N-hexane Soluble Fraction Research Articles

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Aerial Parts of Adiantum capillus-veneris L. Growing in Bangladesh

The present study evaluated the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of methanolic extract of aerial parts of Adiantum capillus-veneris L. and its different solvent fractions. The in vitro antioxidant activity was assessed by using 2,2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. The analysis revealed that ethyl acetate soluble fraction had the highest DPPH radicals scavenging property with IC50 value of 1.05 μg/ml as compared to positive control ascorbic acid (IC50 = 1.34 μg/ml). In addition, ex vivo cytotoxicity assay of A. capillus-veneris L. extract and its different fractions were performed against HELA cells line where 5-Fluorouracil was used as positive control. The result demonstrated that ethyl acetate and n-hexane soluble fractions showed prominent cytotoxicity with IC50 value of 5.68 μg/ml and 17.15 μg/ml, respectively. The study affirmed that superior antioxidant and cytotoxic activities were shown by ethyl acetate soluble fraction of methanolic extract of aerial parts of A. capillus-veneris L. growing in Bangladesh which indicate the presence of bioactive phytoconstituents in the extractives.
 Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 18(2): 217-222, 2019 (December)

Antioxidant Activities of n-Hexane Soluble and Insoluble Fraction, Ethyl Acetate Soluble and Insoluble Fraction from Ethanol Extract of Sambung Nyawa Leaf (Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr.)

There were many plants containing flavonoids which can function as antioxidant. Antioxidant can be used to decrease the mortality rate caused by degenerative and infectious diseases. This study aims to determine the antioxidant potency of n-hexane soluble and insoluble fraction, ethyl acetate soluble and insoluble fraction, and the ethanol extract antioxidant activity of Sambung Nyawa leaf (Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr.). The ethanol extract of G. procumbens leaves was obtained by maceration using 70% ethanol then fractionated using hexane and ethyl acetate to obtain the n-hexane soluble fraction, n-hexane insoluble fraction, ethyl acetate soluble fraction, and ethyl acetate insoluble fraction. The antioxidant activity study of ethanol extract, n-hexane soluble, and insoluble fraction, ethyl acetate soluble, and insoluble fraction of G. procumbens was carried out using DPPH (2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method to evaluate its free radical scavenging activity with a comparison of vitamin C. The antioxidants activity was expressed as IC50 value. The IC50 value for vitamin C and ethanol extract of G. procumbens leaves were 2.41 µg/ml and 200 µg/ml. On the other hand, the n-hexane soluble and insoluble fraction had an IC50 value of 78 µg/ml and 34 µg/ml, while ethyl acetate soluble and insoluble fraction had the potency as an antioxidant with an IC50 value of 419 µg/ml and 151 μg/ml, respectively. Based on the results obtained, the antioxidant potency of G. procumbens ethanol extract and their fraction were successively of n-hexane insoluble fraction > n-hexane soluble fraction > ethyl acetate insoluble fraction > ethanol extract > ethyl acetate soluble fraction.

Lipoxygenase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Constituents of Phlomis stewartii

Two new sphingolipids, stewartins A: [(2S,3S,4R)-2-{[(2R,11E)-2-hydroxyoctadec-11-enoyl]amino}tetraeicosane-1,3,4-triol-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 1] and B: [(2S,3S,4R)-2-{[(2R,11E)-2-hydroxyeicos-11-enoyl]amino}tetraeicosane-1,3,4-triol-1-O-β-glucopyranoside, 2], along with nine known compounds (3–11) were isolated from the n-hexane soluble fraction of the methanolic extract of the whole plant of Phlomis stewartii. Compounds 1, 2, 4, and 6 showed inhibitory potential against the enzyme lipoxygenase (LOX) in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 values ranging between 42.2 ± 0.2 to 55.7 ± 0.8 μM, whereas compounds 3, 5, and 7–11 showed inhibition against enzyme the α-glucosidase with IC50 values between 201.4 ± 0.6 to 277.7 ± 0.3 μM, respectively.

