Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Science and Biotechnology

Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Science and Biotechnology
Abbreviation: Medicinal Aromatic Plant Sci. Biotech.
Print: ISSN 1752-3389
Frequency and Peer status: Biannual, Peer reviewed
Scope and target readership: Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Science and Biotechnology will provide a complete analysis and
understanding of all aspects of medicinal and aromatic plant science and biotechnology.
Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Science and Biotechnology primarily wishes to examine:
1) Cultural practices (greenhouse growth, hydroponics, aeroponics, organic farming);
2) In vitro propagation (micropropagation, somatic embryogenesis, tissue culture, bioreactor system production);
3) Mycorrhizal symbioses (and effects on plant physiology, productivity, reproduction and disease resistance);
4) Novel techniques for analysis (genetic, biochemical, biophysical);
5) Physiology, genetics, molecular biology, structural botany (integrated, pure and applied);
6) Pathology;
7) Production of secondary metabolites, organic and inorganic biochemistry, and phytochemistry; pharmacological properties;
8) Storage of valuable genetic material (cold-storage or cryopreservation).
For publication in Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Science and Biotechnology the research must provide a highly significant new
contribution to our understanding of medicinal and aromatic plants (from any climactic or geographic origin) and must generally be
supported by a combination of either: physiological, biochemical, genetic or molecular analyses. All areas of study are welcome and the
experimental approaches used can be wide-ranging. Results that simply provide a description without an integrated multi-disciplinary
approach might not be considered, as might descriptive or overly-localized studies and reports on conventional propagation without a
wide impact. Manuscripts pertaining to breeding, post-harvest technology, nutritional aspects or influences on human health of medicinal
and aromatic plants will also be considered.
Editor-in-Chief
Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva, Kagawa University, Japan
Technical Editor
Kasumi Shima, Japan
Statistics Advisor
Marcin Kozak, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland
Editorial Board and Advisory Panels (Listed alphabetically)
Khalid Ali Khalid Ahmed, National Research Centre, Egypt
Noureddine Benkeblia, The University of the West Indies,
Jamaica
Debprasad Chattopadhyay, Indian Council of Medical Research,
India
Sashi Kanta Dash, Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology,
India
Alberto Dias, Universidade do Minho, Portugal
Patricia Dias Fernandes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
Manuel Fernandes-Ferreira, Universidade do Minho, Portugal
Harzallah-Skhiri Fethia, Higher Biotechnology Institute of
Monastir, University of Monastir, Tunisia
Ashoke Kumar Ghosh, Bengal Institute of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, India
C. Gopi, K. S. Rangasamy College of Technology, India
Mazuru Gundidza, University of Zimbabwe/University of Fort
Hare, Zimbabwe/South Africa
Nirmal Joshee, Fort Valley State University, USA
Natchimuthu Karmegam, VMKV Engineering College/Vinayaka
Missions University, India
Ara Kirakosyan, The University of Michigan, USA
Shao-ping Li, University of Macau, China
Pavol Mártonfi, P. J. Šafárik University, Slovakia
Ákos Máthé, Szent István University, Hungary
Paraskev T. Nedialkov, Medical University-Sofia, Bulgaria
Majeti Narashima Vara Prasad, University of Hyderabad, India
Chandi Charan Rath, North Orissa University, India
Alberto Ritieni, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
Mohammad Jamal Saharkhiz, Shiraz University, Iran
Sabuj Sahoo, Utkal University, India
Ivan Salamon, Presov University, Slovak Republic
Sanjai Saxena, Thapar University, India
Mohd. Shahid, Aligarh Muslim University, India
Junjie Shan, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology,
China
Chunmeng Shi, Third Military Medical Univeristy, China
Neeta Shrivastava, B. V. Patel Pharmaceutical Education and
Research Development (PERD) Centre, India
Perumal Siddhuraju, Bharathiar University, India
Angelina Subotić, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša
Stanković", Serbia
Sivaramakrishnan Sudhakaran, AIMST University, Malaysia
Klára Szentmihályi, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary
Ilias S. Travlos, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Greece
Rong Tsao, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Canada
Supayang P. Voravuthikunchai, Prince of Songkla University,
Thailand
Anand K. Yadav, Fort Valley State University, USA

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Cover photos/figures: Left: Flowering Coleus zeylanicus established ex vitro (Rajasekharan et al., pp 24-27). Center top
and bottom: Dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) plant (top) and flowers from plants derived from control (left) or
colchicine-treated (right) roots (Yavari et al., pp 53-58). Top right: Uraria picta stem showing secondary growth
(Bhattacharya and Datta, pp 1-4). Bottom right: Shoot proliferation in Egyptian Ecballium elaterium (Saker et al., pp 28-32).
