Paris polyphylla: chemical and biological prospectives.

Paris polyphylla J.E. Smith is extensively used in traditional systems of Indian and Chinese medicines mainly for its anticancerous property. The national and international demand for P. polyphylla is constantly increasing and most of the supplies come from wild. Illegal and unscientific exploitation coupled with habitat destruction decreases the natural population of the herb, as a consequence this species comes under vulnerable category. Restoration and conservation of the natural population of this potential herb is prerequisites. This article aims to provide an overview on chemical and biological prospective of P. polyphylla. Secondary metabolites such as daucosterol, polyphyllin D, ß -ecdysterone, Paris saponins I, II, V, VI, VII, H, dioscin, oligosaccharides, heptasaccharide, octasaccharide, trigofoenoside A, protogracillin, Paris yunnanosides G-J, padelaoside B, pinnatasterone, formosanin C and 20-hydroxyecdyson saponins have been isolated from P. polyphylla. Several biological activities such as anticancerous, antitumor, cytotoxic, anthelmintic, antimicrobial, antiangiogenic, immunostimulating, contractile and hemostatic have also been reported. Consequently, this review will be helpful to the researcher and scientist for further research.

Solvatochromic and single crystal studies of 3-(4-bromophenyl)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carbaldehyde.

The structure of 3-(4-bromophenyl)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carbaldehyde was determined by using X-ray diffraction analysis. Photophysical studies of the title compound were investigated in the solvents with different polarities. The emission spectrum of the compound was recorded in polar solvent DMSO (356 nm). In different solvents the extinction coefficients and quantum yield of the compound vary from 1.88×10(4) to 3.53×10(4) and 0.01 to 0.25, respectively. The ratio of the dipole moment of excited state to the dipole moment of ground state was calculated by using solvatochromic shift methods.

Determination of trace elements in Rheum moorcroftianum by AAS.

Micro and macro elements such as Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Na, K, Ca and Li were detected from Rheum moorcroftianum Royle, a plant used in folk medicines. Altitudinal and seasonal variation of these trace elements in cultivated and wild roots and leaves of R. moorcroftianum were quantified by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The highest concentrations of Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Na, K, Ca and Li were found to be 376.0 ± 0.9, 83.0 ± 4.6, 322.0 ± 6.0, 920.0 ± 1.9, 72.0 ± 1.5, 402.0 ± 7.8, 10,235.0 ± 7.0, 12,336.0 ± 2.6 and 59.9 ± 0.3 mg kg(-1), respectively, in all the samples analysed.

High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of plant saponins: An update 2005-2010.

Saponins are widely distributed in plant kingdom. In view of their wide range of biological activities and occurrence as complex mixtures, saponins have been purified and separated by high-performance liquid chromatography using reverse-phase columns at lower wavelength. Mostly, saponins are not detected by ultraviolet detector due to lack of chromophores. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, diode array detector , evaporative light scattering detection, and charged aerosols have been used for overcoming the detection problem of saponins.

RP-HPLC analysis and antidiabetic activity of Swertia paniculata.

1,2,6,8-Tetrahydroxyxanthone (SR1) and 2,8-dihydroxy-1,6-dimethoxyxanthone (SR2) have been qualitatively and quantitatively determined in leaves and rhizomes of Swertia paniculata. The methanol extracts were analyzed on a C18 column using MeOH and H20 as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Identification was achieved using an UV variable lambda detector set at 260 nm. Variation in the bioactive compounds with respect to season and altitude was determined, along with the examination of the antidiabetic activity of the plant. The maximum concentration of SR1 and SR2 was found in leaves collected from Tungnath (3600 m), Uttarakhand, India, in October. The blood sugar level in alloxan induced rats was decreased by 51.0% by the methanol extract of the leaves. Overall, results showed that the concentration of bioactive compounds increased with altitude. October was the period of prime potency and should be the time of harvest for S. paniculata.

Study on the variations of mineral elements in Swertia speciosa (G. Don).

Variations of micro- and macrominerals concentration in Swertia speciosa were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The mineral elements showed significant changes in roots and leaves collected from different altitudes. Among all the elements, highest concentration (more than 2,000 mg/kg) of Ca and K were recorded in S. speciosa and the concentration of other elements analyzed in the study decreased in the order Fe>Na>Zn>Co>Li>Cu>Mn.

Quantification of mineral elements of Rheum emodi Wallr. (Polygonaceae).

Present investigation was carried out to estimate mineral elements in Rheum emodi Wallr. by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The samples of R. emodi Wallr., both wild and cultivate populations, were collected from different localities at different altitudes of Uttarakhand, India. The concentration of micro- and macroelements was different in roots and leaves. The concentration of mineral elements was found in both the leaves and roots in the order of K > Ca > Fe > Mn > Na > Zn > Co > Li > Cu.

Variation of trace elements contents in Asparagus racemosus (Willd).

The present study was carried out to determine the accumulation and variation of trace elements in roots and leaves of Asparagus racemosus collected from four different altitudes in Uttarakhand, India, by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The metals investigated were Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Na, K, Ca, and Li. The concentration level of Fe was found to be highest at an altitude of 2,250 m, whereas the level of Cu was lowest. The maximum concentrations of Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Na, K, Ca, and Li were found to be 165.0 +/- 3.2, 34.0 +/- 0.5, 84.0 +/- 0.7, 2,040.0 +/- 0.3, 122.0 +/- 1.5, 745.0 +/- 0.3, 13,260.0 +/- 3.5, 6,153.0 +/- 1.6, and 58.0 +/- 3.8 mg/kg, respectively.

Trace elements contents in Asparagus curillus (Buch.-Ham.) ex Roxb.

Concentration level of nine elements viz. Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Na, K, Ca, and Li were determined in leaves and roots of Asparagus curillus (Buch.-Ham.) ex Roxb. collected from four different altitudes in three seasons by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The overall concentration of K was found to be highest, whereas the level of Cu was lowest. The maximum concentrations of Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Na, K, Ca, and Li were found to be 97.0 +/- 1.5, 28.0 +/- 7.0, 44.0 +/- 7.3, 1138.0 +/- 18.5, 91.0 +/- 6.2, 381.0 +/- 7.8, 9508.0 +/- 7.8, 3076.0 +/- 6.4, and 78.0 +/- 4.6 mg/kg, respectively.

Study on the trace elements in Swertia chirayita (Roxb.) H. Karsten.

An attempt has been made to analyze some trace elements and electrolytes like Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Na, K, Ca, and Li present in the Swertia chirayita roots and leaves. The concentration of Ca in all the samples was more than 1,346.0 mg/kg and the concentration of other elements was found in the order K > Ca > Fe > Na > Mn > Zn > Co > Cu > Li in different samples of S. chirayita.