Alkaloids, tannins, saponins, steroid, terpenoid, flavonoids, phlobatannin and cardie glycoside distribution in seven medicinal plants belonging to different families were assessed and compared. The medicinal plants investigated were Aegle marmelos, Cynodon dactylon, Eclipta prostrata, Moringa pterygosperma, Pongamia pinnata, Sida acuta and Tridax procumbens.  The significance of the plants in traditional medicine and the importance of the distribution of these chemical constituents were discussed with respect to the role of these plants in ethnomedicine in India.

Alpinia galanga Linn.  (Willd) is an important raw drug used in large quantities in various indigenous formulations. In this paper the major diagnostic characters and the qualitative chemical and physical tests responsible for the pharmacognostic identity of the rhizomes have been reported.

The antibacterial activity of the leaves of Vitex negundo  was tested against three types of bacteria Viz., Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella Pneumoniae. The fresh, aqueous, heated aqueous extract, chloroform and methanolic extract of leaves were used for screening their antibacterial potential. The fresh and aqueous extracts of leaves in various dilutions were found to have antibacterial activity against the three bacteria.

Antioxidants are substances that inhibit oxidation and thus prevent cell damage. The objective of the study was to determine the antioxidant activity of the leaves as well as blue and white flowers of Clitoria ternatea.  They exhibited significant antioxidant activity and the sample from the blue flower bearing plant showed better scavenging activity. The results show that Clitoria ternatea  can be used as a potential antioxidant and can be used to prevent oxidative damage.

Plants have been a source of medicine and a major resource for health care since ancient times, with some traditional herbal medicines having been in use for more than 2,000 years. Herbs and spices are recommended for prevention and cure of various diseases including cancer. Alpinia galanga  and Alpinia officinarum,  botanical cousin to ginger was recognized superior in many ways and has been employed in medicine for over a thousand years. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in males and the second leading cause of cancer related death. PC-3 cell line was derived from adenocarcinoma of human prostate. This was assayed for MTT assay on treatment with ethanolic extract of Alpinia galanga  and Alpinia officinarum,  where in inhibition of the cell growth was noticed. This study was supported by DNA fragmentation where a characteristic DNA laddering was noticed in treated tumor cell line and not in the control.

Oral administration of Embelia ribes  berries (50% EtoH) reduced blood sugar level significantly. In intact rats, blood sugar levels were decreased by 13.1% and 20.3% after 3 hrs. and 5 hrs. of treatment respectively. While in alloxan induced diabetic rats blood glucose levels were decreased after 3 hours and 5hours by 28.1% and 34.5% respectively. Hypoglycaemic action of Embelia ribes  berries may be due to its direct action on tissue or due to increase in insulin secretion.

The study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of a poly herbal formulation-Chyavana  drink. The inflammation was induced in albino rats by carrageenan. The formulation was effective when compared with a known anti-inflammatory drug. The antioxidant activity was studied by invitro methods. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was found to be showing higher percentage of inhibition and reducing power at high concentrations. The phenolic content of Chyavana drink was observed to be high showing a good antioxidant effect.

The tribals such as Kokana, Mahadeo-Koli, Bhil, Warali, Thakur, Katkari etc. and rural people of Nasik district use different parts of plants in crude form as cures against eye and ear afflictions. This paper deals with 13 plant species of which five species are employed by preparing formulations like juice, pulp and contact of drug in case of eye diseases. These are prepared from leaves, stem-bark and roots and administered for conjunctivitis, cataract and burning sensation of eyes. Likewise, eight species are used to cure ear-diseases by using drugs in the form of juice obtained from leaves, young stem-bark and fruits. Out of 13 species, five species each against eye and ear complaints are being reported for the first time. Modern laboratory methods and techniques are, however, required to reveal new lead molecules.

Kupipakwa Rasayanas are very popular and commonly prescribed preparations among the Ayurvedic physicians, and are looked upon as panacea. These are prepared in a specially designed glass bottle by gradual heating immersion in sand bath (Valuka Yantra). Particular chemical processes are involved in these preparations which also bear testimony to the great chemical knowledge prevailing in ancient India. In the present review, the probable chemistry of Kupipakwa Rasayanas has been discussed.