Indigenous knowledge is shared and communicated orally through different cultures. Indigenous practices have been undermined especially in treatment of illnesses. Western practices were regarded as the only acceptable ways of treating illnesses amongst African cultures whilst before arrival of Western medicine children were born in families using their own Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Despite all these it was found out that the traditional health practitioners (THPs) are the first to be consulted before the patient can go to the hospital, and on coming back from the hospital they go to the THPs to give them feedback of what transpired at the hospital. This study aimed at determining indigenous practices that were used during pregnancy, labour and delivery among different cultural groups the Limpopo Province. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research method was used. Data were collected through in-depth unstructured interviews in three villages of the Capricorn District with THPs and through focus group interviews with professional nurses undergoing PHC diploma training in one nursing school of the Limpopo Province. Five themes and their categories emerged from the data analysis. Recommendations suggest IKS Health Promotion Network which has to concentrate on several aspects regarding pregnancy, labour and delivery.

Me-riong Kim received her KMD from Kyunghee University School of Korean Medicine in 2010 and completed her residency in Korean medicine rehabilitation at Jaseng Hospital of Korean medicine (2011 – 2013). She is trained in traditional Korean herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and spinal manipulation. Her main area of interest in research is pain management and integrative medicine. Currently she is associated with Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Background: For centuries, various herbs have been used as natural remedies for prevention and/or treatment of liver diseases in traditional and complementary medicine. The proportion of patients seeking CAM practitioners who prescribe herbal medicine or Korean medicine doctors is especially high in musculoskeletal diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Saengkan-hwan (SKH), an herbal extract mixture which consists of Panax notoginseng, Curcuma longa, and Pharbitis nil, on liver function biomarkers in patients at risk of liver injury admitted for musculoskeletal diseases.
Materials and Methods: The medical records of inpatients hospitalized due to spinal diseases at 6 locations of Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine between August, 2007 and June, 2014, a) prescribed with Saengkan-hwan for liver function test abnormalities or liver related comorbidities and b) with at least 2 liver function tests taken before and after commencement of Saengkan-hwan treatment were retreived and reviewed retrospectively. The statistical significance before and after Saengkan-hwan intake was evaluated using paired t-test, with results expressed as the number of patients who recovered to within normal range.
Results: The mean age of the 247 patients included in this study was 43.8±11.4 years and average length of hospital stay was 13.5±8.2 days. The proportion of males was higher with 171 male patients (69.2%). After Saengkan-hwan treatment, serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), t-bilirubin, albumin, t-protein, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aluminum phosphide (ALP) activities significantly decreased 34.1±73, 0.11±0.3, 0.06±0.3, 0.11±0.5, 13.4±42.3, 16.9±61.7, and 7.7±32.9, respectively (all, p<0.05). The percentage of patients who returned to within normal range was 32.2% for GGT(29/90), 88.2% for t-bilirubin(15/17), 48% for albumin(12/25), 75% for t-protein(9/12), 57.4% for AST(85/148), 25.3% for ALT(56/221), and 8% for ALP(6/76).
Conclusions: These results suggest that Saengkan-hwan has hepatoprotective effects in musculoskeletal disease patients at risk of liver injury.

Peter K. Wangi is the senior photographer with the National Museum & Art Gallery in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Peter has also worked as a photographer for the Medical School, University of Papua New Guinea the University of Technology in Lae, Papua New Guinea and as a photographer and fingerprint expert with the Police Forensics in the Royal PNG Constabulary. Peter has been doing observations since 1998 on the herbal medicine and seriously treating patients (for free) since 2009.

There were severe side effects experienced from the two standard malaria treatments so an alternative treatment had to be found. In 1998 empirical observation were commenced using a local herbal fruit juice. The herbal remedy removed the malaria within the hour with no side effects what-so-ever. This herbal juice was then applied to others in the household and since then visits to the medical clinics or hospital for treatments are rare to date. In July, 2009 a test treatment was commenced on a disabled diabetic woman who had been discharged from the health facilities for not responding to the treatments and by November she was up and walking again. Around the same time, another diabetic with complications (heart) was treated successfully and so the success on different conditions just kept growing. The first HIV/AIDS sufferer was treated in mid 2011 but because the illness was so advanced the immune system could not be revived. In July 2011 a male adult came forward with a liver problem (swollen stomach) and by December 2011, he was cured. In September 2011 treatment started on another female who also had full blown HIV/AIDS. There were signs of improvement except that the woman decided not to continue with the herbal juice and she eventually died. Then in 2012 a married couple came forward because both have tested positive to HIV after the wife was tested during pregnancy. Both are continuing with the herbal juice today until three different tests on their HIV status are done again. Unfortunately, the child was lost in the middle of 2013. The subject in the photograph was met in October 2013 and a series of photographs were recorded to capture the visual changes on the tongue during the cause of the herbal juice treatment since 20/10/13. The photographs in this poster are the documentation of this observation ....

