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Papers by Monira Ahsan

European journal of clinical …, 2001

BACKGROUND: The study was carried out on the hypothesis that drug addicts would have reduced vita... more BACKGROUND: The study was carried out on the hypothesis that drug addicts would have reduced vitamin E, C and A status which could be influenced by drug habit, sexual practice and lifestyle factors. METHOD: Serum concentrations of Vitamin E, C and A of male drug addicts and ...

Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

The ethyl acetate extract of bark of Aporosa wallichii Hook.f. was extensively investigated for t... more The ethyl acetate extract of bark of Aporosa wallichii Hook.f. was extensively investigated for the chemical characterization of secondary metabolites and for biological activities. After repeated chromatographic separation and purification, two compounds were elucidated as a phenolic compound ferulic acid (1) and an uncommon triterpene glut-5(6)-en-3β-ol (2) from the ethyl acetate extract of barks of A. wallichii by using high field NMR analyses. This is the first report of isolation of both compounds from this plant species. No significant antimicrobial activity was observed for any fraction after Kupchan partitioning of the extract. During the antioxidant activity assay, the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of A. wallichii demonstrated significant DPPH radical scavenging capacity with an IC50 value of 1.25 μg/mL. The other fractions viz. petroleum ether, aqueous and chloroform soluble fractions exhibited moderate, mild, and weak activity respectively. The petroleum ether soluble fr...

Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

The crude methanolic extract of the root bark of Pongamia pinnata was taken into consideration to... more The crude methanolic extract of the root bark of Pongamia pinnata was taken into consideration to isolate secondary metabolites. A total six known natural compounds were separated and purified by various chromatographic techniques and five isolates were identified as flavonoid derivatives such as pongachromene (1), kanugin (2), karanjin (3), demethoxykanugin (4), dimethoxypongapine (5) and the other is a triterpenoid (6). The pure compounds as well as petroleum ether, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of crude methanolic extract were evaluated for bioactivities using established methods. In vitro antioxidant activity was studied by DPPH radical scavenging method using butylated hydroxyl anisole as standard. Among the pure compounds, kanugin and pongachromene showed significant antioxidant activity with the IC50 values of 27.20 ± 0.39 μg/mL and 43.53 ± 0.63 μg/ml, respectively as compared to the standard (23.87 ± 0.09 μg/ml), whereas karanjin, demethoxykanugin and d...

Pharmacology & Pharmacy

British Journal of Medical and Health Research

Lidenbergia indica Vatke or wall lindenbergia belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae which includ... more Lidenbergia indica Vatke or wall lindenbergia belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae which includes a number of ethnopharmacologically important Himalayan medicinal plants. The juice of the plant is used in chronic bronchitis and skin eruptions. The crude ethyl acetate extract of the whole plants of Lidenbergia indica led to the isolation of two flavonoids, luteolin and apigenin, methyl-4-methoxy cinnamate and β-sitosterol by different chromatographic techniques. The petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions were evaluated for biological properties using established methods. In vitro antioxidant activity was studied with DPPH radical scavenging method using butylated hydroxyl anisole as standard. The ethyl acetate fraction of the plant showed prominent free radical scavenging activity. The petroleum ether soluble fraction of Lindenbergia indica demonstrated highest thrombolytic activity. However, the other partitionates i.e. chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous extract showed minimum thrombolytic activity compared to the standard streptokinase. In the cytotoxic activity assay using brine shrimp, the petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate fraction showed significant lethality whereas aqueous fraction showed negligible lethal activity as compared to standard vincristine sulphate. No antimicrobial activity was observed for the petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions against all the microorganisms tested using tetracycline, levofloxacin, azithromycin and ciprofloxacin as standard.

