Quantitative determination of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids from Galanthus reginae-olgae subsp. vernalis and in vitro activities relevant for neurodegenerative diseases

In the present work the qualitative and quantitative analysis of Amaryllidaceae-type alkaloids in the aerial parts and bulbs of Galanthus reginae-olgae Orph. subsp. vernalis Kamari is presented for the first time using GC-MS analysis. The alkaloids galanthamine, lycorine, and tazettine were identified in both extracts while crinine and neronine were found only in the bulbs. The yield of alkaloid fraction from bulbs (36.8%) is very high compared to the yield from aerial parts (9.34%). Lycorine was the major component in both fractions. The antioxidant potential was determined by three complementary methods. The preparations to reduce the stable free radical DPPH to the yellow-colored 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl with IC(50) values of 39 and 29 mug/mL for MeOH extracts from aerial parts and bulbs, respectively. The higher activity was given by EtOAc fraction of aerial parts with IC(50) of 10 mug/mL. This activity is probably due to the presence in EtOAc fraction of polar compounds such as polyphenols. The fraction exhibited a significant antioxidant capacity also in the beta-carotene-linoleic acid test system. A higher level of antioxidant activity was observed for EtOAc fraction from bulbs with IC(50) of 10 mug/mL after 30 min and 9 mug/mL after 60 min of incubation. In contrast, the fraction from bulbs performed poorly in the lipid peroxidation liposomes assay. Significant activity was obtained for dichloromethane fraction from aerial parts (IC(50) of 74 mug/mL). The major abundance of alkaloid in dichloromethane fraction may be responsible of the bulbs anti-cholinesterase highest activity (38.5%) at 0.5 mg/mL.

Antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of Diospyros lotus L. extract and isolated compounds

The object of the study was to determine the chemical composition of Diospyros lotus L. extract and their antioxidant and antiproliferative properties. Eight compounds were isolated from D. lotus and identified as gallic acid, methylgallate, ellagic acid, kaempferol, quercetin,myricetin, myricetin 3-O-beta-glucuronide, and myricetin-3-O-alpha-rhamnoside. D. lotus extract tested in different in vitro systems (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and Fe2+ chelating activity assay) showed significant antioxidant activity. The potential antiproliferative properties of D. lotus extract and isolated compounds against nine human cancer cell lines such as COR-L23, CaCo-2, C32, ACHN, A375, A549, Huh-7D12, MCF-7, and LNCaP were investigated in vitro by SRB assay. D. lotus extract demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity against COR-L23 with an IC50 value of 12.2 microg/ml. Among identified hydrolysable tannins, ellagic acid evidenced strong antiproliferative activity against both C32 and A375 cells with IC50 values of 0.8 and 4.1 microg/ml, respectively. Interesting results were observed, also, with gallic acid that showed the highest cytotoxic activity against CaCo-2 (IC(50) 2.6 microg/ml). Overall, the results of this study suggest that D. lotus displays a good antioxidant activity and has antiproliferative effects. Both activities are related to identified phenolic compounds.

Antiproliferative activity on human cancer cell lines after treatment with polyphenolic compounds isolated from Iris pseudopumila flowers and rhizomes

The present study describes the antiproliferative properties of Iris pseudopumila flowers and rhizomes extracts and fourteen constituents isolated from them. The in vitro cytotoxic activity assay against two human cancer cell lines, large lung carcinoma (CORL-23) and amelanotic melanoma (C32), showed that the most antiproliferative extract was the MeOH extract from flowers with a percentage of inhibition of 50.9 at 100 microg/ml against amelanotic melanoma cells. The most antiproliferative compounds against amelanotic melanoma cells were kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and irisolidone with a percentage of inhibition of 100 and 96.6, respectively, and against large lung carcinoma cells with a percentage of inhibition of 82.1 and 84.6, respectively. Significant activity on the amelanotic melanoma cell line was also showed by irigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, with a percentage of inhibition of 89.3. The compounds isovitexin and isoorientin-6-O''-beta-D-glucopyranoside showed a selective activity against amelanotic melanoma cells with a percentage of inhibition of 83.2 and 79.8, respectively.

