Neuropharmacological studies were conducted in experimental animals (rats and mice) with the methanolic fraction of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf extract. The fraction produced alteration of behaviour pattern, caused dose-dependent potentiation of pentobarbitone sleeping time and had significant analgesic activity. Significant reduction of exploratory behaviour and loss of residual curiosity were among the effects observed with the fraction. The observations suggest that the methanolic fraction of Bryophyllum pinnatum possesses a potent CNS depressant action.

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The chloroform fraction of Syzygium cuminii seeds was found to cause significant inhibition of carrageerh, kaolin and other mediator-induced oedema. The extract inhibited exudation of protein, leakage of dye in peritoneal inflammation and migration of leucocytes. The extract also caused inhibition of granuloma formation, experimental arthritis and also turpentine-induced joint oedema. Significant anti-pyretic action of the extract was also observed against yeast-induced pyrexia. These observations established the antiinflammatory effect of S. cuminii seed extract in exudative, proliferative and chronic stages of inflammation along with an anti-pyretic action.

Recently the solar energy, an inevitable part of green energy source, has become a mandatory topics in frontier research areas. In this respect, non-centrosymmetric ferroelectric perovskites with open circuit voltage (VOC) higher than the bandgap, gain tremendous importance as next generation photovoltaic materials. Here a non-toxic co-doped Ba1−x(Bi0.5Li0.5)xTiO3 ferroelectric system is designed where the dopants influence the band topology in order to enhance the photovoltaic effect. In particular, at the optimal doping concentration (xopt ~ 0.125) the sample reveals a remarkably high photogenerated field EOC = 320 V/cm (VOC = 16 V), highest ever reported in any bulk polycrystalline non-centrosymmetric systems. The band structure, examined through DFT calculations, suggests that the shift current mechanism is key to explain the large enhancement in photovoltaic effect in this family.

Studies were carried out to evaluate the influence of the methanol fraction of Pluchea indica Less root extract (PIRE), the dual inhibitors (BW 755C and phenidone) and vitamin on both in vivo and in vitro free radical-scavenging activities, CCl(4)-induced lipid peroxidation and the metabolism of arachidonic acid by lipoxygenase. PIRE produced significant antiinflammatory activity against glucose oxidase-induced paw oedema (in vivo), inhibited hydroxyl radical and superoxide generation, lysis of erythrocytes induced by hydrogen peroxide, CCl(4)-induced lipid peroxidation and also dioxygenase activity of lipoxygenase (both in the presence and absence of hydrogen peroxide). Significantly higher free radical-scavenging activity was observed with BW 755C and phenidone compared with PIRE. However, both BW 755C and phenidone stimulated hydroxyl radical generation compared with the observed inhibitory effects of PIRE and vitamin E.