Phytochemical analysis,antimicrobial, antioxidant and urease inhibitory potential of Cyphostemma digitatum Lam.

In this paper we report the antimicrobial, antiradical and urease inhibitory potential along with photochemical investigation of the crude extracts of Cyphostemma digitatum Lam. Phytochemical screening of both the crude (hot/cold) alcoholic and aqueous extracts of C. digitatum showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, coumarins, steroids, terpenoids and tannins. The crude methanolic extract (hot/cold) exhibited good antioxidant activity, while the aqueous extract was a weak antioxidant. The crude methanolic extract was found to be more active against Bacillus subtilis, while both the extracts showed moderate antifungal potential, the methanolic crude extract showed good urease inhibitory activity compared with the aqueous crude extract.     

基于SRXRF和XANES研究Pb对玉米种子萌芽的影响及其分布和形态特征

以受不同浓度Pb胁迫下的玉米种子萌芽试验为基础,结合SRXRF研究Pb对玉米种子萌芽的影响和Pb在玉米种子的微区分布特征,利用X射线吸收近边结构技术(XANES)对萌芽玉米种子不同部位中Pb的化学形态进行分析,藉以了解种子对Pb的吸收和转化规律。结果表明,玉米种子的发芽率、根芽伸长量随培养溶液中Pb(NO3)2浓度增加而降低。种子发芽率、平均芽长、平均根长与暴露Pb浓度间的方差分析P-value分别为2.0×10!3,1.4×10!4和2.39×10!8,均小于0.01,为极显著差异,说明Pb胁迫对种子萌芽和根芽生长造成了极显著影响,且对根长抑制作用更大。SRXRF分析结果表明,种皮和胚结构是玉米种子富集Pb的主要部位,Pb富集在胚结构中将抑制种子萌芽。各种子样品的Pb-LⅢ(13035 eV)边XANES谱图相同,为同一种Pb形态,拟合结果显示其含74.3%的氯化磷酸铅和24.2%硬脂酸铅,说明Pb主要以氯化磷酸铅的形式沉积于玉米体内,并有少部分以与羧基结合的有机铅形式存在。     

Valorization of Zea mays hairs waste extracts for antioxidant and anticorrosive activity of mild steel in 1 M HCl environment

The extraction of Zea mays hairs (Z. mays) was carried out by soxhlet and ultrasound techniques and through three solvents. Phytochemical tests and quantitative analysis of total phenols content (TPC) and flavonoids content (FC) for all extracts were also determined. The antioxidant activity, for different fractions, was determined by using three methods; DPPH, FRAP and TAC. All extracts were rich in polyphenols and the analysis of TPC and FC showed that the hydro-ethanolic extract obtained by ultrasound was characterized by a significant amount of TPC and FC. The n-butanolic fraction was rich in FC and also had a very high antioxidant capacity. On the other hand, the inhibiting effect of hydro-ethanolic extract, n-butanolic fraction and standard (flavone) on mild steel corrosion in 1 M HCl solution was investigated by electrochemical measurements. The polarization curves along with EIS diagrams indicated that flavone was the major molecule responsible for inhibition and acted as mixed-type inhibitor with predominant control of cathodic reaction. The antioxidant activity of BF was well correlated to corrosion inhibition efficiency.     

Phytochemical screening and in-vitro evaluation of pharmacological activities of peels of Musa sapientum and Carica papaya fruit

Aqueous, absolute and 80% ethanolic extract of fruit peels of Musa sapientum and Carica papaya were investigated for their antibacterial activity, measured by disc diffusion method and antioxidant activity, measured by four different methods. Papaya and banana peels were found to contain terpenoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins steroid, phenols, fixed oils and fats. 80% ethanolic extract of banana peel was found to contain highest total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activity but in papaya peel, highest TPC and reducing activity was shown by water extract while, TFC and radical scavenging activity was given by 80% ethanolic extract. In banana, water extract showed highest antibacterial activity against tested bacteria while in case of papaya, absolute ethanolic extract showed highest antibacterial activity. The present study revealed that peels of banana and papaya fruits are potentially good source of antioxidant and antibacterial agents.     