Evaluation of Bonamia semidigyna (Roxb.) for antioxidant, antibacterial, anthelmintic and cytotoxic properties with the involvement of polyphenols

This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant, antibacterial, anthelmintic, and cytotoxic activities of the crude methanol extract of Bonamia semidigyna (Roxb.) leaves and its derived fractions in different experimental models. Leaves of B. semidigyna were extracted with methanol (MBS) and the resultant successively fractionated into n-hexane (NBS), petroleum ether (PBS), chloroform (CBS), and ethyl acetate (EBS) soluble fractions. Later, the plant extractives were investigated for antioxidant, antibacterial, anthelmintic and cytotoxic properties. Phytochemical study was carried out using standard methods and polyphenols content were determined by spectrophotometric techniques. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging activity, ferric reducing power, and total antioxidant capacity assays. Disc diffusion technique used to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy and anthelmintic activity was determined using aquarium worm (Tubifex tubifex) whereas cytotoxicity was evaluated using brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The phytochemical study revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, phenolic, steroids, sterols, quinones, oxalate, coumarins, and emodins in the plant extractives. In addition, the quantitative phytochemical analysis showed the significant amount of polyphenol contents. In antioxidant assays, the crude methanol extract and EBS fraction exhibited the most potent antioxidant activity among all the extractives. The crude methanol extract and EBS fraction also possessed significant antibacterial and anthelmintic potentials while moderate cytotoxic activities were found for all the plant extractives. The present study confirmed that the crude methanol extract of B. semidigyna and its EBS fraction, possibly due to its high polyphenol contents possess significant antioxidant, antibacterial, and anthelmintic properties.

Effect of Carbonization Temperature on the Product Distributions and Characteristics for Integrated Mild Liquefaction and Carbonization of Low-Rank Coals

In order to realize the efficient conversion of low-rank coals, an integrated mild liquefaction and carbonization (IMLC) technology was proposed, and the effect of carbonization temperature (CT) on the product distributions and characteristics from the simulated IMLC technology was investigated. Results show that about 30.34–40.02% of liquid products (LPs) and 40.64–56.25% of semicokes (SCs) can be obtained from the IMLC process at the CT of 410–600 °C. The adopted carbonization process is an effective measure to separate the solid and liquid products from the coal liquefaction process, and the obtained SCs contain no n-hexane soluble fractions (HSs). The LPs present a quite high HS content (82.20–90.80%) and a small quantity of asphaltenes and preasphaltenes, and the HSs are predominantly abundant with aliphatics, alkyl benzenes, and alkyl naphthalenes, indicating that the LPs are potentially suitable for utilization to produce liquid fuels by further refining. The obtained SCs could be used as a binder ...

A Novel Normethylfriedelane-Type Isoprenoid from Syzygium guineense Stem Bark

Isolated from the n-hexane soluble fraction of the chloroform extract of Syzygium guineense stem bark were two friedelane-type isoprenoids, friedelan-3-one (1) and a novel derivative 12-hydroxy-27-normethylfriedelan-3-one (2). Mass, NMR (1- and 2-D), and FTIR spectroscopic techniques were used for structural elucidation. GC-MS analysis of the lipoidal column eluate afforded the known isoprenoids γ-sitosterol (3) and olean-12-en-3-one (4) and the two fatty acids n-hexadecanoic acid (5) and octadecanoic acid (6). This is the first report on the phytochemistry and isolation of the novel 12-hydroxy-27-normethylfriedelan-3-one (2) from the stem bark of this plant. The pharmacological and nutritional profiles of these isoprenoids and fatty acids are highlighted.

Chemical Composition, Anti-bacterial and Cytotoxic Potential of n-Hexane Soluble Fraction of Monotheca buxifolia (Falc) A. DC. Fruit

Fruit of Monotheca buxifolia is a folk medicine, and used for the treatment of various ailments traditionally. The current study is aimed to analyze Monotheca buxifolia fruit n-Hexane soluble fraction (MBHF) using GC/MS and also to evaluate its antibacterial and cytotoxic potential. GC/MS spectrum showed that MBHF contain 13 compounds among them lupeol and α-amyrin were present in abundance. MBHF exhibited antibacterial properties against both gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains. The promising antibacterial activity was observed against Pseudomonas aureginosa, while Bacillus subtilis was found resistant. In the cytotoxicity assay the LD50 for MBHF was 279.95 µg/ml against Brine shrimp larvae.

In vivo analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory potential of leaf extracts and fractions of Eria javanica.