Bottom scheme: Enzymatic pathway for detoxification of reactive oxygen species (S. Dutta Gupta, pp 10-18).
Disclaimers: All comments, conclusions, opinions, and recommendations are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily
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Printed in Japan on acid-free paper.
Published: December, 2010.

CONTENTS
Arnab Bhattacharya, Animesh K. Datta (India) Uraria picta: An Overview
Evrim Taşkın, Ergün Taşkın, Mehmet Öztürk (Turkey), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan) Natural Compounds with
Bioactive Properties from Marine Algae
S. Dutta Gupta (India) Cosmetic Attributes of Aloe vera L. Gel
M. Chandrika, V. Ravishankar Rai (India) RAPD Markers for Genetic Analysis in Micropropagated Plants of Dictyospermum
ovalifolium, a Rare Plant of Western Ghats, India
P. E. Rajasekharan, S. Ganeshan, Sunitha Bhaskaran (India) In Vitro Regeneration and Conservation of Three Coleus
Species
Mahmoud Saker, Souad El Gengaihi, Ayman Kamel, Mai Farid (Egypt) Influence of Differentiation State, Salt Stress and
Methyl Jasmonate on in Vitro Production of Cucurbitacins from Tissue Cultures of Ecballium elaterium and Cucumis
prophetarum Endemic to Egypt
Shiwali Sharma, Anwar Shahzad, Mohammad Anis (India) In Vitro Shoot Organogenesis and Regeneration of Plantlets from
Nodal Explants of Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. (Rutaceae), a Multipurpose Aromatic Medicinal Plant
Danan Wang, Yonghui Feng, Jun Liu, Jianzhong Yan, Meiru Wang (China), Jin-ichi Sasaki (Japan), Changlong Lu
(China) Black Garlic (Allium sativum) Extracts Enhance the Immune System
Elsayed Ali Aboutabl, Aisha Hussein Abou Zeid, Amany Ameen Sleem, Hanaa Mohamed El Rafie (Egypt) Secondary
Metabolites and Certain Bioactivities of Pterocladia capillacea (S. Gmelin) Bornet and Dictyopteris membranacea (Stackhouse)
Batters
Jagathala Mahalingam Sasikumar, S. K. Asha, Ramakrishnan Shamna, Vellingiri Maheshu, Deivamarudhachalam
Teepica Priya Darsini (India) Effects of Rhaphidophora pertusa (Roxb.) Schott. Methanolic Extract on
Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatic Injury in Albino Rats
Ahmed S. Aska, Yahaya N. Pindiga, Fanna I. Abdulrahman (Nigeria), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan), Lawan B.
Buratai (Nigeria) Anti-Diarrheal Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Holarrhena floribunda (G. Don) Schinz and Dur in Rats
Saba Yavari, Reza Omidbaigi, Mohammad Esmaeil Hassani (Iran), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan), Mohammad
Fathi Ghareh Baba (Iran) Comparison of Four Different Treatment Methods with Colchicine to Induce Chromosome
Doubling in Dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L. ‘SZK-1’)
Neamat Sayyadnia Tayyebi, Sasan Mohsenzadeh (Iran), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan), Mohammad J. Saharkhiz,
Ali A. Amiri (Iran) Measurement of Lapachol in Iranian Tecomella undulata (Roxb.) Seem
Harpreet Walia, Rajbir Singh, Saroj Arora (India) Antioxidant Activity of Ethyl Acetate Extract/Fractions of Terminalia
chebula
Doha H. Abou Baker, Souad E. El Gengaihi, Ahmed M. Aboul Enein, Faten M. Abou-El Ella (Egypt) Biochemical Study of
Some Active Ingredients in Helianthus tuberosus L.
Mohammed Aman, Ravishankar Rai V., Pradeepa V. Samaga (India) Antimicrobial and Phytochemical Screening of
Boswellia serrata Roxb., Rhus mysorensis Heyne, Strychnos potatorum Linn. F. and Schefflera stellata Gaertn.
