Vitiquinolone--a quinolone alkaloid from Hibiscus vitifolius Linn.

Phytochemical investigations of the powdered root of Hibiscus vitifolius Linn. (Malvaceae) was extracted successively with n-hexane and chloroform. Analysis of the n-hexane extract by GC-MS led to the identification of twenty-six components by comparison of their mass spectra with GC-MS library data. A novel quinolone alkaloid, vitiquinolone (5) together with eight known compounds viz. ß-Amyrin acetate (1), n-octacosanol (2), ß-Amyrin (3), stigmasterol (4), xanthyletin (6), alloxanthoxyletin (7), xanthoxyletin (8) and betulinic acid (9) were isolated from chloroform extract by column chromatography over silica gel. The structure of vitiquinolone was established on the basis of spectroscopic methods including UV, IR, 1D, 2D NMR and ESI-MS. The known compounds were identified on the basis of their physical and spectroscopic data as reported in the literature.

Essential oil constituents of Illicium griffithii and its antimicrobial activity.

The essential oil of the fruit of Illicium griffithii Hook f. et Thoms. was extracted using Clevenger's apparatus. Forty-one compounds were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). 4-Methyl-6-(2-propenyl)-1,3-benzodioxole was characterized as the major constituent, followed by linalool amongst the volatile constituents. The essential oil was found to be effective against Aspergillus niger, Penicillium spp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and possessed considerable activity against Staphylococcus aureus and was inactive against Klebsiella pnemoniae, Pseudomonas aureginosae, Proteus vulgaris and Escherichia coli.

Quality control standards for the roots of three plumbago species.

Physicochemical parameters of roots of three Plumbago species, Plumbago capensis, P. rosea and P. zeylanica belonging to Plumbaginaceae were analyzed. Microbial contamination, aflatoxins, pesticide residue and heavy metal content were also determined. Attempt has also been made to estimate the biologically active chemical plumbagin present in them and the data compared. The study ensures that the quality control parameters do help in the proper standardization of the crude drugs in drug development process for global acceptance.

Analgesic and Antiinflammatory activity of Amukkarac curanam.

Amukkarac curanam a polyherbal Siddha formulation was examined for its analgesic and antiinflammatory activity at a dose of 500 mg/kg, p.o. The experimental methods used were tail immersion and acetic acid induced writhing method for analgesic and cotton pellet induced granuloma formation for antiinflammatory activity. Pentazocine (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and aspirin (150 mg/kg, orally) clinically used analgesics were used as standard analgesics. Indomethacin (10 mg/kg, orally) was used as standard for antiinflammatory study. Amukkarac curanam showed significant analgesic and antiinflammatory activity in the above study.

Antioxidant, Heavy Metals and Elemental Analysis of Holoptelea integrifolia Planch.

The ethanol crude extract of stem bark of Holoptelea integrifolia Planch. traditionally used in Indian system of medicine was screened for its antioxidant activity using α-tocopherol as standard antioxidant. The free radical scavenging potential of the extract was evaluated by two different antioxidant methods; ferric thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid method. The ethanol extract was found to exhibit good antioxidant property. Further physicochemical constants, elemental and heavy metal analysis of stem bark have been described.

Effect of container on ayurvedic drugs - a select study.

Effect of packing material on the stability of four Ayurvedic drugs viz., Hingvatsaka Curna, Brahmi ghrta, Dasamula Kvatha Curna and Ajamodarka have been studied by distributing the drugs in different containers by observing the physical and biological changes. The study revealed that Hingvatsaka Curna keeps well for at least 6 month, Ajamodarka is stable for minimum period of six months when stored in glass bottle exposed to light. Dasamula K vatha Curna showed the presence of insects at the completion of three months. In the second month itself Brahmi ghrta becomes rancid on storing in glass and amber colored bottles.

In vitro snake venom detoxifying action of some marine algae of Gulf of Mannar, south-east coast of India.

The extract of the brown seaweed Padina boergesenii and the red seaweed Hypnea valentiae was found to detoxify (in vitro) the venom of Naja nigricollis. There was a remarkable reduction in the mortality of albino mice after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of reconstituted venom with the extract compared to those challenged with the venom only. The survival of the animals exposed to the venom incubated with the different concentrations of the extract was used as the in vitro detoxification parameter.

Antimicrobial and phytochemical studies of Swertia corymbosa.

The aqueous, methanol, chloroform and hexane extracts of Swertia corymbosa were tested (in vitro) for their antimicrobial efficiency. Maximum inhibitory activity was noticed against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi.

Phytochemical and antimicrobial studies of Begonia malabarica.

Phytochemical investigation of the various extracts of the leaves of Begonia malabarica Lam. (Begoniaceae) resulted in the isolation and identification of six known compounds, viz. friedelin, epi-friedelinol, beta-sitosterol, luteolin, quercetin and beta-sitosterol-3-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The aqueous and organic solvent extracts were also tested against ten human pathogenic bacteria and four fungal strains by the agar-well diffusion method. All the extracts were devoid of antifungal activity against the tested fungi. The hexane extract did not show any activity. The aqueous extracts showed activity against the Gram-negative bacteria except Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The chloroform and methanol extracts showed activity against all the tested bacteria. The study supported the claim of the usefulness of the plant in respiratory tract infections and also suggests its use in diarrhoea and skin diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria.

Phytochemical and antimicrobial studies on Drynaria quercifolia.