Potravinarstvo Slovak Journal of Food Sciences

Dietary fibres are known to provide health benefit and protect against degenerative chronic disea... more Dietary fibres are known to provide health benefit and protect against degenerative chronic diseases. Thus, the present study reports the total dietary fibre (TDF) content of sixty-nine selected ethnic and unconventional vegetables and fruits growing in Bangladesh. The samples were collected from different locations of Bangladesh and mixed together to ensure sample representativeness. Dietary fibre assay kit according to the AOAC method was utilized for the analysis of TDF in selected vegetables and fruits. In the ethnic varieties, the TDF content ranged from 1.02 ± 0.16 to 7.16 ± 0.16 g for leafy (LV), 0.18 ± 0.01 to 6.71 ± 0.49 g for non-leafy vegetables (NLV) and 1.21 ± 0.12 to 5.29 ± 0.20 g for fruits per 100 g edible portion (EP). In the unconventional items, it arrayed from 3.08 ± 0.34 g to 7.75 ± 0.13 g for LV and 1.02 ± 0.06 to 8.82 ± 0.40 g for NLV per 100 g EP. Among the analysed samples, the highest and lowest content of TDF was found in Orohordal and Mairabokong, respec...

Current Nutrition & Food Science

Background: Phenolics and carotenoids are natural antioxidants, which provide health benefit and ... more Background: Phenolics and carotenoids are natural antioxidants, which provide health benefit and protect against degenerative chronic diseases. Utilization and identification of foods with high content of these received greater attention nowadays. Objective: The present study reports the total phenolics (TPC) and total carotenoids (TCC) contents of thirty-two selected unconventional vegetables growing in Bangladesh. In addition, they were also analyzed for their antioxidant potentials. Methods: Folin-Ciocalteu and acetone–petroleum ether extraction followed by spectrophotometric measurement were employed for TPC and TCC, respectively. The antioxidant capacities of the selected unconventional leafy vegetables were analyzed using DPPH and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. Results: The results revealed that the TPC ranged from 82.41 mg GAE/100 g in Kiokro to 2711.05 mg GAE/100 g in Mrolapiong whereas the TCC values ranged from 43.05 µg/100 g in Fala to 12863.54 µg/1...

Pharmacology & Pharmacy

The background of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic and anti... more The background of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic and antimicrobial activity of the petroleum ether (PE), carbon tetrachloride (CTC), chloroform (CF) and aqueous (AQ) soluble fractions of crude methanolic Zanthoxylum rhetsa root bark with two isolated quinolone alkaloids, 8-methoxy-n-methylflindersine (1) and zanthodioline (2). Structures were characterized by 1D NMR analyses. Antioxidant activity was assessed by using DPPH assay and antimicrobial activity was screened by disc diffusion method. An in vitro thrombolytic model was used to evaluate the clot lysis effect of different extracts of root bark of Z. rhetsa along with streptokinase as a positive control and distilled water as a negative control and the cytotoxic activity of different extracts of Z. rhetsa root bark was evaluated by Brine Shrimp Lethality Bioassay. AQ fraction exhibited strongest antioxidant, cytotoxic and thrombolytic activity among four fractions. The CTC and CF soluble fractions exhibited significant antioxidant, cytotoxic and thrombolytic activity. CTC and AQ fractions gave highest anti-bacterial activity against Vibrio cholera and Klebsiella pneumonia respectively. Compound 1 showed significant activity at a concentration of 100 µgm/disc against Sarcina lutea, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella paratyphi-A, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella boydii and Shigella sonnei with high antioxidant activity. The antioxidant, thrombolytic and antimicrobial activity of 8-methoxy-n-methylflindersine and zanthodioline are the first record from root bark of this plant.

Pharmacy & Pharmacology International Journal

Micromelum minutum belongs to the family of aromatic deciduous trees and shrubs, Rutaceae. Differ... more Micromelum minutum belongs to the family of aromatic deciduous trees and shrubs, Rutaceae. Different types of coumarins together with two alkaloids are found in the plant. Chemical constituents are isolate from different parts of the plant-leaves, stem, stem bark, fruits, seeds and roots. Traditionally, the plant is used for various purposes. Scientific investigations particularly focused on the cytotoxicity of the plant. The reviews compile the botanical description, traditional use, chemical constituents and cytitoxic activities of Micromelum minutum.

