Jnanabrata Bhattacharyya

Triterpenoids of Cnidosculus urens

Abstract The ethanol extract of Cnidosculus urens yielded β-amyrin cinnamate and germanicol acetate. Also, using 13C NMR spectroscopy, mixtures of β-amyrin, germanicol and lupeol as well as their acetates were identified.

Dioclein, a flavanone from the roots of Dioclea grandiflora

Abstract A new flavanone with the relatively rare 2′,5′-dioxygenation at ring B has been isolated from the roots of Dioclea grandiflora and its structure established as 5,2′, 5′-trihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavanone, mainly with the aid of spectroscopic methods.

Epi-isoshinanolone from Plumbago scandens

Abstract Epi -isoshinanolone, a diastereoisomer of isoshinanolone, has been isolated from Plumbago scandens and characterized with the aid of NMR spectroscopy.

Studies on the alkaloids of Solanum of northeastern Brazil

In our continued studies on the genus Solanum for detecting a good source of soladodine, the steroid alkaloid potentially important for the manufacture of steroid hormones, as well as other compounds of potential therapeutic value, we investigated the fruits of Solanum crinitum, S. rhytidoandrum, and S. jabrense belonging to the subgenus Leptostemonum and S. stipulaceum, belonging to the subgenus Brevantherum, allof which are native of the northeastern region of Brazil and yielded solasodine in moderate to high yield.

Antinociceptive and Toxicological Effects of Dioclea grandiflora Seed Pod in Mice

The acute treatment of mice with an ethanolic extract from the seed pod of Dioclea grandiflora (EDgP) at doses of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg by intraperitoneal administration produced a significant antinociceptive effect as displayed by the acetic acid-induced writhing test and the formalin test. The antinociception was observed through the first (neurogenic pain) and second (inflammatory pain) phases in the formalin test. The hot plate test did not show an increase in the antinociceptive latency whereas the motor performance was affected by the administration at 300 mg/kg at the beginning (30 minutes) of the observation period but not at later periods (60 and 120 minutes). These results suggest that EDgP has a central antinociceptive action and a possible anti-inflammatory activity in mice.

A triterpenoid from the root-bark of Chiococca alba

Abstract A new triterpenoid with an oleanolic acid skeleton was isolated from the root-bark of Chiococca alba and identified as 3β-hydroxyolean-12,15-dien-28-oic acid.

Steroidal glycoalkaloids and molluscicidal activity of Solanum asperum Rich. fruits

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the alkaloidal extract of the green fruits of Solanum asperum afforded a new compound, solanandaine along with solasonine and solamargine. The total crude alkaloids as well as the isolated pure alkaloids exhibited significant molluscicidal activity.

Antinociceptive Activity of the Chloroform Fraction of Dioclea virgata (Rich.) Amshoff (Fabaceae) in Mice

Acute treatment with the chloroform fraction of Dioclea virgata (Rich.) Amshoff (CFDv) in mice produced decreased ambulation and sedation in the behavioral pharmacological screening. Doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg CFDv decreased latency of sleep onset in the test of sleeping time potentiation. In the open field, animals treated with CFDv reduced ambulation and rearing (250 mg/kg), as well as defecation (125; 250 mg/kg). Regarding the antinociceptive activity, CFDv (125, 250, 500 mg/kg) increased latency to first writhing and decreased the number of writhings induced by acetic acid. In the formalin test, CFDv (250 mg/kg) decreased paw licking time in the first and second phases indicating antinociceptive activity that can be mediated both peripherally and at the central level. CFDv did not affect motor coordination until 120 minutes after treatment. CFDv shows psychopharmacological effects suggestive of CNS-depressant drugs with promising antinociceptive activity.

Application of UV/VIS Spectrophotometry and Multivariate Analysis to Characterization of the Species of Solanum sect. Erythrotrichum Child

The UV/VIS spectral characteristics of the standardized extracts of the leaves of 22 Solanum species of the Leptostemonum clade were investigated in the presence of shift reagents with the aid of multivariate analysis, to obtain data in support of the interspecific and subsectional delimitation proposed for Solanum sect. Erythrotrichum. Of these species, 20 belong to the section Erythrotrichum, S. paniculatum is assigned to the section Torva, and S. robustum is not attributed to a defined section. The results indicated characteristic λmax (absorbance maxima) for each species as well as the presence of phenolic compounds like flavonoids such as 5‐hydroxy flavonols. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) of the data obtained by UV/VIS analysis of the extracts or the extracts with the added shift reagents AlCl3 and HCl showed a cophenetic correlation coefficient above 0.92 and the classification of the data into three groups. The principal‐component analysis (PCA) revealed that the first three principal components accounted for over 98% of the total variance and showed results similar to those obtained by HCA. The present results supported the current proposal for interspecific delimitation of the studied species and partially supported the division of the section into two subsections. The UV/VIS spectral characteristics along with multivariate analysis appear to be a useful approach for distinguishing among species of the genus Solanum.

Pharmaceutical properties and toxicology of Dioclea grandiflora

Abstract Context: Since the beginning of civilization, herbal medicines have been an important source for human beings to treat their ailments. Despite the large number of synthetic remedies available in the market, the use of plants is seen as a great challenge in the search for new substances endowed with therapeutic properties. One example is Dioclea grandiflora Mart. ex Benth. (Leguminosae) employed in traditional medicine to treat prostate disorders and kidney stones. Objectives: This work presents a brief overview of D. grandiflora, including a description of the plant, its chemical composition and pharmacological properties. Methods: This review gathers information available in the scientific literature compiled from databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Dr. Dukes Phytochemical and Ethnobotany, Missouri Botanical Garden and The International Plant Names Index. Results: The information found in the literature showed that flavonoids are the major constituents of D. grandiflora that account for most of the pharmacological properties so far disclosed. Several studies have revealed that D. grandiflora possesses antinociceptive, cardiovascular, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Conclusion: Research shows that D. grandiflora is a potential source of compounds pertaining medicinal applications. It provides an interesting subject in the search for new drugs of natural origin.