Sarah Onyenibe Nwozo, Ibironke Adetolu Ajayi, Margaret Obadare (Nigeria) Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial
Activity of 10 Medicinal Seeds from Nigeria
1
5
10
19
24
28
33
37
41
49
52
55
59
62
66
69
73

Arnab Bhattacharya, Animesh K. Datta (India) Uraria picta: An Overview (pp 1-4)
ABSTRACT
Mini-Review: Uraria picta (Jacq.) DC. (Family Leguminosae, Papilionoidae) is an important plant species in Ayurvedic
medicine and one of the most important constituents of the 10-herb formulation called ‘Dashmula’. The ayurvedic name of the
species is Prishni parni while the trade name is Dabra. The species is endangered, hence requires special attention and an
overview was conducted involving the various aspects of U. picta to provide necessary information and to induce interest
among researchers for its conservation and utilization in traditional as well as modern systems of medicine.
Evrim Taşkın, Ergün Taşkın, Mehmet Öztürk (Turkey), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan) Natural Compounds with
Bioactive Properties from Marine Algae (pp 5-9)
ABSTRACT
Invited Mini-Review: Algae, mainly of marine origin, are producers of many economically important compounds. These
compounds are bioactive compounds since they have different biological activities and have been used in the nutraceutical,
pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries for many years. Recent trends in drug research from natural sources and several
screening and clinical studies have led to the discovery and elucidation of a number of new and active compounds from
macroalgae. This review covers those algae from which bioactive substances have been identified and/or synthesized with a
potential impact on health and medicine.
S. Dutta Gupta (India) Cosmetic Attributes of Aloe vera L. Gel (pp 10-18)
ABSTRACT
Review: Aloe vera L. (syn. A. barbadensis Miller.) is a perennial succulent plant belonging to the Liliaceae family. The plant is
known traditionally as the “healing plant” and is claimed to possess wound-healing, burn-healing, immunomodulatory,
anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-allergic, anti-diabetic, and UV protective properties. Due to these therapeutic properties A.
vera is being used in a variety of pharmaceutical and cosmetic product formulations. Most of its biological potential has been
attributed to the polysaccharides present in its gel. Many attempts have been made to describe the biological potential of Aloe
gel. This review focuses on the recently explored cosmetic potential of aloe gel in relation to wound healing, anti-oxidant and
UV-opacity.
M. Chandrika, V. Ravishankar Rai (India) RAPD Markers for Genetic Analysis in Micropropagated Plants of Dictyospermum
ovalifolium, a Rare Plant of Western Ghats, India (pp 19-23)
ABSTRACT
Original Research Paper: Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to assess the genetic fidelity of
tissue-cultured Dictyospermum ovalifolium plants in relation to their mother plant. Thirty eight RAPD primers were screened, out
of which 33 generated a total of 216 clear and reproducible bands. Of these, 202 were monomorphic and showed 93.5% clonal
fidelity while 14 bands showed 6.45% polymorphism. The amplification products were monomorphic across all micropropagated
plants with a low level of variation. A total of 4752 bands were generated showing uniform banding patterns. The genetic
coefficient based on UPGMA showed 97% similarity between mother plant and micropropagated plants. The results confirmed
the clonal fidelity of tissue-cultured plantlets and the fact that axillary shoot multiplication is the one of the safest modes for
multiplication of true-to-type plants.
P. E. Rajasekharan, S. Ganeshan, Sunitha Bhaskaran (India) In Vitro Regeneration and Conservation of Three Coleus
Species (pp 24-27)
ABSTRACT
Original Research Paper: Three species of the genus Coleus (Lamiaceae), Coleus forskohlii Briq. (syn. C. barbatus Benth.),
Coleus parviflorus Benth., and Coleus zeylanicus Benth. L.H. Crammer were cultured in vitro on half-strength Murashige and
Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 8.87 µM BAP in combination with 0.54 µM NAA. Direct regeneration was encouraged
to avoid a callus phase and to maintain true-to-type cultures. Concomitant rooting in multiplication media enabled successful
establishment ex vitro with 85% survival. Similar rooted cultures were conserved in vitro at 10°C for a minimum period of 6

months, without any subculture and at standard culture conditions in MS or ½MS basal medium devoid of plant growth
regulators, growth retardants or osmoticum to avoid somaclonal variation.
