Clerodendrum infortunatum(C.I.) Linn. (Lamiaceae), commonly known as Bhant in Hindi, is a small shrub occurring throughout the plains of India. This plant has been used in Indian folk medicine in the treatment of bronchitis, asthma, fever, burning sensation, diseases of the blood, inflammation, and epilepsy. The total flavonoid content of methanolic root extract of C. infortunatum (MECI) was determined by using aluminium chloride colorimetric method. It was found that Clerodendrum infortunatum root extracts contain total flavonoids in 0.0055% gm quercetin equivalent per gram of extract. In this study phytochemical analysis of methanolic extract of C. infortunatum L. has indicated the presence flavonoid . Since these compounds are of pharmacological interest, coupled with the use of this plant in traditional medicine, prompted us to check C. infortunatum L. for possible antioxidant activity by DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power ability. The maximum percentage inhibition by DPPH method was found about 92.99 at concentration of 110.46µg/ml, when compared with Quercetin. The reducing capabilities were found to be in dose dependent manner.

Objective: In the present study anti-inflammatory activity of ethanol extract of leaf and bark of Hugonia mystax were inveatigated. Methods: The anti-inflammatory activity of ethanol extracts leaf and bark of H. mystax were evaluated by carrageenan induced rat paw edema to determine its effect on chronic phase of inflammation models in rats. Results: Preliminary phytochemical analysis of ethanol extracts of leaf and bark showed the presence of alkaloid, catechin, coumarin, flavonoid, tannin, saponin, steroid, phenol, glycoside, terpenoid and xanthoprotein. Maximum inhibition (83.91%) was obtained at the dose of 500 mg kg -1 of H. mystax leaf after 3 hours of drug treatment in carrageenan induced paw edema, whereas, indomethocin produced 84.82% of inhibition. Conclusion: The present study suggests that H. mystax leaf and bark extrats possess strong anti-inflammatory property so it has immense scope as an effective source to develop drug for the treatment of inflammatory related diseases.

The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-diarrhoeal activity of whole plant of Polycarpaea corymbosa in rats. Anti-diarrhoeal effects of the ethanol extracts at 100, 200 and 400 mg/Kg were evaluated in rats using castor oil induced models. Results showed that the ethanol extract exhibited significant and dose dependent anti-diarrhoeal activity in the model used. A percentage diarrhoeal inhibition of extract at 400 mg/Kg was 75.63%. Diarrhoeal protection in the model used by the extract is dose dependent and the diarrhoeal inhibitory effects of the extract are comparable to loperamide. Therefore, a result of present study suggests that the ethanol extract of Polycarpaea corymbosa possesses anti-diarrhoeal activity.

The present investigation was aimed to reveal the terpenoid profile of Clitoria ternatea Linn seed, stem and leaves using HPTLC. Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out by Harborne method. HPTLC studies were followed by Harborne and Wagner et al. method. The n-hexane-ethyl acetate (7.2:2.9) was employed as mobile phase for terpenoids. The methanolic extracts of Clitoria ternatea stem, leaves and seeds showed the presence of 23 different types of terpenoids with 17 different Rf values with range 0.01 to 0.92. In general more degree of terpenoids diversity has been observed in vegetative parts when compared to the reproductive part (Seed). Maximum number [9] of terpenoids has been observed in leaves followed by seed (8). The proposed HPTLC profile can be used for the identification of the medicinally important plants and distinguish from its adulterant.

The present study has been carried out to evaluate the pharmacochemical characterization and in vitro antibacterial activity of the whole plant extracts of Asystasia gangetica. Physicochemical parameters parameters (Ash value and extractive value; fluorescence analysis) and phytochemical analysis were done by using the standard methods. The petroleum ether, benzene, ethyl acetate, methanol and ethanol extracts were tested against Bacillus thuringiensis, Streptococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella paratyphi, Proteus vulgaris, Serratia marcescens by the agar disc diffusion method. The total ash value of whole plant of Asystasia gangetica is 10.14%.. The extractive value of water is more than in the solvents investigated. Preliminary photochemical screening of whole plant showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, xanthoprotein, and sugar in the methanol and ethanol extracts. The whole plant extracts of Asystasia gangetica showed potent antibacterial activity. The present investigation, whole plant of Asystasia gangetica revealed the high degree of antibacterial against Salmonella paratyphi. The pharmacochemical characterization will be helpful to study the active principles using modern techniques in the later part of this work.

Guest Editorial

In recent years, ethnobotanical and traditional uses of natural compounds, especially of plant origin received much attention as they are well tested for their efficacy and generally believed to be safe for human use. Canna indica commonly known as Keli is widely cultivated throughout India, tropical and sub-tropical regions of Southern United State and South to Northern Argentina & Philippines in settled areas belongs to the family Cannaceae. It widely used as a nutritive agent and possesses number of valuable pharmacological activities. This article aims to provide information which is required to claim and explore its pharmacognostic and pharmacological profile. Every part of Canna has beneficial properties that can serve humanity so the whole plant can be extensively studied for further research aspects.