Cytotoxic activity and inhibitory effect on nitric oxide production of triterpene saponins from the roots of Physospermum verticillatum (Waldst & Kit) (Apiaceae)

Three triterpene saponins isolated from the roots of Physospermum verticillatum and identified as saikosaponin a (1), buddlejasaponin IV (2), and songarosaponin D (3) were investigated in vitro for their cytotoxic activity against a panel of seven different cancer cell lines including ACHN, C32, Caco-2, COR-L23, A375, A549, and Huh-7D12 cell lines. The hydrolysis of sugar unit was performed on saikosaponin a (1) to obtain saikosapogenin a (4). All isolated saponins exhibited strong cytotoxic activity against COR-L23 cell line with IC(50) values ranged from 0.4 to 0.6 microM. A similar activity was recorded for saikogenin a (4). None of the tested compounds affected the proliferation of skin fibroblasts 142BR suggesting a selective action against cancer cells. Moreover, buddlejasaponin IV (2) and songarosaponin D (3) exerted significant inhibition of NO production in LPS induced RAW 264.7 macrophages with IC(50) of 4.2 and 10.4 microM, respectively.

Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition of ethanolic extract and monoterpenes from Pimpinella anisoides V Brig. (Apiaceae)

Ethanolic extract from the fruits of Pimpinella anisoides, an aromatic plant and a spice, exhibited activity against AChE and BChE, with IC(50) values of 227.5 and 362.1 microg/ml, respectively. The most abundant constituents of the extract were trans-anethole, (+)-limonene and (+)-sabinene. trans-Anethole exhibited the highest activity against AChE and BChE with IC(50) values of 134.7 and 209.6 microg/ml, respectively. The bicyclic monoterpene (+)-sabinene exhibited a promising activity against AChE (IC(50) of 176.5 microg/ml) and BChE (IC(50) of 218.6 microg/ml).

Hypotensive natural products: current status

Hypertension is a common and progressive disorder that possesses a major risk for cardiovascular and renal disease. Recent data have revealed that the global burden of hypertension is an important and increasing public health problem worldwide and that the level of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension varies considerably among countries. Hypertension is often called a 'silent killer' because persons with this pathological condition can be asymptomatic for years and then have a fatal heart attack or stroke. The field of naturally occurring antihypertensive agent is a research area rapidly expanding due to the high potential of such molecules as new antihypertensive drugs. Recently, a great number of plant-derived substances have been evaluated as possible antihypertensive agents through different mechanisms of action such as alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids. In this mini-review we will discuss the medicinal chemistry of these compounds.

Antioxidant, alpha-amylase inhibitory and brine-shrimp toxicity studies on Centaurea centaurium L. methanolic root extract

Free radical scavenging activity of the methanolic extract of the roots of Centaurea centaurium L. (Asteraceae) and its phenolic, non-polar and water fractions was measured using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The phenolic fraction showed high radical-scavenging activity with DPPH (IC(50) of 57 microg mL(-1)) and potent antioxidant properties both on lipid peroxidation and beta-carotene bleaching (IC(50) of 195 and 5 microg mL(-1), respectively). The n-hexane fraction of the extract showed the highest inhibitory activity against alpha-amylase with an IC(50) of 158 microg mL(-1). In this fraction, the most abundant constituents were the fatty acids: 11,14-eicosadienoic acid methyl ester, 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester and 9-octadecenoic acid. Various terpenes, e.g. cypirene, alpha-zingiberene, beta-farnesene, beta-santalene, beta-bisabolene, beta-himachalene and azulene were also present. The LC(50) against the brine shrimp nauplii for the methanolic extract was found to be 44.05 microg mL(-1), whilst LC(50) values for the polyphenolic, lipophilic and water fractions were found to be 157.44, 25.98 and 152.81 microg mL(-1), respectively.

