Bioactivity evaluation of least explored traditionally acclaimed medicinally potent herb Nanorrhinum ramosissimum(Wall. ) Betsche

Abstract Present study analysed the therapeutic potential of traditionally acclaimed medicinal herb Nanorrhinum ramosissimum, using plant parts extracted with different solvents (10 mg/mL). Shoot extracts exhibited comparatively better antimicrobial properties, in comparison to root extracts. Total phenolic content was estimated, to ascertain its dependency on antioxidant properties of plant extracts. Antioxidant assay revealed promising results in comparison to IC50 value of standard ascorbic acid (52.2±0.07 µg/mL), for methanolic extracts of shoot (61.07±0.53 µg/mL and 64.33±0.33 µg/mL) and root (76.705±0.12 µg/mL and 89.73±0.28 µg/ mL) for in vivo and in vitro regenerants respectively. Correlation coefficient R2 values ranged between 0.90-0.95, indicating a positive correlation between phenolic contents and antioxidant activity. Plant extracts were also able to inhibit DNA oxidative damage again indicating their antioxidative potential. Antidiabetic potential was confirmed by alpha amylase inhibition assay where shoot methanolic extracts (invivo, in vitro) exhibited the best IC50 values (54.42±0.16 µg/mL, 66.09±0.12 µg/mL) in comparison to standard metformin (41.92±0.08 µg/mL). Ethanolic extracts of roots (in vitro, invivo) exhibited the relative IC50 values (88.97±0.32µg/mL,96.63±0.44 µg/mL) indicating that shoot parts had a better alpha amylase inhibition property; thus proving the herb's bioactive potential and its prospective therapeutic source for curing various ailments.

Study on scrophulariaceae radix reference extract and its application in quality control of Scrophulariae Radix / 中国中药杂志

By establishing the preparation process of Scrophulariaceae Radix reference extract(SRRE) and calibrating it, we discussed its feasibility as a substitute for single reference substance in the quality control of Scrophulariae Radix. The SRREs were prepared by solvent extraction method and chromatographic separation technology, and then calibrated with the reference substances of harpagide, angoroside C and harpagoside. The HPLC content determination method of Scrophulariae Radixl was established with SRREs of the known content and the reference substances of harpagide, angoroside C and harpagoside respectively as the control ones. Then the content of three components in Scrophulariae Radix was determined, and the t-test method was used to compare the results of the two methods. With SRRE as references, harpagide, angoroside C and harpagoside were in a good linear relationship(r≥0.999 8) within each range, and the average recovery rate was 98.55% to 100.6%. The t-test results showed that the P values of two determination methods were 0.493, 0.155 and 0.171 for harpagide, angoroside C and harpagoside respectively, indicating no significant diffe-rence between the two methods of content determination. The SRRE can be used as a substitute for the reference in the quality control of Scrophulariaceae Radix. The SRRE can replace the corresponding reference substance for the quality control of Scrophulariae Radix. The results of this study provide new methods and new ideas for the quality evaluation of Scrophulariae Radix, and provide a scientific basis for the application of reference extracts in the quality research of traditional Chinese medicine.

Analysis of varieties and standards of Scrophulariaceae plants used in Tibetan medicine / 中国中药杂志

In this paper, the popular domestic varieties and quality standard of Scrophulariaceae plants used in Tibetan medicine were analyzed. The results showed that there were 11 genera and 99 species (including varieties), as well as 28 medicinal materials varieties of Scrophulariaceae plants were recorded in the relevant literatures. In relevant Tibetan standards arid literatures, there are great differences in varieties, sources, parts, and efficacies of medicinal plant. Among them, about 41.4% (including 41 species) of endemic plants, about 15.2% (including 15 species) of the original plants have medicinal standard legal records, except the medicinal materials of Scrophalaria ningpoensis, Lagotis brevituba, Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora, Veronica eriogyne general, most varieties have not completed quality standard. Consequently it is necessary to reinforce the herbal textual, resources and the use present situation investigation, the effects of the species resources material foundation and biological activity, quality standard, specification the medical terms of the plants, and promote Tibetan medicinal vareties-terminologies-sources such as the criterion and quality standard system for enriching the varieties of Tibetan medicinal materials and Chinese medicinal resources.

