C. S. Mathela

In vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of different fractions of Moringa oleifera leaves

The antioxidant potency of different fractions of Moringa oleifera leaves were investigated by employing various established in vitro systems, such as beta-Carotene bleaching, reducing power, DPPH/superoxide/hydroxyl radical scavenging, ferrous ion chelation and lipid peroxidation. On the basis of in vitro antioxidant properties polyphenolic fraction of M. oleifera leaves (MOEF) was chosen as the potent fraction and used for the DNA nicking and in vivo antioxidant properties. MOEF shows concentration dependent protection of oxidative DNA damage induced by HO() and also found to inhibit the toxicity produced by CCl(4) administration as seen from the decreased lipid peroxides (LPO) and increased glutathione (GSH) levels. Among the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels were restored to almost normal levels compared to CCl(4) intoxicated rats. The HPLC analysis indicated the presence of phenolic acids (gallic, chlorogenic, ellagic and ferulic acid) and flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin and rutin). Thus, it may be concluded that the MOEF possess high phenolic content and potent antioxidant properties, which may be mediated through direct trapping of the free radicals and also through metal chelation.

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the leaf essential oils of Himalayan Lauraceae species.

The leaf essential oils from seven Himalayan Lauraceae species viz. Neolitsea pallens, Lindera pulcherrima, Dodecadenia grandiflora, Persea duthiei, Persea odoratissima, Persea gamblei and Phoebe lanceolata exhibited potent antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The in vitro antioxidant activity was assessed by using beta-carotene bleaching assay, reducing power, DPPH radical scavenging and inhibition of lipid peroxidation methods. The oils of D. grandiflora and L. pulcherrima showed a potent free radical scavenging activity as evidenced by low IC(50) value for DPPH radical (0.032 mg/ml and 0.087 mg/ml, respectively) and inhibition of lipid peroxidation (in between IC(50)=0.44 mg/ml and IC(50)=0.74 mg/ml, respectively). The oils were tested against three Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica enterica and Pasturella multocida) and one Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria at different concentrations using disc diffusion and tube dilution methods. The inhibition zones (IZ) and MIC values for bacterial strains were in the range of 8.7-22.0mm and 3.90-31.25 microl/ml, respectively.

Terpenoid compositions, and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the rhizome essential oils of different Hedychium species.

A phytochemical study of the rhizome essential oils of four different Hedychium species was performed by means of GC and GC/MS analyses. H. ellipticum mainly contained 1,8‐cineole, sabinene, and terpin‐4‐ol, while H. aurantiacum possessed terpin‐4‐ol, para‐cymene, and bornyl acetate as the major entities. Similarly, trans‐meta‐mentha‐2,8‐diene and linalool were noticed in H. coronarium. Three different collections (I–III) of H. spicatum showed amazing differences in the relative contents of their essential oils, 1,8‐cineole and 10‐epi‐γ‐eudesmol being identified as markers for samples I and II, terpin‐4‐ol and sabinene being the major compounds in sample III. The rhizome essential oils of the above species were studied for their antioxidant activities by different methods, including their effect on the chelating properties of Fe2+, DPPH radical‐scavenging activity, and reducing power. Antimicrobial screenings of the oils by the paper‐disc method were performed against Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri, Pasteurella multocida, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enterica enterica, and the respective minimum‐inhibitory‐concentration (MIC) values were determined. The rhizome essential oils from all Hedychium species exhibited moderate‐to‐good Fe2+ chelating activity. H. spicatum from collection site III showed a completely different DPPH radical‐scavenging profile than the samples from the other collection sites.

In vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties and DNA damage protective activity of green fruit of Ficus glomerata.

