Costus speciosus (C. speciosus) has several pharmacological properties including antioxidant activity. Recently we have shown that methanol extract of C. speciosus leaves of summer has maximum in vitro antioxidant activity. Aim of the present work was to isolate antioxidant compound from C. speciosus leaves. Summer sample of C. speciosus leaves were collected from the local market and identified by the taxonomist. Methanol extract of the leaves was prepared and processed for isolation of antioxidant compound. Acid hydrolysis, solvent treatment, chromatographic experiments followed by crystallization were done to isolate a compound. In vitro antioxidant activity of the isolated compound was measured by superoxide anion generation with the help of xanthine-xanthine oxidase assay, linoleic acid peroxidation assay as well as by DPPH photometric assay. Isolated compound showed significant in vitro antioxidant activity which was comparable to that of quercetin, a synthetic antioxidant. The isolated compound may, therefore, be used as natural antioxidant.

Implementation of herbal medication is traditionally employed for treating broad spectrum diseases. Among this remedial flora, Nigella sativa is emerging as potent pharmaceutically significant plant with supportive religious background. Produce formulated from N. sativa have been found effective as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antimicrobial, antineoplastic drugs for various disorders and also as an ideal healer for variety of wounds. As in daily routine, minor injuries, abrases and burns are common and inevitable. In consequence, wound healing which is a physiological and systematic process in response to injury may be impaired due to several external and internal factors like in case of several infections and in diabetic patients, and it may lead to diabetic foot ulcers with significant morbidity and mortality risks. Retarted diabetic wounds’ healing is mainly due to interlukin-8, hyperglycemia and other contributing factors are like poor epithelialization, angiogenesis and skin regeneration. Biochemically, black seeds contain 35% fatty acids, 21% proteins and 38% carbohydrates and vast variety of other vitamins and minerals. Among them, thymoquinone frequently reported constituent as potent wound healer either of diabetic origin or due to other reasons. So far explored broad spectrum efficacy of this plant is also directly a proof of hadith of Prophet Muhammad (UBPH(: ―Use black seeds regularly; because, it cures every disease excluding death‖. So its biochemical screening and dose optimization to cure and heal not only the diabetic wounds in better way but also for other pharamcognosal pursuits should be explored in future to provide general public of third world countries like Pakistan, as local cost effective alternative drug in replacement of expensive synthetic drugs for better medical treatment.

Hepatitis E is due to hepatitis E virus which causes the inflammation of the liver. It is the most common type of the virus among hepatitis A, B, C and D. Hepatitis E is virus that cause the millions of the infection in year. It is more acute in the pregnant women. It is so lethal and dangerous for those women. Hepatitis E is virus that is the major cause of the illness and is a reason of the major disproportionation of the death especially in the pregnant women. Hepatitis E is a most common types among all the types of the hepatitis A, B, C and D. It is mostly found in the Asia, Northern and Central Africa. There are the many reason through which it spreads. There are the many treatments are available for hepatitis E. But some are the use of the clean water. Use the food that is clean and there is no contamination in the food.

This study was carried out to examine the proximate and mineral contents of an edible mushroom, P.sajor-caju in Ekiti State, Nigeria at different stages of development. The mushroom was cultivated on sterilized wood shavings and the fruit bodies were harvested at four stages corresponding to 7, 21, 35 and 49 days after fruiting. The proximate and mineral contents of the mushroom were determined using standard methods. After forty nine days of fruiting, the contents (%) of moisture and crude fiber increased from 90.47 to 94.00 and 0.06 to 0.21 respectively while the contents of protein, fat, ash, carbohydrate and energy (kcal/100g) reduced from 1.21to 0.74, 0.1 to 0.08, 1.07 to 0.69, 7.09 to 5.97 and 32.33 to 25.71 respectively. The mushroom exhibited different variation patterns in their mineral contents with advancing age. The contents (mg/100g) of Mg, Fe and Cu decreased with age while that of K, P, Ca and Zn increased with age. Age had no effect on the content of Mn. This suggests that the recommended harvesting stages would be determined by the particular mineral deficiency being addressed. However, results of the proximate analysis suggest that the mushroom should be harvested early in order not to compromise the nutritional quality.