Records of Natural Products

A total of eight compounds were isolated from the petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of the ... more A total of eight compounds were isolated from the petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of the root bark of Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb.) (D.C). These are a coumarin xanthyletin (1), five quinolone alkaloids zanthodioline (2), arnottianamide (3), skimmianine (4), fagaridine (5), oxynitidine (7), a lignan pluviatilol (6), and a triterpene lupeol (8) were identified. Structures of the isolates were characterized by extensive 1D and 2D NMR analyses and by comparing their spectral data with the published values. The compounds, zanthodioline (2), oxynitidine (7), fagaridine (5), and pluviatilol (6) are the first record from this plant.

Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Cholinesterase inhibition is one of the major strategies to develop better quality anti-Alzheimer... more Cholinesterase inhibition is one of the major strategies to develop better quality anti-Alzheimer’s drug, while inhibition of glycation pathway is a useful therapeutic strategy to treat diabetic complications. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-butyrylcholinesterase and anti-glycation activities of 8 secondary metabolites namely, RS-8, RS-22C (arborinine), CL-1 (betulinic acid), CL-2 (ursolic acid), CCL-1 (cajaninstilbene acid), CP-1 (beta-sitosterol), HS-1 (anhydrofusarubin) and HS-2 (methylether of fusarubin). It was found that RS-8 and arborinine showed promising activity in inhibiting acetylcholinesterase with IC50 values of 24.40 ± 0.39 and 13.14 ± 0.07, respectively. Anhydrofusarubin and methyl ether of fusarubin exhibited moderate activities with IC50 values of 47.82 ± 0.54 and 44.58 ± 0.8. Arborinine and cajaninstilbene acid potentially inhibited butyrylcholinesterase with IC50 values of 26.34 ± 0.31 and 25.82 ± 0.34, respectively, but ot...

Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Dendrophthoe falcata (Family Loranthaceae) is used extensively in rural area as a component of et... more Dendrophthoe falcata (Family Loranthaceae) is used extensively in rural area as a component of ethno-medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, the crude extracts and the fractions obtained from D. falcata were investigated for potential chemical constituents and some biological activities. For medicinal properties the antioxidant, brine shrimp lethality and thrombolytic activities have been investigated. The structures of the isolated three compounds were solved by extensive analyses of their high resolution 1HNMR spectroscopic data. They were identified as Lupeol, 3-β-acetoxy-12-ene-11-one and β-sitosterol. For bioactivities, the petroleum ether, dichloromethane, chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions abbreviated as PESF, DCMSF, CSF and AQSF respectively. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay was used to evaluate potential cytotoxic activities, where all fractions showed significant activity with lower LC50. Most significant activity has been observed for methanol ...

Clinical Nutrition Experimental

Journal of natural products, Jan 23, 2018

Two new cis-clerodane-type furanoditerpenes, crispenes F and G (1 and 2), together with seven kno... more Two new cis-clerodane-type furanoditerpenes, crispenes F and G (1 and 2), together with seven known compounds, were isolated from the stems of Tinospora crispa. Crispenes F and G (1 and 2) inhibited STAT3 dimerization in a cell-free fluorescent polarization assay and were found to have significant cytotoxicity against a STAT3-dependent MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cell line, while being inactive in a STAT3-null A4 cell line. These two compounds share structural similarities with a previously reported STAT3 inhibitor, crispene E, isolated from the same plant. Molecular docking studies suggested that the molecules inhibit STAT3 by interacting with its SH2 domain.

Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

β-tocopherol (1), δ-tocopherol (2), polyprenol-12 (3), polyprenol-15 (4), stigmasterol and β-sito... more β-tocopherol (1), δ-tocopherol (2), polyprenol-12 (3), polyprenol-15 (4), stigmasterol and β-sitosterol were isolated from the yellow flavicarpa variety of leaves of Passiflora edulis. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated using 1 H-NR and 13 C-NMR spectral analysis. The organic and aqueous soluble fractions of crude methanolic extract were evaluated for the antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic and antimicrobial activities. In DPPH free radical scavenging assay, the aqueous soluble fraction displayed maximum activity having IC 50 value of 139.56µg/ml. On the other hand, dichloromethane soluble fraction revealed maximum cytotoxic (LC 50 24.17µg/ml) and thrombolytic (14.49% clot lysis) activities, when compared to the respective blanks.

