Chloroform Extract Of Roots Research Articles

Moricandia arvensis Chloroform Root Extract Reduces Calpain Activity, ROS Production in Colorectal Cancer Cells and Melanin Biosynthesis

Medicinal plants have been used for centuries to fight against all types of diseases, essentially certain types of cancer. In this study, we investigate the potential of Moricandia arvensis chloroform root extract (ChlR) as anticancer agent by evaluating its effect on viable cell number, oxidation, the sensitivity of cancer cells to apoptosis and melanin biosynthesis. ChlR extract decreased the proliferation of Caco-2 and BE cell lines by 99.60 and 95.21%, respectively. Furthermore, the extract exhibited significant inhibitory activity (99.43%) against calpain after 2 h of incubation with Caco-2 cells, suggesting its possible use as an anticancer agent. ChlR also enhanced significant antioxidant activity (IP = 100%) after 2 h of incubation with the two colorectal cancer cell lines and a significant inhibition of melanin synthesis. Targeting calpain using ChlR extract could be an interesting way to prevent and/or treat colorectal cancers; in addition, this extract might be used as a skin whitening agent.

ANTIMICROBIAL ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT PARTS EXTRACT IN DIFFERENT SOLVENT SYSTEM OF A WASTE WEED - CALOTROPIS PROCERA.

Objective: In the current study, we have focused on the major secondary metabolite containing parts such as flower, leaf, and root for phytochemical extraction with three different solvent systems to make a comparative study against three virulent bacteria species which are capable of intestinal infection, pneumonia, skin infections, and food poisoning.Methods: Antimicrobial activity of ethanol, methanol, and chloroform extracts from bark, leaves and roots of Calotropis procera, was examined against three virulent bacteria species: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis using disc diffusion method.Results: The ethanol extract of leaf showed significant activity against S. aureus with a zone of inhibition ranging from 14 to 20 mm for S. aureus. The ethanol extract of flower was effective against E. coli with maximum 18 mm. Ethanol extract of root showed significant activity against S. aureus. Methanol extract of leaves showed moderate activity against S. aureus with a zone of inhibition ranging from 14 to 20 mm. Methanol extract of root showed significant activity against S. aureus with a zone of inhibition ranging from 12 to 22 mm. Methanol extract of flowers showed activity against E. coli with a zone of inhibition ranging from 11 to 20 mm. The chloroform extract of leaves showed significant activity against S. aureus. Chloroform extract of flower showed activity with zone of inhibition ranging from 11 to 17 mm for S. aureus chloroform extract of root showed activity against E. coli with zone of inhibition ranging from 9 to 17 mm.Conclusion: From the above study, it can be concluded that the activity of the plant extract may be due to the secondary metabolites or broad-spectrum antibiotic compounds present in it.

Potential of Inula racemosa root extract and its fractions to suppress root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita

Nematicidal potential of chloroform root extract of Inula racemosa and its fractions was investigated on egg hatching and mortality of root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Egg masses and second stage juveniles (J2) of M. incognita were exposed to different concentrations (0.1-8.0 mg ml-1) of I. racemosa root extract and its fractions. Observations on egg hatch were recorded on 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th day and those of mortality studies were recorded on 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th day, respectively. Significant mortality as well as egg hatch inhibition was observed for all the tested components at 5 %. The root extract was found to be most effective in controlling egg hatching as complete inhibition was observed at 8.0 mg ml-1 concentration on 1stday of treatment and nonpolar fraction was most effective in causing mortality of J2 of M. incognita as 100 % inhibition was observed at 6.0 and 8.0 mg ml-1 concentration on 2nd day of treatment. Maximum inhibition of egg hatching was observed for root extract at 8.0 mg ml-1 concentration and 100 % mortality was observed for root extract as well as nonpolar fraction at the same concentration. The nonpolar fraction was most effective in causing mortality as maximum mortality was observed at 6.0 and 8.0 mg ml-1 concentration throughout the exposure time. Polar fraction was least effective among all the components both in egg hatch inhibition and J2 mortality of M. incognita. Both the activities showed concentrations as well as time dependence. Results show different role of tested components on egg hatching and mortality of root knot nematode. The root extract of I. racemosa and its fractions showed a potential to develop new nematicide.

