Essential oils of Cordia species, compounds and applications: a systematic review / Aceites esenciales de especies de Cordia, compuestos y aplicaciones: una revisión sistemática

The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the available literature on the essential oil from species of genus Cordia. This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews. The search was conducted on four databases: LILACS, PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus until June 5th, 2020, with no time or language restrictions. Sixty out of the 1,333 initially gathered studies fit the inclusion criteria after the selection process. Nine species of Cordia were reported in the selected studies, out of which 79% of the evaluated studies reported essential oil from Cordia curassavica. The essential oil extraction methods identified were hydrodistillation and steam distillation. As for biological application, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, larvicidal and antioxidant activities were the most reported. The main compounds reported for essential oil were ß-caryophyllene, α-humulene, α-pinene, bicyclogermacrene, and sabinene. The information reported in this systematic review can contribute scientifically to the recognition of the importance of the genus Cordia.

El propósito de esta revisión sistemática fue identificar la literatura disponible sobre el aceite esencial de especies del género Cordia. Este estudio siguió los elementos de informe preferidos para revisiones sistemáticas. La búsqueda se realizó en cuatro bases de datos: LILACS, PubMed, Science Direct y Scopus hasta el 5 de junio de 2020, sin restricciones de tiempo ni de idioma. Sesenta de los 1.333 estudios reunidos inicialmente cumplieron los criterios de inclusión después del proceso de selección. Se informaron nueve especies de Cordia en los estudios seleccionados, de los cuales el 79% de los estudios evaluados informaron aceite esencial de Cordia curassavica. Los métodos de extracción de aceite esencial identificados fueron la hidrodestilación y la destilación al vapor. En cuanto a la aplicación biológica, las actividades antimicrobianas, antiinflamatorias, larvicidas y antioxidantes fueron las más reportadas. Los principales compuestos reportados para el aceite esencial fueron ß-cariofileno, α-humuleno, α-pineno, biciclogermacreno y sabineno. La información reportada en esta revisión sistemática puede contribuir científicamente al reconocimiento de la importancia del género Cordia.

In vitro anti-Candida activity of Melaleuca cajuputi extracts

Aims@#The rise of drug-resistant infectious diseases worldwide has spurred experts' interest in developing safe and effective alternative medicine. Melaleuca cajuputi extracts have been shown to exhibit antimicrobial activity in vitro against various bacterial species. This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of local M. cajuputi leaf extracts (MCEs) against Candida albicans.@*Methodology and results@#Phytoconstituents of aqueous and ethanolic MCEs were screened conventionally using chemical tests. Broth microdilution assay and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were performed to study the anti-Candida activity of the extracts. Both MCEs contained terpenoids, phenols, flavonoids and tannins. Aqueous and ethanolic MCEs showed good fungicidal activity against the tested organism with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 50 mg/mL and 25 mg/mL, respectively and a minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) to MIC ratio of less or equal to 2. Scanning electron micrographs revealed yeast cell surface morphology alterations when treated with both MCEs at 1× MIC.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#In conclusion, MCEs have anti-Candida properties and thus, M. cajuputi extract could be an excellent potential source of natural antimicrobial agents for disease remedies.

Potency of Phytochemicals from Guava (Psidium guajava) Seeds against Escherichia coli to Cure Diarrhoea: An in silico Analysis

Machine learning to deep learning is the enduring upgrading in the pharmaceutical research field. Phytochemicals from Psidium guajava plant extract are traditionally used to cure Diarrhoea. The causative agent of the disease is Escherichia coli. To identify the secondary metabolites (ligand) which is the main responsive compound that have the capacity to inhibit the growth of microorganism was carried bymolecular docking method “Biovia Discovery Studio”. “High positive values of -CDOCKER energy and -CDOCKER interaction energy” suggested that Heptadecanoic acid can effectively deactivate the shikimate dehydrogenase enzyme thereby interrupting the life cycle of the organism

Chemical characterization, docking studies, anti-arthritic activity and acute oral toxicity of Convolvulus arvensis L. leaves