Management of Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) by Withania somnifera (Solanaceae)

This study was designed to evaluate the herbicidal activity of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal against the noxious weed parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.). In a laboratory bioassay, the effect of aqueous, methanol and n-hexane shoot and root extracts of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% w/v concentrations (on a fresh weight basis) of W. somnifera were tested against the germination and seedling growth of parthenium. In general, aqueous and methanol extracts markedly suppressed the germination, root and shoot growth of parthenium. The shoot extracts were more inhibitory than the root extracts. In a foliar spray bioassay, the aqueous and methanol shoot extracts of 10% w/v (on a dry weight basis) concentration were sprayed on 1-week and 2-week-old pot-grown parthenium seedlings. Two subsequent sprays were carried out 5 and 10 days after the first spray. The aqueous and methanol extracts significantly reduced the length and biomass of parthenium shoots. In a soil amendment bioassay, the crushed shoots of W. somnifera were incorporated in the soil at 1-5% w/w. Parthenium seeds were sown one week after the residue incorporation and plants were harvested 40 days after sowing. All the soil amendment treatments significantly reduced seed germination by 43-89%. The highest dosages of 4% and 5% significantly suppressed the root and shoot biomasses of parthenium. This study concludes that foliar spray of aqueous and methanol extracts, and soil amendment with leaf residue of W. somnifera, can control the germination and growth of parthenium, one of the world's worst weeds.     

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopic,high performance liquid chromatographic and In-silico characterization of antimicrobial and antioxidant constituents of Rhus longipes (Engl)

Rhus longipes is one of those underutilized plant species with inherent values. Therefore, we conducted a phytochemical study and investigated the antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of the plant extracts. Aqueous and ethanol extract was subjected to phytochemical analysis. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy was performed to identify the volatile compounds while high performance liquid chromatography was done to identify the phenolic and flavonoids in the ethanol extract. Bioactivity and molecular docking analysis was also done for the identification of the bioactive constituents. Tannins, flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, and saponins were identified both in the ethanol and in aqueous extracts of R. longipes. The extracts and ascorbic acid exhibited radical inhibition in a concentration dependent manner. The IC₅₀ values; 3.23, 4.13, 70.75 µg/mL (ABTS), 200.82, 103.63, 390.83 µg/mL (DPPH), 10.06, 93.46, 253.26 µg/mL (O₂), and 99.77, 109.23, 446.34 µg/mL (NO) for ascorbic acid, ethanol and aqueous extract respectively showed that ethanol extract exhibited better radical inhibition than the aqueous extract. 4-hydroxybenzoic and 4-hydroxycoumarin were the most abundant phenolics in the extract. The ethanol extract of R. longipes demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity with inhibition zone of 25.5 mm against S. aureus, 27.5 mm against E. coli, and 20.5 mm against P. aeruginosa. The identified phytochemicals demonstrated inhibitory potentials against bacterial glucosamine 6-phosphate synthase, penicillin-binding protein 3, DNA gyrase and β-lactamase. It is evident that R. longipes have some antioxidant and antibacterial properties and the plant contain important phytochemicals with ability to retard food oxidation and deterioration and thus could be annexed for various industrial and medicinal purposes.     

Evaluation of antioxidants in Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) and its dietary supplements

The antioxidant activity (AA), total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC) in Dong quai (DQ, Angelica sinensis) raw materials and dietary supplements (DS) containing this plant were determined using the CUPRAC, FRAP and fluorescence methods. The antioxidant activity for DQ aqueous extracts revealed by CUPRAC was (1330.45 ± 1.30) μmol Trolox equivalent (TE) per 100 g of dry mass (DM), whereas the antioxidant activity as determined by FRAP was (1813.9 ± 2.0) μmol of TE per 100 g of DM. Lower values were noted for the fluorescence method than for CUPRAC and FRAP (ranging from (35.96 ± 0.3) to (304.6 ± 1.4) μmol of TE per 100 g of DM). The highest TPC values were determined for an aqueous extract of DQ ((3330.3 ± 2.3) μmol of TE per 100 g of DM), while TFC for ethanolic extracts of DQ was ((146.50 ± 0.5) mg of quercetin equivalent (QE) per 100 g of DM). Cinnamic acid, isomers of benzoic acid and derivatives of quercetin were analysed by HPLC-PDA. The ferulic acid concentration in an ethanolic extract of DQ was (21.83 ± 0.07) mg per 100 g of DM. Of the flavonols detected, rutin exhibited the highest concentration in ethanolic extract of DQ ((3.32 ± 0.13) mg of QE per 100 g of DM). Other phytochemicals (alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, tannins, steroids, etc.) were identified by phytoscreening colour reaction. The results were analysed by principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis and one-way ANOVA tests.     