Characterization of volatile compounds of <i>Albertisia papuana</i> Becc root extracts and cytotoxic activity in breast cancer cell line T47D

Purpose: To evaluate the cytotoxic activity of chloroform and water root extracts of Albertisia papuana Becc. on T47D cell line and identify the volatile compounds of the extracts. Methods: The plant roots were extracted with chloroform and water using maceration and boiling methods, respectively. The cytotoxicity of the extracts on T47D were determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Doxorubicin was used as reference drug in the cytotoxicity test while Probit analysis was used to calculate the Median Growth Inhibitory Concentration IC 50 of the extracts. The volatile compounds in the chloroform and water root extracts were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry GC-MS. Results: The IC 50 of the chloroform and water extracts were 28.0 ± 6.0 and 88.0 ± 5.5 μg/mL, respectively whereas that of doxorubicin was 8.5 ± 0.1 μg/mL. GC-MS results showed that there were 46 compounds in the chloroform extract, out of which the five major components are ethyl linoleate (49.68 %), bicyclo (3.3.1) non-2-ene (29.29 %), ethyl palmitate (5.06 %), palmitic acid (3.67 %) and ethyl heptadecanoate (1.57 %).The water extract consisted of three compounds, butanoic acid (15.58 %); methyl cycloheptane (3.45 %), and methyl 2-O-methylpentofuranoside (80.96 %). Conclusion: The chloroform root extract of A. papuana Becc. had a fairly potent anticancer activity against breast cancer cells and may be further developed as an anticancer agent. Its major components were fatty acids and fatty acid esters. Keywords: Albertisia papuana Becc., Cytotoxicity, Breast cancer, T47D cell lines, Methyl 2-Omethylpentofuranoside

Xanthane sesquiterpenoids from the roots and flowers of Xanthium cavanillesii

The sesquiterpene lactones xanthanodiene, 4-epi-xanthanol, 4-epi-isoxanthanol, and 4-epi-xanthinin, as well as the xanthanolide derivative 4-oxo-bedfordia acid were isolated from the chloroform extracts of roots and flowers of Xanthium cavanillesii Schouw. The identities of these compounds were corroborated through comparison of their spectroscopic data, including IR, MS, and 1H and 13C NMR assignments, with literature reports. In addition, the structural characterization of 4-oxo-bedfordia acid was revisited and a comprehensive spectroscopic study of the compound is presented. This is to our knowledge the first phytochemical investigation of the roots of X. cavanillesii, and of flowers in the whole Xanthium genus.

STAGE-DEPENDENT EFFECTS OF Quassia borneensis NOOT. (SIMAROUBACEAE) CHLOROFORM EXTRACTS ON ERYTHROCYTES INFECTED WITH CHLOROQUINE-RESISTANT Plasmodium berghei NK65

This study was conducted to screen the antiplasmodial activity of chloroform extracts of Quassia borneensis against different intraerythrocytic cycle of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium berghei NK65. The antiplasmodial activity was measured using SYBR green I assay for determining the concentration that inhibited 50% (IC50) of the Plasmodium’s activity after 24 hours of treatment (0.0001-100 mg mL-1). All of the extracts showed potent activity against all of the cycles. The trophozoite and schizont stages were considerably more sensitive to the extracts than the ring-stages parasites. The values were compared to the controls treated with chloroquine and artemisinin. Hence, the chloroform extracts of roots and bark of Q. borneensis demonstrated potent activities towards each life cycle of chloroquine-resistant P. berghei and has a potential to be developed as an antimalarial agent.

In vitro Antimicrobial Study for Biological Evaluation of Clerodendrum infortunatum Linn.