This study evaluated the antioxidant properties of Ficus glomerata fruits using in vitro and in vivo assay. In order to find in vitro antioxidant properties, extract/fractions from F. glomerata were studied for TPC, AOA, RP, DPPH*, O2*-, *OH scavenging activities and LPO. Among all the extract/fractions, FEF has shown potent antioxidant activity and was also found effective in protecting oxidative DNA damage. The in vivo evaluation of oxidative stress (LPO) and antioxidant defenses (concentration of GSH, as well as CAT and SOD activities) were measured in CCl4 induced toxic rats. FEF was found to inhibit the toxicity as seen from the decreased LPO and increased GSH, SOD and CAT levels. FEF has higher phenolic content and showed the presence of gallic, chlorogenic and ellagic acid. Based on these results, it is concluded that F. glomerata protects tissues from oxidative stress and these effects are probably related to the antioxidant properties.

Valeriana wallichii DC, a New Chemotype from Northwestern Himalaya

Abstract The major constituents of the oils from roots and rhizomes of Valeriana wallichii DC were separated and characterized by GC, GC/MS and NMR (1H- and 13C-). The chemical compositions of the oils show two chemotypes within Valeriana wallichii. The type-I was characterized by presence of maaliol (64.3%), viridiflorol (7.2%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (19.2%). The type-II contained patchouli alcohol (40.2%), viridiflorol (5.2%), 8-acetoxy-patchouli alcohol (4.5%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (34.5%). Viridiflorol and 8-acetoxy-patchouli alcohol have been isolated from V. wallichii for the first time. Since the V. wallichii is being commercially used even today in Nepal and India as a substitute for V. officinalis, the sharp chemical differences among V. wallichii materials necessitates their identification before commercial exploitation for phytomedicines and flavor chemicals.

Composition of the Essential Oil of Tanacetum nubigenum Wallich ex DC.

Abstract The oil of Tanacetum nubigenum Wallich ex DC. was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. In addition to 10.7% of sabinene, nearly 44% of the oil of T. nubigenum collected above 3600 m in the Kumaun region of the Indian Himalaya consisted of (-)-cis-chrysanthenol and its esters. The oil also contained ∼3% of esters of exo-6-hydroxycamphor, ∼1.6% 3,6;6,9-bisepoxyfarnesa-l,7(14),10-trienes as well as ∼3.5% of 6,9-epoxyfarnesa-l,7(14),10-trien-3-ols.

Essential Oil Composition of Some Himalayan Artemisia Species

ABSTRACT Essential oils from three Himalayan Artemisia species, A. maritima L., A. gmelinii Web. ex Stechm. and A. roxburghiana Wall, ex Bies, var. hypolenca, were analyzed by GC/MS. Forty-five constituents were identified in the three oils. α-Thujone (63.2%) and β-thujone (65.3%) were detected in A. maritima and A. roxburghiana var. hypolenca, as major components respectively, while artemisia ketone (28.2%) and 1,8-cineole (13.0%) formed major constituents of A. gmelinii.

1,2-Epoxy-p-menthane Derivatives from Some Labiatae Species

ABSTRACT The essential oils of Plectranthus incanus Link and Clinopodium umbrosum (M. Bieb.) Koch, which were produced from plants collected in N.W. Himalayan region of India, were examined by GC/MS. Fourteen constituents were identified in P. incanus oil of which cis-piperitone oxide (35.70%) and piperitenone oxide (45.01%) were most predominant. Although only nine constituents were identified in C. umbrosum oil, cis-piperitone oxide (63.05%) and piperitenone oxide (17.98%) were found as major constituents.

Phytoecdysteroids from Ajuga macrosperma var. breviflora roots.

Three new phytoecdysteroids, ajugacetalsterones C (1) and D (3) and breviflorasterone (2), were isolated from the roots of Ajuga macrosperma var. breviflora along with five known compounds, namely, 20-hydroxyecdysone, cyasterone, makisterone A, 20-hydroxyecdysone 3-acetate, and 20-hydroxyecdysone 2-acetate. The structures of 1-3 were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies. The new compounds possess acetal oxygen bridges between C-26 and C-20/C-22, or C-26/C-23, or a lactone bridge between C-26 and C-23.

Essential oil composition of Origanum vulgare L. ssp. vulgare from the Kumaon Himalayas.

Abstract The oil obtained from Origanum vulgare L. ssp. vulgare was examined by GC and GC/MS. Eleven compounds were identified of which γ-muurolene (62.04%) was found to be the major constituent.