Pre-defined analytical features of a plant are used as a reference to aid in accurate identification, proper standardization, and quality control. However, no systematic work on the leaves of A. pennata is available for reference to check its authenticity, purity, and quality. Therefore, the study was aimed to develop pharmacognostic parameters using standard guidelines. The work provides macroscopic, qualitative and quantitative microscopic, physicochemical parameters, chromatographic fingerprint profile, and in-vitro antioxidant activity of A. pennata. Preliminary phytochemical screening and thin-layer chromatography hints the presence of steroids and glycosides along with polyphenolic compounds viz. phenols and flavonoids. Quantification of polyphenolic phytoconstituents and assessment of in-vitro antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract was done. The current communication offers referential knowledge on the analytical and diagnostic features for accurate taxonomical identification, proper characterization and will also help in the establishment of a pharmacognostic monograph of A. pennata for effective quality control.

No abstract

The acute toxic effects of different doses of methanolic leaf extract of Trevesia palmata (METP) was studied in rats. The oral administration of different doses of Trevesia palmata did not show any mortality upto 2000mg/kg b.wt. orally in rats. Therefore, it was concluded that METP was found to be safe as such and did not have any toxic manifestations upto the dose of 2000 mg/kg b. wt. Hence 1/10th (200 mg/kg, po) and 1/5th (400 mg/kg, p.o) of this dose were employed for further pharmacological investigations. The methanol extract of Trevesia palmata was estimated for various biochemical and Haematological parameters. The administration of different doses of METP showed a significant decrease as compared to Control as indicated by lower activities of Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT) or Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) , Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes, total bilirubin, total Cholesterol and albumin, in rats along with the elevation of total proteins, content. Similarly, The results of the haematological parameters showed that the mean RBC and Hb concentrations increased significantly (p<0.05) at 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg of administration. The eosinophil count was decreased significantly at 200mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of administration (p<0.05). Neutrophil and lymphocytes did not show significant difference at all doses of administration. There was no significant difference in RBC, Hb concentrations as well as the eosinophil at 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg of administration. In this study, significant increases in RBC, WBC, Hb at 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg were observed. This may be due to the presence of erythropoietin-like principals in the extract which probably stimulated erythropoietin synthesis or release at minimal doses (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg).

No abstract

Orchids are known for their beautiful flowers with specialized organ identity and pattern formation. Genetic models for pattern formation of flowers are well established in actinomorphic flowers like Arabidopsis. However, the orchid flowers show zygomorphic symmetry and contain a highly differentiated labellum or lip. Besides, there is no marked difference in terms of structures of sepals and petals in many cases. The stamens and carpels are fused and form the column or gynostemium with anther cap containing pollinia at top. Few models like 'Orchid code theory', 'Homeotic Orchid Tepal (HOT) model', 'P-code model' etc. have been proposed recently to explain genetic control of flower patterning in orchids. We have studied the suitability of those proposed models with some spontaneous bud variants as well as somaclonal variants showing alteration of floral organ patterns of all the flowers in the spike. The basic model of flower development with some alteration was found suitable in case of Cymbidium. Occurrence of structural male sterility due to mutation in B class homeotic gene in Cymbidium is also reported for the first time.The "P-code" model of perianth formation in orchids was found to be applicable for the recorded peloric mutants of Phalaenopsis. Few other variants of Eria tomentosa, Epidendrum sp. and Arundina graminifolia are also reported here. Whether all these changes are due to alteration of gene sequences or epigenetic mutations, needs to be verified in details.