DHARMAN DHAKSHANAMOORTHY and RADHAKRISHNAN SELVARAJ

Genomic DNA was isolated from leaves of three species of Jatropha, namely J. glandulifera, J. gossypifolia and J. curcas. The objective of our study was to use alcohol as a fixing solution, making liquid nitrogen unnecessary for isolation of genomic DNA from Jatropha species. The spectral quality of genomic DNA isolated using this method as measured by the A260/A280 absorbance ratio ranged from 1.83 to 1.94 for all three species of Jatropha. DNA quality and quantity were comparable to those isolated with liquid nitrogen. The purity of the isolated DNA was further confirmed by PCR (RAPD) using 4 decamer primers. DNA samples prepared by this method were consistently amplifiable in the RAPD reaction and gave reproducible profiles. This method does not require for fixation or grinding in liquid nitrogen, making it advantageous over common protocol.

R. JAYARAMAN, ARIHARA SHIVAKUMAR, T. ANITHA, VISHAL D. JOSHI, NARAHARI N. PALEI

The study was undertaken to investigate the effect of petroleum ether extract of Citrullus colocynthis fruits on lowering the blood glucose levels and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in Streptozotocin induced Diabetic albino rats. Oral administration of two different doses (300&500 mg/kg p.o) of Citrullus colocynthis fruit extract exhibited a significant reduction in blood glucose level in diabetic rats. In addition, PECC significantly reduces TBARS levels when compared to diabetic control groups. Glibenclamide (0.5 mg/kg) was used as reference drugs. Based on the results in our study, we speculate that the petroleum ether extract of Citrullus colocynthis fruits might be promising for the development of a standardized phytomedicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

RAVAL P. BHUVAN, PATEL D. JIGNESH, PATEL A. BHAVIK, GANURE L. ASHOK

Assessment of anti-tumor activity of Symplocos racemosa Roxb. (Symplococaceae) plant extracts. Methods: Plant bark was procured, identified and verified. Chloroform, butanol and ethyl acetate extracts were prepared and their cytotoxic activity determined using the XTT salt based cytotoxicity assay in 96-micro plate format against one leukaemia and one cervical cancer cell line. Cyclophosphamide was used as positive control. Absorbance was measured after 48 h at 450 nm. Results. Total 3 extracts evaluated, butanolic and ethyl acetate extracts demonstrated strong cytotoxic potential overall. Cell proliferation assay showed dose dependent inhibition of cell growth. Butanolic extract was found cytotoxic against HL 60 (Human leukemia cell line, IC50 = 27183 ng/ml), HeLa (Human cervix cancer cell line, IC50 = 22861 ng/ml), Ethyl acetate extract was found to be less cytotoxic against HL 60 (IC50 = 117084 ng/ml), HeLa (IC50 = 137151 ng/ml). Chloroform extract displayed no cytotoxicity against both cell lines. Conclusion: S. racemosa shows potential anticancer activity.

P.R. RACHH, S.R. PATEL, H.V. HIRPARA, M.T. RUPARELIYA, M.R. RACHH, A.S. BHARGAVA, N.M. PATEL, D.C. MODI

Preliminary phytochemical screening and in-vitro antioxidant activity of Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. leaf extract were investigated. The antioxidant activity was studied in some in-vitro antioxidant models like DPPH radical scavenging activity, superoxide radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing power and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. Total antioxidant capacity was also determined. The Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. alcoholic leaf extract showed antioxidant activity by inhibiting DPPH, scavenging superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. It also showed reducing power ability in ferric reducing model. Total antioxidant capacity was found to be 17.54 mg/g expressed as ascorbic acid. Significant antioxidant activity of alcoholic extract of Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. was found which might be due to the presence of Acidic compounds, Flavonoids, Phenols, Saponins, Tannis (Phenolic compounds) and Triterpenoids found in the preliminary phytochemical screening.

On existing data, there was designed a chorological map of Stipa ucrainica P.A. Smirn. for Romania. The papers report the presence of S. ucrainica in 13 new sites in Romania.

The paper presents the main screes associations noticed in Abruptul Prahovean Reserve: Cerastio lerchenfeldiani-Papaveretum Boşcaiu, Täuber et Coldea 1997, Doronico carpatici Papaveretum Coldea et Pânzaru 1986 [Syn. As. Papaver pyrenaicum-Festuca violacea Beldie 1967], Acino-Galietum anisophylli Beldie 1967, Saxifragetum moschatae-aizoidis Boşcaiu 1971, Gymnocarpietum robertianae Kuhn 1937, Tx. 1937, Thymo comosi-Galietum albi Sanda et Popescu 1999. It also emphasises the endemic, rare or threatened cormophytes of those associations. For each association there have been set synthetic tables and graphs with the bioforms, geoelements and karyologic spectrum, as well and their interpretation.