Background The objective of the study was to evaluate the antinociceptive, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanolic extract, methanolic extract and n-hexane and chloroform-soluble fractions of methanolic extract of Eria javanica leaves in animal model (rat and mice). Methods The anti-nociceptive potentials of the extracts were studied using the acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice and the antipyretic activity was investigated using yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. Anti-inflammatory activity test was done on rats at a dose by using carrageenan-induced paw edema test. Results In acetic acid-induced writhing inhibition study in Swiss albino mice, the crude methanolic extract at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg doses and the n-hexane soluble fraction of crude methanolic extract at 400 mg/kg showed statistically significant activity with 53.21 % (p<0.001), 50.36 % (p<0.001) and 67.86 % (p<0.001) inhibition respectively compared to control. The crude ethanolic extract showed statistically significant antipyretic activity from 1 hours and onwards after administration at doses of 200 mg/kg body weight (p<0.005 at 1st hour and p<0.001 at 2nd, 3rd and 4th hour respectively) and 400 mg/kg body weight (p<0.05 at 1st hour and p<0.001 at 2nd, 3rd and 4th hour respectively). The crude methanolic extract showed statistically significant antipyretic activity from 2 hours and onwards at 400 mg/kg body weight (p<0.05 at 2nd hour and p<0.001 at 3rd and 4th hour respectively) and 200 mg/kg body weight dose showed statistically significant antipyretic activity from 3 hours and onward(p<0.001) in Brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia test in albino Wister rats. In carrageenan-induced rat's paw edema test, crude methanolic extract showed statistically significant anti-inflammatory activity from 2nd hour and onwards. The chloroform-soluble fraction of methanolic extract also showed significant activity from 1st hour onwards. Conclusions This study thereby indicates that leaves of E. javanica possess peripheral analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities and therefore a suitable candidate for further study.

Antifungal agents from heartwood extract of Taiwania cryptomerioides against brown root rot fungus Phellinus noxius

Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata) is a native and plantation species in Taiwan, and its heartwood has demonstrated excellent decay resistance. Brown root rot fungus Phellinus noxius has caused severe damage to more than 100 tree species in Taiwan. The aims of this study were to investigate the antifungal activities of Taiwania heartwood extracts against P. noxius and to identify the antifungal compounds. Antifungal activities were examined using the agar dilution method (a direct contact assay) and the inverted lid method (a vapor contact assay). Active compounds were purified using liquid–liquid partition, open-column chromatography and HPLC. Among four soluble fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water soluble fractions), results showed that n-hexane soluble fraction (HSF) can significantly inhibit the growth of P. noxius via the agar dilution method. Moreover, active compounds present in HSF were obtained using antifungal assay-guided fractionation. Results showed that ferruginol, T-cadinol, α-cadinol and T-muurolol were found to exhibit excellent antifungal activities against P. noxius, and their IC50 values were 16.9, 25.8, 33.8 and 50.6 μg/mL, respectively. According to the current findings, phytochemicals (ferruginol, T-cadinol, α-cadinol and T-muurolol) of Taiwania heartwood had the potential to be used as environmentally benign antifungal agents against P. noxius in place of synthetic or inorganic fungicides.

Process and product characteristics for carbonization of liquid–solid mixtures from coal liquefaction

In this paper, a carbonization process for valid liquid–solid separation and upgrading of coal liquefaction residues was proposed and practiced using batch-type devices. The effect of carbonization times and temperatures on the efficiency of liquid–solid separation and product distributions were investigated using self-prepared liquid–solid mixtures (CSMs) from direct coal liquefaction. It was suggested that the carbonization temperature and blowing gases were essential to the efficient liquid–solid separation in this process, and the carbonization process was characterized by the efficient liquid–solid separation. The n-hexane soluble fractions (HS) can be largely separated from CLMs. It was remarkable that over 0.06–1.50% of HSs can be additionally produced at the higher temperatures (430 °C–500 °C). On the other hand, the obtained semi-cokes (SCs) were mainly characterized as a rich carbon-containing material with high heating values. Some of the SCs were characterized by the better caking property with the caking index (G) from 68.5 to 75.2. In addition, it was proved that the caking property of SCs is directly affected by the asphaltenes (ASs) instead of pre-asphaltenes (PAs).