Immaculate is a highly motivated scientist with 10 years experience in health and agricultural research for development. During this time, she has worked with international and national private sector and government entities. Immaculate is a veterinarian with Master’s training in Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics; currently finalizing her PhD studies at Makerere University Kampala, Uganda and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. Her PhD work is focused on understanding anthelmintic resistance and evaluation of alternative plants used in traditional medicine to treat helminthosis in goats in Uganda. Her personal goal is to lecture and engage in health-related biosocial research using principles of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Information Technology, International Public Health and Natural Product Development.

There is intense search for new plant-derived medicines to match the ever increasing prevalence of drug resistance. The efficacy studies need to be supported with toxicity profiles for optimum use of three commonly used plants against helminthosis in Uganda.
Objective: To evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity of ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of Tephrosia vogelii (TV), Vernonia amygdalina (VA) and Senna occidentalis (SO).
Methods: In the acute study, 90 female Swiss albino mice in 30 groups of three were orally administered with ethanolic or aqueous extracts of TV, VA or SO according to OECD guidelines. Five doses; 3500 to 15000 mg/kg were given and 0.5ml of Goodwin’s physiological solution as negative control. The mice were monitored daily for 14 days. In the sub-acute study, 100 Wistar albino rats in 10 groups were dosed orally daily with aqueous plant extracts at 200, 400 and 600mg/kg for 28 days. The negative control group received Goodwin’s solution. On day 29, the rats were sacrificed to collect blood for haematology and serum for biochemical analysis.
Results: Ethanolic extract of TV had LD50 of 5124 mg/kg, whereas both extracts of VA and SO had LD50 >10000mg/kg. Continued exposure of rats to 600 mg/kg doses of SO and VA extracts led to elevation of ALT, AST and ALP and cholesterol in the treatment groups (p<0.05). SO and VA at 600 mg/kg elevated urea and uric acid; depressed bilirubin while VA and TV 600 mg/kg caused the reverse.
Conclusion: SO and VA were hepato-protective while TV was slightly hepatotoxic in a dose-response manner. The safety of the aqueous leaf extracts of TV, VA and SO at high doses makes them safe at currently non-standardised doses used for animal treatment. Continued use of water extracts of these plants is recommended.

Graduate of Homeopathy from Pune and post graduate from International Academy of Classical Homeopathy-Greece. Director of Shri Ram Clinic last 29yrs. Recipient of Rotary Foundation Scholarship in 1986. Member advisory committee International Academy of Classical Homeopathy, Greece. Regional representative (West) India of World Federation of Alternative Medicine(WFAM).Worked for 18yrs as HOD Dept. of Materia Medica. Running free projects of Slow Learner School & also a total health care for 111senior citizens with Homoeopathy. Presented seminar on Skin Diseases in Israel-Jan 2009. Presented paper on Efficacy of Homeopathy at the National Scientific Congress in Bhopal 2007, have also written articles in periodicals & journals & radio program for awareness of Homeopathy.

There is a compelling need for sharing our clinical experience regarding the efficacy of our medicines in our daily practice. This especially is important in acute situations in the pediatric age group in which respiratory ailments prevail predominantly. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Bowel Nososde Morgan (Bach) in acute lung conditions especially in infants and children.
Methods: In the acute study for lung disorders in children, 45 cases between the age groups 7 months to 11 years were treated with bowel nosode Morgan (Bach) on O.P.D basis. Remedy was given three times & in some cases four times a day for 5 to 7 days. The cases were evaluated on daily basis in some patients and every five days in others. Necessary hematological investigations and x- ray of chest were also done.
Results: The use of Morgan (Bach) as a nosode in treatment of chest disorders has proved to be dramatically beneficial in lung disorders. In these cases, concomitant use of nebulization, indoor admission and the further progress of the respiratory infection towards pneumonia and related significant complications were prevented and arrested. Booster dose of the Morgan (Bach) has really boosted up my confidence in the treatment of respiratory ailments in children.
Conclusion: Morgan Pure has proved not only as a curative but a lung protective remedy and is useful in decreasing the susceptibility of the lungs towards repeated colds, coughs & congestions. Frequent use of allopathic drugs especially antibiotics during these crucial immune building years ( from birth to 3 years of age and later ) lowers the immunity, disturbs digestion & long use causes strong side effects.This is the period where Homeopathy works wonderfully for curing the diseases and also helps to boost the immunity.

