Methanolic extract of leaf of Musa acuminate colla and seed of Cajanus cajan (Linn.) were taken for the examination of anthelmintic activity on Indian earthworm (Pheretima posthuma). Various concentrations (10mg/ml, 20mg/ml, 30 mg/ml) of both plant extract were tested and results were expressed in terms of time of paralysis and time of death of worms. Albendazole of same concentration as like as plant extracts was taken as reference standard and normal saline solution as control. Paralysis time can be determined by vigorous shaking when no movement was observed. When whitish substances were secreted from the body that one was termed as death time. Both the extracts show significant anthelmintic activity but among these two Musa acuminate colla showed more anthelmintic activity than Cajanus cajan (Linn.). Future scope involves isolation of active constituents responsible for this action.

The traditional medicine involves the use of different plant extracts or the bioactive constituents. This type of study provides the health application at affordable cost. India is a home to a variety of traditional medicine systems that relay to a very large extent on native plant species for their raw drug materials. Plants acts as a raw material base for the elaboration of more complex semi-synthetic chemical compounds. Therefore, now there is a need to look back towards the traditional medicine which can serve as novel therapeutics and in searching new economic plants for medicine. Toddalia asiatica has been in folklore use in India and China from 18th century. Since, this plant possess many medicinal properties, the present study was designed to evaluate the phytochemicals in the stem of Toddalia asiatica.L. The stem was collected and extracted with benzene, chloroform, acetone, methanol and water. Phytochemical screening was carried out according to standard procedures. Sugar, protein, Alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols, coumarins and glycoside were found to be present in the extracts. The results of the above study conclusively validate the phytochemical treasures indulged in Toddalia asiatica.L.

Pineapple is a favorite for the lovers of fruit in its fresh forms as well as in preserves like jams, jellies and squashes. Two varieties of Pineapples (Queen and Kew) are available in Tripura during mid-May to mid-September. The plant is well known for its different folk medicines like the root and fruit are either eaten or applied topically as an anti-inflammatory, digestive and anthelmintic. It was observed that the people of Tripura especially the Tribes are use the juice of matured root or fruit in worm. Research shows that, mainly bromelain is responsible for all its therapeutic activity.The agriculture of Tripura, each year, gets a special boost from pineapple production between the middle of May and middle of September, both inclusive. Pineapple’s leaves are used as the source of a textile fiber and are employed as a component of wall paper and furnishings, amongst other uses. This allows the crop to contribute a significant proportion in the economy of the state.The present study was carried out to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of fruit extract (Aqueous) of Pineapple using Indian earthworm (Pheretima posthuma).All the extracts were found not only to paralysis (vermifuge) but also to kill the earthworms (vermicidal). But the concentration of 40mg/ml fruit extract showed the maximum effect in respect of 20 and 10 mg/ml.

Tharus are inhabited on southern foothills of the Himalayas along Indo-Nepal border. They have been using many plant species to meet their day-to-day needs. The aim of this study was to collect information on the traditional uses of different plants and to document the potential economic use of these plants. Fieldwork was conducted over a period of two years in Dudhwa National Park, utilizing the “transect walk” method of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). The data was analyzed using the following techniques: frequency of citation and informant consensus factor (Fic). The present communication gives information on 86 species belonging to 38 families of plants used by Tharu tribes of Dudhwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh. The frequency of citation was very high for Alstonia scholaris (fire-wood), Antidesma acidum, Artocarpus lakoocha (edible), Bauhinia vahlii, Butea monosperma (food plate), Dendrocalamus strictus (hut preparation), Hibiscus cannabinus (rope), Oryza rufipogon (food), Phoenix acaulis (edible) and Tamarix dioica (broom).

