Composition and content of total phenolics and flavonoids, and antioxidant activity of Trigonella isthmocarpa

The aqueous methanolic extracts obtained from aerial parts and seeds of T. isthmocarpa Boiss. & Bal. from Turkey were analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC for their phenolic acid and flavonoid composition. Total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay, while total flavonoid content was measured spectrometrically with AlCl3 assay. Primary antioxidant activity in terms of free radical scavenging activities of both extracts was measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The highest total flavonoid and total phenolic content was determined in the extract of aerial parts (830.8 mg/100 g and 877.9 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g, respectively). The extracts of aerial parts and seeds had the high antioxidant activity (87.2 % and 78.2%, respectively). Gallic acid, caffeic acid, luteolin, apigenin and kaempferol were detected as phenolic compounds in both extracts by HPLC methods. In addition, an isoflavone, formononetin was determined in the extract from aerial parts of the plant. The present results suggest that T. isthmocarpa have shown potential a source of natural antioxidants

Constituents of Nepeta caesarea

The acetone extract of Nepeta caesarea yielded four new nepetalic acid derivatives, 3'alpha-[beta-sitosteryl-3 beta-oxy]dihydronepetalactone (1), 3'beta-[5 alpha-stigmast-7-ene-3 beta-oxy]dihydronepetalactone (2), 3'alpha-[olean-12-ene-28-oyl-3 beta-oxy]dihydronepetalactone (3), and 3'alpha-[lup-20(29)-ene-28-ol-3 beta-oxy]dihydronepetalactone (4). The structures were elucidated by NMR and MS techniques

Steroids and terpenoids from Ajuga relicta

From the acetone extract of Ajuga relicta P, H. Davis, four steroids, two being new ones, (24S)-24-ethylcholesta-5,25-diene-11alpha-hydroxy-1-one (1) and (24S)-24-ethylcholesta-5,25-diene-7alpha-hydroxy-3-one (2), two known triterpenoids and two known diterpenoids were isolated in addition to a monoterpene and an iridoid. The structures were characterized by spectral methods including UV, IR, H-1, C-13 NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry

Terpenoids from Salvia glutinosa

A new sterodial compound 1-oxo-7 alpha-hydroxysitosterol was isolated from the whole plant of Salvia glutinosa in addition to 11 known triterpenoids and three steroids. The structures were established by spectral data. Cytotoxic activity of the new compound and 7 alpha-hydroxysitosterol were tested against P-388 and KB systems; only marginal activity was found. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd

Seed macro and micro morphology of the selected Nigella (Ranunculaceae) taxa from Turkey and their systematic significance

Macro and micromorphological properties of intact and mature seeds of 12 taxa (species and varieties) belonging to Nigella L. (Ranunculaceae) was investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. Material studied covers 11 species of 15 Turkish Nigella. Studied taxa were divided into two types. Type I has ovate to orbicular seeds that includes four species. Type II has triquedrous seeds and includes seven species. Type II was subdivided into two. Type IIa has triquedrous to subpyramidal seeds (five species) and Type IIb has triquedrous to subglobose seeds (two species). Further segregation was performed micromorphologically and an identification key of studied Nigella taxa was given. Studied Nigella taxa have a diverse macro and micromorphological characters that utilize to separate them from each other to assess the systematics of Nigella

DNA damaging activities of methanol extract of Ajuga postii and iridoid glucoside reptoside

An iridoid glucoside reptoside ( 1) has been isolated as a DNA damaging active agent by bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanol extract of Ajuga postii. Furthermore, from the acetone extract of A. postii two known triterpenic compounds ursolic acid, alpha-amyrin and two steroidal compounds ( 24S)-24-ethylcholesta-5,25-dien-3 beta-ol and beta-sitosterol were isolated. Their structures were elucidated based on 1D and 2D NMR techniques and mass data

Diterpenoids from Salvia ceratophylla

Salvia ceratophylla L. has yielded four known and two now diterpenoids together with two triterpenic acids, a steroid and a flavone. The structures of the compounds were established by spectroscopic analyses. One of the known compounds candidissiol exhibited a high antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Proteus mirabilis

Variation in ruscogenin contents in Ruscus aculeatus L. growing wild in southern Turkey

The ruscogenin contents of the underground and aerial parts of Ruscus aculeatus (Liliaceae) collected from 6 different locations in southern Turkey were investigated by HPLC. The highest ruscogenin content (0.12 %) was recorded from the underground parts of R. aculeatus collected from Incebel/Osmaniye area of Turkey. Ruscogenin contents in aerial and underground parts of R. aculeatus varied the contents did not vary greatly in aerial parts