Background: Early and close-spaced pregnancies threaten the health and well-being of Pakistani women, including their newborns and families. Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18 revealed that 34% of births occur within a birth interval of fewer than 24 months, and 64% of women have an unmet need for family planning during their first year postpartum period. Interpregnancy interval increases the risk of adverse maternal and child health outcomes, including maternal mortality, neonatal mortality, and undernutrition in children. To reduce the risk of adverse maternal and child health outcomes, the World Health Organization recommends a 24-month interval between birth and the next pregnancy. Methodology: To improve health outcomes, Pathfinder implemented a 4-year-long Naya Qadam (A new step) project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The project aimed to increase access to high-quality postpartum family planning and post-abortion family planning with a focus on young women aged 15-24. The project operated in six districts across Sindh and Punjab. Results: Pathfinder trained 1,890 healthcare providers, of which 1,283 were from the public sector, while 607 service providers were trained from the private sector. A total of 7,300 lady health workers were trained to counsel and refer married women for postpartum and post-abortion family planning services across 1,000 public and private health facilities that Pathfinder upgraded to enable them to provide quality care. During the intervention, 140,550 women received postpartum family planning services, and 51,183 accessed postabortion family services. Conclusion: The project successfully improved health outcomes and established a sustainable model for postpartum family planning and postabortion family planning services. The project contributed to a significant increase in the uptake of postpartum and post-abortion family planning services. The project's success was built on a foundation of partnerships with national and international stakeholders, and its holistic approach to improving family planning service delivery ensured that women across the intervention districts had greater access to high-quality, person-centered family planning services.
Introduction: Pakistan is confronted with the formidable challenge of high population growth, which is compounded by cultural norms that prioritize male offspring, leading to adverse implications for family planning efforts and demographic trends. Despite efforts to promote contraception, including a national family planning program, Pakistan continues to struggle with low and stagnant contraceptive prevalence rates among married women. The influence of gender composition on modern contraceptive uptake remains underexplored, necessitating research to elucidate its impact on reproductive behavior. Materials and methods: This study used the dataset of a facility-based cross-sectional survey conducted in six districts of the Sindh and Punjab provinces in Pakistan. A subset of 495 married women of reproductive age seeking health services from March to June 2019 was used for this study. Logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the association between the gender composition of children and modern contraceptive uptake, adjusting for covariates such as province, the age of the women, and the type of health facility. Results: The analysis revealed a significant association between the gender composition of children and modern contraceptive uptake among married women. As the number of daughters increased without sons, the likelihood of contraceptive uptake remained low (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.04–0.34; p < 0.000), while having at least one son substantially increased the odds of contraceptive use (AOR: 19.91; 95% CI: 8.00–49.50; p < 0.000). Notably, the gender composition of having one daughter with two sons had the highest level of contraceptive uptake, potentially because of family composition preferences. Discussion: The findings highlight the pervasive influence of gender composition on reproductive decision-making in Pakistan, with a clear preference for sons driving modern contraceptive behavior. These results underscore the need for targeted interventions to address gender norms and biases while promoting equitable access to family planning services. Engaging men in family planning initiatives is crucial for challenging traditional gender norms and fostering informed decision-making regarding contraception. Conclusions: Gender preference influences modern contraceptive uptake among women in Pakistan, with the strong preference for sons driving reproductive behavior. Addressing gender norms and biases while promoting informed, self-determined choice is essential for enhancing modern contraceptive uptake and achieving sustainable population growth. Targeted interventions, including male engagement strategies, are needed to challenge societal gender norms and empower individuals to make autonomous decisions regarding family planning.
