Microbial and Heavy Metal Contaminant of Antidiabetic Herbal Preparations Formulated in Bangladesh.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate microbial contamination in terms of microbial load (total aerobic count and total coliform count) and specific pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, particularly Escherichia coli 0157) in thirteen antidiabetic herbal preparations (ADHPs) from Dhaka City. All the thirteen ADHPs had been found contaminated with fungi and different pathogenic bacteria. From the data, it is found that only two of these preparations (ADHP-1 and ADHP-12) complied with the safety limit (as stated in different Pharmacopoeias and WHO guidelines) evaluated by all different microbial counts. None of these herbal preparations could assure the safety as all of them were contaminated by fungi. The overall safety regarding heavy metal content (Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr, Cd, and Pb) was assured as none of them exceeded the safety limit of the daily intake. Microbial contaminants in these herbal preparations pose a potential risk for human health and care should be taken in every step involved in the preparation of these herbal preparations to assure safety.

A QuEChERS-based extraction method for the residual analysis of pyraclofos and tebufenpyrad in perilla leaves using gas chromatography: application to dissipation pattern.

The objective of this work was to establish a simple extraction method for the residual analysis of pyraclofos and tebufenpyrad in Perilla leaves. A QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) method was used for extraction using ethyl acetate as an extraction solvent, and cleanup was carried out using dispersive solid-phase extraction technique. The samples were analyzed using gas chromatography with nitrogen phosphorous detector and confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The linearity was excellent (r(2) = 1.0) in matrix-matched calibration for both pesticides. The recoveries at two fortification levels were 80.76-95.38% with relative standard deviation lower than 5%. The limits of detection and limits of quantification were 0.01 and 0.033 mg/kg for both pesticides, respectively. The results revealed that the dissipation pattern of pyraclofos and tebufenpyrad followed first-order kinetics. The pyraclofos and tebufenpyrad residues declined to a level below the maximum residue limits within 14 day between the last application and harvesting. We suggest that pyraclofos and tebufenpyrad could be used efficiently on perilla leaves under the recommended dosage conditions.

Hypoglycaemic and antioxidant activities of Ficus racemosa Linn. fruits.

The effects of Ficus racemosa Linn. fruit extract and fraction on fasting serum glucose levels of normal, type 1 and type 2 diabetic model rats are presented. The aqueous 80% EtOH extract and its water soluble fraction of F. racemosa fruit did not show any serum glucose lowering effect on non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic rats at the fasting condition, whereas the extract showed significant hypoglycaemic effect on the type 1 diabetic model rats. Both the extract and fraction were consistently active in both non-diabetic and types 1 and 2 diabetic model rats when fed simultaneously with glucose load. On the contrary, they were ineffective in lowering blood glucose levels when fed 30 min prior to glucose load. The 1-BuOH soluble part of the ethanol extract exhibited significant antioxidant activity in DPPH free radical scavenging assay. 3-O-(E)-Caffeoyl quinate (1) was isolated for the first time from this plant, which also showed significant antioxidant activity.

Free radical scavenging phenylethanoid glycosides from Leucas indica Linn.

A new phenylethanoid glycoside, 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-ethyl-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-4-O-E-feruloyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3-O-methyl poliu-moside, 1) along with five known phenylethanoid glycosides (2-6) were isolated from the aerial parts of Leucas indica Linn. The structure of compound 1 has been elucidated on the basis of spectral data. Compounds 1-6 exhibited significant antioxidant activity in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay method. These compounds were also found to be moderate inhibitors of xanthine oxidase (XO) enzyme.

Six new diterpenoids from Suregada multiflora.

Six new diterpenoids were isolated from a CH(2)Cl(2)-MeOH extract of the bark of Suregada multiflora. The structures were established on the basis of one- and two-dimensional NMR and other spectroscopic studies and chemical derivatizations. Two compounds, suregadolides C (1) and D (2), were identified as new diterpene lactones of two antipodal series, containing a cyclopropane ring bridging C-3 and C-4 of the basic abietane skeleton. Suremulide A (3) was found to be a new abietene diterpene lactone. Bannaringaolide A (4), a diterpene lactone, based on a novel carbon skeleton with a seven-membered ring, possibly formed by the rearrangement of the exocyclic C-17 in ring C of an ent-pimarane framework, has also been isolated. A kaurane triol, suremulol A (5), and a kaurane diol, suremulol B (6), were also identified as new metabolites.

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. Compound 1 showed moderate inhibitory activity in a mutant yeast strain bioassay.