Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities Evaluation, Phytochemical Characterisation of Rhizome from Angiopteris helferiana and Barks from Saurauia fasciculata in Nepal.

Ethnomedicinally, more than 2000 plants were found to be used in Nepal. Among them, the red colored rhizome of Angiopteris helferiana and the bark of Saurauia fasciculata have been used widely to treat muscle fatigue, bone pain, fever, postpartum hemorrhage, and thirst by healers in Kaski and Tanahun districts, Nepal. However, scientific evidence towards their traditional uses is lacking till December, 2023. Therefore, we report the phytochemicals, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total carbohydrate content (TCC), antioxidant and antibacterial activities of A. helferiana and S. fasciculata extracts. Phytochemical analysis indicated that A. helferiana and S. fasciculata extracts were potential sources of chemicals such as phenols, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, and carbohydrates. The TPC, TFC, and TCC of extracts were determined by using an ultraviolet visible spectrophotometer. Among the extracts tested, A. helferiana extracts showed the highest phenolic and carbohydrate contents of 208.33 ± 12.96 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g and 564.16 ± 2.92 mg of D-glucose equivalent/g of dry extract, respectively. Similarly, S. fasciculata revealed the highest flavonoid content of 30.35 ± 0.1 mg quercetin equivalent/g of dry extract. The extract of A. helferiana and S. fasciculata exhibited potent antioxidant activity by scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals with an IC50 of 25.9 µg/ml and 31.07 µg/ml, respectively. The antibacterial activity of the A. helferiana and S. fasciculata extract against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli was determined using an agar-well diffusion protocol that revealed the potential antibacterial activity of A. helferiana against E. coli. The present study will help validate the traditional uses of A. helferiana rhizomes and S. fasciculata barks as a healing medicine and inspire the researcher towards further research, development, and formulation.

Implementation of medicine take-back concept at community level in Nepal: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Most households may have leftover, unwanted, unused and expired (UUE) medicines. The present research aimed to analyze feasibility of implementation of medicine take-back in select communities in Nepal. METHODS: Exploratory (i.e. feasibility) study was conducted among 400 adults from July 2017 to January 2018. Study sites and participants were selected by simple random sampling and respondents were interviewed about their awareness about medicine disposal, hazards and willingness to support take-back program using semi-structured questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was applied to explore relationship of take-back related outcomes with the predictors. The P-value < 0.05 was statistically significant at 95% confidence level. RESULTS: Land pollution and effect on health of children was significantly related with inappropriate disposal of medicines such as site of disposal (P value < 0.01), river (P value, 0.02), garbage (P value, 0.04) and dumping site (P value, 0.01). Analysis of willingness to follow take-back program with the techniques of support showed significant relationship with the establishment of collection center and participation on seminar (P value < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Most participants were interested to support take-back, if implemented in their community but main constraint was the budget. Take-back concept could be initiated and implemented on government funding or other sources.

Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, and Antibacterial Activities of the Selected Tibetan Formulations Used in Gandaki Province, Nepal.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An open-ended and semistructured questionnaire was used for an ethnomedicinal survey of the Tibetan formulations practiced in four Tibetan refugee settlements in Gandaki Province, Nepal. Based on the ethnomedicinal survey data, commonly used nine formulations were selected (Aru-18, Basam, Dadue, Dashel, Mutik-25, Raab Ga Yangzin Tea, Serdok-11, Sugmel-10, and Yungwa-4) to test biological activities. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method. The cytotoxicity was examined by using the Allium cepa L. root tip meristem model. Similarly, the antibacterial effect was assessed by using well diffusion and broth dilution methods. RESULTS: An ethnomedicinal survey showed a total of 52 Tibetan formulations were generally used by respondents for common diseases such as stomach disorders, diabetes, and migraine. From the antioxidant activity test, Sugmel-10 showed the highest DPPH free-radical-scavenging activity (IC50 1.8 µg/ml) and Yungwa-4 showed the lowest activity (IC50 5.2 µg/ml). Also, from the cytotoxic activity, the A. cepa root meristem model exhibited significant dose- and time-dependent growth suppression in Basam, Dadue, Mutik-25, and Serdok-11 as compared with cyclophosphamide standard drug. Similarly, Basam showed a good antibacterial effect having MIC 20 mg/ml and MBC 100 mg/ml against Enterococci faecalis. Conclusion. Research showed that Tibetan people preferred Tibetan formulations for the treatment and mitigation of several diseases. The result of antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antibacterial activities experimentally justified the ethnomedicinal value of nine common formulations (Aru-18, Basam, Dadue, Dashel, Mutik-25, Raab Ga Yangzin Tea, Serdok-11, Sugmel-10, and Yungwa-4). To the best of our knowledge, this study was performed for the first time in Nepal. Results from this preliminary study open the door to the scientific world to perform extensive pharmacological studies for designing and developing new therapeutic agents.