Phytother Res, 2004

In this study the volatile oil of Nigella sativa seeds (NSVO) was investigated for its immunomodu... more In this study the volatile oil of Nigella sativa seeds (NSVO) was investigated for its immunomodulating and cytotoxic properties. A rat model was designed to examine the effect of NSVO on selected immune components. Long-Evans rats were challenged with a specific antigen (typhoid TH) and treated with NSVO; and the changes produced in their serum antibody titre along with the splenocytes and peripheral immune cells were analysed. Antibody titre for the experimental animal was found to be 1280 as compared to the 2560 in the control rats. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in splenocytes and neutrophils counts, but a rise in peripheral lymphocytes and monocytes in the experimental animals. To test the cytotoxicity of NSVO, a panel of five human cancer cell lines and a fibroblast line was used. The MTT assay was employed to estimate the cell mortality. Vinblastine sulphate and mitomycin C were used as the positive control. LC(50) values for NSVO were 155.02 +/- 10.4, 185.77 +/- 2.9, 120.40 +/- 20.5, 384.53 +/- 12.1 and 286.83 +/- 23.3 micro g/ml respectively against the SCL, SCL-6, SCL-37'6, NUGC-4 cancer lines and 3T6 fibroblast line. Results indicate that the NSVO could be considered as a potential immunosuppressive cytotoxic agent.

Food Chemistry, 2016

The present study, in line with a plant-food-based approach to address vitamin A deficiency, repo... more The present study, in line with a plant-food-based approach to address vitamin A deficiency, reports the analysis of total carotenoids, and trans- and cis-β-carotenes, in different varieties of raw and boiled orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP). Carotenoids were isolated using acetone-petroleum ether extraction followed by spectrophotometric determination. trans- and cis-β-Carotenes were analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC method using a mobile phase containing acetonitrile:methanol:2-propanol in the ratio of 85:15:33 with 0.01% ammonium acetate. Intra-varietal difference in carotenoids as well as trans- and cis-β-carotenes were noted in both the raw and boiled potatoes. Carotenoid content was found to be higher in the raw potatoes compared to the boiled samples from the same variety. Amongst the OFSP varieties, Kamalasundari (BARI SP-2) was found to contain the most carotenoids in both the raw and boiled samples. β-Carotene was significantly higher in the Kamalsundari and BARI SP-5 varieties. trans-β-Carotene was found to be the major carotenoid in all of the raw potatoes, but boiling was associated with an increase in cis-β-carotene and a decrease in the trans isomer. Kamalsundari and BARI SP-5 orange-fleshed sweet potatoes have the potential to be used as food-based supplements to reduce vitamin A deficiency.

Food Chemistry, 2016

This article decribes the nutrient composition of four strawberry genotypes cultivated at the She... more This article decribes the nutrient composition of four strawberry genotypes cultivated at the Sher-e-Bangla Agriculture University horticulture farm in Dhaka (Bangladesh). AOAC and standard validated methods were employed to analyse the nutrient composition. Protein, fat and ash contents were found to be vary significantly (LSD<0.05), while the variation in moisture (LSD<1.33), dietary fibre (LSD<0.15) and total sugar (LSD<0.09) were found to be insignificant among the genotypes. Vitamin C content ranged from 26.46mg to 37.77mg per 100g edible strawberries (LSD<0.060). Amount of carotenoids were found to be very low being in a range of 0.99-3.30μg per 100g edible fruit. Analysis of mineral revealed that strawberry genotypes contained a wide array of minerals including Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe; most of which varied significantly (LSD<0.05) among the genotypes. Strawberries could be a potential dietary supplement for vitamin C along with minerals, particularly for the children who do not like local fruits, but love to eat the colourful strawberries.

