Tillandsia usneoides L. (Bromeliaceae), an epiphyte commonly referred to as Spanish moss, grows in abundance on the southeastern Coastal Plain (Garth, 1964). Chemically, the plant has been found to contain iour cyclopropane-containing triterpenes (McCrindle and Djerassi, 1961; Djerassi and McCrindle, 1962) as well as at least one flavone glycoside (Webber, Lauter, and Foote, 1952: Lewis and Mabry, 1977). Pharmacologic investigations have revealed the plant to possess a weak antibacterial effect (Webber et al., 1952) Ind estrogenic activity (Feurt and Fox, 1952). The flavone glycoside(s) appear to be responsible for these actions (Webber et a]., 1952; Lewis and Mabry, 1977). Spanish moss tea has long been used in south Louisiana in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (Mallet, 1975). The present paper describes a preliminary study of an aqueous extract of T. usneoides for hypoglycemic activity.
In Nigeria soft soaps are prepared by the saponification of locally available vegetable oils with lyes obtained by leaching the ashes obtained by burning various woods and/or husks of cocoa pods. The oils which are most commonly used in the preparation of these soaps are palm oil and palm kernel oil both of which are obtained from the fruits and seeds of the palm tree (Elaeis guineensis). Palm oil is obtained from the pulp of the fruit whilst palm kernel oil is expressed from the seed. Apart from their use as cleansing agents, the soaps are prominently used in traditional medical practice. They are generally used as vehicles for some drugs which are designed for topical administration and also as drugs in their own right especially in the treatment of skin diseases in which case they are used as antimicrobial agents. The report by Malcolm and Sofowora (1969) suggests that these soft soaps have some activity against Staphylococcus, aureus, a microorga- nism which has been implicated in many cases of skin infection. The concentration of soaps used by these workers was, however, very high and unlikely to be present on the skin under normal conditions of use. The activity of antibacterial substances depends very much on their concentration and this is why it was thought expedient to investigate the antibacterial activity ofNigeriansoft soaps at concentrationsclose to what can be obtained on the skin during normal use.
(1981). Extracts from Momordica charantia L. Quarterly Journal of Crude Drug Research: Vol. 19, No. 2-3, pp. 75-80.
(1981). Seasonal Variations in Components of Dried Gentiana lutea Roots from the Western Alpine Region. Quarterly Journal of Crude Drug Research: Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 37-46.
(1981). Leaf Anatomy in Relation to Taxonomy in Species of Allium found in Turkey. Quarterly Journal of Crude Drug Research: Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 173-179.
Isolation and characterization of active principles from plant materials has been a challenge for many years1-6. Indigenous system of medicine and investigation of plants used in folk medicine have been of great value and in recent years the phytochemical investigation of such plants have revealed new sources of natural product7-15.
(1981). Pharmacognostic Study of Costus speciosus. Quarterly Journal of Crude Drug Research: Vol. 19, No. 2-3, pp. 103-111.
(1981). Pharmacognosy of Excoecaria agallocha L. Bark (Euphorbiaceae) Quarterly Journal of Crude Drug Research: Vol. 19, No. 2-3, pp. 131-139.
(1981). Pharmacognosy of Aphanamixis polystachya stem bark. Quarterly Journal of Crude Drug Research: Vol. 19, No. 2-3, pp. 113-126.
The genus Saraca (family Leguminosae, subfamily Papilionaceae) includes four Indian species (Baker, 1879). Among these species, Saraca indica L., is medicinally important. The bark is used widely in Hindu medicines and is named Ashoka or Kankeli in Sanskrit.
SummaryFrom the leaves of Rubus ulmifolius Schott, quercetin, kaempferol, trifolin (kaempferol-3-0-galactoside), hyperin (quercetin-3-0-galactoside), chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, a kaempferol-3-0-caffeoyl-ester, and a glucose-caffeoyl ester were isolated and identified. Free fatty acids were characterised by gas chromatography of their methyl esters.
Cassia spp. (Caesalpiniaceae) have been extensively studied for their anthracene derivatives. The leaves of Cassiaalata L. are used in the treatment of skin infections in many parts of Nigeria, the juice expressed from the young leaves being applied topically to the affected parts. Previous workers have suggested that the anthranols (and anthrones) present in Cassia spp. could be the active constituents involved in their use as antiseptics in certain skin diseases (Ramstad, 1959). We report our findings on the volatile constituents of Cassia alata.
Microscopical studies on Thlapsi bursa-pastoris Moench (Cruciferae) have been done for its identification including the drug in powdered form. Diagnostic features include anisocytic stomata on both abaxial and adaxial epidermis; stomatal index 16.66 to 25.00; palisade ratio 1 to 1.5; stellate serrately thick-walled trichomes on leaves, each with a wide central circular-pore; sclerenchyma caps above and below vascular bundles in leaves; vessels with bordered pits and spiral thickenings; bast and wood fibres in xylem in roots; pericyclic sclerenchyma localised above primary vascular bundles in stem.
