Biological activities of Indian celery, Seseli diffusum (Roxb. ex Sm.) Sant. & Wagh.

In continuation of our work on Indian celery (Seseli diffusum (Roxb. ex Sm.) Santapau & Wagh; Umbelliferae), the fractionation of the 80% MeOH-H(2) O extract of the seeds was performed to identify the principles responsible for its folk use as an antispasmodic and diuretic.

COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT PHENOTYPIC METHODS OF DETECTION OF METHICILLIN RESISTANCE IN Staphylococcus aureus WITH THE MOLECULAR DETECTION OF mec-A GENE.

Objective: To evaluate accuracy, cost-effectiveness and ease to perform different phenotypic methods i.e. Cefoxitin 30 microg disc, Oxacillin 1microg disc and Oxacillin agar screening plate (6microg/ml ) for early and accurate identification of MRSA by comparing with the detection of mec-A gene in our clinical isolates.

A new diepoxy-ent-kauranoid, rugosinin, from Isodon rugosus.

A new diterpenoid, rugosinin (1), isolated from Isodon rugosus, with absolute configuration was proved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, to be the member of a rare class of C-20/C-7 and C-20/C-14 diepoxy- ent-kauranoids. Effusanin A (2), effusanin B (3), effusanin E (4), lasiokaurin (5) and oridonin (6) were found as known constituents of the genus Isodon with C-20/C-7 epoxy function. These compounds have exhibited DNA-damaging activity in assay which employed DNA-repair deficient (RAD 52Y) and repair proficient (RAD +) yeast strains.

Novel diterpene lactones from Suregada multiflora.

Two new diterpene lactones, suregadolides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from a dichloromethane extract of Suregada multiflora bark. These compounds possess a novel skeleton, which contains a cyclopropane ring bridging C-3 and C-4 of the abietane skeleton. The structures were established on the basis of one- and two-dimensional NMR and other spectroscopic studies.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Tamarix ramosissima.

The ethylacetate and water-acetone extracts of Tamarix ramosissima were screened for their antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and DNA damaging activities through in vitro experiments. All fractions as well as precipitates showed significant antioxidant activity. A known compound tamarixetin (1) was isolated which showed significant DNA damaging activity in mutant yeast bioassay.