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Reinwardtia indica (Lineceae) is a medicinal plant cultivated in the Himalayan region. It is effectively used in folk medicines for the treatment of various health complications. In the present study, the shade dried leaves and stem were extracted in three different solvents such as ethyl acetate, ethanol, and hydro-alcoholic. The antioxidant efficacy of these extracts was confirmed by using different in vitro assays: DPPH free radical scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation, metal ion chelating capability and reducing power determination. Total phenol content was maximum in hydro alcoholic extract of leaf (540.37 mg per g of gallic acid equivalents) and stem (330.51 mg per g of gallic acid equivalents) while flavonoid content was maximum in ethanolic extract of leaf (305 mg per gram of rutin equivalents) and ethyl acetate extract of stem (170.6 mg per gram of rutin equivalents). The antioxidant activity of these extracts was positively correlated with their total phenol and flavonoid content. Among all tested extracts, ethanolic extract of leaf exhibit maximum zone of inhibition against all tested clinical isolates of bacterial (E. coli 11.00 ± 1.73 mm, P. aeurogenosa 11.67 ± 0.58 mm and S. aureus 10.33 ± 1.53 mm) and fungal (C. albicans 11.33 ± 1.10 mm) pathogens, while ethyl acetate extracts of the leaf and stem showed minimum inhibitory concentration against all tested microorganisms. Thus, R. indica extracts can be used as potent natural antioxidant having antifungal and antibacterial action., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The present work discusses the establishment of a green route for the rapid synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using an alcoholic extract of Reinwardtia indica (AERI) leaves which act as a reducing as well as a capping agent. The change in color from yellowish green to dark brown confirmed the synthesis of AgNPs. A characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 436 nm advocated the presence of AgNPs. The synthesis process was optimized using one factor at a time approach where 1.0 mM AgNO 3 concentration, 5 mL 0.4% (v/v) of AER inoculum dose and 30 min of sunlight exposure were found to be the optimum conditions. The synthesized AgNPs was characterized by several characterizing techniques such as HR- TEM, SAED, HR-SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR and AFM analysis. For evaluation and comparison of AgNPs with AERI used human pathogen E. coli, P. aeurogenosa, S. aeurus and C. albicans for antimicrobial, for cytotoxicity study SiHa cell line at concentration of (10, 50, 100, 250 and 500 µg mL -1 ) and for enzymatic assay superoxide dismutase, catalase, malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase method were used. The size of nanoparticle in the range of 3-15 nm was confirmed TEM, spherical shape by SEM and crystal lattice nature by XRD. AFM results revealed the 2 D and 3 D pattern of particle scatter nature on the surface. This protocol as simple, rapid, one step, eco-friendly, nontoxic and AgNPs showed strong antimicrobial activity as well as cytotoxic potential in comparison to AERI.

