@article {199, title = {Secondary Metabolites from Lichen Usnea longissima and its Pharmacological Relevance}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {April 2019}, pages = {103-109}, type = {Review article}, chapter = {103}, abstract = {

The objective of the study was to isolate chemical compounds from lichen Usnea longissima (UL) and to use lichen metabolites as antibiotics, antifungal, anti-HIV, anticancer, antiprotozoan, and antibacterial agents. Preparation of the lichen extracts: Fine powder of UL lichen was extracted using acetone, methanol, and water in a Soxhlet extractor. In a rotary evaporator, the extracts were filtered and then concentrated under reduced pressure. The dry extracts were stored at 18{\textdegree}C until they were used in the tests. The extracts were used for various assays. Sixteen compounds were isolated from lichen UL using various chromatographic techniques, including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, operational data store, and semipreparative high-performance liquid chromatography. By spectroscopic data analyses, their structures were identified as (1) useanol, (2) lecanorin, (3) 3-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-methylbenzoate, (4) lecanorin E, (5) 3{\textquoteright}-methylevernic acid, (6) evernic acid, (7) barbatinic acid, (8) 3,7-dihydroxy-1,9-dimethyldibenzofuran, (9) orcinol, (10) O-methyl orcinol, (11) methyl orsellinate, (12) methyl everninate, (13) 2,5-dimethyl-1,3-benzenediol, (14) 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-3,6-dimethyl benzoic acid, (15) ethyl everninate, and (16) ethyl 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoate. UL lichen is a great source of secondary metabolites, which can be used as antimicrobial, antiproliferative, and anticancer agents. This lichen can be used as a natural antioxidant or antitumor agent in clinical practice; commercially, it can be used as an anticancer drug.

}, keywords = {Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Lichen, Usnea longissima.}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_111_18}, author = {Moumita Dandapat and Santanu Paul} } @article {345, title = {Study of Glucose Uptake Enhancing Potential of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) Leaves Extract on 3T3 L1 Cells Line and Evaluation of its Antioxidant Potential}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {10}, year = {2018}, month = {October 2018}, pages = {347-353}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {347}, abstract = {

Background: The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing at an alarming rate globally. There is a need for suitable natural alternatives for its treatment, as the regular use of drugs causes several secondary health issues. Aim: This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate the phenol and flavonoid content; antioxidant and anti-diabetic activity of fenugreek seeds and leaves in water and ethanolic extracts. Materials and Methods: Dried and powdered seeds and leaves of fenugreek were treated at different time and temperature combinations (100{\textdegree}C for 10 min; 80{\textdegree}C for 30 min; 60{\textdegree}C for 1 h; 37{\textdegree}C for 6 h; 24{\textdegree}C [room temperature] for 24 h; 100{\textdegree}C for 10 min followed by overnight soaking). Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and glucose uptake assays on 3T3-L1 cell lines were performed on the extracts. Results: The results show that fenugreek leaves treated at 100{\textdegree}C for 10 min and overnight soaking yield extracts with the highest concentrations of desired phenols (46.08 {\textpm} 0.15 mg GAE/g sample) and flavonoid content (13.02 {\textpm} 0.44 mg/g sample) and antioxidant activity (DPPH) (45.41 {\textpm} 2.1\%) with enhanced glucose uptake activity in 3T3-L1 cell lines. Conclusion: The phenolic and flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging activity and antidiabetic activity was highest in the water extract of fenugreek leaves treated at 100{\textdegree}C for 10 min and subsequent soaking for 24 h before filtration as compared to the other protocols tested. Furthermore, water extracts showed enhanced activity as compared to the ethanol extracts in case of both seeds and leaves and in all the treatment combinations.

}, keywords = {3T3-L1 cell lines, Antioxidant, Diabetes, Fenugreek, Glucose uptake}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_50_18}, author = {Debarupa Hajra and Santanu Paul} }