Sufism and Personality Development

Personality development is the process of improvement in behaviors and attitudes to make an individual a unique person. Sufism brings about positive changes in the behaviors of individuals. The positive changes are brought through moral development within   inductive environment griped by building of character. Moral development guides through “Zuhud” and “Taqwa” for minimization of material luxuries, enhancement of repentance and self-purification. The purpose of moral development is achieved with an institution articulated with teacher-student (Murshid-Murid) relationships; this environment ensures the provision of guidance and scholarships for the engaged students. The engagement of students revolves around knowledge, awareness and behavior. In the dimension of knowledge students are helped with raising moral and spiritual awarenessto enhance firmness in faith and encouragement towards good deeds. In addition, behavioral (amal) dimension is covered with remembrance of Allah, optional prayers, fasting services, alms giving along with obligatory ones. All these behavioral deeds are performed with devotion for the sake of closeness “Taqarrub” to Allah. Finally, ma’rifat (Recognition) is applied to secure soundness in building of character.

Phytochemical and Biological Studies of Euphorbia Serpens, Euphorbia Granulata Euphorbiaceae and Vernonia Cinerascens Compositae

The present research work emphasis on the biological and Phytochemical studies of the medicinal plants Vernonia cinerascens (Compositae), Euphorbia granulata and Euphorbia serpens (Euphorbiaceae). Dichloromethane and methanol extracts of the different parts of Vernonia cinerascens, Euphorbia granulata and Euphorbia serpens were prepared. These extracts were subjected to a battery of biological screening and it was observed that dichloromethane extracts of Vernonia cinerascens roots and that of Euphorbia granulata whole plant exhibited significant antifungal activity against Microsporum canis. Microsporum canis is responsible for tinea capitis and tinea corporis. Methanol extract of Vernonia cinerascens also showed significant antifungal activity against Fusarium solani. Fusarium solani is a pathogen responsible for fungal infections in plant and human. Dichloromethane and methanol extracts of Euphorbia serpens exhibited moderate antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus. Methanol extracts of Vernonia cinerascens and Euphorbia serpens showed antioxidant activity. All the extracts have dose dependent spasmolytic activity. Dichloromethaneextract of Vernonia cinerascens root was subjected for Phytochemical investigations and afforded a new monoterpene, (3β-acetoxy-5α-angeloyloxy-7-deoxy-carvotacetone). Methanol extract of the same plant when subjected for isolation offered a new flavone (5,4''-dihydroxy-7-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-3''-methoxyflavone) and eight known compounds, namely, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-(2′-propenyl)-phenol, vanillic acid, isoferulic acid, caffeic acid, methyl gallate, uridine, 3''-methylquercetin and quercetin.