Ferruginea Benth Research Articles

Combined effects of the assassin bug alloeocranum biannulipes mont. And sign. (hemiptera: reduviidae) and botanical powders in the control of the stored yam chips beetle, dinoderus porcellus lesne (coleoptera : bostrichidae)

Background Dinoderus porcellus Lesne (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) is the main pest of stored dried yam chips that causes significant losses in a few months. The assassin bug, Alloeocranum biannulipes (Montrouzier & Signoret) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) and the Khaya senegalensis (Desv.) A. Juss. (Meliaceae), Blighia sapida K. Koenig (Sapindaceae) and Bridelia ferruginea Benth. (Euphorbiaceae) leaf powders have proven to be efficient in the control of this pest. Methods This study aims to evaluate the compatibility of the leaf powders of these medicinal plants and the predator A. biannulipes in the integrated management of D. porcellus under laboratory and farm conditions. Various leaf powders were tested at a concentration of 6% (w/w) with or without the predator. Yam chips mixed with leaf powder from each species served as negative and those mixed with a synthetic insecticide as positive controls. Results The results revealed that no combination of leaf powders and predators could induce complete mortality of D. porcellus like the synthetic insecticide. No significant difference in terms of the survival of A. biannulipes exposed to botanical powders was observed compared to the positive control. Under farm conditions, B. ferruginea leaf powder showed a sub-lethal effect on the predator A. biannulipes and no impact on the abundance of D. porcellus. However, the survival of D. porcellus was significantly reduced by the combination of K. senegalensis leaf powder and A. biannulipes, which did not allow the reproduction of the predator. Conclusions We recommend the combination of K. senegalensis leaf powder and A. biannulipes for the short-term conservation of yam chips as part of an augmentative biological control program. For long-term conservation, we suggest the use of a combination of B. sapida leaf powder with the predator A. biannulipes because it presented a reduced population of D. porcellus after 8 weeks of storage and offspring of A. biannulipes.

Chemical composition, in vitro antioxidant assessment and toxicity test of the essential oils of Bridelia ferruginea Benth

Bridelia ferruginea Benth is a plant usually found in Savannah regions, used in ethno-medicine for treatment of dysentery, elephantiasis, intestinal and bladder disorder. Chemical compounds present in the leaf, twig, stem bark, stem wood and root wood of Bridelia ferruginea essential oils, their antioxidant and toxicity assays are been reported. The essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation and analysed by means of gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant assay was conducted using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) while the brine shrimp lethality test was carried out using Artemia salina eggs. Leaf, twig, stem bark, stem wood and root wood essential oils gave yields of 0.44%, 0.42%, 0.51%, 0.20% and 0.26% respectively. A total of eighty-two (82) compounds were identified in the five essential oils. Ethyl salicylate was the dominant constituent of the leaf essential oil (41.15%) while methyl salicylate was most abundant in the twig (33.33%) and stem bark (24.67%) essential oils. Stem wood oil contained ethyl salicylate (12.60%) while the root wood oil was composed mostly of 1-octadecene (18.53%). The antioxidant assay showed that stem bark had the most activity (53.12 μg/mL) while the least activity was recorded for twig oil (1037.14 μg/mL). The brine shrimp lethality test revealed that lethal concentration at 50% level (LC50) for leaf essential oil was non-toxic (74361.99 μg/mL). Bridelia ferruginea is rich in antioxidants; significant amounts of monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenes in the essential oils support the use of the plants in ethno-medicine.

In vitro activities of the methanolic extracts and fractions of Bridelia ferruginea Benth on clinical isolates of multidrug resistant gram-negative bacteria

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance is of major public health concern. There is paucity of data on antimicrobial activity of the fractions and sub-fractions of methanol extract of the stem bark of Bridelia ferruginea Benth, Phyllanthaceae on multi-drug-resistant Gram negative bacteria. We explored their susceptibility to fractions of this plant extracts. Method: Methanolic extract and N-hexane, Dichloro-methane (DCM) and Ethyl acetate (EtoAc) fractions of the dried stem bark of Bridelia ferruginea, were tested against twenty multi-drug-resistant GNB clinical isolates using Agar diffusion and Broth-dilution methods. Results: The zone of inhibition of extracts ranged between 0-22mm, comparable to 0-28mm observed for Imipenem and Ciprofloxacin. The EtoAc fraction exhibited the highest antimicrobial activities against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumanni and others. Conclusion: Most of the antimicrobial activities of Bridelia ferruginea Benth reside in the ethyl-acetate fraction and further study to isolate the active compound(s) is advocated and desired for development of new drugs against MDR.

