A district-level vulnerability assessment of next COVID-19 variant (Omicron BA.2) in Uttarakhand using quantitative SWOT analysis.

COVID-19 has had an impact on the entire humankind and has been proved to spread in deadly waves. As a result, preparedness and planning are required to better deal with the epidemic's upcoming waves. Effective planning, on the other hand, necessitates detailed vulnerability assessments at all levels, from the national to the state or regional. There are several issues at the regional level, and each region has its own features. As a result, each region needs its own COVID-19 vulnerability assessment. In terms of climate, terrain and demographics, the state of Uttarakhand differs significantly from the rest of India. As a result, a vulnerability assessment of the next COVID-19 variation (Omicron BA.2) is required for district-level planning to meet regional concerns. A total of 17 variables were chosen for this study, including demographic, socio-economic, infrastructure, epidemiological and tourism-related factors. AHP was used to compute their weights. After applying min-max normalisation to the data, a district-level quantitative SWOT is created to compare the performance of 13 Uttarakhand districts. A COVID-19 vulnerability index (normalised R i ) ranging between 0 and 1 was produced, and district-level vulnerabilities were mapped. Quantitative SWOT results depict that Dehradun is a best performing district followed by Haridwar, while Bageshwar, Rudra Prayag, Champawat and Pithoragarh are on the weaker side and the normalised Ri proves Dehradun, Nainital, Champawat, Bageshwar and Chamoli to be least vulnerable to COVID-19 (normalised R i ≤ 0.25) and Pithoragarh to be the most vulnerable district (normalised R i > 0.90). Pauri Garwal and Uttarkashi are moderately vulnerable (normalised R i 0.50 to 0.75).

New Chemical Constituents from the Bark of Dendropanax morbifera Leveille and their Evaluation of Antioxidant Activities.

Four new constituents, as cis-6-oxogeran-4-enyl-10-oxy-O-ß-arabinopyranosyl-4'-O-ß-arabinopyranosyl-2''-octadec-9''',12''',15'''-trienoate (1), geran-3(10)-enyl-1-oxy-O-ß-arabinopyranosyl-4'-O-ß-arabinopyranosyl-2''-octadec-9''',12''',15'''-trienoate (2), geranilan-8-oxy-O-α-d-xylopyranosyl-2'-n-octadec-9'',12'',15''-trienoate (3), 1-cyclohex-2', 5'-dienyl 1-cyclohexylethanol-O-ß-d-xylopyranoside (4), along with six known constituents, guaiacol-O-ß-d-arabinopyaranoside (5), n-tetradecanyl oleate (6), oleyl-O-ß-d-xyloside (7), n-octadec-9,12-dienoyl-O-ß-d-arabinopyranoside (8), linolenyl-O-ß-d-arabinofuranoside (9) andglyceryl-1,3-dipalmito-2-olein (10), were isolated and identified from the Dendropanax morbifera bark. The new structures were established by one-and two-dimensional NMR (and in combination with IR, FAB-MSand HR-ESI-FTMS. The comparative evaluation of antioxidant potential by phosphomolybdenum, DPPH, FRAP and the NO assay of four different compounds (1-4), we have found that the compounds 1 and 2 have power as a natural antioxidant, whereas the compound 3 and 4 exhibited mild activity in comparison to compounds 1 and 2.

Momilactones A and B Are α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitors.

Momilactones A (MA) and B (MB) are the active phytoalexins and allelochemicals in rice. In this study, MA and MB were purified from rice husk of Oryza sativa cv. Koshihikari by column chromatography, and purification was confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS), and ¹H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. By in vitro assays, both MA and MB exerted potent inhibition on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities. The inhibitory effect of MB on these two key enzymes was greater than that of MA. Both MA and MB exerted greater α-glucosidase suppression as compared to that of the commercial diabetic inhibitor acarbose. Quantities of MA and MB in rice grain were 2.07 ± 0.01 and 1.06 ± 0.01 µg/dry weight (DW), respectively. This study was the first to confirm the presence of MA and MB in refined rice grain and reported the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the two compounds. The improved protocol of LC-ESI-MS in this research was simple and effective to detect and isolate MA and MB in rice organs.

Isolation and Purification of Bioactive Compounds from the Stem Bark of Jatropha podagrica.

