Eliseo Ramundo

Traditional phytotherapy in the Peninsula Sorrentina, Campania, Southern Italy

A study on the wild and cultivated medicinal plants used in the Peninsula Sorrentina (southern Italy) is reported; 129 plants distributed among 53 different families beloning to Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms are used in the treatment of various human diseases. The use of some species is reported for the first time in this paper.

Traditional phytotherapy in the Roccamonfina volcanic group, Campania, Southern Italy

An investigation of the medicinal plants used in the Roccamonfina volcanic group is reported. The phytotherapy appears to be still utilized consistently; approx. 70 entities distributed among 39 different families are used. The chemical components and pharmacological behaviour of most of the species are very well known, however, an accurate phytochemical and pharmacological study seems necessary for some of them.

Sterols from some sponges

Abstract The sterol composition of four sponges was determined by a combination of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Cliona viridis and Chondrosia reniformis contained mainly C27-C29 Δ5 mono- and di-unsaturated sterols. Halichondria bowerbanki and Hymeniacidon sanguinea contained stanols and Δ5-sterols. Cholestanol was the major component of the sterol mixtures.

Flavonol glycosides from Eupatorium tinifolium

Abstract Two new flavonol glycosides, 3′-methylquercetagetin 3- O -galactoside and 3′-methylquercetagetin 3- O -glucoside, have been isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Eupatorium tinifolium . The structure of these compounds has been established on the basis of chemical and spectral data.

Oligosaccharides in Five Different Vicia faba L. Cultivars

Abstract The oligosaccharide composition in seeds of some bean cultivars (two of Vicia faba L. and three of V. faba minor) have been examined. The sugars were isolated by solvent extraction and the concentrated extracts were analysed by PC and HPLC analyses. Characterization was also performed by thin-layer chromatography, enzymatic hydrolysis assays, GC determination of alditol acetate derivatives obtained after complete acid hydrolysis and FAB-MS of individual sucrose α- d galactosides. Although sucrose, raffinose, stachyose and verbascose were always identified, great differences in the total sugar content were found among the five cultivars. Sucrose and verbascose were the major components. Their contents were highest in the Muchamiel cv. (2.30 and 3.05 g/100g of dry bean, respectively). The selection of cultivars is the best way to improve the V. faba quality

Sterols, fatty acids and free amino acids from two Helvella species

Abstract Sterols, fatty acids and free amino acids of Helvella crispa and H. monachella were investigated. They contained traces of ergosterol and a high amount of ergosta 5.22-dien-3β-ol. Linoleic acid and l -Dopa are the most abundant fatty acid and free amino acid, respectively. The aqueous extract of H. monachella inhibits prostaglandin release by rat peritoneal leucocyres in vitro .

Sterols, steryl esters and fatty acids in some Vicia faba seeds

Abstract Free and esterified sterol levels in seeds of five cultivars of Vicia faba were determined. Sitosterol was the most abundant free sterol, followed by stigmasterol and campesterol. Cholesterol could not be detected. Esters were generally present in greater quantities than the free form of the sterols. The fatty acid content of the plants is also reported.