Bharti Ahirwar

Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Selaginella lepidophylla

Abstract Objective To screen Selaginella lepidophylla ( S. lepidophylla ) that are used in traditional medicine for their claimed hepatoprotective properties. Methods Alcoholic and aqueous extracts of S. lepidophylla were evaluated for their hepatoprotective activity using CCl 4 and paracetamol induced acute hepatic injury model. Results Treatment with CCl 4 and paracetamol significantly increased liver weight and volume compared to the normal group. Pretreatment with silymarin alcoholic and aqueous extracts significantly prevent increase in liver weight and volume. Conclusions From the present experimental study it can be concluded that alcoholic and aqueous extract of S. lepidophylla exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity against CCl 4 and paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats, as result showed in physical, biochemical and histopathological parameters.

Reversible Antifertility Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Ficus Racemosa L. In Male Mice

Objective To evaluate male antifertility activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Ficus racemosa bark. Methods Swiss male mice were orally administered hydroalcoholic extract of Ficus racemosa bark (50 mg/kg for 30 d and 100 mg/kg body weight for next 30 d), and the effect of the treatment on body weight, reproductive organs weight, sperm, biochemical profile (sialic acid in epididymis and fructose in seminal vesicle), fertility and vaginal contraceptive efficacy was investigated. Recovery studies were also performed. Results Extract reduced fertility to 70% within 60 d. Suppression of cauda epididymis sperm count, motility, viability and abnormal morphology was observed. Marked reduction was noted in the weight of reproductive organs and the level of sialic acid in epididymis and fructose in seminal vesicle. Vaginal application of bark extract exhibited 80% vaginal contraceptive efficacy. After cessation of plant extract treatment, the altered parameters recovered after 60 d. Conclusion Clinical assessment of male antifertility agents should include acceptability, safety and efficacy during and after the treatment. The above results revealed the potential, reversible male antifertility effect of hydroalcoholic extract F. racemosa bark.

Characteristics and Identifying Features of Various Natural Toxins and Poisonous Plants used as Weapons in Forensic Cases

Plants and their parts as naturally contain huge number of biologically active chemicals. From these biologically found chemicals some have been traced out for very much useful for treating different human and animal diseases (eg. Digitoxin, Colchines and Atropine). Although some chemical constituents of plants produces adverse health effects. The chemical substances present in plants are quite different in nature. There are a huge number of different categories of toxicologically considerable plant chemical constituents. Some of the reported plants may also be used as therapeutic purposes also. Among these thousand numbers of plants present in the environment, few are only reported to cause acute, life threatening when ingested orally or by other means. These constituents include alkaloids, proteins, glycosides and resins. The present article focuses on collecting the facts regarding poisonous plants, toxic constituents and their chemical tests for Forensic examinations. The article describes about the various poisonous chemical constituents of the plants. Scattered literature and in depth knowledge of the plants chemical constituents, analysis methods of poisonous chemical constituents have been collected from different sources to make this review useful to all specialists of different disciplines. In this effort commonly used poisonous plants are included with their chemical constituents which are used as weapon of crime.