Antiproliferative effects of essential oils and their major constituents in human renal adenocarcinoma and amelanotic melanoma cells

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate cytotoxic activity of Platycladus orientalis, Prangos asperula and Cupressus sempervirens ssp. pyramidalis essential oils and to identify active components involved in inhibition of population growth of human cancer cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and were analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Antiproliferative activity was tested on amelanotic melanoma C32 cells and on renal cell adenocarcinoma cells, using the sulphorhodamine B assay.

RESULTS

Cupressus sempervirens ssp. pyramidalis leaf oil exerted the highest cytotoxic activity with an IC(50)value of 104.90 microg/mL against C32, followed by activity of P. orientalis and P. asperula on the renal adenocarcinoma cell line (IC(50) of 121.93 and 139.17 microg/mL, respectively). P. orientalis essential oil was also active against amelanotic melanoma with an IC(50) of 330.04 microg/mL. Three identified terpenes, linalool, beta-caryophyllene and alpha-cedrol, were found to be active on both cell lines tested.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide novel insights into the field of cytotoxic properties of essential oils. This study provided evidence on how cytotoxic activity of the oils is not always related to their major constituents, except for lower activity found in both cell lines for alpha-cedrol. Interestingly, beta-caryophyllene and linalool exhibited comparable IC(50) values to the commercial drug vinblastine on the ACHN cell line. This opens a new field of investigation to discover mechanisms responsible for the observed activity.

Natural Products as Gastroprotective and Antiulcer Agents: Recent Developments

Peptic ulcer, one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases, is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by ulceration in the regions of the upper gastrointestinal tract where parietal cells are found and where they secrete hydrochloric acid and pepsin. The anatomical sites where ulcer occurs commonly are stomach and duodenum, causing gastric and duodenal ulcer, respectively. Physiopathology of ulcer is due to an imbalance between aggressive factors, such as acid, pepsin, Helicobacter pylori and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and local mucosal defensive factors, such as mucus bicarbonate, blood flow and prostaglandins. Several drugs are widely used to prevent or treat gastro-duodenal ulcers. These include H2-receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors and cytoprotectives. Due to problems associated with recurrence after treatment, there is therefore the need to seek alternative drug sources against ulcers. In recent years, a widespread search has been launched to identify new gastroprotective drugs from natural sources. The aim of the present review is to highlight the recent advances in current knowledge on natural products as gastroprotective and antiulcer agents and consider the future perspectives for the use of these compounds.

In vitro inhibitory activities of plants used in Lebanon traditional medicine against angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and digestive enzymes related to diabetes

AIM OF THE STUDY

In recent years the use of medicinal plants has been growing worldwide and this is particularly true in Lebanon. In the present investigation we report the inhibitory activity against digestive enzymes related to diabetes and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) of extracts of nine plant species collected in Lebanon, where they have a traditional use against diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In order to evaluate if the extraction procedure could influence the activity we decided to perform different extractions with methanol, n-hexane and chloroform of Calamintha origanifolia, Satureja thymbra, Prangos asperula, Sideritis perfoliata, Asperula glomerata, Hyssopus officinalis, Erythraea centaurium, Marrubium radiatum and Salvia acetabulosa and test each of them.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Marrubium radiatum and Salvia acetabulosa methanol extracts exerted the highest activity against alpha-amylase (IC(50) 61.1 and 91.2 microg/ml, respectively) and alpha-glucosidase (IC(50) 68.8 and 76.9 microg/ml, respectively). The same extracts exhibited a strong inhibitory activity against ACE with IC(50) of 72.7 and 52.7 microg/ml, respectively. The results support the traditional use of some the species examined.

In vivo anti-inflammatory and in vitro antioxidant activities of Mediterranean dietary plants

Five hydroalcoholic extracts of edible plants from Calabria region (Italy) used in local traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases were evaluated for their in vivo topical anti-inflammatory activity (inhibition of croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice) and in vitro antioxidant and antiradical properties (inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation and bovine brain liposomes peroxidation, DPPH radical scavenging). All the extracts showed an anti-inflammatory effect: 300 microg/cm(2) provoked oedema reductions ranging from 21 to 27%. All the extracts exerted also radical scavenging and/or antioxidant properties, the most active plant being Mentha aquatica L. (Lamiaceae) which contained the highest amount of phenolics (337 mg/g) and of flavonoids (15.75 mg/g). Moreover, the content and the composition of sterols were assessed by GC-MS in the examined plants Borago officinalis L. (Boraginaceae) contained the highest number of sterols.

