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Purpose of this study: This study has been carried out to explore the medicinal significance of Tagetes patula by evaluating its in vitro antibacterial, antifungal and toxicological effects. Pharmacognostic standardization is done to maintain the purity and quality of the drug. Methodology: Pharmacognostic studies (macro morphology and microscopy i.e.  Histology and powder microscopy), solubility and color reaction of T.patula were carried out followed by in vitro antimicrobial studies of ethanol extract of the flowers.  In this regard antibacterial, antifungal, and toxicological studies were performed by well diffusion, Agar dilution, and larvicidal activity respectively. Results: Flower extract of T. patula showed good antibacterial effects against gram +ve and gram –ve bacteria except Shigella flexanri. Moreover it showed powerful antifungal effects against various human (Aspergillus flavus, Candida glabrata, Trichophytonlongifusus), plant (Fusariumsolani)and animal pathogens (Microsporumcanis). Moreover remarkable larvicidal activity was observed  against brine shrimp at 100 and 1000 µg/ml. Conclusion: This research study makes the valuable medicinal plant a good candidate for skin infections and wound management for topical use.Such studies will help in formulating topical herbal preparations to combat inflammatory and infectious skin disease.

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BACKGROUND Travelers are always at risk of exposure to any new communicable or vector borne disease when they travel from one geographical area to another. This study was aimed to determine the risk perception about communicable and vector borne diseases among international travelers arriving to Islamabad from different regions of the world. OBJECTIVE Relatively little is known about how travelers know and perceive the health risks associated with travel and how they utilize preventive measures before and while traveling abroad. This study will assess the risk perception of international travelers about communicable and vector borne diseases which will help in decreasing global burden of diseases. METHODS 426 participants were included through convenient sampling. Tool to collect information was an already validated Questionnaire. Chi square test was applied to find out any significant association between dependent and independent variables. RESULTS The level of risk perception was calculated by summating scores of knowledge, attitude and practices of international travelers regarding communicable and vector borne diseases, out of 426 respondents only (53 %) had a high risk perception whereas (47%) had a low risk perception. A significant association was found between level of risk perception and gender x2 20.9, P-value = 0.000, level of education x2 42.9, P-value = 0.000, nationality x2 7.5, P-value = 0.006 and region of arrival of the passengers x2 26.2, P-value = 0.000. CONCLUSIONS The study results revealed that most of the travelers arrived at Islamabad Airport had a low risk perception about communicable and vector borne diseases that may lead to increase in burden on health care system in Pakistan as well as export of any new disease from Pakistan to other parts of the world where it does not exist already.