Cembranolides from the stem bark of the southern African medicinal plant,Croton gratissimus (Euphorbiaceae)

The stem bark of Croton gratissimus (Euphorbiaceae) yielded four cembranolides, including the first reported example of a 2,12-cyclocembranolide, (+)-[1R*,2S*,7S*,8S*,12R*]-7,8-epoxy-2,12-cyclocembra-3E,10Z-dien-20,10-olide, whose structure was confirmed by means of single crystal X-ray analysis. This compound showed moderate activity against the PEO1 and PEO1TaxR ovarian cancer cell lines.     

A chlorinated coumarinolignan from the African medicinal plant, Mondia whitei

The unusual chlorinated coumarinolignan, 5-chloropropacin, along with several other known compounds have been isolated from the roots of Mondia whitei. The structure of the chlorinated coumarinolignan was determined by NMR and mass spectroscopic analyses.     

L-Leucinamide hydrogensquarate: spectroscopic and structural elucidation

The hydrogensquarate [LeuNH(2)] (HSq) of L-leucinamide has been synthesized and its structure has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. A three dimensional network is formed by hydrogen bonds with participation of the O=C-NH(2) function, the hydrogensquarate ion and the N(+)H(3) group [NH(2)...O=C((Sq)) (2.840 and 2.749 A), ((Sq))OH...O=C(NH(2)) (2.618 A), NH(3) (+)...O=C((Sq)) (3.246, 2.804 and 2.823 A)], respectively. A theoretical approximation of the electronic structure was carried out by means of ab initio UMP2 and MP2 level of theory at the 6-311++G** basis set. The IR-spectroscopic assignment in the solid-phase was obtained by linear-polarized IR-spectroscopy of oriented samples as colloid suspensions in a nematic host and application of the reducing-difference procedure for the interpretation of polarized IR-spectra.     

Antioxidant properties of Plumbago zeylanica, an Indian medicinal plant and its active ingredient, plumbagin

Plumbago zeylanica (known as "Chitrak") is a useful Indian medicinal plant. The root of the plant and its constituents are credited with potential therapeutic properties including anti-atherogenic, cardiotonic, hepatoprotective and neuroprotective properties. To examine possible mechanisms of action of P. zeylanica (Chitrak), in relation to its reported beneficial properties, antioxidant effects of the aqueous/alcoholic extracts of root, corresponding to medicinal preparations, and the active ingredient, plumbagin, were studied. Methods used included: ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), radical scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), lipid peroxidation in rat liver mitochondria induced by different agents, and estimating phenolic and flavonoid content. In FRAP/DPPH assays, boiled ethanolic extracts were the most effective, while in the ABTS assay boiled aqueous extracts were the most efficient. These extracts also significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation induced by cumene hydroperoxide, ascorbate-Fe(2+) and peroxynitrite and contained high amounts of polyphenols and flavonoids. To examine the mechanisms of action in detail, antioxidant and pulse radiolysis studies with plumbagin were conducted. The hydroxyl (.OH), alkyl peroxyl (CCl(3)OO.), linoleic acid peroxyl (LOO.), and glutathiyl (GS.) radicals generate a phenoxyl radical upon reaction with plumbagin. The bimolecular rate constants were: .OH, 2.03 x 10(9) dm(3)mol(-1)s(-1); CCl(3)OO., 1.1 x 10(9) dm(3)mol(-1)s(-1); LOO., 6.7 x 10(7) dm(3)mol(-1)s(-1); and GS., 8.8 x 10(8) dm(3)mol(-1)s(-1). In conclusion, our studies reveal that extracts of P. zeylanica and its active ingredient plumbagin have significant antioxidant abilities that may possibly explain some of the reported therapeutic effects.     

仙人掌属植物的化学成分、药理作用及开发利用(综述)

本文从生物学特性、分布、化学成分及用途等方面,对国内外仙人掌属植物的研究进展进行综述,对该属植物开发、医药研究具有一定的参考价值。     

贵州苦丁茶植物资源及化学成分分析

苦丁茶是我国南方各民族长期饮用的一类植物代用茶。在贵州,苦丁茶原植物有６科６属９种,主流品种为木樨科女贞属植物粗壮女贞〔Ｌｉｇｕｓｔｒｕｍｒｏｂｕｓｔｕｍ（Ｒｏｘｂ．）Ｂｌ．〕。分析了贵州５种苦丁茶植物叶的主要化学成分并和绿茶进行了对比,分析结果表明,苦丁茶类植物是一种营养成分含量丰富,不含咖啡因的营养保健的功能性饮料新资源     

