Report: Platelet aggregation inhibition activity of selected legumes of Pakistan.

The current study was designed to explore the platelet aggregation activity of methanolic extracts of green gram, lentil, mash bean and soya bean. The extracts dose-dependently inhibited platelet aggregation initiated by arachidonic acid (AA) and platelet activating factor (PAF). Extract of green gram was effective only against AA mediated activity while mash bean and soya bean extracts were effective against both AA and PAF mediated activity. But lentil extract has no activity. The order of activity based on IC(50) value is, Mash bean > Soya bean > Green gram. This preliminary result suggests that legume seed extract may be taken as a candidate lead natural compound to be considered in the search for natural products with beneficial effects on aberrant platelet activation mediated cardiovascular disorders.

Analgesic activity of various extracts of Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch leaves.

The various extracts of leaves Holoptelea integrifolia (Ulmaceae) were investigated for analgesic activity in mice by tail flick method. The fresh plant leaves of H. integrifolia were collected, dried, cleaned, weighed and chopped into small pieces and percolated in ethanol. The fractionation of crude extract, followed by the addition of distilled water, ethyl acetate and n-butanol to an aqueous portion of each solvent, to obtain the dried masses of each four layers. Qualitative chemical examination indicates the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavones, phenol, steroids, tannins and triterpenoids. No acute oral toxicity was observed and extracts considered being safe at the dose of 50-2000 mg/kg body weight. At the dose of 500 mg/kg various extracts of leaves of H. integrifolia were found statistically significant (P<0.05). A maximum effect was established at 150 min, after drug administration. Diclofenace sodium used as a standard.

Atomic absorption spectroscopic analysis of some Pakistani herbal medicinal products used in respiratory tract infections.

Heavy metals are one of the major causes of widespread occurrence of respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Unani system of medicines utilizing plant extracts and herbal medicinal products (HMPs) are known to have remedial potential in different RTIs (flue, cough, bronchitis, allergy, asthma, nasal and chest congestion). Being natural in origin chances of metal contamination cannot be ignored in Phytopharmaceuticals, therefore toxic metal contents (Pb, Cd, As, and Hg) were determined in some Pakistani branded HMPs being used in various RTIs through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Research findings showed detectable levels of metals in all these formulations. Daily metals intakes via these HMPs were calculated as: 0.86-277.44 (Pb), 1.442-10.986 (Cd), 0.16-5.83 (As), and 0.00-0.09 µg/ day (Hg). Prevalence of toxic metals in HMPs especially elevated levels of Pb and Cd, pose severe health risks to the consumers. Statistical interpretation of data using ANOVA followed by LSD (p<0.05), revealed significantly different metal concentrations among HMPs. To identify the metal contaminant of HMPs and highlight their toxic manifestations is the basic aim of this research. The study is not a bias to the beneficial effects of the Phytopharmaceuticals, rather is done to improve their quality and safety parameter according to the international health standards.

Determination of toxic metals in some herbal drugs through atomic absorption spectroscopy.

This study presents a picture of occurrence of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Co, Fe, Ni, Zn) in some selected valuable herbal drugs (G. glabra, O. bracteatum, V. odorata , F. vulgare, C. cyminum, C. sativum, and Z. officinalis) purchased from three different zones (southern, eastern, and western) of Karachi city using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Heavy metal concentrations in these drugs were found in the range of: 3.26-30.46 for Pb, 1.6-4.91 for Cd, 0.65-120.21 for Cu, 83.74-433.76 for Zn, 1.61-186.75 for Cr, 0.48-76.97 for Ni, 5.54-77.97 for Co and 65.68-1652.89 µg/g for Fe. Percentage of heavy metals that were found beyond the permissible limits were: 71.4% for Pb, 28.51% for Cd, 14.2% for Cu, and 9.5 % for Cr. Significant difference was noticed for each heavy metal among herbal drugs as well as their zones of collection using two way ANOVA followed by least significant (LSD) test at p<0.05.Purpose of this research is to detect each type of heavy metal contaminant of herbal drugs by environmental pollution, as well as to highlight the health risks associated with the use of such herbal drugs that contain high levels of toxic heavy metals.

Three new isoflavanones from Erythrina costaricensis.

Three new isoflavanones, 5,7,3'-trihydroxy-4'-methoxy-6,5'-di(gamma, gamma-dimethylallyl)-isoflavanone (1), 5,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-5'-gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl-2'',2''-dimethylpyrano[5,6 : 6,7]isoflavanone (2) and 5,3'-dihydroxy-2'',2''-dimethylpyrano[5,6 : 6,7]-2''',2'''-dimethylpyrano[5,6 : 5,4]isoflavanone (3), along with two known isoflavonoids, cristacarpin and euchrenone b(10), were isolated from the stems of Erythrina costaricensis. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Compound 3 is a rare isoflavanone possessing two 2,2-dimethylpyran moieties. Among the new isoflavanones, compound 1 showed potent antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.