Optimization Method for Phenolic Compounds Extraction from Medicinal Plant (Juniperus procera) and Phytochemicals Screening

Juniperus procera is a natural source of bioactive compounds with the potential of antitumor, antimicrobial, insecticidal, antifungal, and antioxidant activities. An optimization method was developed for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total tannin content (TTC) in leaf and seed extract of Juniperus procera. Organic solvents (methanol (99.8%), ethanol (99%), and acetone (99.5%)), and deionized water (DI) were used for extraction. The estimation of TPC, TFC, and TTC in plant materials was carried out using UV-spectrophotometer and HPLC with the standards gallic acid, quercetin, and tannic acid. Recovery of TPC in leaf extract ranged from 2.9 to 9.7 mg GAE/g DW, TFC from 0.9 to 5.9 mg QE/g DW, and TTC ranged from 1.5 to 4.3 mg TA/g DW while the TPC value in the seed extract ranged from 0.53 to 2.6 mg GAE/g DW, TFC from 0.5 to 1.6 mg QE/g DW, and TTC ranged from 0.5 to 1.4 mg TA/g DW. This result revealed that methanol is the best solvent for recovery of the TPC value (9.7 mg) from leaf extract in comparison to other solvents. Ethanol recorded the highest result of TFC (5.9 mg) in leaf extract among the solvents whereas acetone was the best for TTC yield recovery from leaf extract (4.3 mg). In the case of the seed extract, ethanol was the best solvent for both TPC (2.6 mg), and TFC (1.6 mg) recovery in comparison to other solvents. Total tannin content in methanol resulted in significant recovery from seed extract (1.4 mg). Separation and quantification of gallic acid, quercetin, and tannic acid in plant materials were undertaken using HPLC. Gallic acid in leaf and seed of J. procera ranged from 6.6 to 9.2, 6.5 to 7.2 µg/g DW, quercetin from 6.3 to 18.2, 0.9 to 4.2 µg/g DW, and tannic acid from 16.2 to 29.3, 6.6 to 9.3 µg/g DW, respectively. Solvents have shown a significant effect in the extraction of phenolic compounds. Moreover, phytochemicals in plant materials were identified using GC-MS and resulted in very important bioactive compounds, which include anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor agents such as ferruginol, phenanthrene, and n-hexadecanoic acid. In conclusion, the optimal solvent for extraction depends on the part of the plant material and the compounds that are to be isolated.     

Biological screening of some Turkish medicinal plant extracts for antimicrobial and toxicity activities

Screening of antibacterial activity and toxicity of 22 aqueous plant extracts from 17 Turkish plants was conducted. Antibacterial activity was performed with six bacteria including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Extracts of Tussilago farfara leaves, Helichyrsum plicatum flowers, Solanum dulcamara aerial parts and Urtica dioica leaves gave the best inhibitory activity against S. pyogenes, S. aureus and S. epidermidis. Of the 22 plant extracts, 20 extracts displayed toxicity (LC50 was <1000 mg L(-1)) in the brine shrimp bioassay. For radish seed bioassay, two different determinations (root length and seed germination) were performed with a comparison between two concentrations (50,000 mg L(-1) and 10,000 mg L(-1)). At low concentration (10,000 mg L(-1)), S. dulcamara aerial parts and Primula vulgaris leaf extracts were observed to inhibit the root length more than the other plant extracts. Also, the most inhibitive plant extract for seed germination was obtained with S. dulcamara aerial parts.     

