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Objectives: The current study looks towards reporting the chemical compounds present in the panchagavya (PG), free radicals scavenging and mosquitocidal activity of PG in the laboratory condition. Methods: The existence of chemical compounds in the PG were studied by GC–MS analysis. Free radicals scavenging activity of PG was studied by using various invitro assays. Mosquitocidal efficacy of PG was studied by the experiment on larvicidal, pupicidal, adulticidal, fecundity, longevity, and ovicidal activity against An. stephensi, Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus. Results: GC–MS analysis revealed fifteen chemical compounds present in the PG. Free radical scavenging was done by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid), hydroxyl, and superoxide assays, and the IC50 was calculated as 37, 37.5, 35, and 38 μg/mL respectively. PG exhibited better larvae and pupae mortality against I-IV instar of Cx. quinquefasciatus (LC50: 148.765, 162.534, 187.619, 210.835 and 234.624 ppm, LC90: 286.636, 306.390, 350.276, 390.735 and 419.195 ppm). The highest adult mortality was found against An. stephensi (91.10 ± 1.74%) with the IC50 and IC90 values of 128.114 and 260.609 ppm. An. stephensi showed highly decreased fecundity and longevity even at a low concentration of PG. Inhibition of 100% egg hatchability of An. stephensi was obtained at 250 ppm followed by Ae. aegypti, and Cx. quinquefasciatus at 300 ppm respectively. On comparing with other mosquito vectors An. stephensi was effectively inhibited by PG at each stage of their life cycle. Conclusion: The results provide the first proof that PG could be a successful natural agent for controlling different mosquito vectors. Furthermore, our findings pave the way for more research into the efficacy of natural materials' mosquitocidal activities.

Background: Uranium is a toxic heavy metal, naturally present in soil and water, that causes several health effects due to free radical generation and damage to DNA. Gynmenma sylvestre is a pharmacologically important medicinal plant that has been used in the treatment of diabetes and several other ailments. Accordingly, in this analysis, we intended to examine the protective effect of G. sylvestre leaf extract (GSE) against uranium toxicity. Methods: Aqueous leaf extract of Gymnema sylvestre was prepared and its qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis was carried out. The antioxidant potential of the extract was analysed. Human lymphocytes isolated from freshly collected blood samples were treated with uranyl nitrate and GSE independently and in combination. The toxic effects of uranium and the protective effect of the leaf extract have been analyzed by MTT assay, micronucleus and γH2AX DNA damage response detection. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of major and important phytochemical groups such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, etc. 15 μg/mL of GSE significantly reduced toxicity in the 3 different uranium concentrations (0.25, 0.50 & 0.75 mM). Cell viability percentage increased from 90.44 to 94%, 80.40 to 86% and 72.03 to 77.40% in the GSE and uranium co-exposure groups. GSE treatment led to statistically significant reduction in the average number of micronuclei observed per 1000 binucleate cells in all three groups with values 30.66, 40 and 48.33 micronuclei respectively. GSE was successful in reducing the γH2AX percentages in the treated cell groups with statistically significant protection with values 22.11 ± 1.56, 48.43 ± 0.83 and 51.14 ± 1.78 respectively. Conclusion: This study is the first to report the in vitro toxic effects of uranium in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells as well as the protective effect of Gymnema sylvestre against uranium induced damages. GSE could alleviate DNA damage in cells treated with uranium in a dose-dependent way. Together these findings emphasize that GSE could be a promising protective agent against uranium-induced damages and should be further evaluated for the identification of active principle(s).

Cancer is the second largest killer in the world. Even though the treatment and diagnosis of cancers have increased manifold, the survival rate has not increased proportionately. This discrepancy is mainly due to the toxicity of the chemotherapeutic agents. Natural herbs possessing significant antitumour activity can be utilized to address this issue. Asparagus racemosus is a widely distributed medicinal plant having reported antitumor properties. A concomitant use of the aqueous extract of Asparagus racemous (AEAR) along with Cyclophosphamide (CTX) was studied for the reversal of myelosuppression and hemotoxicity induced by CTX and to test whether AEAR possess significant antitumor activity against Dalton’s Lymphoma Ascites (DLA) tumour in BALB/c mice model. The study consisted of preliminary physico-chemical character determination and phytochemical screening. AEAR was used at 216, 432 and 864 g/kg body weight doses designated as lower, medium and high doses respectively and CTX was used at 25 mg/kg body weight. Hemogram, total leucocyte count, differential leucocyte count, bone marrow cellularity and – esterase positive cells were assessed. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels were estimated as oxidative stress markers. Tumour volume, size, mean survival time, increase in life span and in vitro cytotoxicity assays involving trypan blue exclusion test and MTT assay were done for antitumor study. AEAR showed significant elevation in hemogram, total leucocyte count, differential count, bone marrow cellularity and -esterase positive cell activity. AEAR at medium and high dose levels showed significant elevation in anti-oxidant enzyme levels of MDA, Glutathione, SOD and CAT enzymes. They also reduced the tumour volume, size and significantly increased the life span and mean survival time of DLA bearing mice. In in vitro cytotoxicity tests also, the medium and high dose of AEAR showed significant cytotoxicity. AEAR at doses of 432 and 864 mg/kg body weight doses significantly reverses the myelosuppression and hemotoxicity. It enhances the levels of antioxidant enzymes and is also an antitumor agent and exerts significant cytotoxicity against DLA tumour cells. Asparagus racemosus provides a ray of hope in addressing the toxicity while using chemotherapeutic agents when used as an adjuvant therapy.