European journal of clinical …, 2001

BACKGROUND: The study was carried out on the hypothesis that drug addicts would have reduced vita... more BACKGROUND: The study was carried out on the hypothesis that drug addicts would have reduced vitamin E, C and A status which could be influenced by drug habit, sexual practice and lifestyle factors. METHOD: Serum concentrations of Vitamin E, C and A of male drug addicts and ...

Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

The ethyl acetate extract of bark of Aporosa wallichii Hook.f. was extensively investigated for t... more The ethyl acetate extract of bark of Aporosa wallichii Hook.f. was extensively investigated for the chemical characterization of secondary metabolites and for biological activities. After repeated chromatographic separation and purification, two compounds were elucidated as a phenolic compound ferulic acid (1) and an uncommon triterpene glut-5(6)-en-3β-ol (2) from the ethyl acetate extract of barks of A. wallichii by using high field NMR analyses. This is the first report of isolation of both compounds from this plant species. No significant antimicrobial activity was observed for any fraction after Kupchan partitioning of the extract. During the antioxidant activity assay, the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of A. wallichii demonstrated significant DPPH radical scavenging capacity with an IC50 value of 1.25 μg/mL. The other fractions viz. petroleum ether, aqueous and chloroform soluble fractions exhibited moderate, mild, and weak activity respectively. The petroleum ether soluble fr...

Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

The crude methanolic extract of the root bark of Pongamia pinnata was taken into consideration to... more The crude methanolic extract of the root bark of Pongamia pinnata was taken into consideration to isolate secondary metabolites. A total six known natural compounds were separated and purified by various chromatographic techniques and five isolates were identified as flavonoid derivatives such as pongachromene (1), kanugin (2), karanjin (3), demethoxykanugin (4), dimethoxypongapine (5) and the other is a triterpenoid (6). The pure compounds as well as petroleum ether, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of crude methanolic extract were evaluated for bioactivities using established methods. In vitro antioxidant activity was studied by DPPH radical scavenging method using butylated hydroxyl anisole as standard. Among the pure compounds, kanugin and pongachromene showed significant antioxidant activity with the IC50 values of 27.20 ± 0.39 μg/mL and 43.53 ± 0.63 μg/ml, respectively as compared to the standard (23.87 ± 0.09 μg/ml), whereas karanjin, demethoxykanugin and d...

Pharmacology & Pharmacy

British Journal of Medical and Health Research

Lidenbergia indica Vatke or wall lindenbergia belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae which includ... more Lidenbergia indica Vatke or wall lindenbergia belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae which includes a number of ethnopharmacologically important Himalayan medicinal plants. The juice of the plant is used in chronic bronchitis and skin eruptions. The crude ethyl acetate extract of the whole plants of Lidenbergia indica led to the isolation of two flavonoids, luteolin and apigenin, methyl-4-methoxy cinnamate and β-sitosterol by different chromatographic techniques. The petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions were evaluated for biological properties using established methods. In vitro antioxidant activity was studied with DPPH radical scavenging method using butylated hydroxyl anisole as standard. The ethyl acetate fraction of the plant showed prominent free radical scavenging activity. The petroleum ether soluble fraction of Lindenbergia indica demonstrated highest thrombolytic activity. However, the other partitionates i.e. chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous extract showed minimum thrombolytic activity compared to the standard streptokinase. In the cytotoxic activity assay using brine shrimp, the petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate fraction showed significant lethality whereas aqueous fraction showed negligible lethal activity as compared to standard vincristine sulphate. No antimicrobial activity was observed for the petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions against all the microorganisms tested using tetracycline, levofloxacin, azithromycin and ciprofloxacin as standard.

