Two new esters of dammarane triterpenoids ixorene isovalerate (1), ixorene 3',8'-dimethyloctanoate (2) and a new ursane-type triterpenoids Ixoroid acid (3) were isolated from the methanolic extract of flowers of Ixora coccinea Linn., along with the three known constituents. The structures of compounds 1 and 3 were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D,2D NMR studies and mass spectrometry as 17β-dammara-12,20-diene-3β-isovelarate and 3β-hydroxy-18β-urs-12ene-29β-oic acid, respectively, whereas 2 was identified as 17β-dammara-12,20-diene-3β-3',8'-dimethyloctanoate through (1)H NMR and mass spectral data. Compounds 1, 2, 4 and 5 were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity, which exhibited weak activity against the 3T3, PC3 and HeLa cell lines with the IC50 value >30 μM. Antioxidant results of 1 - 5 revealed that only compound 5 showed antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging inhibition with the IC50 1.31 × 10(- 6) ± 0.005 μm mL(- 1). Both activities are the first records of these isolated compounds from the flowers of Ixora coccinea Linn.

Objective: To investigate and determine the antidiarrhoeal and spasmolytic potential of fruit of Aegle marmelos is due to CCBs compounds and not tannic acid. Materials and methods: The extract of ripe and dry fruit of A. marmelos (Am.Cr) was prepared in methanol: water (70:30). The antidiarrhoeal activities of the extract, loperamide and tannic acid were studied in vivo; in castor oil induced diarrhoeal model in mice whereas spasmolytic effect was studied in vitro; in isolated mice ileum. Calcium channel blocking (CCB) activity was investigated after preincubation of mice ileum by Am. Cr or loperamide and subsequent adding of K + 80 mM. Results: Am. Cr inhibited castor oil-induced diarrhoea: onset of diarrhoea, total no. of faeces, and total no. of wet faeces dose-dependently, the dose of 800 mg/mL was found statistically significant, total weight of feces and total weight of wet faeces were also inhibited. Concentration-dependent inhibition of spontaneous contraction and contractile effect of K + 80 mM after pre-incubation by Am. Cr were confirmed in isolated mice ileum. The results of Am. Cr are comparable with Loperamide. Tannic acid produced neither antidiarrhoeal effect nor exhibited CCB activity, however relaxant effect was observed in isolated mice ileum. Conclusion: The antidiarrhoeal and spasmolytic effects of Am.Cr may be mediated through compounds which posses CCB effect. Tannic acid exhibited relaxant effect only which is not sufficient evidence scientifically to classify as antidiarrhoeal.

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