Mahmoud Saker, Souad El Gengaihi, Ayman Kamel, Mai Farid (Egypt) Influence of Differentiation State, Salt Stress and
Methyl Jasmonate on in Vitro Production of Cucurbitacins from Tissue Cultures of Ecballium elaterium and Cucumis
prophetarum Endemic to Egypt (pp 28-32)
ABSTRACT
Original Research Paper: The best medium for callus proliferation from hypocotyl and cotyledon explants of aseptically grown
seedlings of two Egyptian landraces of rare wild plants, Ecballium elaterium and Cucumis prophetarum was found to be
Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.1-0.5 mg/l NAA in combination with BA at 2 mg/l. On the other hand,
MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l BA, 60 mg/l adenine sulfate and 170 mg/l KH 2PO 4 was the best medium for shoot
proliferation after a phase of callus formation. The content of cucurbitacins in suspension cultures was elicited by application of
different concentrations of NaCl (salt stress) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA). The highest yield of cucurbitacins (0.1898%) was
reached after three days of culture in liquid medium containing 200 µM MeJA.
Shiwali Sharma, Anwar Shahzad, Mohammad Anis (India) In Vitro Shoot Organogenesis and Regeneration of Plantlets from
Nodal Explants of Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. (Rutaceae), a Multipurpose Aromatic Medicinal Plant (pp 33-36)
ABSTRACT
Original Research Paper: A protocol for high frequency shoot organogenesis and plantlet establishment has been developed
through nodal explants of Murraya koenigii. The response of horizontally or vertically placed explants on culture media was also
evaluated. Among 2 orientations of nodal explants, vertical placement was more responsive for shoot induction and
multiplication than horizontal placement. Between 2 cytokinins, 6-benzyladenine (BA) and kinetin (KIN) tested, BA (5.0 µM)
induced a maximum of 6.60 ± 0.40 shoots/explant. The supplementation of α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) with BA did not
improve regeneration efficiency. Growth in the regenerating tissue was improved significantly within the same incubation period
at an optimal concentration of BA (5.0 µM). An improvement in shoot multiplication was noticed in subsequent passage of
subculturing up to the 3 rd subculture passage with a maximum of 15.20 ± 0.37 shoots/explant recorded. In vitro rooting in
microshoots was best obtained on half-strength MS medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (1.0 µM) on which
90% of cultured microshoots produced healthy roots. Plantlets that developed were hardened and 95% of plants established in
natural soil showed normal morphological characteristics.
Danan Wang, Yonghui Feng, Jun Liu, Jianzhong Yan, Meiru Wang (China), Jin-ichi Sasaki (Japan), Changlong Lu
(China) Black Garlic (Allium sativum) Extracts Enhance the Immune System (pp 37-40)
ABSTRACT
Original Research Paper: Black garlic (Allium sativum) was created from ordinary fresh garlic by processing (aging) it in a
temperature (65-80°C)- and humidity (70-80%)-controlled room for a month. The heat-extracts of black garlic were rich in
S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC) and enforced anti-tumor activity with a 50% cure rate of BALB/c mouse fibrosarcoma; however, its
mechanism still remains unsolved until now. Experiments were carried out to clarify anti-tumor mechanisms using spleen cells
culture system obtained from black garlic extracts-treated mice. The black garlic extracts enhanced the cellular immunity by
raising the activity of NK (natural killer) cells which was thought to play a critical role in eradication of tumor cells in vivo. Further
cytokines of NO (nitric oxide), IFN-γ (interferon-γ), IL-2 (interleukin-2), and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) were preferentially
generated from the extracts-treated mouse spleen cells; however, the amount of IL-4 (interleukin-4), which is considered to be
associated with the humoral immunity (antibody production such as IgG and IgE), decreased in the culture supernatants of
spleen cells.
Elsayed Ali Aboutabl, Aisha Hussein Abou Zeid, Amany Ameen Sleem, Hanaa Mohamed El Rafie (Egypt) Secondary
Metabolites and Certain Bioactivities of Pterocladia capillacea (S. Gmelin) Bornet and Dictyopteris membranacea (Stackhouse)
Batters (pp 41-48)
ABSTRACT
Original Research Paper: Twelve secondary metabolites of the red alga Pterocladia capillacea (S.Gmelin) Bornet and the

own alga Dictyopteris membranacea (Stackhouse) Batters, collected from the Mediterranean Coast of Egypt during February
– March, and May – June, respectively, in two successive years, were isolated and their chemical structures were elucidated on
the basis of their UV, IR, 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR and mass spectral data. Diisooctyl phthalate and cholesterol were isolated from
both algae. In addition, 24 norcholest-5-en-3,7 dione, cholesterol, stigmasterol, linoleic acid and isodomoic acid were isolated
from P. capillacea. On the other hand, three diterpenes (18,19-epoxyxenic-4-one-6, 9,13-triene, dictyolactone and
4-acetoxycrenulide) as well as fucosterol were isolated from D. membranacea. The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and
antimicrobial activities of different extracts of both algae were evaluated.