Nikita V. Soni had completed her Under graduation B.D.S. ( bachelor of dental surgery ) from K.M.SHAH Dental college and Hospital, Sumandeep University in Vadodara, Gujarat , India in the year 2011. Now she is pursuing her Post graduation, third year M.D.S. ( Master Of Dental Surgery ) in the Department Of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery from the Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George Medical University Lucknow , Uttar Pradesh , India.

Fracture healing involves complex processes of cell and tissue proliferation and differentiation. Factors involved are growth factors ,inflammatory cytokines ,antioxidants ,bone breakdown ( osteoclasts) and bone building ( osteoblasts) cells, hormones ,amino acids and uncounted nutrients. Human studies, in fact, suggest that for best fracture healing both calcium intake and its absorption is important. For this we have a very natural solution by providing colloidal calcium from plants like Harjor (Cissus Quadrangularis ) and Moringa Oleifer (Saijhan). These plants are very good source of calcium , vitamins and amino acids. Thus they stop degenerative changes and provide strength to bones.
Drugs used in this study: Drugs were provided in capsule form by International Institute of Herbal Medicine One capsule osteosel = 250mg harjor + 50mg saijhan + 50mg neem One capsule harjor = 300mg powder dried harjor stem One capsule saijhan = 300mg powder of dried saijhan leaves
Study method : 60 Patients were randomly divided into 4 groups Group 1 given two capsules osteoseal BD Group 2 given two capsule harjor BD Group 3 given two capsule saijhan BD Group 4 given two capsule placebo BD
Results and conclusions • Significant reduction in clinical findings ( pain, swelling, mobility ) in group 1 & 2 than group 3 & 4. • Bite force value at 6th follow up week in 90 % reached near to healthy people as compared to 60 only 60 % gain of normal strength in control group. • Radiological findings OPG were in favor of group 1 & 2. • Analysis of biochemical marker osteopontin (OPN) was significant. Harjor accelerates fracture healing and also saijhan was helpful in fracture healing. So osteosel ( group 1 ) is more effective in providing bio-available calcium and other micronutrients required to ensure faster fracture healing.

Different manual acupuncture(MA) manipulations have different effects. However, its mechanisms have not been clearly clarified. We hypothesis that different MA manipulations can elicit different electrical signals of corresponding nervous system, further generate different clinic effects. In previous research, we have confirmed that different MA manipulations appeared to change the electrical signals of wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons in spinal dorsal horn (SDH) in normal rats. In order to further explore the effects of different MA manipulations on nervous system in pathological states, we analyzed the firing rate of excitatory gastric-related WDR neurons in SDH following graded acute gastric distension (GD) in rats and compared their responses to lifting-thrusting MA manipulation with four different frequencies (0.5, 1, 2, and 3 Hz)at ST36.Results indicated that MA manipulations with different frequencies could cause specific changes of the firing rate of excitatory gastric-related WDR neurons of SDH in severe acute GD rats. And the change modes in these neurons were different. These results could be one of the physiological foundations of different clinical effects by different MA manipulations.

Wei-ju Chen graduated from Taipei medical University. She is the technician of Department of Health, Taipei City Government, Taiwan-R.O.C.