This paper reports the successive isolation and purification of bioactive compounds from the stem bark of Jatropha podagrica, a widely known medicinal plant. The ethyl acetate extract of the stem bark exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays (IC50 = 46.7, 66.0, and 492.6, respectively). By column chromatography (CC) with elution of hexane and ethyl acetate at 8:2, 7:3, and 6:4 ratios, the isolation of this active extract yielded five fractions (C1⁻C5). Chemical structures of the constituents included in C1⁻C5 were elucidated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and resolved as methyl gallate (C1, C2, C3, C4), gallic acid (C1, C2), fraxetin (C2, C3, C4, C5), and tomentin (C3). Mixture C2 (IC50 DPPH and ABTS = 2.5 µg/mL) and C3 (IC50 FRAP = 381 µg/mL) showed the highest antioxidant properties. Among the isolated fractions, C4 was the most potential agent in growth inhibition of six bacterial strains including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus subtilis, and Proteus mirabilis (MIC = 5, 20, 30, 20, 25, and 20 mg/mL, respectively). All identified constituents exerted an inhibitory activity on the growth of Lactuca sativa, of which the mixture C3 performed the maximal inhibition on shoot (IC50 = 49.4 µg/mL) and root (IC50 = 47.1 µg/mL) growth. Findings of this study suggest that gallic acid, methyl gallate, fraxetin, and tomentin isolated from J. podagrica possessed antioxidant, antibacterial, and growth inhibitory potentials.

Comparative extraction and simple isolation improvement techniques of active constituents' momilactone A and B from rice husks of Oryza sativa by HPLC analysis and column chromatography.

This paper reports comparative extraction efficiencies and enhancement methods for natural herbicidal (growth inhibitors) compounds, momilactone A and B, respectively from the dried husks of Oryza sativa using different extraction techniques and different solvent systems. Four different extraction techniques viz. percolation, agitation with heat, sonication and soxhlet using five solvent systems as ethyl acetate, acetone, acetonitrile, methanol and methanol:water (8:2) were evaluated. In these studies, it was observed that maximum extract yield was obtained using in methanol and methanol/water mixture as extracting solvent by soxhlet technique although the content of total momilactones A and B was higher in the methanol/water mixture in comparison to other extractions. The successive and simple isolation enrichment technique for momilactones A and B were achieved by solid-matrix partitioning after the treatment of methanolic extract with charcoal and using ethyl acetate as extracting solvent for momilactones A and B. The quantitative analysis of the extraction and enrichment development protocol was validated by a simple, accurate, reproducible RP-HPLC-UV-VIS method using a binary gradient elution comprising of acetonitrile and water (70:30). The separation was achieved on a waters Spherisorb S10 ODS 2 column (250 × 4.6 mm, I.D., 10 µm) that achieved a greater degree of linearity within an overall concentration of extracts and momilactones A and B, 1 mg mL-1 and higher degree of correlation (0.9928 ≤ r2 ≤ 0.9936) for momilactones A and B. So far, comparative extraction of momilactones A and B and HPLC of these compounds has not been reported. Standards of momilactones A (1) and B (2) were isolated along with other two compounds as orizaterpenoid (3) and 7-ketostigmaterol (4) from ethyl acetate extract of rice hulls of O. sativa and checked purity by HPLC-PDA-MS and identification of these isolated compounds (1-4) by complete spectroscopic techniques as IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 2D NMR and HR-MS. The qualitative analysis of momilactone A and B separation technique by thin layer chromatography was also developed.

Contribution of momilactones A and B to diabetes inhibitory potential of rice bran: Evidence from in vitro assays.

This study was the first to detect the presence of the two compounds momilactone A (MA) and momilactone B (MB) in rice bran using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). By in vitro assays, both MA and MB exhibited potent inhibitory activities on pancreatic α-amylase and α-glucosidase which were significantly higher than γ-oryzanol, a well-known diabetes inhibitor. Remarkably, MA and MB indicated an effective inhibition on trypsin with the IC50 values of 921.55 and 884.03 µg/mL, respectively. By high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), quantities of MA (6.65 µg/g dry weight) and MB (6.24 µg/g dry weight) in rice bran were determined. Findings of this study revealed the α-amylase, α-glucosidase and trypsin inhibitors MA and MB contributed an active role to the diabetes inhibitory potential of rice bran.

Changes in Soybean (Glycine max L.) Flour Fatty-Acid Content Based on Storage Temperature and Duration.

