Benzophenone glycosides from Gnidia involucrata

Six compounds have been isolated from the methanol extract of the aerial parts of Gnidia involucrata (Thymelaeaceae). They were identified as 2,3,4',5,6-pentahydroxybenzophenone-4-C-glucoside and 2,4',6-trihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-2-O-glucoside, together with mangiferin, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, yuankanin and manniflavanone by chemical and spectroscopic means. The structures of three additional C-glycosyl flavones--vitexin, isovitexin and isoorientin--were determined on-line by LC/UV/APCI-MSn analysis of the crude extract.     

The essential oil of Lippia alba: analysis of samples from French overseas departments and review of previous works

This paper contains new data on the chemical composition of the essential oil of Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Brown, as well as an overview of the available literature. Although the composition of the essential oil of this species is well-documented, discrepancies between the reported results suggest that many chemotypes and morphotypes exist. The analysis of essential oils obtained from the leaves of samples from three different locations in the French Overseas Departments (French Guiana, Martinique, and two different places in Guadeloupe) have shown that the composition of each one is quite different. This new data, along with a review and discussion of published studies, enabled us to establish seven distinct chemotypes. Possible connections between these chemotypes and morphotypes already described were also investigated.     

Chemotaxonomy and flavonoid profiling of Torilis species by HPLC/ESI/MS2

The flavonoid profiles of Turkish Torilis Gaertn. (Apiaceae) species were studied by TLC, HPLC-UV and HPLC/ESI/MS² (negative mode). O-glycosides of luteolin, apigenin and chrysoeriol were identified from crude extracts with the help of mass spectra in different MS/MS modes, such as full scan, precursor ion scan and product ion scan. Luteolin-7-O-glucoside and luteolin-7-O-rutinoside were common to all species. Flavonoid profiles usually differ from one species to another and can be put to use for a genus such as Torilis which has been little studied. By the help of different flavonoid profiles, it is concluded that, the plants, which are recognised as less rayed subspecies of Torilis arvensis (Huds.) Link. in various floras including Turkish one, must be classified in species category as Torilis chrysocarpa and Torilis purpurea. Flavonoid profiles seem to be in relation with evolutionary biogeography of the species. Because the most isolated species of the genus, endemic Torilis triradiata, has the most different flavonoid pattern. Moreover, geographically isolated species, T. triradiata and Torilis leptocarpa, do not share any flavonoid except for the two which are common to all species.     

N1,N5,N10-Tris(4-hydroxycinnamoyl)spermidines from Microdesmis keayana roots

Three new N1,N5,N10-tris(4-hydroxycinnamoyl)spermidines were isolated from a methanolic root extract of Microdesmis keayana. They were identified as N5,N10-di(p-coumaroyl)-N1-feruloylspermidine,N5-(p-coumaroyl)-N1,N10-diferuloylspermidine, and N1,N5,N10-triferuloylspermidine, and were named keayanidines A, B, and C (1-3), respectively. Their structures were established by spectral techniques(electrospray mass spectrometry, one- and two-dimensional NMR). A 4',4',4'-trimethylated derivative was prepared by methylation of keayanidine C, and the same compound was synthesized fromspermidine and 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid to confirm the spectral attributions of the NMR data of the natural compounds. Radical-scavenging properties of all compounds were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical spectrophotometric assay.     

Antimicrobial and Light‐Enhanced Antimicrobial Activities,Cytotoxicity and Chemical Variability of All Tunisian Eryngium Species

This study was performed on all Eryngium species growing in Tunisia in order to evaluate their intra and interspecies variabilities and to investigate their biological activities. These species are used in traditional medicine, and literature about the phytochemical investigations of most of them is scarce. Antimicrobial and light‐enhanced activities were tested against multiresistant microorganisms and extended spectrum beta‐lactamase producing bacteria (ESBL). All studied species showed antimicrobial effect with several MIC values lower than 70 μg/ml. Tested Eryngium species have proven to be a promising source of photoactive compounds, while light‐enhanced activity offers an alternative for the inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms which is currently subjected to a great interest. This is the first report of this activity in genus Eryngium. A significant improvement of antimicrobial activity with UV irradiation was observed, mainly for E. dichotomum, E. ilicifolium and E. triquetrum. Cytotoxicity, studied for the first time for the most species, was evaluated against cancer (J774) and non‐cancer (WI38) human cell lines. Chemical composition of volatile compounds presented in the most active crude extracts (petroleum ether extracts) of the aerial parts was investigated using GC/MS analysis and was submitted to statistical analyses. It revealed their high content of bioactive phytochemicals, particularly oxygenated sesquiterpenes like spathulenol, ledol and α‐bisabolol but also hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes such as β‐bisabolene and copaene, as well as polyacetylene derivatives such as falcarinol. Statistical analyses permitted to evaluate the interrelations between all Tunisian Eryngium species.     

Effects of Microdesmis keayana roots on sexual behavior of male rats

In the present study, the aphrodisiac properties of Microdesmis keayana J. Léonard root extract and major isolated alkaloids were evaluated by observing the sexual behavior of male rats.Aqueous extract (150 mg/kg body weight) and pure alkaloids (3 mg/kg body weight) were administered orally by gavage to male rats. Latent times of observation, intromission and ejaculation, mounting behavior, number of intromissions and mating performances were evaluated and compared to those obtained with untreated rats in the presence of receptive and non-receptive females. The results have shown that aqueous extract and alkaloids of M. keayana stimulate sexual parameters in rats’ sexual behavior.A short-term toxicity study undertaken to establish the therapeutic index of aqueous extract, showed that a high dose of the extract (2 g/kg body weight) caused no mortality or changes in rats’ behavior.