Objective: To evaluate acute oral toxicity and anti-arthritic activity of the methanolic extract of Convolvulus arvensis L. leaves. Methods: Safety was assessed by acute oral toxicity (OECD 425) study. Anti-arthritic activity was explored by in vitro (inhibition of protein denaturation) and in vivo (Complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis and carrageenan-induced inflammation) methods. Antioxidant potential was determined by assessing ferric reducing power, DPPH inhibition, and H

Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen: Potential Source of Natural Antioxidants

@#Introduction: Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen or sapodilla is a fruit-bearing tree that has been cultivated mainly in tropical areas including Mexico and South East Asia. The fruits and the other parts of M. zapota plant have been used since ages ago for various medicinal purposes. However, the data on the antioxidant properties of various parts of M. zapota is limited. Therefore, we aimed to measure the content and capacity of antioxidants in various M. zapota plant parts and also to screen the phytoconstituents present in the part with the highest antioxidant content and capacity. Methods: The in vitro antioxidant evaluation including the content of total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoids (TFC) as well as β-carotene bleaching and 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging ability of the leaves, seeds, flesh, and peels of M. zapota extracted by aqueous and ethanol were determined. The plant part that exhibited the highest TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacity was selected for phytoconstituents identification using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Results: M. zapota leaves aqueous extract exhibited the highest TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacities and therefore selected for phytoconstituents identification. Our study provide additional data in which a total of 39 phytoconstituents have been identified in the M. zapota leaves including m-coumaric acid, quinic acid, robinetinidol-4alpha-ol, isoorientin 6’’-O-caffeate, apocynin A, and C16 Sphinganine. Conclusion: Thus, our study revealed that M. zapota leaves aqueous extract has potential as a promising naturally-occurring antioxidant candidate which could be useful for medicinal and nutritional functions.

Chemical characterization, docking studies, anti-arthritic activity and acute oral toxicity of Convolvulus arvensis L. leaves

Objective: To evaluate acute oral toxicity and anti-arthritic activity of the methanolic extract of Convolvulus arvensis L. leaves. Methods: Safety was assessed by acute oral toxicity (OECD 425) study. Anti-arthritic activity was explored by in vitro (inhibition of protein denaturation) and in vivo (Complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis and carrageenan-induced inflammation) methods. Antioxidant potential was determined by assessing ferric reducing power, DPPH inhibition, and H2O2 scavenging assays. Furthermore, molecular docking was done to check interactions between the plant constituents and cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2). Quercetin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, sinapic acid, and vanillic acid were quantified by HPLC and eight compounds were identified by GC-MS analysis. Results: No mortality and abnormality in biochemical parameters were observed in the toxicity study. Histological analysis of vital organs also supported these biochemical results. The in vitro and in vivo studies showed that the methanolic extract of leaves of Convolvulus arvensis exhibited dose-dependent anti-arthritic and anti-oxidant potential. Molecular docking showed better interactions of plant compounds with cyclooxygenases as compared to standard ibuprofen. Conclusions: Convolvulus arvensis exhibits strong anti-arthritic activity, justifying the traditional use of the herbal drug.

Pharmacological importance of Manilkara zapota and its bioactive constituents / Importancia farmacologica de Manilkara zapota y sus constituyentes bioactivos

Manilkara zapota (Sapotaceae), commonly known as Sapodilla, is widely known for its delicious fruit. Various parts of this plant are also used in folk medicine to treat a number of conditions including fever, pain, diarrhoea, dysentery, haemorrhage and ulcers. Scientific studies have demonstrated analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antidiarrheal, anti-hypercholesteremic, antihyperglycemic and hepatoprotective activities in several parts of the plant. Phytochemical studies have revealed the presence of phenolic compounds including protocatechuic acid quercitrin, myricitrin, catechin, gallic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, coumaric acid, ferulic acid, etc. as main constituents of the plant. Several fatty acids, carotenoids, triterpenes, sterols, hydrocarbons and phenylethanoid compounds have also been isolated from M. zapota. The present review is a comprehensive description focused on pharmacological activities and phytochemical constituents of M. zapota.

