Polyacanthoside A, a new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponin with cytotoxic effects from the leaves of (Fabaceae).

The chemical investigation of the leaves and stem bark of (Fabaceae) led to the isolation of a new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponin named polyacanthoside A together with fifteen known compounds. Their structures were established from spectral , mainly HRESIMS, 1D NMR and 2D NMR and by comparison with literature data. The cytotoxicity of compound and the analogues as well as doxorubicin was determined in a panel of 9 cancer cell lines including sensitive and drug resistant phenotypes.

Antihypertensive effects of Dorstenia psilurus extract in fructose-fed hyperinsulinemic, hypertensive rats.

We examined the effect of methanol/methylene chloride extract of Dorstenia psilurus given by gastric intubation on systolic blood pressure, plasma glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides and creatinine in rats with fructose-induced hypertension. Male Wistar rats in groups of 6 animals each were fed fructose-rich diets or standard chow for 3 weeks and treated with 100 mg/kg/day or 200 mg/kg/day of plant extract or vehicle for 3 subsequent weeks. Systolic blood pressure was measured every three days using the indirect tail cuff method.