To protect the public medication safety and health rights，Department of Health, Taipei City Government undergoes inspection of products providing from the Chinese medicine clinics and Chinese medicine pharmacies (stores) in Taipei City annually, such as the components of the Chinese herbal preparations, the preparations of traditional formulas and the original Chinese medicine materials.
In this study，we inspected the adulteration prevalence of samples which were collected from the Chinese medicine clinics and Chinese medicine pharmacies (stores) in Taipei City from 2011 to 2014. Samples were analyzed mainly according to their sources, components and types of assays. The results of 372 traditional Chinese medicines showed that 2.42% (9/372) of the samples were adulterated. The sources of samples were classified into two groups, one was obtained from the regular inspection of Department of Health randomly and the other came from the general public. There were 292 samples from regular inspection of Department of Health randomly and showed the adulteration rate was 0.68% (2/292). The 80 samples came from the general public showed the adulteration rate was 8.75% (7/80). Among 9 adulterated samples, 5 samples were collected from the Chinese medicine clinics, 2 samples were collected from the Chinese medicine stores, and 2 samples were collected from illegal suppliers. The study results showed the approximate status of adulteration of Chinese medicines in Taipei City and that would be considered as the reference of inspection program in future.
Key words: adulteration, Chinese herbal preparations, Chinese medicine materials

Baihui Dong is a postgraduate student in School of Chinese materia medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, China. She completed her bachelor degree from Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2012. She won the honorary title of “excellent student” for many times and scholarship in each year during she’s undergraduate study. She is engaged in the study of pharmacovigilance of TCM in her graduate careers.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been playing an important role in health protection and disease control for thousands of years in China. Using either as raw materials for decoction, as prepared herbal medicines or as formulated traditional medicines, TCM is still widely accepted by Chinese people, especially for chronic disease treatment. Although relying on natural products, mainly of herbal origin, more safer than synthetic drugs, TCM is not safe absolutely. There are many adverse TCM drug reactions all over the word for recent decades, such as Aristolochic acid nephropathy (AA nephropathy), which has been observed in patients taking Mu Tong and Fangchi (traditional Chinese formulae that have been adulterated by aristolochic acid). So TCM need the “pharmacovigilance” to insure its’ rational and safe use. The pharmacovigilance of TCM is the combination of western pharmacovigilance idea and Traditional Chinese Medicine theory. There are many records about the rational use of TCM in ancient medical classics. It’s a tremendous asset for us left by our predecessors. For instance, classifying the TCM by its’ toxicity, Reducing the toxicity by processing, Incompatibility of TCM, Contraindications in using TCM in the period of Pregnancy, Taboo food and drink when taking TCM, etc. They has grown out of the accumulated knowledge and experience of hundreds of thousands of TCM doctors. These can serve as the pharmacovigilance of TCM, and they can guide the rational use of TCM, then enhance the safety of TCM.

Facing the requirement of informatization in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) industry, the article introduces the technology principles of search engine for the TCM industry and the technology used in the ‘Brainet Search’, a project focuses on the application of vertical search engine in the TCM industry. The article analyses the value of the ‘Brainet Search’ and its similarities and differences compared with other search engines and it finally looks ahead the future development of vertical search engine in the TCM industry.
Keywords: traditional Chinese medicine industry; vertical search engine; ‘Brainet Search’

Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai (A. distichum) has been reported to exert the inhibitory effect on angiotensin converting enzyme and aldose reductase. Recently, our group found that branch extracts from ethyl acetate fraction from branch of A. distichum (EAFAD-B) induces apoptosis through ATF3 activation in human colorectal cancer cells. However, anti-cancer reagents exert their activity through the regulation of various molecular targets. Therefore, the elucidation of potential mechanisms of EAFAD-B for anti-cancer activity may be necessary. To elucidate the potential mechanism of EAFAD-B for anti-cancer activity, we evaluated the regulation of cyclin D1 in human colorectal cancer cells. EAFAD-B decreased cellular accumulation of exogenously-induced cyclin D1 protein. However, cyclin D1 mRNA was not changed by EAFAD-B. Inhibition of proteasomal degradation by MG132 attenuated silymarin-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation and the half-life of cyclin D1 was decreased in the cells treated with EAFAD-B. In addition, EAFAD-B induced threonine-286 phosphorylation of cyclin D1 and EAFAD-B-mediated cyclin D1 proteasomal degradation was attenuated by a point mutation of threonine-286 to alanine. Inhibitions of both ERK1/2 by PD98059 and NF-κB by a selective inhibitor, BAY 11-7082 suppressed cyclin D1 downregulation by EAFAD-B.
Conclusion: From these results, we suggest that EAFAD-B-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation may result from proteasomal degradation through its threonine-286 phosphorylation via ERK1/2-dependent NF-κB activation. The current study provides new mechanistic link between EAFAD-B and anti-cancer activity in human colorectal cancer cells.
Keywords: Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai, Cyclin D1, Proteasomal degradation, Cancer prevention, Colorectal cancer

