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This study aims to explore the possible pharmacological potential of Cleome viscosa Linn (Cleomaceae), an annual weed, into therapeutic value-added products. In the present study, we have explored the pharmacological and toxicological profile of coumarinolignoids isolated from Cleome viscose for the management of rheumatoid arthritis and related complications in a small animal model. To avoid the biasness during experiments on animals, we have coded the isolated coumarinolignoids as CLIV-92 to perform the experimental pharmacological study. CLIV-92 was orally administrated (30,100, 300 mg/kg) to animal models of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), carrageenan-induced acute inflammation, thermal and chemical-induced pain, and Brewerʼs yeast-induced pyrexia. Oral administration of CLIV-92 significantly decreases the arthritis index, arthritis score, and increases the limb withdrawal threshold in the CIA model in experimental rats. The anti-arthritis studies revealed that the anti-inflammatory effect of CLIV-92 was associated with inhibition of the production of inflammatory mediators like TNF- α , IL-6, IL-17A, MMP-1, MMP-9, Nitric oxide, and C-RP in CIA ratʼs serum, and also reduced the NF к B-p65 expression as evidence of immunohistochemistry in knee joint tissue of CIA rats, in a dose-dependent manner. Further individual experiments related to arthritis-related complications in experimental animals demonstrated the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic potential of CLIV-92 in a dose-dependent manner. Further, an in-vivo acute oral toxicity study concluded that CLIV-92 is safe in experimental animals up to 2,000 mg/kg dose. The results of this study suggested that the oral administration of CLIV-92 may be a therapeutic candidate for further investigation in the management of rheumatoid arthritis and related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTArtemisia pallensWall. ex DC, commonly known as davana, is cultivated in India for extraction of its essential oil (DO). In this study, DO collected from thirteen locations (DO1-DO13) and those extracted from six different phenophases and different plant parts were investigated using GC-FID and GC-MS. Altogether, 84 constituents were identified, forming 81.0–96.2% of the total oil composition. Major components of the oils were cis-davanone (17.4–65.1%), bicyclogermacrene (4.0–22.0%), cis-methyl jasmonate (0.4–8.5%), β-eudesmol (0.3–6.6%), davana ether isomer (0.5–6.1%), trans-ethyl cinnamate (1.4–6.1%), and germacrene D (0.1–4.7%). Among all tested oils, the DO10, having low cis-davanone content (27.5%), was found more potent against test microorganisms. The oils collected from different locations showed variations in their physical properties, chemical composition, and antimicrobial activity. Based on the yield and cis-davanone content, the flower bud and full-flowering stages could be suitable for harvesting good quality oil in north Indian plains.

ABSTRACTCitronella (Cymbopogonspp.) essential oil is an important component of various fragrances, cosmetics, and household products. In this study, comparative chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianusJowitt ex Bor) essential oil, extracted by different methods, namely hydro-distillation and steam-distillation were determined by GC, GC-MS, and disc diffusion assay and microdilution broth assay. Major constituents of the essential oil were citronellal (2.2–55.4%), geraniol (14.2–53.0%), citronellol (8.2–16.4%), isopulegol (0.3–12.6%), elemol (0.8–8.2%), and limonene (0.2–5.0%). The essential oils showed inhibition of test bacteria with minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) in the range of 250–1000 µg/mL and showed anticandidal activity with MIC in the range of 125–500 µg/mL. In general, the oils were moderately active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains and also showed good activity against Candidal strains. The essential oils extracted from the herbage by different techniques exhibited variations in their yield, chemical composition, and antimicrobial activities.