To explore a scientific idea, this study was examined for evaluation of antimicrobial potency using root, leaf and stem of ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts of C. infortunatum (Verbenaceae) due to randomly use in traditional medicine to cure common ailments such as intestinal disorder, diarrhea, tuberculosis and respiratory problems etc. The in vitro application was carried out by using disc diffusion, micro broth dilution and serial dilution techniques against clinically important life threatening organisms. All the extracts showed significant inhibitory activity over the bacteria and fungus comparable to the standard drug tetracycline and fluconazole. The maximum average diameter zone of inhibition was recorded to bacterial strains against B. megaterium, S. typhi, K. pneumoniae and to fungi against A. niger and C. albicans. The MIC values of ethyl acetate and chloroform root extract were determined 64 µg/ml to B. subtilis, and K. pneumoniae; to S.-β-haemolyticus and S. typhi for ethyl acetate extracts, 128 µg/ml to S. aureus, and E. coli for both ethyl acetate and chloroform root extracts but only S. typhi and S.-β-haemolyticus for chloroform extract. The findings evidently appear promising antibacterial and antifungal properties of C. infortunatum against antagonistic pathogens. Leaf possess quite potent activity than root and stem specially root extract > leaf extract > stem extract. One of the more significant achievements of this study to follows and covers the most recent and important patents WO2009075290 (2009) which deals on yeast having immunopotentiating effect and food or feed. This study serves as basis for further research to lead compounds to be isolated so that may be as a template for the implications of these results for bioactivity and drug discovery potential of herbal products are discussed.

Estimation of cytotoxic potency by brine shrimp lethality bioassay application of Clerodendrum infortunatum Linn.

Objective: To learn a scientific and systematic knowledge of anticancer, antimicrobial and pharmacological activities of natural products and estimate cytotoxic potency by using ethanol and chloroform extracts of root, leaf and stem of Clerodendrum infortunatum (Verbenaceae) due to its random use in customary and traditional medicine to cure common ailments such as intestinal disorder, diarrhea, tuberculosis and respiratory problems etc. Methods: The in vitro application was carried out with the bench-top bioassay method by using brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Results: All of the crude extracts were found to be lethal and effective. The LC50 value of ethyl alcohol fraction of root was 20.845 mg/L compared to the standard drug tetracycline of 14.675 mg/L to brine shrimp nauplii, indicating that the extracts were biologically active. Conclusions: The cytotoxic study of LC50 value showed that a good correlation with the antibiotic tetracycline. From the comparative correlation error bars and percentage, we understood that ethyl alcohol fraction of root extract was very effective. This study serves as a basis for further research to lead compounds to be isolated so that it may be as a template for the implications of these results for bioactivity and drug discovery potential of herbal products.

Phytochemical Evaluation of Roots of Polygonum viscosum Buch-ham.

Phytochemical evaluation of the chloroform extract of roots of Polygonum viscosum has yielded six compounds, stigmasterol, 7,4-dimethylquercetin, kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin and scutellarein. Among the six compounds isolated and characterized by chemical and spectral (UV, NMR and Mass) analysis in the present phytochemical evaluation, stigmasterol was not reported earlier from P. viscosum. The compounds, 7,4'-dimethylquercetin, quercetin and scutellarein were reported from P. hydropiper. Kaempferol from P. amphibium, P. aviculare, P. convolvulus, P. hydropiper, P. lapathifolium and P. persicari a and myricetin from P. aviculare and P. lapathifolium were also reported earlier. This appers to be the first report of the occurrence of all the six compounds from P. viscosum.

