Monoterpenes and hexenol glycosides from an aqueous extract of Monochasma savatieri / 药学学报

Twelve compounds, including 5 new monoterpenes and 7 known derivatives, were isolated from a water decoction of Monochasma savatieri by column chromatography over macroporous adsorbent resin, MCI resin, Sephadex LH-20, and HW-40C, combined with preparative TLC, reversed phase HPLC, and flash column chromatographic techniques. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data, along with enzymatic hydrolysis as well as electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and NMR calculations, the new structures named monochaside I (1) and monochairidols A-D (2-5), respectively. The known compounds 6-12 were obtained from the Monochasma plants for the first time.

Monoterpene glucosides from an aqueous extract of Monochasma savatieri / 药学学报

Eleven monoterpene glucosides were isolated from a water decoction of Monochasma savatieri by column chromatography over macroporous adsorbent resin, MCI resin, Sephadex LH-20, and HW-40C, combined with preparative TLC, reversed phase HPLC, and flash column chromatographic techniques. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data, along with acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis as well as electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and NMR calculations, including six new compounds (1-4, 7 and 8), named monochasides A-D, G and H, respectively. Comparing the reported data of 9-hydroxylinaloyl 3-O-β-D-glucoside (5), (6Z)-9-hydroxylinaloyl 3-O-β-D-glucoside (6), and kankanoside D1 (9) with those obtained in this study, the absolute configurations of 6 and 9 were proved for the first time. Other two compounds were identified as 8-hydroxygeraniol 1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (10) and 8-hydroxygeraniol 8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (11), respectively.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Plants Used as Memory Enhancer in Three States of Southwestern Nigeria.

This study sought at documenting plants locally used for memory enhancement by the people of three States of Southwestern Nigeria, predominantly inhabited by the Yoruba tribe. A combination of social survey, direct field observations and semi structured questionnaires were administered among the local herb vendors, traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) and knowledgeable people in plant usage. A total number of 260 respondents were interviewed across the States. The total populations of the respondents were made up of the herbalists (32%), herb sellers (40%) and “other occupation” comprising students and artisans (28%). The total population consisted of 55.4% males and 44.6% females with ages ranging from 10 to 75 years. Thirty seven medicinal plant species belonging to twenty eight families were gathered. Of all the plant species, Bacopa floribunda (R.Br) Wettst and Scoparia dulcis L belonging to the same family Scrophulariaceae had the high ranked of 40 and 27 respectively. A link between plant local names and their usage for memory enhancement was established.

Ethnopharmacology in Ireland: an overview

The aim of this review was to extract information of the book Medicinal Plants in Folk Tradition: An Ethnobotany of Britain & Ireland published in 2004 by Allen and Hatfield, to give an overview of plants with medicinal potential and their applications. This study attempts to attest, observe and comment on the diversity of plants, as well as the accompanying information which inevitably is vital for the future development of herbal medicines for human therapy. Initially, the information in relation to medicinal plants in Ireland only was extracted from the above-mentioned book and organised in tables. Afterwards, it was analysed through the construction of maps and the positioning of each piece of information in specific geographical regions of the country. Its division into provinces was taken into consideration as well as into counties within the provinces. These maps and graphs illustrate the most predominantly reported botanical families identified and utilised (Asteraceae, Scrophulariaceae and Lamiaceae), and to the most frequently cited medicinal uses were attributed to topical applications. As a result we can see that the uses of traditional medicines vary among these different geographical areas of the country. Not only different uses were reported but also different plants used to treat the same condition, or different conditions treated with the same plant depending on the county. Various phytopharmaceuticals date back several decades and despite the existing evolving technology, without a doubt herbal medicines can and still do provide exceptional and efficacious outcomes like many of the conventional remedies available today.

Chemical constituents from the leaves of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in the leaves of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. METHODS: The compounds were isolated and purified by Diaion HP-20, Toyopearl HW40, Sephadex LH-20, MCI Gel CHP-20, and silica gel column chromatography, and the structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data and physiochemical properties. RESULTS: Twenty-seven compounds were obtained from the 50% acetone extract, and their structures were identified as p-hydroxybenzoic acid(1), gentisic acid(2), 6, 7-dihydroxycoumarin(3), p-hydroxyphenylethyl alcohol(4), 3, 4-dihydroxyphe-nylethyl alcohol(5), protocatechuic acid(6), 1, 2, 4-trihydroxybenzene(7), diosmetin(8), luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide(9), apigenin(10), 2β, 3β, 19α-trihydroxyolean-12-ene-13, 28-dioic acid(11), 2α, 3β-dihydroxyolean-12-ene-28-oic acid(12), glutinolic acid(13), β1-hydroxyacteoside(14), echinacoside(15), jionoside B,(16), acteoside(17), isoacteoside(18), ajugol(19), catalpol(20), 8-epiloganic acid(21), luteolin(22), oleanolic acid(23), ursolic acid(24), oleanonic acid(25), β-sitosterol(26) and daucosterol(27). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1-14 and 23-25 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

A new secoiridoid glycoside from roots of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora / 中草药·英文版

Objective: To study the chemical constituents in the roots of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora. Methods: The chemical constituents in the roots of P. scrophulariiflora were separated and purified with chromatographic methods. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and chemical analyses. Results: A new secoiridoid glycoside, picrogentioside II (1) was successfully isolated from the roots of P. scrophulariiflora. Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new secoiridoid glycoside. © 2013 Tianjin Press of Chinese Herbal Medicines.

