Kaurene as the major constituent of the essential oils of the narcotic plant, Khat (<i>Catha edulis</i> Forsk)

<p>Khat (<i>Catha edulis</i> Forsk) is a narcotic plant which contains significant amounts of amphetamines, like alkaloids. Herein, analysis of the essential oil composition showed that Khat has useful volatile chemicals in addition to its alkaloids. Results indicated that among 35 identified constituents including mono and sesquiterpenes, the diterpene kaurene, comprises the major part of the essential oil, around 50 percent of total. Kaurene is known as a potent biological agent for the treatment of cancer patients. The presence of kaurene at high levels indicates that the essential oil of <i>Catha edulis</i> can potentially be more effectively exploited rather than its narcotic stimulant amphetamine-like alkaloids.</p

Phenolic content and antioxidant properties of seeds from different grape cultivars grown in Iran

<p>This study investigated the antioxidant activity and phenolic composition of seed extracts from three grape cultivars grown in Iran. Folin Ciocalteu method was used for the determination of the total phenolic contents and GC–MS was used for the analysis of phenolic compositions. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. The highest and the lowest total phenolic contents of seed extract were found in the black and green grape, respectively. The content of individual phenols such as Frulic acid, Gentistic acid, Syringic acid, (+) Catechin, Chlorogenic acid and (−)- Epicatchin gallate was cultivars dependent. The antioxidant activity of the seed extracts ranged from 34.03% (Green) to 53.63% (Black). Generally, the Black grape seed extract with the total phenolic content (3 ± 0.01 mg tannic acid/g DM), DPPH (53.63 ± 0.34%), IC₅₀ and AEAC (7.41 and 16.92 mg/mL) showed the highest level of total antioxidant capacity.</p