Objective: Obesity and overweight are the fifth most fatal diseases leading to an increased rate of morbidity and mortality in global population, with its incidence increasing drastically. Taking this into consideration we have conducted the present study in order to explore the efficacy of plant based formulation in the management of adolescent obesity and its associated biomarkers., Design: Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial was conducted in 130 obese adolescent of both sexes, with BMI above 25kg/m(2). The subjects were randomly assigned into test formulation group (TFG) and placebo group (PG). TFG received two 500mg capsule containing test formulation whereas, the PG received two 500mg of cellulose powder containing capsule daily for 3 months. The parameters such as blood pressure, inflammatory cytokines, adipokines and lipid profile were assessed in all subjects pre and post treatment., Results: There was a considerable improvement in the levels of lipid profile, inflammatory cytokines, adipokines and blood pressure after treatment in TFG compared to PG. The statistical difference obtained between the groups after three months of treatment for the various biomarkers are given as mean with 95% CI for BMI (-1.4±0.6 (-2.5 to -0.7)), total cholesterol mg/dl (-20.9±5.0 (-30.8 to -11.0)), triglyceride mg/dl (-12.9±5.7 (-23.9 to -1.2)), HDL-c mg/dl (7.2±0.8 (5.6-8.8)), IL-6 (-0.7±0.1 (-0.9 to -0.6)), hs C-reactive protein (CRP) mg/l(-1.0±0.01 (-1.2 to -0.8)), adiponectin µg/ml(4.9±0.4 (4.2-5.7)), leptin ng/ml (-8.0±1.4 (-10.7 to -5.3)), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) mmHg (-10.4±0.8 (-12.0 to -8.7)) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) mmHg (-6.7±0.7 (-8.1 to -5.3)). Also, there was a statistical significance within group TFG., Conclusion: The study concludes that the test formulation may prevent the future cardio vascular risk incidence in obese adolescents by reducing inflammation, overweight, lipid profile and by regulating adipokines. Thus it may help to improve the health pattern in obese patients with least side effects., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Worldwide, diabetic nephropathy is one of the leading causes of end-stage renal failure. This hospital-based single-center prospective open-label randomized case-control interventional study was performed to evaluate and compare the native drug Dioscorea bulbifera with fosinopril in the management of diabetic nephropathy. Patients with diabetic nephropathy with proteinuria >500 mg/day or albuminuria >300 mg/ day, S Cr ≤2.5 mg/dL and hypertension controlled with a single drug were included into the study and were divided into three groups according to the interventional drugs that they were given; group A (n = 46) on fosinopril (5-40 mg/day), group B (n = 45) on Dioscorea bulbifera (500 mg BD) and group C (n = 46) on neither of these drugs. All necessary laboratory investigations needed to assess the effect of both the drugs were carried out. Patients were followed-up for six months. The study included 137 patients (M:F 2.61:1) with an age range of 19-76 years. At the sixth-month follow-up, a significant decrease in the systolic blood pressure was noted in all three groups whereas the diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly only in group B. There was significantly better control of both systolic and diastolic blood pressures in group B than in the other groups. Although fasting blood sugar was poorly controlled in the initial visit in all three groups, there was a significant decrease at the sixth-month follow-up in all three groups. Moreover, the decrease was significantly more pronounced in group B than in the other two groups. Low-density lipoprotein decreased significantly only in group B. Proteinuria, serum transforming growth factor-β, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein decreased in both group A and group B, more so in the latter, but the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. Importantly, proteinuria and serum IL-6 showed an increasing trend in group C. It can be concluded that Dioscorea bulbifera was more effective than fosinopril in controlling blood pressure, glycemia, cholesterolemia and inflammatory state in diabetic nephropathy. Both agents decreased proteinuria. However, creatinine clearance significantly decreased with both the drugs, more so with Dioscera, and thus further evaluation with a larger trial is needed.

An experimental, placebo-controlled study with rabbits was conducted to determine the role of Abana, an Ayurvedic preparation, on atherosclerosis. The results showed that Abana arrested the rise in TC, LDLc and VLDLc when administered along with an atherogenic diet for 60 days. In another phase of the study, when Abana was given from days 60-120 to rabbits who were made hyperlipidemic by feeding them an atherogenic diet for 60 days, Abana brought the TC, LDLc and VLDLc levels back to normal. On the other hand, the levels of the cardioprotective HDLc were elevated by Abana administration in both phases of the study. Histological pictures showed pronounced reduction in the atherosclerotic involvement of the coronary artery following treatment with Abana. The architecture of the coronary artery returned almost to normal. These findings substantiate the possible role of Abana in the reduction, prevention and reversal of atherosclerosis.

In the recent past, several herbal drugs have proved their efficacy in decreasing anxiety and tension. Until recently, limited scientific study has been done to prove the clinical importance of these herbal drugs. Geriforte is an indigenous compound commonly advocated for arresting the aging process. This remedy has also been found beneficial in reducing anxiety and stress.-34 diagnosed cases of anxiety neurosis and 24 apparently normal individuals were selected for the present study. After 12 weeks of drug therapy a significant reduction in 5-HT levels was observed. Circulating MAO and GABA showed an increasing trend along with decreased glutamic acid levels after treatment, in the neurotic anxiety cases. Psychological complaints considerably decreased after 12 weeks of therapy. Since Geriforte regulates the altered circulating biogenic amines, this remedy can be advocated as an adjunctive therapy in the management of stress disorders.