Cytotoxic activity of essential oils from labiatae and lauraceae families against in vitro human tumor models

BACKGROUND

The aim of this work was to study the cytotoxicity of essential oils and their identified constituents from Sideritis perfoliata, Satureia thymbra, Salvia officinalis, Laurus nobilis and Pistacia palestina.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and were analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectrometry (MS). The cytotoxic activity was evaluated in amelanotic melanoma C32, renal cell adenocarcinoma ACHN, hormone-dependent prostate carcinoma LNCaP, and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines by the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay.

RESULTS

L. nobilis fruit oil exerted the highest activity with IC50 values on C32 and ACHN of 75.45 and 78.24 microg/ml, respectively. The activity of S. perfoliata oil on both cell lines (IC50 of 100.90 mg/ml for C32 and 98.58 microg/ml for ACHN, respectively) was also interesting. Among the tested constituents the highest activity was found when a-humulene was applied to LNCaP cells (IC50 of 11.24 microg/ml).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests for the first time the ability of S. perfoliata, S. thymbra, S. officinalis, L. nobilis and P. palestina essential oils and some identified terpenes to inhibit human tumor cell growth.

Inhibitory effects on the digestive enzyme alpha-amylase of three Salsola species (Chenopodiaceae) in vitro

Hypoglycaemic effects of Salsola kali, S. soda, and S. oppositifolia (Chenopodiaceae) aerial parts were examined using in vitro assay based on the inhibition of a-amylase. The S. kali ethyl acetate fraction was the most active with a C1050 value 0.022 mg/ml. Through bioassay-guided fractionation processes two flavonol glycosides, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, were isolated by silica gel column chromatography and characterized by spectroscopic methods. Isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside showed an interesting activity (IC50 0.129 mM).

Cytotoxic activity of antioxidant constituents from Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra

The Sulforodamine B (SRB) assay was used to test cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines and one normal cell line of antioxidant constituents isolated from Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra. Methanolic extract and pure compounds were tested against the large cell lung carcinoma cell line COR-L23, the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG-2, renal cell adenocarcinoma ACHN, the amelanotic melanoma cell line C32 and normal human foetal lung MRC5. The results showed that I3-II8-biapigenin exhibited strong cytotoxic activity (IC50 = 5.73 micro g mL(-1)) showing a certain degree of selectivity against the different cell types.

In vitrohypoglycemic and antimicrobial activities ofSenecio leucanthemifoliusPoiret

This study reports on the alpha-amylase inhibitory and antimicrobial activities of Senecio leucanthemifolius Poiret. Extracts of S. leucanthemifolius were tested for their antimicrobial and antifungal activities against seven different pathogenic microorganisms using the microdilution technique. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited a strong antibiotic activity against Staphylococcus aureus with a MIC value of 31.25 microg mL(-1), while the n-hexane extract showed a significant activity against dermatophytic fungi. S. leucanthemifolius extracts were tested also for their potential hypoglycemic activity through the in vitro inhibition of alpha-amylase. The dichloromethane extract inhibited alpha-amylase with a value of 56.6% at 0.05 mg mL(-1) and the n-butanol extract showed a value of 89.2% at 1 mg mL(-1).

Composition and alpha-amylase inhibitory effect of essential oils from Cedrus libani

The inhibitory activity of alpha-amylase and the phytochemical composition of Cedrus libani essential oils obtained from wood, leaves and cones were investigated. The C. libani woods oil exhibit an IC(50) value of 0.14 mg/ml, whereas the leaves and cones oils were devoid of any significant activity.

