ascorbic-acid and n-hexane

Background Commelina benghalensis Linn. (Family: Commelinaceae) is a common weed available in Bangladesh with several uses in traditional medicine. However, the chemical profile of this medicinal plant is scarce in relation to its medicinal uses. The aerial parts of this plant have been investigated for the isolation of secondary metabolites and evaluation of the biological activities. Methods Major phytochemical groups were analyzed using chromogenic reagents, whereas n-hexane soluble fractionates of the methanol extract were subjected to 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analysis. The antioxidant property of the obtained compounds was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH). Results Dammara-12-en-3-one (CB-1), stigmasterol (CB-2) and 3 (2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxy)-cinnamoyl dammara-12-ene (CB-3) were isolated from the n-hexane fractionate of methanol extract of C. benghalensis. In the study of DPPH radical scavenging activity, IC50 values were predicted to be 790.18, 4186.94 and 2001.16 μg/mL for CB-1, CB-2 and CB-3, respectively, whereas standard ascorbic acid showed IC50 at 1.26 μg/mL. Conclusions Two new dammarane-type triterpene (CB-1 and CB-3) and one phytosterol (CB-2) were identified in C. benghalensis with mild antioxidant property.

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Biphenyl Compounds; Commelina; Dammaranes; Hexanes; Phytochemicals; Phytosterols; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Terpenes; Triterpenes

Using a portable gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pollution in each unit of the wastewater treatment system for vitamin C production was studied, and the species characteristics of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analyzed and summarized. The results showed that 32 kinds of volatile organic compounds were identified, and the total mass concentration range of volatilizing VOCs was 0.9629-32.0970 mg x m(-3). The most species and the largest concentration (25 and 32.0970 mg x m(-3)) of volatilizing VOCs were found in grit chamber, which was located in the most front-end of the wastewater treatment system and was in semi-closed state. The proportion of molecular sulfide in the grit chamber was as high as 30.02%; Higher proportions of aromatic hydrocarbons were monitored in the subsequent processing units, with percentages of 21.06%-31.48%. The main types of VOCs monitored were chlorinated hydrocarbons and ketones, accounting for 6.39%-55.80% and 10.40%-58.08% of the total amount, respectively; 14 kinds of VOCs were detected in every unit of the wastewater treatment system: acetone, 2-butanone, n-hexane, chloroform, chlorobenzene etc, among which, vinyl chloride, styrene and 1,3-butadiene belong to the highly toxic substances. The vinyl chloride concentration exceeded the standard of "atmospheric pollutants emission standards" (GB 16297-1996), while 1,3-butadiene and other pollutants have no national standard limits. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the revision of China's pharmaceutical wastewater VOCs emission standards.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Ascorbic Acid; Butadienes; Butanones; China; Drug Industry; Environmental Monitoring; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Hexanes; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; Volatile Organic Compounds; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Wastewater

The central cholinergic pathways play a prominent role in the learning and memory processes. Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme that inactivates acetylcholine. The present study was undertaken to estimate the acetylcholinesterase- inhibiting activity of extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Myristica fragrans seeds, and ascorbic acid and compare these values with a standard acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting drug, metrifonate. Aqueous extract of G. glabra (150 mg/kg p.o. for 7 successive days), n-hexane extract of M. fragrans seeds (5 mg/kg p.o. for 3 successive days), ascorbic acid (60 mg/kg i.p. for 3 successive days), and metrifonate (50 mg/kg i.p.) were administered to young male Swiss albino mice. Acetylcholinesterase enzyme was estimated in brains of mice. G. glabra, M. fragrans, ascorbic acid, and metrifonate significantly decreased acetylcholinesterase activity as compared with their respective vehicle-treated control groups.

Topics: Acetylcholinesterase; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Brain; Cholinesterase Inhibitors; Glycyrrhiza; Hexanes; Male; Memory; Mice; Myristica; Plant Extracts; Seeds; Trichlorfon; Water