Volume13,Issue3

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L, Urticaceae) ecologically benign, grow as a weed plant widespread in the world, predominantly in wasteland areas with characteristically unpleasant stinging hairs on the stems and leaves is characterized by important economical potentials. This perennial plant grows to between 1-3 m tall with dark green leaves in an opposite pattern that are oval to heart shaped and saw-toothed and are sparsely covered with stinging hairs. Leaves are simple (i.e., lobed or unlobed but   not separated into leaflets), opposite, coarsely toothed and there are two or more ways to evenly divide the flower i.e., the flower is radially symmetrical, lamina is 1.5-20 cm long and 0.6-12 cm broad. Propagation of nettle can either take place by seed or vegetative by divisions. The compounds responsible for burning sensation properties of leave’s trichomes are acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) and formic acid. The high nutritive values caused stinging nettle leaves to be included in the human consumption, as a tonic for strengthening the body, in the preparation of soups and various dishes and as a natural source of food favouring. This herb, which is known for its therapeutic and healing properties also has several side effects such as affects blood regularity, lowers the blood pressure level, insomnia and drowsiness, stomach discomfort, severe allergic reactions etc. Therefore, the present studies revealed that the plant has wild adaptability with effective pharmacological action and has proven its potential for future research for several biological potential.

Beautification of skin and hair by dyeing it or by colouring lips, cheeks and eyes, have been a part of our living since ages. So, to avail this purpose, large number of shades were manufactured using chemicals, but their frequent use showed allergies and eczema. This led to extraction and use of natural colorants. Thus, this project is about formulation and evaluation of herbal cosmetics- lip balm and shampoo, with the herbal ingredient being, colour extract obtained from dried leaves of Tectona grandis (Teak wood). The dye was extracted from the leaf powder by using maceration. The concentrated extract was subjected to solubility tests, UV-visible, TLC and phytochemical analysis. Lip balm was characterized for stability studies like organoleptic characters, melting point, water resistance, whereas shampoo was subjected to tests like rheological studies, bioassay, cleansing action. The concentrated extract showed good solubility and colour as hydro-alcoholic solution and was thus used in both the formulations. UV spectra and TLC showed presence of anthocyanin in hydro-alcoholic solution. Finest lip balm was formed after triturating the colorant with the waxy base. It showed stability at room temperature and in refrigerator and a melting point around 500C. The shampoo showed good results for stability, foam stability and bioassay, and solid content in the range of 16% -18%. Hence, a good aqueous and lipid-based cosmetic can be formulated by replacing synthetic colour with teak leaves extract, which can produce different shades of colours, from light orange to dark brown.

Kaempferia galanga L. (Family Zingiberaceae), the targeted species of the present study is a high demanding medicinal plant by pharmaceutical companies and in perfume industry. Evaluation of the bioactive constituents would be beneficial in using tissue cultured plants as an alternative for natural plants and the study described here have evaluated the phytochemical parameters of minirhizomes established from micropropagated plants and the mother rhizomes. The phytochemical screening in methanolic extracts of mother rhizomes and minirhizomes of K. galanga revealed the presence bioactive substances having a wide range of pharmacological activities such as alkaloids, flavanoids, glycosides, phenols, tannins, saponins and terpenoids in both samples. FTIR analysis of samples showed the presence of alcohols, carboxylic acid, esters, ethers, alkyl halides, aromatic and aliphatic amines and alkenes. The peaks recorded were almost similar in the absorption frequencies in both which confers that the minirhizomes can be used as alternate source materials for drug preparation and essential oil extraction. The indication of esters also confirms the presence of the most significant bioactive compound ethyl p-methoxy cinnamate, which belongs to the class of organic compounds known as cinnamic acid esters in the samples. In TLC analysis, similar type of bands were observed in mother and minirhizomes extracts. The R_f value of the components (R_f = 0.43) is found to be same to that of ethyl p-methoxy cinnamate. The proximate parameters mentioned for both rhizome samples in this study are found to be superior to some other Zingibers. The findings revealed that the minirhizomes can also be explored for phyto-pharma applications. Also, it is a good source of essential nutrients and it could be recommended as a good spice for human diet.