The effects of storage on the biological activity of medicinal plants fromNepal

The in vitro biological activity of 19 medicinal plants from Nepal was re-a ssessed after 6 years of storage. Methanol extracts from the plants were as sayed for activity against six strains of bacteria and three strains of fun gi. The extracts were tested with and without exposure to UV light in order to identify photoactivity. Out of the 19 plants tested, three lost all act ivity, six retained all activity, and ten had partial activity. The results will be of interest to traditional healers in Nepal, and may impact the su stainable harvesting of these medicinal plants. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science I reland Ltd. All rights reserved.