Soybeans are low in saturated fat and a rich source of protein, dietary fiber, and isoflavone; however, their nutritional shelf life is yet to be established. This study evaluated the change in the stability and quality of fatty acids in raw and roasted soybean flour under different storage temperatures and durations. In both types of soybean flour, the fatty-acid content was the highest in the order of linoleic acid (18-carbon chain with two double bonds; C18:2), oleic acid (C18:1), palmitic acid (C16:0), linolenic acid (18:3), and stearic acid (C18:0), which represented 47%, 26%, 12%, 9%, and 4% of the total fatty-acid content, respectively. The major unsaturated fatty acids of raw soybean flour-oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid-decreased by 30.0%, 94.4%, and 97.7%, and 38.0%, 94.8%, and 98.0% when stored in polyethylene and polypropylene film, respectively, after 48 weeks of storage under high-temperature conditions. These values were later increased due to hydrolysis. This study presents the changes in composition and content of two soybean flour types and the changes in quality and stability of fatty acids in response to storage temperature and duration. This study shows the influence of storage conditions and temperature on the nutritional quality which is least affected by packing material.

Characterization of New Polyphenolic Glycosidic Constituents and Evaluation of Cytotoxicity on a Macrophage Cell Line and Allelopathic Activities of Oryza sativa.

Four new constituents, as 5, 7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavonol-3-O-ß-d-arabinopyranosyl-(2''→1''')-O-ß-d-arabinopyrnosyl-2'''-O-3'''', 7''''-dimethylnonan-1''''-oate (1), 5-hydroxy-7, 4'-dimethoxyflavone-5-O-α-d-arabinopyranosyl-(2"→1''')-O-α-d-arabinopyranosyl-2'''-O-3'''', 7''''-dimethylnonan-1''''-oate (2), 5-hydroxy-7, 4'-dimethoxyflavone-5-O-ß-d-arabinofuranosyl-(2"→1''')-O-ß-d-arabinopyranosyl-2'''-O-lanost-5-ene (3) and 4',4''-diferuloxy feruloyl-O-α-d-arabinopyranosyl-(2a→1b)-O-α-d-arabinopyranosyl-(2b→1c)-O-α-d-arabinopyranosyl-(2c→1d)-O-α-d-arabinopyranosyl-(2d→1e)-O-α-d-arabinopyranosyl-2e-3''', 7'''-dimethylnonan-1'''-oate (4), along with three known compounds (5⁻7) were isolated from Oryza sativa leaves and straw. The structures of new and known compounds were elucidated by 1D (¹H and 13C NMR) and 2D NMR spectral methods, viz: COSY, HMBC, and HSQC aided by mass techniques and IR spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity of these constituents was assessed by using (RAW 264.7) mouse macrophage cell line, and allelopathic effects of compounds (1⁻7) on the germination and seedling growth characteristics such as seedling length and root length of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa oryzicola) were evaluated. Significant inhibitory activity was exhibited by compounds comprising flavone derivatives such as (1⁻3) on all of seed germination characteristics. The allelopathic effect of flavone derivatives were more pronounced on seedling length and root length than the germination characteristics. The higher concentration of flavone derivatives showed stronger inhibitory effects, whereas the lower concentrations showed stimulatory effects in some cases.

Analysis of Selected Phenolic Compounds in Organic, Pesticide-Free, Conventional Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Using LC-ESI-MS/MS.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) contains generous amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and dietary fibers, in addition to secondary metabolites such as phenols and flavonoids that act as antioxidants. The phenolic compounds detected in rice (organic rice (OR), conventional rice (CR), and pesticide-free rice (PFR)), namely, protocatechuic, gentisic, p-hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric, ferulic, salicylic, and caffeic acids, are notable free radical scavengers. The sum of these phenolic compounds was found to be higher in PFR, followed by CR and OR (p < 0.0001), when the rice types were classified based on the farming system employed. In addition, significant differences were observed in the p-hydroxybenzoic acid levels for the OR and CR groups compared with the PFR groups (p < 0.01). Furthermore, greater quantities of p-coumaric acid were found in CR-08 and OR-02, although these groups contained overall higher and lower sums of phenolic compounds, respectively. Moreover, significance was observed in the sum of the phenolic compounds, although only small quantities were found in polished rice. Further research is thus required to provide a clearer picture regarding the phenolic profiles of different rice brands.

