@article {1335, title = {Profiling of Calcium Content among the Leafy Vegetables of West Bengal Using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {January 2025}, pages = {53-59}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {53}, abstract = {

Background: Leafy vegetables are essential for maintaining a balanced diet and are well known for their abundant amount of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers. Leafy vegetables are significant dietary source of calcium, among other nutrients. It{\textquoteright}s important to maintain adequate calcium levels in the body for optimal health. A calcium deficiency can lead to conditions such as osteoporosis, osteopenia and osteomalacia. Objectives: This study aims to determine dietary calcium content among some leafy vegetables that are available in West Bengal using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), to provide valuable insights into their nutritional value. Materials and Methods: Eight leafy vegetables were selected, viz. bottle gourd leaf, onion leaf, mustard greens, pot-biroot leaf, wild celery leaf, garlic leaf, spreading hogweed leaf and chickpea leaf. Using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS), Ca content of the dried powdered samples was quantified by wet oxidation as well as by dry ashing method. Results: The highest amount of Ca is present in mustard greens that are 704.4{\textpm}40.18 mg/100 g and 504.2{\textpm}361.47 mg/100 g by wet oxidation and dry ashing respectively. Discussion: The best three dietary recommendations from selected leafy vegetables are mustard greens˃bottle gourd leaf˃chickpea leaf. Conclusion: All the selected leafy greens have a significant amount of Ca. Further study can be extended to investigate their bioavailability to confirm the most beneficial form of Ca for leafy vegetables.

}, keywords = {Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS), Calcium, Leafy vegetables, West Bengal}, doi = {10.5530/pres.20251752}, author = {Durba Banerjee and Palash Mondal and Prerona Saha} } @article {522, title = {Antihyperglycemic and Insulin Secretagogue Activities of Abrus precatorius Leaf Extract}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {8}, year = {2016}, month = {August 2016}, pages = {303-308}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {303}, abstract = {

Aim: Abrus precatorius leaves methanolic extract (APME) was evaluated for in vivo antihyperglycemic activity and in vitro insulinotropic effect. Materials and Methods: In vivo antihyperglycemic and insulin secretagogue activities were assessed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by oral administration of APME (200 mg/kg body weight [bw]) for 28 days. In vitro insulin secretion mechanisms were studied using mouse insulinoma beta cells (MIN6-β). In vivo body weight and blood glucose and in vivo and in vitro insulin levels were estimated. Results: In diabetic rats, APME treatment significantly restored body weight (26.39\%), blood glucose (32.39\%), and insulin levels (73.95\%) in comparison to diabetic control rats. In MIN6-β cells, APME potentiated insulin secretion in a dependent manner of glucose (3{\textendash}16.7 mM) and extract (5{\textendash}500 μg/mL) concentration. Insulin secretagogue effect was demonstrated in the presence of 3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine, glibenclamide, elevated extracellular calcium, and K+ depolarized media. Insulin release was reduced in the presence of nifedipine, ethylene glycol tetra acetic acid (calcium blocking agents), and diazoxide (potassium channel opener). Conclusion: The study suggests that APME antihyperglycemic activity might involve the insulin secretagogue effect by pancreatic beta cells physiological pathways via K+-ATP channel dependent and independently, along with an effect on Ca2+ channels.

}, keywords = {Calcium, Diabetes, Glibenclamide, insulin secretagogue, K+-ATP channel, mouse insulinoma beta cells}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.188881}, author = {Balekari Umamahesh and Ciddi Veeresham} } @article {459, title = {Quantitative Analysis of the Nutritional Components in Leaves and Seeds of the Persian Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {7}, year = {2015}, month = {June,2015}, pages = {242-248}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {242}, abstract = {

Background: Moringa peregrina (M. peregrina) is an important tropical tree recognized for its nutritional and medicinal properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional component in the leaves and seeds of the Persian M. peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori. Materials and Methods: The M. peregrina leaves and seeds of wild cultivated trees were collected from the areas of arid environment located in the South-East of the Iran. The leaves and seeds of M. peregrina were dried and grounded to a fine powder and kept in dark for the day of experiment. The acidic digested leaves and seeds were analyzed for Vitamins C and A, calcium, and potassium using atomic adsorption and flame emission spectrophotometer. Results: The analytical data revealed that the leaves and seeds of the Persian M. peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori contain sufficient amounts of Vitamin C: 83 {\textpm} 0.5 and 14 {\textpm} 0.6 mg/100 g/DW; and Vitamin A: 6.8 {\textpm} 0.7 and 24.8 {\textpm} 0.7 mg/100 g/DW, respectively. The elemental analysis in the leaves and seeds showed that the calcium content are 764.8 {\textpm} 1.6 and 1164.8 {\textpm} 43.4 mg/100 g/DW and for potassium content are 900.2 {\textpm} 14 and 572 {\textpm} 10 mg/100 g/DW, respectively. Conclusion: The nutritional characteristics of the Persian M. peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori, investigated in this study revealed that, daily use of leaves and seeds of this plant could significantly provide the recommended dietary allowance for the Vitamins C and A, and minerals, such as calcium and potassium.

}, keywords = {Calcium, Moringa peregrine, Potassium, Recommended dietary allowance, Vitamin A.}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.157968}, author = {Gholamreza Asghari and Abbasali Palizban and Behnosh Bakhshaei} }