Antibacterial activity of marine bacteria isolated from sponge Xestospongia testudinaria from Sorong, Papua

ObjectiveTo explore secondary metabolite of bacteria-associated Xestospongia testudinaria from Tanjung Kasuari, Sorong, Papua. MethodsThe antimicrobial activities of extracts against two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and three Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Eschericia coli and Salmonella typhi) were determined by disk diffusion dilution method. ResultsThe test showed that of 15 isolates of symbiont bacteria, 6 isolates were successfully isolated and coded, namely, Xp 4.1, Xp 4.2, Xp 4.3, Xp 4.4, Xp 4.5 and Xp 4.6. Of the six bacterial isolates, isolated Xp 4.2 was found to have more powerful antibacterial activity than any other isolates of symbiont bacteria. Antibacterial activity assay for the n-hexane soluble fractions, ethyl-acetate soluble fractions, and n-buthanol soluble fractions revealed more powerful anti-bacterial activity than any other soluble fractions. Phytochemical screening showed alkaloid and steroid/triterpenoid, while identification for isolate of Xp 4.2 bacterial showed bacteria. ConclusionsMetabolites of bacterial associated with marine sponge Xestospongia testudinaria promise to be developed into antibacterial agents.

Antimicrobial, Thrombolytic, Membrane Stabilizing Activities and Total Flavonoid Content of Various Partitionates of Aerial Parts of Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk

Eclipta alba is a medicinal herb belonging to the family of Asteraceae. Locally it is known as Kalokeshi and has a history of ethno-medicinal properties. The crude ethanolic extract of E. alba leaves was partitioned successively by solvents of different polarities. The crude extract along with different partitionates was evaluated for their possible antimicrobial, thrombolytic and membrane stabilizing activities. In this study, n-hexane soluble fraction (HXSF) showed 55.56% maximum activity against thrombosis in comparison with streptokinase (SK) 62.67%. For hypotonic solution- and heat-induced conditions, the n-hexane soluble fractionate (67.35 ± 0.50%) significantly inhibited the haemolysis of HRBCs by 67.35 ± 0.50% and 62.12 ± 0.69%, respectively as compared to the standard acetyl salicylic acid (77.91 ± 0.29%). The ethanol extract of the plant showed higher inhibitory action against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas fluroescens. The total flavonoid content was quite significant in ethanolic extract (142.17 ± 0.15 mg/g). Hence, the results of the present study revealed that the leaves of this traditional medicinal plant are a remedy for thrombosis, red blood cell membrane stabilization and microbial infections against some human pathogens.Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 14(2): 207-213, 2015 (December)

Studies on the Antimicrobial Activity and Brine Shrimp Toxicity of the Leaves Extract of Ageratum Conyzoides

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of the leaves extracts of Ageratum conyzoides L. Ageratum conyzoides has been utilized for the treatment of various ailments. The crude methanolic extract of Ageratum conyzoides, n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of methanolic extracts were screened for their antimicrobial activity against a number of gram positive and gram negative bacteria by disk diffusion method. The crude extract and n-hexane soluble fraction of crude extract showed significant to moderate antimicrobial activity and chloroform, ethyl acetate soluble fraction of crude extract showed moderate to mild antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The zones of inhibition produced by the crude extract (methanolic extract), n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate soluble fractions were found to be 14.89 mm - 19.40 mm, 14 mm - 19.40 mm, 10.66 mm - 13.50 mm and 9.50 mm - 13.26 mm respectively at a concentration of 30 mg/disc. Chloroform, n-hexane and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of methanolic extract of Ageratum conyzoides were screened for antitumor properties using brine shrimp lethality bioassay. A reputed cytotoxic agent vincristine sulphate was used as a positive control. From the results of the brine shrimp lethality bioassay it can be well predicted that nhexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of methanolic extract of Ageratum conyzoides possess cytotoxic activity on shrimp nauplii. The median lethal concentration (LC50, the concentration at which 50% mortality of brine shrimp nauplii occurred) of n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate were 245.42 mg/ml, 92.61 mg/ml and 6.35 mg/ml, respectively, comparison with positive control vincristine sulphate with 0.839 mg/ml.Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 29, Number 2, Dec 2012, pp 98-103

Pharmacological Assessment of the Leaves Extract and Fractions of Cassia fistula Linn for Antityphoid Activity

To evaluate the antityphoid effect of leaves extract and fractions of Cassia fistula. The crude methanol extracts (CME) of the dried leaves obtained by 48 h cold maceration and further it was fractionated into n-hexane soluble (HF1) and n-hexane insoluble (HF2) fractions. Phytochemical analysis was carried out on its methanol leaf extract. Antityphoid activity of CME, HF1 and HF2 were evaluated in accordance with National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) guidelines. The phytochemical study indicates the presence of terpenoids, saponins, glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, and tannins in extracts. The n-hexane insoluble fraction exerted antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhi while n-hexane soluble fraction showed no activity. C. fistula leaves possess antityphoid activity.