Evaluation of antimicrobial study in in vitro application of Clerodendrum infortunatum Linn.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the antimicrobial potency of ethanol and chloroform extracts of root, leaf and stem of Clerodendrum infortunatum (Verbenaceae) and to explore a scientific data as this plant was randomly use in traditional medicine to cure common ailments such as intestinal disorder, diarrhea, tuberculosis and respiratory problems, etc. MethodsThe in vitro application was carried out by using disc diffusion, micro broth dilution and serial dilution techniques against clinically important life threatening organisms. ResultsAll the extracts showed significant inhibitory activity over the bacteria and fungus comparable to the standard drug tetracycline and fluconazole. The maximum average diameter zone of inhibition was recorded to bacterial strains against Bacillus megaterium, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae and to fungi against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The minimum inhibitory concentration values of ethanol leaf extract were determined 64 μg/mL to Bacillus megaterium, Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumoniae; 128 μg/mL to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus-β–haemolyticus and Escherichia coli. ConclusionsThe findings evidently appear promising antibacterial and antifungal properties of Clerodendrum infortunatum against antagonistic pathogens. Leaf possesses quite potent activity than root and stem specially leaf extract>root extract>stem extract. This study serves as basis for further research to lead compounds to be isolated so that it may be as a template for the implications of these results for bioactivity and drug discovery potential of herbal products.

In vitro and in silico antidiabetic activity of pyran ester derivative isolated from Tragia cannabina

To investigate the in vitro antidiabetic effects of isolated 4-Oxo-4H-pyran-2,6-dicarboxylic acid bis-[6-methyl-heptyl] ester from the chloroform extract of root of Tragia cannabina (T. cannabina) and AMP kinase activation property of the isolated compound. The roots of T. cannabina were collected and extracted with ethanol [95% v/v] then chromatographed over silica gel 60-120 mesh of column length 100 cm and diameter 3 cm. Elution was carried out with solvents and solvent mixtures of increasing polarities. Then the chloroform extract was used for isolation. In vitro antidiabetic activity was performed with fertile eggs of White Leghorn chicks by induction of diabetes by streptozotocin. The isolated pyran ester binds very efficiently within the active pocket of AMPK with the formation of hydrogen bond and consuming less binding energy, which is good when compared to orientation of standard drug metformin. In in vitro antidiabetic evaluation by streptozotocin treated chick embryo the administration of isolated compound at a doses of 0.5 mg/egg and 1 mg/egg produced a significant reduction in the blood glucose levels in a dose dependant manner (P<0.01). The blood glucose level of diabetic control was (244.20±12.64) mg/dL, whereas it was (207.40±2.43) mg/dL (P<0.001) for isolated compound 0.5 mg/egg and 174.800±2.410 mg/dL (P<0.001) for 1 mg/ egg of the isolated compound. The significant glucose levels were reduced (P<0.01) after administration of the pyran ester isolated from T. cannabina to streptozotocin treated chick embryo.

C21 steroids from roots of Cynanchum otophyllum

Eleven C21 steroids were isolated from chloroform extract of roots of Cynanchum otophyllumby silica gel, MCI, ODS columns, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data analysis as otophylloside B(1), caudatin-3-O-beta-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-cymaropyranoside (2), caudatin-3-O-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-cymaropyranoside (3), caudatin-3-O-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-digitoxopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-cymaropyranoside (4), otophylloside O (5), gagamine-3-O-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-cymaropyranoside (6), sinomarinoside B (7), mucronatosides C (8), wallicoside J (9), stephanoside H (10), and qinyangshengenin-3-O-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-digitoxopyranoside (11). Among them, compounds 2-3, and 6-11 were separated from the roots of this plant for the first time.

Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Properties of Chrysophyllum albidum, Dacryodes edulis, Garcinia kola chloroform and ethanolic root extracts

Aim The phytochemical and antimicrobial qualities of chloroform and ethanolic root extracts of Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don Holl, Dacryodes edulis H.J. Lam and Garcinia kola H was investigated. Method Routine methods were used. The test isolates utilized were; Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium notatum, Mucor mucedo and Candida albicans. Results Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins. Both extracts showed broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities but chloroform extracts gave higher zones of inhibition compared to corresponding concentrations of ethanol extracts. Maximal inhibitory zones were shown by P. aeruginosa; 30.7 mm ± 0.01 against G. kola chloroform root extract. Chloroform root extracts of G. kola were comparatively more potent against the test isolates than C. albidum and D. edulis root extracts. All the respective root extracts exhibited a greater antibacterial activity in comparison with the antifungal attributes. Conclusion All the respective root extracts showed a greater antibacterial activity in comparison with the antifungal attributes.