Friedelin, epifriedelinol, beta-amyrin, beta-sitosterol, beta-sitosterol 3-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and naringin were isolated from the dried rhizome of Drynaria quercifolia. The methanol extract showed broad and concentration-dependent antibacterial activity.

Antibacterial activity of luteoforol from Bridelia crenulata.

The methanol extract of Bridelia crenulata stem bark (50-1.5625 mg/ml) and its isolated luteoforol (2-0.25 mg/ml) showed concentration-dependent inhibiting activity against all 10 tested bacteria.

Antitumour activity of poochendurappattai in albino rats in albino rats.

The water extract of poochendurappattai was screened for antitumour activity at the doss of 5mg, 10mg, 20mg and 50 mg/kg body weight in rats against methylcholanthrene induced fibrosarcoma. There was 63% regression in the tumour weight at the doses of 10mg and 20 mg/kg body weight. This antitumour activity may be due to compounds like royaleanones since royaleanones are known to possess anticancer activity. Te phytochemical investigation of poochendurappattai revealed the presence of royaleanones.

Analytical studies on mattan tailam.

Mattan tailam, a siddha herbo-mineral oil was prepared and chemically analysed. The physico chemical parameters and thin layer chromatographic pattern were evolved to lay down the standards, The data presented can be used for fixing standards to mattan tailam.

Development of high performance thin layer chromatography finger print parameters on maka vallati ilekiyam - part 1.

High performance thin layer chromatographic finger print parameters had been developed for the siddha medicine 'Maka Vallati Ilekiyam' to fix standards.

Mitochondrial myopathies--a clinicopathological study.

Mitochondrial myopathies are heterogeneous group of clinical disorders that can affect multiple systems besides skeletal muscles. The mitochondrial abnormalities in the skeletal muscles are morphologically identified by the presence of characteristic Ragged-red fibers (RRF) in the cryostat sections of the muscle stained with modified Gomori's trichrome stain. In this retrospective study, clinical and histopathological features in six patients with mitochondrial myopathies have been analysed. The utility of histochemical methods in confirming the diagnosis of mitochondrial myopathy has been emphasised.

On the antibacterial activity of some siddha medicines.

Talaka mattirai, Iti vallati meluku, tamibira parpam and Naka centuram of siddha system of medicine were screened for antibacterial activity against S. aureus, S.citreus, S.faecalis B. Subtilis, P.aeruginosa, Coli, S.Boydii, V.cholerae and Klebsiella sp. Talaka matrirai ibihibited the growth of s. faecalis, V.cholerae and B. Subtilis at a concentration of 0.6 mg/ml and 1mg/ml respectively. P.aeruginosa growth was inhibited at a concentration of 0.2mg/ml V. cholerae. at a concentration of 0.6mg/ml and S.boydii at a concentration of 1mg.l by iti vallati meluku. Tambira parpam inhibited the growth of S. faecalis and S. boydii at a concentration of 0.2mg/ml, V.cholerae at a concentration of 0.6mg/ml and S citreus and B. subtilis at a condensation of 1mg/ml there was inhibition of growth of S. citreus and B. subtilis by naka centuram at a concentration of 1mg/ml. Manometric studies revealed the total inhibition of S.boydii by Tambira parpam at a concentration of 1mg/ml while at 0.6mg/ml concentration inhibition was similar to tat of chlroamphenicol (1mg/ml). The antibacterial activity of these medicines was due to ingredients involved in these preparations.

Analysis of tamirapparpam.

Chemical analysis of Tamirapparpam was carried out. The parameters evolved for laboratory made medicine can be used for fixing standards.

Chemical analysis of cuvacak kutori mattirai.

Cuvacak kutori (mattiral) is an important herbal medicine prescribed for bronchial asthma in siddha system of medicine. In order to evolve pharmacopoeial standards, the medicine was prepared in laboratory scale and chemically analysed. Analytical data along with the tlc pattern can be used for fixing standards.

Chemical composition of patikaraparpam.

Patikaraparpam, a Siddha formulation in prepared by trituration of potash alum with egg albumin followed by calcinatin. The three authentic laboratories made parpams as well as six commercial samples have been examined for their chemical composition. The analytical data that emerged from the analysis of the above samples showed that seven parpams contained only aluminium sulphate and they did respond to tests for potassium. An inspection of the crude drugs patikaram' available in the market established that potash alum and ammonia alum are indiscriminateldy taken for use, according to literature, only potash alum should be used in Indian system of medicine. Patikarapparapam is indicated in urinary inflammations and obstructions and is a reputed diuretic. Potassium salts are established diuretic. These studies show that the raw drugs sellers, the pharamaceutists or manufacturers of medicine and the physician as well should make sure that only potash alum is used in Indian medicine.

Standardisation of civanar amritam.

Civanar amirtam is a siddha herbo- mineral formulation prescribed for rheumatism, bronchial asthma, tuber culosis and leprosy. Of the nine ingredients which constitute the preparation, four are inorganic and the others are plant drugs, Attempts have been made to chemically analyse and to identify the presence of each ingredient in the medicine to lay down standards. The identification of various chemical constituents present in the plant drugs using TLC technique by comparison with authentic chemicals, along with the physico-chemical parameters and quantification of inorganic ions established the presence of each ingredient. The parameters presented can be considered viable for prescribing dependable standards to this preparation.