ABSTRACTIn this study, antimicrobial activity of the essential oil (EO) and extracts of Himalayan-thyme (Thymus linearisBenth.) was evaluated against nine pathogenic microbial strains using disc diffusion and microdilution broth assays. The chemical composition of the EO was determined by gas chromatography-flame ionisation detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The molecular mechanism of action of the EO was investigated against three pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidisand Enterococcus faecalis) and three fungal strains (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Candida tropicalis) using the assays of protein leakage, and DNA and RNA leakage through the membrane. Major components of the EO were thymol (54.9%), γ-terpinene (16.6%) and p- cymene (5.2%). The EO showed broad-spectrum potent antibacterial and antifungal activity (MIC 240–990 µg/mL) against test strains. The EO damaged cell membranes and altered cell membrane permeability of test microorganisms. The EO showed a time- and dose-dependent bactericidal and fungicidal effect. It could act as a promising antimicrobial agent due to its short killing time.

Zanthoxylum, commonly known as Timoor, has been used in different traditional systems of medicine and also for several other applications such as chemopreventive agents, tooth care, as spices, condiments, etc. Due to the pungent taste of fruits, seeds, leaves, bark, and therapeutic remedies, especially in Indian system of medicine, Eastern Asian countries and in Central America, it is being substituted for pepper. The collection of Zanthoxylum armatum DC; Syn. Z. alatum Roxb and its several species used for food, medicine and barter has been a part of the culture of many communities in different countries. The fruits and seeds of timoor are well known in ayurvedic medicine and used for different diseases. The bark of the plant has also been reported for hepatoprotective activity. Several natural compounds have been isolated and identified in several classes, from different plant parts and species. The Zanthoxylum compounds and extracts of the plant parts have been reported for several types of biological activities. This review aims to examine the detailed aspects of phytochemical compounds and pharmacological activities covering maximum species of this genus. In view of the available pharmacological data and traditional use in Indian system of medicine and in other countries also, Z. armatum and other species certainly deserve more investigations. However, clinical evidence and rigorous investigations for quality control are required before any recommendation for Zanthoxylum based products.

The use of herbs in the form of dietary supplements and medicine is fascinating the world, owing to their safety and protective effects against oxidative stress. The elevation in oxidative stress promotes aging and age related disorders. To this end, the authors evaluated in vivo antioxidant activity and anti-aging potential of Trachyspermum ammiL. (TA) oil in Caenorhabditis elegansfor the first time. This medicinally important herb is commonly known as carom seed, ajwain, Bishop’s weed and traditionally used as spice in food preparations in India and other parts of world. The authors evaluated three doses of TA oil (10, 100 and 1000 ppm) and 10 ppm dose demonstrated maximal lifespan extension (12.45 %, P≤ 0.0001) in C. elegans. The 10 ppm dose of TA oil demonstrated in vivo antioxidant activity as it was able to extend lifespan in oxidative stress sensitive mev-1mutant by 9.53 % (P< 0.0001). Furthermore, TA oil treatment elevated expression of SOD-3 and GST-4 and conferred oxidative stress resistance in worms. This study broadens current perspectives concerning antiaging potential of TA oil. The present study has implications in the development of natural antioxidant based therapy for treating age related disorders which can be subjected to future investigations.

AbstractThe essential oil obtained by hydro distillation of flowers of Bauhinia variegatawere analyzed by GC and GC-MS analysis. Fifty one compounds have been identified in the flowers oil, representing 87.3 % of total oil. The major components were identified as α-pinene (5.1 %), β-pinene (2.2 %), β-elemene (2.6 %), γ-elemene (19.0 %), δ-cadinene (3.6 %), occidentalol (2.3 %), cis-murrol-5-en-4-α-ol (24.4 %) and α-cadinol (4.4 %). This is the first report on chemical composition of B. variegataflowers essential oil of north Indian origin.

AbstractThe antimicrobial activity of the steam distilled essential oil of Mentha arvensis, major isolates such as monoterpenes, menthone and isomenthone, dementholized oil (DMO), liquid menthol, l-men-thol and its acyl derivatives were studied. In vitrobioactivity evaluation of the oil, isolated components and the derivatives showed activity against a wide spectrum of human pathogenic fungi and bacteria tested. The activity of the isolated pure compounds and l-menthol derivatives was comparable to the bioactivity of original oil.

The new title compounds (I) and (II), resp., are isolated along with four known compounds.