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Ghrelin treatment alleviates appetite-related receptor expressions and oxidative stress in fructose-streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat duodenum
No full text192-199Ghrelin (GHR), a peptide that regulates appetite and energy balance, is important for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB-1R) are two receptors associated with energy and food metabolism. Understanding the effects of GHR on GLP-1R and CB-1R may help develop treatments for weight regulation in T2D. We investigated the effects of GHR supplementation on both appetite-related receptor expression and oxidative stress in the duodenum of a rat model of diabetes. Rats (n=21) were divided into control (CO), T2D, and T2D+GHR groups. The number and intensity of GLP-1R and CB-1R immunopositive cells were detected by immunohistochemistry. Expression levels of GLP-1R and CB-1R mRNAs were analyzed by qPCR in the duodenum. Oxidative stress parameters were measured in duodenal tissues. During the third and fourth weeks of the experiment, body weight in the T2D+GHR group was significantly reduced compared to the T2D group. The number and intensity of CB-1R and GLP-1R immunopositive cells were significantly lower in the T2D+GHR group than in the T2D group. The results of GLP-1R and CB-1R mRNA expression paralleled the immunohistochemical staining. According to our findings, GHR supplementation may contribute to healing in the duodenum of a diabetic rat model by suppressing appetite-related receptors
Ethnobotany to bioprospecting of medicinal plants from Western Ghats, India – A review
No full text63-72Plants are the sources of traditional medicine since time immemorial and several drugs that are currently used in clinics are of plant origin. Western Ghats of India, one of the hotspots in the world, comprises valuable medicinal plants and hardly a limited number of these have been scientifically validated. Thus, it is worth exploring the other medicinal plants from these regions. The information on ethnobotanical studies, indigenous and traditional knowledge on the medicinal plants from the Western Ghats of India were collected using online search engines such as Google, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed. The collected information was analysed to understand the role of different plant species and families in treating various diseases and disorders using pharmacological approaches. It was found that around 1628 plant species belonging to 171 families were used for treating major ailments such as pain and inflammatory, gastrointestinal and, dermatological disorders. Furthermore, plant families including Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Acanthaceae were largely preferred. Amongst the reported species around 130 were endemic, 4 critically endangered and nearly threatened. Around 3 species were endangered and rare. One species is at risk. However, only 115 plants have been validated for their pharmacological properties using in vivo experiments and clinical trials/uses. The available literature on medicinal plants from the Western Ghats strongly suggests that these plants can be a potential source of the newer drug. Further in-depth studies on the screening of medicinal plants to isolate and characterize the pharmacologically important active principles are essential to contribute to the healthcare sector
Phytochemical characterization and evaluation of the antibacterial activity of Amruthotharam kwath, a traditional polyherbal formulation on multidrug resistant clinical isolates from the respiratory tract
No full text146-157Antibiotic resistance is a multifaceted medical issue affecting the global healthcare sector. Despite continued research and development to combat antibiotic resistance, the development of new antibiotics lags behind the rates of drug resistance. Among the various research strategies under development, traditional polyherbal formulations have greater potential to resolve infectious conditions caused by antibiotic resistant pathogens. Unlike monotherapy antibiotics, polyherbal formulations contain a variety of secondary antibacterial metabolites and their enhanced synergistic action renders them potent therapeutic agents. Multitarget action of phytocompounds at low concentrations poses very low selection pressure that prevents bacteria from developing new resistance mechanism against polyherbals. The study was focused on exploring the antibacterial efficacy of a traditional polyherbal formulation Amruthotharam kwath which had been used to treat respiratory tract infections, one of the leading infectious conditions prevalent in our country. Respiratory tract infection caused by multidrug resistant gram-negative pathogens leads to ineffective empirical treatments and worsens the situation. The study involves preliminary phytochemical analysis, quantification of phytoconstituents, metabolite profiling of the formulation and its antibacterial effect on multidrug resistant clinical isolates from the respiratory tract. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various classes of phytocompounds with antibacterial activity. Antimicrobial assays reported promising antibacterial effect. MIC values were found to be in the range of 6.25 mg/mL-12.5 mg/mL and its MBC ranges from 6.25 mg/mL-128 mg/mL. The formulation exhibited bactericidal effect on majority of the isolates.LC-MS/QToF revealed the presence of 76 secondary metabolites, majority of which possessed antibacterial activity. The SEM image analysis confirmed complete destruction of cell wall as well as cell membrane of the pathogens. This study suggests the promising herbal therapy of Amruthotharam kwath which can be proposed as an alternative for treating infections caused by multidrug resistant pathogens
Impact of water pH on essential oil yield and quality in aromatic crops
No full text177-183This study aimed to investigate the effects of using water with varying pH levels (pH 4, 7, and 9) instead of normal water during hydrodistillation. Four aromatic plants, Palmarosa, Eucalyptus citriodora, Lemongrass, and Citronella, were freshly distilled using a Clevenger apparatus with water at different pH levels. The study revealed that essential oil yields were significantly influenced by the distillation process. Soaking the plant material in water with varying pH levels overnight prior to hydrodistillation resulted in higher yields compared to distillation without soaking. In Palmarosa, geraniol was most abundant in the pH 7 sample (83.426%), while the yield increased by 0.2% when using pH 9 (soaked) water. It was concluded that pH 9 (soaked) water maximised essential oil yield, whereas pH 7 water was ideal for obtaining higher geraniol content. For E. citriodora, a notable yield increase (0.88%) was observed between pH 7 and pH 7 (soaked) samples, with the primary aldehyde Citronellal being most abundant in the pH 9 sample (84.432%). Similarly, Citronella showed higher essential oil yields (2.5%) when transitioning from pH 7 (soaked) to pH 9 (soaked), though Citronellal content was highest in the pH 7 sample (39.054%). In Lemongrass, the total citral content (86.702%) and essential oil yield (0.4%) were highest in the pH 7 (soaked) sample. These findings suggest that hydrodistillation with pH-adjusted water can optimise essential oil yields and quality, depending on the desired chemical constituents
Macro-microscopic identity, phytochemical screening and pesticidal efficacy of Blumea mollis (D.Don) Merr. aerial parts
No full text160-176Blumea mollis (D.Don) Merr. is an indigenous herb used for diarrhoea and skin diseases and having antiseptic and insect
repellent properties. The current study is carried out on the pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation and pesticidal
activity of B. mollis stem and leaves. Micro-morphological profiling assists the authentication of the plant in its crude drug
as well as an ingredient in formulations. As the plants possess natural insecticidal properties it can be used to control insect
pests and it offers a more environmental friendly pest management rather than depending on synthetic chemicals.
Macroscopic, microscopic, quantitative analysis of leaf, powder microscopy, histochemical tests and qualitative screening of
phytochemicals and fingerprinting by TLC and HPTLC were done. For pesticidal efficacy of B. mollis, a preliminary field
trial was conducted using pot culture experiment in a Completely Randomised Design against sucking pest complexes using
chilli as a test crop. The organoleptic characters, presence of multicellular trichomes, glandular trichomes, anisocytic and
anomocytic stomatal types, lignified stone cells, bordered pitted vessels, rosette crystals of calcium oxalates, etc. were noted
as the diagnostic features of the plant. The spots obtained and Rf values of HPTLC can be used to differentiate B. mollis
from other species and from adulterants or substitutes even in powdered form. B. mollis extract 5% proved effective in
reducing the leaf curl symptom in chilli and was proved better than the commonly used botanicals such as neem oil 2%,
pongamia oil 2%, Andrographis paniculata 5% and chemical pesticides like Spiromesifen 22.9% SC 96g ai/ha +
