Pharmacognosy

Ficus sycomorus L. (gimmeiz) belongs to family Moraceae. The leaves and fruits have been used in the treatment of tuberculosis, inflammations, dysentery, diarrhea, cough and chest diseases. No detailed information could be traced concerning the macro-and micromorphology of the leaves, inflorescences and fruits of the plant, so this study is performed with the aim of finding their characters by which they could be identified and differentiated, in both the entire and powdered forms.

Two methyl esters of fatty acids, namely octadecanoic acid methyl ester (methyl stearate) (1) and hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (methyl palmitate) (2), in addition to four cinnamyl alcohol derivatives, sinapyl alcohol (3), coniferyl alcohol (4), pcoumaryl alcohol (5) and coniferyl alcohol 4-O-glucoside (coniferin) (6), were isolated from callus cultures of Wedelia prostrata. The structure of coniferin was established by spectroscopic and chemical methods, while the other compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and thin layer chromatography in comparison with standards

Further phytochemical study on the aerial parts of Cyperus rotundus L. led to the isolation of a fructose-amino acid conjugate, N-(1-deoxy-α-D-fructos-1-yl)-L-tryptophan (16) and its tautomers, in addition to n-butyl-β-D-fructopyranoside (1), ethyl-α-Dglucopyranoside (2), adenosine (3), (−)-(E)-caffeoylmalic acid (4), vitexin (5), isovitexin (6), orientin (7), epiorientin (8), myricetin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (9), luteolin 7-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside-6″-methyl ester (10), chlorogenic acid (11), luteolin 4′-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside (12), luteolin 7-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside (13), uridine (14) and ellagic acid (15). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. Additionally, antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory activities of some of the isolated phenolic compounds were carried out.

Two new iso~avonoid biosides\ tectorigenin 3?!glucosyl"0:5#glucoside and iristectorigenin B 6!glucosyl"0:5#glucoside\ a new iso~avonoid monoside\ 3?!methyltectorigenin 6!glucoside and a new~avone glucoside\ 5\3?!dimethoxy!4!hydroxy~avone 6!glucoside\ together with tectoridin and tectorigenin 3?!glucoside were isolated from rhizomes of Iris carthaliniae[ The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by NMR spectral analysis[ Þ 0888 Elsevier Science Ltd[ All rights reserved[ Keywords] Iris carthaliniae^Iridaceae^Iso~avonoid and~avone glycosides^Tectorigenin 3?! and iristectorigenin B 6!glucosyl"0:5#glucoside^5\3?! dimethoxy!4!hydroxy~avone 6!glucoside

Two isoflavone glycosides, biochanin A 7-O-[b-d-apiofuranosyl-(1!5)-b-d-apiofuranosyl-(1!6)-b-d-glucopyranoside] and tectorigenin 7-O-[b-d-apiofuranosyl-(1!6)-b-d-glucopyranoside], were isolated from Dalbergia sissoo. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence.

Bioassay guided fractionation of the roots of Lantana montevidensis (Verbenaceae) has resulted in the isolation and identification of three new triterpenoids; 13β-hydroxy-3-oxo-olean-11-en-28-oic acid (1), 12β,13β-dihydroxyolean-3-oxo-28-oic acid (2) and12β,13β,22βtrihydroxyolean-3-oxo-28-oic acid (3) in addition to nine known compounds: oleanonic acid (4), oleanolic acid (5), 3β,25β-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid (6), lantadene A (7), 19α-hydroxy-3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid (8) pomolic acid (9), camaric acid (10) together with β-sitosterol (11) and β-sitosterol-3-O-β-ᴅ-glucoside (12). The structures of the isolated metabolites were elucidated based on comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data as well as HR-ESI-MS. The extracts and the isolated metabolites were evaluated for their antiprotozoal and antimicrobial activities. Compound 2 showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus with IC 50 values against both organisms of 2.1 μM and compound 10 showed activity against same organisms with IC 50 values 8.74 and 8.09 μM, respectively, compared to the positive control Ciprofloxacin (IC 50 =0.3Μm against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA). Compounds 1, 4, 5, 6, and 10 showed moderate antileishmanial activity with IC 50 values ranging between (5.74-14.95 μM) and IC 90 values ranging between (11.90-19.47 μM), using Pentamidine as a control (IC 50 values 2.09->16.8 μM) and IC 90 values ranging between (4.72->16.8 μM). These compounds also showed highly potent antitrypanosomal activity with IC 50 values ranging between (0.39-7.12 μM) and IC 90 values ranging between (1.91-8.13 μM), which are more efficient than the DFMO, the antitrypanosomal drug employed as positive control (IC 50 and IC 90 values 11.82 and 30.82 μM).