Manilkara zapota (Sapotaceae), comúnmente conocida como Sapodilla, es ampliamente conocida por su delicioso fruto. Variadas partes de esta planta se usan en medicina popular para tratar una serie de afecciones, como fiebre, dolor, diarrea, disentería, hemorragia y úlceras. Estudios científicos han demostrado actividad analgésica, antiinflamatoria, antioxidante, citotóxica, antimicrobiana, antidiarreica, antihipercolesterolémica, antihiperglucémica y hepatoprotectora en diferentes partes de la planta. Los estudios fitoquímicos han revelado la presencia de compuestos fenólicos que incluyen ácido protocatechúico, quercitrina, miricitrina, catequina, ácido galico, ácido vanílico, ácido cafeico, ácido sirínico, ácido cumárico, ácido fúnico y ácido ferúlico como componentes principales de la planta. Varios ácidos grasos, carotenoides, triterpenos, esteroles, hidrocarburos y compuestos feniletanoides también han sido aislados de M. zapota. La presente revisión es una descripción exhaustiva centrada en las actividades farmacológicas y los constituyentes fitoquímicos de M. zapota.

Weeds in Gwalior and nearby regions and their medicinal properties: A case study

Weeds are normally unwanted plants at wrong place. From the perspective of crop protection, they may have anegative effect on cultivated crop, and thus, their effective management is necessary. From a medicinal perspective,they may be useful in disease management due to their secondary metabolites, affordability, inexpensiveness,accessibility, and use by native peoples. The present study reviews the literature available on weeds of MadhyaPradesh, India (Gwalior and nearby region), with their occurrence in changing environment and reported uses indisease management. A comprehensive literature search was done to get the thorough information on the versatileweeds of Gwalior and nearby regions. Amaranthaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Asteraceae are found tobe the most prevalent families with plants to treat Prameha, Sandhi sula, Udara sula, and Tvaka roga. The reviewsummarizes the weed plants available in the area under the study with their reported uses, which could be furthervalidated scientifically and could be important from the ethnopharmacological and socioeconomic perspective. Thiscould be the best use of a waste and promote utilization of available resources for the management and treatment ofprevalent diseases in the specific area.

Phytopharmacological potential of the natural gift Moringa oleifera Lam and its therapeutic application: An overview

Traditionally, medicinal plants of family Moringaceae have been well-recognized due to their multipurpose utilization in various fields such as treatment of several diseases for they have a broad range of pharmacological activities, in wastewater treatment as well as food source. Fractionation of this medicinal plants and its bioactivity study discloses the presence of several phytoconstituents and secondary metabolites like terpenes, flavonoids, steroids, phenolic compounds, tannins, carohydrates, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals. The results of bioactivity study results revealed that different extracts such as aqueous, methanolic and ethanolic of Moringa oleifera showed notable therapeutic activities. Our present review explore and focus on the phytochemical composition and various pharmacological activities like immunomodulator, antidiabetic, antiulcer, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antiepileptic, cardioprotective, lipid lowering, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, anti-nephrotoxicity and anti-microbial activities to arouse public consciousness about the nutritional and medicinal value of this 'miracle tree-Moringa oleifera' in favor of humanity.

Phytopharmacological potential of the natural gift Moringa oleifera Lam and its therapeutic application: An overview

Traditionally, medicinal plants of family Moringaceae have been well-recognized due to their multipurpose utilization in various fields such as treatment of several diseases for they have a broad range of pharmacological activities, in wastewater treatment as well as food source. Fractionation of this medicinal plants and its bioactivity study discloses the presence of several phytoconstituents and secondary metabolites like terpenes, flavonoids, steroids, phenolic compounds, tannins, carohydrates, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals. The results of bioactivity study results revealed that different extracts such as aqueous, methanolic and ethanolic of Moringa oleifera showed notable therapeutic activities. Our present review explore and focus on the phytochemical composition and various pharmacological activities like immunomodulator, antidiabetic, antiulcer, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antiepileptic, cardioprotective, lipid lowering, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, anti-nephrotoxicity and anti-microbial activities to arouse public consciousness about the nutritional and medicinal value of this 'miracle tree-Moringa oleifera' in favor of humanity.

