Research Journal of Phytochemistry 2008

Research Journal of Phytochemistry 2007

HPTLC Method for Estimation of Ellagic Acid and Gallic Acid in Triphala churanam Formulations

Churanams are important group of formulations used by traditional physicians to treat various types of diseases. Triphala churanam, as per Siddha literature is used for the treatment of wounds and local ulcers. In the present study, an attempt has been made to develop a HPTLC (High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography) method of quantitative estimation of marker compounds, ellagic acid and gallic acid in laboratory prepared authentic formulation and a commercial formulation of Triphala churanam. The two formulations were subjected to methanol and ethyl acetate extractions by using Soxhlet apparatus. Ellagic acid and gallic acid were quantified in the above two extracts by using HPTLC. The detection and quantification were performed at a wavelength of 280 nm. The laboratory formulation was found to contain 0.201% w/w of ellagic acid and 0.656% w/w of gallic acid in methanol extract while it shows 0.573% w/w of ellagic acid and 2.664% w/w of gallic acid in the ethyl acetate extract. The commercial formulation shows 0.058% w/w of ellagic acid and 0.573% w/w of gallic acid in methanol extract and 0.422% w/w of ellagic acid and 1.637% w/w of gallic acid in ethyl acetate extract. Linearity studies indicated that ellagic acid and gallic acid were in the linear range of 125-500 ng and 1.25-5.00 μg, respectively, while the % recovery studies revealed a recovery of 99.2% w/w of ellagic acid and 98.13% w/w of gallic acid, thus proving the accuracy and precision of the analysis. Since this method resolves and quantifies ellagic acid and gallic acid effectively, it can be used to quantify the concentration of both the active principles in the herbal formulations.

Comparative Phycochemical Investigation of Hydrocarbons Content on Some Marine Seaweeds Algae

Isolated hydrocarbons from three green algae (Enteromorpha intestinales, Ulva rigida and Ulva fasciata) and one red alga Hypnea cornuta were qualitatively and quantitatively analysed using Gas-Liquid Chromatography (GLC) technique. Eighteen hydrocarbons in the four specimens of seaweeds namely; dodecane, tetradecane, pentadecane, hexadecane, heptadecane, octadecane, nonadecane, eicosane, hencosane, docosane, tricosane, tetracosane, pentacosane, hexacosane, heptacosane, octacosane, nonacosane and triacontane were registered. Ulva fasciata was characterized by the presence of triacontane (73.38%) while it disappeared from the other selected algae specimens. Docosane was found in all selected algae with high percentages; Enteromorpha intestinales (39.99%), Hypnea cornuta (32.17%), Ulva fasciata (16.22%) and Ulva rigida (10.61%). Octacosane content showed its maximum value 83.03% in Ulva rigida. Dodecane recorded its highest concentration in Enteromorpha intestinales (31.11%). The data analysis indicates that the selected species are polluted samples and can be used as bioindicators of pollution.

Comparative Phytochemical Investigation of Beneficial Essential Fatty Acids on a Variety of Marine Seaweeds Algae

The methyl esters from the extracts of three green algae (Enteromorpha intestinales, Ulva rigida and Ulva fasciata) and one of red alga Hypnea cornuta were qualitatively and quantitatively analysed through GLC technique. A wide variety of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were detected. Fourteen fatty acids in the four specimens of seaweeds registered namely, capric, lauric, tridecanoic, myristic, myristoleic, palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, arachidic, arachidonic and eicosapentanoic. The total sum of the recorded fatty acids increase in the order: Enteromorpha intestinales < Ulva rigida <>

Piptadenol A-C and α-Glucosidase Inhibitor From Piptadenia africana

Ten compounds were isolated from the CH2Cl2/MeOH (1/1) stem bark extract of Piptadenia africana, a western Cameroonian plant species. These compounds included three new lactone derivatives piptadenol A-C. The known compounds include 5,6-dimethoxy-7-hydroxyflavone, antiquol B, sistosterol, β-amyrine, betulinic acid, cholesterol and 24(S)-stigmat-5,22-dien-3β-O-glucopyranoside. The latter was found to be highly promising α-glucosidase inhibitor. These compounds were characterized using physical and spectroscopic methods. The plant extract and 24(S)-stigmat-5,22-dien-3 β-O glucopyranoside showed antibacterial activity.

Comparative Assessment of Antifungal Activity of Extracts from Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus citriodora

A study was conducted to establish the antifungal properties of extracts from Eucalyptus citriodora and Eucalyptus globulus. Three fungal pathogens were identified and used in this study, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypsum (filamentous forms) and Candida albicans (yeast) using the well diffusion method. Serial dilution of the extracts and essential oils was done in order to determine the lowest active concentration in comparison to that of 1% Clotrimazole, 50 mg mL-1 Griseofulvin and 1% life Nystatin. The activity of 100 and 50% of E. citriodora oil was greatly higher than that of E. globulus and standard drugs. Methanol extracts were less active, compared to essential oils (p< style=""> chromatogram analysis of E. citriodora oil confirmed a total of 9 compounds. The E. citriodora oil presented the highest growth inhibition for all the microorganisms tested. The results indicate that E. citriodora and E. globulus have some antifungal properties which might be exploited as natural fungicide for the management of fungal diseases especially in this era of opportunistic diseases due to HIV/AIDS.

Occurrence, Uptake, Accumulation and Physiological Responses of Nickel in Plants and its Effects on Environment

Literature pertaining to the uptake and accumulation of Nickel (Ni) in plants and its effects on physiology and biochemistry in plants has been reviewed. The review shows that Ni has significance as a nutritive as well as a potentially toxic element in the plants and environment.