Saleha Suleman Khan

Biotransformation of monoterpenoids and their antimicrobial activities

Biotransformation is an economically and ecologically viable technology which has been used extensively to modify the structures of many classes of biologically active products. The discovery of novel antimicrobial metabolites from biotransformation is an important alternative to overcome the increasing levels of drug resistance by plant and human pathogens. Monoterpenes, the main constituents of essential oils, are known for their antimicrobial activities. In 2004, Farooq, Atta-Ur-Rahman and Choudhary published a review on fungal transformation of monoterpenes which covers papers published up to 2002. The present review not only updates the previous one but also discusses the antimicrobial activities (antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral) of biotransformed compounds.

Diversolides A–G, guaianolides from the roots of Ferula diversivittata

Seven sesquiterpene lactone derivatives, diversolides A-G (1-7), together with two known compounds, diversin (8) and stigmasterol, were isolated from the roots of Ferula diversivittata. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods including 1D-(1H and 13C) and 2D-NMR experiments (DQF-COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) as well as high-resolution EIMS. Compounds 1, 4 and 6-8 were tested for their in vitro antifungal and antibacterial activities. Some of the tested compounds showed moderate antifungal and antibacterial activities with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values from 40 to 80microg/ml.

New terpenoids from Stachys parviflora Benth

Two new triterpenoidal saponins were isolated from the n‐butanolic extract of Stachys parviflora (Lamiaceae). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data as stachyssaponin A; 3β, 15α, 19α, 21β, 22α‐pentahydroxyolean‐12‐ene‐28‐oic acid 3‐O‐{α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside}‐22‐O‐{α‐L‐arabinofuranosyl‐(1 → 3)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside} (1) and stachyssaponin B; 2β, 3β, 15α, 21β‐tetrahydroxyolean‐12‐ene‐28‐oic acid 2‐O‐[α‐L‐arabinofuranoside]‐3, 21‐bis‐O‐[β‐D‐glucopyranoside] (2). Copyright

Urease inhibitory activity of ursane type sulfated saponins from the aerial parts of Zygophyllum fabago Linn

Five ursane type sulfated saponins have been isolated from the aerial parts of Zygophyllum fabago Linn. (locally called Chashum). The urease inhibitory effects of these compounds have been investigated for the first time as well as their molecular docking studies have also been carried out to check the structure-activity relationship. The IC50 values of these compounds could not be found due to paucity of the samples. The molecular docking studies were performed only for the most active compound mono sodium salt of 3β,23-di-O-sulfonyl-23-hydroxyurs-20(21)-en-28-oic acid 28-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl] ester (Zygofaboside A; 1).

Two new trans-clerodane diterpenoids from Otostegia limbata

Two new tricyclic clerodane-type diterpenoids, limbatolide D (1) and limbatolide E (2), have been isolated from the roots of Otostegia limbata. Their structures and the relative configuration were established on the basis of spectral methods, especially two-dimensional (2D) NMR techniques.

Isolation and characterisation of three new anthraquinone secondary metabolites from Symplocos racemosa

Three new anthraquinone secondary metabolites were isolated from Symplocos racemosa, a small tree of family symplocaceae. The structures of compounds (1–3) were elucidated to be 1,4-dihydroxy-6-(ethoxymethyl)-8-propylanthracene-9,10-dione (1), 1,4-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-8-butylanthracene-9,10-dione (2) and 1,4-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-8-propyl anthracene-9,10-dione (3) using their spectral data, i.e. through IR, UV, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and two-dimensional (2D) NMR techniques including heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence, heteronuclear multiple bond correlation and correlation spectroscopy.

Standardization of Biomarkers Gallic Acid and Berberine in Polyherbal Formulation Entoban Capsules by High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography—Densitometry

The technological improvement in the structural elucidation of natural compounds has made it probable to generate appropriate strategies for the analysis and standardization of plant-based medicines. An appliance of highly oriented hyphenated techniques provides a definite tool for herbal investigations. Therefore, the present study was directed towards the standardization of biomarkers gallic acid and berberine in polyherbal formulation Entoban capsules to ensure the quality of the herbal drugs. A rapid, simple, accurate, and specific high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method for the quantitative estimation of biomarkers berberine and gallic acid has been developed. HPTLC was performed to evaluate the presence of gallic acid and berberine applying toulene—ethyl acetate—formic acid—methanol (12:9:4:0.5 v/v) and ethanol—water—formic acid (90:9:1 v/v), as the mobile phase, respectively. The RF values (0.58 for gallic acid and 0.76 for berberine) in both sample and reference standard were found comparable under ultraviolet (UV) light at 273 nm and 366 nm, respectively. The method developed resulted in good-quality peak shape and enabled high-quality resolution of biomarkers. The present standardization undertaken reveals compliance with the analytical procedure; therefore, it is concluded that Entoban capsule is a well-standardized product. Standardization falls under the specific guidelines of quality herbal medicine following the prerequisite for global harmonization.

