Spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory effects of constituents from Hertia cheirifolia.

A sesquiterpenoid Bakkenolide (1), and two steroids, (3beta, 22E)-Stigmasta-5, 22-diène-3-ol (Stigmasterol) (2) and stigmasterol 3beta-glucoside (3), isolated from the Hertia cheirifolia (L.) chloroform extract, were evaluated respectively for their spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory activities. We note that these natural products were isolated and purified for the first time from the specie Hertia cheirifolia. Their structures have been established by spectroscopy (1 and 2D NMR experiences) and mass spectrometry. Chloroform-, ethyl acetate- and methanol-extracts were also tested for their spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory activities. Spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory screening were based respectively on the contractile response effects on rat isolated smooth muscles and on the dose-related carrageenan induced paw edema in rats. screening of the crude extracts showed spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory positive results. The antispasmodic effect of Bakkenolide was found in the same range as that of Alverine, a standard musculotropic spasmolytic agent.

Mutagenic, antimutagenic and antioxidant activities of a new polyphenolic and a flavonoid substances isolated from Anagallis monelli.

A new polyphenolic natural substance: 2,5-dihydroxy-benzoic acid 3'-formyl-5'-hydroxy-phenyl ester (1), Anamighrinal and 3-(O-alpha-L-rhamnosyl) quercetin (2) have been isolated from the methanolic aerial part extract of the plant Anagallis monelli by chromatographic separation. Their structures have been deduced essentially by one and two NMR spectroscopic procedures and mass spectrometry. Antioxidant, mutagenic, antimutagenic activities, of the natural products were realised and positive results were recorded.

Mutagenic, antimutagenic and antioxidant activities of a new class of beta-glucoside hydroxyhydroquinone from Anagallis monelli growing in Tunisia.

A new skeleton of an O-heteroside natural substance named zinolol, the first representative of a new class of aminated hydroxyhydroquinone, has been isolated from the whole plant Anagallis monelli. Its structure has been established by one and two dimensional NMR spectroscopic procedures. Antioxidant, mutagenic, antimutagenic activities were realised and positive results were recorded.

Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanolic extracts of three Salvia species from Tunisia.

This study examines the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanolic extracts of three Salvia species from Tunisia: Salvia aegyptiaca L., S. argentea L. and S. verbenaca Ssp. clandestina L. Pugsley. The extracts inhibited the growth of dermatophytes and of bacteria responsible for unpleasant odours to varying degrees; the pathogenic yeasts Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, the filamentous fungi Aspergillus fumigatus and selected dog otitis bacteria were all resistant to each of the extracts. The extracts were screened for their antioxidant activities using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) test systems, and gave positive results in both tests. The extracts of S. aegyptiaca were the most active in both tests, followed by those of S. verbenaca, then S. argentea. These results confirm the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the genus Salvia and underline the potential of these plants either as natural preservatives or in pharmaceutical applications.