Posted by admin on Dec 1, 2014 in |
A survey was carried out from 2005 to 2010 to invent the invasive alien plant species and their economic uses in urban and adjoining rural areas of Uttarpara, Hooghly district, West Bengal. The study revealed the occurrence of 103 alien angiospermic plant species under 32 families, of which four families (Araceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Pontederiaceae) are monocots. Dicot family Fabaceae dominated with 20 plant species, followed by Asteraceae with 17, Amaranthaceae with 8, Solanaceae with 7, Euphorbiaceae with 5, and then other families. Rise in number of alien species was evidenced in year-wise quadrat studies, screening 11 most invasive species namely Parthenium hysterophorus, Eupatorium odoratum, Ageratum conyzoides, A. haustonianum, Chromolaena odorata, Cassia sophera, Leucaena leucocephala, Alternanthera sessilis, Amaranthus spinosus, Lantana camara and tree, Trema orientralis distributed within Asteraceae (5 taxa), Fabaceae (2 taxa), Amaranthaceae (2 taxa), Verbenaceae (1 taxon) and Ulmaceae (1 taxon). Remarkably, the alien species have been used in diverse economic and commercial purposes by local village folks, showing the use of nearly 49% plants in local health-care...
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Posted by admin on Dec 1, 2014 in |
The Characean alga, Chara zeylanica was experimentally exposed to Cadmium ion concentrations ranging from 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 ppb for 7 days. The ultrastructural studies and TEM X-ray microanalysis were performed on the alga exposed to 10 ppb cadmium ion concentration after 7 days of the treatment period. A fine structural examination of the cells revealed that in Cd-treated cells, the cell wall showed the absence of undulating layers, more compactness in their arrangement and much lesser in thickness than the control cells. TEM studies showed striking changes in the plastids of treated algae. They were completely devoid of starch grains. The cell organelles were lacking in the cytoplasm, but it showed the presence of several myelin-like...
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Posted by admin on Dec 1, 2014 in |
Endodontic irrigating solution used in root canal treatment in dental specialty is to eliminate root canal pathogens in necrotic pulp tissues. A microorganism like Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis were commonly seen pathogens in necrotic pulp tissues. Commonly used root canal irrigating solutions to kill bacteria’s in the dental root canal are hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), chlorhexidine (CHX) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). These root canal irrigating solutions has detrimental effects on the tissues underlying tooth (periradicular tissues) and affects post-operative healing. NaOCl has tissue toxicity and inhibits phagocytosis. Chlorhexidine inhibits protein synthesis in periodontal ligament cells. CHX and NaOCl exhibit an inflammatory effect in mitochondrial activity in human periodontal cells. Natural products are in great demand for their extensive biological properties and their bioactive molecules. Nontoxic Piper betel leaves extract obtained by methanolic extraction method of 500 mg/ml was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans which are commonly associated with root canal treatment and in failure cases using well agar diffusion method. The result shows piper betel leaves...
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Posted by admin on Dec 1, 2014 in |
Soxhlet extraction method was used for the extraction of oil from five variety seeds of the jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus, Artocarpus integrifolia, Artocarpus hircitus, Artocarpus inciscus, and Artocarpus integer), planned to explore its suitability for salutary uses with a special emphasis on its physiochemical characterization, spectrophotometric spectral analysis and evaluation of phytochemical constituents. Physiochemical properties include acid value, saponification value, iodine value, peroxide value, Reichert-Meissl value (RMV) and Polenske value were examined and compared with standard oils. Spectrophotometric analysis of oils was carried out to obtain information regarding the types, numbers, and position of chromophores and auxochrome and saturated and unsaturated compounds. Phytochemical constituent’s phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins were determined in increasing concentration from 25 mg/ml to 100 mg/ml in five varieties of jackfruit seed oils. This inquiry concludes that the seed oils can support in the maintenance of health as the trend of the future is moving towards using seed oil as medicine in the management of various chronic...
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Posted by admin on Dec 1, 2014 in |
Many herbal remedies have been employed in various medical systems for the treatment and management of different diseases. The plant Lagenaria siceraria, a plant belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae, has been used in the different system of traditional medication for the treatment of diseases and ailments of human beings. The n-hexane extract of Lagenaria siceraria was screened for antimicrobial activity against a wide range of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria by the disc diffusion method. The results obtained were compared with that of a standard antibiotic, kanamycin. The n-hexane extract showed significant antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (17.25 mm), and Salmonella typhi (17.80 mm). But there was no antimicrobial activity against Vibrio cholera, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus....
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