The present work aims to study the pharmacognostical and phytochemical characteristics of the roots of Aconitum heterophyllum. The study deals with the macroscopy, microscopy, powder analysis, physicochemical standardization, and preliminary phytochemical screening of Aconitum heterophyllum roots. Anatomical studies of the tuberous roots of Aconitum heterophyllum showed distinct endodermis, a wide zone of secondary phloem, and a ring of 4 to 9 vascular strands. The powder analysis revealed the presence of suberized cells of metaderm, reticulate xylem vessels, and starch grains. Physicochemical standardization such as moisture content, ash values, and extractive values of Aconitum heterophylluym was determined. For the identification of various chemical constituents, preliminary phytochemical screening was also studied.

Background: Lozenges are solid dosage form which are intended to slowly dissolve in the mouth for therapeutic effect. Common cold and flu are common diseases which usually infects the respiratory tract including symptoms like head and body ache, fever, drowsiness, runny nose, congestion and cough. Aim: The present polyherbal lozenge formulations developed to eliminate all symptoms of cold and flu. Although many herbal and allopathic drugs are available, but they are not sufficient to treat all the symptoms through one formulation. Materials and Methods: Jaggery and sugar were dissolved in water and all the juices of drugs mixed and heated till suitable consistency and finally poured in lozenges mold and cooled to form lozenges. Results: The lozenges are evaluated for various quality parameters like hardness, friability, thickness, weight uniformity and disintegration time which comply with the standard mentioned in GMP guidelines. Conclusion: Lozenge is completely herbal containing no synthetic ingredient and is economical to treat all the symptoms of cold and flu.

In the present study, five important binary fingerprinting techniques were used to model novel flavones for the selective inhibition of Tankyrase I. From the fingerprints used: the fingerprint atom pairs resulted in a statistically significant 2D QSAR model using a kernel-based partial least square regression method. This model indicates that the presence of electron-donating groups positively contributes to activity, whereas the presence of electron withdrawing groups negatively contributes to activity. This model could be used to develop more potent as well as selective analogues for the inhibition of Tankyrase I. Schematic representation of 2D QSAR work flow.

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Introduction: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) constitute the diverse group of infections with varied clinical presentation and severity. SSTI’s are the most common infections treated in hospital today posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Natural herbs have been widely used as a potential source of therapeutic substances all over the world. A study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial effect of some natural extracts on important SSTI causing pathogens. Materials and methods: In this study the antimicrobial potential of essential oil of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Eugenia caryophyllata, oil of Cymbopogon citratus, Melaleuca alternifolia, Mentha piperita, Ocimum sanctum and extracts of Curcuma longa, Azadirachta indica and Cassia fistula were analysed against common skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) causing microorganisms. The organisms include methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Cutibacterium acnes, E.coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacteroides fragilis. The antimicrobial assay was performed by agar punch well method with different concentrations of essential oil and extracts. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed in order to identify the active constituents present in the extracts. Further a formulation was made, with the powdered extract (neem, turmeric, bark of golden shower) and cinnamon oil as the chief component to look for any probable synergetic activity. Results and discussion: In this study all the essential oils showed good antimicrobial activity than the crude extracts. Significant activity against the Gram negative organisms was exhibited by all the products used in the study. Cinnamon and Clove oil had an excellent activity against all the organism whereas tea tree, mint and Tulsi oil showed better results against the Gram positive organisms including acne vulgaris causing organisms. HPLC results emphasised the presence of eugenol and cinnamaldehyde in clove and cinnamon oil respectively. A significant zone of inhibition was observed from the formulation prepared. Hence we indicate that the natural products used in this study have therapeutic properties and therefore could be considered as an alternative medication in treatment of SSTIs.