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Caesalpinia pulcherrima L. Swartz (Caesalpiniaceae) is an ornamental plant also used as a common medicinal plant in India, Taiwan and South-East Asian countries. Majority of the diseases/disorders are mainly linked to oxidative stress due to free radicals. The aims of this study were to screen for phytochemical constituents, evaluate cytotoxicity, in vitro antioxidant activity and estimation of total phenolic content of extracts of pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, steroids and alkaloids. Brine Shrimp Lethality (BSL) bioassay was used to investigate the cytotoxic effects. The LC50(microg mL(-1)) values obtained for extracts as 750 microg mL(-1) for petroleum ether extract, 800 microg mL(-1) for chloroform extract and 900 microg mL(-1) for methanol extract. The total phenolic content of the methanolic extract was 38.04% w/w, equivalent to gallic acid. Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanolic extracts of Caesalpinia pulcherrima and standard ascorbic acid were found to be scavenger of DPPH radical with an IC50 of 124.75, 112.08, 54.34 and 13.86 microg mL(-1), respectively. Methanolic extract was good scavenger of DPPH radical. Petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate soluble fraction of methanolic extracts of pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima and ascorbic acid were found to be scavenger of nitric oxide radical with an IC50 of 93.32, 65.12, 54.83 and 12.59 microg mL(-1), respectively. Ethyl acetate soluble fraction was found to be good scavenger of nitric oxide radical. Our conclusion provides support that the crude extracts of C. pulcherrima is a probable source of natural antioxidants and this justified its uses in folkloric medicines.

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Herein, the synthesis of 3-(3-(substituted benzylidine)amino)phenyl-2-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-ones from 3-aminophenyl-2-phenyl-quinazolin-4(3H)-ones is reported. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR studies. All compounds were evaluated for their anticonvulsant activity against maximal electroshock seizure method. The LD50 value was found to be 550 mg/Kg and the duration of tonic phase was reduced upto 1.1 s and that of stupor phase was reduced upto 70 s. The structure activity relationship of the compounds revealed that Schiff bases viz. 3-(3-benzylidineamino)phenyl-2-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-one, 3-(3-(3- chlorobenzylidine)amino)phenyl-2-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-one, 3-(3-(3- nitrobenzylidine)amino)phenyl-2-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-one by significantly shorten the tonic and stupor phases of convulsions compared to controls, thus thereby these compounds demonstrated strong anticonvulsant potential.

Cuscuta reflexa (Roxb.) belonging to the family Convolvulaceae and popularly known as dodder, is a parasitic plant with claims of antibacterial, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory properties in literature. HPTLC analysis and investigation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Cuscuta reflexa extracts, petroleum ether extract, methanol extract, and aqueous extract of Cuscuta reflexa (PECR, MECR, and AECR respectively) at three dose levels of 50, 200 & 300 mg/kg body weight of an animal by oral route were used for biological activities. The analgesic activity of was determined using hot plate analgesia, acetic acid-induced writhing response and formalin test. The anti-inflammatory activity was determined using models like carrageenan, serotonin and histamine-induced paw edema models along with cotton pellet induced granuloma. Probable mechanism involved in the antiinflammatory effect of methanol and aqueous extracts was evaluated with various tests like ulcerogenicity test; acetic acid induced vascular permeability test and leukocyte migration test using a single dose of 300 mg/kg orally. Acute oral toxicity test revealed the LD50 of >2 g/kg. PECR, MECR and AECR (200 and 300 mg/ kg p.o.) significantly (P< 0.05) increased latency against thermal stimulus, decreased the acetic acidinduced writhing responses and licking times of the second phase in the formalin test. Moreover, MECR and AECR (200 and 300 mg/kg p.o.) exhibited significant (P<0.01) antiinflammatory effect against carrageenan and mediator-induced paw edema. The most promising fraction of methanol extract was found to be quercetin, which could be responsible for the biological activity. Results suggest significant analgesic and antiinflammatory effects produced by MECR and AECR.