammu and Rajasthan to Assam. It is commonly known as fox grape in English, Amalbel, Ramchana in Hindi and Amlavetash in Sanskrit. The plant has trifoliated leaves with (2-3cm) long petioles and ovate to oblong-ovate leaflets. Flowers are small greenish white and brown in colour. Fruits are fleshy, juicy, spherical, about 1 cm in diameter of dark purple or black colour.The stem composed of cork cells on the outer side and composed of small size sclerenchymatous cells. The cortex is wide and has parenchymatous cells. Numbers of sclereids are widely distributed in the cortex region. Cortex also shows the presence of calcium oxalate crystals.The leaf surface shows the stomata covered with guard cells followed by epidermis layer (Figure2A). Epidermal cells are rectangular, thin and straight walled cells. Stomata are anisocytic or unequal celled stomata, three subsidiary cells, one is smaller than other two. Leaf surface analysis also shows the presence of veins, vein islet and vein termination (Figure2B). Transverse section of leaf shows the epidermis layer followed by cuticle layer and vascular bundles (xylem and phloem).The leaf powder is pale green in color, with a characteristic odour and bitter taste.This plant also contains kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin, triterpenes and epifriedelanol. Whole plant of Cayratiatrifolia has been reported to contain yellow waxy oil, steroids/terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins. Plant shows the antioxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral and anticancer activity.

Propan-2-ol. Determining in workplace air with gas chromatography

Propan-2-ol is an easily volatile, colourless liquid with a pungent characteristic odour. In industry it is used as a solvent and a dewatering, cleaning and disinfecting agent. Propan-2-ol has an irritating and narcotic effect. It may cause drowsiness or dizziness. The aim of the study was to amend the PN-Z-04224-02:1992 standard in accordance with the requirements of European standard PN-EN 482. The method was developed in the range of concentrations from 1/10 to 2 of the MAC value. The tests were performed using a gas chromatograph (GC) with a flame ionization detector (FID) equipped with a capillary column HP-INNOWAX (60 m × 0.25 × mm, 0.15 µm). The method is based on adsorption of propan-2-ol vapours on activated carbon, desorption with a mixture of carbon disulphide and N,N-dimethylformamide and chromatographic analysis of the obtained solution. Using an HP-INNOWAX column for the analysis makes it possible to selectively determine propan-2-ol in the presence of carbon disulphide, N,N-dimethylformamide. The measurement range is 90/1 800 mg/m3 for a 9-L air sample. The detection limit of this method is 0.09 µg/ml and the limit of quantification is 0.28 µg/ml. The method is characterized by good precision and accuracy and meets the criteria listed in EN 482 for procedures for measuring chemical agents. The method may be used for assessing occupational exposure to propan-2-ol and the associated risk to workers’ health. The developed method of determining propan-2-ol has been recorded as an analytical procedure (see Appendix). This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.

Formulation and Evaluation of Polyherbal Face Scrubber for Oily Skin in Gel Form

Cosmetics play a vital role for everyone to have a joyful and sanguine life. In present scenario herbal cosmeceuticals have more demand because they have no side effects. People having oily skin suffer from acne, whiteheads and blackheads quite often so scrubbing become more essential. In our present study we formulated 3 different formulations F1, F2, F3 in gel form for oily skin by using turmeric, aloe vera, cinnamon, potato starch, activated charcoal powder, honey, green tea, lemon juice, onion, walnut shell, coconut oil, beet root juice powder, sodium lauryl sulphate, water and evaluated by using various parameters such as physical appearance, viscosity, pH, Spreadability, irritability, washability, stability studies and got fruitful results with all the tests. The scrub F2 was found to show excellent effects on controlling oil secretion, and preventing formation of new pimples. The herbal formulation F2 was having characteristic odour, reddish brown in color having, light, non-irritant to the skin and quite elegant. The powder was smooth to touch and in gel form it spreads satisfactorily. Thus, the formulated scrub F2 can be utilized efficaciously without a side effect which exfoliates and makes glowing skin.

STANDARDISATION AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF TRADITIONAL FORMULATION

Objective: The main objective of this study is to standardise and evaluate traditional formulation both qualitatively and quantitatively on the basis of organoleptic characteristics, physical characteristics, physiochemical properties and phytochemical screening.Methods: Traditional formulation (TF) containing seven traditionally used herbs were collected from local areas and market. The plants were washed, air-dried and coarsely powdered. The aqueous extract was prepared as per literature, and various physiochemical, phytochemical screening was done.Results: The organoleptic character shows the drug with greenish colour, slightly bitter taste and characteristic odour. The physiochemical properties show the appropriate pH and the solubility of TF. Secondary metabolites like phenolic compounds and flavonoids are present abundantly in aqueous extract than in other extracts.Conclusion: Our studies suggests that TF contains medicinally important secondary metabolites which has disease protective properties. This study will help in the progression of a suitable monograph, determining the quality and purity of a crude extract and laying down pharmacopoeia standards for the formulation.

Osmophores of Amorphophallus rivieri Durieu (Araceae)

The undertaken investigations (SEM, LM) concentrated on the distribution and the anatomy of osmophores emitting a characteristic odour of inflorescence of <i>Amorphophallus rivieri</i> Durieu. The osmophores situated at the top part of spadix (appendix), secreted a strong fragrance during the whole period of blooming, whereas those located on the stamens, in the apical and in the middle part of the spatha produced a weaker smell. The fragrance at the basis of spatha was undetectable although both the secretion and the tissue structure characteristic for osmophores located on the adaxial surface of the remaining part of the spatha were observed. The gland tissue consisted of the epidermis and of several layers of subepidermal parenchyma. The epidermis was covered by a thin, striated cuticle or sticks of wax. Moreover, there was also a small number of stomata covered with a smooth cuticle. The cells of osmophores stained intensively with neutral red. They contained numerous lipid drops, which presumably are carriers of the secreted fragrance substances. The cells of subepidermal layers were filled up with starch grains in the appendix and stamens. A considerable quantity of starch was also observed in the deeper layers of parenchyma in the spatha. The pattern of osmophores distribution corresponds with the localization of these inflorescence fragments, which emit heat, as showed in the literature.