Weed Suppressing Potential and Isolation of Potent Plant Growth Inhibitors from Castanea crenata Sieb. et Zucc.

This study isolated, determined, and quantified plant growth inhibitors in Japanese chestnut (Castanea crenata Sieb. et Zucc), a deciduous species native to Japan and Korea. In laboratory assays, C. crenata leaves showed strong inhibition on germination and seedling growth of Echinochloa crus-galli (barnyardgrass), Lactuca sativa (lettuce), and Raphanus sativus (radish). Laboratory and greenhouse trials showed that leaves of C. crenata appeared as a promising material to manage weeds, especially the dicot weeds. By GC-MS and HPLC analyses, gallic, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, caffeic, ferulic, ellagic, and cinnamic acids were identified and quantified, of which ellagic acid was present in the highest quantity (2.36 mg/g dried leaves). By column chromatography and spectral data (¹H- and 13C-NMR, IR, and LC-MS) analysis, a compound identified as 2α,3ß,7ß,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid (1) was purified from the methanolic leaf extract of C. crenata (0.93 mg/g dried leaves). This constituent showed potent inhibition on growth of E. crus-galli, a problematic weed in agricultural practice. The inhibition of the compound 1 (IC50 = 2.62 and 0.41 mM) was >5 fold greater than that of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (IC50 = 15.33 and 2.11 mM) on shoot and root growth of E. crus-galli, respectively. Results suggest that the isolated the compound 1 has potential to develop natural herbicides to manage E. crus-galli. This study is the first to isolate and identify 2α,3ß,7ß,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid in a plant and report its plant growth inhibitory potential.

Flavonoid glycosides from leaves and straw of Oryza sativa and their effects of cytotoxicity on a macrophage cell line and allelopathic on weed germination.

Five new flavonoids namely, 5-hydroxy-6-isoprenyl-7,4'-dimethoxyflavonol-3-O-ß-d-arabinofuranoside (1), 5,7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone-7-O-ß-d-arabinopyranosyl-2''-n-decan-1'''-oate (2), 3-butanoyl-5,6,8-trihydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavonol--5-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (3), 7, 4'-dimethoxy-5-hydroxyflavone-5-O-α-d-arabinopyranosyl-(2'' → 1''')-O-α-d-arabinopyranoside (4), and 5,6-dihydroxy-7, 4'-dimethoxyflavone-5-O-α-d-glucopyranoside (5), together with two known compounds, were isolated from the methanol extract of Oryza sativa leaves and straw. Their structures of new compounds were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectral methods, viz: COSY, HMBC and HSQC aided by mass techniques and IR spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity of these compounds (1-7) were assessed by using (RAW 264.7) mouse macrophages cell line, and allelopathic effects of compounds (1-7) on the germination characteristics of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa oryzicola) and pigweed (Chenopodium album L.) were also evaluated. The compounds 1, 6 and 7 showed cytotoxicity and compounds 1-7 exhibited significant inhibitory activity on the seed germination of two weed species.

New constituents triterpene ester and sugar derivatives from Panax ginseng Meyer and their evaluation of antioxidant activities.

Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae), is a well-known herb and used in the old established system of Oriental remedy, especially in Japan, China and Korea. Four new compounds characterized as (cis)- 7ß,11α,19,21-tetra-O-decanoyl-18, 22ß-dihydroxy-dammar-1-en-3-one (1), 3ß,4α,12ß-trihydroxystigmast-5-en-21-yl octadecan-9',12'-dienoate (2), dammar-12, 24-dien-3α, 6ß, 15α-triol-3α-D-arabinopyranosyl-6ß-L-arabinopyranoside (3) and dammar-24-en-3α, 6ß, 16α, 20ß-tetraol-3α-D-arabinopyranosyl-6ß-D-arabinopyranoside (4) were isolated and established from the ethyl acetate and butanol extracts of the roots of P. ginseng. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral data and chemical reactions. Natural compounds indicative a great reservoir of materials and compounds with evolved biological activity, including antioxidant. Compounds 1-4 were investigated in vitro for antioxidant potential using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), the Nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity, reducing power, phosphomolybdenum and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging actions, and the decision showed the compounds 3and 4 have probablyessential antioxidant properties than the compounds 1and 2 presented weak activity.

Synthesis of 3,5-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzopyran-4-one derivatives as anticancer agents.

