Nighat Afza

Biological significance of essential oil of Zataria multiflora boiss

The absolute from Zataria multiflora was explored for enzyme inhibition, insect repellent, and insecticidal activities. GC-MS of the absolute of fresh plant showed that thymol is the major constituent while carvacrol is the major constituent in the absolute of dried plant.

Antioxidant and urease inhibitory C-glycosylflavonoids from Celtis africana.

Two new C-glycosylflavonoids celtisides A (1) and B (2) have been isolated from n-butanol-soluble fraction of Celtis africana, along with five known C-glycosylflavonoids vitexin (3), orientin (4), isoswertiajaponin (5), isoswertisin (6), and 2″-O-rhamnosyl vitexin (7) reported for the first time from this species. Their structures were assigned from 1D and 2D NMR spectra. These compounds were investigated for biological activities and showed significant antioxidant and urease inhibitory activities.

Isatinones A and B, New Antifungal Oxindole Alkaloids from Isatis costata

Two new oxindole alkaloids isatinone A (1) and B (2) have been isolated from Isatis costata, along with the known trisindoline. Their structures have been assigned on the basis of spectroscopic techniques and chemical studies. Both new compounds showed significant antifungal activity.

Leufolins A and B, Potent Butyrylcholinesterase-inhibiting Flavonoid Glucosides from Leucas urticifolia

New flavonoidal glucosides leufolins A (1) and B (2), have been isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the whole plants of Leucas urticifolia. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive analysis of nuclear magnetic resonance (1D and 2D NMR) spectral data. Both of these compounds exhibited significant inhibitory potential against the enzyme butyrylcholinesterase.

Mild and efficient synthesis of new tetraketones as lipoxygenase inhibitors and antioxidants

A mild and efficient route to tetraketones (2–22) has been developed by way of tetraethyl ammonium bromide (Et4N+Br− ) mediated condensation of dimedone (5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione, 1) with a variety of aldehydes. All these compounds showed significant lipoxygenase inhibitory activity and moderate to strong antioxidant potential. Compounds 19 (IC50 = 7.8 μM), 22 (IC50 = 12.5 μM), 3 (IC50 = 16.3 μM), 11 (IC50 = 17.5 μM) and 8 (IC50 = 21.3 μM) showed significant inhibitory potential against lipoxygenase (baicalein, IC50 = 22.4 μM). On the other hand compound 19 (IC50 = 33.6 μM) also showed strong antioxidant activity compared to the standard (IC50 = 44.7 μM). This study is likely to lead to the discovery of therapeutically efficient agents against very important disorders including inflammation, asthma, cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Expeditious Method for Synthesis of Symmetrical 1,3‐Disubstituted Ureas and Thioureas

Abstract Symmetrical 1,3‐disubstituted ureas and symmetrical thioureas have been synthesized from corresponding isocyanates, diisocyanates, and isothiocyanates by a new versatile, simple, and quick method in the presence of tertiary amines at room temperature. The method under discussion has several advantages over the existing techniques, as it is simple to carry out, does not require complicated equipment, has a simple workup, and does not use expensive chemicals. Moreover, the yields are almost quantitative. This method has potential in commercial applications.

Galinsosides A and B, bioactive flavanone glucosides from Galinsoga parviflora

Galinsosides A (1) and B (2), new flavanone glucosides together with two known flavanones, 7,3′,4′-trihydroxyflavanone (3) and 3,5,7,3′,4′-pentahydroxyflavanone (4) have been isolated from an ethyl acetate- soluble fraction of Galinsoga parviflora. Their structures were assigned on the basis of spectral studies. Compound 1 showed significant antioxidant and urease inhibitory activity while compound 2 was moderately active. On the other hand, 2 showed inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase.

Antioxidant constituents from Cotoneaster racemiflora

A new lignan rhamnoside, racemiside (1), has been isolated from the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of Cotoneaster racemiflora, along with scopoletin (2), 7,8-dimethoxy-6-hydroxycoumarin (3), 3,3′,4′-tri-O-methylellagic acid (4), and cereotagloperoxide (5), reported for the first time from this species. All of them showed profound antioxidative activities in the DPPH assay.

Lipoxygenase inhibitory constituents from Indigofera oblongifolia.

Indigin, alkylated xanthene (1) and indigoferic acid (2) have been isolated from the chloroform soluble fraction ofIndigofera oblongifolia, along with β-sitosterol (3) and 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (4), which are reported for the first time from this species. Their structures were determined through spectroscopic techniques. Both the new compounds1 and2 showed significant activity against enzyme lipoxygenase, while2 further showed moderate inhibition against BChE.

New butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory triterpenes from Salvia santolinifolia.

Slavins A (1) and B (2), the new amyrin type triterpenes, have been isolated from the chloroform soluble fraction ofSalvia santolinifolia and assigned structures on the basis of spectral studies including 2D NMR. Both the compounds displayed inhibitory potential against the enzyme butyrylcholinesterase.