DPPH antiradical scavenging, anthelmintic and phytochemical studies of Cissus poulnea rhizomes

Objective: To investigate the phytochemical constituents, antioxidant and anthelmintic activities of the crude methanol extract of Cissus populnea(C. populnea) rhizomes. Methods: Phytochemical screening was performed using standard protocols, and column chromatography of silica gel was used for the compounds isolation. DPPH antiradical scavenging assay was performed in order to evaluate the antioxidant activity. Total phenolic content was evaluated using the Folin–Ciocalteu assay. The anthelmintic activity was screened on the bovine adult male forms of parasitic nematode Onchocerca ochengi, by the in vitro evaluation of the inhibition of adult worm motility and mortality. Worms were incubated in the presence of different concentrations of the plant extract and effects on survival were monitored after 24 and 48 h. Results: The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids. Bergenin and a mixture of phytosterol, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol were isolated from this extract and were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry and by comparison with published data. The crude methanol extract of C. populnea rhizomes showed a strong DPPH antiradical activity with a good amount of total phenolic content((20.69±2.13) g gallic acid equivalent/100 g of extract) and significant anthelmintic activity comparable to the standard drug ivermectin. Bergenin was found to be inactive even after 72 h of incubation. Conclusions: This study constitutes the first report on the anthelmintic activity of this plant and supports the traditional use of C. populnea as a natural antioxidant and anthelmintic.

A critical review on Nepal Dock(Rumex nepalensis):A tropical herb with immense medicinal importance

Rumex nepalensis Spreng.(Polygonaceae) commonly known as Nepal Dock has wide-spectrum therapeutic potencies and is extensively used for centuries in traditional medicine systems. The leaves of this plant are edible and a rich source of natural antioxidants. They act as a possible food supplement and are largely used in pharmaceutical industry. Extracts and metabolites from this plant exhibits pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal, purgative, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-algal, central nervous system depressant, genotoxic, wound healing and skeletal muscle relaxant activity. Due to its remarkable biological activities, it has the potential to act as a rich source of drug against life threatening diseases. However, more studies are needed to scientifically validate the traditional uses of this plant, beside isolating and identifying their active principles and characterizing the mechanisms of action. We present herein a critical account of its botany, ecology, traditional uses, phytoconstituent profile and major pharmacological activities reported in recent years and therefore will provide a source of information on this plant for further studies.

Pineapple (<i>Ananas comosus</i>L. Merr.), Waste Streams, Characterisation and Valorisation: An Overview

Processing pineapple industry produces huge amounts of waste thus contributing to worsen the global environmental problem. Valorising pineapple waste through further processing until it is transformed into valuable products using environmentally friendly techniques is both, a challenge, and an opportunity. The aim of this review is to characterize and highlight the phytochemical constituents of pineapple peel, their biological activity, and to evaluate the current state-of-art for the utilization of pineapple waste from the processing industry for obtaining pharmaceuticals, food, and beverages, biocombustibles, biodegradable fibers, and other different usage. Pineapple residues are rich in many bioactive compounds such as ferulic acid, vitamin A and C as antioxidant, and containing alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycoside, steroids, triterpenoids and phytosterols may provide a good source of several beneficial properties, as well as bromelain that showed significant anticancer activity. Also, pineapple processing residues contain important volatile compounds used as aroma enhancing products and have high potential to produce value-added natural essences. Pineapple peels can be used as nonpharmacological therapeutical in the form of processed food and instant drinks;its potent natural antimicrobial properties may be applied for food conservation and as potential leads to discover new drugs to control some infectious microbial. Pineapple waste is a promising source of metabolites for therapeutics, functional foods, and cosmeceutical applications.

Phytochemical screening of twelve species of phytoplankton isolated from Arabian Sea coast

Objective:To analyze the phytochemicals in twelve species of marine phytoplankton.Methods:Total phenolic content of methanol extract was estimated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method.Total flavonoid content of the methanol extarct was determined by aluminium chloride method.Chlorophylls,β-carotene and astaxanthin were estimated by acetone extraction method.Vitamin C was determined by dinitrophenyl-hydrazine method.Phycobiliproteins such as allophycocyanin,phycocyanin and phycoerythrin in the aqueous extracts were determined.Results:Total phenolics varied from 5.41 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight(DW)in Phormidium corium(P.corium)to 17.37 mg gallic acid equivalents/g DW in Oscillatoria fremyii(O.fremyii).Total flavonoids ranged between 0.74 mg quercetin equivalent/g DW in P.corium and 9.87 mg quercetin equivalent/g DW in Nannochloropsis oceanica.Chlorophyll-a pigment was high in Chaetoceros calcitrans(C.calcitrans)(15.51 mg/g DW)and low in P.corium(1.08 mg/g DW).Chlorophyll-c ranged between 0.07 mg/g DW in Nannochloropsis oceanica and 4.62 mg/g DW in C.calcitrans.High contents ofβ-carotene and astaxanthin were found in C.calcitrans and low in P.corium which ranged from 0.33 to 10.03 mg/g DW and 0.18 to 3.85 mg/g DW,respectively.Vitamin C content varied from 0.50 mg/g DW in C.calcitrans to 1.51 mg/g DW in Phormidium tenue.O.fremyii showed highest total phycobiliproteins of 317.05 mg/g DW.High contents of allophycocyanin and phycocyanin were found in O.fremyii,whereas high contents of phycoerythrin were found in Oscillatoria sancta.All the three phycobiliproteins were low in Chroococcus turgidus.Conclusions:Marine phytoplankton are one of the natural sources providing novel biologically active compounds with potential for pharmaceutical applications.

Clinical and therapeutic potential of Aconitum heterophyllum

Aconitum heterophyllum is a plant that has very important medicinal value.Lots of phytochemical constituents(metabolites)are extracted from this plant,especially diterpene alkaloids which are the main compounds having pharmacological activities such as analgesic and anti-inflammatory.Study of the structures of these compounds was done by the technique of nuclear magnetic resonance.

Review of Anemone Raddeana Rhizome and Its Pharmacological Effects

The chemical compositions of Anemone raddeana Rhizome, a kind of traditional Chinese medicine, were reviewed, along with its bioactivity and pharmacological properties and method improvements of extracting and detecting triterpenoid saponins. A. raddeana Rhizome is used to treat neuralgia and rheumatism, and is rich in triterpenoid saponins, most of which are pentacyclic, with oleanane as the nucleus. So far, 37 triterpenoid saponins have been determined from the herb. Its reported bioactivity and pharmacological properties have been described as anticancerous, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, anticonvulsive, antihistaminic, and sedative. It has also been used for the induction of the humoral immune response and treatment of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis. However, the herb also has hemolytic effects and can be toxic, which limits its clinical application. Further studies are needed on the pharmaceutical functions, mechanisms, and immunological responses to contribute to the herb＇s clinical applications.