New ursane type sulfated saponins from the aerial parts of Zygophyllum fabago Linn. and their urease inhibitory activity

D herb plays essential roles in Traditional Chinese Medicinal, and is unique for Chinese Medicinal Materials (CMM). It means good quality, high yield, special processing technique, and most importantly, it is usually produced in specific geographic region. Due to complex and diverse climatic and geographical ecological conditions in China, unique eco-diversity of CMM has been formatted, which is characterized by multi-local, multi-Daodi herb. Currently, the comparative research on Daodi herb vs. non Daodi herb is hot topic within China. However, some questions need to be answered: How to identify and authenticate the Daodi herb? What are the ecological characteristics of Daodi herb and what are the critical ecological factors influencing the formation of Daodi herb (ecotype)? What are the correlations between the ecotypes and environment, quality and hereditary basis? Here, updated case studies on ecotypes of Cistanche deserticola based on chemical component and molecular traits; quality variation and ecotype division of Panax quinquefolium L. in China; correlative study between ecological factors and chemical constituents of Notopterygii Rhizoma Et Radix of endangered plateau plant and Dendrobium are reported.F main phenolic compounds were isolated from the mushroom Inonotus obliquus by a repeated column chromatography. The structures of the five phenolic compounds were identified as 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (1),vanillic acid (2), caffeic acid (3), syringic acid (4) and 3,4-dihydroxybenzalacetone (5) using 1H and 13C NMR in combination with mass spectrometry. A simple reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) procedure was developed for simultaneous determination of the five bioactive phenolic compounds. Three extraction methods on Inonotus obliquus extract were compared and reflux extraction was the efficient method with the strong antioxidant properties. There are stronger linear relationships between DPPH radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content, caffeic acid and 3,4-dihydroxybenzalacetone content (R2>0.95). Caffeic acid and 3,4-dihydroxybenzalacetone are the major contributors to the observed antioxidant activities. This could be important information for quality control and the structure-activity relationships of phytochemicals of mushroom Inonotus obliquus.The present ethnobotanical exploration depicts 48 medicinal plants for about 36 types of ailments practiced by Paliyar tribes of the Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu, India. The study was carried out through semi-structured questionnaires and personal interviews in consultations with the herbal practitioners. The ethnic community still depends upon their indigenous knowledge to healing their ailments. The study thus emphasizes the need to pursue meticulous ethnobotanical research in finding solutions to major fatal diseases and ensure its application in improving human healthcare facilities.T fruit of Maclura pomifera tree (Raf.) Schneid. (family Moraceae), commonly known as horse apple, has traditionally been used as an insect repellant and its extract is a strong antioxidant. The major constituents of horse apple are the prenylated isoflavones pomiferin and osajin which are responsible for its antioxidant activity as well as other activities, such as cardioprotective and antitumor effects. The tree grows in Southern United States and the Midwest and produces its fruits in abundance during late summer and fall making it a rich and sustainable source for medicinally useful natural products. The first goal of this project was to identify horse apple sources and the best sample preparation procedures leading to extracts with high isoflavone content. The second goal was to investigate the activity of horse apple in new targets for certain disease conditions. To achieve the first goal, a reversed-phase HPLC method was developed, validated and applied to determine the effect of geographical location, degree of development and sample preparation on the levels of pomiferin and osajin in horse apple. For the second goal, the total methanolic extract was evaluated in two panels of in vitro assays for anti-inflammatory activity (inhibition of iNOS and NF-kB/induction of NAG), and inhibition of tau protein fibrillation. Phytochemical analysis indicated that the isoflavone content in horse apple may exceed 5% of dry weight and that the degree of maturity of the fruit hasa significant effect on its isoflavone content. Some promising results were also obtained from the preliminary in vitro evaluation of the total extract.E oil (EO), petroleum ether extract (PEE) and methanol extract (ME) were prepared from Verbena tenara Spring flowering herb. Their chemical composition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities were evaluated. EO was prepared by hydrodistillation method and analyzed by GC and GC/MS, which revealed the presence of ten compounds representing 82.54% of total EO composition. The major constituents were citronellyl acetate (33.2%), menthol (15.64%) and eugenol (13%). Lipoidal matter of PEE was studied by GC and GC/MS, which revealed the presence of eighteen compounds, the main constituents of saponifiable matter were erucic acid (16.85%), palmitic acid (13.6%) and arachidic acid (12.85%). While stigmasterol (25.03%), phytol (4.31%) and β-sitosterol (3.2%) were the main components of unsaponifiable matter. Quantitative study of ME by colourimetric methods revealed that the percentage of phenolics, phenylethanoids and irridoids were 46 ± 0.6, 165 ± 1.87 and 32.77 ± 1.00 μg%, respectively. EO, PEE and ME showed significant antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms. Additionally, EO exhibited antioxidant activity, PEE showed anti-inflammatory effect while ME showed significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.T genus Lycoris, a group of Amaryllidaceae plants distributed in temperate regions of Eastern Asia, is known for containing