T HE medical values of garlic, a traditionally used allium vegetable, were recognized as early as 3000 BC. Allicin, one of the major organosulfur compounds present in garlic, is associated with a wide variety of benificial activities like anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, cholesterol-lowering, the potential to lower cardiovascular disorders, ameliorating neuron functions, etc. In this article, we have reviewed biological activities of allicin and related organosulfur compounds since the year 2010, using various scientific websites like Pub med, Google Scholar, Science Direct etc. Our literature review has highlighted many organo sulphur components of garlic and their possible mechanisms in curing different diseases. The information provided in this review will provide strategies for efficient organosulfur-based treatments of several diseases in future. Further research efforts are needed for a clear understanding of the interconnection between these functional components and various chronic diseases.

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Flacourtia indica dichloromethane (DCM), butanol (BuOH), methanol (MeOH) extract of stem bark and methanolic extract of leaves were screened for in vitro antioxidant activity using different models. Subsequent quantification showed the presence of 15.62 and 11.53 % w/w phenolics; 1.15 and 1.80 % w/ w of flavonol in methanol extract of stem bark and leaf of Flacourtia indica (F. indica) respectively. The methanolic extract showed an effective DPPH radical scavenging activity with low IC 50 values of 17.5 and 21 µg/ml respectively and hydroxyl radical scavenging by p-NDA method with IC 50 value of 350.23 µg/ml. Butanolic extract showed nitric oxide radical inhibition activity with IC 50 value of 28.5 µg/ml. The greater amount of phenolic compounds leads to more potent radical scavenging effect as shown by F. indica extracts. The antioxidant property of the extracts may be due to presence of phenolic content.

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The current investigation is an attempt to explore the comparative in vitro antiurolithic potential of various phytoconstituent-rich fractions derived from the hydroalcoholic extract of aerial parts and roots of Aerva lanata (Linn.) Juss. ex Schult (Amaranthaceae). The antiurolithic assay was performed by nucleation method. The analysis revealed the phenolic and flavonoid containing fraction from aerial parts to be the most active (71.01±1.13 %) amongst the different extract-derived fractions compared to the one obtained from roots (54.61±2.30 %). Besides, fluorescence analysis and physicochemical evaluation were carried out according to the official guidelines and supported the quality control of the plant material. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the fractions was also performed and confirmed the presence of various metabolites. Additionally, the content of tannins, total phenolics and flavonoids were also determined spectrophotometrically and found to be comparatively higher in aerial parts (tannin content of 4.34±0.63 mg tannic acid equivalent/g extract, total phenolic content of 127.84±1.50 gallic acid equivalent/g extract and total flavonoid content of 77.61±3.78 rutin equivalent/g extract) than roots (tannin content of 3.03±0.63 mg tannic acid equivalent/g extract, total phenolic content of 98.09±1.10 gallic acid equivalent/g extract and total flavonoid content of 62.81±5.69 rutin equivalent/g extract). Hence, the present study aids in screening out the best active extract derived fraction exerting litholytic efficacy, which provides a route to further isolation of lead bioactive compounds contributing to significant antiurolithic potency of this traditionally employed herb of immense pharmacological spectrum.