Plants used in traditional medicine are potential sources of new biologically active compounds many of them with antibacterial and antifungal activity. Plants can serve as a source of model compounds for synthetic or semi synthetic structure modification (Balandrin et al., 1993). Potential natural and synthetic substances with biocidal activity are considered candidates for developing new drugs for treatment of various chronic as well as infectious diseases. In the present investigation, HPTLC analysis is carried out with the various extracts of Cressa cretica  L. to identify the number of phytoconstituents and their antibacterial activity is also tested.

The antibacterial activity of the methanol, chloroform and aqueous extracts from the leaves, bark and fruit of A. marmelos  was studied using disc diffusion method against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus (Gram Positive), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella paratyphi A and Salmonella paratyphi  B (Gram Negative). Results suggest that the methanolic extract has significant antibacterial activity against tested bacteria. The present study justifies the claimed uses of A. marmelos  in the traditional system of medicine to treat various infectious diseases.

The plant Passiflora foetida  (grandilla) has been used mainly for asthma and various neurological disorders by the traditional medicinal practitioners of Chittor District. Since proper information regarding this plant is not available, our efforts were devoted to fix the pharmacognostical parameters and preliminary phytochemical studies of Passiflora foetid.  An attempt was made to fix the macroscopical, microscopical parameters of the leaf, quantitative microscopy, physical constants, behaviour of the powder with chemical reagents and preliminary qualitative phytochemical studies of Passiflora foetida  were investigated. The phytochemical tests revealed the presence of sterols, flavanoids and carbohydrates.

Lauha Bhasma  is the most widely used bhasma  preparation in therapeutics, but till date the temperature pattern to prepare Lauha Bhasma  in electric muffle furnace is not fixed. So in this pilot study an attempt has been made to confirm the appropriate temperature pattern to prepare Lauha Bhasma.  And emphasis has been given to evaluate this prepared Lauha Bhasma  on classical analytical parameter, which reflects the physical and chemical properties of the Bhasma. 

Ethanolic extract of rhizomes of Curcuma aromatica  (Zingiberaceae) was investigated for its antitussive effect on Sulfur dioxide induced cough model in mice. The extract exhibited significant antitussive activity in a dose dependant manner. The activity was compared with the prototype antitussive agent codeine phosphate. The ethanolic extract at the dose of lOOmg. 200mg and 400mg/kg body weight, po, showed 68%, 74% and 79% of inhibition of cough with respect to control group.

The anthelmintic activity of different extracts of nuts of Semecarpus anacardium  were evaluated separately on adult Indian earthworm (Pheritima posthuma).  It was found that petroleum ether, chloroform extract of S. anacardium  (PESA and CESA, respectively) showed better anthelmintic activities than ethanol (EESA) and aqueous (AESA) extract of it. The anthelmintic effects of PESA and CESA at 10 mg/ml and EESA at 20 mg/ml concentration are comparable to that of the effects produced by the reference standards, albendazole (10 mg/ml) and piperazine citrate (10 mg/ml).

Modern life style is characterized by high stress, increased automation, junk food consumption and sedentary life style which have lead to the incidence of Diabetes. The study involved selection of NIDDM subjects who were supplemented with Triphala powder called, The Three Myrobalans (Terminalia bellirica-   Belliric myrobalan,  Terminalia chebula-  Inknut,  Embilica officinalis -  Indian gooseberry)  for a period of 45 days. Statistical evaluation of the blood profile showed significant reduction in the blood glucose level of the subjects.

The study grains to explore ethno-medicobotany of Badaga population in the Nilgiri hills of Tamilnadu, South India. Ethno botanical field survey and personal discussion methods have been adopted in the collection of data. A list of 71 flowering plants belonging to 42 families, 67 genera and 70 species are employed by the Badaga popu­lation in their native system of medicine for therapeutic purposes. In reviewing ethnomedical information, data on folk herbal remedies and their various methods of applications for treating a wide range of ailments have been furnished. A brief description of plants, their habitat, family and local Badaga names are outlined here.