Costus speciosus is one of the most traditionally used plants for its various pharmacological activities it has been used as anti-diabetic as anthelminthic as contraceptives and aborting agents. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies have been conducted on the stems leaves roots and rhizomes but the inflorescence have not been much studied. The current study deals with the Pharmacognostic aspects (classification, distribution, microscopic study of Costus speciosus and the phytochemical studies performed for the determination of secondary metabolites present in the inflorescence of Costus Speciosus (Koenig ex. Retz) J. E. Smith.
ABSTRACT Costus speciosus is one of the most traditionally used plants for its various pharmacological activities it has been used as anti-diabetic as anthelminthic as contraceptives and aborting agents. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies have been conducted on the stems leaves roots and rhizomes but the inflorescence have not been much studied. The current study deals with the screening of the ethanolic extract of Costus speciosus inflorescence for anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial activity using inhibition zone comparision to Ciprofloxacin. Keywords: Costus speciosus, anti-bacterial, Ciprofloxacin, Antioxidant.
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REVIEW ON THE PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF PIPER SPECIES
ABSTRACT A large number of natural products are being used as traditional medicine in several countries for the treatment of various diseases . The genus Piper belongs to the family Piperaceae and has over 2000 species. It is a well known spice considered as ‘‘The King of spices’’ among various spices. It contains a pungent alkaloid ‘‘piperine’’ which is known to possess many pharmacological actions. Piperine increases bioavailability of many drugs and nutrients by inhibiting various metabolising enzymes. The plants of genus Piper are also used for many other purposes such as foods and spices, fish bait, fish poison, hallucinogens, insecticides, oils, ornaments, perfumes etc. Piper species are of high commercial and economical importance such as Piper nigrum, it has world-wide spice market. The phytoconstituents obtained from Piper species are characterized by the production of typical classes of compounds such as amides, benzoic acids, chromenes, terpenes, phenylpropanoids, lignans, other phenolics and a series of alkaloids. They have shown antihypertensive, antiplatelet, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-asthmatics, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrheal, antispasmodic, antidepressants, immunomodulatory, anticonvulsant, anti-thyroids, antibacterial, antifungal, hepato-protective, insecticidal and larvicidal activities etc. This review article explains the pharmacological activities of Piper species. Keywords: Piper species, Phytoconstituents, Piperaceae.
ABSTRACT An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals, leading to chain reactions that may damage cells. Antioxidants such as thiols or ascorbic acid (vitamin C) terminate these chain reactions. Most oxidations occur with the liberation of large amounts of energy. They are mainly derived from oxygen (reactive oxygen species/ROS) and nitrogen (reactive nitrogen species/RNS), and are generated in our body by various endogenous systems, exposure to different physicochemical conditions or patho-physiological states. Free radicals can adversely alter lipids, proteins and DNA (Deoxyribose nucleic acids) and have been implicated in aging and a number of human diseases including cancer. Antioxidants applications in this regard have become an interesting and introspective arena of research. Antioxidants can fight against these free radicals and protect the body from the various adversaries. The beneficial influence of many foodstuffs and beverages including fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee, and cocoa on human health has been recently recognized to originate from their antioxidant activity. Plant foods are known to protect against degenerative diseases and ageing due to their antioxidant activity (AOA) attributed to their high polyphenolic content (PC).This review article explains on antioxidants and methods used for determination of activity. Keywords: Free radical, Antioxidant activity, Evaluation methods.
