To study the chemical constituents from the roots of Chirita longgangensis var. hongyao. The methanol extract was isolated and purified by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by MS and spectral data (1H, 13C-NMR). Seven compounds were isolated and identified as plantainoside A (1), plantainoside B (2), calcedarioside C (3), calcedarioside D (4), platyphylloside (5), hirsutanonol (6), and hirsutanonol-5-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7). Compounds 5-7 were isolated for the first time from the family Gesneriaceae.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Tracheophyta ; chemistry

The aim of this review was to explore the pharmacological activity of early tracheophytes (pteridophytes) as an alternative medicine for treating human ailments. As the first vascular plants, pteridophytes (aka, ferns and fern allies) are an ancient lineage, and human beings have been exploring and using taxa from this lineage for over 2000 years because of their beneficial properties. We have documented the medicinal uses of pteridophytes belonging to thirty different families. The lycophyte Selaginella sp. was shown in earlier studies to have multiple pharmacological activity, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antidiabetic, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-Alzheimer properties. Among all the pteridophytes examined, taxa from the Pteridaceae, Polypodiaceae, and Adiantaceae exhibited significant medicinal activity. Based on our review, many pteridophytes have properties that could be used in alternative medicine for treatment of various human illnesses. Biotechnological tools can be used to preserve and even improve their bioactive molecules for the preparation of medicines against illness. Even though several studies have reported medicinal uses of ferns, the possible bioactive compounds of several pteridophytes have not been identified. Furthermore, their optimal dosage level and treatment strategies still need to be determined. Finally, the future direction of pteridophyte research is discussed.
Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology* ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Phytochemicals/pharmacology* ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Tracheophyta/chemistry*

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the wound healing potential of fractions from ethanol extract of Martynia annua (M. annua) Linn leaves.

METHODSEthanol extract of M. annua Linn leaves was fractionate into three different fractions (MAF-A, MAF-B and MAF-C) which were screened for wound healing potential using two models: excision and incision on rats. The thin layer chromatography (TLC) profile of all fractions were analyzed and TLC of luteolin was also done. The Povidone-Iodine Ointment was used as reference for comparision. Excision and incision wounds were created on dorsal portion of rats for study. Wound contraction, biochemical parameters (protein level and hydroxyproline level) and histopathological study were performed in excision wound model whereas incision model was used for determination of tensile strength.

RESULTSThe wound contraction and tensile strength of skin tissues were observed significantly greater in MAF-C fraction treated group than other two fractions (P<0.01). In excision wound method (on day 18) protein content and hydroxyproline were found significantly higher in MAF-C group than control group (P<0.01). Histopathological study also showed better angiogenesis, matured collagen fibres and fibroblast cells as compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONSIn conclusion, our findings suggest that fraction MAF-C from ethanol extract of M. annua leaves is found most effective in wound healing.

Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents, Local ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Growth Substances ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Rats, Wistar ; Tracheophyta ; chemistry ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the antispermatogenic and testicular antisteroidogenic activities of Feronia limonia fruit pulp southern India.

METHODSFourty Wistar male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were equally divided into four groups. Experimental groups were administered with the ethanolic extract of Feronia limonia (F. limoni) fruit pulp at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight once daily for 55 days. All treated rats had corresponding recovery groups. At the end of each treatment periods, various spermatological indices, tissue biochemicals and testicular enzymes levels were analysed. Blood profiles were also estimated.

RESULTSCompared with the control, the F. limonia fruit pulp at both dose levels did not decrease body weight, which were associated with decline in epididymal sperm count, motility, viability and increased percent of abnormal sperm. Further, F. limonia fruit pulp at 500 mg/kg body weight markedly reduced the epididymal and testicular protein content by 24.58% and 29.86%, respectively, as well as the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and Δ(5)-3β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase) levels by 42.82% and 38.08%, respectively, while a significant elevation was observed in testicular cholesterol and ascorbic acid content. A gradual recovery of all parameters was observed after 55 days of treatment withdrawal. No significant alterations in haematological indices were observed.

CONCLUSIONSThe present findings indicate that F. limonia fruit pulp may have reversible antispermatogenic and antisteroidogenic properties, and could partially support the traditional use as male contraceptive.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Antispermatogenic Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Ascorbic Acid ; chemistry ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cholesterol ; chemistry ; Female ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Toxicity Tests, Acute ; Tracheophyta ; chemistry