Barringtonia Research Articles

Establishment of cell suspension cultures for plant secondary metabolites study in Barringtonia racemosa L

Establishment of cell suspension cultures for plant secondary metabolites study in Barringtonia racemosa L

Three new species of Barringtonia (Lecythidaceae) from Myanmar and Vietnam

Three new species of Barringtonia (Lecythidaceae) are herein described, B. laxiflora Thammar., Pornp. & Chantar. and B. tomentosa Thammar., Pornp. & Chantar. from Vietnam, and B. parkinsonii Thammar., Pornp. & Chantar. from Myanmar. Distribution maps and illustrations are also presented.

Proximate analysis and mineral characterization of Barringtonia species

The study about material contained in Barringtonia seeds were conducted at the first time using the standard procedure of AOAC. For present work, two species of Barringtonia were selected viz., B. acutangula and B. racemosa . The proximate composition and mineral constituents of Barringtonia seeds were evaluated. The B. acutangula seeds contained ash 4.24%, crude protein 9.23%, crude lipids 0.68%, crude fibre13.54% and carbohydrates 66.17%. While in seeds of B. racemosa, ash 4.02%, crude protein 12.09%, crude lipids 0.75%, crude fibre15.18% and carbohydrates: 64.67% were observed. Both the species have a high energy value on dry basis. Comparing the mineral content with recommended dietary allowances (RDA), the results indicated that seeds of B. acutangula fruits could be a good supplement for some nutrients such as calcium, fibre and carbohydrates, whereas the B. racemosa seeds could be a good supplement for some nutrients such as fibre, potassium, zinc and carbohydrates. The seeds of Barringtonia could be promoted as a carbohydrate supplement. Hence, this piece of work acclaims the potential of Barringtonia species indicating its proximate and mineral composition.

Bioactivity of plant extracts against Burkholderia pseudomallei.

Background: Burkholderia pseudomallei are causative agents of melioidosis, a disease found mostly in South-East Asia and Northern Australia. Recent reports of a reduced susceptibility of B. pseudomallei to antibiotics, especially ceftazidime, have indicated need for further research into new antimicrobial substances from plants. Objectives: We tested antimicrobial activity of 10 plant extracts; Barringtonia acutangula (L.) Gaertn., Cleome gynandra Linn., Luffa acutangula (Linn.) Roxb., Limnophila geoffrayi Bonati, Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, Piper sarmentosum Roxb., Tamarindus indica, Cyperus rotundus Linn., Cassia fistula Linn., and Allium sativum Linn. Materials and Methods: Crude extracts were tested for their antimicrobial activity by the standard disc diffusion assay and micro-dilution assay. Methanol, ethyl acetate, ethanol, hexane, and water were used as solvents for extraction. Results: The methanolic extract of B. acutangula (L.) Gaertn. showed the best antimicrobial results against B. pseudomallei with an inhibition zone of 18 mm and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 4 mg/ml. The chemical structure of crude methanolic extracts of B. acutangula (L.) Gaertn. was primarily elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The results showed that the chemical constituent was in the group of steroids. Conclusions: It is concluded that Barringtonia acutangula (L.) Gaertn. may play an active part in the inhibition of the growth of B. pseudomallei. Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, B. pseudomallei, disc diffusion, plant extracts

DPPH free radical scavenging activity of some Bangladeshi medicinal plants

Hydromethanol extracts of fifteen Bangladeshi medicinal plants, traditionally used in different ailments, were evaluated for antioxidant potential using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) radical scavenging assay. Among the extractsCocos nucifera, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Punica granatum and Syzygium cumini were found displaying strong (90% or more) DPPH radical scavenging action. Syzygium cumini exhibited the highest radical scavenging, with an IC50value of 4.25 μg/ml compared to the IC50 value of 5.15 μg/ml as shown by the reference antioxidant ascorbic acid, in a dose dependent fashion. Key words: Antioxidant, medicinal plants, Bangladesh, DPPH free radical.

Anthocyanins of the Melastomataceae, Myrtaceae and some allied families

Acylated anthocyanins were found to be abundant in the Melastomataceae but were not found in closely allied families. Their distribution may help in placing Memecylon. Anthocyanins of Barringtonia support the separation of the Lecythidaceae from the Myrtiflorae.

V. On the Structure of the Seeds of Barringtonia and Careya.

V. On the Structure of the Seeds of Barringtonia and Careya.