representative alkaloids typical of this botanical family with a wide range of biological activities (such aslycorine and galanthamine). The alkaloids found in Amaryllidaceae species have shown manypharmacological properties including antiprotozoal, antiviral, antitumoral, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. One of the most renowned compounds of this group isgalanthamine, a drug marketed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (Razadyne®, formerly Reminyl®). In the present work,the species L. albiflora, L. aurea, L. chinensis, L. haywardii, L. incarnata, L. longituba, L. radiata, L. sprengeri, and L. squamigera, and one variety (L. radiatavar.pumila) have been evaluated by means of a simple and rapid methodology that exploits the advantages of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for alkaloid profiling and direct quantification from dry plant material. GC-MS is a proven useful, fast and specific technique with good sensitivity for the study and identification of complex alkaloid mixtures from various plants of different groups, requiring very low amounts of plant material and no derivatization step. The results were analyzed using AMDIS 2.64 software (NIST). Structures belonging to the lycorine-, homolycorine-, haemanthamine-, narciclasine-, tazettine-, montanine-and galanthamine-series were identified and quantified. Galanthamine and lycorine-type compounds were predominated and showed a high relative abundance in comparison with other alkaloids detected inthe extracts. Interestingly, L. longituba revealed itself to be a potential commercial source of bioactive alkaloids.N (NGF, BDNF etc.) are recognized as important regulatory substance in the nervous system. However, they cannot cross brain-blood barrier because of the properties of their high molecular polypeptides and are easily metabolized by peptidases under physiological conditions. To address this issue, considerable efforts have been made to find small molecules that mimic neurotrophic properties. Javanese ginger Bangle, Zingiber purpureum, has been used as a spice as well as an important component of traditional medicine “Jamu” in Indonesia. In the course of efforts to discover natural products with neurotrophic properties, it was found that the EtOH extract of the roots of Bangle (Zingiber purpurenum) exhibited neuritogenesis activity in PC12 cells. Bioassay-guided fractionation resulted in the isolation of neurotrophic phenylbutenoid dimers 1 and 2, and a new compound 3. The structure of 3 was elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparing the NMR data with cussumunarin A. Compounds 1 and 2 were found not only to significantly induce neurite sprouting of PC12 cells, but also to increase the neurite length and number of neurites in primary cultured rat cortical neurons, and also showed protective activity against cell death caused by deprivation of serum. Furthermore, chronic treatment of these compounds enhanced hippocampal neurogenesis in dementia model OBX mice. These results suggest that compounds 1 and 2 have both neurotrophic effects and neurogenesis, and thus Bangle may be developed as a valuable functional food for potentially protecting neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease.B and botanical preparations intended for human consumption as food supplements and related products are widely marketed with various health claims. Such herbal preparations are easily available to consumers through several distribution channels: OTC in pharmacies, in supermarkets, herbalist’s shops or via the Internet. There are some general concerns with respect to botanicals and botanical preparations mainly relating to quality and safety issues. In this context, problems related to undeclared, unauthorized or toxic botanicals in food supplements is of growing importance worldwide, because these preparations have generally not been through a rigorous drug testing process. Furthermore, there is a need to conduct anti-fraud analyses by confirming the presence of the declared botanicals. Chemical methods already exist for the detection of plants but they are usually specific for a few plants only. In this study, a generic procedure was developed for the multi-targeted screening of biomarkers in selected botanicals. The analytical approach combined high performance liquid chromatography with hybrid mass spectrometry (Q-Trap) operating in theinformation dependent acquisition mode which generated MS/MS spectra that can be compared with an in-house library. Each plant was characterized with at least one biomarker, which in turn was identified with its retention time, two specific transitions and their corresponding ratio as well as three enhanced product ion scans. This method enabled identification of 115 biomarkers intended to characterize 90 selected plants.T honey has recently been extensively studied for its anti-microbial activities and uses in traditional medicine. Little is known about its role and potential application in wound repair and tissue regeneration. Here we proved that Tualang honey was able to modulate corneal epithelial progenitor cell functions without affecting its stemness and proliferative capability, but the positive effects could be offset by its cytotoxicity at high concentrations. The honey, which contains higher antioxidant content compared to its counterparts based on a past study, was also found to improve the corneal epithelial progenitor cell resistance to oxidative stress, a crucial characteristic for better transplant engraftment and survival. Interestingly, the benefits observed were attributed to Tualang honey in its native form, but not 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxaldehyde, the major antioxidant that present in Tualang honey. Moreover, the survival of the corneal epithelial progenitor cells after hydrogen peroxide stress at 100 μM was greater after treated with Tualang honey compared to ascorbic acid-treated controls, suggesting that the antioxidant properties of raw Tualang honey conferred on corneal epithelial progenitor cells the superior resistance to oxidative stress.