Evaluation of Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties of Alnus nitida

In the current study, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of Alnus nitida (leaves and fruits) was evaluated in the Sprague-Dawley rat. Traditionally, A. nitida was used for the treatment of inflammatory ailments. However, A. nitida leaves and fruits have not been yet reported regarding any potential medicinal effects. Leaves/fruits of A. nitida were extracted with methanol and fractionated to attain n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions. These extracts were then evaluated for in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential. For in vivo anti-inflammatory activity, carrageenan-induced paw edema assay, Freunds’ complete adjuvant-induced edema, xylene-induced ear edema and histamine-induced paw edema models were used in rats, which showed significant (p < 0.01) reduction (70–80%) in edema in comparison of inflammatory controls. On other hand, for the analgesic assessment, hot plate assay and acetic acid-induced writhing tests were used, which showed a significant (p < 0.01) rise in latency time (40–60%) as compared with pain-induced controls. These results were comparable with standard drugs in a concentration-dependent manner and no mortality or toxicity was observed during all experiments. Then, for the identification of chemical constituents gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was performed, which indicated the presence of neophytadiene, 3,7,11,15-Tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol, phytol and vitamin E, justifying the use of A. nitida to treat inflammatory disorders.     

Trichosides A and B,new withanolide glucosides from Tricholepis eburnea

Trichosides A (1) and B (2), new withanolide glucosides, have been isolated from the n-butanolic fraction of the 75% methanolic extract of aerial parts of Tricholepis eburnea. Their structures were elucidated through spectroscopic analysis including ESI-MS, 2D NMR and acid hydrolysis.     

Lanthanum immobilized on chitosan: a highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst for facile synthesis of novel (α,β‐unsaturated) β‐aminoketones

A new heterogeneous catalyst, lanthanum immobilized on chitosan, was synthesized and used for the aza‐Michael reaction of β‐enaminone under microwave irradiation. The characteristic structural features of the catalyst were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopies and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The stability of the catalyst was evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis. The use of recyclable catalyst and glycerol as solvent makes this procedure environmentally benign and economically viable. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Xanthan sulfuric acid: An efficient and biodegradable solid acid catalyst for the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes under solvent-free conditions

Xanthan sulfuric acid (XSA) is found to be an efficient catalyst for the electrophilic substitution reaction of indole with aromatic aldehydes to afford the corresponding bis(indolyl)methanes at room temperature under solvent-free conditions. The catalyst was characterized for the first time with the help of powder XRD, SEM–EDX and DSC–TGA. The attractive features of this green, new methodology are excellent yield of products, clean reaction profile, reusability of the catalyst, energy sustainable protocol, simple experimental and easier work-up procedures.     

Anti-glycating and anti-oxidant compounds from traditionally used anti-diabetic plant Geigeria alata(DC) Oliv. & Hiern.

Abstract

A new sesquiterpene lactone geigerianoloide (1) and four known flavonoids axillarin (2), quercetin (3), 3-methoxy-5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-flavone (4) and hispidulin (5) were isolated from Geigeria alata (DC) Oliv. & Hiern. (Asteraceae). Structures were deduced using ¹H- and ¹³C- NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, while the structure of compound 1 was also deduced using X-ray crystallography technique.

Geigeria alata is traditionally used for diabetes, therefore compounds were tested for anti-glycation activity, in which compounds 2 and 3 showed potent activities (IC₅₀ values of 246.97?±?0.83 and 262.37?±?0.22 µM, respectively) compared to IC₅₀ value 294.50?±?1.5 µM of rutin. Moreover, compound 4 exhibited a comparable activity to rutin (IC₅₀?=?293.28?±?1.34 µM). Compound 5 showed a weak activity.

Compounds 2, 3, and 4 exhibited potent DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀?=?0.1?±?0.00, 0.13?±?0.00 and 0.15?±?0.01 µM, respectively). Compounds 2, 3, and 4 demonstrated significant superoxide anion scavenging activity with IC₅₀ values of 0.14?±?0.001, 0.17?±?0.00, and 0.11?±?0.006 µM, respectively.     