Background: Occupational exposures represent complex mixture of genotoxic agents. Benzene is one of the major organic product, people with chronic exposure to this organic product are exposed to many malignant disorders. People who work in Petrol station are consistently exposed to the dangerous components of petroleum through inhalation or direct contact with their skin. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential cytogenetic damage and micronuclei frequency associated with occupational exposure to benzene among petrol station workers by using Micronucleus assay. Materials and Methods: The study groups included twenty five occupationally exposed petrol station workers and twenty five age matched controls were recruited and evaluated for genetic damage. Exfoliated Buccal cells were collected from both groups by using the sterile brush. Slides fixed in ethanol and stained with Giemsa stain and 1000 cells were studied by using a light microscope. Statistical analysis for data interpretation performed by Student’s t‑test, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: As compared to control subjects, significant high level of micronuclei frequency was found in the workers exposed to benzene (4.65±2 and 1.22±7 respectively). Period of exposure also showed considerable effects (P<0.05) on micronuclei frequency, while effect of age was non-significant (P>0.05). In this study, both Control and workers with history of Tobacco smoking and alcohol were excluded. Conclusions: The results of our study concluded that benzene have the potential to increase micronuclei frequency in the exposed subjects. The study also suggested that protective strategies should be implemented by the concerned authorities to minimize exposure to fuel.

Biodiversity loss through anthropogenic drivers is a matter of serious concern. Background extinction is a natural phenomenon. Anthropogenic biodiversity loss, also called sixth mass extinction has been addressed from various viewpoints. The issue of biodiversity loss has been discussed in local-, regional-, and national- and international –forums. The debate is continuing to identify the root cause of the anthropogenic mass extinction. The present communication discusses various anthropogenic drivers of biodiversity loss and explains the on-going sixth mass extinction using Garrett Hardin's “the tragedy of the commons”. Such explanations provide options for policy makers and for the people to save the precious biodiversity of our planet. It has been demonstrated that our present consumption of the Net Primary Productivity must be reduced through reducing consumption of food and energy to save the other life forms or the biodiversity. Promotion of sustainable human behaviours to ameliorate the problem of anthropogenic extinction has been discussed in the light of recent findings from neurobiology and molecular biology to give options for solving the problem. Biodiversity conservation through providing benefit to the people may be the effective conservation strategies which would save the interest of human civilizations as well as other life forms on the earth.

Sera from 67 bovines (cattle and buffaloes) from villages around Ludhiana city and 10 vaccinated animals from an organized dairy farm were subjected to Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) DIVA ELISA. Sera from 10/67 field animals and 2/10 farm animals were found positive for the infection. Serial samples at 100 days, 130 days and 145 days postvaccination from 6 vaccinated buffaloes were assessed for titers of antibody against FMDV serotypes O, A and Asia-1 by Liquid Phase Blocking ELISA. The mean titers were as follows: Antibodies against O at 100 days, 130 days and 145 days = 2.4; Antibodies against A at 100 days = 1.858, at 130 days = 1.866, and at 145 days = 1.85; Antibodies against Asia-1 at 100 days = 2.225, at 130 days = 2.166, and at 145 days = 2.225, respectively. The differences among the mean titers of antibodies against FMDV O, A and Asia-1 at days 100, 130 and 145 were non – significant. However, two animals showed a titer of 1.65 against FMDV A at 100, 130 and 145 days which was below the protective level (> 1.8). The findings highlight the need for monitoring larger populations for the level of immunity induced by vaccination.

Costus speciosus (C. speciosus) has long been medicinally used in different systems of medicine. The plant has several pharmacological properties including antioxidant activity. Aim of the present work was to see the effects of extraction solvents on in vitro antioxidant activity of C. speciosus leaves. Leaves of C. speciosus were collected from the local market and identified by the taxonomist. Extracts of the leaves were prepared separately using acetone, methanol, ethanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether. With the help of xanthine-xanthine oxidase assay, linoleic acid peroxidation assay and DPPH photometric assay, in vitro antioxidant activities of all extracts were checked. Total phenol, ascorbic acid, flavonoids and carotenoids contents of the extracts were also determined. Results showed that methanol extract of C. speciosus leaves had maximum in vitro antioxidant activity in comparison to other solvent extracts. This was due to presence of high amount of total phenol in methanol extract. Methanol extract of C. speciosus leaves, therefore, may be further investigated in search for natural antioxidant compounds.

Effect of season on in vitro antioxidant activity of Costus speciosus (C. speciosus) leaves was studied. Leaves of C. speciosus of different seasons were collected from the local market and authenticated by the taxonomist. In vitro antioxidant activity of the leaves was measured by superoxide anion generation with the help of xanthine-xanthine oxidase assay, linoleic acid peroxidation assay and DPPH photometric assay. Amount of total phenols present in the leaves of different seasons was also estimated. Results showed that in vitro antioxidant activity of the leaves of C. speciosus was maximum during summer (March – May) in comparison to other seasons of the year. Amount of total phenols present in the leaves was also found maximum in summer. In vitro antioxidant activity of C. speciosus leaves, therefore, was due high amount of total phenols in the leaves. Leaves of C. speciosus of summer may be further investigated to get natural antioxidant compound.