Priyanka Bagri

Antidiabetic effect of Punica granatum flowers: effect on hyperlipidemia, pancreatic cells lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in experimental diabetes.

The present study investigated the effects of Punica granatum aqueous extract (PgAq) on streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats by measuring fasting blood glucose, lipid profiles (atherogenic index), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and activities of both non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg) to albino Wistar rats. The increase in blood glucose level, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), LPO level with decrease in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), reduced glutathione (GSH) content and antioxidant enzymes namely, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were the salient features observed in diabetic rats. On the other hand, oral administration of PgAq at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg for 21 days resulted in a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose, TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C and tissue LPO levels coupled with elevation of HDL-C, GSH content and antioxidant enzymes in comparison with diabetic control group. The results suggest that PG could be used, as a dietary supplement, in the treatment of chronic diseases characterized by atherogenous lipoprotein profile, aggravated antioxidant status and impaired glucose metabolism and also in their prevention.

New sterol esters from the flowers of Punica granatum Linn.

Two new β-sitosterol esters have been isolated from the flowers of Punica granatum Linn. (Punicaceae) along with the known compounds n-tricosane (3), n-heptacosanyl n-hexanoate (4), olean-5,12-dien-3β-ol-28-oic acid (5), and olean-12-en-3β-ol-28-oic acid (6). The structures of the new phytosterols have been elucidated as stigmast-5-en-3β-ol-3β-dodecanoate (β-sitosterol laurate, 1) and stigmast-5-en-3β-ol-3β-tetradecanoate (β-sitosterol myristate, 2) on the basis of spectral data and chemical analyses.

New flavonoids from Punica granatum flowers

Two new flavonoids were isolated from the flowers of Punica granatum Linn. (Punicaceae) along with the known compounds ellagic acid, gallic acid, sucrose, and gallic acid glycoside. The structures of the new flavonoids have been characterized as 5,6,7,8,2′,3′,5′-heptahydroxy-4′-methoxyflavanone (punicaflavanol) and 5,6,7,8,2′,5′-hexahydroxy-4′-methoxyflavanone-7-β-D-xylopyranoside (granatumflavanyl xyloside) on the basis of spectral data analyses and chemical reactions.

New 4′-substituted flavones from the fruit peels of Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f.

Two new 4′-substituted flavones isolated from the fruit peels of Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f. (Rutaceae) have been characterized as 4′-(9′-ethylene-16′-methylnon-9′,15′-dien-7′,11′-oate)-5,7-dimethoxyflavone (limonflavonyl lactone A, 1) and 4′-(9′-ethylene-16′-methylnon-9′,15′-dien-7′,11′-oate)-5,7,3′-trimethoxyflavone (limonflavonyl lactone B, 2) on the basis of spectral data and chemical analyses. Both the flavones are reported for the first time from a plant source.

Effect of physical factors on the volatile constituents of Elettaria cardamomum fruits.

Abstract The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from dried fruits of Elettaria cardamomum Maton. (Zingiberaceae) of Delhi region was analyzed by gas liquid chromatography (GLC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The variations in essential oil components under different physical factors have been determined. The oil was characterized by a large number monoterpenes (97.6 %) constituting 1,8-cineole (89.6 %), cis-ocimene (3.7 %) and α-terpinene (2.2 %) as the major components. Except the volatile oil exposed to sunlight, 1,8-cineole was detected in all the oil samples and its amount varied from 29.4 % in heated oil to 89.4 % in untreated oil. Linalool, thujyl alcohol, limonene-1,2-epoxide, citronellol, trans-pinocarveol, nerol and linalyl acetate were generated when the oil was heated at 110°C. Exposer of the oil with sunlight, enhanced the production of linalyl acetate (17.8 %) and borneol (12.1 %). 1,4-Cineole, pcymene-8-ol and isoborneol were only detected in UV exposed oil while the 2-heptane was only identified in high amounts in silica gel and alumina treated volatile oils.

The Effect of Physical Factors on Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Eucalyptus citriodora Hook. Leaves

Abstract The essential oil of the fresh leaves of Eucalyptus citriodora of Delhi region was composed predominantly of 1,8-cineole (45.2%), camphene (30%), α-pinene, linalyl acetate and ledol. When the oil was heated at 110°C for 24 hours, camphene (31.1%), 1,4-Cineole (37.8%), α-pinene (12.4%), veridifloral and 1-terpinene-4-yl acetate were the prominent constituents. Exposure of the oil to the sunlight for 48 hours and UV light for 24 showed percentage variation slightly. Silica gel treat sample exhibited little variation in the chemical composition. Treatment of the oil with alumina neutral decreased the concentration of 1,8-cineole to 0.3% and occurrence of camphene and 1,4-cineole in 36.5 and 39.9 % yields, respectively.