activity at 1, 5 and 25% level. At all the three concentrations, the essential oil showed more significant activity than 1% permethrin based product. [7] Previous reports on this plant occurring in different regions yielded, furanoditerpenoids, [8] terpenoids, [9][10] steroids [11] and aromatic esters.[1] However, no information was available on the preparation of an appropriate selective extract or fraction of the plant and its efficacy directed towards promoting hair growth or retarding hair fall or isolation of hair growth active compounds based on bioassay. In continuation of our interest on the isolation of biologically active molecules from medicinal plants for personal care applications, [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] we have undertaken the chemical examination of the rhizomes of H. spicatum. The present study describes the isolation of two known compounds, pentadecane (1) and an aromatic ester, ethyl p-methoxycinnmate (2) and hair growth studies of crude hexane extract, fractions and active compound. MATERIALS AND METHODS GeneralMelting points reported are uncorrected. UV spectra were recorded on Shimadzu UV spectrophotometer. IR spectra were recorded on a Shimadzu IR prestige 21. GC spectra were recorded in Shimadzu GC-17A capillary GC. 1 H and 13 C NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker AMX 400 in CDCl 3 with TMS an internal standard and the chemical shifts being represented in parts per million (ppm, d values). GC-MS mass spectrum on a Jeol SX 102/DA 6000 mass spectrometer. Column chromatography was performed on silica gel (100-200 mesh, Acme synthetic chemicals, Mumbai, India). Fractions and purity of the compounds were monitored by analytical thin layer chromatography (TLC) and the spots were visualized by exposure to iodine vapour or 5% sulphuric acid in methanol followed by heating the plate at INTRODUCTIONHedychium spicatum (Zingiberaceae), also known as spiked Ginger Lily is employed in the preparation of Abir, a fragrant coloured powder used during the Holi festival. The rhizomes possess strong aromatic odour and bitter camphoraceous smell. The rhizomes of the plant have been used in the preparation of cosmetic powders used for promoting hair growth. The rhizomes are also considered to have insect-repelling properties and are used for preservating clothes. The rhizomes are stomachic, carminative, stimulant and tonic, and are used in dyspepsia in the form of powder or decoction.[1] The rhizomes are much used in veterinary medicine.[2] The prior literature on Hedychium spicatum reveals that the cosmetic composition containing this plant extract regulates the firmness, tone or structure of skin or regulate wrinkles.[3] The compositions containing extract of Hedychium spicatum are useful for treating Tinea infections by topical application.[4] The ethanolic extract of rhizomes of H. spicatum possessed anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. The anti-inflammatory activity was found in the hexane fraction and the compound hedychienone was found responsible for such activity and the analge...

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Parabens are esters of p-hydroxy benzoic acid and widely used as preservatives with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity in cosmetic, foods and pharmaceutical products. Methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl paraben are commonly used in many cosmetic products. The concentration level of these parabens was restricted to maximum 1%. Recently, many cosmetic products such as shampoo and hair conditioners are available in the Indian market with label claims "no-parabens in the products". A HPLC method is developed for determining four frequently used parabens namely, methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl paraben in shampoo and hair conditioners. The chromatographic separation was carried out on Phenomenex Kromasil C18 column (150 mm × 4.6mm i.d, 5 μm particle size) with water: methanol (60:40 v/v) as mobile phase and UV detection was performed at 254 nm. The method was validated with respect to specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness. The calibration curve was achieved to be linear and regression coefficient obtained was > 0.9999 for all the parabens. Accuracy of chromatographic method was evaluated by standard addition method; paraben content was estimated in eleven commercial shampoos and four hair conditioners available in Indian market which were claimed as no parabens were evaluated to assess the quality of claims of these samples. The results indicated that all the tested shampoos and hair conditioners met the requirements of the standards.

Background: The pathophysiology of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by deficient insulin activity arising from decreased insulin secretion secondary to beta cell failure, and/or compromised insulin action in peripheral target tissues (insulin resistance). Methods: The patients attending the medicine outpatient department of tertiary care teaching hospital were enrolled in the study. Patients, who fulfilled the selection criteria, were allocated in two treatment groups. Group A was treated with metformin (Sustained release preparation) 500mg once daily and group B was treated with vildagliptin 50mg once daily. Measurement of body weight, fasting blood glucose (FPG), postprandial blood glucose (PPG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), serum urea, creatinine and urine albumin/creatinine ratio was performed at the initial visit and at the end of 12 weeks of treatment. Results: Out of 84 patients screened, 74 were enrolled for the study. Of the 74 patients, 39(52.7%) were male and 35(47.3%) were female. The patients were divided into two groups (group A and group B) consisting 37 patients in each group. Out of 74 patients, 62 completed the study. Out of 12 patients who did not complete the study, 5 patients were lost during follow-up period and 7 patients discontinued treatment due to AEs. The mean age of the patients was 51 and 49years in the groups A and B respectively. There was no statistical difference in the baseline FPG, PPG, HbA1c, serum urea, serum creatinine, urine ACR and body weight between two groups. Conclusions: The study shows that metformin and vildagliptin have similar effect on glycaemic control, but vildagliptin exerts better Reno protective effect and there were no reports of serious adverse events.