Some chemical and biological properties of culture filtrate ofNostochopsis lobatus

The blue-green algaNostochopsis lobatus released amino acids (glycine, serine, arginine and glutamic acid), sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose), organic acids (oxaloacetic acid and oxalic acid) and protein in the culture medium. The quantity of extracellular amino acids and protein increased with age of culture from 30 to 120 d. All culture filtrates ofN. lobatus were highly toxic to spore formation and germination ofWestiellopsis prolifica and growth and conjugation ofSpirogyra decimina, while old-age culture filtrates inhibited total chlorophyll, heterocyst and akinete formation in the same alga and total chlorophyll and zoospore formation inChaetophora attenuata. The toxicity ofN. lobatus culture filtrate persists following high temperature treatment and at extremes of pH.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic and structural elucidation of tyrosinamide hydrogensquarate monohydrate

Synthesis, isolation, spectroscopic and structural elucidation of tyrosinamide hydrogensquarate monohydrate (I) is reported on the basis of quantum chemical DFT calculations, vibrational analysis and experimental linear-polarized IR-spectroscopy in solid state. These data are compared with those obtained using single crystal X-ray diffraction, which show that the molecules of (I) in the unit cell formed 3D network through moderate intermolecular (Tyr)OH...O = C(Sq) (2.727 A), O=C-NH2...OH(Tyr) (2.991 A), O=C-NH2...OH(Sq) (2.988 A), O=C-NH2...O=C-NH2 (3.068 A), N+H3...O=C(Sq) (2.737, 2.953, 2.954 A), OH2...O=C(Sq) (2.839 A) and (Sq)OH...OH2 (2.607 A) hydrogen bonds. The relationship between the structure and spectroscopic properties is studied.     

Tyrammonium 4-nitrophthalate dihydrate: structural and spectroscopic elucidation

Tyrammonium 4-nitrophthalate has been synthesized and its structural and spectroscopic properties elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, solid-state polarized IR-spectroscopy of oriented colloids in a nematic host, HPLC with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC ESI-MSMS), and TGV and DSC methods. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic P2₁/c space group and its structure consists of a 3D network of molecules joined by intermolecular interactions with the participation of cations, anions and two solvent molecules. The tyrammonium cation adopts a T trans configuration with corresponding angles of ϕ ₁ = 76.0(4)°, ϕ ₂ = 54.8(1)° and ϕ ₃ = 63.4(1)°, respectively. In the 4-nitrophthalate anion, the COO⁻ and COOH groups are turned off the plane of the benzene ring at angles of τ ₁ = 88.1(5)° and τ ₂= 22.1(7)°, respectively.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic and structural elucidation of sympathomimetic amine,tyraminium dihydrogenphosphate

The synthesis, isolation, spectroscopic and structural elucidation of sympathomimetic amine, tyramine dihydrogenphosphate are of interest due to its biological activity and the establishing correlation between spectroscopic properties and structure. The complex approach for investigation included single crystal X-ray diffraction, new technique in linear-polarized IR-spectroscopy in solid state and quantum chemical calculations with a view to predict the electronic structure and vibrational data of interacting species in entitled compound, the correlation structure–spectroscopic properties as well as the influence of intermolecular interaction on IR-characteristic bands are carried out.     

Antioxidant activity of some polyphenol constituents of the medicinal plant Phyllanthus amarus Linn

Phyllanthus amarus Linn is a widely distributed tropical medicinal plant highly valued for its therapeutic properties. The antioxidant activity of some of its principal constituents, namely amariin, 1-galloyl-2,3-dehydrohexahydroxydiphenyl (DHHDP)-glucose, repandusinic acid, geraniin, corilagin, phyllanthusiin D, rutin and quercetin 3-O-glucoside were examined for their ability to scavenge free radicals in a range of systems including 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS)/ferrylmyoglobin, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and pulse radiolysis. In addition, their ability to protect rat liver mitochondria against oxidative damage was determined by measuring the ROO* radical induced damage to proteins and lipids and *OH radical induced damage to plasmid DNA. The compounds showed significant antioxidant activities with differing efficacy depending on the assays employed. Amariin, repandusinic acid and phyllanthusiin D showed higher antioxidant activity among the ellagitannins and were comparable to the flavonoids, rutin and quercetin 3-O-glucoside.     