Jagathala Mahalingam Sasikumar, S. K. Asha, Ramakrishnan Shamna, Vellingiri Maheshu, Deivamarudhachalam
Teepica Priya Darsini (India) Effects of Rhaphidophora pertusa (Roxb.) Schott. Methanolic Extract on
Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatic Injury in Albino Rats (pp 49-51)
ABSTRACT
Short Communication: In the present investigation, we have evaluated the hepatoprotective activity of the methanolic extract
of the stem of Rhaphidophora pertusa against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. Liver marker enzymes such
as serum glutamate oxalo transferase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transferase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (SALP),
and total bilirubin (TB), urea and total protein were analyzed. Acetaminophen intoxication (500 mg/kg, p. o.) for 7 days caused
significant increase in the levels of bilirubin, liver enzymes, and total protein level (P < 0.05). Administration of the methanolic
extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) of R. pertusa stems resulted in a significant reversal of acetaminophen-induced alterations of all
liver function parameters (P < 0.05) as evidenced by a decrease in enzyme activities, SGPT, SGOT, SALP and serum bilirubin.
The results of the study authenticated the traditional medicinal claim of R. pertusa.
Ahmed S. Aska, Yahaya N. Pindiga, Fanna I. Abdulrahman (Nigeria), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan), Lawan B.
Buratai (Nigeria) Anti-Diarrheal Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Holarrhena floribunda (G. Don) Schinz and Dur in Rats (pp
52-54)
ABSTRACT
Short Communication: The leaves of Holarrhena floribunda were subjected to Soxhlet extraction with distilled water and
concentrated in vacuo. The aqueous extract concentrate gave a yield of 10.96% (w/w) and was used to investigate
anti-diarrheal activity. Studies were carried out on castor oil-induced diarrhea, intestinal secretion and small intestine charcoal
meal transit in rats. The extract at 400–1000 mg/kg caused a marked inhibition of diarrhea and accumulation of intestinal fluid
following the administration of castor oil. A similar dose of the aqueous extract significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the charcoal meal
transit in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest a potential usefulness of the leaf extract of H. floribunda in the
control of secretory diarrhea associated with microbial pathogens like enteritis and enterocalitis.
Saba Yavari, Reza Omidbaigi, Mohammad Esmaeil Hassani (Iran), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan), Mohammad Fathi
Ghareh Baba (Iran) Comparison of Four Different Treatment Methods with Colchicine to Induce Chromosome Doubling in
Dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L. ‘SZK-1’) (pp 55-58)
ABSTRACT
Research Note: In this investigation four different methods using aqueous solutions of colchicine were used to treat seed, roots
and apical meristem in two stages – emergence of seed leaves (cotyledons) and the emergence of two true leaves – of
dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) to artificially induce autotetraploidy. Treatment of seedling apical meristems by
applying the dropping method at the two-true-leaf stage of emergence was best as many of the treated plants developed and a
diversity of characteristics was also observed in treated plants. Colchicine at 0.1% (w/v) most effectively produced
autotetraploids, which were identified by flow cytometry.
Neamat Sayyadnia Tayyebi, Sasan Mohsenzadeh (Iran), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan), Mohammad J. Saharkhiz,
Ali A. Amiri (Iran) Measurement of Lapachol in Iranian Tecomella undulata (Roxb.) Seem (pp 59-61)
ABSTRACT
Research Note: Some species of Tecoma and Tabebuia (Bignoniaceae family) have been reported to contain lapachol and are
used in traditional medicine. Tecomella undulata (Roxb.) Seem. is the only native species of the family in arid and semi-arid

parts of the south of Iran. In this research, we extracted lapachol from T. undulata stem dried inner bark collected from near
Firoozabad city in the Fars province of Iran using three extraction methods: 1) Soxhlet with direct and indirect heat for 4 hrs; 2)
hot plate at 50°C for 4, 6, 8, and 10 hrs; 3) waterbath at 50°C for 25, 50, 75 and 100 hrs. The solvent in all methods was ethanol.
