A novel terpenoid glycoside and other bioactive constituents from the seeds of Cichoriumintybus.

Phytochemical investigation of the seeds of Cichorium intybus L (C. intybus) led to isolate n-hexacosane (CI-1), an aliphatic higher ketone, n-nonacosan-3-one (CI-2), two aliphatic acid esters characterized as n-octacosanyl decanoate (CI-3) and n-tricosanyl hexadecanoate (CI-4), two mixed glycerides identified as as glyceryl-1-(hexadec-7- enoyl)-2- tetradecanoyl-3-hexadecanoate (Cl-5) and glyceryl-1- (eicos-9-enoyl)-2,3, bis-eicosanoate (Cl-6), and three e steroidal constituents and their structures were elucidated as as stigmast-5, 22-dien-3ß -ol-21-oic acids (Cl-7), stigmasterol-3ß-d-glucopyranoside (Cl-8) and stigmast-5, 22-dien-3-ß-ol-3-ß-d-glucuronopyranoside (Cl-9). The dry seeds powder was defatted and finally extracted with ethanol by using a maceration method. The ethanol was evaporated near to dryness and silica gel was added to the extract and a slurry with the help of methanol solvent was prepared. The slurry was loaded to the column by using petroleum ether and was eluted with a mixture of chloroform and methanol. A series of test tubes were collected and each test tube with 2 mL eluents was collected. Based on the thin layer chromatography (TLC) the content of nine test tubes were considered as pure compounds. The solvent was evaporated from the test tube at room temperature. All the nine compounds from the column were characterized by using Infrared (IR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Mass spectrometry (MS). Eight compounds were previously isolated from the plant and they showed various biological activities. A new compound was isolated for the first time from the plant kingdoms. Based on the chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis the new compound was characterized as stigmasterol carboxylic acid (CI-9). The isolated new compound could be used to treat liver and cardiac diseases.

Extraction, isolation and structural characterization of two triterpenoid glycosides from the fruits of Ficusbengalensis.

Ficus bengalensis (F. bengalensis) is a popular medicinal plant species used extensively in the Ayurveda treatment as hypoglycemic, diuretic, tonic, rheumatism, astringent, and inflammation. The goal of this study is to separate and characterize - compounds from fruits of the selected F. bengalensis. The dried fruits coarse power was defatted with non-polar solvent petroleum ether and then systematically extracted with ethanol by using maceration method for 3 days. The ethanol was evaporated and the prepared extract was separated by several chromatographic methods. After separation, the ethanol extract of F. bengalensis afforded nine compounds including two new triterpenoid glycoside derivatives Compound 1: Bengalensursenyl diglycoside and Compound 2: Ficusbengursenyl diglycoside and other minor known phytochemicals. The chemical structures of these separated phytochemicals were elucidated based on spectroscopic analysis and minor chemical transformations. This paper reports isolation and structure elucidation of compounds 1 and 2. In conclusion, the isolated Compound 1 and Compound 2 could be further investigated for any pharmacological activities. This is the first report in our laboratory on isolation of Compound 1 and Compound 2 from the fruits of F. bengalensis.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of Arabic and Indian origin Salvadora persica root extract on diabetic rats with histopathology of their pancreas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Salvadora persica aqueous extracts on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by measuring fasting blood glucose levels, lipid profiles and histopathological analysis of pancreas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) to albino Wistar rats. Salvadora persica extracts were administered orally at 250 and 500 mg/kg dose levels for 21 days. Glucose tolerance test (GTT) was performed on 16 h fasted rats and changes in blood glucose levels, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and histopathology of pancreas were performed. RESULTS: At a dose level of 500 mg/kg, blood glucose 85.25 ± 13.20 mg/dl, total cholesterol (TC) 114.57 ± 15.81(mg/dl), triglycerides (TG) 75.40 ± 16.47(mg/dl), LDL 42.63 ± 13.17(mg/dl), VLDL 22.78 ± 1.88(mg/dl), and elevation of HDL 44.88 ± 11.61(mg/dl) were found in comparison with diabetic control on 28(th) day by Arabic origin Salvadora persica. It also accelerated the regeneration of ß-cells in experimental animal's pancreas to 32.6 ± 2.4 compared to diabetic control animal's pancreas of 8.1 ± 0.5 at the end of 28(th) day. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that Arabic Salvadora persica aqueous extracts at 500 mg/kg dose level, in comparison to other extracts (Indian Salvadora persica, 250 and 500 mg/kg, Arabic Salvadora persica 250 mg/kg) possessed significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities and regenerated pancreatic ß-cells in streptozotocin treated diabetic rats.

