Objective: The aim of this study was to carry out Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectroscopy (GC–MS) studies and to determine the bioactive compounds of Caralluma umbellata whole plant extract.Methods: Whole plant of C. umbellata was cleaned, shade dried, and pulverized to powder in a mechanical grinder. Required quantity of powder sample was weighed and transferred to stoppered flask separately and treated with ethanol until the powder is fully immersed. The flask was shaken every hour for the first 6 h and then it was kept aside and again shaken after 24 h. This process was repeated for 3 days and then the extracts were filtered. The extracts were collected and evaporated to dryness using vacuum distillation unit.Results: A total of 29 components of C. umbellata whole plant were identified. The prevailing components in the ethanol extract of whole plant were betulin (16.11%), campesterol (11.69%), 5α-Ergost-8(14)-ene (10.16%), 5-androsten-17α-ethynyl-3β, 17β-diol (9.06%), β-sitosterol (8.17%), cholestane-3,7,12,25-tetrol, tetraacetate (3α,5β,7α,12α) (7.94%), β-amyrin (7.02%), stigmasterol (6.78%), 13,16-octadecadiynoic acid, methyl ester (3.53%), lanosterol (3.51%), trans-geranylgeraniol (3.25%), Vitamin E (2.90%) and retinol, acetate (2.81%).Conclusion: The application of C. umbellata for various ailments is confirmed by the presence of various bioactive compounds by traditional practitioners.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory activity of methanol extract of Niebuhria apetala and its possible mechanism of action. Methods: Methanol extract of Niebuhria apetala leaf (NAL) was assessed for its anti-inflammatory activity by in vitro methods. Using albumin denaturation assay, proteinase inhibitory activity, membrane stabilization, and antilipoxygenase activity at different concentrations, in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was estimated. The standard drug used for this purpose was aspirin. Results: Methanol extract NAL at a concentration range of 100–500 μg/ml significant (p<0.01) protects the heat-induced protein denaturation. At the concentration of 500 mg/ml, NAL showed significant (p<0.01) inhibition of protease inhibitory action. Heat-induced hemolysis of erythrocyte, hypotonicity-induced hemolysis, and lipooxygenase activity were significant (p<0.01) inhibited at the concentration of 500 μg/ml. Conclusion: Finally, the present study indicates that methanol extract of Niebuhria apetala can be a potential source of anti-inflammatory agent.

Objective: The present investigation was carried out to determine the possible bioactive components of stem, root, and leaf of Barleria courtallica Nees using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Methods:The phytocomponents of the ethanol extracts of stem, root, and leaf of B. courtallica were investigated using PerkinElmer GC-MS, while the mass spectra of the compounds found in the extracts were matched with the National Institute of Standards and Technology version II library.Results: 25, 23, and 28 compounds were identified in the ethanol extracts of stem, root, and leaf of B. courtallica, respectively. The prevailing compounds of stem were β-sitosterol (20.27%), stigmasterol (17.07%), eicosane, 7-hexyl-(6.64%), 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecan-1-ol (5.97%), and tetracosane, 11-decyl-(5.91%). The major constituents recorded from root extract of B. courtallica were β-sitosterol (22.94%), stigmasterol (20.17%), urs-12-en-28-oic acid, 3-hydroxy-, methyl ester, (3β)-(18.42%), and eiosane, 7-hexyl-(7.06%). The prevailing compounds of leaf were 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecan-1-ol (34.42%), phytol (14.18%), β-sitosterol (12.71%), squalene (11.25%), stigmasterol (8.15%), phytol acetate (6.53%). Conclusions:From the results, it is evident that B. courtallica contains various bioactive compounds and is recommended as a plant of phytopharmaceutical importance.