Nerium odorum is an imperative species with worldwide therapeutic and commercial uses. N. odorum has been considered as a potentially important plant for industrial and pharmacological applications. Callus induction potential of N. odorum was assessed from leaf explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog's medium using different plant hormonal treatments. A range of different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine, 1-naphthaleneacetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and kinetin (0.5-5.0 mg/L) have been incorporated in the culture medium to investigate the biomass, polyphenols production and oxidizing and antibacterial activity of the callus. The results showed highest callus induction at 2.0 mg/L in growth hormone combination of IAA and 2,4-D. The total phenolic content was 92.14 mg GA/g dry weight (DW). In addition, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl activity and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) activities were 46.7 µg/mL DW and 19.9 µg/mLDW, respectively. Interestingly, the explants produced hard calli using combination of IAA and 2,4-D presented a higher phenolic content and antioxidant capacity when compared to individual growth hormones of either IAA or 2,4-D. Altogether, these results demonstrate the extraordinary effect of different growth hormones on polyphenols production, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities in N. odorum.

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Bark extracts of Bauhinia purpurea were phytochemically analyzed and evaluated for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The phytochemical analysis of the bark extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, triterpenes and carbohydrates. While most of them were present in methanolic and aqueous extracts, one or a few of them were present in other solvent extracts. Among different solvent extracts, aqueous extract exhibited a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. It showed strong antibacterial activity against Gram positive bacterial strains like Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Gram negative strains like Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia and antifungal activity against Candida albicans. While methanolic extract showed moderate to strong antibacterial activity against B. subtilis, E. coli and K. pneumonia, the extracts of hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate did not show any anti bacterial or antifungal activity against the tested fungal and bacterial strains. Antioxidant activity of the bark extracts were evaluated in terms of inhibition of free radicals by 2, 2'-diphenly-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Aqueous extract followed by methanolic extract exhibited strong to moderate antioxidant activity. The antioxidant property and antimicrobial activity of the extracts of B. purpurea against the tested microbial strains therefore, supports that there is scientific basis for their utilization in traditional medicine for wound healing and also in treatment of some infectious diseases.

: Epidemiological studies have provided evidence of an inverse association between plants based diets and degenerative diseases. The content and concentration of antioxidantsin nuts suggest the beneficial role they play in health promotion and disease prevention. These benefits though evident to scientists and the other handful of people, the knowledge among the customer population might not be sufficient in order to modify their dietary habits and patterns. Thus, there was a felt need of assessing the consumption practices of consumers regarding the utilization of nuts. The present study was therefore conducted in the Udaipur city of Rajasthan (India). The sample comprised of 100 respondents who were homemakers, actively involved in household cooking, who could provide crisp and authentic information. A questionnaire was prepared and the respondents were contacted personally. In conclusion, results revealed that though consumption of nuts was noteworthy among the population, the use was largely attributed to taste and flavor and the therapeutic or medicinal value (antioxidants) of nuts was not recognized by majority of respondents, which is of concern. Hence, it was understood that new strategiesare required to make aware the consumers about the therapeutic benefits of nuts and thus popularize the use. Future public health initiatives should be mindful of these consumption patterns.

Food plays one of the most important roles in maintaining good health and managing diseases. Plant food constitutes a significant part of our diet providing various important nutrients required by body for adequate growth and development. The philosophy about therapeutic benefits of food, it being health promoting beyond its nutritional value has gained acceptance. It is a common practice to envisage that a person can eat whatever he/she feels like and as long as no direct bad after-effects are felt, the matter deserves no attention. But in reality, this is only a wrong notion and it beckons the beginning of a disease or disorder. Regularity, punctuality, thorough chewing, feeling of hunger and avoiding hurry, worry, tension and emotion while taking meal are very essential to derive maximum benefits and best utilization of nutrients from the food intake.With the many different types of diets and lifestyles based on both ideologies and allergies, a lot of nutritional choices are available to the consumers now-a-days. A naturopathic diet can be beneficial in preventing illness, improving metabolism and overall health. It works on principle of foods intheir natural state, i.e. foods free from artificial ingredients, chemical preservatives and additives. In modern times, because of advancement in technology, familial advices, natural/ synthetic products on sale, media spins, muddled messages, etc. the people are bound to get complicated and confusing cognizance regarding how to maintain health through diet and nutrition. It undeniably becomes perplexing when we have to decide what we should actually consume and what should we avoid. Thus, it was felt necessary to compile the knowledge of naturopathy and dietetics overlap through this paper, so as to provide an insight of naturopathic dietetics.