Potravinarstvo Slovak Journal of Food Sciences

Dietary fibres are known to provide health benefit and protect against degenerative chronic disea... more Dietary fibres are known to provide health benefit and protect against degenerative chronic diseases. Thus, the present study reports the total dietary fibre (TDF) content of sixty-nine selected ethnic and unconventional vegetables and fruits growing in Bangladesh. The samples were collected from different locations of Bangladesh and mixed together to ensure sample representativeness. Dietary fibre assay kit according to the AOAC method was utilized for the analysis of TDF in selected vegetables and fruits. In the ethnic varieties, the TDF content ranged from 1.02 ± 0.16 to 7.16 ± 0.16 g for leafy (LV), 0.18 ± 0.01 to 6.71 ± 0.49 g for non-leafy vegetables (NLV) and 1.21 ± 0.12 to 5.29 ± 0.20 g for fruits per 100 g edible portion (EP). In the unconventional items, it arrayed from 3.08 ± 0.34 g to 7.75 ± 0.13 g for LV and 1.02 ± 0.06 to 8.82 ± 0.40 g for NLV per 100 g EP. Among the analysed samples, the highest and lowest content of TDF was found in Orohordal and Mairabokong, respec...

Current Nutrition & Food Science

Background: Phenolics and carotenoids are natural antioxidants, which provide health benefit and ... more Background: Phenolics and carotenoids are natural antioxidants, which provide health benefit and protect against degenerative chronic diseases. Utilization and identification of foods with high content of these received greater attention nowadays. Objective: The present study reports the total phenolics (TPC) and total carotenoids (TCC) contents of thirty-two selected unconventional vegetables growing in Bangladesh. In addition, they were also analyzed for their antioxidant potentials. Methods: Folin-Ciocalteu and acetone–petroleum ether extraction followed by spectrophotometric measurement were employed for TPC and TCC, respectively. The antioxidant capacities of the selected unconventional leafy vegetables were analyzed using DPPH and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. Results: The results revealed that the TPC ranged from 82.41 mg GAE/100 g in Kiokro to 2711.05 mg GAE/100 g in Mrolapiong whereas the TCC values ranged from 43.05 µg/100 g in Fala to 12863.54 µg/1...

Pharmacology & Pharmacy

The background of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic and anti... more The background of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic and antimicrobial activity of the petroleum ether (PE), carbon tetrachloride (CTC), chloroform (CF) and aqueous (AQ) soluble fractions of crude methanolic Zanthoxylum rhetsa root bark with two isolated quinolone alkaloids, 8-methoxy-n-methylflindersine (1) and zanthodioline (2). Structures were characterized by 1D NMR analyses. Antioxidant activity was assessed by using DPPH assay and antimicrobial activity was screened by disc diffusion method. An in vitro thrombolytic model was used to evaluate the clot lysis effect of different extracts of root bark of Z. rhetsa along with streptokinase as a positive control and distilled water as a negative control and the cytotoxic activity of different extracts of Z. rhetsa root bark was evaluated by Brine Shrimp Lethality Bioassay. AQ fraction exhibited strongest antioxidant, cytotoxic and thrombolytic activity among four fractions. The CTC and CF soluble fractions exhibited significant antioxidant, cytotoxic and thrombolytic activity. CTC and AQ fractions gave highest anti-bacterial activity against Vibrio cholera and Klebsiella pneumonia respectively. Compound 1 showed significant activity at a concentration of 100 µgm/disc against Sarcina lutea, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella paratyphi-A, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella boydii and Shigella sonnei with high antioxidant activity. The antioxidant, thrombolytic and antimicrobial activity of 8-methoxy-n-methylflindersine and zanthodioline are the first record from root bark of this plant.

Pharmacy & Pharmacology International Journal

Micromelum minutum belongs to the family of aromatic deciduous trees and shrubs, Rutaceae. Differ... more Micromelum minutum belongs to the family of aromatic deciduous trees and shrubs, Rutaceae. Different types of coumarins together with two alkaloids are found in the plant. Chemical constituents are isolate from different parts of the plant-leaves, stem, stem bark, fruits, seeds and roots. Traditionally, the plant is used for various purposes. Scientific investigations particularly focused on the cytotoxicity of the plant. The reviews compile the botanical description, traditional use, chemical constituents and cytitoxic activities of Micromelum minutum.

