Enicostemma littorale Blume of Gentianaceae, thriving in many parts of India, South America and some parts of Africa, serves as an important drug for various therapeutics and has been in use traditionally for many diseases. Although, it is identified as an important medicinal plant there seems to be no information on the extent and nature of genetic diversity analysis at the molecular level. Th...

The antiulcer and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of the aerial parts of Enicostemma littorale against aspirin, ethanol, and pyloric ligation-induced ulcers in rats and bovine serum albumin denaturation were studied. The extract (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg po) was administered to the overnight fasted rats, one hour prior to aspirin / alcohol / pyloric ligation challenge. The ulcer index, tis...

Problem statement: The Amino glycoside antibiotics cause drug induced nephrotoxicity at therapeutic doses and thus limits the use clinically. Oxidative stress is one of the main reasons for the development of nephrotoxicity. Approach: In light of this the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of mitochondrial as well as post-mitochondrial oxidative stress in the development of Ge...

Problem statement: Malaria is a prevalent disease in India. The problem of drug resistance is worsening. Hence, new effective and affordable antimalarial drugs are very much needed. The long-established use of quinine and the more recent introduction of artemisinin as highly effective anti malarials demonstrate that plant species are an important resource for the discovery of new anti malarial ...

Enicostemma littorale (EL) Blume is one of the herbs widely used for treating and alleviating the effects of both type I and type II diabetes. However, lack of understanding of mechanism precludes the use of the herb and its molecules. In this study, we attempt to unravel the molecular mechanism of action of swertiamarin, a compound isolated form EL, by comparing its molecular effects with thos...

The whole plant aqueous extract of E. littorale was tested for its hypoglycemic activity on normoglycemic, hyperglycemic and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Blood sugar lowering activity was not observed in normoglycemic and glucose loaded hyperglycemic rats in the short time experiment. But in case of diabetic rats, the fall of blood sugar after 30 days treatment with the aqueous extract was fo...