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The bioactive molecule, α-amyrin acetate, was isolated from the nhexane extract Streblus asper stem bark by column chromatography. The structure of the compound was characterized with the help of physical and spectroscopic data. A high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method has been developed and validated for its quantification in S. asper leaf, stem bark, and root. Chromatographic separation of the compound was achieved on high-performance precoated TLC plates by using optimized binary mobile phase consisting of n-hexane-ethyl acetate (9.6:0.4, v/v). HPTLC scanning was performed at 472 nm after derivatization of the plate with methanol-sulphuric acid reagent in reflection/absorption mode. The method was validated according to International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) protocol for specificity, sensitivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, repeatability, and robustness. The developed method is found to be very simple, rapid, precise, sensitive, and accurate for the quantification of α-a...

Stigmast-5-en-3β-ol (β-sitosterol) was isolated from the chloroform extract of the aerial parts ofAristolochia indica (CEAI). The structure and relative configuration of Stigmast-5-en-3β-ol (β-sitosterol) was determined by spectroscopic methods (1H- and 13C-NMR, IR, and MS). CEAI was found to produce good antidiabetic activity in treated mice. It reversed the weight loss of diabetic mice and restored to normal blood sugar level. The efficacy of the extract was compared with standard drug, Glibenclamide (10 mg/kg p.o.) in diabetic mice. CEAI also showed significant antioxidant activity in the level of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radicals with IC50 value being 7.325 and 8.498 µg/ml, respectively. The anti-hyperglycemic effect of the extract might be due to an increase in peripheral glucose consumption as well as protection against oxidative damaged in alloxanised diabetes. Key words: Aristolochia indica, antioxidant, antidiabetic activity, alloxan, glibenclamide, diabetes, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anion radical, β-sitosterol.

In the present study, the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extracts ofCassia sopheraLinn. leaves was evaluated against carbon-tetrachloride- (CCl4-) induced hepatic damage in rats. The extracts at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg were administered orally once daily. The hepatoprotection was assessed in terms of reduction in histological damage, changes in serum enzymes, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (AST), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (ALT), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, and total protein levels. The substantially elevated serum enzymatic levels of AST, ALT, ALP, and total bilirubin were restored towards the normalization significantly by the extracts. The decreased serum total protein level was significantly normalized. Silymarin was used as standard reference and exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections. The results of this study strongly indicate thatCassia sopheraleaves have potent hepatoprotective action against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in rats. This study suggests that possible activity may be due to the presence of flavonoids in the extracts.