Thiamethoxam 25 WG 50g ai/ha and wettable Sulfur 3g-1. The outcomes of this research work will be supportive in the
standardisation of AYUSH formulations containing B. mollis as an ingredient
Reviving industrial hemp in Bangladesh: Opportunity, challenges, and prospects
No full text60-70This review explores the potential of reviving and cultivating industrial hemp, hereafter hemp only, in Bangladesh,
highlighting its historical background and current trends. Despite facing some global challenges, hemp significantly
contributes to environmental suitability, economic development, and industrial growth. Different parts of hemp are useful
for industrial purposes and some components of it are beneficial for health and ingredients for the drug industry as well,
such as CBD oil. The review is based on information from published literature, thematic synthesis, comparative policy
analysis, and in-person interviews with semi-structured questionnaires. A regulatory framework named “Ganja Mahal” was
established over 150 years ago and functioned properly in Bangladesh; a similar model is also used in other hemp-growing
countries worldwide. However, in Bangladesh, the cultivation of hemp is banned due to negative social attitudes and
knowledge gaps. Even though hemp can generate vast employment opportunities in agriculture, processing, manufacturing,
research, marketing, transportation, and retail sectors. The global market for hemp-derived products is rising gradually;
reviving in Bangladesh will boost the country’s export earnings and could lead to a position as a prominent supplier of
superior hemp goods. This review would apprise policymakers, scholars, and agricultural stakeholders of the importance of
hemp in fostering sustainable development to achieve the United Nations' sustainable development goals
Effect of herbal Kunapjala (a traditional form of liquid organic manure) on plant growth, oil yield and oil quality of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.)
No full text168-176Kunapjala, a liquid organic manure of antiquity mentioned in Surpala’s Vrikshayurveda, acts as an efficient source of plant nutrients. To check the impact of Kunapjala on cultivation of chamomile, an important essential oil- bearing plant, a field experiment was conducted at Medicinal Plant Research and Development Centre, Pantnagar using three different doses (D1-D3) of three types of herbal Kunapjala (K1-K3). The experiment was performed in Randomized Block Design consisting of 10 treatments (T1-T10) with three replications each and results were compared to recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers (RDF). Various treatments of Kunapjala significantly affected different floral parameters. Highest concentration of nettle based Kunapjala (T3) initiated early bud formation along with increased flower size. Similarly, essential oil content (0.27%) and number of bioactive compounds (33) in chamomile oil was also maximum with nettle based Kunapjala (T3). Contrary to floral parameters, vegetative parameters were significantly promoted with RDF. Maximum number of flowers and flower yield was also seen in T10 (RDF). From the results of the current investigation, it can be concluded that nettle based herbal Kunapjala can be used as an effective and viable alternative to the conventional methods for increasing flower size as well as yield and quality of essential oil of chamomile
Standardization of germination conditions for nutritional enhancement of underutilized basil seeds
No full text391-397The current study aimed at determining the ideal conditions for the germination of clove basil and sweet basil seeds to enhance their nutritional and sensorial quality. Prechilling of seeds at 4oC for 2 days followed by germination at 35C in continuous light for 60 h for clove basil seeds and for 48 h for sweet basil seeds were found to be ideal. Under these conditions, clove basil and sweet basil seeds exhibited desirable α-amylase activity (9.27 U, 10.95 U), vitamin C content (14.66 mg/100 g, 19.52 mg/100 g) and overall sensorial acceptability (8.14, 8.24) along with germination percentage of 20.67%, 84.33%, respectively. Further, germination significantly improved dietary fibre (56.45 to 61.26 g/100 g, 48.46 to 52.83 g/100 g), calcium (603.60 to 646.80 mg/100 g, 568.40 to 598.80 mg/100 g), magnesium (270.72 to 291.36 mg/100 g, 261.36 to 276.24 mg/100 g), phosphorus (69.25 to 85.29 mg/100 g, 106.68 to 122.73 mg/100 g), zinc (4.17 to 4.77 mg/100 g, 6.95 to 7.05 mg/100 g), copper (2.13 to 2.21 mg/100 g, 1.87 to 1.95 mg/100 g) and manganese (4.34 to 4.42 mg/100 g, 1.88 to 2.08 mg/100 g) contents of clove basil and sweet basil seeds