Chirchita has an important role in the traditional Ayurvedic system & herbal medicine of the east. The plant is found to be effective in combating oxidative stress against heavy metals like arsenic. The leaves can restore impaired antioxidant balance caused by sodium arsenate intoxication in pulmonary and renal tissues of mice and thus can be used safely as a cheap and potent source of active therapeutics.

Conservation of biodiversity is a hot topic of concern worldwide. Intellectual property rights play a major role in protection of biodiversity. Two major international agreements majorly deal with issue - Convention on Biological Diversity or CBD and Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights or TRIPs. This book gives a review of biodiversity and role of IPR and patenting in India and other countries.