Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to study the structure-activity correlation of four medicinal plants -Ocimum basilicum L., Piper betle L., Grewia asiatica L., Lantana camara L. in crude methanolic extract. These plants have been used in Ayurvedic preparation as alternative medicine. The contents of phenolic compounds (flavonoids, anthocyanin) and antioxidant capacities were evaluated. Design/methodology/approach -Folin-Ciocalteu method was used for the analysis of the phenolic compounds. Total flavonoids were also evaluated. DPPH, ABTS þ, FRAP and H 2 O 2 assays were used to evaluate antioxidant activity. Most of the assays were determined spectrometrically. Findings -O. basilicum L. had the highest of total phenolics content (305.11 mg GAE/g), highest content of anthocyanins (15.427 mg/Kg) and total flavonoids (9.692 QE mg/g). The DPPH, ABTS þ, FRAP and H 2 O 2 assay indicated that these plants possessed considerable antioxidant activities. Originality/value -The results also showed that O. basilicum and L. camara from red colored cultivars possessed high contents of phenolic compounds. FRAP assay showed AOA in the following sequence -Lantana camara . Ocimum basilicum . Piper betle . Grewia asiatica. Since L. camara showed highest antioxidant capacity thus it can be a potential resource for commercial antioxidant.

No abstract

No abstract

Tridax procumbens Linn. (N.O. Compositae) is commonly known as Tikki Kasa in Hindi. It is distributed throughout in India up to 2400 m above sea level and in all hot countries. The present paper deals with the isolation and identification of a new flavone glycoside, 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6,3'-dimethoxy-flavone 5-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside 1, from the leaves of this plant.

Ayurvedic cosmeceuticals dates back to the Indus valley civilization and is being used in human society from ancient time. It is now gaining importance in the beautification and to cure the skin ailments. In last 3-4 decades the use of cosmetics has increased exponentially not only among female but also in male population and play an important role in the FMCG sector. In the ancient classical texts of Ayurveda there are several references of numerous medicinal plants and mode of applications of their processed formulation for enhancing complexion, treating acne, treating dark patches, curing boils and carbuncles, etc. Consideration in this field can be helpful in making the herbs more acceptable, precious, life saving and economy promoter for the mankind. This review made a humble effort to make a monograph of ayurvedic plants that were mentioned by ayurvedic luminaries in the field of skincare.