Assessment of Larval Toxicity and the Teratogenic Effect of Three Medicinal Plants Used in the Traditional Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections in Benin.

Objective Mangifera indica Linn, Bridelia ferruginea Benth, and Alstonia boonei De Wild are three plants commonly used in the traditional treatment of urinary tract infections in Benin. This study sets out to assess the cytotoxic and teratogenic effects of extracts of these plants on Artemia salina larvae and hen embryos. Methods and Results The aqueous and ethanolic extracts were obtained by maceration of the powders in solvents. Larval cytotoxicity was performed on Artemia salina larvae. The teratogenic effect of these plants was evaluated on chick embryos at 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg. The extracts were injected on the 7th and 14th days of incubation. The quality of the hatched chicks was evaluated by the Tona score followed by the hematological and the biochemical parameter assays. The extracts did not show cytotoxicity on the larvae. The eggs treated with plant extracts at 300 mg/kg significantly lowered the hatchability rate, except for the Mangifera indica Linn. The chicks obtained were all at the very good quality. Then, no significant variation was observed between hematological parameters except white blood cells. For the biochemical parameters, only ASAT showed some significant variations for a few extracts. It would be important to assess the genotoxicity of the plant extracts to determine more broader toxicity. These data justify the use of these medicinal plants in traditional Beninese medicine and constitute in fact a source of production of anti-infectious drugs.

Bridelia ferruginea Benth. (Euphorbiaceae) mitigates oxidative imbalance and lipotoxicity, with concomitant modulation of insulin signaling pathways via GLUT4 upregulation in hepatic tissues of diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceBridelia ferruginea Benth. (Euphorbiaceae) is among the medicinal plants commonly used for the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its complications. Aim of the studyThe hepato-therapeutic effect of the butanol fraction of Bridelia ferruginea leaves was investigated in diabetic rats. MethodsThe butanol fraction of B. ferruginea was given to type 2 diabetic rats at both low and high doses (150 and 300 mg/kg bodyweight, respectively), while metformin and glibenclamide served as the standard anti-diabetic drugs. A normal toxicological group was administered a high dose of the fraction. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed, and their livers and psoas muscle collected. The liver was assayed for oxidative stress markers, liver glycogen content, lipid metabolite profile (using GC-MS) and their metabolic pathways were analyzed using the MetaboAnalyst 5.0 online server. The expression of GLUT4 was also assayed in the liver and muscle as well as the identification of signaling pathways associated with GLUT4 expression using the Enrichr online server. In silico molecular docking was used to investigate the molecular interactions of some postulated compound found in B. ferruginea with GLUT4. The ability of the fraction to stimulate muscle glucose uptake was determined in isolated rat psoas muscle ex vivo. ResultsTreatment with the high dose of fraction caused an inhibition of lipid peroxidation as well as the elevation of catalase, SOD, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activities in the rat liver. There was an increased expression of GLUT4 in livers and muscles of diabetic rats following treatment with B. ferruginea. Treatment with the fraction also caused inactivation of diabetes-activated pathways and changes in the distribution of the hepatic lipid metabolites. Molecular docking analysis revealed strong molecular interactions of pyrogallol and sitosterol with GLUT4. ConclusionsThese data illustrate the hepato-protective effect of B. ferruginea in diabetic rats which compare favorably with the tested anti-diabetic drugs (metformin and glibenclamide).