Salinity effects on protein content, lipid peroxidation, pigments, and proline in Paulownia imperialis (Siebold & Zuccarini) and Paulownia fortunei (Seemann & Hemsley) grown in vitro

We evaluated the effects of saline stress on soluble proteins, lipid peroxidation (TBAR), chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, beta-carotene, violaxanthin, and proline in Paulownia imperialis and Paulownia fortunei plants grown in vitro. When the propagated plants reached a determined size, they were transferred aseptically to WPM culture medium containing different sodium chloride concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 160 mM) and were sampled at 15 and 30 days. Proline content was determined at 30 days after transfer only. Protein concentration significantly decreased with the highest salt levels in P. imperialis compared to controls in which no sodium chloride was added. In both P. imperialis and P. fortunei, lipid peroxidation significantly increased at 15 days but decreased at 30 days. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, beta-carotene, and violaxanthin significantly decreased with exposure to higher sodium chloride concentrations at 15 and 30 days in both species. Proline content in P. imperialis significantly increased in plants grown in 20 and 40 mM of sodium chloride and decreased in higher sodium chloride concentrations. In P. fortunei, this measure significantly decreased proline content at all salt concentrations in plants exposed to all levels of sodium chloride compared to controls. Our results show that P. imperialis is more tolerant to salt stress at the salinity conditions tested.

Analysis of monosaccharides in Radix Rehmanniae by GC / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To isolate and purify the polysaccharides from Radix Rehmanniae and analysis the monosaccharides composition.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The polysaccharides were extracted with hot water and precipitated by alcohol. Proteins in the precipitates were removed by TCA method. The products were further purified with column chromatography on Superdex 200 and Sephadex G100. The SRP I and SRP II were identified as homogeneous polysaccharide by HPLC, respectively, and then analyzed by GC after being hydrolysised.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Two homogeneous polysaccharides (SRP I and SRP II) were obtained from Radix Rehmanniae.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SRP I contained rhamnose, arabinose, glucose and galactose in the percentage of 6.11%, 66.46%, 3.93% and 21.50%. SRP I was composed of rhamnose, fucose, mannose, galactose and fructose in the percentage of 21.82%, 24.47%, 10.48%, 29.94% and 13.29%.</p>

role of herbal drugs in psychiatry

The therapeutic uses of various herbal drugs for psychiatric disorders have a long tradition in India, China and other Asian cultures. The unwanted side effects of synthetic psychotropics have contributed to the increasing interest in phytotherapeutic agents. Improved understanding of appropriate and safe uses of naturally occurring substances as psychotropic agents will greatly contribute to global mental care. An important objective of this paper is to stress the scientific evidence, supporting the use of natural products in psychiatry. Traditional Ayurvedic drugs used in psychiatry is briefly discussed. Knowledge of the properties of these therapies supported by clinical evidence, efficacy and safety profile can improve the care of psychiatric patients

A new picfeltarraenone glycoside from Picria fel-terrae / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the chemical constituents from Picria fel-terrae Lour.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Column chromatography techniques were used to isolate the chemical constituents, physico-chemical constants and spectroscopic analysis were employed for structural elucidation. Results Two triterpenoids named picfeltarraenone I (1) and picfeltarraenin XI (2) were isolated, and their structures were established to be 3,11,22-trioxo-16alpha-hydroxy-(20S,24)-epoxy-cucurbit-5,23-diene (1) and 3,11,22-trioxo-16alpha-hydroxy-(20S,24)-epoxy-cucurbit-5, 23-diene-2beta-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound 2 is a new compound, the 13CNMR data of compound 1 is reported for the first</p>

Isolation and identification of a new cucurbitacin from Picria fel-terrae / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To study compounds isolated from Picria fel-terrae.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The chemical constituents were separated and purified by column chromatography on silica gel and MCI. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectral data (IR, UV, MS, ID NMR and 2D NMR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A new cucurbitacin, along with a known one, were obtained from the 60% EtOH extract of the whole plant.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The new compound was identified as 11, 24-dioxo-5, 21-diene-cucurbit-3alpha-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-16alpha-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (dehydrobryogenin glycoside). The known one, hexanorcucurbitacin F, was obtained for the first time from Picria fel-terrae.</p>

