Alcoholic extract of the leaves is reported to be anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-spasmodic, hypoglycemic, immunostimulant, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal in experimental animals. It has shown significant anti-stress effect in several in vitro and in vivo assays. Animals that received the aqueous extracts in general showed a greater resistance. The seed-fixed oil is analgesic and aqueous extract reportedly potentiated sleeping time induced…
Bark extracts are reportedly associated with spasmogenic, oxytocic, uterotonic, anti-bacterial, anti-implantation, anti-tumor, anti-progestational, and antiestrogenic activity. They also have a stimulatory effect on the endometrium and the ovarian tissue. Alcoholic extract of the bark is found to be oxytocic, enhancing the frequency and duration of uterine contractions unlike tonic contractions due to ergot alkaloids. Extracts…
It is a medium-sized handsome, evergreen tree up to 9 m height with numerous spreading and drooping glabrous branches. Leaves are paripinnate, 30–60 cm long having 2–3 pairs of lanceolate leaflets, which are oblong, lanceolate, and parallel veined. Flowers are orange yellow in dense corymbs and with great fragrance. Fruits are leathery, flat black pods,…
Leaf ethanol extract is reported with antibacterial and antifungal activity. Leaf aqueous extract inhibited HIV-antigen-positive H9 cells. Dehydroandrographolide is shown to be inhibitory to HIV–I cells in human lymphocytes. Ethanol extract of the aerial parts is reported to cause nonspecific stimulation of immune response, which is more effective than that produced by purified andrographolide indicating…
The plant is an herbaceous annual, growing erect to a height of 1 m. The stem is acutely quadrangular, much branched with simple, opposite, lanceolate, glabrous leaves, about 2–12 cm long and 1–3 cm wide with an acute apex, entire slightly undulate margin with a bractiform short petiole. Inflorescence is terminal and axillary in peduncle,…
Ethyl acetate extract of Commiphora mukul confers significant protection to albino rats against experimental atherosclerosis. It prevents deteriorating changes in serum cholesterol, triglyceride and plasma fibrinogen levels. Research studies showed that guggul is beneficial in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Guggulsterones were comparable to cardioprotective drugs, propanolol and nifedipine, in protecting from myocardial necrosis induced by isoproterenol…
The crude oleo gum resin called guggulu is used as an incense. Suddha guggulu is a processed form of the resin used in traditional ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of epilepsy, ulcers, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, and atherosclerosis since 600 BC. The gum resin is a thermogenic given in vitiated conditions of vata. It is used…
It is a small bushy shrub or tree, 4–6 ft in height with thorny branches. The leaflets are 1–3 in number and obovate and the tree, however, remains largely leafless throughout the year. The ashcoloured bark comes off in rough flakes exposing the under bark, which also peels off in papery rolls. The tree bears…
There is extensive scientific literature on chemical, pharmacological, clinical, and epidemiological studies related to garlic. In vitro studies establish its anti-bacterial, anti-mycotic, lipid-lowering, platelet aggregation inhibition, clotting, and bleeding time prolongation and increased fibrinolytic activity. It inhibits milk-clotting activity of papain and the amylolytic—activity of β-amylase. In vivo animal studies demonstrate garlic’s ability to inhibit tumor formation…
Garlic contains 65% water, 28% carbohydrates, 2.3% organosulphur compounds, 2% protein, 1.2% free amino acids, 1.5% fiber, 0.15% lipid and trace quantities of phytic acid (0.08%), saponins (0.07%) and β-sitosterol. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, and minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, zinc and selenium are also present. The organosulphur-rich essential…