Medicinal plants have significant contribution in pharmaceutical industries being producers of compounds utilized as precursors for drug development. A plant of Lamiaceae family; Pseudocaryopteris foetida had not been investigated for its biomedical potential. Current research was aimed to investigate phytochemical analysis, cytotoxic potential and antioxidant activity of crude methanolic extract and fractions of Pseudocaryopteris foetida (leaves). The preliminary phytochemical analysis of crude methanolic extracts and fractions of Pseudocaryopteris foetida revealed that plant is rich in phenolic and flavonoid classes of secondary metabolites while presence of tannin was observed only in crude methanolic extract. The cytotoxicity was determined using brine shrimp lethality test. Different concentrations (25, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 µg/mL) of crude methanolic extract and fractions exhibited dose dependent cytotoxicity. However, The LD50 for all the extracts was more than 200 µg/mL indicating weak cytotoxic potential of Pseudocaryopteris foetida. The antioxidant capabilities of crude methanolic extract and fraction of Pseudocaryopteris foetida were analyzed by in vitro bio assays including DPPH, ABTS, Reducing power and phosphomolybdate antioxidant assays using ascorbic acid as standard. The crude methanolic extract showed IC50 (256.38 ± 0.6 and 314.95 ± 1.1 µg/mL) for DPPH and ABTS respectively, while total antioxidant capacity was calculated as 55.79 ± 0.5 µg/mL for crude methanolic extract of Pseudocaryopteris foetida while ascorbic acid indicated total antioxidant capacity of 71.89 ± 2.3 µg/mL. Study concluded that leaves of Pseudocaryopteris foetida were the rich source of antioxidant phytochemicals. Based on preliminary investigations further research should be focused to isolate bioactive phytochemicals as leading source of clinical medicines in future.
At the request of Dr. Markus Bacher, Dr. Johann Schinnerl, and Dr. Karin Valant-Vetschera, they have been removed as authors of the paper [...]
Traditional uses of plants are one of the important starting points in search of newer and more effective bioactive drug. Rosa brunonii (plant’s family; Rosaceae) is an ethnomedicinal shrub found in lesser Himalaya region. In traditional medicines, it is used as “blood purifier, to stimulate wound healing, to treat infectious diseases”. So, by considering the medicinal potential of Rosa brunonii, the methanolic fruit’s extract was tested against two gram positive and three gram negative bacteria by agar well diffusion method. The maximum antibacterial potential was noticed against Klebsiella pneumoniae (94 ± 0.3 mm inhibition zone, MIC = 62.5 ± 1.1 µg/mL), while minimum antibacterial activity was shown by the plant extract against Bacillus subtilis (MIC = 250 ± 7.2 µg/mL). The cytotoxic properties of crude methanolic extract were determined by brine shrimp lethality test. A dose-dependent cytotoxic effect was observed for the plant extract at p < 0.05, F (3,8) = 1.58 with LD50 220.95 ± 1.03 µg/mL. Antitumor potential was evaluated by potato disk antitumor bioassay. Fruit’s extract of R. brunonii showed maximum tumor inhibition at 1000 µg/mL by 72.73% with IC50 = 655.65 ± 0.03 µg/mL. Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed that extract is devoid of alkaloid but rich in phenolics. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined as 66.73 ± 3.89 µg/mg GAE and 46.51 ± 0.96 µg/mg QE, respectively, in R. brunonii. The present study underlined the ethnomedicinal importance of R. brunonii and promised useful candidate for the search of newer and effective bioactive constituents.
Gui Zhen Cao is an herbal formulation that has been documented in Chinese traditional medicine as a remedy for diarrhea, dysentery, inflammation, and toxicity. The sources of this formulation (Bidens pilosa L., Bidens biternata (Lour.) Merr. & Sherff, Bidens bipinnata L.) are also listed in ethnomedicinal reports all over the world. In this study, all these plants are tested for in vitro anticandida activity. A quantitative evaluation of the phytochemicals in all these plants indicated that their vegetative parts are rich in tannins, saponins, oxalates, cyanogenic glycoside and lipids; moreover, the roots have high percentages of alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenols. The results indicated significant anticandida activity, especially for the hexane extract of B. bipinnata leaves which inhibited C. albicans (42.54%), C. glabrata (46.98%), C. tropicalis (50.89%), C. krusei (40.56%), and C. orthopsilosis (50.24%). The extract was subjected to silica gel chromatography and 220 fractions were obtained. Purification by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode-Array Detection (HPLC–DAD) and Gas Chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) analysis led to the identification of two anticandida compounds: dehydroabietic and linoleic acid having an inhibition of 85 and 92%, respectively.