Aliphatic and eudesmalolide esters extracted from the roots of Inula racemosa Hook.

BACKGROUND: Phytochemical investigation of hydroalcoholic extract of the root of Inula racemosa Hook. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Open silica gel column chromatographic techniques with different solvent systems was used for isolation of aliphatic and eudesmalolide esters from hydroalcoholic extract of the root of Inula racemosa. The structure elucidation of the compounds was done on the basis of spectral data analysis, chemical reactions and comparision with literature data. RESULTS: Phytochemical investigation of the hydroalcoholic extract of the root of Inula racemosa Hook. f. led to the isolation of (5z, 13z)-n-decanyl-n-docos-5, 13-dienoate, a new fatty acid ester, two new sesquiterpenic ester identified as 15-[(13z, 18'z, 20'z)-n-tricos-13, 18, 20-trienyl]-eudesmal-4 (11), 6, 12 (13)-trien-8,14-olide-15-oate and 15- [(16'z), (21'z)-n- tetracos-16', 21'- dienyl]-eudesmal-4 (11) 6, 12 (13)-trien-8, 14-olide-15-oate, two new eudesmanolide ester i.e. 15-[(16z)-n-monadec-16'- enyl]-eudesmal-4 (11) 6, 12 (13)-trien-8,14-olide-15-oate and 15-[(16'z)-n-tetracos-16'- enyl]-endesmal-4 (11), 6, 12 (13)-trien-8,14-olide-15-oate along with the known compound n-Hexadecanyl n-docosanoate. CONCLUSION: Five new phytoconstituents were identified along with one known compound as aliphatic and eudesmalolide esters from the hydroalcoholic extract of the root of Inula racemosa, as mentioned above.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of Ficus carica Linn. leaves.

Ficus carica Linn. (Moraceae) is commonly known as edible fig. The leaves, roots, fruits and latex of the plant are medicinally used in different diseases. The leaves are claimed to be effective in various inflammatory conditions like painful or swollen piles, insect sting and bites. However, there has been no report on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of F. carica leaves. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of F. carica leaves. Our study validated the traditional claim with pharmacological data. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of the drug could be due to the presence of steroids and flavanoids, respectively, which are reported to be present in the drug. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity of the drug could be due to its free radical scavenging activity. Further work is also required to isolate and characterise the active constituents responsible for the anti-inflammatory activities.

High-performance thin layer chromatographic quantification of bioactive psoralen and daidzein in leaves of Ficus carica L.

This study was undertaken to quantify psoralen and daidzein by high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). The methanolic extract of 10 mg mL(-1) concentration solution was prepared for HPTLC quantification of psoralen and daidzein. HPTLC aluminium-backed plates coated with 0.2 mm layers of silica gel 60 F(254) were used as the stationary phase. The working standard solution of psoralen and daidzein was applied along with the test sample solution by means of Camag Linomat IV sample applicator. R (f) values of psoralen and daidzein were found to be 0.60 and 0.88, whilst as their percentage values in methanolic extract were found to be 3.02% and 5.64% (w/w), respectively. A simple quantitative estimation method of psoralen and daidzein by HPTLC is reported that can be used for the quality control of marketed preparations containing Ficus carica. However, further study is warranted to isolate and quantify active constituents present in the leaves of F. carica by sophisticated techniques.

Early ambulation following spinal fusion and Harrington instrumentation in idiopathic scoliosis.

Eighty-six patients with idiopathic scoliosis managed by Harrington instrumentation and spinal arthrodesis were ambulated 10 days following surgery. Preoperative reduction of the curves was obtained by Cotrel traction and modified Cotrel localizer cast. Patients were kept immobilized in plaster cast for 7 months following operation. No significant loss of correction was found in these patients ambulated early as compared to a previous group kept recumbent for 3 to 6 months and reported by the authors (DBL). The only exception to this was a patient with double structural curve patterns. A successful surgical program for most cases of idiopathic scoliosis included: (1) Preoperative reduction and balancing of curves by non-skeletal traction and/or correction body cast; (2) Meticulous spinal arthrodesis and employment of Harrington distraction internal fixation; (3) Autogenous iliac bone graft; (4) Ambulation at two weeks following surgery in a well fitting body cast and removal of this cast after 7 months. Deep infection rate was 1 per cent without the use of routine prophylatic antibiotics. One neurological complication resulted from the use of a single distraction rod bridging two curves where the rod was not prebent to allow for kyphosis. There were no pseudarthroses. The average follow-up was 28 months with a range of 18-39 months.