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Actaea spicata Linn. (Ranunculaceae) has been traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments such as rheumatism, inflammation, nerve diseases, lumbago, scrofula and chorea, but no systematic phytochemical and pharmacological work has ever been carried out on this potential plant. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed presence of phenols and flavonoids in A. spicata. Thus, the present investigation was undertaken to estimate total phenols and flavonoids in methanol extract of A. spicata roots, and its ethyl acetate fraction. In vitro antioxidant activity was also evaluated in the methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction using DPPH method. Ethyl acetate fraction was found to contain twice the content of flavonoids and phenols in comparison to methanolic extract, whereas phenolic content in methanol extract was approximately similar to ethyl acetate fraction. A significant antioxidant activity, i.e., mean percentage inhibition of DPPH radical was observed in methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction at the concentration of 10 μg/ml and 5 μg/ml respectively. Finally, it was suggested that polyphenols are responsible for antioxidant activity of A. spicata.

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This work describes the potential usefulness of bioflavonoids for countering the deleterious effects of aging on male sexuality in 2-year-old rats. A flavone chrysin from Passiflora caerulea Linn. and a benzoflavone moiety (BZF) recently isolated from Passiflora incarnata Linn. were administered to 2-year-old male rats for a period of 30 days. After cessation of these treatments, there was a significant improvement in overall sexual functions in the rats given bioflavonoids, compared with control rats. The rats receiving chrysin (1 mg/kg) and BZF (10 mg/kg) exhibited increased libido when they were allowed to interact with nonestrous female rats. Additionally, both treated groups had increased sperm count, greater fertilization potential, and greater litter size when they were allowed to interact with proven proestrous female rats of a similar strain. BZF was more potent than chrysin as an antiaromatase agent and exhibited better effects on the sexual system of the 2-year-old male rats. Plant flavonoids have great potential for clinical and therapeutic applications against the physiological and biochemical effects of aging.

Magnetic moments of charmed baryons have been calculated employing the concepts of effective quark mass and screening caused by neighbouring quarks.

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To ensure uniformity and consistency of the biologic effects exhibited by plant-derived phytopharmaceuticals, uniform standards are required globally. The monographs on P. incarnata mention standardization of the plant using any known flavonoid as the chemical marker and the marker compound was not the one responsible for the plants multifarious biologic effects. The recent report of a trisubstituted benzoflavone compound (BZF) as the main bioactive phytoconstituent of P. incarnata made it feasible to resort to biologic standardization of this plant using BZF as the biomarker compound. The biologic standardization would ensure bioequivalence of the medicinal preparations of P. incarnata. These studies also recommend the incorporation of leaf constants, ash values, extractive values, thin layer chromatography profile (vital "fingerprints" specific for a plant), and the quantitative assay by determining the bioactive BZF moiety in pharmacopoeias in order to ensure uniform biologic results and standards of P. incarnata because the plant currently has tremendous usefulness. The herbal pharmacopoeias, which are still in their "infancy," can be strengthened by incorporating the appropriate bioactive constituents that need to be identified by using modern technological procedures. Once the appropriate bioactive constituent(s) are established and authenticated, their qualitative and quantitative assay procedures can be developed. Reporting the vital fingerprint parameters of the plant and incorporation of assay procedures of the bioactive phytomoiety in the official monographs of medicinal plants, will certainly strengthen the herbal pharmacopoeias. This is perhaps the most important scientific approach that would ensure uniform standards and bioequivalence of plant-medicines - a need to revive faith in the healing potentials of plant-derived medicines.