Antibacterial -trachyloban-19-oic acid and other constituents from G.W. Hu, Ngumbau & Q.F. Wang.

Phytochemical analysis of the twigs and leaves of , endemic to Kenya, yielded known compounds 3-(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)-prop-1-ene (, 3-(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)-propenal (), lupeol () and -trachyloban-19-oic acid (), and a tentatively new -clerodane diterpenoid, crotokinondoenolide (). -Trachy-loban-19-oic acid () showed good activity against a panel of drug-resistant strains of and spp with MIC -values of 25 g/mL.

Review: The Chemistry, Toxicity and Antibacterial Activity of Curcumin and Its Analogues.

Antimicrobial resistance is a global challenge that is already exacting a heavy price both in terms of human health and financial cost. Novel ways of approaching this crisis include the investigation of natural products. Curcumin is the major constituent in turmeric, and it is commonly used in the preparation of Asian cuisine.

Sustained release ocular drug delivery systems for glaucoma therapy.

Introduction: Glaucoma is a group of progressive optic neuropathies resulting in irreversible blindness. It is associated with an elevation of intraocular pressure (>21 mm Hg) and optic nerve damage. Reduction of the intraocular pressure (IOP) through the administration of ocular hypotensive eye drops is one of the most common therapeutic strategies.

The effect of isolates from Cassipourea flanaganii (Schinz) alston, a plant used as a skin lightning agent, on melanin production and tyrosinase inhibition.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The Zulu and Xhosa people of South Africa use the stem bark of Cassipourea flanaganii as a skin-lightning cosmetic.

Aim Of The Study: To isolate and identify compounds responsible for the skin lightning properties from the stem bark of Cassipourea flanaganii and to evaluate their cytotoxicity towards skin cells.

Materials And Methods: Extracts from the stem bark of Cassipourea flanaganii were isolated using chromatographic methods and structures were determined using NMR, IR and MS analysis.

Antiangiogenic Activity and Cytotoxicity of Triterpenoids and Homoisoflavonoids from Massonia pustulata and Massonia bifolia.

The Hyacinthaceae family ( APGII), with approximately 900 species in around 70 genera, plays a significant role in traditional medicine in Africa as well as across Europe and the Middle and Far East. The dichloromethane extract of the bulbs of (Hyacinthaceae APGII) yielded two known homoisoflavonoids, ()-5-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-7-methoxy-4-chromanone 1: and 5-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-7-methoxy-4-chromone 2: and four spirocyclic nortriterpenoids, eucosterol 3: , 28-hydroxyeucosterol 4: and two previously unreported triterpenoid derivatives, ()-17,23-epoxy-3,22,29-trihydroxylanost-8-en-27,23-olide 5: , and ()-17,23-epoxy-28,29-dihydroxylanost-8-en-3-on-27,23-olide 6: . Compounds 1, 2, 3: , and 5: were assessed for cytotoxicity against CaCo-2 cells using a neutral red uptake assay.

Useful methods for targeted plant selection in the discovery of potential new drug candidates.

The efficient and effective selection of appropriate plants for investigative purposes in a drug discovery program is of crucial importance for a successful outcome. A variety of approaches have been used by researchers with varying levels of success. A variety of different approaches to plant selection are discussed, including the ethnomedicinal approach, some ecological approaches, and the use of combinatorial and computational methodologies.

The chemistry and biological activity of the Hyacinthaceae.

The Hyacinthaceae (sensu APGII), with approximately 900 species in about 70 genera, can be divided into three main subfamilies, the Hyacinthoideae, the Urgineoideae and the Ornithogaloideae, with a small fourth subfamily the Oziroëoideae, restricted to South America. The plants included in this family have long been used in traditional medicine for a wide range of medicinal applications. This, together with some significant toxicity to livestock has led to the chemical composition of many of the species being investigated.