Özlem Bahadir

Analgesic compounds from Scorzonera latifolia (Fisch. and Mey.) DC.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE A traditional mastic named yaki sakizi prepared from the roots of Scorzonera latifolia (Fisch. and Mey.) DC. is used as a folk remedy for treatment of pain in Turkish folk medicine. AIM OF THE STUDY To isolate and identify the compounds responsible for the antinociceptive activity of S. latifolia using bioassay-guided fractionation. MATERIALS AND METHODS The methanolic extract of the S. latifolia roots was prepared and subjected to isolation procedures such as solvent-solvent partitioning and column chromatography. Writhing and tail-flick tests were used to determine the antinociceptive activity. RESULTS The n-hexane fraction of the S. latifolia root methanolic extract showed potent antinociceptive activity in both writhing and tail-flick tests. Three compounds were isolated from n-hexane fraction using bioassay-guided chromatographic purification. Isolated compounds were the triterpene taraxasteryl myristate, taraxasteryl acetate, and fern-7-en-3-beta-one, structures were elucidated by means of MS and NMR techniques. Both taraxasterol derivatives showed promising antinociceptive activity when compared to reference compounds. CONCLUSION Results of the present study support the usage of S. latifolia in Turkish folk medicine. Both plant root extract and the isolated compounds showed promising antinociceptive activities. Our results suggested that antinociceptive activity of the plant extract is probably caused by the synergistic interaction of the isolated compounds.

Hepatoprotective and TNF-α inhibitory activity of Zosima absinthifolia extracts and coumarins

Zosima absinthifolia (ZA) extracts and the coumarins (+)-columbianadin and (-)-deltoin were evaluated for their potential hepatoprotective and antiinflamatory effects in a CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity assay in rats and by the inhibition of TNF-α production on LPS-stimulated THP-1 macrophages, respectively. Both the ZA extracts and the coumarins showed hepatoprotective activity confirmed by monitoring the ALT/AST levels and by histopathological examination. The antiinflamatory activity, proved by the inhibition of TNF-α production, was found to be higher for the n-hexane root extract than for coumarins, suggesting synergic potential of the extract. The concentration of (-)-deltoin and (+)-columbianadin in extracts was determined by HPLC analysis.

Coumarins Isolated from the Roots of Seseli resinosum. in Turkey

Abstract Seseli resinosum. Freyn et Sint. (Umbelliferae) is a perennial herb that grows in the northern region of Anatolia, Turkey. The n.-hexane extract obtained from the roots of S. resinosum. was investigated for the presence of coumarins. Three angular-type pyranocoumarins and two linear-type furocoumarins were isolated from the roots. The compounds were identified as (+)-samidin [(3′S., 4′S.)-3′-senecioyloxy-4′-acetoxy-3′, 4′-dihydroseselin] (1), (−)-anomalin [(3′R., 4′R.)-3′, 4′-diangeloyloxy-3′, 4′-dihydroseselin] (2), calipteryxin (3′R., 4′R.)-3′-angeloyloxy-4′-senecioyloxy-3′, 4′-dihydroseselin (3), isoimperatorin (4), and deltoin (5). The structures were determined using spectroscopic methods (1H NMR, 13C NMR, 1H-1H COSY, 1H-13C COSY, HMBC, MS), physical methods (melting point and optical rotation), and chemical correlations with known compounds that have been described in the literature. The chemotaxonomic significance of these isolated coumarins is discussed in the genus Seseli. L.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of some Onosma L. species growing in Turkey

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Roots of Onosma species are used for the treatment of various disorders such as bronchitis, tonsillitis, hemorrhoids as well as alleviating pains in folk medicine in Turkey. AIM OF THE STUDY The chloroform and ethanol (70%) extracts obtained from the roots of Onosma species (Boraginaceae) growing in Turkey, Onosma aucheranum DC., Onosma isauricum Boiss. and Heldr. (endemic), Onosma sericeum Willd., Onosma tauricum Pallas ex Willd. var. brevifolium DC. (endemic) and Onosma tauricum Pallas ex Willd. var. tauricum (Syn: Onosma velenovskyi Davidov) were evaluated for in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS For the preliminary screening, carrageenan-induced hind paw edema for the anti-inflammatory activity and, p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test for the antinociceptive activity were used in mice. RESULTS The chloroform extracts from Onosma aucheranum and Onosma isauricum and ethanolic extracts from Onosma isauricum and Onosma sericeum demonstrated 28.0%, 34.3%, 24.6% and, 27.5% inhibition in p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test. The chloroform and ethanol (70%) extracts of Onosma isauricum and ethanol (70%) extract of Onosma sericeum also exhibited marked inhibition, ranging between 12.3-27.3%, 10.5-25.3%, 8.2-22.6%, respectively, in carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model at 100mg/kg dose without gastric damage and the activity was quite comparable to indomethacin (32.0-38.4% inhibition) as a reference sample. Neither death nor gastric bleeding was observed for any of the plant extracts during the acute toxicity evaluation. CONCLUSION The experimental data demonstrated that Onosma aucheranum, Onosma isauricum and Onosma sericeum displayed remarkable anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities.

Quantitative analysis of lycorine in Sternbergia species growing in Turkey

Plants of the family Amaryllidaceae are well known not only for their ornamental value but also for the alkaloids they produce. Some of these alkaloids exhibit interesting pharmacological and/or biological properties. However, the most extensively studied effects are those of non-specific inhibition, such as antiviral and antitumour activities [1]. Sternbergia species, a member of this family, was found to contain lycorine as a major alkaloid. Sternbergia is represented by 6 taxa in Turkey [2].