Dietary flavonoids have antioxidant and antitumor promoting effects. Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) is a flavonoid-rich herbal medicine and has long been used as a food additive and an antitumor agent in Korea. Previous study demonstrated that a purified flavonoid fraction prepared from RVS, herein named RCMF (the RVS chloroform-methanol fraction), exhibited growth inhibition and induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma(HOS) cells. This study evaluated if p53-mediated pathway is associated with the RCMF-induced apoptosis in HOS cells. RCMF was shown to be capable of inducing apoptosis of the cells, as expected, and transparently increased p53 expression in the cells. However, the RCMF-induced cytotoxicity was suppressed by transfecting the cells with antisense p53 oligonucleotide, which also inhibited the decrease of Bcl-2 and the increase of Bax in mitochondria, and the release of cytochrome c into cytosol. This finding suggests that p53-mediated mitochondrial stress is required for RCMF-induced apoptosis in HOS cells.

The ethanolic (50% v/v) extracts of Carissa carandas (fruits) (Apocynaceae) and Microstylis wallichii (tubers) (Orchidaceae) were examined for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in experimental animals. Carissa carandas and Microstylis wallichii (50-200 mg/kg) caused a dose dependent inhibition of swelling caused by carrageenin significantly in cotton pellet induced granuloma in rats (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in the analgesy meter induced pain in rats. The extracts of Carissa carandas and Microstylis wallichii resulted in an inhibition of stretching episodes and percentage protection was 16.05-17.58%respectively in acetic acid induced writhing.

Alcoholic extract of Spathodea campanulata P. aerial parts, and two of the isolated fractions from celite column showed strong antioxidant activity (92, 94 & 89% RSA, Radical Scavenging Activity). Phytochemical investigation of chloroform/EtOAc faction of this column led to the isolation of phenolic acids, caffiec acid (1), and ferulic acid (2), fraction EtOAc/MeOH on further fractionation afforded 3 Flavonoids, kampferol 3-O-glucoside (3), quercetin 3-methyl ether (4) and 8-methoxy kampferol 3-O-glucoside (5). The isolated constituents were identified by co chromatography with authentic samples, TLC, PC., UV, MS and $^1H-NMR$. Also the lipoidal matter of the plant was studied. The unsaponifiable matter was found to be mixture of hydrocarbons from $(C_{14}-C_{28})$, cholesterol, campasterol, stigmasterol, and ${\alpha}-amyrin$. Fatty acid methyl esters were found to contain 12 fatty acids. The fatty acids containing $C_{18}$ farmed ca.65% of the total mixture.

Fresh unripe whole fruits of Luffa tuberosa (Roxb.) or Momordica tuberosa (Roxb.) Cogn. (Cucurbitaceae) were evaluated for the antidiabetic and hyperlipidemic potential in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by administration of intra-peritoneal injection of streptozotocin at a dose of 55 mg/kg body weight. After the induction of diabetes aqueous extract of L.tuberosa (AELT) was administered orally at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg. body weight/day for a period of 14 days. The Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, serum insulin levels, changes in body weight, food and liquid intake were measured. In diabetic rats, the AELT exhibited significant reduction in blood glucose levels. Biochemical assay of plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), glycogen content and glucose-6-phosphatase activity in liver were assessed. Antihyperlipidemia in diabetic rats after the extract supplementation was confirmed by significant reduction in the levels of above mentioned hyperlipidemic indicators. This study focus on the efficacy of L.tuberosa fruits for the management of experimental STZ induced diabetic rats and provides the scientific basis of ancient herbal therapy and use of these fruits as vegetable.

Hepatoprotective activity of different extracts of Citrullus colocynthis L. sch. (roots) (cucurbitaceae) was investigated in albino rats by inducing hepatotoxicity with carbon tetrachloride. The alcoholic extract of Citrullus colocynthis sch. 100 mg/kg b.w. has been shown to posses significant hepatoprotective effect by lowering the serum level of transaminases (GPT & GOT), alkaline phosphate (ALP) and bilirubin (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001).

Berberis tinctoria (Berberidaceae), commonly known as Nilgiri Barberry is a common allied species to B. aristata, used in India Traditional Systems of Medicine by the name of 'Daruharidra' for skin disease, jaundice, affection of eyes, and rheumatism. Keeping this in view, in the present study attempts have been made to identify marker characters of B. tinctoria. Some of the diagnostic features of the root are patches of pericyclic fibre, pitted sclerieds, crystals, berberine containing cells and heterocyclic medullary rays. Besides, the physicochemical characters such as total ash; acid insoluble ash; alcohol and water soluble extractive; tannins; sugar and starch percentages has also shown some variations. The percentage of berberine as berberine hydrochloride was also calculated through HPTLC densitometric method and it was found almost similar to B. aristata, B. asiatica and B. chitria i.e. 3.36%. Thus it can be explored as a possible source of substitute to B.aristata.