Different alkyl amide (15a-l) and alkyl amine (16a-e) derivatives of 7,8-dimethoxy-3-hydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzopyran-4-one were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity against five different cancer cell lines using SRB assay. Compounds 15e, 15i, 15j and 16a-e showed significant anticancer activity within the range of IC50 2.58-34.86µM. The most promising molecule, 16c, was further analyzed for its effect on cell cycle and apoptosis of estrogen receptor positive cancer cells (MCF-7 cells) which showed that 16c triggered apoptosis in MCF-7 cells and arrested cells population at sub-G0 (apoptotic) and G2M phase. In tubulin polymerization assay, 16c interfered with kinetics of tubulin polymerization.

Triterpene glycosides from red ginseng marc and their anti-inflammatory activities.

Three new triterpene glycosides ursan-3ß,19α,22ß-triol-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl (2'→1″)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1), ursan-3α,11ß-diol-3-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(6'→1″)-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(6″→1‴)-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(6‴→1‴')-α-D-glucopyranoside (2) and lanost-5,24-dien-3ß-ol-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(6'→1″)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(6″→1‴)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (3), together with one known compound were isolated and identified from the marc of red ginseng. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis. Compounds (1-3) were investigated for anti-inflammatory effects using the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. In the cell proliferation assay, lipopolysaccharide stimulation decreased cell proliferation of RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, but the suppression of cell proliferation was significantly protected by treatment with compounds 2 and 3. Compounds 2 and 3 had a suppressive effect on the production of nitric oxide (NO), and they inhibited mRNA expression of proinflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2, and proinflammatory cytokines such as two interleukins and tumor necrosis factor-α. These findings suggest that compounds 2 and 3 have potential anti-inflammatory activities.

New tetraterpene glycosides from the fruits of Lycium chinense.

Two new compounds lyciumtetraterpenic hexaarabinoside (1) and tetraterpenyl hexaarabinoside (2), along with two known compounds, were isolated from the methanol extract of the fruits of Lycium chinense Miller (Solanaceae), and their structures have been elucidated as 6-(1,1,5-trimethyl-5α-hydroxycyclohexanyl)-6'-(1',1',5'-trimethyl-2'ß-hydroxycyclohexanyl)-9,13,9',13'-tetramethyloctadec-7,9,11,13,15,7',9',11',13'-nonene-5α-D-arabinopyranosyl(2a â†’ 1b)-ß-D-arabinopyranosyl-(2b â†’ 1c)-ß-D-arabinopyranosyl-2'-ß-D-arabinopyranosyl-(2d â†’ 1e)-α-D-arabinopyranosyl-(2e â†’ 1f)-α-D-arabinopyranoside (1) and 1(6),11(12),13(14),1'(6'),11'(12'),13'(14')-dodecahydro-ß-caroten-4ß,4'ß-diol-4ß-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2a â†’ 1b)-ß-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2b â†’ 1c)-ß-D-arabinopyranosido-4'ß-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2d â†’ 1e)-ß-L-arabinopyranosyl-(2e â†’ 1f)-ß-D-arabinopyranoside (2) on the basis of spectral data analysis and chemical reactions.

Chemical composition, antioxidant activity and larvicidal effects of essential oil from leaves of Apium graveolens.

The leaves of Apium graveolens were extracted and the essential oil composition, immunotoxicity effects, and antioxidant activity were studied. The analyses were conducted by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), which revealed the essential oils of A. graveolens leaves. Twenty-eight components, representing 73.72% of the total oil were identified from the leaves. The major components are 4-chloro-4,4-dimethyl-3-(1-imidazolyl)-valerophenone (19.90%), 1-dodecanol (16.55%), 9-octadecen-12-ynoic acid, methyl ester (4.93%), ethyl 4,4-D2-N-hexyl ether (4.11%), 3-(hydroxymethyl)-1-phenyl-1-heptadecyn-3-ol (3.28%), 1,4-methano-1H-indene, octahydro-4-methyl-8-methylene-7-(1-methylethyl)-, [1S-(1α,3αα,4α,7α,7αα)]- (2.99%), 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,5-(3″-t-butyl)benzodioxepine (2.56%), Z-10-tetradecen-1-ol acetate (2.53%), 9H-pyrrolo[3',4':3,4]pyrrolo[2,1-α]phthalazine-9, 11(10H)-dione, 10-ethyl-8-phenyl (2.07%). The leaf oil had significant toxic effects against the larvae of A. aegypti with an LC(50) value of 59.32 ppm and an LC(90) value of 127.69 ppm. The essential oil from the A. graveolens leaves was investigated for scavenging of the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical activity and the results demonstrate that the essential oil from the A. graveolens has potential as a natural antioxidant and thus inhibit unwanted oxidation process. The above data indicate that the major compounds may play an important role in the toxicity of essential oils and also as natural antioxidant.