Crispene A, B, C and D, Four New Clerodane Type Furanoid Diterpenes from Tinospora crispa (L.).

Background:Tinospora crispa (L.) is used to alleviate the symptoms of diabetes mellitus in folk medicine. It is also used for hypertension and to treat malaria, remedy for diarrhea, and as vermifuge.Materials and Methods:Stems of T. crispa were collected, sun dried for several days followed by oven dried for 24 h at a considerably low temperature and then ground into coarse powder. The powdered stems were soaked in methanol at room temperature for 14 days with occasional shaking. The extract was collected by filtration, and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure in a rotary evaporator to obtain a solid residue which was then subjected to fractionation using the modified Kupchan partitioning method into n-hexane, CCl4, CHCl3 and aqueous soluble fractions. The n-hexane soluble fraction was chromatographed over sephadex (LH-20) and the column was eluted with n-hexane: CH2Cl2:MeOH (2:5:1) followed by CH2Cl2:MeOH (9:1) and MeOH (100%) in order to increase the polarities. The column fractions were then concentrated and subjected to thin layer chromatography screening and the fractions with a satisfactory resolution of compounds were rechromatographed over silica gel to isolate the pure compounds.Results:Four new furanoid diterpenes of clerodane types, Crispene A, B, C, and D (1–4), including one known furanoid diterpene glucoside, borapetoside E (5), were isolated from the stems of T. crispa. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by means of extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison of their spectral data with closely related compounds.Conclusion:We have reported four new furanoid diterpenes of clerodane types, including one known furanoid diterpene glucoside. This is the first report of any clerodane diterpene having olefinic bond between C-6 and C-7.SUMMARY Crispene A, B, C, and D, four new furanoid diterpenes of clerodane types from Tinospora crispaCrispene C, an unusual furanoid diterpene with olifinic bond between C-6 and C-7First report of Crispene D as a free aglycone, though it was earlier reported as an enzymatic hydrolysis product. Abbreviation used: TLC: Thin layer chromatography, NMR: Nuclear magnetic resonance, COSY: Correlation spectroscopy, NOE: Nuclear overhauser effect, HPLC: High-performance liquid chromatography, ESI-MS: Electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy

Antidiabetic Potential of Potentilla fulgens Roots in Validated Animal Models of Diabetes

The present study was undertaken to investigate the antidiabetic potential of tap roots of Potentilla fulgens in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat models. The crude powder, ethanolic, ethanolic: aqueous and aqueous extracts of tap roots were administered to normoglycemic- and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats in a single dose study. The ethanolic extract showed significant improvement in oral glucose tolerance and antihyperglycemic effect on sucrose loaded normal rats and STZ-induced diabetic rats. Of the isolated aqueous, n-butanol, chloroform and n-hexane soluble fractions of the active ethanolic extract of the roots, the aqueous fraction (100 mg/kg body weight) showed significant blood glucose lowering effect on STZ-induced diabetic rats. In a multiple dose study, aqueous fraction of ethanolic extract of P. fulgens roots significantly improved the body weight, percent glycated hemoglobin (%HbA1c), fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance (OGTT), serum insulin, lipid profile, liver and kidney parameters in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The aqueous fraction also showed marked improvement in OGTT and serum insulin level in neonatal STZ-induced diabetic rats for 30 consecutive days. The aqueous fraction of the roots also inhibited the activity of alpha (α)-glucosidase enzyme in a dose dependent manner. In conclusion, the finding suggested that an aqueous fraction of tap roots of P. fulgens possessed potential antidiabetic activity.

In vitro Antibacterial and Synergistic Activity of an Ecklonia cava Extract against Anti biotic-Resistant Streptococcus parauberis

In an effort to discover alternative phytotherapeutic antimicrobial agents to combat Streptococcus parauberis, a fish pathogenic bacterium, we evaluated the antibacterial activity of seaweed extracts in vitro. A methanolic extract of Ecklonia cava exhibited strong antibacterial activity against S. parauberis isolated from olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Furthermore, the n-hexane soluble (Hexane) fraction of the E. cava methanolic extract exhibited the greatest antibacterial effect on S. parauberis strains with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 256 to 1,024 µg/mL. In addition, the MIC values of oxytetracycline against antibiotic-resistant S. parauberis were markedly reduced up to 64-fold in combination with the Hexane fraction, suggesting that the antibacterial activity of the antibiotic was restored when combined with the Hexane fraction. The interaction between both antibiotics and the Hexane fraction was assessed by the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index. The Hexane fraction and oxytetracycline combination against antibiotic-resistant S. parauberis strains resulted in a median ∑FIC range of 0.502 to 0.516. Thus, the synergistic ranges of median ∑FIC < 1 were observed for all combinations of the Hexane fraction and oxytetracycline against S. parauberis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report indicating the efficacy of an E. cava extract against fish pathogenic bacterium S. parauberis.

Characterization of chemical groups, and investigation of cytotoxic and antioxidant activity of Litsea glutinosa leaves

The present study was conducted to investigate possible phytochemicals, cytotoxic activity, total phenolic content and antioxidant property of different extracts of Litsea glutinosa leaves. To determine different pytochemicals, various standard group tests were done. For cytotoxicity test, brine shrimp lethality bioassay was carried out. To evaluate the antioxidant properties, some complementary test systems, namely DPPH free-radical scavenging assay and reducing power assay and determination of total phenolic content were conducted. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrate, flavonoid, saponin, gum, steroid, tannins and terpinoids. In brine shrimp lethality bioassay, results showed that all the extracts possess significant (P˂0.05) activity when compared to the standard, Colchicine. Among the extracts, the n-hexane soluble fraction showed the highest activity (LC50 30.32±0.46µg/ml) which is very close to the standard (LC50 30.11±0.30µg/ml) used. In DPPH free radical scavenging test, IC50 value of the ethyl acetate extract was found fairly significant (9.68±0.15μg/ml) while compared to that of the reference standards ascorbic acid (1.82±0.15μg/ml). In reducing power assay, the maximum reducing capacity for the methanolic extract was found 257.67±4.04 at 200μg/ml while compared to standard ascorbic acid (356.33±5.68μg/ml). The total phenolic amount was also calculated as quite high in the ethyl acetate extract (69.00±0.58mg/g of gallic acid equivalent). Presence of significant antioxidant properties of different extracts would justify its traditional use. However, it would be interesting to investigate possible causes and their mechanisms responsible for the cytotoxic and antioxidant properties of the plant L. glutinosa.

Cytotoxic activity of isolated constituents from leaves of &lt;i&gt;Premna serratifolia&lt;/i&gt; on MCF-7 and HT-29 cell lines

Premna serratifolia (Syn: Premna integrifolia) is an important medicinal herb known as “Agnimantha” in Ayurveda and traditionally used for anticancer activity. The objective of present study was to isolate the cytotoxic phytoconstituents from the n-hexane soluble fraction of P. serratifolia leaf extract. Unsaponifiable portion of n-hexane soluble fraction was subjected to silica based column chromatography. The major constituents present in all the sub-fractions were identified by TLC and phytochemical tests. Two constituents were isolated and they were purified. Sub-fractions with isolates were tested for cytotoxic effect by BSL bioassay. Two isolates were found to be active and which were tested on cancer cell lines MCF-7 and HT-29 for their cytotoxicity. Among two isolates, one compound has shown significant cytotoxicity. From the results we conclude that the plant isolates showed cytotoxicity against selected human cancer cell lines.

Phytochemical Studies and Antimicrobial Screening of Non/Less-Polar Fraction of Psoralea corylifolia by Using GC-MS

Psoralea corylifolia is a well-known medicinal plant, traditionally used against several diseased conditions. The present study was conducted to investigate the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activity of P. corylifolia seeds. Non/less-polar fraction of methanolic seed extract was subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for phytochemical analysis. A total of fourteen compounds were identified which include aromatic, sesquiterpenes, furocoumarins, sterols, fatty acid and their methyl esters. The predominant compounds were epoxycaryophyllene (3), isopsoralen (6), psoralen (7) and bakuchiol (9). Identification of these compounds was also strongly supported by Kovat’s Retention Indices. Furthermore, the n-hexane soluble fraction showed significant antimicrobial activity against several bacterial strains. P. corylifolia seeds represented a unique chemical composition with considerable antimicrobial activity which not only validates their traditional medicinal uses but also indicates their potential as a source of natural antimicrobial compounds.