Structural and spectroscopic elucidation of tetrapetide glycyl-(L)-prolyl-glycyl-glycine and its hydrogensquarate

The IR-spectroscopic and structural elucidation of tetrapeptide glycyl-(L)-prolyl-glycyl-glycine and its hydrogensquarate was performed by employing linear-polarized IR-spectroscopy of oriented colloid suspensions in nematic host as well as mass spectrometry. Quantum-chemical ab initio calculations were carried out in order to evaluate both the electronic structure and optical properties of the compound studied.     

Antioxidant activity of some polyphenol constituents of the medicinal plant Phyllanthus amarus Linn

Abstract

Phyllanthus amarus Linn is a widely distributed tropical medicinal plant highly valued for its therapeutic properties. The antioxidant activity of some of its principal constituents, namely amariin, 1-galloyl-2,3-dehydrohexahydroxydiphenyl (DHHDP)-glucose, repandusinic acid, geraniin, corilagin, phyllanthusiin D, rutin and quercetin 3-O-glucoside were examined for their ability to scavenge free radicals in a range of systems including 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS)/ferrylmyoglobin, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and pulse radiolysis. In addition, their ability to protect rat liver mitochondria against oxidative damage was determined by measuring the ROO? radical induced damage to proteins and lipids and ?OH radical induced damage to plasmid DNA. The compounds showed significant antioxidant activities with differing efficacy depending on the assays employed. Amariin, repandusinic acid and phyllanthusiin D showed higher antioxidant activity among the ellagitannins and were comparable to the flavonoids, rutin and quercetin 3-O-glucoside.     

NeMedPlant: a database of therapeutic applications and chemical constituents of medicinal plants from north-east region of India

The North-East region of India is one of the twelve mega biodiversity region, containing many rare and endangered species. A curated database of medicinal and aromatic plants from the regions called NeMedPlant is developed. The database contains traditional, scientific and medicinal information about plants and their active constituents, obtained from scholarly literature and local sources. The database is cross-linked with major biochemical databases and analytical tools. The integrated database provides resource for investigations into hitherto unexplored medicinal plants and serves to speed up the discovery of natural productsbased drugs. AVAILABILITY: The database is available for free at http://bif.uohyd.ac.in/nemedplant/orhttp://202.41.85.11/nemedplant/     

Poly-paraphyly of Hirudinidae: many lineages of medicinal leeches

Background  

Medicinal leeches became infamous for their utility in bloodletting popularized in the 19^th century, and have seen a recent resurgence in post-operative treatments for flap and replantation surgeries, and in terms of characterization of salivary anticoagulants. Notorious throughout the world, the quintessential leech family Hirudinidae has been taken for granted to be monophyletic, as has the non-bloodfeeding family Haemopidae.     

Cardiovascular effects of the essential oil of Croton zehntneri leaves and its main constituents, anethole and estragole, in normotensive conscious rats

Cardiovascular effects of the essential oil of Croton zehntneri (EOCZ) were investigated in conscious rats. In these preparations, intravenous (i.v.) injections of EOCZ (1-20 mg kg(-1)) and its main constituents anethole and estragole (both at 1-10 mg kg(-1)) elicited brief and dose-dependent hypotension and bradycardia (phase I) that were followed by a significant pressor effect associated with a delayed bradycardia (phase II). The initial hypotension and bradycardia (phase I) of EOCZ were unchanged by atenolol (1.5 mg kg(-1), i.v.) or L-NAME (20 mg kg(-1), i.v.) pretreatment, but were respectively reversed into pressor and tachycardic effects by methylatropine (1 mg kg(-1), i.v.) pretreatment. The subsequent pressor effect and the delayed bradycardia (phase II) remained unaffected by atenolol, but were abolished by L-NAME and methylatropine pretreatment, respectively. In rat endothelium-containing aorta preparations, the vasoconstrictor responses to phenylephrine were enhanced and reduced, respectively, by the lower (1-30 microg mL(-1)) and higher (300-1000 microg mL(-1)) concentrations of EOCZ. Only the enhancement of phenylephrine-induced contraction was abolished by either the incubation with L-NAME (50 microM) or in the absence of the endothelium. These data show, for the first time, that i.v. administration EOCZ induces an initial hypotension followed by a pressor response, two effects that appear mainly attributed to the actions of anethole and estragole. The EOCZ-induced hypotension (phase I) is mediated by a cholinergic mechanism and seems to result mainly from the concomitant bradycardia. The pressor response of EOCZ (phase II) seems to be caused by an indirect vasoconstrictive action of EOCZ most likely through inhibition of endothelial nitric oxide production.     