Ethnopharmacological approaches provide clues for the search of bioactive compounds. Dryopteris ramosa (Hope) C. Chr. (plant family: Dryopteridaceae) is an ethnomedicinal plant of the Galliyat region of Pakistan. The aqueous fraction (AqF) of D. ramosa is being used by inhabitants of the Galliyat region of Pakistan to treat their gastrointestinal tract ailments, especially those caused by bacteria. The aims of the present study were as follows: (i) to justify the ethnomedicinal uses of the AqF of D. ramosa; (ii) to isolate a bioactive compound from the AqF of D. ramosa; and (iii) to evaluate the antibacterial and cytotoxic potential of the isolated compound. Column chromatography (CC) techniques were used for the isolation studies. Spectroscopic techniques (UV–Vis, MS, 1&2D NMR) were used for structural elucidation. The agar-well diffusion method was used to evaluate the antibacterial potential of “i3CβDGP” against five bacterial strains, and compare it with the known antibiotic “Cefixime”. The brine shrimp lethality test (BSLT) was used for cytotoxic studies. The AqF of D. ramosa afforded “iriflophenone-3-C-β-D glucopyranoside (i3CβDGP)” when subjected to LH20 Sephadex, followed by MPLC silica gel60, and purified by preparative TLC. The “i3CβDGP” showed a strong potential (MIC = 31.1 ± 7.2, 62.5 ± 7.2, and 62.5 ± 7.2 µg/mL) against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, respectively. On the other hand, the least antibacterial potential was shown by “i3CβDGP” (MIC = 125 ± 7.2 µg/mL), against Bacillus subtilis, in comparison to Cefixime (MIC = 62.5 ± 7.2 µg/mL). The cytotoxicity of “i3CβDGP” was significantly low (LD50 = 10.037 ± 2.8 µg/mL) against Artemia salina nauplii. This study not only justified the ethnomedicinal use of D. ramosa, but also highlighted the importance of ethnomedicinal knowledge. Further studies on AqF and other fractions of D. ramosa are in progress.
Wide spectrum medicinal significance augments plant utilization as the primary source of significant pharmaceutical agents. In vitro investigation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity highlights the therapeutic potential of Otostegia limbata. Methanol extract of the plant (MEP) shows considerable dose dependent antioxidant ability at six concentrations (7.81 µg/mL to 250 µg/mL) in 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, phosphomolybdate assay (PMA) and reducing power assay (RPA). The plant capability to scavenge free radicals in the mixture ranged from 37.89% to 63.50% in a concentration-dependent manner. MEP was active against five tested bacterial strains in the agar-well diffusion method. Staphylococcus aureus, gram-positive bacteria was found to be most susceptible followed by S. epidermidis with 18.80 mm and 17.47 mm mean zone of inhibition. The mean inhibition zone against gram-negative strains Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas spp. and Escherichia coli were 15.07 mm, 14.73 mm, and 12.17 mm. MEP revealed potential against Alternaria spp. and Aspergillus terreus fungal strains evaluated through agar-tube dilution assay. Aspergillus terreus was more sensitive than Alternaria spp. with an average 78.45% and 68.0% inhibition. These findings can serve as a benchmark for forthcoming scrutiny such as bioactive components discovery and drug development.
Xanthones C-glycosides are plants secondary metabolites with diverse biological activities. Among the C-glycoside xanthones, the mangiferin (MF) is of widespread occurrence in plants while isomangiferin (IsoMF) is not very common. For the present study mangiferin (MF) and isomangiferin (IsoMF) were isolated from Dryopteris ramosa. The antibacterial potential of MF and IsoMF was evaluated by using agar well diffusion method while cytotoxic properties of MF and IsoMF were assessed by brine shrimp lethality test (BSLT). The antibacterial potential of MF and IsoMF increases in dose dependent manner. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) indicated strong antibacterial potential of MF against Salmonella setubal (125 µg/mL) and Bacillus subtilis (125 µg/mL) while MF showed weak antibacterial potential against Escherichia coli (500 µg/mL). On the other hand the IsoMF showed better antibacterial potential against all the tested strain including Escherichia coli (MIC = 250 µg/mL). The MF and IsoMF showed poor cytotoxicity towards Brine shrimp nauplii as indicated by their LD50 (969.77 ± 0.67 and 768.92 ± 0.81 µg/mL respectively). The present study has highlighted the antibacterial potential of MF and IsoMF. Further evaluation of these two isomeric compounds may prove to be the future remedies for various bacterial infections and other human ailments.
