Sulfated Triterpenes from Lemon Balm

The hydroalcoholic (EtOH/H₂O) extract of matured leaf margins of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) afforded a new 3,23‐disulfate of 2α,3β‐23,29‐tetrahydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid 28‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ) and a new 23‐monosulfate of 2α,23‐dihydroxyurs‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ), along with six known compounds, i.e., 23‐monosulfate of 2α,3β,19α,23‐tetrahydroxyurs‐12‐ene‐28‐oic acid 28‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ), 3,5,6‐trihydroxydehydro‐α‐ionol 9‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 4 ), quadranoside III ( 5 ), rosmarinic acid ( 6 ), caffeic acid ( 7 ), and luteolin ( 8 ). All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, antimalarial, and cytotoxic activities. Only rosmarinic acid exhibited substantial antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, whereas sulfated terpenes showed considerably lower or no antimicrobial activity.     

Preparation and Characterization of Sulfonated Polyacrylamide from Polyacrylonitrile for Proton Conductive Membranes

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was sulfonated and the membranes prepared were then characterized by the FTIR‐ATR, Elemental Analyzer EA, TGA, DSC, SEM, Tensile, Water uptake and Impedance tests. FTIR‐ATR spectra show the substitution of the sulfonic group (SO₃) to the main stem of the chain and also the hydrolysis of the cyanide group to amide group confirm the conversion of polyacrylonitrile to sulfonated polyacrylamide. Increase in water uptake property as compared to pure PAN also confirms the sulfonation process has occurred. Thermal properties also confirm the enhancement of the materials after sulfonation reaction.     

Rocket (Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav.) vs. Copper: The Dose Makes the Poison?

The effects of copper addition, from various adsorbents, on the accumulation ability and glucosinolate content of cultivated rocket were studied. Different adsorbents (zeolite NaX, egg shells, substrate, fly ash) were treated with copper(II) solution with an adsorption efficiency of 98.36, 96.67, 51.82 and 39.13%, respectively. The lowest copper content and the highest total glucosinolate content (44.37 μg/g DW and 4269.31 µg/g DW, respectively) were detected in the rocket grown in the substrate with the addition of a substrate spiked with copper(II) ions. Rocket grown in the fly ash-substrate mixture showed an increase in copper content (84.98 μg/g DW) and the lowest total glucosinolate content (2545.71 µg/g DW). On the other hand, when using the egg shells-substrate mixture, the rocket copper content increased (113.34 μg/g DW) along with the total GSLs content (3780.03 µg/g DW), indicating the influence of an adsorbent type in addition to the copper uptake. The highest copper content of 498.56 μg/g DW was detected in the rocket watered with copper(II) solution with a notable decrease in the glucosinolate content, i.e., 2699.29 µg/g DW. According to these results rocket can be considered as a copper accumulator plant.     

Differential response of terpenes and anthraquinones derivatives in Rumex dentatus and Lavandula officinalis to harsh winters across north-western Himalaya

Herbs adapted to diverse climates exhibit distinct variability to fluctuating temperatures and demonstrate various metabolic and physiological adaptations to harsh environments. In this research, Rumex dentatus L. and Lavandula officinalis L. were collected before snowfall in September–November to evaluate variability in major phytoconstituents to diverse seasonal regime. LC-MS was used for simultaneous determination of eight anthraquinone derivatives in R. dentatus, i.e. emodin, physcion, chrysophanol, physcion glucoside, endocrocin, emodin glucoside, chrysophanol glucoside and chromone derivatives and monoterpenes in L. officinalis i.e. (Z)-β-ocimene, (E)-β-ocimene, terpene alcohol, terpin-4-ol, acetate ester-linalyl acetate and bicyclic sesquiterpene (E)-caryophyllene. The correlation analysis confirmed significant variation in anthraquinone glucoside and terpene content within Rumex and Lavender, respectively, and altitude was established as the determinant factor in secondary metabolism of both herbs. The study concludes the propagation of herbs in bioclimatic belts which favour accumulation of major constituents and validate their greater pharmacological activity.