Vitexin (8--D-glucopyranosyl-apigenm) (VT), isolated from the flowers of Ochrocarpus longifolius L. and Arnebia hispidissima Dc., exhibited potent hypotensive, anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic (nonspecific) properties. Hypotensive effect of VT was attributed to its ganglion-blocking properties and antiinflammatory effects to its anti-histaminic, anti-bradykinin and anti-serotonin properties.

Preliminary phytochemical, pharmacological, antibacterial and antiovulatory studies were conducted on the seeds of Annona squamosa, Linn. Qualitative analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, reducing sugars, glycosides and steroids and the absence o f saponins, resins, tannins and volatile oils. Ethanofic extract exhibited no pharmacological, anti-bacterial or antiovtrlatory activities o f therapeutic significance.Annona squamosa Linn. (SHARIFA) is reputed to possess varied medicinal properties (KHAN, 1911;KIRTIKAR and BASU, 1935, CHOPRA et al., 1958). Though the claims of its use as an insecticidal agent have been investigated by many workers, (CHEEMA et al., 1958; MUKERJEE and RAMGOVIND, 1958;VISWESWARIAH et al., 1971), work with respect to its other alleged pharmacological properties is lacking. This communication embodies a preliminary report on phytochemical, pharmacological, antibacterial and antiovulatory studies carried out with the total extract of seeds. Material and MethodsAuthenticated samples of the dried seeds were obtained from Hamdard (waqf) Laboratories, Delhi. These were successively extracted with petroleum ether, 90% ethanol and distilled water and percentage extractibilities determined. Qualitative analysis was done for the presence of alkaloids, reducing sugars, glycosides, tannins, resins, saponins, volatile oils and steroids.Pharmacological and antibacterial studies were carried out with the ethanolic extrtct. The parameters used for pharmacological investigations were blood pressure, respiration, ECG (Lead 11) and heart in situ of anaesthetised cats, isolated tissue preparations e. g. perfused frog heart, rabbit jejunum, rat uterus and frog rectus abdominis muscle. For antibacterial studies, in vitro filter paper disc method (CRUICKSHANK, 1965) was employed against five gram positive (Staphylococcus atrreus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus uiridans, Diplococcus pneumoniae and Corynebacterium diphtheriae) and five gram negative (Eschrichia coli. Salmonella typhi, Salmonella pnratyphi-A, Salmonella, partyphi-B, and Shigella flexneri) organisms.

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V o h o r a and I s h w a r K u m a rTaxtrs baccata, L i n n . (Taxaceae), is reputed to possess varied medicinal properties eg. carminative, cardiotonic, expectorant, anti-spasnlodic, diuretic, antiseptic, emmenagogue etc. ( K i r t i k a r and B a s u , 1933; N a d a k a r n i , 1954; C h o p r a et al., 1958). Aqueous extract of the leaves has been reported to elicit encouraging (55%) anti-implantation activity in albino rats (K h a n n a et al., 1969). Af a q (1970) made botanical identity of this pla~lt and stated that the crude drug ,ZARNABC, which is in use at Delhi, is Taxus baccata and not Flacotlrtia cataphracta, under which name it is erraneously mentioned in literature. ,ZAR-NAB', is also listed in Avicennas tract on cardiac drugs (S id d i q LI i and A z i z , 1963) and has been extensively mentioned in Unani books (M a k h z a n u 1 a d v i a , 1776; M u h e e t -e -A z a m 1894) for its medicinal value. A survey of literature showed that so far no systematic work has been carried out on this potentially useful plant. This communication is first of the series of studies conducted on this plant and it presents a preliminary report on its phytochemical properties and behavioral effects. ExperimentalAuthenticated samples of the leaves of Taxus bnccatn were obtained. These were air dried and pulverized. Total ash, water soluble ash, acid soluble ash and percentage extractibilities with petroleum ether (b. p. 60-80°C), 90% ethanol and hot distilled water were determined (B. P., 1958). Qualitative analysis was done for the presence of alkaloids, reducing sugars, glycosides, tannins, resins, saponins, volatile oils and steroids by the usual methods. (Table 2).Behavioral investigations were carried out with the hot aqueous extract of the leaves. General observations for the behavioral changes in mice were made while approsi~nating the LD 50. Effects on the spontaneous motor activity were studied in albino rats (120-150 g) using a n improvised Jingle Cage. The animals were placed in a freely suspended cylindrical cage (length: 13 cm, diameter: 7 cm) connected through a system of pulleys to a writing Iever. This enabled almost all the movements of the rat to be recorded on the kymograph. A 15-20 minute normal motility pattern of each animal was obtained. T h e test drug was then injected (100 mglkg I. P.) and after one minute the pattern of motility was again recorded. The effects on the spontaneous motor activity were quantitatively assessed in mice by the Traction Test. ( T u r n e r , 1965).Potentiation of Pentobarbitone sleeping time was studied in rats (90-120g). Sleep was induced by 40 mg/kg of en to barb it one sodium administered intraperitoneally. The effect was studied by pretreating the animals with different doses (10, 30, 100, and 300 mglkg I. P. one hour before the administration of pentobarbitone) of the test drug. The onset and the duration of loss of righting reflex (sleeping time) were recorded.

Crude extracts of the seeds of Sisymbrium irio L., were tested for antipyretic, analgesic and antimicrobial effects. The ethanolic extract exhibited significant antipyretic (Onset: < 1 hour, peak: 3 hours, duration: > 5 hours; p < 0.05) and analgesic (p < 0.001) effects. It also exhibited marked antibacterial action against both gram posi-tic and analgesic studies carried out with the crude extracts of seeds of the plant. Material and Methods Extracts: Authenticated samplcs of dried sccds werc obtained from Hamdard (Wakf) Laboratories, Delhi. These werc subjcctcd to exhaustive succcssive extraction with petroleum cthcr (b.p. 60-80°), ethanol (95OIo) and distilled water to yield 20.9,lO.O and 3.4OIo extracts rcspcctively. The petroleum ether and etlianolic extive and gram negative organisms and tracts wcre emulsificd with 0.5°/o Tween-80 was found to be nontoxic in acute stu-and gum acacia respectively and thc aqueous dies. cxtract was dissolved in warm distilled watcr to give concentrations of too mglml. Subsequent dilutions wcre made with normal saline.