All the major compounds identified and characterized by spectroscopic method were of biological significance. Besides, the tuber also possesses high calorific value and source for low fat and moderate dietary fibre which is essential for maintaining proper health. Moreover, the mineral content of the tuber can be used as supplement for combating malnutrition especially among rural folk and the vitamin content can serve as good source of natural antioxidant. Thus identification of a good number of important compounds from Alocasia indica tubers can focus on its use for future therapeutic purpose apart from maintaining general health.

Datura stramonium Linn is one of the widely well known folklore med icinal herb. It is a wild growing flowering plant and was investigated as a local source for tropane alkaloids wh ich contain a methylated nit rogen atom (N-CH3) and include the anti-cholinergic drugs atropine, and scopolamine.. This plant has contributed various pharmacological actions in the scientific field of Indian systems of medicines like analgesic, antiasthmatic activities. The present paper will give exclusive informat ion on the chemical constituents and main ly psychopharmacological activit ies of this plant. Datura stromonium has been scientifically proven to have alkaloids, tannins, carbohydrates, proteins. This study highlights the pharmacological act ivities of Datura stramonium, which may be due to the presence of its scientifically proven chemical constituents.

No abstract

The present study was carried out with the water-soluble portion of the ethanol extracts of flowers, barks, seeds and leaves of Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn. to confirm their CNS depressant activity. The ethanol extracts of the plant parts were obtained by soxhlet extraction. After performing the gross behavioral study, the CNS depressant activity was evaluated by observing the prolongation of sleeping time induced by pentobarbital sodium in mice. Attempts have been made to explore the possible mechanism behind this activity by determining their effect on brain monoamine neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. The gross behavioral study showed that ethanol extracts of the leaves, flowers and seeds possess significant CNS depressant activity. The leaves, flowers, seeds and barks (600 mg/kg) showed significant and dose-dependent prolongation of onset and duration of sleep and so found to cause decrease dopamine and increase serotonin level. From which it can be concluded that the CNS depressant activity of the ethanol extracts of seeds, leaves and flowers may be due to the decrease in dopamine and increase in serotonin level.

Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) technique has been applied on somatic chromosomes and extended DNA fibers in the medicinally important species of Chlorophytum to elucidate physical localization and measurement of the rDNA sites using two rRNA multigene families homologous to 45S and 5S rDNA. The two species of Chlorophytum, namely C. borivillianum and C. comosum, both with 2n = 28, reveal diversity for copy number and localization of rDNA sites. C. borivillianum is comprised of five 45S-rDNA sites:one each in the secondary constriction region of chromosomes 7, 8, 9; one in the subtelomeric region of the short arm of chromosome 2 and the telomeric region of the short arm of chromosome 12; and one 5S-rDNA site in the subtelomeric region of the long arm of chromosome 1. In C. comosum, there are three 45S-rDNA sites (one each in the short arm of chromosomes 12, 13, and 14) and two 5S-rDNA sites (in the secondary constriction regions of chromosomes 2 and 13). Fiber FISH analysis conducted on extended DNA fibers revealed variation in the size of continuous tandem strings for the two r-DNA families. Taking the standard value of native B DNA equivalent to 3.27 kb for 1 mum, it was estimated that the physical size of continuous DNA strings is of the order of approximately 90 kb, 180 kb, and 300 kb for 45S-rDNA and of the order of 60 kb, 150 kb for 5S-rDNA in C. comosum, grossly in correspondence to their respective physical sizes at metaphase.

In this paper, we report a method of preparation of ambient temperature curable phosphorous containing epoxy resin-based composites and their flame retardant behavior. The phosphorous containing resin, prepared by reacting the epoxy resin with 9,10-Dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO), shows higher limiting oxygen index (LOI) in the cured state compared to the pure epoxy network. The LOI value is further enhanced due to the incorporation of phosphorous-containing silica, although the same remains unchanged when pure silica is added. The composites made with phosphorous-containing resin and pure silica exhibits UL-94 V-1 class rating whereas the same made with phosphorous-containing silica offers V-0 rating under UL-94 classification. This observation clearly indicates that the performance is enhanced when phosphorous in incorporated in the resin as well as in the inorganic reinforcing filler.

Background:The purpose of present investigation to isolate β-sitosterol diglucosyl caprate from the rhizomes of Alpinia galanga.Methods:The methanolic extract of the rhizomes of plant Alpinia galanga was subjected to column chromatography and was eluted with ethyl acetate-methanol (99:1) to yield compound (AG5) β-sitosterol diglucosyl caprate. Various spectral techniques such as Ultraviolet (UV), Infrared (IR), Hydrogen Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1HNMR), Carbon Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13CNMR), and MASS spectrometry (MS), were employed to determine and elucidate.Results:Chemical and spectral investigation of extract furnished a new steroidal glycoside.Conclusion:The isolated compound β-sitosterol diglucosyl caprate could serve as a lead compound in synthesis of steroids.

No abstract