Many research studies have proposed that about two-thirds of the medicinal plant species of the world possess significant antioxidant potential. Antioxidants are very beneficial as they decrease oxidative stress (OS) in cells and hence play their role in management as well as treatment of numerous diseases like cancers, cardiovascular diseases, as well as many inflammatory illnesses. This review comprises the antioxidant potential of numerous parts of medicinal plants like leaves, stems, roots, seeds, fruits, as well as bark. Synthetic antioxidants named butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) as well as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are extensively employed in foods because of their role as food preservatives. Several natural antioxidants have better efficacy as compared to synthetic antioxidants. These medicinal plants include Gera-

Curcumin is a phytochemical isolated from the dried rhizome of Curcuma longa L. family Zingiberaceae which possesses versatile biological activities and has hydrophobic properties. The current study was conducted to fabricate, and optimize curcumin loaded chitosan and Sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) nanoparticles (NPs) to improve the bioavailability of curcumin. NPs were fabricated employing the Ionic gelation method. Four formulations were developed based on the selected variables like STPP and chitosan concentration, rotations per minute (rpm), temperature, and pH of chitosan solution. NPs were characterized for morphology, drug-polymer compatibility, yield, particle size, encapsulation efficiency, release behavior, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity compared to curcumin and standard drug. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) shows nanoparticle compatibility. The maximum yield was 60%. Entrapment efficiency ranged from 45 to 65%. Curcumin NPs and standard drug 600 µg/ml shows 59% and 70% anti-inflammatory activity by HRB membrane stabilization method respectively which are greater than curcumin alone whereas anti-arthritic activity by protein denaturation method which is also comparable to standard drug and greater than curcumin was 66 and 70% respectively. Statistical analysis shows the mean significant difference at p ≤ 0.05. The study concluded that curcumin-loaded chitosan and STPP NPs formulated successfully by the Ionic gelation method, which increased curcumin absorption leading to a reduced dosing rate and improved patient compliance.

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The essential oils of SOLVIA CABULICO Benth. (Labiatae) collected in July, 1996 (sample A), and June, 1997 (sample B), were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by means of GC and GC/MS. The oils were rich in monoterpenes. Two oxygenated monoterpenes, alpha-thujone (51.3% for sample A and 34.4% for sample B) and camphor (24.0% for sample A and 22.6% for sample B) constituted about 75% and 57% of these oils, respectively. The other constituents of the oils were: alpha-pinene, sabinene, camphene, beta-pinene, myrcene, P-cymene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, gamma-terpinene, beta-thujone, borneol, 4-terpineol, alpha-terpineol, caryophyllene, bornyl acetate, 9-aristolen-1-alpha-ol, caryo-phyllene oxide and valaranone.