Bioactive extracts fromSenecio samnitumHuet

The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of extracts from Senecio samnitum Huet are reported. Extracts from S. samnitum were able to inhibit the in vitro proliferation of four human tumor cell lines. The dichloromethane extract demonstrated effective cytotoxic activity with IC50 of 22.89 microg mL(-1) on the Caco-2 cell line and the EtOAc extract had IC50 value of 11.91 microg mL(-1) against the COR-L23 cell line. The n-hexane extract displayed the best antibacterial activity against Gram positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus. The antifungal activity of all extracts was also seen, particularly against the dermatophytes Trichophyton tonsurans and Microsporum gypseum for the methanol and n-hexane extracts.

Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of methanolic extract and fractions from Senecio gibbosus subsp. gibbosus (GUSS) DC

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the methanolic extract and fractions of Senecio gibbosus subsp. gibbosus aerial parts. The antioxidant activity was assessed by means of two different tests: (1) bleaching of the stable 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical; and (2) lipid peroxidation of liposomes which were prepared from bovine brain extract. In both tests used methanolic extract and AcOEt fraction showed a significant antioxidant effect. The cytotoxic activity of the methanolic extract and fractions was carried out using the SRB assay. The methanolic extract demonstrated a good cytotoxic activity against human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and human prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP). Dichloromethane and AcOEt fractions showed the greatest cytotoxic activity, particularly on LNCaP cell line.

In-vitro antiproliferative effects on human tumour cell lines of extracts and jacaranone from Senecio leucanthemifolius Poiret

We have studied the cytotoxic activity of extracts and jacaranone from Senecio leucanthemifolius Poiret. Extracts from S. leucanthemifolius were able to inhibit the in-vitro proliferation of a series of human tumour cell lines. The dichloromethane extract demonstrated effective cytotoxic activity with an IC50 of 20.1 microg mL(-1) on the large cell carcinoma cell line COR-L23. The ethyl acetate extract showed an IC50 value of 5.0 microg mL(-1) and the butanol extract an IC50 value of 6.4 microg mL(-1) on the same cell line. A major active constituent of the dichloromethane extract was shown to be jacaranone, which was demonstrated to have a very strong activity against all of the tumour cell lines with IC50 values between 2.86 and 3.85 microg mL(-1), although it did not account for all the activity observed. Constituents of S. leucanthemifolius extracts were identified by GC/MS analysis and NMR.

Influence of environmental factors on composition of volatile constituents and biological activity of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) Don (Asteraceae)

The biovariability of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) Don grown wild in Calabria and Sardinia (Italy) was reported. This species has been characterized through the detection, isolation and quantitative evaluation of chemical markers (alpha-terpinolene, trans-cariophyllene and neryl acetate) by GC and GC-MS. Antioxidant activity of the methanolic H. italicum extracts using DPPH and beta-carotene bleaching test showed that the Calabrian samples were more active than those from Sardinia. The antibacterial activity of all extracts evidenced the best performance on the Gram positive bacteria particularly on Micrococcus luteus. Moreover, antifungal activity of all extracts was also tested evidencing important results particularly on the phytopathogene fungus Pythium ultimum. In general, as regards the antifungal activity, the extracts from Sardinia were more active than those from Calabria. The phytochemical analysis and the biological activity data suggested a possible use of these plant matrices in alimentary, cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields.

Comparative chemical composition and variability of biological activity of methanolic extracts from Hypericum perforatum L

The biovariability of Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's Wort) grown wild in Calabria and Sardinia (Italy) was reported with the aim to characterize the species through the isolation, detection, and quantitative evaluations of chemical markers (hypericin, quercetin, rutin) by HPLC analysis. Antioxidant activity of the methanolic H. perforatum extracts showed that the Calabrian samples were more active than those from Sardinia. The antibacterial activity evidenced the best performance on the gram positive bacteria with a MIC value of 50 microg/mL. Moreover, antifungal activity of all the extracts was also tested which showed interesting results particularly on the phytopathogene fungus P. ultimum. The variability shown by the samples could be attributed to environmental factors such as chemical-physical properties, composition of the soil, geographical coordinate, altitude, and solar exposure. The phytochemical analysis and the biological activity data suggested a possible use of H. perforatum extracts in the alimentary, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical fields.

Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities ofRetama raetam subsp.Gussonei

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the methanol extracts of Retama raetam subsp. gussonei leaves and seeds. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was assessed by means of two different tests: (1) bleaching of the stable 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical; and (2) lipid peroxidation of liposomes which were prepared from bovine brain extract. In both tests used leaves extract showed a significant antioxidant effect. The extract of leaves also demonstrated a good cytotoxic activity against COR-L23 (large cell carcinoma) cell line.

Arctiin and onopordopicrin from Carduus micropterus ssp. perspinosus

The isolation of (-)-arctiin (1), arctigenin (2), onopordopicrin (3), kaempferide, eriodictyol, luteolin and stigmasterol from the aerial parts of Carduus micropterus ssp. perspinosus, is reported.

Antimicrobial activity of crude extracts and pure compounds of Hypericum hircinum

The antimicrobial activity of the n-hexane (H) and chloroform (C) extracts, the methanol extract (M) and its ethyl acetate (E) and n-butanol (B) fractions, and six isolated constituents of the aerial parts of Hypericum hircinum was investigated using an agar diffusion method. The maximum activity was exhibited by the methanolic extract against Staphylococcus aureus, while all pure constituents showed no antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms.

HPLC with fluorescence detection of methamphetamine and amphetamine in segmentally analyzed human hair

A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection for determining methamphetamine and its major metabolite, amphetamine, in abusers' hair segments was developed. Methamphetamine and amphetamine in hair samples collected from addicts were extracted into acidified methanol, derivatized with 4-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)benzoyl chloride, separated isocratically on an ODS column using TRIS-HCl buffer (0.1 mol dm-3, pH 7.0)-methanol (30 + 70 v/v) as the mobile phase and the derivatives were detected fluorimetrically at 440 nm (lambda ex 330 nm). Calibration curves obtained by using control human hair spiked with standard solutions were linear (r > or = 0.999) up to at least 676.1 ng mg-1 for amphetamine and 746.1 ng mg-1 for methamphetamine. The detection limits at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 were 51.4 and 74.6 pg mg-1 hair for amphetamine and methamphetamine, respectively. Using control hair spiked with standard solutions, the intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations (n = 5) were < or = 8.6% for both the target compounds. The method was successfully applied to the segmental analyses of methamphetamine abusers' hair samples.

Enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection of methamphetamine and its metabolites in human urine

A simple, rapid and highly sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection for determining the enantiomers of methamphetamine and its major metabolites, amphetamine and p-hydroxymethamphetamine, in urine samples was developed. Using a newly developed reagent for amines, namely, 4-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)benzoyl chloride, six enantiomers were derivatized under mild conditions (i.e., 10 min at room temperature, pH 9.0) and separated isocratically on a cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) coated silica gel column following a pre-separation on an ODS column within 42 min, and the effluent was monitored at 440 nm (lambda ex 330 nm). Calibration curves for these derivatives using spiked human urine were linear in the range 0.05-100 mumol dm-3 with correlation coefficients > or = 0.999. The detection limits at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 were 2.8-8.8 fmol per 5 microliters injection. The relative standard deviations of within- (n = 6) and between-day (n = 5) variations were < or = 7.4%. The method was successfully applied to discriminate between (S)-(+)-methamphetamine and its corresponding metabolites found in abusers' urine and their antipodes in a sample taken from a Parkinsonian patient on selegiline (Deprenyl) therapy.

Flavonoids and rotenoids from Tephrosieae and related tribes of leguminosae

Seeds and/or roots of eleven species of Leguminosae, mainly Tephrosiae, were examined. Prenylated chalcones and flavanones were isolated from Lonchocarpus nitidus and L. neuroscapha seeds; rotenoids from Lonchocarpus spruceanus, Piscidia mollis and a Tephrosia sp.; demethylhomopterocarpin from Canavalia bonariensis (Phaseoleae). No flavonoids or rotenoids were found in L. nelsii, L. rugosus, T. multijuga (seeds), Millettia grandis (Tephrosieae) and in Xeroderris stuhlmanii (Dalbergieae).