Records of Natural Products

A total of eight compounds were isolated from the petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of the ... more A total of eight compounds were isolated from the petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of the root bark of Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb.) (D.C). These are a coumarin xanthyletin (1), five quinolone alkaloids zanthodioline (2), arnottianamide (3), skimmianine (4), fagaridine (5), oxynitidine (7), a lignan pluviatilol (6), and a triterpene lupeol (8) were identified. Structures of the isolates were characterized by extensive 1D and 2D NMR analyses and by comparing their spectral data with the published values. The compounds, zanthodioline (2), oxynitidine (7), fagaridine (5), and pluviatilol (6) are the first record from this plant.

Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Cholinesterase inhibition is one of the major strategies to develop better quality anti-Alzheimer... more Cholinesterase inhibition is one of the major strategies to develop better quality anti-Alzheimer’s drug, while inhibition of glycation pathway is a useful therapeutic strategy to treat diabetic complications. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-butyrylcholinesterase and anti-glycation activities of 8 secondary metabolites namely, RS-8, RS-22C (arborinine), CL-1 (betulinic acid), CL-2 (ursolic acid), CCL-1 (cajaninstilbene acid), CP-1 (beta-sitosterol), HS-1 (anhydrofusarubin) and HS-2 (methylether of fusarubin). It was found that RS-8 and arborinine showed promising activity in inhibiting acetylcholinesterase with IC50 values of 24.40 ± 0.39 and 13.14 ± 0.07, respectively. Anhydrofusarubin and methyl ether of fusarubin exhibited moderate activities with IC50 values of 47.82 ± 0.54 and 44.58 ± 0.8. Arborinine and cajaninstilbene acid potentially inhibited butyrylcholinesterase with IC50 values of 26.34 ± 0.31 and 25.82 ± 0.34, respectively, but ot...

Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Dendrophthoe falcata (Family Loranthaceae) is used extensively in rural area as a component of et... more Dendrophthoe falcata (Family Loranthaceae) is used extensively in rural area as a component of ethno-medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, the crude extracts and the fractions obtained from D. falcata were investigated for potential chemical constituents and some biological activities. For medicinal properties the antioxidant, brine shrimp lethality and thrombolytic activities have been investigated. The structures of the isolated three compounds were solved by extensive analyses of their high resolution 1HNMR spectroscopic data. They were identified as Lupeol, 3-β-acetoxy-12-ene-11-one and β-sitosterol. For bioactivities, the petroleum ether, dichloromethane, chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions abbreviated as PESF, DCMSF, CSF and AQSF respectively. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay was used to evaluate potential cytotoxic activities, where all fractions showed significant activity with lower LC50. Most significant activity has been observed for methanol ...

Clinical Nutrition Experimental

Journal of natural products, Jan 23, 2018

Two new cis-clerodane-type furanoditerpenes, crispenes F and G (1 and 2), together with seven kno... more Two new cis-clerodane-type furanoditerpenes, crispenes F and G (1 and 2), together with seven known compounds, were isolated from the stems of Tinospora crispa. Crispenes F and G (1 and 2) inhibited STAT3 dimerization in a cell-free fluorescent polarization assay and were found to have significant cytotoxicity against a STAT3-dependent MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cell line, while being inactive in a STAT3-null A4 cell line. These two compounds share structural similarities with a previously reported STAT3 inhibitor, crispene E, isolated from the same plant. Molecular docking studies suggested that the molecules inhibit STAT3 by interacting with its SH2 domain.

Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

β-tocopherol (1), δ-tocopherol (2), polyprenol-12 (3), polyprenol-15 (4), stigmasterol and β-sito... more β-tocopherol (1), δ-tocopherol (2), polyprenol-12 (3), polyprenol-15 (4), stigmasterol and β-sitosterol were isolated from the yellow flavicarpa variety of leaves of Passiflora edulis. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated using 1 H-NR and 13 C-NMR spectral analysis. The organic and aqueous soluble fractions of crude methanolic extract were evaluated for the antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic and antimicrobial activities. In DPPH free radical scavenging assay, the aqueous soluble fraction displayed maximum activity having IC 50 value of 139.56µg/ml. On the other hand, dichloromethane soluble fraction revealed maximum cytotoxic (LC 50 24.17µg/ml) and thrombolytic (14.49% clot lysis) activities, when compared to the respective blanks.

