Oksana Hnatyszyn

Antinociceptive effect of the aqueous extract of Balbisia calycina

The aqueous extract from the aerial parts of Balbisia calycina (Gris.) A.T. Hunziker et Ariza (Ledocarpaceae), was evaluated for antinociceptive activity using the abdominal constriction, hot plate and formalin tests. The extract was administered orally to male mice at doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg. A dose-dependent antinociceptive effect of the extract was obtained with the abdominal constriction test at doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg. This antinociceptive effect was not reversed by pretreatment with naloxone. No significant response was obtained with the hot plate test. With the formalin test doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg had no significant effect during the first phase of the test (0-5 min), while with the dose of 800 mg/kg, a significant inhibition during the second phase (15-30 min) was observed. The phytochemical investigation of the aqueous extract of B. calycina revealed the presence of the flavonoids luteolin, avicularin and hyperoside. The possible involvement of these flavonoids (specially luteolin) in the antinociceptive action is discussed.

Screening of Argentine plants for aliphatic nitro compounds: Hiptagin from Heteropteris angustifolia

Abstract Plants of 46 families encompassing 98 genera and 124 species were screened for the presence of aliphatic nitro compounds. A single species, Heteropteris angustifolia Gris. (Malpighiaceae) proved positive and was found to contain hiptagin (1,2,4,6-tetra-3-nitropropanoyl-β- d -glucopyranoside) as the major nitro constituent. In addition, Argentine herbarium specimen of Astragalus (Leguminosae) were screened and three [ A. arnottianus (Gill.) Reiche, A. bellus (O.K.) Fries and A. diminutivus Johnst.] gave positive tests.

Phytochemical Analysis and Antifungal Evaluation of Sebastiania commersoniana. Extracts

Abstract The 50% ethanol extract from Sebastiania commersoniana. (Baill.) L.B. Sm. & B.J. (Euphorbiaceae), a South American medicinal plant locally used as external antiseptic, was subjected to a phytochemical study and to the determination of its in vitro. antifungal activity. After fractionation of the extract, four flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, isoquercitrin), four phenolic derivatives (gallicin, gallic, syringic, and caffeic acids), and a coumarin (scopoletin) were identified. The structures of isolated compounds were established by spectroscopic methods and confirmed by comparison with reference samples and literature data. The extract exhibited significant antifungal activity against the dermatophytes Microsporum gypseum., Trichophyton mentagrophytes. and Trichophyton rubrum..