Key Word Index: P-Sitosterol; Anti-inflammatory; Antipyretic. AbstractThe anti-inflammatory and antipyre-

The presence of histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and acetylcholine has been demonstrated in the Indian stinging nettle, Urtica parviflora (Roxb.). In addition, the presence of a histamine-liberating substance is strongly indicated. The whole leaves of the plant were extracted in acetone. The acetone-extracted material was used to detect 5-HT and acetylcholine. The acid-treated extract was used for the detection of histamine, and the histaminase-treated extract was used for the detection of the histamine liberator. Appropriate biological and chromatographic tests were performed for the pharmacologically active constituents.

An identification key to all the reported species of Hedyotis-Oldenlandia group (Hedyotis, Oldenlandia, Exallage, Leptopetalum, Scleromitrion and Debia) in Andaman & Nicobar Islands is presented with one new species, Oldenlandia smita-crishnae, described from Saddle Peak forests of North Andaman, India. It shares some characters with Oldenlandia herbacea, O. corymbosa and O. pseudocorymbosa. However, it is remarkable for its abaxially puberulous leaves, divaricate stipules, ellipsoid to obovoid hypanthium, pink-striped corolla lobes and 20–30-seeded, inserted capsule. Furthermore, a new combination in Exallage is proposed and lectotypes for Spermacoce cristata, S. costata, Hedyotis vestita and Oldenlandia stocksii are designated.

3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) was measured in lumbar spinal fluid of 20 subjects with hypertension of varied etiology and severity. There was a significant correlation between the concentration of MHPG and the severity of hypertension. However, changes in the concentration of vanillylmandelic acid in the urine of these subjects were insignificant. In six subjects, administration of clonidine or alpha-methyldopa, two centrally acting antihypertensive drugs, was associated with a significant lowering of MHPG concentrations. These data support the hypothesis that central catecholamines are involved in clinical hypertension.

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