Wound Healing: Contributions from Medicinal Plants and Their Phytoconstituents

Wound is an inescapable condition in one’s lifetime that may arise due to physical injuries that can result in an opening or break of skin or chemical means. Wounds represent a significant burden on patients and can affect the physical and mental health of millions of patients thereby imposing a significant cost on them. Wounds are major cause of physical disabilities. The wound area is an ideal medium for the manipulation of many infecting organisms. The injured skin, therefore, remains vulnerable to invasive microbial infections. The primary objective of wound care, therefore, is to prevent or minimize infection and promote healing. Various materials and methods, especially antibacterial drugs are employed. Some of these wound care methods employed include the topical antimicrobial therapy of plant extracts. The present article, therefore, focuses on the review of the role medicinal plants play in wound healing with special attention on plants that have demonstrated both wound healing and antioxidant properties. Further attention was given to isolated compounds from wound healing plants that exhibited wound healing properties.

A Review on Pharmacological and Analytical Aspects of Naringenin / 中国结合医学杂志

Flavonoids are a widely distributed group of phytochemicals having benzo-pyrone nucleus, and more than 4,000 different flavonoids have been described and categorized into flavonols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, catechins and anthocyanidins. Flavonoids occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beverages such as coffee, tea, and red wine, as well as in medical herbs. Flavonoids are responsible for the different colors of plant parts and are important constituents of the human diet. Flavanoids have different pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-allergic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and anticancer activity. Naringenin belongs to the flavanones and is mainly found in fruits (grapefruit and oranges) and vegetables. Pharmacologically, it has anticancer, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative and antiatherogenic activities. Naringenin is used for the treatments of osteoporosis, cancer and cardiovascular diseases, and showed lipid-lowering and insulin-like properties. In the present review, detailed pharmacological and analytical aspects of naringenin have been presented, which revealed the impressive pharmacological profile and the possible usefulness in the treatment of different types of diseases in the future. The information provided in this communication will act as an important source for development of effective medicines for the treatment of various disorders.

Profiling of antioxidant potential and phytoconstituents of Plantago coronopus / Avaliação do potencial antioxidante e perfil fitoquímico do Plantago coronopus

Abstract The halophyte species Plantago coronopus has several described ethnomedicinal uses, but few reported biological activities. This work carried out for the first time a comparative analysis of P. coronopus organs in terms of phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of organic and water extracts from roots, leaves and flowers. The leaves contents in selected nutrients, namely amino acids and minerals, are also described. Roots (ethyl acetate and methanol extracts) had the highest radical scavenging activity (RSA) towards 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, while leaves (hexane extract) had higher RSA on nitric oxide radical and iron chelating ability. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified eighteen phenolics from which salicylic acid and epicatechin are here firstly described in Plantago species. Leaves had mineral levels similar to those of most vegetables, proving to be a good source for elements like calcium, sodium, iron and magnesium, and also for several of the essential amino acids justifying it use as food. Our results, especially those regarding the phenolics composition, can explain the main traditional uses given to this plantain and, altogether, emphasize the potential of P. coronopus as a source of bioactive molecules particularly useful for the prevention of oxidative stress-related diseases.

Resumo A espécie halófita Plantago coronopus tem vários usos etnomedicinais já descritos, mas em relação à bioatividade a informação é escassa. Este trabalho efetuou, pela primeira vez, uma análise comparativa dos órgãos de P. coronopus em termos de compostos fenólicos e atividade antioxidante de extratos orgânicos e aquosos provenientes das raízes, folhas e flores da planta, bem como o conteúdo de determinados nutrientes, aminoácidos e minerais, nas folhas da planta. As raízes (extratos de acetato de etila e metanol) apresentaram a maior atividade de captação para os radicais 1,1-difenil-2-picril hidrazil (DPPH) e 2,2'-azino-bis(3-etilbenzotiazolina-6-ácido sulfónico) (ABTS), enquanto as folhas (extrato de hexano) mostraram maior atividade captadora para o radical óxido nítrico bem como maior capacidade quelante do ferro. A análise por cromatografia liquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) identificou dezoito compostos fenólicos e, destes, o ácido salicílico e a epicatequina são aqui descritos pela primeira vez em espécies de Plantago. As folhas desta planta halófita mostraram ainda conter minerais em níveis semelhantes aos da maioria dos vegetais, provando ser uma boa fonte de elementos como o cálcio, sódio, ferro e magnésio, bem como de vários dos aminoácidos essenciais o que justifica seu uso na alimentação. Os resultados, particularmente aqueles relacionados à composição fenólica, podem justificar os principais usos medicinais atribuídos a esta espécie e, na sua totalidade, demonstram o potencial de P. coronopus como fonte de moléculas bioativas particularmente úteis na prevenção de doenças relacionadas com estresse oxidativo.

