Research Journal of Phytochemistry 2007

Research Journal of Phytochemistry 2007

Phytochemical Investigation and Biological Evaluation of Schinus terebinthifolius

Alcoholic extract of the aerial parts of Schinus terebinthifolius exhibit significant antioxidant, antifungal, antialzheimer`s and antileishmanicidal activities. Investigation of the chemical constituents of this plant let to isolate one new naturally occurring compound, synthetically known named (4-aminophenyl) acetic acid, along with the known 2-phenylacetamide, 1-pentadecanol, 3-(4-aminophenyl) prop-2-enoic acid, (E), ethyl 3, 4, 5-trihydroxybenzoate, cinnamic acid and benzamide. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopy techniques, including 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and comparison with the published data. The structure of (4-aminophenyl) acetic acid has also been confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. The total alcoholic extract of Schinus terebinthifolius was evaluated for several bioassay activities and the isolated compounds were evaluated for their antifungal and antioxidant activities.

Physiological Response of Amaranthus cruentus and Oryza sativa to Phytotoxins of Tithonia diversifolia

The understanding of the inhibitory effect that Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl) A. Gray can cause to nutrient accumulation of associated crops in the field is required to substantiate the need for effective control of the weed. The susceptibility of Amaranthus cruentus and Oryza sativa Linn. to phytotoxic effects of Tithonia diversifolia, the phytotoxicity of the plant parts of T. diversifolia and also the effect of drying on the phytotoxic activity of the weed were determined. The effects of the aqueous extracts prepared from the shoots and roots of T. diversifolia on Amaranthus cruentus and Oryza sativa were obtained by subjecting the seedlings to the different aqueous extract treatments. Results showed that chlorophyll accumulation and total protein contents of test plants were retarded by all the four different aqueous extracts applied. The retardation was more pronounced in older plants. The degree of retardatory effects of the aqueous extracts were found to follow this order: Fresh shoot aqueous extract (FSE) > dry shoot aqueous extract (DSE)>fresh root aqueous extract (FRE)>dry root aqueous extract (DRE). There was a significantly higher phytotoxic potency at p<>

Phytochemical Investigation and -Cellulose Content Determination of Gazania splendens Moore

Chemical constituents investigation of Gazania splendens Moore (Compositae family) let to isolate two flavonoids via luteolin and luteolin 7-O-glucoside, 11 n-alkanes (C14-C30), ß-amyrin, cholesterol, ß-sitosterol, stigmasterol and eight fatty acids. The structures of these compounds were established by Mass Spectrometry (MS), Gas-Liquid Chromatography (GLC) and spectroscopic techniques, including Ultra-violet (UV), Infra-Red (IR). The percentage of cellulose content in the leaves and flowers of the plant were 70.50 and 73.11%, respectively, hence the percentage in whole plant was 71.81%.

Phytochemical Screnning and Mineral Contents of Leaves of Some Nigerian Woody Plants

In this study, leaves of woody plants (2-4 species) obtained in Nigeria between November and December 2001 was evaluated for their phytochemical and mineral contents using standard methods. To determine minerals, 0.5 g of each samples were dry ashed, dissolved in distilled water with few drops of conc. HCL and read on an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Phytate and phytate P were analyzed by first extracting the samples followed by titrating with FeCl3, the values obtained were multiplied with standard factors (1.95 and 3.56, respectively) and qualitative methods were used for other tests. The study revealed presence of alkaloids, tannins, resins, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, carbohydrate, sterols and flobatanin in most of the samples. The levels of phytate (mean = 692, SD = 212, CV% = 30.7) and phytate phosphorous (mean = 188, SD = 51, CV% = 27.4) were generally high and all leaves had more than 30% of their total phosphorus linked to phytate. These results compared with literature values. The concentrations of the mineral were found to be high. The result showed that with high phytate contents the bioavailability of minerals might be relatively low.

Dihydronaphtalenone and Chromone from Cassia petersiana Bolle and the Antisalmonellal Activity of its Crude Extract

Phytochemical investigation of the leaves of C. petersiana afforded two new compounds (4 α-Acetyl-3,7-dihydroxy-3,6-dimethyldihydronaphtalenone and 5-Hydroxy -7- acetonyl -2-methylenechromone), in addition to common terpenes as sitosterol, stigmasterol glucoside. The crude extract and the new compounds were tested for antisalmonellal activity. The structures of the compounds were determined from comprehensive NMR studies, including 1H, 13C, DEPT, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, MS, IR and comparison with literature data.

HPTLC Method for the Quantification of Plumbagin in Three Plumbago Species

Plumbagin is a naturally occurring naphthoquinone, found in abundance in the genus Plumbago. A simple, sensitive, selective, precise and robust HPTLC quantitative method of analysis of plumbagin has been developed and validated. The quantity of plumbagin in the crude extracts, obtained from the three common species of Plumbago namely, Plumbago zeylanica, Plumbago rosea and Plumbago capensis has been determined. Total Plumbagin content of P. rosea, P. capensis and P. zeylanica was found to be 0.569, 0.429 and 0.247 mg%, respectively. Densitometric analysis of Plumbagin was carried out in the absorbance mode at 265 nm. This method gave compact spots at Rf = 0.78 corresponding to plumbagin. The linear regression analysis data for the calibration plots for Plumbagin had shown good linear relationship with R2 = 0.998±0.0035 in the concentration range of 20-80 ng/spot. The method was validated for robustness and precision. The limit of detection is noticed to be of 2 ng and is statistically tested for repeatability by inter day and intra day precision tests as per ICH guidelines and its updated international convention. Since this method resolves and quantifies Plumbagin effectively, it can be used to quantify the concentration of Plumbagin in the herbal preparations.