Characterization of two epimers, 4alpha and 4beta, of a novel podophyllotoxin-4-O-(D)-6-acetylglucopyranoside from Podophyllum hexandrum by LC-ESI-MS-MS.

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection interfaced to electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry (MS) is applied to identify the two epimers of a novel and minor constituent, podophyllotoxin-4-O-(D)-6-acetylglucopyraniside from high-altitude Podophyllum hexandrum for the first time. This is done by matching the structural information from the tandem MS data with the reported lignan markers. The results show that LC-MS-MS is the method of choice for fast detection and detailed chemical analysis of mixtures in the crude extracts of Podophyllum. The method can be employed in the absence of reference standards for the markers and is particularly useful in view of the scarcity of these rare chemical standards.

Preparative high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of naphthodianthrones from St. John's Wort.

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), a perennial flowering plant, has been used medicinally for thousands of years and has most recently been identified as an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression and neuralgic disorders. This work presents a procedure for the isolation of naphthodianthrones from St. John's Wort by an accelerated extraction and separation of marker compounds by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with photodiode array detection. The accelerated extraction method minimizes the extraction time and increases the yield, and the marker compounds obtained by preparative HPLC are of 98% purity. The compounds are characterized by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (electrospray ionization) and NMR spectra.

Comparison of extraction techniques for extraction of bioactive molecules from Hypericum perforatum L. plant.

Three methods commonly used for the extraction of bioactive molecules from natural plant material are compared. Dried Hypericum perforatum L. plant material is subjected to Soxhlet extraction, extraction by ultrasonication, and accelerated solvent extraction. The percentage of two bioactive compounds, hyperforin and hypericin, in the extracts is used as a parameter for comparison of the extraction procedure.

Separation of 9-methoxycamptothecin and camptothecin from Nothapodytes foetida by semipreparative HPLC.

The present work describes the isolation of camptothecin and 9-methoxycamptothecin from the aerial parts of Nothapodytes foetida by semipreparative high-performance liquid chromatography because the separation of compounds by conventional procedures is tedious and cumbersome. The purity of the isolates is determined by physicochemical data and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A simple and reliable semipreparative high-performance liquid chromatography technique for the isolation of marker-grade hyperforin from Hypericum perforatum L extract.

The present work describes isolation of bioactive lipophilic constituent [namely, hyperforin from St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.)], of approximately 98% purity by semipreparative high-performance liquid chromatography (LC). The extraction, isolation, and analysis of the collected compound is performed without the use of antioxidants and inert gas atmospheres at all the stages. Hyperforin, separated isocratically on a 12microm semiprep column, is obtained in high purity, lyophilized after the removal of the organic phase, and preserved at a low temperature. The purity of the collected marker compound is estimated by the use of LC-mass spectrometry and spectroscopic techniques.

Multiple vasculogenic disabilities : a challenge in rehabilitation.

A 37 year old male presented with left hemiplegia, left below knee amputation, right partial foot amputation and claudication pain. The limitations in the rehabilitation management in such a high-risk patient are multiplied. The appreciable benefits from supervised rehabilitation and judicious goal setting can help in improving the functional status and retard the disease progression in such patients. This study highlights that coexisting cerebrovascular, coronary and peripheral vascular diseases can pose a real challenge and can result in multiple disabilities.