Bridelia ferruginea Benth leaves attenuates diabetes nephropathy in STZ-induced rats via targeting NGAL/KIM-1/cystatin c gene

BackgroundRenal failure is among the main complications of diabetes disorders and free radical from hyperglycemia is the major cause of this nephrotic complication. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of Bridelia ferruginea Benth on nephrotic damage in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced by injection of 50 mg/kg b. w. of STZ (intraperitoneal) in rats fasted overnight. Effect on nephropathy was assessed using biochemical, histological indices and gene expression of kidney tissue.ResultsThe total flavonoids and phenolic content of petroleum ether fraction of B. ferruginea (PEFBF) was observed to be higher compared to diethyl ether fraction of B. ferruginea (DEFBF). The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl scavenging activity of the fractions were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced across the concentrations compared to the standard (gallic acid). The STZ-induced diabetic animals treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. of PEFBF and DEFBF showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction in blood glucose level on days 7, 11 and 14 compared to untreated diabetic rats. STZ-induced diabetic rats significantly (P < 0.05) exhibited increase plasma urea, creatinine, protein and albumin level while treatment with both fractions of B. ferruginea reduced the level of these parameters in treated diabetic rats. B. ferruginea also caused down-regulation of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, kidney injury molecule-1 and cystatin c genes.ConclusionThese results revealed that, the plant has hypoglycemic activity therefore provides a pharmacological basis for its folkloric use in the management of hyperglycemia and its associated renal dysfunction.

Alterations in histological, biochemical and hematological parameters in Plasmodium berghei NK-65 infected balb/c mice treated with Bridelia ferruginea stem bark extract.

Recent ethnomedicinal studies on Bridelia ferruginea Benth (family Phyllanthaceae) as an antiplasmodial remedy have established its potency as a strong prophylactic and chemosuppressive agent. Human consumption of medicinal herbs without adequate evaluation of its efficacy and safety can result in grave physiological and pathological consequences. Therefore, this study assessed the antiplasmodial bioactivity, biochemical, hematological, histopathological and toxicity profile of the ethanolic stem bark extract of B. ferruginea in mice. Ethanolic stem bark extract of B. ferruginea (200, 400 and 800mg/kg) were orally administered to Plasmodium berghei-infected mice in models and were subsequently observed for mortality, behavioral changes and signs of toxicity. Acute evaluation was experimented at 1,000mg/kg for 28 days. Occult blood obtained from the euthanized mice were subjected to biochemical and hematological assays. A comprehensive assessment of the histology of the liver and kidney was also ascertained. The median lethal dose (LD50) was determined and extrapolated using the regression equation obtained from the plot of the probits of mortalities (y) and the log of doses (log10C). Different concentrations of the phytochemical secondary metabolites were revealed. Antiplasmodial bioactivity was established at the 200, 400 and 800mg/kg of the herbal extract with a dearth in parasitemia at different days post-treatment. The 800mg/kg group responded by exhibiting a dose-dependent decrease in parasitemia comparable with the chloroquine bi-phosphate group. Significant alterations in the histology of the liver and kidney of the 1,000mg/kg group was documented. There was a reduction in the titers of LDH, ALT, AST, and urea in the treated group when compared with the control (p<0.05). Antioxidant profiles were also highly significant with elevation in SOD, GPx, and CAT, but a reduction in MDA. LD50 was established at 424mg/kg. B. ferruginea Benth (family Phyllanthaceae) is a potent antiplasmodial, antioxidant, regenerative and ameliorative herbal remedy if administered in controlled dosage.

Herb-Drug Interaction: Effect of aqueous extract of Bridelia ferruginea leaves on the Pharmacokinetics of Metformin

The concurrent use of herbal medicines and orthodox drugs, especially in the treatment and management of chronic ailments, may result in clinically significant herb-drug interactions. Bridelia ferruginea Benth (Euphorbiaceae) is a common medicinal plant with known anti-diabetic properties and has been reported to be taken alongside the orthodox medicine, metformin. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of B. ferruginea leaves on the pharmacokinetics of metformin in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Reconstituted freeze dried extract of B. ferruginea leaves (30 mg/kg), and metformin (7 mg/kg) were administered concurrently as a single dose to female Sprague-Dawley rats. Whole blood samples (1 ml) were aseptically withdrawn by tail bleeding at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 h after administration of the single dose for pharmacokinetics analyses. Concurrent administration of metformin and B. ferruginea significantly affected (P < 0.05) all the pharmacokinetics parameters of metformin except for the time to attain the maximum concentration (Tmax), which increased but insignificantly. Whereas the area under the curve, maximum whole blood concentration (Cmax) and half-life (T½) of metformin decreased significantly in the presence of B. ferruginea, the elimination rate constant (Kel), clearance (Cl), absorption rate constant (Ka), and volume of distribution (Vd) of metformin increased significantly in the presence of B. ferruginea. Therefore, in clinical practice, patients should be advised on the implication of concurrent administration of metformin and B. ferrruginea.