Lapachol was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The most effective extraction method was the use
of a waterbath for 75 hrs, yielding 3.4% (w/w) lapachol. T. undulata could be a candidate for traditional medicinal use.
Harpreet Walia, Rajbir Singh, Saroj Arora (India) Antioxidant Activity of Ethyl Acetate Extract/Fractions of Terminalia chebula
(pp 62-65)
ABSTRACT
Research Note: In the present study, the Ames Salmonella histidine reversion assay was used to assess the antioxidant
activity of the ethyl acetate extract/fractions of fruits of Terminalia chebula using hydroxyl radical sensitive, TA 102 strain of
Salmonella typhimurium against hydrogen peroxide which is a directly acting oxidant. The production of reactive oxygen
species by hydrogen peroxide leads to the induction of mutagenicity via oxidants. The ethyl acetate extract was prepared by the
maceration method and further partitioned with ethyl acetate and water to get respective fractions. Both fractions were more
effective than the crude ethyl acetate extract, which exhibited moderate inhibition of 57.98 and 55.92% during pre and
co-incubation, respectively at the maximum tested dose of 2.5 × 10 3 µg/0.1 ml/plate. The water fraction also showed moderate
inhibition at the same concentration i.e. 51.82 and 49.80% during pre and co-incubation, respectively while the crude ethyl
acetate extract showed weak inhibition in general. Both, ethyl acetate and water fractions were rich in polyphenolics and were
more effective than the crude extract with less phenolic.
Doha H. Abou Baker, Souad E. El Gengaihi, Ahmed M. Aboul Enein, Faten M. Abou-El Ella (Egypt) Biochemical Study of
Some Active Ingredients in Helianthus tuberosus L. (pp 66-68)
ABSTRACT
Research Note: Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) yields a high level of carbohydrates and low calorie bulking
agent. Total sesquiterpenes were extracted from leaves and one major compound, heliangine, was isolated and identified by
different spectral tools. Inulin was prepared from the tubers. Cytotoxic investigations of different substances were performed on
four cell lines: Total sesquiterpenes were potent followed by heliangine; inulin did not exhibit this effect.
Mohammed Aman, Ravishankar Rai V., Pradeepa V. Samaga (India) Antimicrobial and Phytochemical Screening of
Boswellia serrata Roxb., Rhus mysorensis Heyne, Strychnos potatorum Linn. F. and Schefflera stellata Gaertn. (pp 69-72)
ABSTRACT
Research Note: Boswellia serrata (Roxb.), Rhus mysorensis (Heyne), Strychnos potatorum (Linn.F.) and Schefflera stellata
plants were collected from different localities of Mysore. Antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extracts of the plant parts was
evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. malvacearum, Bacillus cereus and Micrococcus sp. by paper
disc diffusion assay. The methanolic extract of the plants were qualitatively screened for phytochemicals using standard
procedures which revealed the presence of various important bioactive chemical entities. The methanolic extracts of leaves and
fruits of Rhus mysorensis, leaves and flowers of Boswellia serrata and leaves of Schefflera stellata have exhibited significant
broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. Further work is being carried out to isolate and identify the active constituents of the
plants responsible for antimicrobial activity.
Sarah Onyenibe Nwozo, Ibironke Adetolu Ajayi, Margaret Obadare (Nigeria) Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial
Activity of 10 Medicinal Seeds from Nigeria (pp 73-75)
ABSTRACT
Research Note: The phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of 10 medicinal seeds (Albizzia lebbeck, Strychnos
spinosa, Myristica fragrans, Monodora myristica, Aframomum melegueta, Croton penduliflorus, Blighia sapida, Antiaris africana,
Thevetia nerifolia and Terminalia catappa) from Nigeria was carried out. The study revealed the presence of some secondary
metabolites such as alkaloids, tannin, saponin, flavonins, anthraquinones, phenols, phlobatannins, chalcones, steroids,
terpenes, cardenolides and glycosides. These metabolites are present in the seeds at different concentrations ranging from

0.21 to 3.67%. The study also showed inhibitory activity against tested microorganisms, all of them being active against
Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger at a concentration of 25%. Some of the extracts tested did not show activity against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study suggests that the aqueous extracts from these seeds could be explored as possible
antimicrobial agents.