Acylated pregnane glycosides from Caralluma sinaica.

Caralluma sinaica is sold on local markets of Saudi Arabia for various health benefits however no phytochemical study has specifically been performed on this species. NMR and UHPLC-ESI-TOF-MS profilings of the ethanolic extract of the whole plant reveal a very complex phytochemical composition dominated by pregnanes. Detailed information on its constituents was obtained after isolation.

Ginger ingredients inhibit the development of diethylnitrosoamine induced premalignant phenotype in rat chemical hepatocarcinogenesis model.

To investigate the possible antitumor activity of ginger extract against hepatic carcinogenesis initiated by diethylnitrosoamines (DEN) and promoted by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4) ). A total of 60 male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups with 15 animals in each group. Rats in group 1 (control group) received a single intraperitoneal (i.

Osteosaponins 1 and 2: two new saponin glycosides from Osteospermum vaillantii.

Osteospermum vaillantii (Decne) T. Norl., collected from southern Saudi Arabia, yielded two new saponins characterised as 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(2' --> 1'')-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(3' --> 1''')-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-oleanolic acid, designated as osteosaponin, and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(2' --> 1'')-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(2''-1''''')-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(3' --> 1''')-O-beta-(-D-galactopyranosyl-oleanolic-acid-28-C(O)-O-beta-D-(1'''')-glucopyranosyl ester, designated as osteosaponin.

Phytochemical and biological studies on Saudi Commiphora opobalsamum L.

The aerial part of Commiphora opobalsamum L. (Burseraceae) growing in Saudi Arabia was subjected to a phytopharmacological investigation in order to identify its major chemical constituents and to evaluate its extracts and isolated compounds in preliminary in vitro assays for antimicrobial, antimalarial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory (COX-2 inhibition), antioxidant and estrogenic activity. Six compounds were isolated and identified as the triterpenes friedelin, canophyllal, and oleanonic acid; the flavonols mearnsetin and quercetin; and syringic acid.

Crotalic and emarginellic acids: two triterpenes from Crotalaria emarginella and anti-inflammatory and anti-hepatotoxic activity of crotalic acid.

The aerial parts of Crotalaria emarginella Vatke (Leguminosae) has afforded two triterpenes, characterized as 3alpha-hydroxy-arbor-12-ene-28-carboxylic acid, designated as crotalic acid (1), and 2beta,3beta,21-trihydroxy-arbor-12-ene-29-carboxylic acid, designated as emarginellic acid (2). The structures of the isolated products were elucidated on the basis of spectral and chemical studies. On screening the biological activity, the crotalic acid (1) exhibited a significant anti-inflammatory activity (dose: 10mg/kg), which showed 53% inhibitory effect.

Three new diterpenes and the biological activity of different extracts of Jasonia montana.

Three new diterpenes, namely jasonin-a (1), jasonin-b (2), and jasonin-c (3) were isolated from the aerial parts of Jasonia montana (Asteraceae). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data as [(1E)-2-((2S)-1,2,5-trimethylbicyclo[3.2.

Alkaloids of Thalictrum angustifolium.

Fractionation and chromatography of the ethanolic extract of the roots of Thalictrum angustifolium L. (Ranunculaceae) afforded five alkaloids: noroxyhydrastinine (1), O-methylthalicberine (2), berberine iodide (3), jatrorrhizine iodide (4), magnoflorine iodide (5). In addition, one simple aromatic compound, methyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (6), was also isolated.

Three new and two rare furanoeremophilanes from Senecio asirensis.

Three new furanoeremophilanes have been obtained from the aerial parts of Senecio asirensis (N. O. Asteraceae), and characterized as 6-hydroxylmethyl-9-methoxyl-4,11-dimethylnaphtho[2,3-b]furan, designated asirensane-a (1), 6-hydroxyl-1,2-dimethoxyl-4,6,11-trimethyl-6-hydronaphtho[2,3-a]furan-7-one, named asirensane-b (2), and (6,12-dihydroxyl-9-methoxyl-4-methyl-11-acetyl-3,4-dihydronaphtho[2,3-b]furan- 3-yl)methyl (2'Z)-2'-methyl-but-2'-enoate, designated asirensane-c (3).

Verbenacine and salvinine: two new diterpenes from Salvia verbenaca.

Two new diterpenes namely verbenacine (1) and salvinine (2) have been isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia verbenaca. Their structures have been elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectral data as 3alpha-hydroxy-19-carboxykaur-15-ene and 19-hydroxy-12,14-dioxo labda-15,17-diene.

Antihepatotoxic activity of seeds of Cichorium intybus.

The different fractions of alcoholic extract and one phenolic compound AB-IV of seeds of Cichorium intybus Linn were screened for antihepatotoxic activity on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver damage in albino rats. The degree of protection was measured using biochemical parameters like aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), and total protein (TP). The methanol fraction and compound AB-IV were found to possess a potent antihepatotoxic activity comparable to the standard drug Silymarin (Silybon-70).

Scropolioside-D2 and harpagoside-B: two new iridoid glycosides from Scrophularia deserti and their antidiabetic and antiinflammatory activity.

Five iridoid glycosides, including the two new compounds scropolioside-D(2) (1) and harpagoside-B (2), were isolated from the aerial parts of Scrophularia deserti DEL (Scrophulariaceae). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data to be 6-O-[2",4"-di-O-acetyl-3"-O-trans-cinnamoyl)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl]-8 alpha-hydroxymethyl-1 alpha,5 beta,6 alpha,7 alpha,9 beta-pentahydro-7(8)-epoxy-2-oxaind-3-ene-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside-6'-O-acetate (1) and 5-O-beta-hydroxy-8-O-beta-trans-cinnamoyl-8 alpha-methyl-1,6,7,9-tetrahydro-2-oxaind-3-ene-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), respectively. In addition, three more iridoid glycosides, scropolioside-D (3), koelzioside (4), and 8-O-acetyl-harpagide (5), were also isolated and characterized from this source.