A new iridoid glycoside; 6-O-β-D-xylopyranoside-shanzhiside methyl ester (1) along with six known compounds; shanzhiside methyl ester (2), lamalbid (3), geniposidic acid (4), theveside (5), verbascoside (6) and arenarioside (7) were isolated from the roots of Lantana montevidensis. The structures of the compounds were determined through 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data analysis, HRESIMS, electronic circular dichorism and UPLC-UV/MS method. The total extract, chloroformic (F1) and aqueous (F2) fractions together with the isolated compounds were tested for their antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, antiplasmodial, anti-inflammatory, monoamine oxidase inhibition and cell viability activities in addition to free radical scavenging activity using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The phenylpropanoid compounds (6 and 7) resulted in a potent antioxidant activity. Total methanolic extract together with the aqueous fraction (F2) showed decrease in reactive oxidative stress with 57 and 66%, respectively, while the chloroformic fraction (F1), together with the total methanolic extract, showed a decrease in iNOS with IC50 values 5 and 30 μg/mL, respectively. Compounds 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 showed inhibition in the reactive oxidative stress with values 50, 60, 57, 63, and 52%, respectively. Both F1 and F2 fractions demonstrated measurable inhibition of MCF-7 breast cancer cell growth, with IC50 value 0.3 mg/mL. Compounds 2 and 7 showed mild monoamine oxidase inhibition. None of the tested compounds showed antimicrobial, antiplasmodial or antiprotozoal activity.

Two quinic acid esters, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (1) and 5-Ocoumaroylquinic acid (2); three myricetin glycosides, myricetin 3-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl(1′′′6′′)-D-galactopyranoside (3), myricetin 3-O--D-glucuronide (4), and myricetin 3-O--Dgalactopyranoside (5); 1,6-digalloyl--D-glucose (6); and (+)catechin (7) were isolated and identified for the first time from the leaves of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi. Furthermore, investigation of tannic acid content was carried out by HPLC.

Phytochemical investigation of the ethanolic extract of Glandularia x hybrida roots resulted in the isolation and identification of five previously undescribed saponins, 3-O-β-ᴅ-xylopyranosyl-hederagenin-28-O-β-ᴅ-glucopyranosyl (1→2)-O-β-ᴅ-glucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-β-ᴅ-xylopyranosyl-hederagenin-28-O-β-ᴅ-glucopyranosyl (1→2)-[β-ᴅ-glucopyranosyl (1→6)]-β-ᴅ-glucopyranosyl ester, hederagenin-28-O-β-ᴅ-glucopyranosyl (1→2)-[β-ᴅ-glucopyranosyl (1→6)]-β-ᴅ-glucopyranosyl ester, 23-O-acetyl-3-O-β-ᴅ-xylopyranosyl-pomolic acid-28-O-β-ᴅ-glucopyranosyl ester, and 23-O-acetyl-pomolic acid-3-O-β-ᴅ-xylopyranoside, along with eleven structurally diverse compounds. The structural characterizations of the isolated compounds were determined using physical data, comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR spectral analysis, and HRESIMS. All isolated saponins are hederagenin or pomolic acid glycosides conjugated with differentiable sugar units bound to C-3 and/or C-28 of the aglycone through ether and/or ester glycosidic linkages, respectively. Structural diversity of these isolated secondary metabolites would have a great impact on the future chemosystematic studies of this plant. Four saponins, obtained in good yield were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities in a rat model using the carrageenan-induced paw edema protocol. Two of these exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activities demonstrated through inhibition of the paw edema by 64 and 60%.

