The immature inflorescence of Cocos nucifera L. variety aurantiaca is used by Ayurvedic and traditional medical practitioners for the treatment of menorrhargia in Sri Lanka. We have previously reported the effect of ethyl acetate soluble proanthocyanidins (EASPA) of the inflorescence of Cocos nucifera L. on reproductive hormone levels of female rats in relation to its ethno medical usage. AQSPA obtained from immature Cocos nucifera L. (var. aurantiaca) inflorescence was evaluated for its effect on the reproductive hormonal levels of female rats. AQSPA (2.8 mg/day) dissolved in water was administered orally to female rats for 28 consecutive days. At the end of the study period, oestrogen and progesterone levels were measured and compared with the control group (water). Statistical analysis was performed with one-way ANOVA, followed by student T test using Minitab 17.0 software. The length of the reproductive cycle was 4.89 ± 0.21 days and 4.37 ± 0.16 days for the control and test group rats, respectively. No significant changes were noticed in the length of the cycle nor were there any difference in vaginal cytology in test and control group rats. There were no significant difference in both estrogen and progesterone levels between control and test group animals. This may be as a result of low bioavailability of AQSPA due to its high molecular weight profile. In addition, this may also be due to an inadequacy of the dose or time duration that AQSPA was administered.

Objectives: Epilepsy is a major neurological disorder among children. Rosa damascena is proven to have hypnotic, antispasmodic and relaxant properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of R. damascena essence on controlling intractable pharmacoresistant epilepsy in children between 3-12 years old admitted at the department of neurology of Ghaem Hospital. Methods: Simple random sampling was used in this study. Medical therapy was conducted in three stages. Initially, 500 cc of R. damascena essence was prepared and a concentration of 10% was obtained with medium-chain triglyceride (MCT). Afterwards, medical and placebo interventions were performed based on patients’ referral prescription using a double-blinded approach. Results: In total, we studied 16 patients including 9 male (56.3%) and 7(43.8%) female subjects. There was a statistically significant difference between the frequency of seizures before and after the treatment with Rose oil (P=0.000). The seizures were suppressed in 3 cases (18.7%) and they completely receded in 12 patients (75%). Only in one case (6.25%), no significant differences were observed. Conclusion: Rosa damascena oil could significantly decrease the frequency of epileptic seizures. However, it may not affect the duration of the fits. Moreover, no side effects or complications have been associated with R. damascena as the adjuvant therapy for epileptic pharmacoresistant children.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the in-vitro anticancer activity of green synthesized nanoparticles of Abutilon indicum L. leaf extract using MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The shade dried leaves of Abutilon indicum L. was subjected to cold maceration with water and the extract utilized for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The UV-visible spectral analysis indicated the formation of nanoparticles, which were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, TEM and EDX analysis. The in-vitro antioxidant activities of the synthesized nanoparticles were studied by DPPH radical scavenging activity and the anticancer activity by MTT assay in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The study indicated that the green synthesized silver nanoparticles of Abutilon indicum L. leaf extract possess antioxidant and anticancer activities.

The aim of the present study is to explore the Physico-chemical parameter, Preliminary phytochemical analysis, TLC Photo documentation, HPTLC fingerprinting, Heavy metal analysis of Lead, Cadmium, Mercury and Arsenic and antibacterial activity of methanolic extract of the roots of Asparagus racemosus Willd.(Fam:Asparagaceae). The physico-chemical analysis was carried out and loss on drying of the sample, total ash content, acid-insoluble ash, water and alcohol soluble extractive values of the sample were estimated. By preliminary phytochemical screening the presence of alkaloids, aminoacids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenol, steroid, tannin and saponin were confirmed. TLC photo documentation showed 9 and 11 visible spots under 254nm, 366nm respectively and 8 spots after derivatization. HPTLC fingerprint profile showed 10peaks at 254 nm. Heavy metals such as Cadmium, Mercury and Arsenic were not detected and Lead content was within the permissible limit. The antibacterial activity of methanolic extract of root of Asparagus racemosus was carried out against gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The antibacterial activity studied is expressed in terms of zone of inhibition measured in mm. A significant growth inhibition was shown by many of the organisms tested indicating the profound potency of the plant drug. This study scientifically supports the usage of root as a remedy for various superficial bacterial infections in traditional medicine.

The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with cattle and sheep gastro-intestinal parasitic (GIP) infections around Semomo Dam (Adi-Quala sub-zone) during the period February to May, 2013. A total of 300 faecal samples from sheep and cattle were collected directly from the rectum and examined using standard parasitological procedures like floatation, sedimentation and McMaster techniques performed at the Central National Laboratory at (Villago) Asmara. The study revealed that the overall prevalence of gastro intestinal parasitism was 79.67% with a weighted prevalence of 82% and 77.3% in sheep and cattle, respectively. Fasciola was the most prevalent parasite in the area (78%) followed bystrongyles (67.34%), Eimeria (23.34%), Moniezia (11%) and Strongloides (7.34%). There is apparently no significant difference in the prevalence of infection between sheep and cattle though sheep harboured heavier parasitic burdens. The prevalence of infection was suggested to be correlated with the agro- ecology of the area investigated.