Eleven polyhydroxyursane triterpenoids (PHUTs) were tested to determine their cytoprotective, immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects. To compare the bioactivities of $19{\alpha}$-hydroxyursane-type triterpenoids {23-hydroxytormentic acid (6), its methyl ester (7), tormentic acid (8), niga-ichigoside $F_1$ (9),euscaphic acid (10) and kaji-ichigoside $F_1$ (11)} of the Rosaceae crude drugs (Rubi Fructus and Rosa rugosae Radix) with PHUTs possessing no $19{\alpha}-hydroxyl$ of Centella asiatica (Umbelliferae), the four PHUTs, asiaticoside (1), madecassoside (2), asiatic acid (3), and madecassic acid (4) were isolated from C. asiatica and 23-hydroxyursolic acid (5) from Cussonia bancoensis. Cytoprotective effects were assessed by measuring cell viabilities against cisplatin-induced cytotoxocity in $LLC-PK_1$, cells (proximal tubule, pig kidney) to determine whether these agents have protective effects against nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin. The inhibitory effect of 11 PHUTS on nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ were evaluated by measuring nitrite accumulation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, and their anti-inflammatory effects were tested in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema model. Six MHUTs (compounds 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, and 11) exhibited higher cell viabilities during cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity testing even at a concentration of $200\;{\mu}g/ml$ than cisplatin only-treated group, suggesting that ese compounds have the potentcytoprotective efffcts. Compounds 1 and 3 of the C. asiatica and niga-ichigoside $F_1$ exhibited no inhibitory effect on NO and/or $PGE_2$ production whereas other PHUTs produced mild to significant NO and/or $PGE_2$ production.The four compounds (2, 5, 9, and 10) potently inhibited mouse ear edema induced by TPA whereas two compounds (1 and 3) had no activity in this test. These results suggest that many PHUTs are potentchemopreventives. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) was also discussed in each assay with regard to the significant role of OHs at the position of 2, 3, 6, 19, and 23 and to the glycoside linkage at the 28-carboxyl.

The methanol extract of Coscinium fenestratum, commonly own as tree turmeric, which is widely used in the indigenous system of medicine was studied for its in vitro scavenging activity in different methods viz DPPH scavenging, nitric oxide scavenging, iron chelation activity, superoxide scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation. The results were analyzed statistically by regression method. Its antioxidant activity was estimated by $IC_{50}$ value and the values are $57.1\;{\mu}g/ml$ for DPPH radical scavenging, $36.5\;{\mu}g/ml$ for iron chelating activity, $51.7\;{\mu}g/ml$ for nitric oxide scavenging, $53.63\;{\mu}g/ml$ for ABTS scavenging, $44.2\;{\mu}g/ml$ for superoxide scavenging, and $40\;{\mu}g/ml$ for lipid peroxidation. In all the methods, the extract showed its ability to scavenge free radicals in a concentration dependent manner. The results indicate that C. fenestratum has potent antiofidant activity.

The effects of the alcoholic extract of Bacopa monniera (BMA) on morphine-induced pharmacological activities were studied in mice. Oral administration of the extract (40 mg/kg) significantly inhibited morphine-induced analgesic tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, hyperactivity, reverse tolerance, Dopamine receptor supersensitivity and apo-morphine-induced climbing behaviour in mice. The results of this study showed that, alcoholic extract of Bacopa monniera (BMA) exerted inhibitory effect against morphine-induced pharmacological effects, suggesting that the extract could be useful in the treatment of morphine toxicity.

The plant Ichnocarpus frutescens (Linn) R.Br. (Family-Apocynaceae) has been indicated for the treatment of various diseases, one amongst it is cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate experimentally the possible antitumor activity and antioxidant role of Ichnocarpus frutescens in the mice transplanted with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). The chloroform and methanol extract of whole plant of Ichnocarpus frutescens (CEIF and MEIF) were administered intraperitoneally at the dose of 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg, body weight per day for 7 days after 24 h of tumor inoculation in mice. Treatment with CEIF at the dose of 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg remarkably decreased the tumor volume, packed cell volume, viable cell count and increased the nonviable cell count of EAC tumor bearing mice when compared to e effect of MEIF at 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg. Further the EAC mice treated with CEIF and MEIF showed significant decrease in the level of lipid peroxidation and significant increase in the level of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), however the decreasing and increasing capacity of CEIF was less in both doses as compared to MEIF. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the chloroform and methanol extact of Ichnocarpus frutescens exhibit significant antitumor and antioxidant activity in EAC bearing mice.

