Asclepias curassavica like most of the medicinal plants has highest significance for its valuable secondary metabolites (glycosides and saponins

The effect of bavistin and the ethylene inhibitor (silver thiosulphate) on shoot regeneration using nodal explants of Asclepias curassavica (L.) has been investigated. Among the different concentrations studied, highest number of shoots was obtained on MS media with 200 mg/L bavistin. Among the varying concentrations (10 -100 μM/L) of silver thiosulphate tested, highest number of shoots was obtained on MS medium amended with 60 μM/L silver thiosulphate without growth regulators. This study also establishes the stronger cytokinin like activity of bavistin. Effect of different growth additives like coconut milk, ascorbic acid and casein hydrolysate were tested on direct shoot regeneration.Among the different growth additives tested casein hydrolysate showed better and reproducible result at 0.025% in combination with 3 mg/L KN + 0.5 mg/L NAA. Antioxidants, activated charcoals and polyvinyl pyrrolidone were used to remove phenolics. Activated charcoal removed the phenolic exudates completely at 0.025% and prevented the browning of media and thus enhanced the frequency of regeneration (85%). The microshoots developed through in vitro regeneration were transferred to rooting media containing IBA alone and in combination with KN and the highest number of roots was observed on MS medium with IBA 1 mg/L + 0.2 mg/L KN.

Salvadora persica, Moringa pergrina and Citrullus colocynthis are three traditional important medicinal species used in indigenous medicinal herbal drugs to cure various diseases in South Asia and Middle East countries. The objective of the present study is to investigate the effects of oral administration of extracts of Salvadora persica leaves, Moringa pergrina leaves and Citrullus colocynthis seeds on different physiological parameters of mice. The leaves of Salvadora persica, Moringa pergrina and Citrullus colocynthis seeds were collected from Ibri and Al-Musanaa, dried and crushed into powder and extract was obtained by soxhalet apparatus. The extract was then administered to mice at a dosage of 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0% for twenty one days. The mice treated with different concentrations of plant extracts showed different physiological changes, Salvadora persica leaf extract at 1.5% and 2.0% showed hypo activity, grooming, prostration, while mice treated with 0.5% and 1.0% showed no effective behavioral changes. The Moringa pergrina leaf extract dosage of 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0% produced significant weight loss and affected the blood sugar level. Citrullus colocynthis seed extract at 1.5% and 2.0% showed abnormal sperms shape like circular head, double head and double tails whereas at 0.5% and 1.0% exhibited normal sperm shape.

In present study phytochemical screening and antimicrobial potential of three Omani traditional medicinal plants i.e. Ajuga iva, Pteropyrum scoparium and Rhazya stricta was carried out. The information generated from study will be helpful in drug administration and developing commercial drug form these studied traditional plants. All three selected plants were air dried under natural condition and phytochemical screenings were carried out under laboratory conditions. Antimicrobial properties of the selected plants were carried out against the selected microorganisms i.e. Bacteria (E.coli, Staphylococcus and Bacillus species) and fungi (Trichoderma and Aspergillus). Further, selected plants were also used to test their effect on reducing diabetic incidence. Results of study revealed that selected plants have significant inhibitory effect on the multiplication of selected microorganisms. Similarly oral administration of plant extract also reduced the blood sugar level of the treated mice; it started reducing after 1 week of treatment and continued till 21 days of exposure as compared to control. Further, phytochemical screening of these plants indicated that these plants contain many of chemical substances which had important role in the reducing blood sugar level.

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