Silymarin from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) plant has been reported to show anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hapatoprotective effects. For anti-cancer activity, silymarin is known to regulate cell cycle progression through cyclin D1 downregulation. However, mechanism of silymarin-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation still remains unanswered. The current study was performed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of cyclin D1 downregulation by silymarin in human colorectal cancer cells. The treatment of silymarin suppressed the cell proliferation in HCT116 and SW480 cells and decreased cellular accumulation of exogenously-induced cyclin D1 protein. However, silymarin did not change the level of cyclin D1 mRNA. Inhibition of proteasomal degradation by MG132 attenuated silymarin-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation and the half-life of cyclin D1 was decreased in the cells treated with silymarin. In addition, silymarin increased phosphorylation of cyclin D1 at threonine-286 and a point mutation of threonine-286 to alanine ameliorated silymarin-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation. Inhibition of NF-κB by a selective inhibitor, BAY 11-7082 suppressed cyclin D1 downregulation by silymarin. From these results, we suggest that silymarin-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation may result from proteasomal degradation through its threonine-286 phosphorylation via NF-κB activation. The current study provides new mechanistic link between silymarin, cyclin D1 downregulation and cell growth in human colorectal cancer cells.
Keywords: Silymarin, Cyclin D1, Cell growth, Cancer chemoprevention, Human colorectal cancer

We performed in vitro study to evaluate anti-cancer properties of ginger leaf (GL) and then elucidate the potential mechanisms. Exposure of GL to human colorectal cancer cells(HCT116, SW480 and LoVo cells ) reduced the cell viability in dose-dependent manner. GLincreased activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) expression and activated ATF3 promoter activity, indicating transcriptional activation of ATF3 gene by GL. In addition, our data showed that GL-responsible sites might be between -514 and -85 region of the ATF3 promoter. We also observed that ERK1/2 inhibition by PD98059 attenuated GL-mediated ATF3 expression but not p38 inhibition by SB203580, indicating ERK1/2 pathway implicated in GL-induced ATF3 activation. These findings suggest that the reduction of cell viability and apoptosis by GL may be a result of ATF3 promoter activation and subsequent increase of ATF3 expression through ERK1/2 activation in human colorectal cancer cells
Keywords: Ginger leaf, Cancer chemoprevention, Activating transcription factor 3, Colorectal cancer

Sun, Young-gon has completed his DDS at the age of 26 years and MSD at the age of 31 years from Chonnan National University School of Dentistry. He is in the doctoral course on Chonnan National University School of Dentistry. He is a graduate student of Department of Dental Science, Chonnam National University Graduate School. And he is supervised by Professor KIM, Young-Joon(Department of Periodontology College of Dentistry Chonnam National University).

Background: Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease, destroys connective tissues and alveolar bones. Loss of supporting tissue causes the teeth to become mobile and eventually fall out. The development of host-modulatory agents with low risk of adverse effects has been needed to treat periodontitis. A novel botanical agent (named BT-301), a mixture of extracts from two natural substances, Panax notoginseng and Rehmannia glutinosa libosch, is developed as a novel botanical agent synthesized with anti-inflammatory effect. Previous studyhas shown that BT-301 prevents destruction of periodontal tissue by inhibiting the secretion of several cytokines (TNF- IL-6) engaged in destruction of periodontal tissue. However, it was reported that Panax notoginseng and Rehmannia glutinosa libosch have positive effects on osteoblastic cells as well. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cell proliferation effects and the osteogenic effects of BT-301 on osteoblastic cells.
Methods: MC3T3-E1 (ATCC, Rockville, MD, USA) cells were treated with varying concentrations of BT-301 (control, 0.156, 0.312, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5 mg/ml) in -MEM. And treated cells were incuvated for 1day, 3days and 5days. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of MC3T3-E1 cells treated with varying concentrations of BT-301 (control, 0.156, 0.312, 0.625 mg/ml) were measured spectro-photometrically at day 7.
Results: In MTT asay, optical density increased in all groups with the lapse of time. Optical density increased significantly in 0.312 mg/ml and 0.625 mg/ml concentrations compared to the control group at day 3 and 5 (p<0.05). Post hoc analysis showed significantly high cell activity in order of 0.312 mg/ml, 0.625 mg/ml, 0.156 mg/ml concentration. There was also significant difference of ALP activity in 0.312 mg/ml and 0.625 mg/ml concentrations compared to the control group at day 7 (p<0.05)
Conclusions: 0.312 mg/ml and 0.625 mg/ml of BT-301 showed higher cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity compared to the control group. Proper concentration of BT-301 seems to have positive effects on bone healing.

