Isolation and structure elucidation of a new oleanane type glycoside from the aerial portion of Cestrum nocturnum

Cestrum nocturnum (Solanaceae) is an ornamental plant cultivated in various parts of the world due to its sweet-scented white flowers. It is commonly called night-blooming Jessamine (Raat ki Rani). The genus is known for its toxicity to feedents. The leaves may cause uneasiness in animals which may lead to severe gastroenteritis. The plant is known to be a rich source of pharmacologically active saponins. Looking to its various pharmacological activities as reported, the plant was explored for the isolation of new phytochemicals. During the process, a new oleanen type glycoside was isolated from the butanolic fraction of the leaves of Cestrum nocturnum and was characterized as 3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside-olean-12-en-28-oic acid-28-O-β-arabinopyranosyl-(1-3)-β-D-galacto-pyranosyl-(1-2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester, along with two reported compounds nocturnoside A and karativoside A. The structure was elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectrometry.   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(1), 141-148. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i1.1

Biochemical Markers of Liver Toxicity among Coal Mine Workers of Punjab, Pakistan Suffering from HCV

Hepatitis C is among the leading hepatic disorders in current period through which about 3 % world population has been anguish among them 170 million were diagnosed as persistent carriers. A great range of alteration in liver biochemical parameters were found to be allied with HCV infestation. Current study was designed to evaluate the extent of HCV mediated abnormalities in liver biochemical markers which includes ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (Aspartate transaminase), ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) and serum bilirubin. The study was conducted on coal miners of Punjab province, Pakistan. HCV was primarily diagnosed through one step rapid test device after which positive samples were confirmed through ELISA. Biochemical markers were determined through Autoanalyzer by using standard procedure provided with spinreact kits. Simple linear regression analysis significantly explained 24 %, 56.2 %, 68.8 % and 56 % variance in ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (Aspartate transaminase), ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) and serum bilirubin level among HCV positive coal mine workers respectively. Results have clearly indicated significant correlation between HCV seropositivity and liver biochemical markers. Findings of present study conclude monitoring of liver biochemical markers is crucial during HCV infectivity as it represents the degree of impairment in liver functioning. In addition to this elevation in these diagnostic markers could points toward the presence of HCV in respective individual

Antibacterial Activities of Dodonaea viscosa using Contact Bioautography Technique

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Analysis of Metal Content of Samples of Gloriosa Superba L (Colchicaceae) Collected from Two Different Locations in Pakistan

Purpose: To determine the metallic content of different parts of Gloriosa superba collected from two different locations in Pakistan, and also to assess their nutritious values and toxic levels. Methods: The plant material and soil were collected from two different locations - polluted and unpolluted. Wet digestion method was used for the preparation of samples (whole plant and soil) followed by analysis using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (for micronutrients) and flame photometry (for macronutrients). Results: Of the detected micronutrients, high concentrations of Zn, Fe and Mn were noted for samples collected from both areas. These values were within permissible limits. Samples collected from the polluted area contained Cu (7.5 - 13.0 ppm), Cr (1.4 - 1.9 ppm) and Ni (0.3 - 2.0 ppm), all of which exceeded acceptable limits; the same nutrients were mostly within acceptable limits for samples collected from the unpolluted area. Significant presence of macronutrients - Ca, Na and K - were observed in samples obtained from both areas. Conclusion: Proper validation of medicinal plants used for therapeutic purposes should be mandatory on safety grounds to protect consumers from contaminants

Analysis of Metal Content of Samples of Gloriosa Superba L (Colchicaceae)Collected from Two Different Locations in Pakistan

Purpose: To determine the metallic content of different parts of Gloriosa superba collected from two different locations in Pakistan, and also to assess their nutritious values and toxic levels. Methods: The plant material and soil were collected from two different locations - polluted and unpolluted. Wet digestion method was used for the preparation of samples (whole plant and soil) followed by analysis using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (for micronutrients) and flame photometry (for macronutrients). Results: Of the detected micronutrients, high concentrations of Zn, Fe and Mn were noted for samples collected from both areas. These values were within permissible limits. Samples collected from the polluted area contained Cu (7.5 - 13.0 ppm), Cr (1.4 - 1.9 ppm) and Ni (0.3 - 2.0 ppm), all of which exceeded acceptable limits; the same nutrients were mostly within acceptable limits for samples collected from the unpolluted area. Significant presence of macronutrients - Ca, Na and K - were observed in samples obtained from both areas. Conclusion: Proper validation of medicinal plants used for therapeutic purposes should be mandatory on safety grounds to protect consumers from contaminants