@article {1603, title = {Evaluating the Antioxidant and Heavy Metal Content of Pleurotus ostreatus Mushrooms Cultivated using Sugar Cane Agro-Waste}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {13}, year = {2021}, month = {July 2021}, pages = {844-852}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {844}, abstract = {

Background: Pleurotus ostreatus, is one of the most cultivated mushrooms with great economic and medicinal value that can be easily grown on various bio-waste substrates. However, biosafety evaluations on these mushrooms are rarely conducted. Thus, we sought to evaluate the concentration or presence of Heavy metals in P. ostreatus mushrooms cultivated on agro-bio-waste products. Furthermore, the effect of adding agro wastes on wheat bran (WB) cultivated mushrooms was evaluated. Methods: Mushrooms grown in sugar cane tops and bagasse were supplemented with varying levels of WB. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was applied to evaluate the concentration of heavy metals in the substrates and within mushrooms. Furthermore, DPPH free radical scavenging activity was used to determine antioxidant activity of mushroom extracts. Results: The transfer factor analysis (TF) showed that mushrooms have an affinity to absorb Zn, Cd, Cu and Cr from all tested substrates during cultivation (TF\>1). The addition of WB supplement into substrates resulted into significant increase in mushroom yield. However, the increased addition of WB, inversely affected the DPPH scavenging activity of the P.ostreatus methanolic extracts. Conclusion: The bioabsorption of heavy metals by P. ostreatus is depended on the metal type. Based on these findings, mushrooms grown on these agro-waste appear to be safe and potent scavenging ability against free radicals.

}, keywords = {Antioxidant, DPPH, Heavy metals, Mushrooms, Pleurotus ostreatus}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2021.13.108}, author = {Senzosenkosi Surprise Mkhize and Mthokozisi Blessing Cedric Simelane and Nothando Lovedale Gasa and Ofentse Jacob Pooe} } @article {1066, title = {Chemical Fingerprint by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS, GC-MS Analysis and Anti-Oxidant Activity of Manasamitra Vatakam: A Herbomineral Formulation}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {February 2020}, pages = {115-123}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {115}, abstract = {

Background: Manasamitra Vatakam is a classical ayurvedic herbo mineral formulation used for the treatment of neurodegerative properties and epileptic disorders. The wide range mixture of herbal extracts and minerals were used in the formulation. Aim: The aim of the study implies in performing the chemo-profiling, chromatographic fingerprint analysis by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS for the selected formulations of Manasamitra Vatakam followed by the identification of bioactive compounds by Gas Chromatography {\textendash} Mass Spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis, to evaluate the diffusion and dilution methods for the determination of anti-bacterial activity in the methanolic extracts of Manasamitra Vatakam (MMV). Materials and Methods: The antibacterial activity was performed by both diffusion and dilution methods whereas the antioxidant activity was performed by free radical scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay method. Results: The estimation of bioactive constituents showed positive results by qualitative analysis. Antibacterial activity of MMV was evaluated against two-gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, two gram negative Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia by disk diffusion (0.078-10μg mL-1), broth dilution (0.078-10μg mL-1) and broth micro dilution method (0.39-50μg mL-1) respectively. The bioactive constituents were analysed by GC-MS analysis for the methanolic extract of the formulation. Conclusion: To conclude, the formulation was found abundant with phenolic and flavonoid compounds by HPLC-ESI-MS analysis, the bioactive compounds identified are responsible for the anti-bacterial activity. The broth microdilution method performed by resazurin method was observed as the fast screening, sensitive and accurate method for the quantitative determination of antibacterial activity.

}, keywords = {Classical formulation, Diffusion and dilution methods, Heavy metals, MIC, Phytochemicals}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2020.12.18}, author = {Srikalyani V and Ilango K} } @article {1549, title = {Pharmacognostical and phytochemical standardization of the roots of Potentilla mooniana Wight}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {6}, year = {2014}, month = {18th Feb,2014}, pages = {70-79}, type = {Original Article}, abstract = {

Background:Potentilla mooniana Wight. (PM) (Family: Rosaceae) is a plant commonly grown at the higher altitudes (1500\–3660 meter) of the lower Asian continent and is traditionally used to treat gastric and mouth disorders. The present study was aimed to scientifically develop a standard monograph for PM on the basis of pharmacognostical and phytochemical aspects. Methods: Pharmacognostically the roots were analyzed following the standard parameters prescribed under WHO guidelines and Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Results: Morphologically, the roots are cylindrical, dark brown and astringent to bitter in taste. Histologically, the root section showed the formation of secondary growth with wood formation and central lignified xylem vessels. Physicochemical standards quantified includes foreign organic matter (1.20\% w/w), loss on drying (9.66\% w/w), total ash (12.65\% w/w), acid insoluble ash (4.65\% w/w), water soluble ash (0.5\% w/w), alcohol soluble extractive (21.3\% w/w), water soluble extractive (14.6\% w/w), foaming index (142.85), swelling index (6.5), haemolytic index (37.77). Quantification of pesticide residue content and heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Zn and Hg was analyzed and were found to be present within the permissible limits. Powdered drug showed the presence of lignified xylem vessels with scalariform and spiral thickenings, tracheids, starch grains and fibres. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, sugars, and amino acids. Quantification of phytoconstituents were also investigated such as phenolics (84.15mg/g tannic acid equivalent, TAE), tannins (65.31mg/g TAE), flavonoids (9.53mg/g rutin equivalent, RE), flavonols (2.01mg/g RE), saponins (20.75mg/g diosgenin equivalent, DE), sapogenins (15.4mg/g DE) and carbohydrates (56.8mg/g D\–fructose equivalent). TLC of the root extract was also analyzed in the present study. Conclusion: In conclusion, the diagnostic characters obtained from the roots of P. mooniana will provide beneficial information in identifying and comparing this plant from other closely related Potentilla species.

Key words:Potentilla mooniana, Pharmacognosy, phytochemical, polyphenolics, heavy metal.

}, keywords = {Heavy metals, Pharmacognosy, Phytochemical, Polyphenolics, Potentilla mooniana}, author = {Damiki Laloo, and Satyendra K. Prasad, and Manish Kumar, and Siva Hemalatha} }