Pradeep’s scientific contributions

Background:Tecomellaundulata(Sm.)Seem.isconsideredasagenuinesourceofRohitakawhichismentionedinAyurveda classics for YakritPlihaRoga(liver and spleen diseases). In different parts of India, various other species are used as substitute of Rohitaka due to non-availability of the genuine source. In Nepal, folklore traditional practitioners use Rhododendron arboreum Sm. for the treatment of jaundice and it is marketed by the name of Rohitaka. Objective: The present study outlines the concept of substitution. The stem bark of T. undulata(Sm.) Seem. and R. arboreumSm. is compared on the basis of macroscopic/organoleptic evaluation, microscopic evaluation, physicochemical analysis, phytochemical analysis, and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Materials and Methods: Macroscopic/organoleptic evaluation, microscopic evaluation, and physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical screening were carried out using standard methods. Semi-automatic applicator was used for HPTLC profiling. Results: Macroscopic/organoleptic evaluation showed longitudinally fissured and fibrous fracture in T. undulata with bitter taste, while longitudinally furrowed, laminated bark with bitter taste in R. arboreum. Powder microscopy revealed the presence of parenchyma with starch, parenchyma with cell content, and cork cells in both drugs. On physiochemical analysis, T. undulata showed greater water and alcoholic extractive value than R. arboreum. Carbohydrates, alkaloids, tannins, and phenols were the chemical constituents found in both the drugs. HPTLC study revealed that there are 18 active phytoconstituents in R. arboreum barks and 24 in T. undulata on the basis of peaks observed. Conclusion: The present study revealed few common phytoconstituents found in both T. undulata and R. arboreum.

Udumbara (Ficus glomerata Roxb.) is a moderate sized tree, which is found all over India. The plant is mainly used for external application in burns, and internally in skin inflammation diarrohea and leucoderma. Udumbara (Ficus glomerata Roxb.) sample which was used for the study was collected from natural habitats in Hassan. In this study preliminary pharmacognostic, phytochemical evaluation and HPTLC analysis of sample of Ficus glomerata Roxb were done. The study revealed presence of alkaloids, steroid, tannins, saponin,flavanoids, carbohydrate, phenols. These secondary metabolites are responsible for its pharmacological actions.

Introduction-The northwestern part of India is occupied by a desert ecosystem, the Thar Desert; having 682 plant species and 390 animal species. Many plant and animal species have become endangered due to zoogenic and anthropogenic activities, and Tecomella undulata is one of them. In Ayurveda classics it is known as Rohitaka and used mainly for Yakritpleeha Roga (Liver and spleenic disorders). Tecomella undulata is also used for treating syphilis, gonorrhea etc. and proved as Anti-HIV, antibacterial, antimicrobial, immune modulator, analgesic etc. Despite the great importance of T. undulata as economical, ethno botanical and medicinally important tree, attempts for its conservation, sustainable utilization and genetic improvement, are lacking. Material & Methods-Different literatures, journals & internet media were used for collecting information regarding the topic. Result-In vitro clonal propagation of Tecomella undulata has been reported by various workers through seedling. However, in vitro propagation through seedling has limitation. In vitro shoot cultures from nodal explants of mature trees were established and multiplied as reported. However, tissue culture protocol remains ineffective due to lack of reproducible rooting methods. Therefore, there is a need of improvement in shoot multiplication and long-term sub-culturing and better knowledge of root induction in this species. Conclusion-Tecomella undulata is one among endangered plant species found in Thar Desert. For its conservation and sustainable use we have to adopt proper method of conservation. Propagation through seedlings takes more time so in-vitro shoot multiplication and sub-culturing methods can be applied. Introduction India is one of the world's top 12 mega-diversity countries with 10 biogeographic regions, and has over 40 sites which are known for their high endemism and genetic diversity [1]. It has more than one fourth (8000) of the world's known medicinal plant species (30,000). Medicinal plants are globally valuable sources of new drugs. Further more, up to 80 % of people in developing countries are totally dependent on herbal drugs for their primary healthcare, and over 25 % of prescribed medicines in developed countries are derived from wild plant species [2]. With the increasing demand for herbal drugs, natural health products, and secondary metabolites of medicinal plants, the use of medicinal plants is growing rapidly throughout the world. Over 90% of the medicinal plants traded in India are harvested from the wild, most of them in an unsustainable manner. Due to an increasing demand for medicinal plants, a loss and fragmentation of natural habitats, close to 300 species of Indian medicinal plants have been so far assessed as under threat in the wild and around 1,000 species are estimated to be facing various degrees of threat [3]. Demand for medicinal plants is increasing, and this leads to unscrupulous collection from the wild causing threaten the existence of approximately 15,000 species worldwide due to a number of reasons such as overexploitation, destruction of natural habitats, and lack of regulations and standards for sustainable harvesting [4]. In India, forest land is losing its natural flora at an alarming rate-1.5 m.ha. Every year and only 8% against a mandatory 33% of the geographical area (Shivarajan and Balachandran 1999) is left now. Toj

