The aim of the present investigation is to develop an optimized culture medium for direct induction of adventitious multiple shoots from nodal explants of Bacopa monnieri an important medicinal herb. The nodal explants were excised from the in vivo B. monnieri and were inoculated over different media fortified with cytokinins BAP or KIN alone or in combination with IAA for in vitro response. The rooting was established with Murashige and Skoog media containing with auxin NAA. All the treatments are performed in a controlled aseptic chamber and maintained the cultures at temperature 22oC for 4 and 2 weeks respectively for shoot induction and rhizogenesis. The results are expressed in mean of three replicates with standard error. Adventitious multiple shoots proliferated from nodal explants cultured on all the tested media. The highest percent shoot induction, shoot number per node and shoot length was observed on MS medium containing BAP(1.5mg/l) and IAA(0.5mg/l). The excised shootlets cultured on MS media fortified with various levels of NAA and identified 0.2mg/l NAA was best for maximum rhizogenesis. The rooted plants were successfully transferred to the field. Overall, the present study showed superior results for shoot number per node over previous reports. Therefore, it is hoped that this report will contribute to our knowledge about in vitro mass propagation of medicinal herb B. monnieri.

Cultivation of the castor crop is hindered by various factors and one of the approaches for genetic improvement of the crop is through exploitation of biotechnological tools. Response of castor tissues to in vitro culture is poor which necessitated this study on understanding the molecular basis of organogenesis in cultured tissues of castor, through de novo transcriptome analysis and by comparing with jatropha and sunflower having good regeneration ability. Transcriptome profiling analysis was carried out with hypocotyl explants from castor, jatropha and cotyledons from sunflower cultured on MS media supplemented with different concentrations of hormones. Differentially expressed genes during dedifferentiation and organogenic differentiation stages of callus included components of auxin and cytokinin signaling, secondary metabolite synthesis, genes encoding transcription factors, receptor kinases and protein kinases. In castor, many genes involved in auxin biosynthesis and homeostasis like WAT1, vacuolar transporter genes, transcription factors like short root like protein were down-regulated while genes like DELLA were up-regulated accounting for regeneration recalcitrance. Validation of 62 DEGs through qRT-PCR showed a consensus of 77.4% of the genes expressed. Overall study provides set of genes involved in the process of organogenesis in three oilseed crops which forms a basis for understanding and improving the efficiency of plant regeneration and genetic transformation in castor.

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal a member of the Solanaceae family, is a traditional medicinal plant commonly known in India as Ashwagandha. It is used for different diseases such as hiccup, cough, rheumatism, tuberculosis, and exhibits excellent antitumor and anti-bacterial activities as well. Direct organogenesis of plants using mature seeds provides faster response and is also a time saving approach, thus the present study was conducted to investigate the optimal concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators with MS medium for the establishment of an efficient regeneration system in W. somnifera using mature seed as an explant. Therefore, an efficient in vitro protocol for high frequency regeneration has been developed using mature seeds as explant. In the present study, the multiple shoots along with embryogenic callus induction was best seen in MS medium supplemented with BAP (1.5 mg/L) and IAA (0.5 mg/L). Furthermore, MS medium fortified with GA3 (0.3 mg/L) and IBA (3.0 mg/L) alone was suited for shoot elongation and rhizogenesis respectively. The rooted plantlets were hardened and successfully established in the soil. The establishment of a highly reproducible regeneration system would greatly influence the efforts of improvement of the hereby studied medicinal plant species through useful gene transfer technology.

Preparation of plant extracts using methanol and silver mediated nanoparticles using 1 mM AgNO3 for both the plants Ipomoea pes caprae and Spinifex littoreus. Isolation and identification of bacteria from the fish sample. Testing the antibacterial activity of both the plant extracts and nanoparticles against Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus subtilis using agar well diffusion method. The antibacterial activity of both the plant extracts and nanoparticles is confirmed. The silver mediated nanoparticles showed remarkable resistance against the above-mentioned bacteria. These plants can be a potential alternative to therapeutic useful antibiotics, chemical preservatives to reduce food spoilage since they show antibacterial activity.

