Many plant-based products have been suggested as potential antidiabetic agents, but few have been shown to be effective in treating the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in human studies, and little is known of their mechanisms of action. Extracts of Gymnema sylvestre (GS) have been used for the treatment of T2DM in India for centuries. The effects of a novel high molecular weight GS extract, Om Santal Adivasi, (OSA(R)) on plasma insulin, C-peptide and glucose in a small cohort of patients with T2DM are reported here. Oral administration of OSA(R) (1 g/day, 60 days) induced significant increases in circulating insulin and C-peptide, which were associated with significant reductions in fasting and post-prandial blood glucose. In vitro measurements using isolated human islets of Langerhans demonstrated direct stimulatory effects of OSA(R) on insulin secretion from human ß-cells, consistent with an in vivo mode of action through enhancing insulin secretion. These in vivo and in vitro observations suggest that OSA(R) may provide a potential alternative therapy for the hyperglycemia associated with T2DM.

India (8 o-30 o N and 68-97.5 o E) exhibits a wide range in topography and climate, which has a bearing on its vegetation and floristic composition. This subcontinent is one of the World's 12 leading Biodiversity Centres, encompassing 16 different agro-climatic zones, 10 vegetation zones, 25 biotic provinces and about 426 habitats of specific species. It has been estimated that about 45,000 plant species (nearly 20% of the global species) occurs in the Indian Sub-continent. About 3,500 species of both higher and lower plant groups are of medicinal values. More than 80 percent of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) are collected from 17 million hectares of Indian forest land. However, many of these, due to over-exploitation have become rare (Rheum emodi, Aconitum deinorrhizum), threatened (Rauvolfia serpentina, Berberis artistata), or endangered ones (Sassurea lappa, Dioscorea deltoidea). Problems arising out of rapid genetic loss of medicinal plants forced the need for international cooperation and coordination to undertake programmes for conservation of medicinal plants to ensure that adequate quantities are available for future generations. Cultivation of medicinal and aromatic species gives scope to improve the quality of the drugs. Merits of commercial cultivation of MAP is the outcome of implementation of number of critical factors like locate-selection; good genetically stable planting materials; good agrotechnological practices; nutrient input; harvesting management and implementation of suitable post harvesting techniques to preserve the end product till smart and effective marketing arrangements are made. There is a growing demand today for plant-based medicines, health products, pharmaceuticals, food supplements, cosmetics etc. in the international market. The international market of medicinal plants is over 60 billion US dollar per year, which is growing at the rate of 7 percent per annum. The present export of herbal raw materials and medicines from India is about US dollar 100-114 million approximately per year. India is one of the major exporter of crude drugs mainly to six developed countries viz. USA, Germany, France, Switzerland, U.K. and Japan, who share between them 75-80 per cent of the total export market. CULTIVATION OF MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS (MAP) IN INDIA Techno-economical Considerations for Cultivation of MAP in India Loss of genetic diversity, particularly related to potential medicinal species has taken place; more so in the Worlds' tropical rain forests and its conservation aspect has, of late, captured the attention of herbal scientists and experts (Duke, 1985). With emphasis it can be stated that the ultimate solution of medicinal plant conservation is medicinal plant cultivation in a scientific way (Foster, 1993). Botanical producer will desire to optimise yield from production; whereas user or entrepreneur will want to manufacture a product of uniform quality. Environmental factors play dramatic roles on biomass yield and composition, and also on its consistency.

India has a prosperous and glorious history in silk production and its silk trade dates back to 15th century. Sericulture is practiced in many regions of India where West Bengal ranks third in mulberry silk production. About 2000 villages are engaged in mulberry cultivation with plantation area of 37883 acres. But nowadays farmers have lack their interest in this sector due to low cost benefit ratio high investment cost in terms of silk worm rearing land uses and lack of proper knowledge on different races of Bombyx mori. Therefore the present study has been aiming to find out the comparative performance of bivoltine multivoltine and F1 variety of B. mori by analysed the cocoon post-cocoon characters and silk related traits for identifying the best superior races of B. mori. The results showed that feeding habits of silkworm larvae of three races had significant effect on cocoon parameters. The average weight of ten 5th instar larvae of bivoltine was higher in comparison with multivoltine and F1 variety. Similar trends were obtained in the average length of silk thread from a single cocoon in bivoltine races higher by 30% and 77.14% from F1 and multivoltin respectively (P<0.05). We also inquired about capital investment and profit-making of three varieties. Net profit for bivoltine was significantly increased by 15.65% and 10.21% than multivoltine and F1 varieties respectively. The heatmap analysis revealed that the bivoltine races of B. mori were separately clustered based on the positive correlation of measured variables mostly length of silk thread renditta dry cocoon weight the average weight of larvae present market price leaves for rearing net profit and selling price of cocoon per acre farmland; whereas, the multivoltine and F1 variety clustered in a separate group. From our findings it is clear that the culture of bivoltine is preferable for the farmers who do not have enough landed property and also profitable in terms of cocoon post cocoon and silk traits. Therefore it is recommended that the farming of bivoltine silkworm is more gainful compared to F1 and multivoltine variety and capable of more income generation than other traditional agricultural crops.

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