The ethanolic extract of Bacopa monnieri Linn. aerial parts were studied far its hepatoprotective effect on $CCl_4-induced$ hepatotoxic rats. The extract was found to decrease significantly $CCl_4-induced$ elevation of SGOT, SGPT, ALP, bilirubin and total cholesterol. But, it increased HDL-cholesterol level and liver weight with respect to $CCl_4$ toxic rats. The extract was also found to decrease significantly the $CCl_4-induced$ elevation of lipid peroxidation and increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) and GSH level in the liver of extract treated rats when compared with $CCl_4$ induced rats. Histopatholosical profiles showed that the extract had significant protective effect against $CCl_4-induced$ liver injury, which corroborates the above findings. Hence it may be possible that the mechanism of hepatoprotection of the extract is due to its antioxidant effect.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of green tea extract (CUMS6335) on the release of CA evoked by cholinergic stimulation and direct membrane-depolarization in the perfused model of the adrenal gland isolated from the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), and to establish the mechanism of action. Furthermore, it was also to test whether there is species difference between animals, and between CUMS6335 and EGCG, one of biologically the most powerful catechin compounds found in green tea. CUMS6335 $(100\;{\mu}g/ml)$, when perfused into an adrenal vein for 60 min, time-dependently inhibited the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh (5.32mM), high $K^+$(56 mM), DMPP $(100\;{\mu}M)$, and McN-A-343 $(100\;{\mu}M)$ from the isolated perfused adrenal glands of SHRs. However, CUMS6335 itself did fail to affect basal catecholamine output. Also, in adrenal glands loaded with CUMS6335 $(100\;{\mu}g/ml)$, the CA secretory responses evoked by Bay-K-8644 $(10\;{\mu}M)$ and cyclopiazonic acid $(10\;{\mu}M)$ were also inhibited in a relatively time-dependent fashion. However, in the Presence of EGCG $(8.0\;{\mu}g/ml)$ for 60 min, the CA secretory response evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were not affected except for last period. Collectively, these results indicate that CUMS6335 inhibits the CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as by direct membrane-depolarization from the perfused adrenal gland of the SHR. It seems that this inhibitory effect of CUMS6335 is exerted by blocking both the calcium influx into the rat adrenal medullary chromaffin cells and the uptake of $Ca^{2+}$ into the cytoplasmic calcium store, which are at least partly relevant to the direct interaction with the nicotinic receptor itself. It seems likely that there is much difference in mode of the CA-releasing action between CUMS6335 and EGCG.

Schizandra chinensis fruits (SC) have been used as a traditional Oriental medicine for treatments of many stress-induced diseases. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of SC aqueous extract(SC-Ex) in the inflammatory diseases of intestine using a mouse model of ulcerative colitis. An experimental colitis was induced by daily treatment with 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). SC-Ex was orally administered from day 2 of DSS treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Administration of SC-Ex reduced significantly clinic signs of DSS-induced colitis, including body weight loss, shorten colon length, increased disease activity index, and histological colon injury. Moreover, SC-Ex suppressed significantly not only the activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and chymase, but also the expressions of $TNF-{\acute{a}}$ and COX-2 in DSS-treated colon tissues. Inhibitory effect of SC-Ex was effective at a dose over 20 mg/kg. Our results indicate that SC-Ex may possess therapeutic effect on the development of DSS-induced colitis.

To determine whether the essential oil from Coriandum sativum and its main component, linalool, exhibit antifungal activity, we employed a broth dilution assay and disk diffusion test using common pathogenic Candida and Trichophyton species. Both coriander oil and linalool significantly inhibited growth of the tested fungi, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in the range of $0.03{\sim}2mg/ml$. Furthermore, in a checkerboard titer test, both the oil fraction and linalool exhibited synergism when combined with ketoconazole, with resultant FICIs ranging from 0.06 to 0.53. Notably, hyphal formation in C. albicans cells was obviously inhibited by C. sativum essential oil in this experiment.

Bioactivity guided fractionation of the cultured filtrates of Aspergillus versicolor, which was derived from a marine sponge Petrosia sp., yielded three polyketides: decumbenones A (1),B (2), and versiol (3). These compounds were identified on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic and MS analysis. The absolute configuration was defined by the modified Mosher's method. The isolated compounds were tested for cytotoxicity against a panel of five human solid tumor cell lines and antibacterial activity against twenty clinically isolated methicillin-resistant strains. This is the first report on the isolation of these compounds from a marine source.