Schizophrenia, a psychiatric illness is a 4th leading cause of disability among adults. It is estimated to affect 1% of the general population. Aim of the present study was to conduct epidemiological survey of patients suffering of schizophrenia in Gujarat. This retrospective study was conducted on patients visiting Santvan Hospital Nadiad, Gujarat. Data were collected by the case report forms and analyzed for age, sex, symptoms of schizophrenic patients and prescribed drugs. Male and female patients (n=55) with age > 15 years and < 50 years, who had informed consent were included in this study. Patients with severe diseases along with schizophrenia, pregnant and lactating women, and age < 15 years and > 50 years were excluded from this study. Analysis of the data revealed that females and males affecting schizophrenia were almost equal. This disease appeared earlier in men usually in early twenties than in women who were affected in the twenties to early thirties. Female patients were suffered from irritable mood more than males. Male patients suffered from apathetic mood more than females. All cases studied were had negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Polypharmacy was observed in drug prescription as on an average drugs prescribed per patient was 3 to 4. Olanzapine (98%) was most prescribed drug followed by clozapine (64%), lorazepam (64%), escitalopram (50%) and risperidone (32%).

Peptic ulcers are produced by an imbalance between gastro-duodenal mucosal defense mechanisms and damaging forces of gastric acid and pepsin, combined with superimposed injury from environmental or immunologic agents. Most common symptoms of peptic ulcer disease are abdominal discomfort, gnawing ache, occurs 2 to 3 hours after meal, other symptoms includes weight loss, poor appetite, bloating, nausea, vomiting etc. Some time duodenal wall perforates; bleeding due to the ulcer breaks blood vessels and obstructs the path of food trying to leave the stomach. Various studies have shown the association of Helicobacter pylori with peptic ulcers. Probiotic lactic acid bacteria are proposed to cure peptic ulcers by reducing colonization of H. pylori with stomach wall and by eradicating already established infection. A bacteriocin producing probiotic strain of P. acidilactici BA28 was evaluated for its antimicrobial activity against a number of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Bacteriocin BA28 was partially purificated and characterized following in vitro assays. Preliminary investigations against H. plyori have suggested its effectiveness against peptic ulcer disease and therefore could be exploited to develop novel therapeutics.

The plant kingdom has been the best source of remedies for curing a variety of diseases since ancient times. Plants continue to serve as possible sources for new drugs and chemicals derived from various parts of plants. Manihot esculenta Crantz, popularly known as cassava is one of the most neglected medicinal herbs found all over the world. It is not so commonly used in herbal medicine because of some of its potentially toxic components, but still various literatures have mentioned that this plant has numerous medicinal indications. Generally roots and leaves of this plant have been used in various parts of world for dietary as well as medicinal purposes. Though neglected, this is one of the most useful medicinal plants. In this review, we have tried to highlight various phytochemicals found and medicinal uses of this neglected plant.

Piper longum L. (Thippali) is a native of the Indo-Malaya region, belongs to family Piperaceae. It has been used as a thapeutic agent in the treatment of various pathological conditions. P.longum was reported to contain alkaloids, phenols, tannins, flavanoids, steroids, lignin & saponins in it. The objective of study is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity with their preliminary phytochemical study. The petroleum ether, acetone and ethanol extracts of all the parts (Leaf, fruit, stem and root) were tested for antimicrobial activity against certain bacterial strains of E.coli, Steptococcus faecalis, Steptococcus pyogens and Salmonella paratyphi A. by in vitro disc diffusion method and the results are recorded as the zone of inhibition.

Nutritional anaemia due to iron and folate deficiency is a major global Public Health problem. South Asia ranks among the regions, which have the highest prevalence of anaemia in the world and India perhaps has the highest prevalence of anaemia among the South Asian countries. Prevalence of anaemia is higher among pregnant women and preschool children. Even among higher income educated segments of population about 50% of children, adolescent girls and pregnant women are anaemic. Inadequate dietary iron, folate intake and poor bioavailability of dietary iron from the fibre, phytate rich Indian diets are the major factors responsible for high prevalence of anaemia. Increased requirement of iron during growth and pregnancy and chronic blood loss contribute to higher prevalence in specific groups. Many times anaemia is directly or indirectly responsible for maternal deaths. Early detection and effective management of anaemia in pregnancy can contribute substantially to reduction in maternal mortality. Maternal anaemia is associated with poor intrauterine growth and increased risk of preterm births and low birth weight rates. This in turn results in higher perinatal morbidity and mortality, and higher infant mortality rate. Maternal anaemia contributes to intergenerational cycle of poor growth in the offspring. Early detection and effective management of anaemia in preganancy can lead to substantial reduction in under nutrition in childhood, adolescence and improvement in adult height.