This study highlights the effect of Rudraksha (Elaeocarpus ganitrus  Roxb) in experimentally induced acute hypertension by adrenaline and nicotine. Study was done in 6 anaesthetised cats having similar body weight and age. 90 % Ethanol extracts of Elaeocarpus ganitrus  Roxb was given intravenously to cats. Blood pressure was measured by using Pressure transducer  and Polyrite (INCO). Elaeocarpus ganitrus  (Roxb) reduces adrenaline induced hypertension and also normal blood pressure; but it is not effective in nicotine induced hypertension. The effect of the drug was found when the water soluble portion of the extract was given to cats in a dose of 15mg / kg body weight.

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Cholesterol fed mice were administered powdered myrobalan, the fruit of Terminalia chebula,  to evaluate its antiatherogenic activity. Male mice were fed a diet containing 1% cholesterol with or without myrobalan for 100 days. The cholesterol containing diet fed to mice caused increased food intake, body weight, serum cholesterol, triglyceride, thickening of the walls of aorta and shrinkage in its lumen (group 2) . The oral administration of myrobalan to mice on atherogenic diet successfully reversed these effect (group 3). However, the food intake was observed to be high as compared to the control animals. Control animals (group 1) received only the vehicle. The results suggest that myrobalan has hypocholesterolemic effect in animals fed with atherogenic diet.

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We investigated the spasmolytic activity of herbal drugs isolated from Tephrosia purpurea on guinea pigs for the treatment of asthma in India. For this investigation, the herbal drug was extracted with 70% ethanol in soxhlet apparatus. After purification and isolution, the drug was used in experimental animals to observe prophylactic activity. For anaphylactic activity, horse serum 0.5 ml along with triple antigen (0.5 ml) was induced in guinea pigs. To observe prophylactic activity, male guinea pigs weighing about 250-450 gms were killed by cervical dislocation and the trachea was isolated. Each trachea was cut in to six segments. Each segment consists of three cartilage rings. Each end of tracheal muscles was attached to the bronchospasm transducers for isometric recording of the tension charges on a polygraph. The results of experiments clearly showed the spasmolytic activity of the drug. The preliminary phytochemical investigation, however shows the presence of glycoside saponins.

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The active fraction (AF) from lxora coccinea flowers prevented the decrease in haemoglobin levels and leucocyte counts of Dalton's lymphoma tumour bearing mice, treated with cyclophosphamide (CYP). It also significantly increased the life span of tumour bearing mice, treated with cyclophosphamide. Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum alkaline phosphatase (SAKP) levels of tumour bearing mice treated with CYP were decreased significantly by combination therapy with I.coccinea AF. indicating protection against hepatic toxicity.

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Naga bhasma  is one of those reputed ayurvedic bhasmas which are claimed to possess some extraordinary medical properties. However, identification of a genuine sample of naga bhasma is a challenging problem. Because at present naga bhasma is manufactured by different ayurvedic pharmacies, by following different methods, these products are not standardised either from chemical and structural point of view. Therefore, comparative study of these samples using modern analytical techniques is important and necessary to understand their current status. In this communication, such study of naga bhasma from chemical and structural point of view is reported by using XRD, IR and UV spectroscopy and thermogravimetry.

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The present study was aimed to study the effects of hyperlipidaemia on the histology of various reproductive organs. The chronic oral administration of cholesterol diet (400 mg/kg bodyweight/day for 60 day) induced hyperlipidaemia in male rabbits. It showed severe degeneration in germinal epithelium. Few spermatocytes could be seen, but the number was decreased. The seminiferous tubules were wavy and shrunken. As the tubule had large number of primary spermatocytes, it seems that the meiotic divisions were inhibited. Leydig cells nuclei were shrunken and the distribution of Leydig cells was abnormal. The histoarchitecture of cauda epididymis showed lesser number of spermatozoa in lumen and shrinkage was observed in epithelial cell line.

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The aerial parts of Cissus quadrangularis  L.Variant I and II are being used therapeutically for various ailments in indigenous system of medicine. Detailed pharmacognostical studies on the aerial parts were made. Variant I and II were analysed for their physiochemical, microscopical, fluorescent, qualitative and quantitative phytochemical, TLC and HPTLC characteristics. Quantitative variations were noted among seasonal samples and between variants and the results are presented.

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Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Vitis indica  were tested for diuretic activity in rats. The parameters studied on individual rats were body weight before and after test period, total urine volume, urine concentration of Na+,Ka+ and Cr. In the present study, alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Vitis indica  leaves (200 mg/kg body weight) shows increase in urine volume, cationic and anionic excretion. Fruosemide (100 mg/kg body weight) is used as a standard.

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Vitex trifolia (Local name - Nirnocchi, sirunocchi) is well known for its medicinal property. The present investigation encompasses evaluation of antibacterial potential of Vitex trifolia  against certain pathogenic bacterial strains. Preliminary phytochemical studies were also made and results are given.

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