Phytochemical Screening, Free Radical Scavenging and α-Amylase Inhibitory Activities of Selected Medicinal Plants from Western Nepal.

Background: More than 700 plants are reported to be used for medicinal purposes in Nepal; however, many of them are not studied for their scientific evidences. The aims of the present study were the estimation of the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and the evaluation of the free radical scavenging and α-amylase inhibitory activities of five selected medicinal plants from western Nepal: Aeschynanthus parviflorus Wall. (Gesneriaceae), Buddleja asiatica Lour. (Loganiaceae), Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae), Drepanostachyum falcatum (Nees) Keng f. (Gramineae) and Spondias pinnata (L. f.) Kurz (Anacardiaceae). Methods: The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were measured using Folin-Ciocalteu's phenol reagent and aluminium chloride methods, respectively. A 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay was used to evaluate the free radical scavenging activity and an α-amylase inhibitory assay was carried out to determine the in vitro antidiabetic activity. Results: The phytochemical screening of five hydroalcoholic plant extracts revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, reducing sugars, saponins, terpenoids and tannins. The amounts of total phenolics and flavonoids were found to be the highest in B. asiatica leaf extract, which also showed the most potent free radical scavenging activity. Extract of C. papaya fruits showed the highest α-amylase inhibitory activity, whereas the extracts of B. asiatica leaves and S. pinnata leaves exhibited moderate activity. Conclusions: Some of the medicinal plants selected in this study showed high TPC and TFC values and potent bioactivities. These results may provide the scientific evidences of the traditional uses of these plants. However, further detailed studies on bioactive compounds isolation and identification and evaluation of in vivo pharmacological activities should be performed in future.

Chemical Constituents from the Roots, Stems and Leaves of Diplomorpha sikokiana.

Four diarylpentanoids (1-4), two phenylpropanoids (5-6), three biflavonoids (7-9), two lignans (10-11) and a coumarin (12) were isolated from the roots of Diploniorpha sikokiana (Franchet & Savatier) Honda (Family: Thymelaeaceae). Similarly, two phenylpropanoids (5-6), five biflavonoids (7-9, 13, 14), three lignans (11, 15, 16), a flavonoid (17) and two coumarins (12, 18) were isolated from the stems, and five flavonoids (17, 19-22) from the leaves. Among them, 1,5-diphenyl-l-pentanone (1), 1,5-diphenyl-2-penten-l-one (2), 3(S)-hydroxy-1,5-diphenylpentane (3), stelleranol (8), (-)-syringaresinol (10), (-)-pinoresinol 4,4'-di-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (11), apiosylskimmin (12), syringaresinol 4-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (16), quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (19), kaempferol 3-0-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (20) and tiliroside (21) were isolated for the first time from D. sikokiana.

Two new diacetylene glycosides: bhutkesoside A and B from the roots of Ligusticopsis wallichiana.

