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Peritonitis is an inflammatory condition of peritoneal cavity. Escherichia coliis one of the causative microorganism reported to be involved in the several etiologies associated with peritoneal infection. Many antimicrobial agents are available; however, increased incidence of microbial resistance is an important concern for medical practitioner. Medicinal plants were used since ancient time for treatment of many infectious diseases, but still the potential of these plant resources is not well explored. Present study was designed to investigate protective potential of Coriandrum sativumseed extract on E. coliinduced peritonitis and bacteraemia, when used alone or in combination with Levofloxacin. Different extracts were prepared by successive solvent extraction utilizing solvents of variable polarity viz. petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, chloroform and methanol (70%). These extracts were assessed for antimicrobial potential utilizing in-vitro well diffusion assay and MIC determination with E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus. Being most potent among other extracts in in-vitro assays, methanolic extract was tested in an invivo model of E. coliinduced peritonitis with immune-compromised mice at the dose of 400 mg/kg/day alone and in combination with Levofloxacin (20 mg/kg). Methanolic extract of Coriandrum sativumseeds exhibited potent protective potential against E. coliinduced peritonitis and bacteraemia.

Medicinal plants have been a rich source of medicines. Mucuna pruriensis extensively used in Ayurveda to treat kampavat (Parkinson’s disease in modern medicine), a disease characterized by excess of Vata. Clinical and preclinical studies have substantiated claims on its efficacy and safety in PD and there are indications that it is more effective than the levodopa in reducing dyskinesias. Several constituents of Mucuna seeds such as genistein, gallic acid, unsaturated acids, nicotine, bufotenin, harmin alkaloids, lecithin, etc. have been isolated which possess neuroprotective activity and support the antiPD activity of levodopa. The review describes various constituents of Mucuna pruriensseeds in context to therapeutic utility in treating Parkinson’s disease. Since the conventional treatment of PD using levodopa with other add-on drugs is very expensive and Mucuna pruriensseeds are easily available and economic, the use of standardized extract of Mucuna seeds may drastically reduce the cost of treatment and also reduce the progression of disease. The review emphasizes the importance of holistic approach of Ayurveda in using the Mucuna pruriensin treatment of PD. Further studies may provide an approach to understand the mechanisms involved in treating PD with lesser adverse effects.

Various parts of Sesbania grandiflorahave been used in the Indian system of medicine, in particular, the leaves of S. grandifloraare used in Ayurveda for the treatment of epileptic fits. In the present study we have evaluated the anticonvulsive activity of S. grandifloraleaves using a variety of animal models of convulsions. Bioassay guided separation was also carried out to identify the fraction possessing anticonvulsant activity. The benzene:ethyl acetate fraction (BE) of the acetone soluble part of a petroleum ether extract significantly delayed the onset of convulsions in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and strychnine (STR)‐ induced seizures in mice and reduced the duration of tonic hindleg extension in the maximum electroconvulsive shock (MES) induced seizures in mice. The BE contained a triterpene as a major component. In addition, the BE also inhibited electrically induced kindled seizures in mice and lithium‐pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus in rats. It prolonged the duration of sleep induced by pentobarbital and antagonized the effect of D‐amphetamine. Mice treated with BE preferred to remain in the open arm of the elevated plus maze indicating anxiolytic activity. The BE raised the brain contents of gamma‐aminobutyric acid and serotonin. Thus the triterpene containing fraction of S. grandifloraexhibits a wide spectrum of anticonvulsant profile and anxiolytic activity. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The topical anti-inflammatory activity of essential oil of Pistacia lentiscusL. was studied using carrageenan induced rat paw edema and cotton pellet induced granuloma. The effect on serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in rats inserted with cotton pellet was also investigated. On topical application, the oil exhibited a significant decrease in paw edema. The oil also inhibited cotton pellet-induced granuloma, and reduced serum TNF-α and IL-6. It can be concluded that the essential oil of Pistacia lentiscusreduces leukocyte migration to the damaged tissue and exhibits anti-inflammatory activity.