Composition of the essential oil constituents from leaves and stems of Korean Coriandrum sativum and their immunotoxicity activity on the Aedes aegypti L.

The leaves and stems of Coriandrum sativum were extracted and the essential oil composition and immunotoxicity effects were studied. The analyses were conducted by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), which revealed the essential oils of C. sativum leaves and stems. Thirty-nine components representing 99.62% of the total oil were identified from the leaves. The major components are cyclododecanol (23.11%), tetradecanal (17.86%), 2-dodecenal (9.93%), 1-decanol (7.24%), 13-tetradecenal (6.85%), 1-dodecanol (6.54%), dodecanal (5.16%), 1-undecanol (2.28%), and decanal (2.33%). Thirty-eight components representing 98.46% of the total oil were identified from the stems of the coriander. The major components are phytol (61.86%), 15-methyltricyclo[6.5.2(13,14),0(7,15)]-pentadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13-heptene (7.01%), dodecanal (3.18%), and 1-dodecanol (2.47%). The leaf oil had significant toxic effects against the larvae of Aedes aegypti with an LC50 value of 26.93 ppm and an LC90 value of 37.69 ppm and the stem oil has toxic effects against the larvae of A. aegypti with an LC50 value of 29.39 ppm and an LC90 value of 39.95 ppm. Also, the above data indicate that the major compounds may play an important role in the toxicity of essential oils.

Immunotoxicity activity from the essential oils of coriander (Coriandrum sativum) seeds.

The seeds of the Coriandrum sativum were extracted and the essential oil composition and immunotoxicity effects were studied. The analysis of the essential oil was conducted by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, which revealed 33 components, representing 99.99% of the total oil from the seeds of coriander. The major components are linalool (55.09%), α-pinene (7.49%), 2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, acetate, (E)- (5.70%), geraniol (4.83%), 3-Cyclohexene-1-methanol, α,α,4-trimethyl- (4.72%), hexadecanoic acid (2.65%), tetradecanoic acid (2.49%), 2-α-pinene (2.39%), citronellyl acetate (1.77%), and undecanal (1.29%). The seed oil had significant toxic effects against the larvae of Aedes aegypti with an LC(50) value of 21.55 ppm and LC(90) value of 38.79 ppm. The above data indicate that the major components in the essential oil of coriander play an important role as immunotoxicity on the A. aegypti.

New steroidal glycoside ester and aliphatic acid from the fruits of Lycium chinense.

Two new compounds stigmast-5-en-3ß-ol-3-O-ß-D-(2'-n-triacontanoyl) glucopyranoside (1) and 19,21-dimethyl triacont-17,22,24,26,28-pentaene-1-oic acid (2), along with the three known compounds n-tetracosanyl octadec-9-enoate (3), ß-sitosterol, and ß-sitosterol-3-O-ß-D-glucoside, have been isolated from the methanol extract of Lycium chinense fruits. The structures of these phytoconstituents have been established on the basis of spectral data analysis and chemical reactions.

Chemical constituents from the seed husks of Oryza sativa L.

Oryza sativa L. (Family Poaceae) is cultivated in tropical regions as a staple food all over the world. The rice grain husk is considered as a tonic and administered orally to relieve dysentery. The air-dried seeds husks of O. sativa were exhaustively extracted with methanol in a Soxhlet apparatus. The concentrated methanol extract was adsorbed on silica gel and chromatographed on a silica gel column. The column was eluted with petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol successively to isolate four phytoconstituents characterised as 7-ketostigmasterol (1), 3ß-benzyloxy-stigmast-7-one-22-en-19-oic acid 29-ethyleneglycol ether (2), sesquaurs-11-en- 2ß, 3ß,5α-triol (3) and 2'-(1''ß-hydroxypropyl)-7,4'-dimethoxyapigenin (4). These phytoconstituents were identified on the basis of spectral data analysis.