Cotinus coggygria Scop.: An overview of its chemical constituents,pharmacological and toxicological potential

The Anacardiaceae Lindl. family comprises of many species which are used in nutrition and in traditional folk medicine for the treatment of several human diseases. Cotinus coggygria Scop. commonly known as “smoke tree”, is a commercial ornamental plant with high medicinal usages, belongs to the family Anacardiaceae. The present review provides a comprehensive report of empirical investigations on important pharmacological activities and phytochemical screening of essential oils and extracts. Relevant information was collected from scientific journals, books, and reports via library and electronic search using Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus. The plant has been extensively investigated in a broad range of studies to provide scientific evidence for folklore claims or to find new therapeutic uses. Numerous activities namely antioxidative, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, antigenotoxic, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory have been demonstrated for all parts of these plants by in vivo and in vitro studies. Essential oils and extracts showed various pharmacological and biological properties which make them an effective remedy for various kinds of illnesses. Considering data from the literature, it could be demonstrated that C. coggygria possesses diverse bioactive properties and immense utilization in medicine, health care, cosmetics and as health supplements.     

Lignan profile of Piper cubeba, an Indonesian medicinal plant

The lignan profile of the aerial part of Piper cubeba L. (Piperaceae) was determined using GC, GC–MS and HPLC. The number of lignans found in the leaves was 15, followed by berries and the stalks with respectively 13 and five lignans. This is the first investigation of lignans from the leaves and the stalks of P. cubeba. Cubebin, hinokinin, yatein, isoyatein are common lignans in the genus Piper and appeared as major components in all parts of P. cubeba investigated.     

Bioactive chemical constituents produced by endophytes and effects on rice plant growth

We investigated the bioactive potential of fungal endophytes isolated from the roots of Glycine max (L.) Merr. and Cucumis sativus. Initial screening results showed that endophytes, (Chrysosporium pseudomerdarium, Aspergillus fumigates and Paecilomyces sp., Penicillium sp., Phoma glomerata, and Paecilomyces formosus) were promoting the growth attributes (shoot length, chlorophyll contents, and biomass) of mutant and wild-type rice. To know whether, these endophytes were producing bioactive chemical constituents; the endophytes were grown in potato dextrose, czapek broth, and ICI mediums that resulted in varying mycelia biomass. The advance chromatographic analysis of endophytic fungal culture filtrate showed gibberellins (GA) production namely GA₁ (0.05–10.55 ngml^?1), GA₃ (0.48–9.0 ngml^?1), GA₄ (0.2–8.0 ngml^?1), GA₇ (1.4–6.5 ngml^?1), and GA₉ (0.03–1.05 ngml^?1) while among endophytes, P. glomerata and P. formosus were highly potent in GAs production. Additionally, the endophyte's culture also contained indole-3-acetic acid (0.23–71.51 µgml^?1). Furthermore, oxalic (0.009–0.3 mgl^?1), quinic (0.019–0.22 mgl^?1), malic (1.94–17.2 mgl^?1), and citric (0.012–0.95 mgl^?1) acids were also present in the endophytic cultures. The biochemical potential of endophytes greatly varied depending on nutrient source and pH, however, czapek broth rich in carbon revealed higher potential for bioactive chemical constituent's production. In conclusion, the current findings suggest that endophyte can play a vital role in essential crop plant growth by synthesizing a wide array of bioactive metabolites. Furthermore, an increased production of chemical constituents can be achieved by changing the in vitro growth conditions of endophytes     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from immature embryos of saw palmetto,an important landscape and medicinal plant

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from immature zygotic embryos was achieved for saw palmetto (Serenoa repens (Bartr.) Small). Embryos, isolated from immature fruit of native-grown plants, were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium plus 0.15% (w/v) activated charcoal and supplemented with 452 M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 14.7 M N⁶-(2-isopentenyl)adenine (2iP). Clusters of somatic embryos developed from all immature zygotic embryos 5 weeks after culture initiation. After 12 weeks, explants were transferred to the same medium with the amount of 2,4-D reduced to 90.4 M which resulted in somatic embryo proliferation. Somatic embryos were then transferred to the basal medium containing 0.9, 9 M thidiazuron (TDZ), or no growth regulator for conversion into plantlets. The 9 M TDZ treatment was ineffective for plant regeneration. However, 12% of the embryos subcultured on 0.9 M TDZ were able to produce complete plantlets. Shoot production was obtained from 35% of the embryos subcultured in the absence of growth regulators. Rooting (100%) was achieved when these shoots were transferred onto medium containing 22.2 M -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA).