This study provides the scientific data for the proper identification and establishment of standards for the use of Malva parviflora.

BackgroundSesquiterpene lactones (STLs) make a diverse and huge group of bio-active constituents that have been isolated from several plant families. However, the greatest numbers are present in Asteraceae family having more than 3000 different reported structures. Recently several researchers have reported that STLs have significant antioxidant and anticancer potentials.MethodsTo investigate the antioxidant, anticancer and antinociceptive potentials of STLs, gravity column chromatography technique was used for isolation from the biologically rich chloroform fraction of Artemisia macrocephala Jacquem. The antioxidant activity of the isolated STLs was determined by DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity, anticancer activity was determined on 3 T3, HeLa and MCF-7 cells by MTT assay while the antinociceptive activity was determined through acetic acid induced writhings, tail immersion method and formalin induced nociception method.ResultsThe results showed that the STLs of Artemisia macrocephala possesses promising antioxidant activity and also it decreased the viability of 3 T3, HeLa and MCF-7 cells and mild to moderate antinociceptive activity.ConclusionSesquiterpenes lactones (STLs) are widely present in numerous genera of the family Asteraceae (compositae). They are described as the active constituents used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. The present study reveals the significant potentials of STL and may be used as an alternative for the management of cancer. Anyhow, the isolated compound is having no prominent antinociceptive potentials.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1517-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The results indicate that A. graecizans subsp. silvestris has antioxidant potential and can be utilized as a natural source of antioxidant.

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This study was carried out to identify 20 high valued medicinal plants of District Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan with the help of the palynological studies. The distinguishing characteristics for selected species were found by systematized methods using light microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. In this study, important pollen qualitative and quantitative features of these medicinal species such as polar and equatorial outline and their diameter, P/E ratio, presence or absence of pore, sculpturing of pollen, exine thickness, intine thickness, intercellular distance of exine and intine, presence or absence of spines, length of spines, width of spines, presence or absence of colpi and length of colpi, were compared. Remarkable variations in these pollen characters have been observed. Pollen grains were usually circular-semicircular (Calendula officinalis), spheroidal (Convolvulus arvensis), bilobed and trilobed (Convolvulus arvensis), spiny, (Abutilon indicum), oblate (Terminalia chebula) and elongated (Euphorbia pilulifera). In polar view Conyza bonariensis exhibited the highest pollen size [195.9 (211.6-180.2) μm]. While in equatorial view Calendula officinalis and Euphorbia pilulifera had lowest value [22.5 (20-25) μm] whereasCarissa carandas [165 (140-179) μm] appeared to be the largest. Parthenium hysterophorus showed the highest P/E ratio, that is, 1.28. Colpi were reported in only 7 species. Most of the plants showed 100% fertility but Terminalia chebula showed the least value 35%. In the present, project the diversity in pollen morphology present pollen as a valuable taxonomic tool. It is also concluded that pollen features are helpful at the specific level as well as generic level and can provide us fruitful taxonomic solutions. Research HighlightsPalynological flora of the medicinal plant species of district Lahore, Pakistan is investigated first time on the basis of LM and SEM and the flora is found very significant for taxonomic investigations. K E Y W O R D S light microscopy, medicinal plants, palynology, scanning electron microscopy, taxonomic significance

Colebrookea oppositifolia is a highly used medicinal plant and an enriched source of essential oils. Therefore, the present study was designed with the aim to extract the chemical constituents and to evaluate its antioxidant potential. Fresh plant parts were subjected to the extraction of volatile chemical constituents by maceration using n-hexane as the menstruum. The resulting n-hexane fractions were purified and then subjected to GC-MS and FTIR analysis. In-vitro antioxidant abilities were evaluated by, DPPH, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) method against the standard solutions of (Gallic acid, Quercetin) as a positive control. The GC-MS analysis of leaves, stem and inflorescence showed a total of 100, 98 and 48 components out of which 47, 16 and 17 peaks were identified representing the 67.64 %, 73.16 % and 61.93 % of the total oily fractions, respectively. The FTIR spectrum indicated the presence of various functional groups. In-vitro antioxidant results exhibited that leaves showed the highest antioxidant potential by DPPH (3.365 ± 0.002), and the highest total phenolic content by FC method (203.00 ± 0.091). Foliar micromorphological features were found significant in the authentication of C. oppositifolia. Further pharmacognostic studies of this plant are recommended to evaluate its therapeutic potential.

BackgroundHerbology is the prevailing system among the nationally-accepted alternative or complementary systems of medicine. The system is due to its general and patient-oriented methodology, is widely used in the general population exposing them to the risk of the side effects of the herbal medicines.MethodThe aim of study was to assess the acute and sub-acute toxicity of the polyherbal formulation Hab-e-Kabad Noshadri tablets. In the acute arm of the study, a single dose of 2000 mg/kg was administered to Swiss Albino mice which were observed for physical symptoms and behavioral changes for 72 h. In sub-acute toxicity study repeated doses of the polyherbal preparation was administered to Wistar rats of both genders, separately. The animals received three doses of polyherbal product (50 mg/kg/day, 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day) for a period of 28 days. On 28th day of experiment, blood sampling of animals was done for hematological and biochemical analysis i.e. liver and renal function parameters, lipid profile and then sacrificed for histopathological examination of liver and kidney.ResultThere was no morbidity and mortality noticed with single dose administration in acute toxicity study in mice. In sub-acute toxicity study, morphological changes with some damage in liver and kidney tissues of male and female animals were recorded at dose of 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day.ConclusionsIt was found that prolonged use at higher dose i.e. 200 mg/kg/day of this polyherbal formulation should be avoided and practitioners should cautiously prescribe this formulation in patients with hepatic and renal impairment.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1889-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Oral bacterial infections are fairly common in patients with diabetes mellitus; however, due to limited treatment options, herbal medicines are considered an alternate solution. This study aimed to formulate a stable essential-oil-loaded nanoemulsion for the treatment of oral bacterial infections. Essential oils from edible sources including coriander, clove, cinnamon and cardamom were extracted by hydrodistillation. The response surface methodology was used to optimize the nanoemulsion formulation by applying the Box–Behnken design. The oil concentration, surfactant concentration and stirring speed were three independent factors, and particle size and polydispersity index were two responses. The particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential of the optimized formulation were 130 mm, 0.222 and −22.9, respectively. The ATR-FTIR analysis revealed that there was no incompatibility between the active ingredients and the excipients. A significant release profile in active ingredients of nanoemulsion, i.e., 88.75% of the cinnamaldehyde and 89.33% of eugenol, was recorded after 24 h. In the ex vivo goat mucosal permeation study, 71.67% of the cinnamaldehyde permeated and that of the eugenol 70.75% from the nanoemulsion. The optimized formulation of the essential-oil-loaded nanoemulsion showed a 9 mm zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, whereas in anti-quorum sensing analysis, the optimized nanoemulsion formulation showed an 18 mm zone of inhibition. It was concluded that formulated essential-oil-loaded nanoemulsion can be used against S. epidermidis and S. aureus infections in oral cavity.