Studies on chemical constituents from herb of Hemiphragma heterophyllum / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents from Hemiphragma heterophyllum.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The constituents were isolated and purified by chromatographic technology and their structures were elucidated by physico-chemical evidence and spectral data.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Eight compounds were isolated and identified as hemiphroside C (I), plantainoside E (II), hemiphroside A (III), acetoside (IV), globularin (V), 10-(Z)-cinnamoyl-catapol (VI), iso-scrophularioside (VII), cinnamic acid (VIII).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound I was a new phenylethanoid glucoside and compounds II and VI were isolated for the first time from this plant.</p>

Study on the chemical constituents from Picria fel-tarrae / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To isolate and identify compounds from Picria fel-tarrae in order to utilize it better.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Constituents from Picria fel-tarrae were isolated by several column chromatography and their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectral analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Six compounds, N-benzoylphenylalanyl-L-phenylalaninol acetate (1), 1-hydroxy-7-hydroxymethyl-9,10-anthraquinone (2), 9, 16-dioxo-10,12,14-octadeca-trienoic acid (3), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-flavone (4), beta-sitosterol (5), and daucosterol (6) were obtained from the fraction with relatively low polarity of EtOH extract of Picria fel-tarrae.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds 1-6 were isolated from picria fel-tarrae Lour for the first time, and the 13C-NMR data of compounds 1-3 are provided firstly in the literature.</p>

Oil Chemical Composition of Adenosma caeruleum wild Growing in Dakmil

Materials and methods: Wild growing Adenosma caeruleum R.Br. (Scrophulariaceae) was collected at Dak Mil district (Dak Lak province) in July 2002 for oil preparation. The oil analysis was carried out by a combination of capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Results: The essential oil was obtained from the aerial part of the plant at the yield of 0.5% compared with dried materials. 38 chemical compounds were identified. The major components were thymol (24.67%), alpha-humulene (16.44%), thymyl methylether (12.59%), gamma-terpinene (12.26%), beta-caryophyllene (5.82%), beta-bisabolene (5.67%), p-cymene (4.58%), humulene oxide (3.59%) and caryophyllene oxide (2.76%).

Perfil fitoquímico e atividade antibacteriana in vitro de plantas invasoras / Phytochemical screenig and in vitro antibacterial activity of weed plants

Foram colocadas espécies de plantas invasoras usadas popularmente como anti-sépticas e no tratamento de doenças de pele e as espécies Hedychium coronarium e Scoparia dulcis que se mostraram ativas em estudo preliminar. Empregando-se os pós das plantas realizou-se a triagem fitoquímica e fez-se a avaliação da atividade antibacteriana in vitro para os extratos aquosos das espécies. Polifenóis, esteróides, saponinas e flavonóides foram os constituintes químicos mais freqüentes, nas espécies analizadas. A atividade antibacteriana foi avaliada empregando-se o método de difusão em ágar e culturas padronizadas de Staphylococus aureus, Micrococus luteus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Salmonela typhumurium. Com excessão dos extratos de Hedychium coronarium (folhas e rizomas), os demais extratos da espécies avaliadas apresentaram atividade para um ou mais microorganismos.

Quinic acid esters from herba of Siphonostegia chinensis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the bioactive constituents, quinic acid esters, from Siphonostegia chinensis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The compounds were extracted with solvents, isolated by various column chromatography and identified by spectroscopic methods.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Three quinic acid esters were isolated and identified as 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid(I), macranthoin F(II), and methyl ester of 3, 4,5-tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid (III).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>All compounds were isolated from Siphonostegia for the first time.</p>

Isolation and Characterization of the Salicylic Acid Induced Gene in Rehmannia glutinosa by Differential Display

Rehmannia glutinosa is a perennial medicinal plant belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae with more than 300 species known in the world, especially in temperate regions. Its roots have been used widely in Korea for medicinal purposes. However, it is commonly infected by various pathogens during storage, causing great damage to the roots, and impedes the intensive farming of the crop. Therefore, an attempt has been made to isolate and screen a resistance gene against the pathogen Fusarium oxysporum using differential display. We treated salicylic acid (SA), and isolated a resistance gene that responds to SA. As a result, we found that SA was involved in plant defense mechanism in pathogenicity tests with SA treated and non-treted plants, and we isolated a partial PR-la gene through differential display polymerase chain reaction (DD-PCR) method.