Background:Free radicals or highly reactive oxygen species are capable of inducing oxidative damage to human body. Antioxidants are the compounds which terminate the attack of reactive species and reduce the risk of diseases. Both Baccopa monnieri and Centella asiatica are used in treatment of brain disorders in humans and have almost similar effects.Objective:The study was conducted to determine the antioxidant properties of two well-known memory enhancer medicinal plants Baccopa monnieri and Centella asiatica.Results:The antioxidant activity of these two medicinal plants was evaluated by measuring reducing ability, free radical scavenging activity by DPPH and hydrogen peroxide methods. The antioxidants compounds like ascorbic acid, total phenols and tannins were also evaluated in these plants. Baccopa monnieri and Centella asiatica exhibited significant differences (P<0.05) in their antioxidant values. The methanolic extract of whole leaf powder of Baccopa monnieri exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity than the Centella asiatica. The antioxidant components viz. ascorbic acid, total phenols and tannins were also found in a higher concentration in Baccopa monnieri as compared to Centella asiatica.Conclusion:It can be concluded from the study that regular use of Baccopa monnieri as a supplement could be more helpful compared to Centella asiatica in treatment of neurological disorders caused by free radical damage.

The NIN-LIKE PROTEIN (NLP) family of transcription factors were identified as nitrate-responsive ciselement (NRE)-binding proteins, which function as transcriptional activators in the nitrate-regulated expression of downstream genes. this study was aimed at genome-wide analysis of NLP gene family in rice and the expression profiling of NLPs in response to nitrogen (N) supply and deficiency in rice genotypes with contrasting N use efficiency (NUE). Based on in silico analysis, 6 NLP genes (including alternative splice forms 11 NLPs) were identified from rice. Expression of NLPs was promoted by nitrate supply as well as N deficiency (NLP1, NLP3, NLP4 and NLP5). Four rice genotypes APO (high NUE under sufficient N), IR83929-B-B-291-3-1-1 (IR-3-1-1), Nerica-L-42 (NL-42) (High NUE at low N), and Pusa Basmati 1 (PB1, low NUE) to correlate traits governing NUE and expression of NLPs. Analysis of rate of nitrate uptake and expression of N assimilatory and uptake genes established that IR-3-1-1 has high uptake and assimilation efficiency, translating into high NUE, whereas PB1 is efficient in uptake only when N availability is high. Along with the transcriptional upregulation of NLPs, genotype IR-3-1-1, displayed highest expression of OsNRT1.1B gene, the closest rice homologue of nitrate transceptor AtNRT1.1 and plays major role in nitrate uptake, translocation and signaling in rice. The results showed that high NUE rice genotypes has both high Nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUpE) and Nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE), resulting from the effective and coordinated signal transduction network involving the rice homologue of nitrate transceptor OsNRT1.1B, the probable primary nitrate response (PNR) regulator OsNLP1 and the master response regulator OsNLP3, a homologue of AtNLP6/7. Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient and major component of proteins, chlorophyll, nucleotides and plant hormones, and therefore has immense role in determining plant growth and economic yield 1,2. In order to meet the food demand of ever-growing human population, enormous amounts of N fertilizers are applied inorder to tap the maximum crop yield potential worldwide 3. The global demand for N fertilizers in 2014 was 1.13 M tonnes and is projected to grow at approximately 1.4% per year, reaching 1.22 M tonnes by 2020 4. On the other hand, around 50% of the applied N fertilizer is lost to the environment depending on the cropping conditions and plant species. The loss of fertilizer N results in contamination of soil water and water bodies and production of nitrogenous greenhouse gases like nitrous oxide (N 2 O) which has high global warming potential 5. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of rice is particularly low (around 40%), though genetic variation for the trait has been reported 6. Consequently, there is an impending requirement to improve the NUE of rice to maintain the steadiness of high crop yields visa vis low N fertilizer inputs 7. Transgenic manipulation is one of the potent way to achieve the current demand for high NUE, which necessitates...

High altitude problems like hypoxia, acute mountain sickness, high altitude cerebral edema, pulmonary edema, insomnia, tiredness, lethargy, lack of appetite, body pain, dementia, and depression may occur when a person or a soldier residing in a lower altitude ascends to high-altitude areas. These problems arise due to low atmospheric pressure, severe cold, high intensity of solar radiation, high wind velocity, and very high fluctuation of day and night temperatures in these regions. These problems may escalate rapidly and may sometimes become life-threatening. Shilajit is a herbomineral drug which is pale-brown to blackish-brown, is composed of a gummy exudate that oozes from the rocks of the Himalayas in the summer months. It contains humus, organic plant materials, and fulvic acid as the main carrier molecules. It actively takes part in the transportation of nutrients into deep tissues and helps to overcome tiredness, lethargy, and chronic fatigue. Shilajit improves the ability to handle high altitudinal stresses and stimulates the immune system. Thus, Shilajit can be given as a supplement to people ascending to high-altitude areas so that it can act as a “health rejuvenator” and help to overcome high-altitude related problems.

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