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Ethanolic extracts of pneumatophores of two mangrove species- Avicennia alba and Sonneratia apetala were studied in vitro for antioxidant capacity by measuring their ability to scavenge free radicals and determining total phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents. In vivo measurement of antihyperglycemic activity of extracts was done by oral glucose tolerance test. In considering the antioxidant activity, S. apetala extract showed superior IC50 (concentration of sample required to inhibit 50% of free radicals) value for scavenging DPPH radical (71.77 μg/ml), hydrogen peroxide radical (97.27 mg/l), hydroxyl radical (79.62 mg/l) and superoxide anion (108.89 mg/l). For A. alba, the values for the radical scavenging assays were much higher. In addition, total phenol, flavonoid and tannin content demonstrated by S. apetala were 204.03 mgGAE/g, 228.68 mgQE/g and 235.89 mgGAE/g whereas for A. alba, they were 65.52 mgGAE/g, 44 mgQE/g and 37.71 mgGAE/g, respectively. In oral glucose tolerance test, S. apetala reduced the blood glucose level to a higher extent than A. alba. So, S. apetala with higher amount of secondary metabolites (phenol, flavonoid, tannin) is a superior source of natural antioxidants and antihyperglycemics. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 17(2): 205-211, 2018 (December)

Lupin holds an important place among the legumes and the utilization of lupin as a dietary protein source is an excellent environmentally friendly alternative to animal-based products for human nutrition. In the present study, nutritional, thermal, rheological and functional properties of nine Australian lupin cultivars have been assayed in order to find the most valuable one, both nutritiously and industrially. The set comprised six Lupinus angustifolius L. viz., Barlock, Gunyadi, Jenabillup, Jindalee, Jurien, Mandelup and three Lupinus albus L. viz., Luxor, Rosetta, WK388 cultivars. The tests included analysis of color, macronutrient and micronutrient composition, pasting, textural and thermal properties, electrophoretic profile of protein isolates, swelling power, water and oil absorption capacity, emulsifying capacity, emulsion stability, creaming stability, foaming capacity and stability of the cultivars’ dehulled seed flours. The results indicated substantial variation in macro and micro-nutritional value as well as satisfactory swelling ability, solubility, surface hydrophobicity, foaming ability, emulsifying capacity and gelation property of lupin flours. Superior nutritional, thermal, rheological and functional potential was demonstrated by the L. albus cultivars compared to the L. angustifolius cultivars with the exception of Mandelup.

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Introduction: Ceriops decandra (CD) and Ceriops tagal (CT) are two traditionally used mangrove plants widely distributed along the coastal areas of South Asia, Africa, South Pacific. In this study, we evaluated the diuretic potential of aerial roots of CD, CT and assessed the effectiveness of the plants' terpenoids enriched bioactive constituents against human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) enzyme through molecular docking. Materials and methods: Firstly, the acute toxicity of CD and CT was evaluated in mice. In vivo diuretic activity was then studied in mice and the volume of excreted urine was measured. The urine was further examined for pH, density and Na þ , K þ , Cl À concentrations. From this, the saluretic, natriuretic, kaliuretic and CAI (carbonic anhydrase inhibitory) activities were calculated. Finally, total terpenoid contents (TTC) of the plant extracts were quantified and the terpenoids previously reported from both CD and CT were docked against four hCA isoforms -hCAII, hCAIV, hCAXII and hCAXIV. Results: In the acute toxicity assessment, no sign of toxicity was found. In diuretic activity evaluation, both extracts displayed substantial increase in urine volume, with CD being at top. Concentrations of Na þ , K þ and Cl À were also upsurged at a high dose of treatment (500 mg/kg). Both extracts at 500 mg/kg dose demonstrated potent saluretic, natriuretic and CAI activity. The TTC of CD was significantly higher than CT. In molecular docking analysis, greater binding affinity against hCA isoforms was demonstrated by the terpenoids reported from CD. Conclusion: Aerial roots of both CD and CT possess substantial diuretic activity with an inhibitory effect on CA. Here, diuretic potential as well as the total terpenoid content of CD were much greater between the two.