AbstractBackgroundCastor is a non-edible oilseed crop with a multitude of pharmaceutical and industrial uses. Profitable cultivation of the crop is hindered by various factors and one of the approaches for genetic improvement of the crop belonging to a monotypic genus is to exploit biotechnological tools. The major limitation for successful exploitation of biotechnological tools is thein vitrorecalcitrance of castor tissues. Response of castor tissues toin vitroculture is poor which necessitated study on understanding the molecular basis of organogenesis in cultured tissues of castor, throughde novotranscriptome analysis, by comparing with two other crops (jatropha and sunflower) with good regeneration ability.ResultsRNA-seq analysis was carried out with hypocotyl explants from castor, jatropha and cotyledons from sunflower cultured on MS media supplemented with different concentrations of hormones. Genes that showed strong differential expression analysis during dedifferentiation and organogenic differentiation stages of callus included components of auxin and cytokinin signaling, secondary metabolite synthesis, genes encoding transcription factors, receptor kinases and protein kinases. In castor, many genes involved in auxin biosynthesis and homeostasis like WAT1 (Wall associated thinness), vacuolar transporter genes, transcription factors like short root like protein were down-regulated while genes like DELLA were upregulated accounting for regeneration recalcitrance. Validation of 62 differentially expressed genes through qRT-PCR showed a consensus of 77.4% with the RNA-Seq analysis.ConclusionThis study provides information on the set of genes involved in the process of organogenesis in three oilseed crops which forms a basis for understanding and improving the efficiency of plant regeneration and genetic transformation in castor.

India is found to be a country with rich biodiversity and enormous treasure of herbal plants and consequently called as medicinal garden of the world. Plants are the richest source of natural antimicrobial agents. In recent years drug resistance to human pathogenic bacteria has been commonly reported from all over the world. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases; one approach is to screen local medicinal plants for possible antimicrobial properties. The present study was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of hexane, chloroform and methanol crude extracts of the leaves of three important medicinal plants viz., Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC, Bougainvillea spectabilis L. and Caesalpinia bonducella (L.) Fleming, collected from in and around Visakhapatnam District. The antimicrobial activity of the crude extracts was tested against three Gram Positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis MTCC 441, Enterococcus faecalis MTCC 439, Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 737), Three Gram Negative bacteria (Escherichia coli MTCC 443, Proteus vulgaris MTCC 426 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 1688) and three Fungal strains (Candida albicans MTCC 227, Epidermophyton floccosum MTCC 613 and Trichophyton mentagrophytes MTCC 7687) using agar well diffusion assay. Our results demonstrated that methanol extracts of these plants leaves have concentration dependent antibacterial activity against some of the tested organisms. Further studies should be undertaken to elucidate the exact mechanism of action of antimicrobial effect to identify the active ingredients which can be used for drug development program.

An efficient in vitro multiplication protocol was developed through excised shoot tip, explants of Abrus precatorius L. The effect of different growth regulators alone or in combination on multiple shoots production from different explants of A. precatorius L was studied Multiple shoots were obtained from excised shoot tip, explants on MS medium supplemented with BAP (3.0 mg/L) and NAA (1.0 mg/L). Maximum number of shoots (16-18) per explants were obtained from excised shoot tips. Effective in Vitro shoot elongation and rooting was achieved on 10 mg/l GA3 and 60 mg/ L IBA respectively. The rooted plants were hardened and transplanted into the soil and showed 60-76% survival during transplantation.

IJCRT1892401 International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT) www.ijcrt.org 414 In vitro callus induction from different explants of Gymnema hirsutum Wight & Arnan important Anti-diabetic medicinal plant. Snikdha, V., Aniel Kumar, O and Nagamani,S. Department of Botany,Andhra University,Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh Abstract An efficient in vitro callus induction protocol was developed for the first time in Gymnema hirsutum Wight & Arn . which is a potent antidiabetic plant.shoot tips and nodal explants were inoculated on MS medium fortified with auxins (2,4-D and NAA) and cytokinins (kinetin) different concentrations ranging from 1.0 to5.0 mg/l in alone or in combinations for rapid callus induction. Callus was obtained in both explants in all the concentrations. These explants failed to produce callus on MS medium without growth regulators. The highest callus induction , light/dark green with campact/friable nature and growth rate (fresh and dry weights) was observed on MS media containing 2,4-D(3.0mg/l) + NAA(1.0 mg/l) followed by 2,4-D and NAA at 3.0 mg/l. but kinetin is less effective for callus induction than the 2,4-D and NAA . The higher concentrations of 2,4-D (4.0 and 5.0 mg/l) callus was turned to brown colour and necrotic . It is concluded that, in addition to the plant material, callus may also used as a supplement raw material to obtain secondary metabolites for the pharmaceutical industry.

The phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Litsea glutinosa revealed the presence of secondary metabolites like alkaloids, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins, terpenoids, volatile compounds, amino acids and carbohiydrates. The antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibition concentration values were determined for these phytochemical constituents as crude extracts using the agar well diffusion and two-fold serial dilution methods. The results indicated that Bacillus subtilis was the most susceptible bacterium with high inhibition zones for the methanol and chloroform extracts of 31 mm and 26 mm, respectively. The MIC values indicated that extracts possess good antimicrobial activity with significant MIC value against Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus pneumoniae at 31.2 µg/ml concentrations. The extracts showed marked antimicrobial activity against both bacteria and fungi. Among the bacterial strains, gram-positive bacteria were more susceptible than the gram-negative. All the 13 microorganisms tested showed dose dependent susceptibility towards the phytochemicals present in the foliar extracts. The study suggests that Litsea glutinosa leaves possess potent antimicrobial activity and can be a good source for the development of new antibiotics.

Premavani D, Naidu MT, Kumar OA, Venkaiah M. 2017. Diversity and distribution of tree species in tropical forests ofNorthcentral Eastern Ghats, India. Asian J For 1: 27-32. The diversity and distribution of tree species were studied in three 1 ha sites oftropical forests in the northcentral Eastern Ghats of India. The phytosociological data from forest sites were analyzed quantitatively todetermine the basal area, species diversity, richness and stand density. A total of 1,507 individuals of 104 plant taxa, pertaining to 82genera under 41 families were enumerated at ≥15 cm gbh using belt transects (5 m × 1000 m). Tree stand density varied from 371-660individuals per ha while average basal area ranged from 14.54 – 46.51 m2 ha-1. Shannon-Weiner Index (H') ranged from 0.97-0.98,Equitability or evenness index ranged from 0.70-0.79 and Margalef richness index ranged from 10.54 – 10.82. The most dominantfamilies were Rubiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Moraceae, and Verbenaceae. Our results suggest further development of forestmanagement and biodiversity conservation in Eastern Ghats region.

Achyranthes longifolia (Makino) Makino (Amaranthaceae) is a rare medicinal angiosperm. It was recorded for the first time from the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, as of yet not been reported from India, it forms new angiospermic addition for Indian biodiversity as well as the Southern Asian region. It is being described along with comprehensive illustration and field photographs to make easy identification of the taxon.

Antimicrobial analysis of hexane, chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts of Bridelia retusa fruits was performed by agar well method and minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by serial two-fold dilution method. Seven human pathogenic bacteria species including Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and three fungal species were used in the study and the results indicated that the Gram positive bacteria and fungi were more sensitive than the Gram negative bacteria, to both solvent and aqueous Bridelia retusa fruit extracts. Moreover, Enterococcus faecalis was found as the most sensitive bacteria, whereas Proteus vulgaris and Aspergillu niger were the most resistant to the tested extracts. Phytochemical analysis of fruits revealed the presence of secondary metabolites like alkaloid, saponins and terpenoids, which have been implicated in antimicrobial activities. Hence, it would be recommended to explore the maximum potential of Bridelia retusa in the medicinal and pharmaceutical field and investigation are endorsed for further application useful in phytomedicine.

Physalis angulata L. is an important medicinal herb. An efficient direct adventitious plant regeneration protocol was developed for large scale propagation using leaf disc as explants. The explants were cultured on MS basal medium supplemented with 0.25-3.0 mg/L 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) for primary shoot proliferation. Inclusion of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA3) in the culture medium along with BAP promoted a higher rate of shoot multiplication. The maximum number of shoots was produced in MS + BAP (1.0 mg/L) + IAA (0.5 mg/L) + GA3 (0.20 mg/L) after the third subculture. An average of 152.8 ± 0.40 shoots were produced from each leaf disc. For root induction the shootlets were transferred to MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The highest percentage of root induction was observed in 1.0 mg/L (IBA). Rooted plants were successfully established in the soil after hardening. The survival percentage of rooted plants on soil was found to be 85%. This result will facilitate the conservation and propagation of the important medicinal herb Physalis angulata L.

Species diversity and density of trees were assessed in four 1-ha plots (at 457–925 m in elevation) in the Eastern Ghats of the Andhra Pradesh region comprising mostly of tropical deciduous forests based on a census of all trees with girth at breast height ≥ 15cm. We compared tree community characteristics like stem density, basal area, diversity, and species composition of four plots using a tree dataset of eight belt transects (5 m×1000 m) in the study area. A total of 2,227 individuals of 44 families, 98 genera, and 129 species were recorded. Combretaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Anacardiaceae, showed the greatest importance value index. It was noticed that the most species were contributed by Euphorbiaceae and the tree density varied from 435 ha–1 to 767 ha–1 with an average basal area of 25.82 m2/ha. Shannon–Weiner index (H') ranged from 3.76 to 3.96, the Simpson index ranged from 0.96 to 0.97, evenness index ranged from 0.60 to 0.78, and species richness index ranged from 10.04 to 11.24. At present the biodiversity of these forests are under threat due to the anthropogenic and upcoming mining activities. The present study will help us to understand the patterns of tree species composition and diversity in the Eastern Ghats of India.