In vivo antiplasmodial activities of aqueous extract of Bridelia ferruginea stem bark against Plasmodium berghei berghei in mice

Context: Bridelia ferruginea Benth (Euphorbiaceae) is an indigenous medicinal plant in Nigeria. It is usually a gnarled shrub which sometimes reaches the size of a tree in suitable condition. Decoctions of parts of this plant have been employed in ethno medicine in many parts of Africa for treatment of many ailments including malaria fever.Objective: In vivo antiplasmodial activity of aqueous stem bark extract of BF was investigated against Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.Materials and methods: The aqueous stem bark extract of BF (100–400 mg/kg) was administered orally to P. berghei-infected mice in both early and established models of antiplasmodial studies.Results: The extract exhibited significant (p < 0.05) antiplasmodial activity in early and established infection tests with a considerable mean survival time comparable to that of chloroquine, 10 mg/kg. The oral LD50 obtained was greater than 5000 mg/kg in mice.Discussion and conclusions: The findings show that aqueous stem bark extract of Bridelia ferruginea possesses considerable antiplasmodial activity which can be developed in malaria therapy.

Screening Togolese medicinal plants for few pharmacological properties

Background:Terminalia macroptera Guill. et Perr. (Combretaceae), Sida alba L. (Malvaceae), Prosopis africana Guill et Perr. Taub. (Mimosaceae), Bridelia ferruginea Benth. (Euphorbiaceae), and Vetiveria nigritana Stapf. (Asteraceae) are traditionally used in Togolese folk medicine to treat several diseases including microbial infections.Objective:This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and hemolytic properties of the crude extracts of the above-mentioned plants.Materials and Methods:The antimicrobial and the antioxidant activities were assayed using the NCCLS microdilution method and the DPPH free radical scavenging, respectively. Human A+ red blood cells were used to perform the hemolytic assay. Phenolics were further quantified in the extracts using spectrophotometric methods.Results:Minimal inhibitory concentrations in the range of 230-1800 μg/ml were recorded in the NCCLS broth microdilution for both bacterial and fungal strains with methanol extracts. The DPPH radical scavenging assay yielded interesting antioxidant activities of the extracts of P. africana and T. macroptera (IC50 values of 0.003 ± 0.00 μg/ml and 0.05 ± 0.03 μg/ml, respectively). These activities were positively correlated with the total phenolic contents and negatively correlated with the proanthocyanidin content of the extracts. The hemolytic assay revealed that great hemolysis occurred with the methanol extracts of T. macroptera, S. longepedunculata, and B. ferruginea.Conclusion:These results support in part the use of the selected plants in the treatment of microbial infections. In addition, the plant showed an interesting antioxidant activity that could be useful in the management of oxidative stress.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in the management of diabetes mellitus and hypertension in the Central Region of Togo

Context: The Tem tribe in the Central Region of Togo is a population with an extensive knowledge of medicinal plants. However, little is known about their medical practices, principally the use of plants in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN).Objective: The present study documented the indigenous medicinal plant utilization for the management of DM and HTN in the Togo Central Region.Methodology: From March to October 2010, 55 traditional healers were interviewed about their knowledge on the use of plants for DM and HTN treatment.Results: The results revealed that 35/55 (63.64%) healers had treated at least one case of DM and/or HTN. They highlighted the use of 64 species belonging to 31 families in the treatment of DM and/or HTN. The most used plants against diabetes were Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae), Khaya senegalensis A. Juss. (Meliaceae), Sarcocephalus latifolius (Sm.) E.A. Bruce (Rubiaceae), Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae), Bridelia ferruginea Benth. (Phyllanthaceae), and Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen. (Polygalacae), while Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae) and Parkia biglobosa Benth. (Fabaceae), followed by Khaya senegalensis A. Juss. (Meliaceae), Gardenia ternifolia Schumach. (Rubiaceae), and Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae) were the most commonly cited as antihypertensive.Conclusion: The issue revealed that traditional healers of the above mentioned region have basic knowledge regarding herbal medicine for DM and HTN in comparison with previous published reports. Further pharmacological screening of the identified plants should be conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of these plants.