A phytochemical study of the fruits and leaves of Ficus sycomorus L. led to the isolation of a new dihydrocoumarin, 4-carboxylic-4-hydroxy-3,4-dihydrocoumarin (1), together with ten known compounds. Moreover, the different extracts of F. sycomorus were screened for cytotoxic activity using the brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The results revealed that all extracts were virtually nontoxic on the shrimps and showed LC 50 values greater than 100 μg/mL.

The hypotensive effect of the different extracts of Ficus sycomorus L. (FS) on blood pressure was evaluated in normotensive male rabbits for the first time. Anaesthetized rabbits were intraperitoneally injected with the tested extract in a dose of 400 mg/kg. The unripe fruit extract (FSFE) produced the greatest fall in the mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) from 181±5.22 to 65±11.56 mmHg. The wood extract (FSWE) caused significant and sustained hypotension and reduced MABP from 198±4.53 to 79±2.41 mmHg. The stem bark extract (FSBE) demonstrated slight fall in the MABP, it reduced MABP from 186±1.43 to 122±2.65 mmHg. The leaf extract (FSLE) showed fluctuation in the MABP. Hence, it can be concluded that F. sycomorus L. exerts a hypotensive effect suggesting its potential to be utilized as a therapeutic alternative for hypertension. Also, phytochemical screening of ethanolic extracts of the different parts of F. sycomorus L. revealed the presence of carbohydrates and/or glycosides, u...

The hepatoprotective activity of the different extracts of Ficus sycomorus L. (FS) against N nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) and CCl4-induced hepatocarcinogenesis (HCC) in rats has been investigated for the first time. Histological observations of liver tissues demonstrated that, both wood (FSWE) and leaf extracts (FSLE) possess significant hepatoprotective activity and stem bark extract (FSBE) shows moderate activity while fruit extract (FSFE) is not significantly effective.

Background: Lantana montevidensis (L. montevidensis) is native to Brazil, the tea and infusions of the dried leaves have been used in folk medicine. Previous study of L. montevidensis leaves has resulted in the isolation of ten anti-proliferative fl avones. Also, the essential oil of the Brazilian L. montevidensis leaves was investigated for its chemical composition and antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, the ethanolic extracts of the leaves and roots demonstrated anti-bacterial activity. Materials and Methods: The essential oils extracted by hydrodistillation from the Egyptian L. montevidensis leaves and fl owers were investigated for their chemical composition. Also, a qualitative phytochemical analysis of 70% aqueous methanolic extract of L. montevidensis leaves was performed for the detection of alkaloids, tannins, triterpenoids, steroids, fl avonoids, anthraquinones, saponins, iridoids, carbohydrates and/or glycosides. Furthermore, the extracts from the leaves were assessed for their anti-infl ammatory, anti-pyretic, analgesic, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Results: The composition of the essential oils included large amount of sesquiterpenes, mainly caryophyllene (33.74%), ß-selinene (43.95%), germacrene-D (3.79%) and nerolidol (6.32%) in the oil of the leaves, while caryophyllene (42.38%), γ-terpinene (22.64%), D-germacrene (9.10 %) and nerolidol (7.09%) are major in the oil of the fl owers. Phytochemical screening of 70% aqueous methanolic extract of L. montevidensis leaves revealed the presence of carbohydrates and/or glycosides, unsaturated sterols, triterpenoids and fl avonoids in addition to traces of saponins and iridoids. Furthermore, the extracts from the leaves exhibited anti-infl ammatory, anti-pyretic, analgesic, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Conclusion: The obtained results may provide a support to explore the plant for isolation of the active constituents accountable for these activities.