November 2011

About Author:
Anuradha Kaplish
M. Pharmacy (Drug discovery and drug development)
University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University,
Chandigarh-160014, India

1. INTRODUCTION
A peptic ulcer is a hole in the gut lining of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus. A peptic ulcer of the stomach is called a gastric ulcer; of the duodenum, a duodenal ulcer; and of the esophagus, an esophageal ulcer. An ulcer occurs when the lining of these organs is corroded by the acidic digestive juices which are secreted by the stomach cells. Peptic ulcer disease is common, affecting millions of Americans yearly. The medical cost of treating peptic ulcer and its complications runs in the billions of dollars annually. Recent medical advances have increased our understanding of ulcer formation [1,2].

About Authors:
Honey Jain, Neha Batra
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Jaipur National University,
Jaipur

ABSTRACT
The family Cyperacea includes approximately 3000 species of which about 220 species are identified as weeds and of which 42% of these weeds are in the genus Cyperus. Both purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) and yellow nutsedge (C. esculentus L.) are problem weeds in many parts of the world. Nutsedges originate from tropical and subtropical areas. . The plant produces rhizomes, tubers, basal bulbs and fibrous roots below ground, and rosettes of leaves, scapes, and umbels above ground.  C. rotutdus consists of rhizome and stolon having a number of wiry roots, stolon 10-20 cm long having a number of rhizomes, crowded together on the stolons, rhizomes bluntly conical and vary in size and thickness.The rhizomes are initially white and fleshy with scaly leaves and then become fibrous, wiry, and very dark brown with age. Purple nutsedge is readily distinguished from yellow nut sedge and other sedges by its purplish brown spikelets and scaly or wiry rhizomes that often bear chains of tubers.Phytochemical studies have shown that the major chemical components of this herb are polyphenol, flavonol glycoside, alkaloid, saponins, sesquiterpenoids and essential oil. Rhizome of the plant is used in fever,arthritis,diuretic, nervine tonic, treatment of diarrhea and dysentery ,leprosy, bronchitis, amenorrhea, and blood disorders. Leaves and seeds are rich in volatile oil and act on digestive system. Fruits are used as carminative , diuretic tonic, stomachic. Oil is fungicidal and bactericidal.

The Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH) is a constituent R&D establishment of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Applications for Scientific positions for following positions are invited by the institute, which is engaged in research in many different areas of modern biological sciences and microbe-related biotechnology, with special emphasis on research and development of an interdisciplinary nature :

The Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) is one of the autonomous institutes under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India. The objective of IBSD is to develop and utilize the rich bioresources of the Northeastern Region of the country through the application of modern tools of biology and biotechnology.

Exotic Naturals is a Natural Products R&D company. We develop novel plant products for use in human healthcare and crop health. Since it was founded in 1994, Exotic Naturals has served the needs of the Dietary Ingredients, Herbal Supplements, Phytopharmaceutical and Biopesticide industry in N. America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

ANSWERS of Previous PharmaQUIZ-9:
1.C    2.C    3.C    4.B    5.B
6.C    7.B    8.B    9.A    10.D