Phytother Res, 2004

In this study the volatile oil of Nigella sativa seeds (NSVO) was investigated for its immunomodu... more In this study the volatile oil of Nigella sativa seeds (NSVO) was investigated for its immunomodulating and cytotoxic properties. A rat model was designed to examine the effect of NSVO on selected immune components. Long-Evans rats were challenged with a specific antigen (typhoid TH) and treated with NSVO; and the changes produced in their serum antibody titre along with the splenocytes and peripheral immune cells were analysed. Antibody titre for the experimental animal was found to be 1280 as compared to the 2560 in the control rats. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in splenocytes and neutrophils counts, but a rise in peripheral lymphocytes and monocytes in the experimental animals. To test the cytotoxicity of NSVO, a panel of five human cancer cell lines and a fibroblast line was used. The MTT assay was employed to estimate the cell mortality. Vinblastine sulphate and mitomycin C were used as the positive control. LC(50) values for NSVO were 155.02 +/- 10.4, 185.77 +/- 2.9, 120.40 +/- 20.5, 384.53 +/- 12.1 and 286.83 +/- 23.3 micro g/ml respectively against the SCL, SCL-6, SCL-37'6, NUGC-4 cancer lines and 3T6 fibroblast line. Results indicate that the NSVO could be considered as a potential immunosuppressive cytotoxic agent.

Food Chemistry, 2016

The present study, in line with a plant-food-based approach to address vitamin A deficiency, repo... more The present study, in line with a plant-food-based approach to address vitamin A deficiency, reports the analysis of total carotenoids, and trans- and cis-β-carotenes, in different varieties of raw and boiled orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP). Carotenoids were isolated using acetone-petroleum ether extraction followed by spectrophotometric determination. trans- and cis-β-Carotenes were analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC method using a mobile phase containing acetonitrile:methanol:2-propanol in the ratio of 85:15:33 with 0.01% ammonium acetate. Intra-varietal difference in carotenoids as well as trans- and cis-β-carotenes were noted in both the raw and boiled potatoes. Carotenoid content was found to be higher in the raw potatoes compared to the boiled samples from the same variety. Amongst the OFSP varieties, Kamalasundari (BARI SP-2) was found to contain the most carotenoids in both the raw and boiled samples. β-Carotene was significantly higher in the Kamalsundari and BARI SP-5 varieties. trans-β-Carotene was found to be the major carotenoid in all of the raw potatoes, but boiling was associated with an increase in cis-β-carotene and a decrease in the trans isomer. Kamalsundari and BARI SP-5 orange-fleshed sweet potatoes have the potential to be used as food-based supplements to reduce vitamin A deficiency.

Food Chemistry, 2016

This article decribes the nutrient composition of four strawberry genotypes cultivated at the She... more This article decribes the nutrient composition of four strawberry genotypes cultivated at the Sher-e-Bangla Agriculture University horticulture farm in Dhaka (Bangladesh). AOAC and standard validated methods were employed to analyse the nutrient composition. Protein, fat and ash contents were found to be vary significantly (LSD<0.05), while the variation in moisture (LSD<1.33), dietary fibre (LSD<0.15) and total sugar (LSD<0.09) were found to be insignificant among the genotypes. Vitamin C content ranged from 26.46mg to 37.77mg per 100g edible strawberries (LSD<0.060). Amount of carotenoids were found to be very low being in a range of 0.99-3.30μg per 100g edible fruit. Analysis of mineral revealed that strawberry genotypes contained a wide array of minerals including Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe; most of which varied significantly (LSD<0.05) among the genotypes. Strawberries could be a potential dietary supplement for vitamin C along with minerals, particularly for the children who do not like local fruits, but love to eat the colourful strawberries.