Sphaeranthus indicus is an important medicinal plant, widely used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic potential, particularly its antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. Despite its medicinal importance, there is a need for developing efficient propagation methods to ensure its large-scale cultivation and conservation. This study aims to develop a protocol direct shoot organogenesis from nodal explants of Sphaeranthus indicus. In vitro regeneration through direct shoot organogenesis offers an efficient method for the propagation of medicinally valuable plants. Explants were subjected to surface sterilization followed by culture on MS medium (Murashige and Skoog medium) supplemented with different concentrations of BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine) for shoot induction. Root initiation was achieved on MS medium with α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimatized and shifted to greenhouse and open field conditions. High shoot induction frequency of 91.6% with the lowest concentration of 1 mg/L BAP highlights the efficient regeneration protocol and initiate a pathway for micropropagation and cultivation of multipotential medicinal plant, S. indicus in large-scale. During the present investigation, an efficient in vitro regeneration protocol is developed

Medicinal plants are source of phytochemical compounds that play a significant role in human healthcare. The potent effects of these plants are mainly due to the presence of secondary metabolites. This study aimed to identify various phytochemicals and quantify the total phenolic and flavonoid content in the methanolic extract of Ficus carica leaves, as well as to measure their antioxidant properties. Alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins were all detected in the raw powdered extract of Ficus carica leaves. However, alkaloids were absent in the methanolic extract. In the quantitative analysis, the total flavonoid content was significantly higher than the total phenolic content. The result of the study highlighted the potent phenol and flavonoid contents and antioxidant properties in the extract, indicating its potential for developing new drugs. This study also supports some of the traditional medicinal properties of the plant. Keywords: F. carica, Phytochemicals, antioxidant, Methanol.

Flood-prone agricultural regions such as Bihar’s Madhubani district present unique environmental stresses, including salinity fluctuations, hypoxia, and temperature variability, affecting soil microbial dynamics and plant health. In this study, a fungal isolate was obtained from the rhizosphere of a chronically flooded agricultural field. Morphological and ITS region sequencing identified the fungus as Aspergillus fasciculatus (GenBank accession no. PV789344), and phylogenetic analysis placed it within section Aspergillus, closely related to A. oryzae and distinct from toxigenic species like A. flavus and A. fumigatus. The isolate showed notable stress tolerance, surviving salinity levels (2-10%), a broad temperature range (4°C to 39°C), and low-oxygen conditions, suggesting ecological adaptation to flood-prone soils. These findings indicate that A. fasciculatus is a stress-tolerant fungal species with potential application in environmentally challenged agricultural systems. Its role as a biocontrol agent warrants further exploration under field-relevant stress conditions. Further studies are required to evaluate its safety and practical applicability under field conditions.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne disease that progress mainly by lowering of immune protective cells Th1 and the appearance of cells Th2 that promote illness therefore the treatment of this disease relies on improving the immune condition of the host. Currently used treatment options of VL are Amphotericin B (AmB) and its liposomal formulation i.e., Ambisome. But these treatment options are not safe as these drugs have many side effects and limitations like hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, VL relapse and PKDL conversion. This has prompted the search for alternative treatment options amongst herbal drugs; Thus, This study investigated Tinospora cordifolia and Withania somnifera's antileishmanial potentia, either in combination or alone. In vivo experiments demonstrated a substantial decrease in BALB/c mice in the spleen parasitic burden. Moreover, the treatment effectively modulated immune response of the host, leading to Th1 polarization, crucial for eliminating Leishmania donovani. This method not only targets the parasite but also fortifies the immune system, offering a safer, cost-effective alternative to current therapies for Visceral leishmaniasis, which are often limited by toxicity and resistance.