Antimicrobial Activity of the Extract of Stem Bark of Diplotropis Ferruginea Benth

This is the first report about the antibacterial activity of Diplotropis ferruginea Benth. In this study, the ethanol extract of D. ferruginea was tested for its antimicrobial activity against strains gram-positive and gram-negative. In order to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration, assays were carried out by micro dilution method. The extract was screened for antimicrobial activity, and it showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Radical scavenging and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of phenolic compounds from Bridelia ferruginea stem bark.

Bridelia ferruginea Benth. (Euphorbiaceae) is a subtropical medicinal plant widely used in traditional African medicine against various diseases, including rheumatic pains. Seven of its constituents (3-O-methylquercetin (1), 3,7,3',4'-tetra-O-methylquercetin (rutisin, 2), myricetin (3), 3',4',5'-tri-O-methylmyricetin (ferrugin, 4), 3,3',4',5'-tetra-O-methylmyricetin (5), quercetin 3-O-glucoside (6), and a biflavanol gallocatechin-[4'-O-7]-epigallocatechin (7)) have been evaluated in-vitro in the xanthine-xanthine oxidase enzymatic system for inhibition of xanthine oxidase and radical scavenging activity. Results indicated that compounds 1, 3, 4 and 6 exhibited, at different levels, xanthine oxidase inhibiting and superoxide scavenging activity at micromolar concentrations, whereas compound 7 showed scavenging activity only. Compounds 2 and 5 were inactive in both cases. Study of the structure-activity relationship demonstrated that for flavonoids the xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity was reduced by methylation of the hydroxyl functionality at C-3 and in rings A and B. These results may partly explain and support the use of B. ferruginea stem bark for the treatment of rheumatic pains in traditional medicine.

The triterpenoid lupeol attenuates allergic airway inflammation in a murine model

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways associated with a Th2 immune response. Despite their side effects, corticosteroids are the most used and effective drugs for treatment of asthma. In this work we investigated the efficacy of lupeol, a triterpenoid isolated from Diplotropis ferruginea Benth. (Fabaceae), in the treatment of bronchial asthma in BALB/c mice immunized with ovalbumin. Administration of lupeol caused the reduction of cellularity and eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Treatment with lupeol also reduced the production of mucus and overall inflammation in the lung. Levels of Type II cytokines IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 were significantly reduced in mice treated with lupeol, an effect that was similar to that observed in dexamethasone-treated mice. In contrast, IgE production was not significantly altered after treatment with lupeol. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that lupeol attenuates the alterations' characteristics of allergic airway inflammation. The investigation of the mechanisms of action of this molecule may contribute for the development of new drugs for the treatment of asthma.

Trypanocidal potential of methanolic extract of Bridelia ferruginea benth bark in Rattus novergicus

Full Length Research Paper Trypanocidal potential of methanolic extract of Bridelia ferruginea benth bark in Rattus novergicus J. T. Ekanem1, *O. M. Kolawole2, O. C. Abbah1 1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Health Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria. 2Department of Microbiology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. *Corresponding author. E-mail: tomak74@yahoo.com. Tel: 2348060088495. Accepted 8 February 2008 Abstract An in vivo study of the trypanocidal potential of Bridelia ferruginea benth bark was investigated to determine its possible use against African sleeping sickness. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, steroids and phlobatanins. Four groups of male albino rats weighing 220-250 g were used. The groups included the control, infected-untreated, uninfected-treated, and infected-treated. A daily dose of 20 mg/Kg body weight methanolic extract ofB. ferruginea benth bark was administered intraperitoneally at 72 h post-infection with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and parasitaemia was monitored daily. A continuous rise in parasite count was observed in the infected-untreated group. The infected-treated group showed a progressively lowered parasitamia on Days 5 to 8 post-infection, with percentage parasite reduction between 11 and 76%. Treatment also extended the lifespan for 2 days. Results also showed that treatment significantly ameliorated heamatological parameters that were studied. We suggest that methanolic extract of B. ferruginea benth bark can be useful in the management of African sleeping sickness. Key words: Bridelia ferruginea benth bark, Trypanosoma brucei, sleeping sickness, management.