Antibacterial activity of the roots, stems and leaves of Alchornea floribunda

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAlchornea floribunda Müll. Arg. is used in traditional medicine across Africa for the treatment of bacterial, fungal, parasitic and inflammatory disorders. Aim of the studyTo evaluate the antibacterial activity of the crude extracts of different plant parts in order to provide a scientific rationale for the proposed broad efficacy of Alchornea floribunda in the treatment of bacterial infections. Materials and methodsExtracts of roots, stems and leaves were prepared using solvents of various polarities in order to extract a wide range of phytochemicals. The antibacterial activity of these crude extracts was evaluated by micro-dilution assay, against Gram-positive (i.e. Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus saprophyticus) as well as Gram-negative (i.e. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Proteus mirabilis) bacteria. ResultsGenerally, the ethanol (EtOH), methanol (MeOH), ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and chloroform (CHCl3) extracts demonstrated the best activities, with the leaves exhibiting the highest average activity for six of the eight pathogens. Of these, the ethanolic leaf extract was the most active against Staphylococcus aureus with an MIC value of 50µg/mL. Some other notable activity was observed for the ethyl acetate and chloroform root extracts against Staphylococcus aureus (50µg/mL), and for selected stem extracts against Staphylococcus aureus (50µg/mL), Klebsiella pneumoniae (63µg/mL) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (63µg/mL). ConclusionThis study demonstrates the promising antibacterial activity of Alchornea floribunda against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria responsible for gastrointestinal, skin, respiratory and urinary ailments, and validates its use in the ethnopharmacology of the region.

Composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the extracts of Eryngium palmatum Pančić and Vis. (Apiaceae)

Abstract The chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Eryngium palmatum, an endemic plant species from the Balkan Peninsula, were investigated. The flavonoids apigenin (9.5±0.3 mg g−1) and apigenin 7-O-glucoside (2.4±0.1 mg g−1) were determined in a methanol extract of aerial parts using HPLC analysis. The methanol extract of roots contained catechin (5.0±0.1 mg g−1), epicatechin (2.9±0.1 mg g−1), chlorogenic acid (1.6±0.0 mg g−1), gallic acid (0.9±0.0 mg g−1) and rosmarinic acid (0.9±0.2 mg g−1). GC-FID and GCMS analysis of a chloroform extract of aerial parts showed that the main volatile constituents were falcarinol, linoleic acid, hexadecanoic acid and methyl linoleate (comprising 32.6%; 24.4%; 19.9; 13.2% of the volatile fraction, respectively), while octanoic acid, tetradecanol and dodecanol dominated in the chloroform extract of the roots (34.9%; 25.8%; 22.2% of the volatile fraction, respectively). Investigation of antimicrobial activity by broth microdilution showed that the methanol and chloroform extracts of aerial parts and roots exerted a significant effect (MIC 3.5–15.6 μg mL−1) against tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The methanol extracts of aerial parts or roots exerted moderate ferric reducing antioxidant power, DPPH radical scavenging activity and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity.

Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidative, Antileukemic and Anti-MMPs Activity of Eleutherococcus Species Cultivated in Poland

The content of phenols (TPC), and the antioxidative, antileukemic and anti-MMPs properties of Eleutherococcus spp. cultivated in Poland are reported. The highest TPC was found in the spring leaves (20.3 - 37.2 mg/g). The spring leaves and roots of E. divaricatus had the strongest anti-DPPH activity (EC50 1.2 and 1.2 mg/mL), whereas the greatest ability of iron (II) chelating was shown by autumn leaves of E. setchuensis (EC50 0.3 mg/mL), and the ethanolic extract of E. gracilistylus roots showed the strongest lipid antiperoxidation activity (EC50 0.7 mg/mL). The highest number of apoptotic cells was observed in the Jurkat 45 cell line after treatment with the ethanolic extract of E. sessiliflorus roots (27%). Only the chloroform extracts of roots of E. gracilistylus and E. divaricatus showed the inhibitory activity against MMPs. Most of the studied species have a significant biological activity that is probably due to the presence of phenols. To the best of our knowledge, neither detailed phytochemical nor biological studies have been performed for most of the investigated species.