OBJECTIVE The study aimed to document the impact of interpersonal communication (IPC) activities on increasing volume of family planning clients, new users, long term contraceptive uptake, post-partum, and post abortion family planning uptake at the associated health facilities of the Sabz Sitara Network. Methodology A comparative secondary analysis of retrospective programme service delivery data from two groups of providers was performed. The exposure variable is defined as receipt of IPC. The six outcome variables are volume of: family planning (FP) clients, FP clients less < 25 years, intra-uterine device (IUD) insertions, post-partum FP clients (PPFP), users, and post-abortion FP (PAFP) clients. RESULTS The increase in client volume in IPC supported providers is significant for all the FP outcomes when adjusted for provider qualification and location. The adjusted model shows a significant increase of 10 more FP clients, 2 more youth clients and IUD insertions each, 3 more new users, and 1 more client for post abortion services. CONCLUSIONS The IPC intervention has a positive and significant impact on increasing client volume for all related FP outcomes at the associated provider facilities. Location and qualification of providers seem to moderate the impact. Considering qualification, and geo-social demographics of the area to tweak intervention intensity and design will help amplify the associated beneficial outcomes and minimize underperformance. To maximize return on investment, subsequent evaluations should help determine the ideal time frame required to achieve and sustain the positive results.
OBJECTIVE Combination of beneficiary and supply side factors for determining what influences Postpartum family planning use in Sindh and Punjab provinces of Pakistan. METHODS A facility-based survey was conducted among 1690 married women of reproductive age (MWRA - i.e. married women between the ages of 15 and 49 years) visiting public facilities in six districts across Sindh and Punjab provinces of Pakistan. RESULTS Half (53%) of the interviewed women used postpartum contraceptives. Participants who used PPFP were: 55% more likely to be from Punjab than Sindh, 39% more likely to be between 25 to 34 year of age than under 25 years. After adjusting for all variables in the model, women who delivered in the private sector remained to have lower odds of PPFP use compared to those who delivered in public facilities. Women who had four or more sons were nearly 20 time more likely to use PPFP compared to women with no sons, and the PPFP use increases with the number of sons. On the contrary, women who had four or more daughters were 16 times less likely to use PPFP compared with women with no daughters. CONCLUSIONS Postpartum women are among those with the greatest unmet need as a result of a combination of beneficiary and supplier side factors. The health system's response to meet the contraceptive needs of postpartum women should work along the continuum of care from pregnancy to postpartum, with expanded method choice and alternative service delivery outlets.
Despite severe health and economic consequences that women face because of the negative attitude of healthcare providers towards safe abortion and post-abortion care (SA/PAC), no psychometric tool has yet been validated for assessing the attitude towards SA/PAC. Only a handful of studies have attempted to assess healthcare providers' attitude towards safe abortions in Pakistan. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and validate a psychometric scale to assess attitude towards safe abortions in Pakistan. The study collected data from 106 workers of an NGO that provides SA/PAC through an online and anonymous survey using the organisation's network. The study used factor analytic techniques and structural equation modelling to validate the factor structure and a final hierarchical model. A final scale of seven items relating to attitude towards elective abortions and moral attitude towards safe abortions was validated. The scales were highly reliable with both factors having reliability indicators greater than 0.7. The scale can be easily implemented to assess providers' attitude towards safe abortions. This will allow programmers to screen healthcare providers with a negative attitude, and evaluate the efficacy of their Value Clarification and Attitude Transformation (VCAT) programmes that are aimed at transforming providers' attitude towards safe abortions.
