[en] Nanoparticles are multifunctional in characteristics and may be used for diagnosis as well as treatment of cancer. Nanoparticles enhance permeability, retention effects and target the tumor by avoiding reticuloendothelial system. The various nano technological approaches are used in treatment of the diseases and imaging of biological materials; like localized delivery of heat by nanoparticles, mini emulsion polymerization by nanoparticles, nanoparticles responsive to pH gradient and Nanoparticles along with ultrasonic radiations. In future, new herbal nanoparticles may be proved better in treatment of cancer and may improve life style of cancer patient. (author)

[en] Antibacterial activities of locally occurring weed Achyranthes aspera were studied. Three solvents (Hexane, Chloroform, and Ethanol) were used successively for the extraction of active principles from the seeds of this plant. The extracts were concentrated on vacuum rotary evaporator. The concentrated extracts were tested for their antibacterial activities after making their solution in gum acacia. The six bacterial strains used in the antibacterial studies were Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeuroginosa, and Salmonella chloerasuis. Antibacterial activities of the extracts were compared with streptomycin and ampicillin in terms of zones of inhibition. Chloroform and ethanol extracts demonstrated antibacterial activity. Hexane extract did not demonstrate antibacterial activity. Chloroform extract was more potent than alcohol extract in terms of antibacterial activity. An attempt was made to identify the nature of compound by isolation through vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC). The fractions isolated by VLC were subjected to thin layer chromatography (TLC). TLC showed the presence of alkaloids and terpenoids. The active fractions were tested for their antibacterial activity. One of the fractions exhibited antibacterial activity. (author)

[en] Eight compounds have been isolated for the first time from Vernonia cinerascens namely, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-(2-propenyl)-phenol (1), vanillic acid (2), isoferulic acid (3), caffeic acid (4), methyl gallate (5), uridine (6), 3'-methylquercetin (7) and quercetin (8), respectively. Their structures have been elucidated based on EI-MS, HREI-MS, FAB-MS, HRFAB-MS, /sup 1/H-, /sup 13/C-NMR spectroscopic data and in comparison with the reported data. All these compounds exhibited promising antioxidant and significant urease inhibitory activities. (author)