In-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory activity of Syzygium alternifolium (wt) Walp

The study was aimed to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity (by both in-vitro and in-vivo) of both chloroform and methanol root extracts of Syzygium alternifolium(wt) Walp. Methods used for the studies are In-vitro measurement of 5-lipoxygenase inhibition and in-vivo measurement of rat paw edema and ear edema in rats, acetic acid induced writhing response and heat induced pain. Our findings clearly indicate that S. alternifolium chloroform root extract showed 5-LOX inhibition activity similar with the standard drug, Zileutin. In in-vivo anti-inflammatory studies, S. alternifolium chloroform root extract exhibited better anti-inflammatory activity in comparison to the S. alternifoliummethanolic root extract. Similar results were observed in the acetic acid induced writhing model and radiant heat induce model. Hence, it was concluded that S. alternifoliumchloroform root extract exhibited more degree of efficacy in comparison to the S. alternifolium methanolic extract and good in-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory effect. Key words: Syzygium alternifolium, 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), analgesia, inflammation.

Toxicological Evaluation of Calotropis procera against Freshwater Snails

Calotropis procera, commonly known as “Arka,” is a popular medicinal plant found throughout the tropics of Asia and Africa. It has been widely used in the Indian traditional medical system for the treatment of a variety of disease conditions due to the presence of four ursane-type triterpenoids: cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. This study evaluated the toxicity of aqueous, ethanolic, and chloroform extracts of different parts of plant C. procera against two species of harmful snails: Lymnaea acuminata and Indoplanorbis exustus. The toxicity of these extracts were both time- and dose-dependent. Aqueous extracts of all parts of C. procera were less toxic compared to the ethanol and chloroform extracts. The chloroform extracts of all plant parts were more toxic than aqueous and ethanol extracts. Chloroform extracts of root and latex exhibited 4.27 and 4.88 96h LC50 against Lymnaea acuminata and Indoplanorbis exustus, respectively.

Interpretation of Inotropic Effect Exhibited by Desmodium gangeticum Chloroform Root Extract Through GSMS and Atomic Mass Spectroscopy: Evaluation of its Anti Ischemia Reperfusion Property in Isolated Rat Heart

Interpretation of Inotropic Effect Exhibited by Desmodium gangeticum Chloroform Root Extract Through GSMS and Atomic Mass Spectroscopy: Evaluation of its Anti Ischemia Reperfusion Property in Isolated Rat Heart

Identification, isolation and characterization of the antifeedant constituent of Clausena anisata against Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract Hexane, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and water extracts of Clausena anisata[(Willd.) Hook F. Ex Benth] leaves and roots were evaluated against Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) for antifeedant activities. Antifeedant activity was confirmed, and was found to be higher in root extracts than those of the leaf. Chloroform and petroleum ether extracts of the root showed strongest antifeedant activities (DC50s [concentration (C) causing 50% deterrence compared with the control] 0.014% and 0.016% respectively), and root extracts were fractionated using silica gel column chromatography. One fraction of the chloroform and one of the petroleum ether root extracts was active; and on the basis of mass spectroscopy and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data, the active compounds in the two fractions were confirmed to be identical, and identified as osthol [2H‐1‐Benzopyran‐2‐one, 7‐methoxy‐8‐(3‐methyl‐2‐butenyl)]. The highest concentration of osthol was found in the chloroform root extract. Antifeedant activities of the root extracts, as measured by DC50 values, were highly correlated with their osthol contents. Approximately 99% of the variation in bioactivity of the root extracts could be accounted for by variation in osthol content; osthol therefore, appeared to be an antifeedant component of C. anisata to H. armigera. This may provide a new approach to managing this pest.