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This research aimed to investigate various mosquitocidal activities of Chenopodium botrys whole- plant n-hexane extract against Culex quinquefasciatus. The extract showed remarkable larvicidal, pupicidal, adulticidal, oviposition deterrent and adult emergence inhibitory activities against Cx. quinquefasciatus. During the larvicidal and pupicidal activities, the 24-hour lethal concentration (LC50) of extract against 2nd instar larvae, 4th instar larvae and pupae were 324.6, 495.6 and 950.8 ppm, respectively. During the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) bottle bioassay for adulticidal activity, the median knockdown times (KDT50) at 1.25% concentration was 123.4 minutes. During the filter paper impregnation bioassay for adulticidal activity, the KDT50 value at 0.138 mg/cm2 concentration was 48.6 minutes. The extract was fractionated into 14 fractions through silica gel column chromatography which were then combined into six fractions on the basis of similar retention factor (Rf) value. These fractions were screened for adulticidal activity by applying CDC bottle bioassay. The fraction obtained through 60:40 to 50:50% n-hexanes-chloroform mobile phase with 0.5 Rf value showed 100% adulticidal activity at 0.2% concentration. During oviposition deterrent activity, the highest concentration (1000 ppm) showed 71.3 ± 4.4% effective repellence and 0.6 ± 0.1 oviposition activity index. During adult emergence inhibition activity, the median emergence inhibition (EI50) value was 312.3 ppm. From the outcome of the present investigation, it is concluded that the n-hexane extract of C. botrys whole- plant possesses strong larvicidal, pupicidal, adulticidal, oviposition deterrent and adult emergence inhibitory activities against Cx. quinquefasciatus.

Background: Teucrium stocksianum is locally used as home remedy in different parts of the world for the treatment of digestive problems as well as microbial infections. The present study was designed to screen phytochemical constituents and in vitro antimicrobial as well as radical scavenging activities of the leaves extracts from the Teucrium stocksianum. Methods: Plant samples of the Teucrium stocksianum were collected from the growing locality and four different solvents viz., nhexane, methanol, ethanol, and water were used for the preparation of plant extracts. The in vitro biological activities were investigated against eight human pathogens such as like Bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogen, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseusdomonas aeruginosa and Fungi: Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus using agar well diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration. The antioxidant properties were carried out by DPPH and reducing power assays using various concentrations. Results: Results revealed that all pathogens were highly susceptible and inhibited by all solvent extracts. The methanolic and ethanolic leaves extracts exhibited promising antimicrobial activity and inhibited the growth of pathogens at par with the standard drugs viz., chloramphenicol for Bacteria and Fluconazole for fungi. Moreover, performance of methanolic and ethanolic extracts was the best amongst all solvents. In terms of antioxidant properties, both methods i.e., DPPH free radicals and reducing power resulted significant activity. Conclusion: The Phytochemical screening and biological activities of Teucrium stocksianum leaves extracts is reported for the first time. The ethanol, methanol, n-hexane and aqueous extracts of Teucrium stocksianum possess significant inhibitory effect against tested pathogens. The present investigation Teucrium stocksianum leaves extract contain potential antimicrobial components that may be of great use for the development of pharmaceutical industries as a therapy against various diseases. These results denote in-depth analysis of methanolic and ethanolic extracts to search potential compound responsible for antimicrobial activity. The results of the study support the folklore claim along with the development of new antimicrobial drugs from the plant. The results showed that Teucrium stocksianum leaves extracts possess multiple essential phytochemicals. Presence of phenolic compounds in plant extract demonstrates antioxidant activity. Both tests for antioxidant properties exhibited marked effects and can be employed as a potential natural antioxidant agent which may be used for mitigating oxidative stress. Nevertheless, there is need to explore mechanism involved for such kind of activity. The current findings hold up the ethno-pharmacological utilization of plant in the treatment of microbial infections and embrace great perception in the development of unusual antimicrobial and antioxidant agents.

Habb-ul-Aas is a commercial drug obtained from Myrtus communis L and widely used for abdominal disorders in Pakistan. This sclerophyllous shrub is commonly found in the Lower Dir, Malakand Division, Pakistan. This plant is used as crude drug in herbal as well as pharmaceutical industry due to presence of aromatic oil obtained from various parts of the plant. Two varieties viz., italic and baetica of the plant exist in the world; however, no study reported before about the existence of this species up to the varietal level from Pakistan. The current study was undertaken to characterize the existing germplasm by using certain morphometric parameters in relation to physiognomic features. They exhibit high variability among characters, especially for characteristics useful in selecting cultivars for commercial production. Among the various ecotypes, MBT3 possessed high shoot length (29.96cm), leaf area (2.3cm), fruit volume (0.97ml) & fruit weight (0.88g) and pulp (0.87g) and therefore recommended for the cultivar development.