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Propolis is produced by honeybees from materials collected from plants they visit. It is a resinous material having mixtures of wax and bee enzymes. Propolis is also known as bee glue and used by bees as a building material in their hives, for blocking holes and cracks, repairing the combs and strengthening their thin borders. It has been extensively used since ancient times for different purposes in traditional human healthcare practices. The quality and composition of propolis depend on its geographic location, climatic zone and local flora. The New Zealand and Brazilian green propolis are the two main kinds that have been extensively studied in recent years. Their bioactive components have been found to possess a variety of therapeutic potentials. It was found that Brazilian green propolis improves the cognitive functions of mild cognitive impairments in patients living at high altitude and protects them from neurodegenerative damage through its antioxidant properties. It possesses artepillin C (ARC) as the key component, also known to possess anticancer potential. The New Zealand propolis contains caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) as the main bioactive with multiple therapeutic potentials. Our lab performed in vitro and in vivo assays on the extracts prepared from New Zealand and Brazilian propolis and their active ingredients. We provided experimental evidence that these extracts possess anticancer, antistress and hypoxia-modulating activities. Furthermore, their conjugation with γCD proved to be more effective. In the present review, we portray the experimental evidence showing that propolis has the potential to be a candidate drug for different ailments and improve the quality of life.

Symplocos spicata (local name : Dom sheng) belonging to Family Symplococeae produces yellowish brown natural dye which has been used for dyeing textiles since ancient times by the Monpas tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Symplocos spicata (Dom Sheng) was found in the Lumla area of Tawang district. Leaves of the plant are used by the Monpas and Tibetans for extraction of dye. Innovative sonicator dyeing with S. spicata showed that pretreatment with 2-4 % metal mordant of the weight of the fabric is optimum showing very good fastness properties for dyed natural polymers such as cotton, wool, and silk. CIELab and K/S of the dyed fabrics were also evaluated. The superiority of sonicator dyeing over conventional dyeing has been established through this study.

No abstract

Zingiber montanum (J.Koenig) Link ex Dietr. (Zingiberaceae) is a medicinal plant used by the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The rhizome is properly washed and boiled or eaten raw during fever, cold and cough. It isalso reported to be used against Jaundice. The 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydazyl (DPPH) antioxidant screening was done using DPPH free radical scavenging activity in methanol, petroleum, and chloroform extract. Folin-ciocalteu's phenol reagent is used to estimate total phenol content by using Gallic acid standard curve. The total phenolic content of Zingiber montanum in methanol, petroleum ether and chloroform extracts showed 0.40±0.004, 0.35+ 0.002 and 0.032 + 0.003 GAE/g respectively and antioxidant activity was found 29.1 ± 0.03, 40.9 ± 0.04 and 84.3±0.02 in petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts respectively which was compareble to the standard. Phytochemical screening also revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoid and phenolic compounds in its rhizome.