Study of allelopathic effects of Eucalyptus erythrocorys L. crude extracts against germination and seedling growth of weeds and wheat

Allelopathic materials inside a tree can produce positive or negative change in the survival, growth, reproduction and behaviour of other organisms if they escape into the environment. To assess these effects, this work was carried out to evaluate the allelopathic impact of Eucalyptus erythrocorys L. on seed germination and seedling growth of two weeds: Sinapis arvensis L. and Phalaris canariensis L.; on one cultivated crop: Triticum durum L. Aqueous; and on ethanolic leaf extracts of E. erythrocorys L. The study was effected using four concentrations (10, 20, 25 and 30 μL/mL) while distilled water was used as a control. The results showed that the E. erythrocorys L. crude extracts had an inhibitory effect on seed germination and seedling growth of both studied weeds and wheat. The inhibition rate was increased by the increase in extract concentration. Only ethanolic extracts of E. erythrocorys L. induced a significant inhibition of seed germination of durum wheat. The effect of E. erythrocorys L. crude extracts was more severe on weeds than on durum wheat. These results indicate that the seedling growth, especially radicle elongation, was the more sensitive indicator to evaluate the effects of extracts than was the seed germination.     

Chemical Profile,Antioxidant Properties and Antimicrobial Activities of Malaysian Heterotrigona itama Bee Bread

The aim of the study was to determine the chemical profile, antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activities of Heterotrigona itama bee bread from Malaysia. The pH, presence of phytochemicals, antioxidant properties, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), as well as antimicrobial activities, were assessed. Results revealed a decrease in the pH of bee bread water extract (BBW) relative to bee bread ethanolic extract (BBE) and bee bread hot water extract (BBH). Further, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, resins, glycosides and xanthoproteins were detected in BBW, BBH and BBE. Also, significant decreases in TPC, TFC, DPPH activity and FRAP were detected in BBW relative to BBH and BBE. We detected phenolic acids such as gallic acid, caffeic acid, trans-ferulic acid, trans 3-hydroxycinnamic acid and 2-hydroxycinnamic acid, and flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin and mangiferin in BBE using high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. The strongest antimicrobial activity was observed in Klebsilla pneumonia (MIC₅₀ 1.914 µg/mL), followed by E. coli (MIC₅₀ 1.923 µg/mL), Shigella (MIC₅₀ 1.813 µg/mL) and Salmonella typhi (MIC₅₀ 1.617 µg/mL). Bee bread samples possess antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Bee bread contains phenolic acids and flavonoids, and could be beneficial in the management and treatment of metabolic diseases.     

Allelopathic activity and chemical constituents of extracts from roots of Euphorbia heterophylla L

Euphorbia heterophylla L. is regarded as a major weed worldwide. Its high aggressiveness in agricultural environment prompted us to investigate the allelopatic activity and chemical constitution of extracts from roots of this plant. Hexane extract showed low phytotoxic activity. Methanol extract at 2.0 mg mL^?1 inhibited 100% of germination, root and shoot growth of the indicator plants Sorghum bicolor and Lactuca sativa. β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and esters of lupeol, germanicol, taraxasterol, pseudotaraxasterol, α-amyrin and β-amyrin were isolated from the hexane extract and their structures elucidated on the basis of MS and ¹H, ¹³C and DEPT-135 NMR data. GC-MS analysis of the derivatized methanol extract allowed for identifying a series of allelopathic organic acids potentially involved in allelopathic interactions of E. heterophylla. This is the first study on the allelopathic activity of extracts and identification of metabolites from roots of E. heterophylla.     

Complementary and Comparative Study on Hypoglycemic and Antihyperglycemic Activity of Various Extracts of Eugenia jambolana Seed, Momordica charantia Fruits, Gymnema sylvestre, and Trigonella foenum graecum Seeds in Rats

