Aim: To document and record recipes of pickles of wild edible plants prepared by the tribal of Jawhar and Shahapur forest divisions. Materials and methods: A medicoethnobotanical survey was carried out in Jawhar and Shahapur forest divisions during the year 2018–2019. The details of information and method of preparation of pickle recipes traditionally prepared and consumed by the tribal from Jawhar and Shahapur forest divisions of Thane forest circle were recorded through conversation and interviews and were documented digitally. Result: A total of 11 recipes of traditionally prepared pickles which are not familiar in urban area have been identified, and the method of preparation was recorded. A maximum of nine pickles were prepared from fruit or pod, whereas shoot was used in bamboo pickle and pseudostem in kadali pickle. These traditional pickle recipes have nutritional values and are used to alleviate certain disease conditions like flatulence, diabetes, etc. and to increase strength. Conclusion: Tribal people are proverbial with plants and fruits available in their native place. They prepared pickles using their traditional method of preparation and used them in certain ailments. Steps should be taken to identify the strength in the field of food industries and small-scale industry to prepare and sell the forest products that would be beneficial to forest department, tribes, and common population.

Background: An Ayurvedic herbomineral formulation containing Shilajit, Swarna bhasma, and other ingredients intended to be used as a rejuvenator for increasing strength stamina and endurance was investigated for its subacute oral toxicity in Wistar rats. Materials and methods: The study was conducted as per the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines. Test item (TI) was administered to three groups at three dose levels (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight BW) for 28 consecutive days. Animals in one group were taken as high-dose satellite reversal along with one control group and one satellite control group that received Milli-Q water (10 mL/kg BW). Any clinical sign of toxicity/mortality was observed. Signs of delayed onset of toxicity was observed in satellite groups for the next 14 days. Results: No mortality or clinical sign of toxicity was observed. All animals from the treated and satellite groups showed similar weight gain and feeding as of control group during dosing and recovery periods. Hematological and biochemical parameters were within the range of normalcy in treated and control groups. Necropsy examination did not reveal any significant gross pathology changes. Organ weights in treated group were comparable to control group. Histopathology of high-dose-treated animals and control animals was also comparable. Conclusion: Tested formulation containing Shilajit, Swarna bhasma, and other ingredients was found to be nontoxic at tested doses in both the sexes of Wistar rats on subacute administration. Results of the current study show that TI has no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 1000 mg/kg BW on subacute oral exposure to Wistar rats for 28 days.

Aim: The present study aims to develop pharmacognostical standards, standard operating procedure (SOP), and analytical profiling including physicochemical analysis of Narayana Churna, a polyherbal Ayurvedic formulation. Materials and methods: The pharmacognostical (macroscopy, microscopy and powder drug analysis), thin layer chromatography (TLC), and quantitative physicochemical analysis including loss on drying, alcohol and water-soluble extractive values, total and acid-insoluble ash, and pH value were performed as per the standard procedures described in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API). The microbial limit, aflatoxins, heavy metals and pesticide residues were also analyzed. Results and discussion: Narayana Churna is of grayish-brown color with a slightly pungent taste. The powder microscopy revealed the presence of pentagonal/hexagonal/polygonal cork cells, polygonal pale green endosperm, oval/polygonal/irregular shaped stone cells, elongated and flat-shaped bordered pitted vessels, pitted tracheids, annular vessels, unicellular covering trichomes, prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, starch grains and oil globules. The TLC fingerprint was developed using toluene:ethyl acetate:formic acid (6:4:1) as the solvent system. The standardized limits of the physicochemical parameters, microbial count, aflatoxins, heavy metals and pesticide residues were also laid down. Conclusion: This is the first ever attempt made in order to develop the SOP and standardized parameters of Narayana Churna. Thus, the present study would be useful as the standardized reference protocol for the identification and standardization of this formulation.

Background: Vacha (Acorus calamus L.; Acoraceae), one of the well-known drug of Ayurvedic pharmacopeia, is highlighted for its Medhya (brain tonic), Sanjnasthapana (restores lost consciousness), Deepana (appetizer), Pachana (digestive), etc., properties and hence used extensively in therapeutics. Ayurvedic pharmacopeias like Chakradatta, Bhaishajya Ratnavali, and Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) have recommended Shodana (processing) of Vacha using certain media like Gomutra, Mundi Kwatha, Gandhodaka, etc. It has been reported by us that subjecting to Shodhana is not only safe to use but also enhances the therapeutic activity of Vacha. Aim: To assess the antianxiety activity of raw and shodhita (processed) Vacha rhizomes in different experimental animal models. Materials and methods: Swiss albino mice of either sex weighing 24 ± 4 g, of either sex, were administered with raw and shodhita Vacha (16 mg/kg body weight) along with distilled water. Diazepam (2 mg/kg body weight) was used as a standard drug. Results and conclusion: Pretreatment with both raw and classically processed Vacha samples exhibited significant antianxiety activity; among them, the observed activity in shodhita Vacha was found to be better. The present study confirms the antianxiety activity of raw and shodhita Vacha. But when subjected to the traditional Shodhana procedure, the efficacy of Vacha rhizomes get enhanced.

Aim: To review the intrinsic tenants available for safe drug usage in Ayurveda and to contextualize the statistical signal detection techniques of current times in terms of Ayurvedic pharmacovigilance program. Materials and methods: Streamlining the information to develop a database that differentiates between known adverse drug reactions (ADRs) from hitherto unknown drug reactions per the standard definition of ADR. To introduce amicable statistical methods viz., Chi-square test, odds ratio (OR), and logistic regression for signal detection. Results and conclusion: The proposed method of developing a known ADR and safe drug usage practices described in Ayurveda that followed the application of standard operating procedures for signal detection as per the pharmacovigilance program by applying statistical methods suggested will ensure pragmatic signal detection.

Introduction: In the recent decades, diabetes mellitus has emerged as a major health problem in the world and it is hampering the development economically and socially. Indeed, about 80% of the masses in the developing countries depend upon ancient systems of herbal formulations for their primary health concerns. Plants-based drugs and their constituents play a pivotal role in prevention and treatment of various diseases and are considered as rich resources that can be used in drug development and synthesis in future. The purpose of this systematic review is to analyze hypoglycemic properties of medicinal plants. Aim: The study is primarily focused to understand the historical and modern documentation related to treatment of diabetes and also to create the attention of pharmacologists, botanists, and phytochemists for further scientific research in the field. Results: This present review mainly focuses on 50 medicinal plants with hypoglycemic properties. Various research papers and studies have been reviewed on the role of diverse active chemical biomolecules associated with antidiabetic properties. Conclusion: Since time immemorial, plants have been the potential source of medicine and therefore the novel form of healthcare known. The hypoglycemic properties of medicinal plants verified by several researchers have confirmed the effective management of diabetes mellitus. This study concluded that the profiles of plant species were generally used for treatment of disease and having antidiabetic properties can be an effective source for the development of safer oral hypoglycemic agents.