Complexation of beta-sitosterol with tris [dibenzylideneacetone] dipalladium and its anti-microbial activity

Beta-sitosterol is a naturally occurring plant sterol [phytosterol] present in many fruits and vegetables. Scientific research has proven that beta-sitosterol is helpful in maintaining the proper functioning of our body. Previously we described the complexation of beta-sitosterol with trace metals [Mahmood et al., 2013]. Trace metals after the formation of complex unable to absorb in the body and hence eliminated out from the body thus reducing metal toxicity [Marsha, 1996]. The present article describes the complexation of beta-sitosterol with Palladium [Pd] metal. Palladium is a toxic metal and due to polluted and hazardous environment traces of this metal can be transferred into the body, which is harmful for human health. Our aim is to make Pd-sterol complex so that this toxic metal [Pd] does not absorb in the body and hence excreted out from the body in the complex form. In order to form this complex beta-sitosterol [Ib] is reacted with Tris [dibenzylideneacetone] dipalladium or [Pd[2] [DBA][3]] [Ia] in 2:1 ratio in an inert atmosphere and dimethylformamid [DMF] added as a solvent. The resulting complex [Pd[2] [DBA][3].[beta-sitosterol] [Ic] was identified by various spectroscopic techniques such as IR, Mass and [1]H-NMR. This new organo metallic complex [Ic] also showed significant antibacterial and antifungal activity. The present work revealed that Pd-sterol complex does not only reduce metal toxicity but also helpful in minimizing bacterial and fungal infections present in the body. Our research also concluded that we must take plenty of fruits and vegetables in our diet so that natural plant sterol such as beta-sitosterol can enhance our defense mechanism and maintain other functions of our body

Chemical and antimicrobial studies on the essential oil from Salvia santolinifolia Boiss

In view of the reputation of genus Salvia in folklore medicine and its abundance in our region, the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oil from S. santolinifolia Boiss was analyzed. Chemical analysis, using gas chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry, retention indices and C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has resulted in identification of 116 constituents, comprising about 97% of the total constituents. Out of these 116, 78 constituents are hitherto unreported from this source. The species belongs to alpha-pinene chemotype. In antibacterial assay, gram negative gastropathogens [Shigella boydii, S. flexneri, S. dysenteriae. Vibrio cholera]; causative agent of urinary tract infection [Proteus mirabilis and P. vulgaris] and pneumonia [Klebsiella pneumoniae] were found sensitive to this essential oil while Corynebacteria species and Staphylococcus epidermidis were significantly inhibited in antibacterial assay against gram positive bacteria. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocol was used for determining antimicrobial activity. Thus the essential oil from this species can be utilized as potential chemotherapeutic agent