Anthrone C-glucosides from Rheum emodi.

In a study of the anthraderivatives in roots of Rheum emodi, three new anthrone C-glucosides, named 10-hydroxycascaroside C (1), 10-hydroxycascaroside D (2) and 10R-chrysaloin 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3) were isolated besides the rare compounds cascaroside C (4), cascaroside D (5) and cassialoin (6). Additionally the investigation resulted in the isolation of an acetylated chrysophanol glucoside, 8-O-beta-D-(6'-O-acetyl)glucopyranosyl-chrysophanol (7). The structures were established by comprehensive spectroscopic investigations.

Sulfemodin 8-O-beta-D-glucoside, a new sulfated anthraquinone glycoside, and antioxidant phenolic compounds from Rheum emodi.

A sulfated emodin glucoside, emodin 8-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-6-O-sulfate (1), was isolated from the roots of Rheum emodi in an investigation of the active constituents of this Nepalese medicinal plant, and its structure was determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Additionally, two rare auronols, carpusin (2) and maesopsin (3), besides other anthraquinones and phenolics, were isolated and identified. Compounds 2 and 3 showed significant antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay, while chrysophanol, physcion, and emodin and their 8-O-glucosides were found to be inactive.

Groundwater arsenic contamination, its health impact and mitigation program in Nepal.

About 47% of Nepal's total population is living in Terai region and 90% of them are relying on groundwater as their major source of drinking water. About 200,000 shallow tubewells have been installed by different agencies in 20 Terai districts, serving 11 million people. Recently, arsenic contamination of groundwater has been recognized as a public health problem in Nepal.