Lupeol

Moraceae is very common in the Mediterranean region and in the countries with dry and warm climate. Since ancient times the figs have been used for human consumption, but it was only recently that their nutritive and pharmacological value has been investigated. The aim of the current study was to investigate the metabolites profile of the different extracts (diethyl ether, petroleum ether, n-hexane, acetone and ethanol) from Ficus carica leaves. The highest yield of the extractable components has been obtained with n-hexane-5.0 g/100 g dw. Thirty-seven unpolar compounds have been identified by GC-MS analysis. In the investigated extracts were mainly detected the following phytochemical compounds: saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (18% of TIC)-myristic acid, palmitic acid, margaric acid, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, lignoceric acid, cerotic acid; fatty alcohols (35% of TIC)-stearyl, behenyl, pentacosan-1-ol, ceryl, montanyl, melissyl alcohol and diterpenic alcohol-phytol; phytosterols (18% of TIC)-stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, lanosterol and cycloartenol; triterpenes (11% of TIC)-squalene, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, germanicol and lupeol. Phytol (32% of TIC), β-sitosterol (12% of TIC), α-linolenic acid (8% of TIC), cycloartenol (5% of TIC), lupeol (4% of TIC), α-amyrin (3% of TIC) and β-amyrin (2% of TIC) were established as the dominants compounds in Ficus carica leaves. The obtaining extracts of fig leaves were evaluated as a valuable source of high biological active lipid components for protecting the skin from environmental stress conditions and reactive oxygen species. These extracts can be potentially used for medical and natural cosmetics and caring protection against premature skin aging.

The present study shows the pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies on the flowers of Cordia sebestena L. belong to the family Boraginaceae. C. sebestena L. is found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of the American, Asian and African continents. Though it is an important plant, until date no pharmacognostic work is found on its parts such as flowers. Various organoleptic characters were recorded by macroscopic study. A microscopic study of the flowers was also conducted which shows the presence of fibres, calcium oxalate crystals and multiple types of trichomes, along with fluorescence analysis. The present study also deals with the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis of C. sebestena L. FT-IR spectra revealed the presence of C-H, C=C, C-N, CO and aromatic groups. The chemical composition of the hexane extract of the flowers of C. sebestena L. was detected through GC-MS and the spectrum achieved through GC-MS were correlated with the database of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) which comprise beyond 62000 outlines of the mass spectrum. GC-MS analysis of n-hexane extract showed the existence of Retinoic acid, lupeol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, hexadecanoic acid along with fatty acids, esters, alkaloids and alcohols. These pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies can be valuable towards giving reliable proof of the quality of the plant which can benefit health professionals and herbal medicine manufacturers.

A comparative investigation of n-hexane soluble compounds from aerial parts of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber ex F.H. Wigg.) collected during different vegetative stages was carried out. The GC-MS analysis of the n-hexane (unpolar) fraction showed the presence of 30 biologically active compounds. Phytol [14.7% of total ion current (TIC)], lupeol (14.5% of TIC), taraxasteryl acetate (11.4% of TIC), β-sitosterol (10.3% of TIC), α-amyrin (9.0% of TIC), β-amyrin (8.3% of TIC), and cycloartenol acetate (5.8% of TIC) were identified as the major components in n-hexane fraction. The unpolar fraction exhibited promising antioxidant activity-46.7 mmol Trolox equivalents/g extract (determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl method). This fraction demonstrated insignificant antimi-crobial activity and can be used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Mangiferin is an important xanthone compound presenting various biological activities. The objective of this study was to develop, characterize physicochemical properties, and evaluate the anti-topoisomerase activity of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles containing mangiferin. The nanoparticles were developed by the emulsion solvent evaporation method and the optimal formulation was obtained with a response surface methodology (RSM); this formulation showed a mean size of 176.7 ± 1.021 nm with a 0.153 polydispersibility index (PDI) value, and mangiferin encapsulation efficiency was about 55%. The optimal conditions (6000 rpm, 10 min, and 300 μg of mangiferin) obtained 77% and the highest entrapment efficiency (97%). The in vitro release profile demonstrated a gradual release of mangiferin from 15 to 180 min in acidic conditions (pH 1.5). The fingerprint showed a modification in the maximum absorption wavelength of both the polymer and the mangiferin. Results of anti-toposiomerase assay showed that the optimal formulation (MG4, 25 μg/mL) had antiproliferative activity. High concentrations (2500 μg/mL) of MG4 showed non-in vitro cytotoxic effect on BEAS 2B and HEPG2. Finally, this study showed an encapsulation process with in vitro gastric digestion resistance (1.5 h) and without interfering with the metabolism of healthy cells and their biological activity.