The long history of using plant species as medicines worldwide provides clues for the search for bioactive phytochemicals. One of the important traditional medicinal plant species of Pakistan is Dryopteris ramosa (Dryopteridaceae). The fronds of Dryopteris ramosa are traditionally used for the treatment of gastric ulcer and constipation. The crude methanol extract and aqueous fraction of Dryopteris ramosa exhibited strong free radical scavenging potential. Two xanthonoid compounds, mangiferin and isomangiferin, were isolated from the aqueous fraction of Dryopteris ramosa by chromatographic techniques (CC Sephadex LH20, followed by MPLC and purified by preparative TLC). Their structures were confirmed by spectroscopic analysis MS, NMR (1H, 13C, HSQC and HMBC). This is the first report on isolation of mangiferin and isomangiferin from Dryopteris genus though previously reported in other fern genera, e.g., Cystopteris, Acystopteris, Gymnocarpium and Asplenium. The antioxidant potential of mangiferin (60.34 ± 0.14 μg/mL) and isomangiferin (55.98 ± 0.39 μg/mL) was comparable to ascorbic acid (57.97 ± 0.93 μg/mL), thus representing promising antioxidant agents against oxidative stress. The investigation of the mechanism of free radical scavenging by mangiferin and isomangiferin showed that the catechol moiety was involved in quenching of free radicals. This study justified the traditional use of Dryopteris ramosa confirming the pharmacological properties of isolated compounds. Further phytochemical studies on Dryopteris ramosa are needed for identification of new bioactive phytochemicals in this plant of ethnobotanical relevance.
Background: Pakistan has a low modern contraceptive prevalence rate, 26%, leading family planning (FP) programmes to explore partnerships with local private providers to improve access to quality FP services. This study aims to understand the socio-cultural and organizational factors that influence delivery of quality family planning services. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted with private service providers and community health workers (CHW) in Marie Stopes Society's (MSS) social franchise network. A total of 31 providers and 28 CHWs from Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces of Pakistan were purposively selected for in-depth interviews. The study used thematic content analysis to understand providers' and health workers' perspectives of family planning service provision. Results: This study found that normative environment, propagation of myths and misconceptions, and health concerns remain major barriers to service provision in rural communities. Findings showed that CHWs were instrumental in increasing awareness and positive attitudes towards family planning in the catchment areas. Moreover, social franchising was effective in increasing access to high-quality, subsidised family planning services amongst economically marginalised and low-awareness communities. Providers and health workers expressed satisfaction with the franchising approach, and revealed that being part of this network substantially increased their client volume and ability to serve poorer segments of the population. Conclusion: The study found that franchising private service providers in rural areas enhances their ability to serve clients, and when coupled with demand-generation elements, such as vouchers and community health workers, it substantially increases their client volume. Albeit effective, the franchising approach currently lacks the element of long-term service provision at the current scale, and may require further strategizing by the franchisor. Moreover, alternate strategies should be explored to ensure continued provision of FP services without vouchers and CHWs.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the single leading cause of death among American women, as it is among American men, even though CHD is less common and occurs later in life in women than men. In 2002, the prevalence of myocardial infarction (MI) in women was 3 million, and 3.3 million women had a history of angina pectoris; overall prevalence of CHD was 5.9 million. Every year, 345,000 women suffer a new or recurrent MI, and 241,600 women die of an MI. From 1970 to 2001, hospital discharges related to CHD for women increased 47%. Clearly, women, and particularly postmenopausal women, remain at high risk for coronary events—at least in part because women have been under-represented in clinical outcomes trials, tend to be undertreated in the clinical setting, and might be misdiagnosed when their presenting symptoms differ from those of men. This research work was single blind placebocontrolled, conducted at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore It was conducted from January 2017 to June 2017. Seventy five already diagnosed primary and secondary hyperlipidemic patients were selected with age range from 17 to 65 years. Diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking/alcohol addictive patients, peptic ulcer disease, hypothyroidism, kidney dysfunction, any heart disease and liver disease. All patients were divided in three groups (group-I, group-II, group-III), 25 in each group. All participant’s baseline lipid profile data were taken and filed in specifically designed Performa, at start of taking medicine. Twenty five patients of group-I were advised to take 10 grams of Flaxseeds in three divided doses after meal. Twenty five patients of group-II were advised to take Ajwain seeds 10 grams in three divided doses after each meal for two months. Twenty five patients of group-III were provided placebo capsules, (containing grinded rice), taking one capsule after each meal. All participants were advised to take these medicines for eight weeks. Followup period: All participants were called fortnightly for their query and follow up. Their LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol was determined at the hospital laboratory. In two months therapy by Flaxseeds decreased LDL-cholesterol from 195.11±2.11 mg/dl to 190.22±3.11 mg/dl, which is significant statistically. HDL was increased from 34.53±1.65 mg/dl to 38.97±2.29 mg/d, which is also significant change. In two months therapy by AJWAIN, LDL-c reduced from 201.51±2.62 mg/dl to 197.11±2.66 mg/dl, which is significant statistically. HDL-cholesterol increased by Ajwain from 36.97±3.32 mg/dl to 37.45±1.87 mg/dl, which is insignificant statistically. It was concluded from this study that Flaxseeds have more effect on HDL-c but Ajwain has lowest effect on this parameter.
