A phytopharmacological review on an Arabian medicinal plant: Caralluma flava N.E.Br

Caralluma flava (N.E.Br.) is a medicinal plant which is gaining renowned attention in scientific community due to its potential curative powers. Traditionally, it is used in Arab regions as an anti-diabetic and anti-ulcer. It is also used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and anti-pyretic. Due to its pharmacological values, initial biological activities of C. flava have been carried out recently and some pregnane glycoside molecules have been isolated and identified from its sap. The plant lacks the reports of phytochemical studies and pharmacological activities which support its further investigation and validation of the traditional therapeutic claims. The compiled data in this review is intended to serve as a reference to many researchers and may help them to focus on the priority areas of research yet to be discovered. 

Phytochemical investigation and antimicrobial activity of Derris scandens

Different fractions of root and stem of Derris scandens demonstrated good antibacterial (Escherichia coli, and Bacillus megaterium), antialgal (Chlorella fusca), and antifungal (Microbotryum violaceum) activities. Phytochemical investigation resulted in isolation of scandenin, scandenin A, betulinic acid, lupeol, β-amyran-3-one, β-amyrin, β-sitosterol and ß-sitosterol glucopyranoside. Study showed that scandenin has strong antibacterial activity against B. megaterium and good antifungal and antialgal properties. Scandenin A showed good antibacterial, antifungal and antialgal properties