Diploflavone, a new flavonoid from Diplotropis ferruginea Benth. (Fabaceae)

The chemical examination of Diplotropis ferruginea Benth. resulted in the isolation of a new 3-methoxyflavone, 3-methoxy-6-O-prenyl-6",6"-dimethylchromene-(7,8,2",3")-flavone, to which was given the trivial name diploflavone (1); as well as the known 3,6-dimethoxy-6",6"-dimethylchromene-(7,8,2",3")-flavone (2). The structure of the new compound was established by spectral analyses. Cytotoxic activity of the isolated compounds was tested against the cells NCI-H292 (lung carcinoma), HEp-2 (larynx carcinoma) and KB (oral epidermoid carcinoma). The cells HEp-2 were the most affected by the substances tested.

Spasmolytic Action of Diplotropin, a Furanoflavan from Diplotropis ferruginea Benth., Involves Calcium Blockade in Guinea-Pig Ileum

Diplotropis ferruginea Benth. (Fabaceae) is a tree popularly known in Northeastern Brazil as “sucupira-preta”. In the present work, the isolation, identification and pharmacological activity of a furanoflavan-type flavonoid (2,3-trans-3,4-trans)-3,4,5,8-tetramethoxy-(6,7,2”,3”)-furanoflavan, which received the trivial name diplotropin is reported. The structure was determined by means of spectroscopic techniques, especially EIMS and 1D and 2D NMR. Diplotropin (10−8 −3 · 10−4 M) inhibited the phasic contractions induced by both acetylcholine (IC50 = 4.6±0.8 · 10−5 M) and histamine (IC50 = 2.3±1.1 · 10−5 M) in guinea-pig ileum. Diplotropin relaxed the ileum pre-contracted with KCl (EC50 = 3.9±1.1 · 10−6 M), acetylcholine (EC50 = 3.7±1.6 · 10−6 M) and histamine (EC50 = 4.4±1.4 · 10−5 M) in a concentration-dependent manner. As the maintenance of tonic contraction induced by these contractile agents involves Ca2+ influx through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, it is suggestive that this relaxation may be due to the blockade of Ca2+ influx through those channels. This hypothesis was confirmed by the observation that diplotropin antagonized (pD’2 = 4.83±0.37) CaCl2 induced contractions in Ca2+-free depolarizing medium (IC50 = 1.5±0.8 · 10−5 M).

Outros constituintes químicos de Diplotropis ferruginea Benth. (Fabaceae)

O extrato hexânico das cascas do caule de Diplotropis ferruginea Benth (Fabaceae), após procedimentos cromatográficos e fitoquímicos, forneceu o triterpeno lupeol, citado pela primeira vez em Diplotropis ferruginea, e etil-2-hidroxi-4-methoxi-6-propil-benzoate, descrito pela primeira vez em na literatura. As determinações estruturais desses compostos foram realizadas com base em análises espectroscópicas de ¹H e 13C NMR, bem como também por comparação com valores da literatura.

Solution and Colour Stability of the Bark Extract ofBridelia ferruginea Benth

A solvent system consisting of water: propylene glycol: ethanol (2:2:1) was found suitable for diluting the ethanol bark extract and for reconstituting the freeze-dried extract of Bridelia ferruginea Benth for preparation of a gargle formulation. Such solutions remained clear when subjected to high storage temperatures and eight freeze-thaw cycles. The wine colour of Bridelia bark extract solution darkened on storage. Darkening was accelerated by heat while light had minimal effect. Inclusion of certain antioxidants-sodium metabisulphite, ascorbic acid and citric acid, reduced the colour change. Heating the freeze-dried extract at 115°C for 4 h and at 130°C for at least 1 h arrested the colour change. When lime juice was added to the solution of the heated powder, the colour of the resulting solution became unstable implicating a pH effect on colour stability. The colour of bottle and use of carton for storage had no appreciable effect on colour stability.

Determination of glycogen in small tissue samples.

Determination of glycogen in small tissue samples.