PURPOSE:Despite a general understanding that exit interviews being conducted at service providers' facilities may influence clients' responses favorably to health professionals, there is very little evidence available that demonstrates the extent to which this problem exists. This study aimed at assessing and comparing clients' perceptions of the quality of family planning services and their satisfaction levels between facility- and home-based interviews.METHODS:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among clients receiving family planning services across three service delivery channels - nongovernmental organization (NGO) clinics, social franchise (SF) centers, and outreach camps. The survey took place from December 2015 to January 2016 in 70 districts across all four provinces of Pakistan. A total of 2,807 clients were interviewed, of whom 1,404 clients were interviewed at health facilities after receiving services and 1,403 were interviewed at their homes within 3 days of method uptake.RESULTS:Overall, we found no significant differences between the characteristics of study participants interviewed at health facilities or at home. The findings suggested that experiences reported in exit surveys at facilities were strongly biased positively. This was true for both experiential (service quality) and perception-based (satisfaction) questions in the context of SF centers, while at NGO clinics the interview location only affected clients' responses regarding service quality. However, in outreach settings, clients are more likely to share bad experiences in exit interviews than in home-based interviews on objectively asked questions (service quality).CONCLUSION:Our study indicates signs of courtesy bias and possibly the Hawthorne effect in exit interviews. Program implementers could opt for home-based interviews for women receiving services at NGO clinics or SF center, whereas exit interviews could be used in outreach settings.
This study was conducted in 2014 at the department of botany and the nutritional laboratory of Faisalabad University of Agriculture, in order to assess the chem- ical composition of Acacia jacquemontii Benth. and its ethnobotanical uses in local communities of the Thal desert in Pakistan. To determine its chemical com- position, mature leaves and pods of the species were collected in the field and composite samples were prepared. Their chemical composition was then deter- mined for crude protein, fat, fibre, ash, micro and macro-elements, total pheno- lics, flavonoids, total tannins, alkaloids and saponin. An interview schedule was developed to assess ethnobotanical uses of A. jacquemontii by local communities for food, shelter and medicine. Thirteen local people and thirteen Hakims involved in traditional uses were interviewed. Our results showed that the leaves and seeds of the species contained respectively 22% and 33% of crude proteins and 49% and 15% of crude fibre. Fats in the leaves and seeds amounted to 17% and 28%. The leaves contained 0.1% phosphorus, 0.6% potassium, 1.2% calcium, 0.1% sodium and 0.6% magnesium and micro-el- ements: iron (246 ppm), manganese (29.2 ppm), zinc (27.9 ppm) and copper (14.4 ppm). The amounts of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and total phenolics found in the leaves were 5.8, 168, 196, 124 and 137 respectively. Our results for ethnobotanical uses showed that besides using this shrub for shelter- belts, firewood, fodder and medicines, local people have strong religious beliefs, calling A. jacquemontii the ‘shrub of the ghosts’ and believing in its “magic” pow- ers in the practice of necromancy. It was used in the past by Greek practitioners in this area to treat common ailments.
Phytochemical examination of matured fruits of Rosa brunonii collected in Northern Pakistan led to the isolation of three flavonol glycosides quercetin-3- O-rhamnoside (1), and the kaempferol glycosides astragalin (2) and tiliroside (3). Their structures were elucidated by 1D– and 2D–NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Radical scavenging activities of the crude extract and isolated compounds were assessed by a DPPH assay. The results show strong antioxidative activities of tiliroside (3) and lower activities of astragalin (2) and quercetin-3- O-rhamnoside (1). These data confirm previous reports and underline the biological activities of flavonol glycosides.