Evaluation of antimalarial, free-radical-scavenging and insecticidal activities of Artemisia scoparia and A. Spicigera, Asteraceae

Artemisia species (Asteraceae), widespread throughout the world, are a group of important medicinal plants. The extracts of two medicinal plants of this genus, Artemisia scoparia Waldst. & Kit. and A. spicigera C. Koch, were evaluated for potential antimalarial, free-radical-scavenging and insecticidal properties, using the heme biocrystallisation and inhibition assay, the DPPH assay and the contact toxicity bioassay using the pest Tribolium castaneum, respectively. The methanol extracts of both species showed strong free-radical-scavenging activity and the RC50 values were 0.0317 and 0.0458 mg/mL, respectively, for A. scoparia and A. spicigera. The dichloromethane extracts of both species displayed a moderate level of potential antimalarial activity providing IC50 at 0.778 and 0.999 mg/mL for A. scoparia and A. spicigera, respectively. Both species of Artemisia showed insecticidal properties. However, A. spicigera was more effective than A. scoparia

Melilotoside Derivatives from Artemisia splendens (Asteraceae)

A combination of solid-phase-extraction (SPE) and reversed-phase preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (prep-HPLC) of the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Artemisia splendens (common name: “Asia Minor Wormwood”), an endemic Iranian species, afforded Z- and E-melilotosides (1 and 2), Z- and E-4-methoxy-melilotosides (3 and 4), and a new dimer, bis-ortho-Z-melilotoside (5, named: splendenoside). Whilst the structures of these compounds (1-5) were elucidated unequivocally by spectroscopic means, the in vitro free-radical-scavenging property of 1-5 was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. This is the first report on the occurrence of any melilotoside derivatives in the genus Artemisia

Melilotoside derivatives from Artemisia splendens (Asteraceae)

All rights reserved.A combination of solid-phase-extraction (SPE) and reversed-phase preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (prep-HPLC) of the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Artemisia splendens (common name: “Asia Minor Wormwood”), an endemic Iranian species, afforded Z- and E-melilotosides (1 and 2), Z- and E-4-methoxy-melilotosides (3 and 4), and a new dimer, bis-ortho-Z-melilotoside (5, named: splendenoside). Whilst the structures of these compounds (1-5) were elucidated unequivocally by spectroscopic means, the in vitro free-radical-scavenging property of 1-5 was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. This is the first report on the occurrence of any melilotoside derivatives in the genus Artemisia. © 2016 ACG Publications

Nerinine and homolycorine, amaryllidaceae alkaloids from the bulbs of Galanthus transcaucasicus Fomin

Background and objectives: Many members of the Amaryllidaceae are regarded as toxic. The toxic constituents that occur in the whole family are referred to as the Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. The main aim of this study was the identification of alkaloid compounds from Galanthus transcaucasicus Fomin, a medicinal plant from Amaryllidaceae. Methods: Planar and column chromatography techniques were used for isolation of alkaloid components. GC/MS analysis was carried out for the identification of alkaloid compounds. Results: Silica gel column chromatography of the alkaloidal extract of G. transcaucasicus bulbs afforded seven fractions. Preparative thin layer chromatography of these fractions led to the isolation of compounds 1 (nerinine)and 2 (homolycorine). Galantamine was not detected in any of these fractions. Conclusion: Our findings showed that G. transcaucasicus could be a new source of bioactive alkaloids for possible applications in pharmaceutical industries

Secondary metabolites from the roots of Astragalus maximus

Background and objectives: Astragalus is one of the most abundant genera of flowering plants in Iran. There are a few reports on phytochemical investigation of this valuable genus. Saponins, flavonoids and polysaccharides have been reported as the most important metabolites in Astragalus species. In the present research, we aimed to identify the foremost constituents of Astragalus maximus. Method: Phytochemical analysis of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of Astragalus maximus roots was performed using different methods of chromatography such as HPLC, SPE and preparative TLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectral evidence from 1D and 2D NMR including DQF-COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and DEPT, in comparison with reported values in the literature. Results: Analysis of the extract yielded three flavonoids namely liquiritigenin, formononetin, isoquercitrin and one acylated cycloartane-type saponin, astragaloside I. Conclusion: According to the results of our study, cycloartane-type saponin and flavonoids were the important metabolites in A. maximus

N and K nutrition levels affect growth and essential oil content of costmary (Tanacetum balsamita L.)

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