Two new diacetylene glycosides: bhutkesoside A (1) and B (2), along with 10 known compounds, i.e. falcarindiol (3), chlorogenic acid (4), 5-O-p-coumaroyl-quinic acid (5), 3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-quinic acid (6), 4-hydroxy-7-methoxy-phenylethanol (7), ferulic acid (8), dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol-4-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (9), 5,7-dihydroxy-2-methylchromone-7-O-rutinoside (10), schumanniofioside B (11) and marmesinin (12) were isolated from the roots of Ligusticopsis wallichiana (DC) Pimenov & Kljuykov (Apiaceae), commonly known as 'Bhutkesh' in Nepal. The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data. Compounds 4 and 6 showed potent antioxidant activity on DPPH free radical scavenging assay.

Dhasingreoside: new flavonoid from the stems and leaves of Gaultheria fragrantissima.

A new flavonoid, dhasingreoside (1) and seven known compounds, quercetin 3-O-ß-D-galacturonopyranoside (2), quercetin 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranoside (3), quercetin 3-O-ß-D-glucuronopyranoside (4), quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (5), (-)-epicatechin (6), salicylic acid (7) and gaultherin (8), have been isolated from the shade-dried stems and leaves of Gaultheria fragrantissima, commonly known as 'Dhasingre' in Nepal. The structures were elucidated on the basis of physical, chemical and spectroscopic methods. Among known compounds, five compounds (3-6 and 8) were isolated for the first time from G. fragrantissima. In vitro antioxidant activity of all the isolated compounds was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical-scavenging assay. Dhasingreoside (1) and other compounds (2-6) showed significant free radical-scavenging activity.

Bijayasaline: a new C-glucosyl-alpha-hydroxydihydrochalcone from the heartwood of Bijayasal (Pterocarpus marsupium).

A new C-glucosyl-alpha-hydroxydihydrochalcone derivative, (aS)-3'-C-ff-glucopyranosyl-a,3,4,2'4'-pentahydroxydihydrochalcone, named as bijayasaline (1) was isolated from the heartwood of Bijayasal (Pterocarpus marsupium) and characterized on the basis of NMR and circular dichroism (CD) spectral data. Bijayasaline (1) showed potent DPPH free radical scavenging activity.

Phenolic compounds from the flowers of Nepalese medicinal plant Aconogonon molle and their DPPH free radical-scavenging activities.

Eleven phenolic compounds, quercetin (1), quercetin 3-O-ß-d-galactopyranoside (2), quercetin 3-O-(6″-O-galloyl)-ß-d-galactopyranoside (3), quercetin 3-O-(6″-O-caffeoyl)-ß-d-galactopyranoside (4), quercetin 3-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (5), rutin (6) quercetin 3-O-α-l-arabinopyranoside (7), quercetin 3-O-α-l-arabinofuranoside (8), protocatechulic acid (9), gallic acid (10) and chlorogenic acid (11), were isolated from the flowers of Aconogonon molle, a Nepalese medicinal plant. Structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. All these compounds were isolated for the first time from flowers, and five compounds (4, 5, 8, 9 and 11) were isolated for the first time from A. molle. All of these isolated compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant activity by using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging method. Quercetin (1), quercetin glycosides (2-8) and gallic acid (10) exhibited potent antioxidant activity.

Thotneosides A, B and C: potent antioxidants from nepalese crude drug, leaves of Aconogonon molle.

Three new glycosides: thotneoside A (quercetin 3-O-(6″-O-phenylacetyl)-ß-D-galactopyranoside) (1), thotneoside B (quercetin 3-O-(6″-O-phenylacetyl)-ß-D-glucopyranoside) (2) and thotneoside C (3-methyl-2-butenoic acid 1-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside) (3), together with nine known compounds; quercetin (4), quercetin 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranoside (5), quercetin 3-O-(6″-O-galloyl)-ß-D-galactopyranoside (6), quercetin 3-O-ß-D-galacturonopyranoside (7), quercetin 3-O-ß-D-glucuronopyranoside (8), quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (9), rutin (10), quercetin 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside (11) and 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone 2-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (12) have been isolated from the shade dried leaves of Aconogonon molle, commonly known as "Thotne″ in Nepal. The structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic methods. All of these compounds were isolated for the first time from A. molle and their in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Quercetin (4) and its glycosides (1-2, 5-11) showed potent free radical scavenging activity.