Hussain Arshad has completed his Ph.D. at age of 29 years from Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi. He is serving as Head, Faculty of Pharmacy, Integral University, a state private University at Lucknow, India. He is engaged in teaching along with research at under-graduate and post-graduate level. His main areas of research include isolation, identification and evaluation of active/bioactive constituents from natural resources. He has published more than 35 papers in reputed journals and currently supervising eight Ph.D. Thesis at the Department. He is also serving as the Principal Investigator in UP-CST Funded Project on “Development of Anti-cancer Herbal Nano-formulations”.

The Immunoprotective effects of ethanolic extract of the bark of Bombax ceiba (Bombaceae) were investigated against Cyclophosphamide induced immune suppression in mice. The study was carried out by performing various hematological along with serological tests moreover the assessment of immunomodulatory activity on specific and non-specific immunity was made after the administration of test extract. Humoral antibody response to SRBC measurement of antibody titer by hemagglutination reaction was done. Whereas the Cellular immune response (Foot pad reaction test) the edema formation was also assessed by measuring the delayed type hypersensitivity response. Administration of ethanolic extract remarkably ameliorated both the cellular and humoral antibody responses. Cyclophosphamide injection caused a prominent reduction in the relative organ weight of the mice that includes the kidney, liver and spleen. The study result exhibit that animal treated with ethanolic extract demonstrate a significant up-regulation of cytokines including IL-6 and TNF-α in a dose-dependent manner. It is concluded that the above test extract possess promising immunoprotective properties.

Muftah Shushni was born in Alkhoms, Libay, in 1976. He received the Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from the University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libay, in 1998, and the Ph.D. degree in pharmacognosy from the Institute of Pharmacy, Ernst-Moritz-University, Greifswald, Germany, in 2009. In 2009, he joined the Department of pharmacognosy, University of Benghazi, as a Lecturer. Since July 2013, he has been with the Department of pharmacognosy, Tripoli university, where he was an Assistant Professor in 2014. His current research interests include the isolation and structure elucidation of bioactive natural products from plants and marine fungi.

The increased prevalence of antibiotic resistance, as a result of extensive antibiotic use, may render the current antimicrobial agents insufficient to control, at least, some bacterialinfections.The aerial part of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum was extracted by maceration with methanol (96% v/v) to exhaustion. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The decoction of the plant is used in traditional folk remedies as vaginal douche to treat vaginitis.To evaluate antimicrobial activity, the agar disc-diffusion assay was used against a Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli andPseudomonas aeruginosa)1.The methanolic extract did not show anyinhibitory effect on the tested bacterial strains.Association ofantibiotics and the plant extractshowed synergistic antibacterial activity especially withCiprofloxacin, Tetracyclin and Amikacin. The antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract was investigated using TLC plate method with DPPH2, their antioxidant characters were also tested utilizing DPPH as the radical reagent and ascorbic acid as reference.Themethanolic extract showed effective free radical scavening.The major chemical constituents reportedfrom the plant parts are flavoniods, saponins, steroids, triterpenoids and Phenolic compounds whichshow that this plant part can be a potential candidate to be used as a therapeutic agent.

K.C. Priyadarshanee Gunarathne have completed my BAMS in 2003 from Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and currently a Post graduate scholar in Ayurveda Surgery in SDM collage of Ayurveda, RGUHS, Hassan, Karnataka. I am a government Ayurveda practitioner for 5 years in Sri Lanka. I have published more than 25 Ayurveda medicine review articles in various magazines in Sri Lanka. I have completed diplomas in Psychology and counseling, Mass media, Acupuncture and Human rights.

