Bahar Ahmed

Antihepatotoxic activity of seeds of Cichorium intybus

The different fractions of alcoholic extract and one phenolic compound AB-IV of seeds of Cichorium intybus Linn were screened for antihepatotoxic activity on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver damage in albino rats. The degree of protection was measured using biochemical parameters like aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), and total protein (TP). The methanol fraction and compound AB-IV were found to possess a potent antihepatotoxic activity comparable to the standard drug Silymarin (Silybon-70). The histopathological study of the liver was also carried out, wherein the methanolic fraction and compound AB-IV showed almost complete normalization of the tissues as neither fatty accumulation nor necrosis was observed.

Three new diterpenes and the biological activity of different extracts of Jasonia montana

Three new diterpenes, namely jasonin-a (1), jasonin-b (2), and jasonin-c (3) were isolated from the aerial parts of Jasonia montana (Asteraceae). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data as [(1E)-2-((2S)-1,2,5-trimethylbicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl)vinyl] benzene-3-carboxylic acid (1), [3-((2S, 5S)-1,2, 5-trimethylcycloheptanyl)propyl]benzene-3-carboxylic acid (2), and [(1E)-3-((7R)-1,7-dimethy-4-methylenecycloheptanyl)prop-1-enyl] benzene-3-carboxylic acid (3). In addition, the previously reported 5,7,3′-trihydroxy-3,6,4′-trimethoxy flavone designated as centaureidin (4), was also isolated and characterized from this source. The different extracts of the plant were also screened for hypoglycemic, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities, wherein the petroleum ether and ethanolic extracts exhibited hypoglycemic and antidiabetic activity, and the petroleum ether and chloroform extracts showed antimicrobial activity.

Verbenacine and Salvinine: Two New Diterpenes from Salvia verbenaca

Two new diterpenes namely verbenacine (1) and salvinine (2) have been isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia verbenaca. Their structures have been elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectral data as 3α-hydroxy-19-carboxykaur-15-ene and 19-hydroxy-12,14-dioxo labda-15,17-diene.

Combretene-A and B: Two new triterpenes from Combretum molle

Two new lanosteriod type triterpenes have been isolated from the aerial parts of Combretum molle. Their structures have been established on the basis of spectral data as 3β,7α-dihydroxy lanost-5-ene, designated as combretene-A (1), and 3β-hydroxy-28-hydroxymethyl lanost-25(26)-ene, named as combretene-B (2). Previously reported compounds, such as a 1α-hydroxy cycloartenoid (mollic acid), and its 3α-L-arabinoside, 3β-D-xyloside and 3β-D-glucoside, have also been isolated from the plant.

Three new and two rare furanoeremophilanes from senecio asirensis

Three new furanoeremophilanes have been obtained from the aerial parts of Senecio asirensis (N. O. Asteraceae), and characterized as 6-hydroxylmethyl-9-methoxyl-4,11-dimethylnaphtho[2,3-b]furan, designated asirensane-a (1), 6-hydroxyl-1,2-dimethoxyl-4,6,11-trimethyl-6-hydronaphtho[2,3-a]furan-7-one, named asirensane-b (2), and (6,12-dihydroxyl-9-methoxyl-4-methyl-11-acetyl-3,4-dihydronaphtho[2,3-b]furan-3-yl)methyl (2′Z)-2′-methylbut-2′-enoate, designated asirensane-c (3). In addition, two rare furanoeremophilanes have also been isolated and characterized from this source, namely 9-methoxyl-4,11-dimethylnaphtho[2,3-b]furan, named 14-nordehydrocalohastine (4), and 4,11-dimethylnaphtho[2,3-b]furan-6,9-dione, designated as maturinone (5). Their structures have been elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. The alcoholic extract was also tested for anti-inflammatory activity, which decreased edema by 22% at a dose of 500 mg kg-1 after 3 h with respect to the control group treated only with carrageenan, while the standard drug phenylbutazone showed a 50% decrease at a dose of 100 mg kg-1, indicating that the extract has moderate anti-inflammatory activity.

Verticillarone: A new seco- Fusicoccane Diterpenoid Ketonepoxide from Hypoestes verticillaris

The aerial parts of Hypoestes verticillaris (L.F.) Sol. (Acanthaceae) has afforded a new seco -fusicoccane diterpenoid ketonepoxide, which was characterized as 1(10) seco -fusicocc-3 (4)-ene-5, 11, 14-trione-8 (9), 1 (7)-diepoxide ( 1 ) on the basis of spectral analysis and named as verticillarone, along with earlier reported diterpenoid, i.e. 13-hydroxy-7-oxo-labda-8, 14-diene ( 2 ).

Barbeyol: a new phenolic indane type component from Barbeya oleoides.

The aerial parts of Barbeya oleoides Schweinf (Family: Barbeyaceae) has afforded a new phenolic indane type component, which has been characterized as (6R, 4aR, 5aR)-5, 4a, 5atrihydroindeno- (1, 2-a) indane-2, 4, 9-triol-6-O-β-acetate (1) on the basis of spectral analysis and has been designated as barbeyol.