Anti-inflammatory effects of the chloroform extract of Pulicaria guestii ameliorated the neutrophil infiltration and nitric oxide generation in rats.

Pulicaria guestii Rech.f. & Rawi is a fragrant, perennial herb, which grows wild, west of Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Several reports were published on the anti-inflammatory activity of the sesquiterpene lactones, phenolics and flavonoids, which constitute the main active constituents of the members of the genus Pulicaria. The present study was designed to explore the potential anti-inflammatory effect of P. guestii in several experimental models. The methanol extract of the dried aerial parts of P. guestii was extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform and n-butanol. The chloroform extract was analysed on TLC and examined under UV and visible light in presence of AlCl(3) spray. The free radical scavenging activity and the total phenolic content in the CHCl(3) extract were estimated. The crude methanol extract and the CHCl(3) fraction were examined against carrageenin-induced paw edema and ear edema induced by croton oil application. The crude methanolic extract significantly reduced carrageenin-induced rat paw edema. After fractionation, the chloroform fraction caused significant reduction in carrageenin-induced rat paw edema in addition to diminishing prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in the inflammatory exudates. Topical application of chloroform fraction significantly reduced rat ear edema induced by croton oil application. In the same model, chloroform fraction reduced neutrophil infiltration, as indicated by the significant decrease in myeloperoxidase activity, and ameliorated histopathological changes induced by croton oil application. In lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in rat air pouch, chloroform fraction significantly reduced the nitric oxide level and tumor necrosis factor-α release. In conclusion, the chloroform fraction of P. guestii extract possesses anti-inflammatory activity in several experimental models. Further investigations are needed to identify the active constituents responsible for this anti-inflammatory activity.

Penicillosides A-C, C-15 oxypregnane glycosides from Caralluma penicillata.

The chloroform fraction of the defatted ethanol extract from the aerial parts of Caralluma penicillata yielded three C-15 oxypregnane glycosides, penicillosides A-C. Their structures were established by a combination of spectroscopic methods.

Pregnane glycosides from Caralluma russeliana.

The aerial parts of Caralluma russeliana yielded four new pregnane glycosides, russeliosides A-D (1-4), in addition to a known flavone glycoside, luteolin 4'-O-beta-D-neohesperidoside. The structures of compounds 1-4 were elucidated using a combination of spectroscopic methods.

cis-parthenolid-9-one from Anvillea garcinii.

The cis-isomer (2) of the previously isolated parthenolid-9-one (1) was isolated from Anvillea garcinii and the structures and relative stereochemistries of both were determined from NMR data in combination with single-crystal X-ray analysis. In vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo antitumor activity for both compounds are reported.

Phenolic compounds from Eucalyptus maculata.

From the chloroformic extract of the resinous exudate of the stems of Eucalyptus maculata, four phenolic constituents have been isolated. A new di-cinnamic acid glucose ester was isolated, in addition to cinnamic acid, 7-methyl aromadendrin and sakuranetin. The isolated compounds were elucidated using UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR and MS.

Hirsutinolides from Vernonia cinerascens.

The aerial parts of Vernonia cinerascens, collected in Saudi Arabia, yielded a new hirsutinolide, together with three known lactones. The structure of the new compound was elucidated using, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 1H-1H COSY, 1H-13C HETCOR and HMBC.

Iridoids from Teucrium yemense.

The aerial parts of Teucrium yemense yielded two iridoid glycosides. Their structures were elucidated by spectral means as teucardosid and 8-O-acetylharpagid.

Antitumor germacranolides from Anvillea garcinii.

The aerial parts of Anvillea garcinii yielded two new germacranolides, 9 alpha-hydroxy-1 beta, 10 alpha-epoxyparthenolide (4) and parthenolid-9-one (5), in addition to the known 9 alpha-hydroxyparthenolide (1), 9 beta-hydroxyparthenolide (2), and 9 beta-hydroxy-1 beta, 10 alpha-epoxyparthenolide (3). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated from their spectral data (IR, MS, 1H- and 13C-NMR, 1H-1H COSY, and 1H-13C HETCOR) and by chemical derivatization. The hitherto unreported 13C-NMR data and carbon atom assignments of the previously isolated lactones 1, 2, and 3 were given. The in-vitro antitumor and anti-HIV activities were evaluated for the isolated compounds.

Rhombifoline and 5,6-dehydrolupanine from Anagyrus foetida L.

Rhombifoline and 5,6-dehydrolupanine were isolated for the first time from the leaves and stems of A. foetida L. indigenous to Saudi Arabia. In addition, five other alkaloids, previously identified in A. foetidia L., namely N-methylcytisine, sparteine, anagyrine, lupanine and cytisine, were isolated. The isolated alkaloids were characterized by UV, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and Mass spectral data. 13C-NMR data of rhombifoline and 5,6-dehydrolupanine are reported for the first time.