This study explored the antioxidant and immunomodulatory potential of ethnomedicinally valuable species, namely, Arisaema jacquemontiiof north-western Himalayan region. The tubers, leaves, and fruits of this plant were subjected to extraction using different solvents.In vitroantioxidant studies were performed in terms of chelation power on ferrous ions and FRAP assay. The crude methanol extract of leaves was found to harbour better chelating capacity (58% at 100 μg/mL) and reducing power (FRAP value1085.4±0.11 μMFe³⁺/g dry wt.) than all the other extracts. The crude methanol extract was thus further partitioned with solvents to yield five fractions. Antioxidant study of fractions suggested that the methanol fraction possessed significant chelation capacity (49.7% at 100 μg/mL) and reducing power with FRAP value of 1435.4 μM/g dry wt. The fractions were also studied for immune modulating potential where it was observed that hexane fraction had significant suppressive effect on mitogen induced T-cell and B-cell proliferation and remarkable stimulating effect on humoral response by 141% and on DTH response by 168% in immune suppressed mice as compared to the controls. Therefore, it can be concluded thatA. jacquemontiileaves hold considerable antioxidant and immunomodulating potential and they can be explored further for the identification of their chemical composition for a better understanding of their biological activities.

Copper nanomaterials due to their unique properties are rapidly finding place as an important component of next-generation material in various sectors such as electronics, machinery, construction, engineering, pharmaceutical, agriculture, energy, environment etc In fact in past decades, researchers have devoted several studies to Cu nanomaterials, and have achieved many innovative results from synthesis to applications, highlighting its immeasurable potential for extensive practical and theoretical applications holding great promises. This review emphasises on the recent progress made in synthesis of copper nanoparticles by various techniques such as physical, chemical and biological methods. The application section describes their utility in several sectors including agriculture, environment, construction, electronics etc Moreover, the emphasis was also laid to understand the uptake mechanism of the copper nanoparticles by plants, the toxicity caused at higher concentrations and the associated implications of exposure to both human and environmental health, including the challenges and difficulties to be addressed in the future.

Valeriana jatamansiis an indigenous medicinal plant used in the treatment of a number of diseases. In the present study, chemical composition of the essential oil was determined by GC-MS. Seven major components were identified inValeriana jatamansiessential oil, namely,β-vatirenene,β-patchoulene, dehydroaromadendrene,β-gurjunene, patchoulic alcohol,β-guaiene, andα-muurolene. Methanolic, aqueous, and chloroform extracts ofValeriana jatamansiroots were also prepared and analyzed for their polyphenols and flavonoid content. Antioxidant activity of essential oil and different extracts ofValeriana jatamansiroots was determined by DPPH radical scavenging and chelation power assay. A linear correlation has been obtained by comparing the antioxidant activity and polyphenols and flavonoid content of the extracts. Results indicated that antioxidant activity of methanolic extract could be attributed to the presence of rich amount of polyphenols and flavonoid. Essential oil ofValeriana jatamansiroots showed moderate antioxidant activity.