Common mullein, pharmacological and chemical aspects

Verbascum thapsus L. [Khardhag or Common mullein], a member of the family Scrophulariaceae, is a famous herb that is found all over Europe, in temperate Asia, in North America and is well-reputed due to its medicinal properties. This medicinal herb contains various chemical constituents like saponins, iridoid and phenylethanoid glycosides, flavonoids, vitamin C and minerals. It is famous in various communities worldwide for the treatment of various disorders of both humans and animals aliments. A number of pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, antihepatotoxic and anti-hyperlipidemic activity have been ascribed to this plant. The plant is used to treat tuberculosis also, earache and bronchitis. In the present paper botanical and ethnomedicinal description, pharmacological profile and phytochemistry of this herb is being discussed.

Assessment of the effect of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. extract on the labeling of blood elements with technetium-99m and on the morphology of red blood cells / Avaliação do efeito do extrato de Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. na marcação de elementos sanguíneos com tecnécio-99m e na morfologia de células vermelhas do sangue

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. (BM), a traditional Ayurvedic medicine, used for centuries as a memory enhancing, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, sedative and antiepileptic agent. BM extract have been extensively investigated by several authors for their neuropharmacological effects. In nuclear medicine, red blood cells (RBC) labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) have several clinical applications. However, data have demonstrated that synthetic or natural drugs could modify the labeling of RBC with 99mTc. As Bacopa monnieri is extensively used in medicine, we evaluated its influence on the labeling of RBC and plasma proteins using technetium-99m (99mTc). This labeling procedure depends on a reducing agent and usually stannous chloride is used. Blood was incubated with BM extracts. Stannous chloride solution and 99mTc were added. Blood was centrifuged and plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) were isolated. Samples of P or BC were also precipitated, centrifuged and insoluble fraction (IF) and soluble fraction (SF) were separated. The percentage of radioactivity ( percentATI) in BC, IF-BC and IF-P were calculated. The percentATI significantly decreased on BC from 95.53±0.45 to 35.41±0.44, on IF-P from 80.20±1.16 to 7.40±0.69 and on IF-BC from 73.31±1.76 to 21.26±1.40. The morphology study of RBC revealed important morphological alterations due to treatment with BM extracts. We suggest that the BM extract effect could be explained by an inhibition of the stannous and pertechnetate ions or oxidation of the stannous ion or by damages induced in the plasma membrane.

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. (BM), uma planta tradicional da medicina ayurvédica, é usada por séculos para problemas de memória, antiinflamatória, antitérmica, sedativa e como agente anti-epiléptico. O extrato BM têm sido extensivamente investigada por diversos autores por seus efeitos neurofarmacológicas. Na medicina nuclear, os glóbulos vermelhos (RBC) marcados com tecnécio-99m (99mTc) tem várias aplicações clínicas. Entretanto, os dados demonstraram que drogas sintéticas ou naturais podem modificar a marcação de hemácias com 99mTc. Como Bacopa monnieri é amplamente utilizado em medicina, foi avaliada a sua influência na marcação de hemácias e proteínas plasmáticas com tecnécio-99m (99mTc). Este procedimento de marcação depende de um agente redutor e normalmente o cloreto estanoso é usado. Sangue foi incubado com os extratos BM. Solução de cloreto estanoso e 99mTc foram adicionados. O sangue foi centrifugado e o plasma (P) e células sangüíneas (CS) foram isolados. Amostras de P ou BC também foram precipitadas, centrifugadas e fração insolúvel (FI) e fração solúvel (FS) foram separadas. A porcentagem de radioatividade ( por centoATI) em BC, IF-BC e SE-P foram calculados. A As por cento ATI diminuiu significativamente em BC de 95,53±0,45-35,41±0,44, no IF-P de 80,20±1,16 para 7,40±0,69 e no IF-BC em 73,31±1,76-21,26±1,40. O estudo da morfologia de hemácias revelou alterações morfológicas importantes devido a tratamentos com extratos BM. Sugere-se que a ação do extrato BM poderia ser explicada por uma inibição dos íons estanoso e pertecnetato ou oxidação do íon estanoso ou por danos na membrana plasmática.

Atividade antioxidante e antimicrobiana de Calceolaria chelidonioides Humb. Bonpl. & Kunth. / Antioxidant and anti-microbial activity from Calceolaria chelidonioides Humb. Bonpl. & Kunth.

A espécie Calceolaria chelidonioides (Scrophulariaceae), até então inédita nas citações científicas, foi estudada sob o ponto de vista farmacológico buscando-se identificar possíveis atividades antimicrobiana e antioxidante em metodologia in vitro. As partes aéreas dessa espécie demonstraram atividade antioxidante em modelo usando o radical livre DPPH. As flores de C. chelidonioides mostraram grande potencial antibacteriano frente à bactéria Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina MRSA, um dos principais responsáveis em casos de infecção hospitalar.

The species Calceolaria chelidonioides (Scrophulariaceae), not scientific described so for, was studied in pharmacological aspects aiming to identify some anti-microbial and antioxidant activity. The aerial parts showed antioxidant activity using in vitro DPPH model. The flowers from C. chelidonioides showed strong antibacterial potential against meticiline resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains the main responsible for hospital infection complications.

Isolation and structural elucidation of flavones from flower of Paulownia tomentosa / 中草药

Object To isolate and identify the flavones from the flower of Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud., which has been used as traditonal herb medicine in the treatment of some diseases. Methods The flavones were isolated by column chromatography and their structures were elucidated through spectroscopic analysis (NMR). Results Five flavones were isolated and identified as 5, 4′-dihydroxy-7, 3′-dimenthoxyflavanone (Ⅰ), 5-hydroxy-7, 3′, 4′-trimenthoxyflavanone (Ⅱ), diplacone (Ⅲ), mimulone (Ⅳ) and apigenin (Ⅴ). Conclusion All these compounds are obtained from the flower for the first time and the flavones should be as bioactive constituents.