In present study, we investigated hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic potential of five extracts (water, ethanol, methanol, hexane, and chloroform) of four plants (i.e., seeds of Eugenia jambolana, fruits of Momordica charantia, leaves of Gymnema sylvestre, and seeds of Trigonella foenum graecum) alone and/or in combination with glimepiride in rats. Ethanol extract of E. jambolana, water extract of M. charantia, ethanol extract of G. sylvestre, and water extract of T. graecum exhibited highest hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic activity (most active) in rats among all the extracts, while hexane extracts exhibited least activities. Most active extracts were further studied to dose-dependent (200, 100, and 50 mg/kg body weight (bw)) hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effects alone and in combination with glimepiride (20, 10, and 5 mg/kg bw). The combination of most active extracts (200 mg/kg bw) and lower dose of glimepiride (5 mg/kg bw) showed safer and potent hypoglycemic as well as antihyperglycemic activities without creating severe hypoglycemia in normal rats, while higher doses (200 mg/kg bw of most active extracts, and 10 and 20 mg/kg bw of glimepiride) were generated lethal hypoglycemia in normal rats. From this study, it may be concluded that the ethanol extract of E. jambolana seeds, water extract of M. charantia fruits, ethanol extract of G. sylvestre leaves, and water extract of T. graecum seeds have higher hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic potential and may use as complementary medicine to treat the diabetic population by significantly reducing dose of standard drugs.     

Influence of Phytochemical Reductive Capacity on Ultraviolet–visible Spectroscopic Behavior of Silver Nanoparticles

ABSTRACT

A widely used method for obtaining silver nanoparticles uses plant extracts for reduction because of the presence of phytochemicals such as terpenoids, tannins, and flavonoids. Extracts of Flores sambuci, Hypericum perforatum, Lavandula angustifolia, Origanum vulgare, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Salvia officinalis were used for generating silver nanoparticles. The ultraviolet–visible spectra of silver nanoparticle solutions were correlated with variations of phytochemical characteristics to evaluate the plant extracts. These parameters were the antioxidant activity, total flavonoids, total tannins, total terpenoids, and total phenolics. Correlations between measurements of extracts’ phytoreductive characteristics were explained using Pearson coefficients. The results showed medium linear positive correlations for total tannins with the spectra of silver nanoparticle solutions. The antioxidant activity and total terpenoids presented medium linear negative correlations. Pearson coefficients between total phenolics and relative areas from ultraviolet–visible spectra from 350 to 600?nm were close to zero indicating no linear correlation.     

Anticancer potential of Annona genus: A detailed review

Genus Annona is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. From root to shoot, plant parts of different species of Annona were used traditionally in many countries for treatment of different types of diseases and as a general health supplement. It is naturally enriched with a large number of bioactive molecules which attributed to the several biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer effects. These bioactive constituents isolated from the leaf, bark, fruit and stem of this plant genus have found terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, phenols and alkaloids. Studies have reported that annonaceous acetogenins and alkaloids from this genus were very effective against different types of tumour cell lines. This review highlights anticancer effects of Annona species in cancer therapy, the efficacy of its bioactive components on diverse cancer types and their mechanism of action and also summarizes the use of these phytochemicals for the purpose of developing a promising anticancer drug candidate in future.     

Phytochemical investigations and evaluation of antimutagenic activity of the alcoholic extract of Glycosmis pentaphylla and Tabernaemontana coronaria by Ames test

Chemical investigation of root bark of Glycosmis pentaphylla and stem bark of Tabernaemontana coronaria led to the isolation of three carbazole alkaloids glycozoline, glycozolidine and methyl carbazole 3-carboxylate, two furoquinoline alkaloids skimmianine and dictamine, an acridone alkaloid arborinine, three monomeric indole alkaloids coronaridine, 10-methoxy coronaridine and tabernaemontanine, and two dimeric indole alkaloids voacamine and tabernaelegantine B. Their structures were established by detailed spectral analysis. Mutagenic and antimutagenic potential of methanol extract of both plant materials were evaluated by Ames test against known positive mutagens 2-aminofluorine, 4-nitro-O-phenylenediamine and sodium azide using Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100 bacterial strains both in the presence and absence of S9. Both the extracts were non-mutagenic in nature. Both the extracts of G. pentaphylla and T. coronaria exhibited significant antimutagenic activity against NPD and sodium azide for S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains. The results indicated that the extracts could counteract the mutagenicity induced by different genotoxic compounds.     

