Life Sciences

The aim of this research project was to provide a thorough and comprehensive analysis of ethnobotanical and floristic investigations of medicinal and food-based plants. The study was based on a collection of data on food and therapeutical uses among the people of Zerhoun area.A series of ethnobotanical surveys were carried out in the field for three months long(from April to June 2014).

Turmeric, a spice that has long been recognized for its medicinal properties, has received interest from both the medical/scientific world and from culinary enthusiasts, as it is the major source of the polyphenol curcumin. The use of turmeric, derived from the root of the plant Curcuma longa, for treatment of different inflammatory diseases has been described in Ayurveda and in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. The active component of turmeric responsible for this activity, curcumin, was identified almost two centuries ago.

Cassia auriculata L. (Ceasalpiniaceae) has been used traditionally as antidiabetic and has been proven scientifically to possess high antioxidant activity and anticancer properties. In the present study the effect of Cassia auriculata L (CFEt) and glibenclamide on erythrocyte membrane bound enzymes and antioxidants activity in streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide induced type 2 diabetic model was investigated. Oral administration of CFEt at 0.45 mg/kg body weight to diabetic rats for 45 days.

Biochemical changes induced by industrial effluent lead to metabolic disturbances inhibition of important enzymes, retardation of growth and reduction in the fecundity and longevity of the organism. Chronic exposure to low levels of effluent may have a more significant effect on fish populations. The acute and sub-lethal toxicity of the cement factory effluent on the fingerlings of Cirrhinus mrigala was evaluated to determine its effect on the biochemical values.

In the present study, we first time reported the formation of GNPs by the reduction of aqueous gold metal ions during exposure to seaweed, Padina boergesenii extract and its α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activity. The gold nanoparticles obtained were characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrum analysis. Formation of gold nanoparticles was confirmed by using energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD).

This research investigated the antioxidant potential of Momordica charantia (bitter gourd) in various media. The extracts have been assessed for DPPH free radical scavenging and superoxide scavenging effect. In DPPH method, IC50 values were 57. 31, 73.16, 90.52, 98.57 and 83.80 μg/ml for ethanol, aqueous, citric acid, Na2CO3 and NaCl extracts of bitter gourd respectively. In super oxide scavenging method, IC50 values of ethanol, aqueous, citric acid, Na2CO3 and NaCl were 76.09, 86.25, 99.91, 96.72 and 102.06 μg/ml respectively.

Ganoderma lucidum is a fungus belonging to family Ganodermataceae of polypore mushrooms which grows on woody root region of a tree. These mushrooms are extensively used as a traditional Asian medicine and are well known for their potential in bioremediation of metals.

Pesticides are an integral part of present day agricultural technology. They are greatly contributing towards increasing world food supply by protecting the crop yield. Due to intensive development of agriculture in recent years and rapid growth of industrialization in our country, there has been a great increase in manufacture and utilization of fertilizers, pesticides, petrochemical products, detergent and other synthetic chemicals and agricultural wastes pose a serious threat to the water ecosystem and aquatic life.

The nutrient profile of the green alga Golenkinia radiata Chodat includes- carbohydrate (40.39%), protein (13.3%), lipid (12.9%) 64.9 mg total lipid per 500 mg biomass, energy 1385.24 kJ per 100 gm biomass and pigments- chlorophyll a (1.44±0.047 mg/g), chlorophyll b (0.64±0.027 mg/g), total chlorophyll (2.09±0.073 mg/g) and total carotenoids (0.17±0.006 mg/g) (with acetone method) and chlorophyll a (1.76±0.026 mg/g), chlorophyll b (0.45±0.021 mg/g), total chlorophyll (2.21±0.046 mg/g) and total carotenoids (0.20±0.001 mg/g) (with DMSO method).

To evaluate the antioxidant status of ethanolic extract of Solanum villosum leaves (EESVL) using mammalian liver slice technique in in vivo simulated in vitro model. Antioxidant activity of Solanum villosum was studied against H2O2 induced free radicals in goat liver. Administration of H2O2 showed significant decline in the levels of antioxidant enzymes in liver homogenate. Pretreatment with Solanum villosum leaf extract had significant protection in those levels within normal range.