http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/2 2026-09-28T11:44:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/13110 Current status of medicinal plant diversity in paalameenmadu, Batticaloa, eastern province of Sri Lanka Saruja, N.; Karunya, S.; Sivagajendran, S.; Viviyan, S. Sri Lanka Possesses rich medicinal plant diversity that is important for ecosystem conservation and pharmaceutical development. This study aimed to document and evaluate the diversity of medicinal plant species recorded in paalameenmadu, a mangrove ecosystem located in Batticaloa, eastern province of Sri Lanka. The study area was identified using the maps, and field surveys were conducted from April 2024 to April 2025 using the belt transect method to identify and record medicinal plant species. Specimens collected during the fieldwork were authenticated using the herbarium of the faculty of siddha medicine, university of Jaffna. A total of 130 medicinal plant species belonging to 43 botanical families were recorded, with Fabaceae being the dominant family. According to an analysis of growth forms, trees accounted for 42.32% of living forms, with herbs coming in second at 20.77%, shrubs at 18.46%, climbers at 13.84%, and creepers at 4.62%. according to a life cycle study, 66.92 of species were perennials, 20% were annuals, and 13.08% were biennials. Among the recorded medicinal flora, 10species were identified as mangroves. The most commonly used plant part was leaves (n=102), which were followed by seeds (n =75), fruits (n=49), roots (n =44), flowers (n = 32), bark (n =24) whole plant (n = 11), and tubers (n =9). Exudates such as toddy (n =2) and milky latex (n =4) were also utilized. A total of 17 species produced edible fruits, while latex (n = 4) were also utilized. A total of species produced edible fruits, while 18 species were used as edible leafy vegetables. despite their rich medicinal plant diversity, mangrove ecosystems are increasingly threatened by climate change and human activities such as urbanization, deforestation, aquaculture expansion, pollution and runoff. These finding provide valuable baseline date for biodiversity conservation, ethnobotanical research, and the sustainable management of mangrove ecosystems in Sri Lanka. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/13105 Anthropometric Measurement on Wrist and Manikkadai Alavu (Forearm Circumference) in Gunmam (Gastric Ulcer) Patients – A Comparative Study Rakulini, S. Siddha Medicine is a system of traditional medicine originating in ancient Tamil Nadu in South India and Sri Lanka. Traditionally, it is taught that the Siddhars laid the foundation for this system of medicine. Siddha system has a unique diagnostic method to identify the diseases and their causes. Manikkadai Nool is one of the diagnostic tools. It is explained in the Agasthiyar Soodamani Kajiru Soothiram by Saint Veadammamuni in Pathinen Siddhar Naadi Nool. The aim of this study was to compare the wrist circumference and Manikkadai alavu (cm) in gunmam patients. It is an observational study. After identifying the eligible subjects, Data was collected by using the interview administrated questionnaire & relevant data was collected by measurement. Collected data were processed and statistically analyzed by a SPSS. The mean age of the subjects was 46.06 (SD±13.833). Majority of subjects in 14 (28%) were between 51 – 60 years of age. The majority of subjects in 30 (60%) were female. The average wrist circumference of the subjects was 16.3cm (SD ± 1.34) and 16.616cm (SD ± 1.24) and Manikkadai alavu was 18.10cm (SD ± 1.81) and 17.97cm (SD ± 1.82) in right and left hand. In group I, II and III, the mean value of right and left wrist circumferences was almost same. On the other hand, right and left Manikkadai alavu in cm was increase slightly. In the present study revealed that In Group I, II and III, the mean value of right and left wrist circumference.was almost same. On the other hand, right and left Manikkadai alavu in cm was increase slightly. These slight differences may influence in the disease diagnosis by Manikkadai Nool. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/13095 In-vitro Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extract of Medicinal Herbals Used in Athiyathi Kashayam: A Siddha Polyherbal Formulation Devappriya, B.T.M.; Sameem, M.L.M.; Ilham, F.M.; Sivasinthujah, S.; Sivarangini, S. Antidiabetic drugs possess antioxidant properties that help to manage diabetic complications associated with oxidative stress. Athiyathi Kashayam (AK) is a polyherbal formulation consisting of Ficus racemosa, Syzygium cumini, Salacia reticulata, Cassia auriculata, and Cassia fistula. According to Siddha literature, it is utilized in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). There has been a study reported on the antioxidant potential of Kashayam in India. However, there has been no investigation done on methanol extract of the herbs used in AK. Objective: To evaluate antioxidant activity of methanol extract of medicinal herbals used in Athiyathi Kashayam using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and ferric reduction assay Methods: The fresh barks of F. racemosa, S. cumini, C. auriculata, C. fistula were collected from Kegalle District and S. reticulata was collected from Mullaithivu District. They were shade dried and powdered into fine powder. The crude drug was prepared according to the specified ratio, with equal amount of F. racemosa, S. cumini and S. reticulate and double amount of C. auriculata and C. fistula. The methanol extract of polyherbal formulation was prepared by the maceration process. The in-vitro anti-oxidant activity of polyherbal extract was evaluated through DPPH assay and ferric reduction assay using ascorbic acid as the standard. Results: The IC50 value of methanol extracts of AK was found to be 18.78 μg/mL, whereas in ascorbic acid it was 11.92 μg/mL. The ascorbic acid equivalents in ferric reduction assay for the formulation was 76.48 μg/mL, AAE/g at 200 μg/mL concentration. Conclusions: This study indicated that, methanolic extract of the polyherbal AK was found to exhibit strong antioxidant activity. Further studies are needed to understand the in-vivo antioxidant potential of the polyherbal formulation. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/13094 Antimicrobial Effects of Aqueous Seed Extract of Strychnos potatorum Kalaichelvi, S.; Thavaranjit, A.C.; Tharmila, S.; Sivarangini, S. Biologically active compounds in plant extracts play an important role in herbal medicine through their antimicrobial properties. Strychnus potatorum belongs to the family Loganiaceae. Seeds are alterative tonic, stomachic, demulcent, mild expectorant, astringent to the bowels, and diuretic, aphrodisiac emetic properties. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of seeds of Strychnus potatorum. Seeds were ground into fine powder and different concentrations (10 mg/100μl, 30 mg/100μl, 50 mg/100μl) of aqueous extracts were prepared by dilution method using sterile distilled water. Antibacterial activity was studied by agar well diffusion method and inhibition zone was measured against Gram positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Gram negative bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella spp. Hence, antifungal activity was determined by agar disc method against Aspergillus sp, Fusarium spp and Penicillium spp. Streptomycin and sterile distilled water were used as standard and control respectively and the results were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) (P<0.05) followed by Turkey test. Antibacterial activity increased with increasing concentration of aqueous extracts of seeds. Klebsiella spp was highly inhibited (13 mm) than the other tested bacteria where there was no inhibition on P. aeruginosa. Standard showed the highest inhibition in all tested bacteria except P. aeruginosa. Growth of Fusarium spp was significantly inhibited (12 mm) while there was no inhibition on the growth of Aspergillus spp .The present study proved the in vitro control of tested microorganisms by aqueous extracts of seeds of S.potatorum. 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z