Phytochemical screening and evaluation of cytotoxic and hypoglycemic properties of Mangifera indica peels

Objective To investigate the presence of different phytoconstituents in Mangifera indica (M. indica) peel and evaluate its cytotoxicity to Artemia salina and hypoglycemic potential in Swiss albino mice. Methods The methanolic extract of M. indica peel was used to determine the presence of phytoconstituents. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay method was followed to determine the cytotoxic potential of plant extract. In the case of hypoglycemic activity, oral administration of extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg and standard glibenclamide at 10 mg/kg was done, followed by determining the percentage of reduction of plasma glucose from the initial level. Results The methanolic extract of M. indica peel showed the presence of flavonoid, saponin, steroid, tannins, terpenoids, glycosides and alkaloids. In brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the LC

Phytochemical screening and evaluation of cytotoxic and hypoglycemic properties of Mangifera indica peels

Objective: To investigate the presence of different phytoconstituents in Mangifera indica (M. indica) peel and evaluate its cytotoxicity to Artemia salina and hypoglycemic potential in Swiss albino mice. Methods: The methanolic extract of M. indica peel was used to determine the presence of phytoconstituents. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay method was followed to determine the cytotoxic potential of plant extract. In the case of hypoglycemic activity, oral administration of extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg and standard glibenclamide at 10 mg/kg was done, followed by determining the percentage of reduction of plasma glucose from the initial level. Results: The methanolic extract of M. indica peel showed the presence of flavonoid, saponin, steroid, tannins, terpenoids, glycosides and alkaloids. In brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the LC50 of the extract and standard vincristine sulfate was found to be 2.04 and 0.41 mg/mL, respectively. After 90 and 150 min, the methanolic extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg showed prominent plasma glucose reduction of 13.95%, 22.48%and 14.16%, 26.18% respectively compared to standard glibenclamide showing 14.90% and 20.67%plasma glucose reduction. Conclusions: This current research affirms prominent cytotoxic and moderate hypogly-cemic potential of M. indica peel. Further bioactivity guided isolation of phytoconstituents and investigation on higher animals can lead to development of new drug molecules.

Phytochemical analysis, Anti inflammatory activity, in vitro antidiabetic activity and GC-MS profile of Erythrina variegata L. bark.

Many beneficial medicinal products are used to treat various serious diseases and disorders like diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases without side effects. Hence our study focused to investigate the phytochemical analysis, quantification of bioactive compounds (alkaloid, phenols, flavonoids), in vitro free radical scavenging activity, anti-inflammatory activity (Membrane stabilization assay), in vitro anti-diabetic activity by enzyme inhibition activity, glucose uptake assay in isolated rat hemi-diaphragm and in yeast cells and also record GC-MS profile of Erythrina variegata L. bark (methanolic extract) which has boundless medicinal properties. The results of this study showed the evidence that the extracts when tested for their phytochemicals and free radical scavenging activity were found to have considerable antioxidant potential. This plant also exhibit better in vitro enzyme inhibitory activity, inhibition of non- enzymatic glycosylation of hemoglobin, in vitro anti-diabetic activity proved by glucose uptake assays and anti-inflammatory activity. GC-MS analysis of methanolic extract of Erythrina variegata L. bark revealed the presence of 58 compounds which are responsible for pharmacological activities. The results of this study indicate that the methanolic extract of Erythrina variegata L. bark has significant pharmacological properties.

In vitro trypanocidal activity of the Egyptian plant Schinopsis lorentizii against trypomastigote and amastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Chagas’ disease is a chronic illness caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. According to estimates, approximately 16-18 million people are infected in Latin American. Plant extracts exhibit a wide variety of secondary metabolites and can play an important role in the discovery of new compounds with biological potential. The in vitro trypanocidal activity of the extracts obtained from six plant species collected in Egypt (Parkia africana, Parkia roxburgi, Lagerstromeia speciosa, Schinopsis lorentzii, Lagerstromeia indica, and Sapindus saponaria) was assayed against trypomastigote and amastigote forms of T. cruzi. The cytotoxic activity of the most active extract was also evaluated by conducting MTT assays. S. lorentzii and S. saponaria were the most active extracts against the trypomastigote form;IC50 values were 9.9 and 27.34 g/mL, respectively. The S. lorentzii extract was also evaluated against the amastigote form (IC50 was 111.5 g/mL).The S. lorentzii extract did not exhibit significant cytotoxic activity. The selectivity index value indicated that this extract was highly selective for the parasite. The S. lorentzii and S. saponariaextracts exhibit trypanocidal activity, probably as a result of the presence ofdifferent constituentsand their concentrations in the extracts.