Paeonins A and B,lipoxygenase inhibiting monoterpene galactosides from Paeonia emodi

Paeonins A and B, new monoterpene galactosides have been isolated from the chloroform-soluble fraction of the roots of Paeonia emodi and showed potent lipoxygenase inhibitory activity. The structures of 1 and 2 have been assigned on the basis of spectral analysis including one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques.     

Coupled transport of Ag(I) ions through triethanolamine–cyclohexanone-based supported liquid membranes

Facilitated transport of silver(I) ions in acidic medium, across a supported liquid membrane (SLM) by using triethanolamine (TEA) as carrier, dissolved in cyclohexanone, has been investigated. The parameters studied are HNO₃ concentration variation in the feed, pH of the feed solution, carrier concentration in the membrane phase, silver(I) ions concentration in the feed phase and KCN concentration in the stripping phase. Increase in H⁺ concentration by increasing HNO₃ concentration from 0.5 to 1 M results into an increase in silver ions flux but a decrease in flux has been found beyond 1 M HNO₃ concentration in the feed, providing a maximum flux of 3.21 × 10⁻⁷ mol/m² s at 1 M HNO₃. Increase in TEA concentration inside the membrane enhances flux with its maximum value at 2.25 M TEA. Further increase in the concentration of TEA leads to a decreased rate of transport due to the increase in viscosity of membrane liquid. The optimum conditions for Ag(I) ions transport are 1 M HNO₃ (feed), 2.25 M TEA (membrane) and 1.5 M KCN in the stripping phase. It has been observed that Ag(I) flux across the membrane tends to increase with increase in Ag(I) ions concentration in the feed phase. Applying the studied conditions to silver plating waste solutions, Ag ions have been removed up to 99% in a time interval of 5 h.     

Rapid preparative isolation of erythrocentaurin from Enicostemma littorale by medium‐pressure liquid chromatography,its estimation by high‐pressure thin‐layer chromatography,and its α‐amylase inhibitory activity

Erythrocentaurin is a relatively simple natural product present among the members of Gentianaceae. A preparative method for the isolation of erythrocentaurin from the ethyl acetate fraction of Enicostemma littorale using medium‐pressure liquid chromatography has been reported. The method consisted of a simple step gradient from 10 to 20% ethyl acetate in n‐hexane. Using a 70 × 460 mm Si60 column, this method is capable of processing 20 g of material in <3 h (purity ≈ 97%). The recovery of erythrocentaurin was 87.77%. Estimation of erythrocentaurin in extracts and fractions based on high‐pressure thin‐layer chromatography was carried out on silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ plates with toluene/ethyl acetate/formic acid (80:18:2 v/v/v) as the mobile phase. The densitometric analysis was performed at 230 nm. A well‐separated compact band of erythrocentaurin appeared at R_f 0.54 ± 0.04. The analytical method showed good linearity in the concentration range of 200–1500 ng/band with a correlation coefficient of 0.99417. The limits of detection and quantification were found to be ≈60 and ≈180 ng/band, respectively. Erythrocentaurin exhibited a concentration‐dependent α‐amylase inhibition (IC₅₀ 1.67 ± 0.28 mg/mL). The outcome of the study should be considered for pharmacokinetic and biotransformation studies involving E. littorale.     

Phosphodiesterase‐Inhibiting Glycosides from Symplocos racemosa

Phytochemical investigation of Symplocos racemosa resulted in the isolation of two new glycosides, symploracemoside ( 1 ) and symplomoside ( 2 ), which are structurally related to the reported benzoylsalireposide ( 3 ) and salireposide ( 4 ). The structure elucidation of the isolated compounds was based primarily on 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analysis, including COSY, NOESY, HMQC, and HMBC correlations. These glycosides showed inhibitory activity against snake‐venom phosphodiesterase I.