ABSTRACT
Ochrosia elliptica Labill. is a small shrub belonging to family Apocynaceae and well-known as a promising anticancer agent. Botanical study of the plant was done for the young and old stems, stem bark, and leaves. Laticiferoustubes with yellowish brown content, isodiametric stone cells (sclereids), sclerenchyma (rod-like), and calcium oxalateclusters are the main diagnostic elements observed in this plant. Furthermore, DNA fingerprinting was done usingrapid amplified (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) techniques with the identification of a total of 30RAPD markers and 17 ISSR markers. Carbohydrates, sterols, catechol tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids were presentin all the organs under investigation. This study could be valuable for quality control of the plant.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT The nutritional value of pollens of Phoenix canariensis Chabaud, Arecaceae, was evaluated. HPLC analysis of vitamins revealed the predominant presence of vitamin C (109.13 ppm), followed by vitamin A (53.71 ppm) and vitamin E (40.60 ppm) and the total carbohydrates (28.12%), proteins (17.10%). In addition, 16 amino acids of which nine are essential (75.07%), and seven are non-essential (24.93%) were determined. On the other hand, two steroidal saponins (dioscin and methyl protodioscin) were isolated from the pollens, their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques, including 1H NMR and 13C NMR. Their content in the 70% ethanolic extract was quantified using reversed phase HPLC and found to be 0.013% and 19.35%, respectively. The modulatory effect of the isolated compounds on the prevention of benign prostatic hyperplasia induced in rats and their moderate curative effect on stressed testicular tissue were studied. Being a good source of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and amino acids pollens of P. canariensis can be used as a promising source of dietary supplement. Meanwhile pollens can act as prophylactic agent against benign prostatic hyperplasia.