Antimicrobial analysis of hexane, chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts of Bridelia retusa fruits was performed by agar well method and minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by serial two-fold dilution method. Seven human pathogenic bacteria species including Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and three fungal species were used in the study and the results indicated that the Gram positive bacteria and fungi were more sensitive than the Gram negative bacteria, to both solvent and aqueous Bridelia retusa fruit extracts. Moreover, Enterococcus faecalis was found as the most sensitive bacteria, whereas Proteus vulgaris and Aspergillu niger were the most resistant to the tested extracts. Phytochemical analysis of fruits revealed the presence of secondary metabolites like alkaloid, saponins and terpenoids, which have been implicated in antimicrobial activities. Hence, it would be recommended to explore the maximum potential of Bridelia retusa in the medicinal and pharmaceutical field and investigation are endorsed for further application useful in phytomedicine.

Microbial pathogens develop resistance to antibiotics after repeated administration during the treatment of infectious diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to find alternative antimicrobial drugs and the present trend is focused on medicinal plants. The hereby research work was carried out to investigate the antimicrobial activity of solvents as well as aqueous extracts of Rauwolfia serpentina roots. The extracts were tested against Bacillus subtilis , Enterococcus faecalis , Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Micrococcus luteus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Proteus vulgaris , Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus pneumoniae , Aspergillus niger , Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae by agar well diffusion method. It was observed that methanol extract showed the highest antimicrobial activity against multi drug resistance S. aureus at 100 mg/ml concentration, while S. aureus was the most susceptible bacterium to all extracts. However, E. faecalis, M. luteus and S. pneumoniae were also susceptible to the experimented solvents and extracts. On the other hand, K. pneumoniae was resistant against the solvent and aqueous extracts. The present study suggested that methanol extracts of R.  serpentina roots would be helpful in treating diseases caused by human pathogenic bacteria and fungi. In particular, based on the results obtained in the current experiment, it can be recommended for the control of infectious Gram-positive bacteria.

Medicinal plants represent one of the most important fields of traditional medicine all over the world. In light of the recent emergence of pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains which are resistant to antibiotics posing a challenge for the treatment of infections, the need to discover new antimicrobial substances for use in combating such pathogens become pertinent. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to analyze the composition of phytochemicals and their antimicrobial activity from stem of T. cordifolia by using agar well diffusion method against seven bacterial and three fungal strains. Methanol and aqueous extracts exhibited the high antimicrobial activity while chloroform exhibited moderate activity and hexane showed low antimicrobial activity. Methanol and aqueous extracts showed antimicrobial activity is higher than standard antibiotics against Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus vulgaris. Methanol extract was found to be strong MIC against Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris whereas aqueous extract against Staphylococcus aureus and Sterptococcus pneumoniae, at concentration of 31.2 μg/ml. When the concentration of the extracts was increased the zone of inhibition also increased.

Antimicrobial agents from plant origin have enormous therapeutic potential for treatment of disease resistant microbial strains. Desmodium gangeticum is a medicinal plant with valuable source of natural compounds and traditionally used in therapeutic aid for various ailments. Hence, it was selected for antimicrobial activity of hexane, chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts and it was determined by agar well diffusion method. The extracts that exhibited inhibition zones were subjected to minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) assay by using twofold serial dilution method. Methanolic extract of D. gangeticum leaves have the maximum degree of antimicrobial activity than aqueous, chloroform, hexane extracts. The antimicrobial activity of low concentrations (25 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml) was weaker compared to high concentration of crude (100 mg/ml) Methanol extract at 100 mg/ml concentration was exhibited the maximum antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa followed by B. subtilis and E. coli. The microbial strains B. subtilis, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, C. albicans and S. cerevisiae were susceptible for all extracts. The MIC values were lower than 125 μg/ml, demonstrating strong antimicrobial activity of extracts under study. The presence of phytochemicals viz. alkaloids, tannins, flavanoids and saponins in D. gangeticum leaves may inhibit the growth of bacterial and fungal strains. Therefore, the present study provides the scientific information about D. gangeticum leaf extract and support the traditional usage of this plant for curing many of infectious diseases caused by microorganisms.