Rohitaka is one of the major drug mentioned in Ayurveda classics for spleenic and hepatic disorders. Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem. is considered as genuine source of Rohitaka. It is habitant of dry arid zone of India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In Nepal Rhododendron arboreum Sm. is marketed and used by the name of Rohitaka. Traditionally it is also used in liver diseases. In this study preliminary pharmacognostic, phytochemical evaluation and HPTLC analysis of market samples of Rhododendron arboreum were done. The study revealed almost similar characteristics and phytoconstituents in both sample. Alkaloids, Tannins, Saponin, Cardenoloids, reducing sugars are present in both samples. These secondary metabolites are responsible for its pharmacological actions. Keywords: Rohitaka, Ayurvedic classics. Hepatic disorders, Tecomellla undulata, Rhododendron arboreum, Pharmacognostic evaluation, HPTLC.

Ayurveda is an Indian traditional system of medicine. In present era, world is looking towards herbal medicine because of acceptability and safety. Medicinal plants constitute an effective source of Ayurvedic and other traditional system of medicines as well as modern medicine. In India, about 80% of the rural population depends on herbal medicines in primary health care level. A large percentage of plants used in herbal industries are subject of controversy. Non-availability of plants, poor understanding and parallel evolved knowledge systems are some of the reasons attributed to it. The existing practices of polynomial nomenclature system of Sanskrit, different perceptions in various communities, vernacular equivalents, all are cumulative factors for controversy, adulteration and substitution. " Sandigdha Dravaya " is a term used for that type of medicinal plants which are mentioned in Ayurvedic classics but their exact botanical source is not known. Adulterants and substitutes are the common practices in herbal raw material trade. Adulteration is a debasement of an article. The motives for intentional adulteration are normally commercial that which involves deterioration , admixture, sophistication, inferiority, spoilage and other unknown reasons. Substitution is a replacement of equivalent drugs in place of original drugs. The principles to select substitute drugs are based on similar Rasa, Guna, Virya, Vipaka and mainly the Karma. At present the adulteration and Substitution of the herbal drugs is the burning problem in herbal industry and in Ayurvedic practices. So it is necessary to develop reliable methodologies for correct identification, standardization and quality assurance of Ayurvedic drugs.

Ayurveda is an Indian traditional system of medicine. In present era, world is looking towards herbal medicine because of acceptability and safety. Medicinal plants constitute an effective source of Ayurvedic and other traditional system of medicines as well as modern medicine. In India, about 80% of the rural population depends on herbal medicines in primary health care level. A large percentage of plants used in herbal industries are subject of controversy. Non-availability of plants, poor understanding and parallel evolved knowledge systems are some of the reasons attributed to it. The existing practices of polynomial nomenclature system of Sanskrit, different perceptions in various communities, vernacular equivalents, all are cumulative factors for controversy, adulteration and substitution. " Sandigdha Dravaya " is a term used for that type of medicinal plants which are mentioned in Ayurvedic classics but their exact botanical source is not known. Adulterants and substitutes are the common practices in herbal raw material trade. Adulteration is a debasement of an article. The motives for intentional adulteration are normally commercial that which involves deterioration , admixture, sophistication, inferiority, spoilage and other unknown reasons. Substitution is a replacement of equivalent drugs in place of original drugs. The principles to select substitute drugs are based on similar Rasa, Guna, Virya, Vipaka and mainly the Karma. At present the adulteration and Substitution of the herbal drugs is the burning problem in herbal industry and in Ayurvedic practices. So it is necessary to develop reliable methodologies for correct identification, standardization and quality assurance of Ayurvedic drugs.