Screening and antibacterial efficacy of selected Indian medicinal plants

Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of five Indian medicinal plants such as Acalypha indica L. (A. indica), Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex Schult. (A. lanata), Clerodendrum inerme (L.) Gaertn., Pergularia daemia (Forsk.) Chiov. and Solanum surattense Burm. f. against opportunistic bacterial pathogens isolated from HIV infected patients for the potential phytoconstituents in plant extracts. Methods: The opportunistic bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Serratia marcescens from Gram-negative group and Staphylococcus aureus from Gram-positive group were isolated from HIV infected patients. The antibacterial efficacy of ethanolic extracts of selected medicinal plants was carried out by disc diffusion method. The potential phytoconstituents of medicinal plant extracts were identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Results: Among the five medicinal plants tested, A. indica and A. lanata showed the significant antibacterial activity. A. indica showed potential activity against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. A. lanata significantly exhibited antibacterial activity against E. coli, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A total of 19 phytoconstituents were identified in the ethanolic extract of A. indica and A. lanata by GC-MS analysis respectively. Conclusions: The results of the present investigation revealed that A. indica and A. lanata, possessed significant antibacterial activity when compared with the other plant extracts tested. The presence of 3-O-methyl- d-glucose by GC-MS analysis in both A. indica and A. lanata extracts has not been reported elsewhere in the literature and the findings in this study could be the first one to report.

GC-MS characterization of n-hexane soluble compounds of Cyperus rotundus L. rhizomes.

Cyperus rotundus L., popularly known as nutgrass or nagarmotha, is commonly used in the traditional medicine for inflammatory disorders. In the present study, n-hexane extract from rhizomes of C. rotundus (HCR) was analyzed for its constituents using GC-MS technique. The rhizomes were collected, washed, shade dried and powdered. N-hexane extract was prepared by cold percolation method and preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out. It was subjected to Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) for the identification of components thereon. Preliminary phytochemical screening of HCR revealed the presence of phenolics, sterols and terpenoids. GC-MS data indicates the presence of twenty seven low polar components in HCR. The major identified molecules include hentriacontane (7.15%), triacontane (6.12%), nonacosane (5%), octacosane (4.38%), octadecane (2.35%), hexadecane (2.32%), eicosane (1.56%), pentatriacontane (1.43%), 9-di-tert-butyl-1-oxaspiro(4,5)deca-6,9-diene-2,8-dione (1.37%), Heneicosane, 3-methyl- (1.27%), α-cyperone (1.25%), heptadecane (1.15%) and gamma-Sitosterol (1%). As some of these constituents are known to possess anticancer activity, HCR could be used as an active therapeutic ingredient.

Phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activities of some plants commonly used in Indian traditional diet.

Dietary antioxidants are known to play a key role in combating the cellular oxidative stress imposed by the free radicals as well as in inhibiting the undesirable changes in nutritional quality of food. The present investigation was designed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant properties and the major phytoconstituents of some plants regularly used in Indian traditional diet. Methanolic extracts of Costus igneus, Foeniculum vulgare, Leucas aspera, Muntingia calabura, Physalis minima and Sauropus androgynus were prepared by maceration. Antioxidant activities were assessed using phosphomolybdenum method and ferric reducing power assays. Total antioxidant activities of methanolic extracts ranged between 4.89 μg/ml to 46.0 μg/ml ascorbic acid equivalents for the tested extracts. F. vulgare methanolic extract possessed maximum antioxidant activity. This investigation revealed the potential antioxidant activity of the tested extracts and therefore, their use in the regular diet will be helpful in combating free radical associated health effects. Also, antioxidant rich formulations can be prepared using these plant materials.