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The occurrence of heavy metals (HMs) in water and soil sediments represents a serious environmental concern. This study revealed the presence and distribution of HMs in water and soil sediments of various places in Vellore District, Tamil Nadu, India. Twenty-one sites were selected along the study area, and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to analyze the concentration of the heavy metals. The dominance of various HMs in the soil sediment sample follows the order strontium (Sr) > Manganese (Mn) > Barium (Ba) > Zinc (Zn) > Nickel (Ni) and Sr > Mn > Zn > Boron (B) > , respectively. It was found that the concentration of HMs in water and soil sediments in Ambur market and Mottukollai area was significantly higher than the recommended limits. Thus, the results showed that the presence of HMs in water and soil sediments could be threatened pollution factors unsafe for irrigation, drinking, and other human activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bridelia crenulata Roxb., Euphorbiaceae, is known as Adamaruthu,Maarivengai, Mulvengai and Oothiravengai in the Tamil language. The womenof the Paliyan tribes in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu in India consumea bark extract to cure menorrhagia. Isolation yielded friedelin, epi-friedelinol, n-octacosanol, α-amyrin, β-sitosterol, β-sitosterol-3-β-D-glucopyranosideand luteoforol. Aqueous and methanolic extracts and their fractions were testedagainst 10 human pathogenic bacteria and 4 fungal strains. Inhibitory activitieswere maximum in the chloroform – methanol (1 : 1) fraction of the methanolicextract against E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa,which are responsible for the pathogenesis of urinary tract infection. Thestudy provides scientific evidence for the efficacy of the use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]