Vrana is the term for wound in ayurveda. There are mainly two types of wounds according to etiology as wounds occur due to Internal cause ( Nija Vrana) and External cause ( Agantuja Vrana) . The factors responsible for Dosha Vishamata are the aetiological factor for Nija Vrana and Agantuja Vrana occurs due to external causative factor such as animal bites, trauma, penetrating instruments, etc. Before formation of Nija Vrana there is presence of Vrana shota ( abscess) according to associated prominent Dosha. There are many classifications of wounds depending upon various features. According to main five features, wounds has classified as Pancha Lakshana of Vrana such as Vrana Vastu (site), Vrana Gandha (smell), Vrana Varna (colour), Vrana Vedana (pain) and Vrana Srava (secreations). There are eight sites of wounds mentioned by Susrutha Samhitha and eight types of Gandha are described by Charaka Samhitha. According to the prominent Dosha, has mentioned colours of wounds, various types of pain and various types of secretions occurs in wounds. Also mentioned various features of secretions according to site of the wound. Apart from that four shapes of wounds and four stages of wounds according to the prognosis mentioned by Sushruta. There are four types of wounds according to stage of healing (Vrana Awasta) . With help of these signs and symptoms, can select relevant treatment for better management of wounds with minimal complications.

Eshetu Mulisa has completed his B.Pharm at the age of 23 years in 2009 from University of Gonder and MSC in Pharmacology at the age of 25 years in 2011 from Addis Abeba University. He is the coordinator of Pharmacology and Toxicology course team at Jimma University.

Rumex abyssinicus Jacq (Polygonaceae) is widely distributed in the highlands from North Africa to Ethiopia. Traditional healers in Ethiopia use the rhizomes of R. abyssinicus (“Mekmeko” in Amharic) combined with other plants to treat wounds and various ailments. Despite some research on the plant, there is no scientific report proving the use of R. abyssinicus on wound healing. Thus, the present study have an objective of investigating the wound healing potential of 80% methanolic extract of R. abyssinicus rhizomes in mice. Having been extracted with 80% methanol, the hydroalcoholic extracts were incorporated in simple ointment base B.P. in concentration of 5% (w/w) and 10% (w/w) for wound healing activity study topically in mice using excision and incision wound model. In vivo antiinflammatory activity was studied by dissolving the extract in 1% carboxyl methyl cellulose and giving orally at dose of 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg in carrageenan induced hind paw oedema model. Wound treated with ointment containing 5% and 10% (w/w) hydroalcoholic extract in the two experimental model exhibited significant wound healing activity (p < 0.05-0.001) compared to control as evidenced by increased wound contraction rate, shorter epithelization time, higher skin breaking strength and increased hydroxyproline content. 10% (w/w) hydroalcoholic extract ointment effect was comparable to that of the reference standard (nitrofurazone). R. abyssinicus rhizomes hydroalcoholic extract also produced dose-related significant reductions (p < 0.05-0.001) of inflammation as compared to control. The results of this study demonstrated that the hydroalcoholic extract of the rhizomes of R. abyssinicus facilitated wound healing at least in part via its antiinflammatory activity, supporting its traditional claim as wound healing agent.
Key words: Rumex abyssinicus, Excision model, Incision model, Antiinflammatory, Wound healing activity

Arti Kumari has pursuing her Ph.D. from Magadh University, Bodh-Gaya, Bihar, India. She is the SRF in a project of Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India. She has published papers in reputed journals.

India has a rich history of plants being used for medicinal purposes. Curcuma longa L. is extensively used as a spice, food preservative and colouring material in India, China and South East Asia. Curcuma longa (Fresh rhizome and its dried powder) has been used in traditional systems of medicine, like Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha as a household remedy for various diseases. In the last few decades, extensive work has been done to establish the biological activities and pharmacological actions of Curcuma longa and its extracts. Curcuma longa has been shown to have a wide spectrum of biological actions like anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, antimutagenic, anticoagulant, antifertility, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antiviral, antivenom and antiulcer activities. Studies were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of Curcuma longa on an organ affected by pesticide induced toxicity in female Swiss albino mice. Endosulfan, a chlorinated cyclodiene insecticide, was administered orally @ 3mg per kg body weight per day one time to normal mice for 12 weeks. Further they were administered aqueous rhizome extracts of Curcuma longa for 12 weeks. Mice were sacrificed on the day next to the last day of treatment. Their ovaries were excised and fixed. A few other parameters were also studied. Observations showed deformities in ovarian tissue of Endosulfan exposed mice. However, histological study of Curcuma longa treated mice showed marked recovery. It was effective in reduction of degenerative effects, altered LPO level and restoration of weight. Hence Curcuma longa has the potential to mitigate the pesticide induced toxicity.