Determination of fingerprints contents of different extracts and parts of six endemic Salvia taxa by GC–MS: Source species for valuable compounds with drug or drug potential

Public use of Salvia species and their importance in the scientific world is continually increasing. It is known that this use and the importance of Salvia species are mostly due to the terpenoid compounds that they contain. In this context, the terpenoid–steroid–flavonoid contents of extracts of six endemic Salvia (S. kurdica, S. pseudeuphratica, S. rosifolia, S. siirtica, S. cerino-pruinosa var. cerino-pruinosa and S. cerino-pruinosa var. elazigensis) species prepared with different solvents were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Within the framework of the ingredient analysis, content analysis of the ethanol extracts of the root, branch, leaf and flower parts of the species collected in the same period between 2015 and 2017 years was performed. In general, extracts prepared with chloroform and ethanol were found to contain a wide variety of compounds while petroleum ether extracts were found to contain much less varied compounds. In addition, in general, root extracts are richer in terpenoid compounds than aerial part extracts. Some species can be used as source species in terms of ferruginol, cryptanol, 6,7-dehydroroyleanone, lup-(20)29-ene-2α-hydroxy-3β-acetate, salvigenin and β-sitosterol contents (52,114.28, 75,979.08, 101,247.41, 40,071.29, 33,952.13 and 34,010.90 μg analyte/g extract, respectively).     

Phytochemical and antioxidant properties of some Cassia species

In this study, the antioxidant activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts of four plants from the genus Cassia were evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), DPPH free radical scavenging, metal chelating activity, phosphomolybdenum reducing power, hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, deoxyribose degradation and β-carotene bleaching assay. The various antioxidant activities were compared to standard antioxidant such as ascorbic acid. All the extracts showed antioxidant activity in the tested methods. Among the four species, Cassia auriculata has been found to possess highest activity in most of the tested models. In addition to the antioxidant activity, the total phenolics and flavonoids were measured in the extracts. The ethanolic extract exhibited highest phenolics and flavonoid contents and had also shown potent antioxidant activity in comparison to the aqueous extracts. The possible antioxidant mechanism of the ethanol extract can be due to its hydrogen or electron donating and direct free radical scavenging properties. Hence, the ethanol extract represents a source of potential antioxidants that could be used in pharmaceutical industries.     

New alkaloids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Casimiroa edulis</Emphasis> fruits and their pharmacological activity

The extract of Casimiroa edulis was investigated for antihypertensive activity. The ethanol and total alkaloids (in chloroform) extracts were found to have antihypertensive properties at doses of 500 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Four quinolinone alkaloids were isolated and identified as: 2-(2′-hydroxy-4′-methoxyphenyl)-5,8-dimethoxy-3-propyl-1H-quinolin-4-one (1), 5,8-dimethoxy-2-(3′-methoxyphenyl)-3-propyl-1H-quinolin-4-one (2), 5,8-dimethoxy-2-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-propyl-1H-quinolin-4-one (3), and 5,6-dimethoxy-2-(2′,5′,6′-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-quinolin-4-one (4). Interestingly, compounds 1, 2, and 3 were found to be new alkaloids. The four isolated alkaloids showed antihypertensive activity at doses of 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg, respectively. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 473–476, September–October, 2007.     

Alkaloids Analysis of Habranthus cardenasianus (Amaryllidaceae), Anti-Cholinesterase Activity and Biomass Production by Propagation Strategies

Plants in the Amaryllidaceae family synthesize a diversity of bioactive alkaloids. Some of these plant species are not abundant and have a low natural multiplication rate. The aims of this work were the alkaloids analysis of a Habranthus cardenasianus bulbs extract, the evaluation of its inhibitory activity against cholinesterases, and to test several propagation strategies for biomass production. Eleven compounds were characterized by GC-MS in the alkaloid extract, which showed a relatively high proportion of tazettine. The known alkaloids tazettine, haemanthamine, and the epimer mixture haemanthidine/6-epi-haemanthidine were isolated and identified by spectroscopic methods. Inhibitory cholinesterases activity was not detected. Three forms of propagation were performed: bulb propagation from seed, cut-induced bulb division, and micropropagated bulbs. Finally, different imbibition and post-collection times were evaluated in seed germination assays. The best propagation method was cut-induced bulb division with longitudinal cuts into quarters (T1) while the best conditions for seed germination were 0-day of post-collection and two days of imbibition. The alkaloids analyses of the H. cardenasianus bulbs showed that they are a source of anti-tumoral alkaloids, especially pretazettine (tazettine) and T1 is a sustainable strategy for its propagation and domestication to produce bioactive alkaloids.