In the course of our phytochemical studies of plant Tamus communis L., methanol soluble extract (EMeOH) (138 g) was chromatographed on a silica gel column. The column was eluted with chloroform and then with chloroform /methanol mixtures of increasing polarity. A total of 52 fractions (400 ml each) were collected and grouped according to their TLC behaviour into 6 main fractions (I-VI).  Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in these extracts were determined by a colorimetric method. Values varied between 73.143±0.009 and 29.214±0.003 equivalent Gallic acid/g lyophilisate. All the extracts showed inhibitory properties on xanthine oxidase, the IC50 ranges from 0.029±0.017 mg/ml to 0.237±0.026 mg/ml. The extracts exhibited an additional superoxide scavenging capacity by using both enzymatic methods and IC50 values ​​range from 0.039±0.023 mg/ml to 0.141±0.086 mg/ml. These results show that Tamus communis L. extracts have strong anti-oxidant effects and may have some clinical benefits. Keywords: Xanthine oxidase, Antioxidant, Superoxide scavenger, Tamus communis L.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott extracts. Results showed that the total phenols and flavonoids contents of the extracts ranged from 24.57 to 316.11 mg GAE/g and from 1.80 to 12.41μg QE/mg, respectively. Ethyl acetate (EaES) and aqueous (AqES) extracts from seeds showed the highest DPPH scavenging capacity (IC50= 5.51 and 23.43 μg/mL). EaES from seeds, stem bark and fruit pod were the most active in inhibiting β-carotene oxidation. While, aqueous extracts have the ability to chelate ferrous ions. Significant antibacterial activity was obtained against Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeroginosa; and inhibition zones varied between 10 to 29.5 mm. MIC and MBC ranged from 0.7–11.25 mg/mL and 5.63–22.5 mg/mL, respectively. In addition, synergistic effects were obtained, where inhibition zones varied between 7 and 50 mm. These results support the use of this species in traditional medicine in many physiological disorders and could be used where antioxidant and antibacterial are warranted.

Background: The begonias are ornamental plants known by the varied forms and colors of their flowers, as well as their decorative foliage. Objective: This study attempts to characterize the flavonoids isolated from flower extracts of different horticultural cultivars of the genus Begonia. Material and methods: The compounds of the ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts were separated by chromatographic methods and identified by UV spectra and chemical techniques. Results: The analysis allowed the characterization of flavonoids belonging to flavonol types in the free aglycones and glycoside forms of kaempferol and quercetin. On the other hand, fingerprinting analysis and quantification of major flavonoids of 184 cultivars were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Among twenty five (25) components which were detected and separated: ten were corresponding to quercetin 3-Oglucosyl-rhamnoside (Rt=23.5), quercetin 3-O-glucoside (Rt=25), kaempferol 3-O-glucosylrhamnoside and its acylated derivative (Rt=32), kaempferol 3-O-glucoside (Rt=33), quercetin 3-O-p.coumaroyl-diglucoside (Rt=37), quercetin 3-O-P.coumaroyl-glucoside (Rt=40.5), quercetin (Rt=41.5), kaempferol and its acylated derivative (Rt=47). Only non-acylated glycosides of quercetin and kaempferol contributed to chemical variations among different cultivars based on the results of PCA. Conclusion: The genus Begonia is very heterogeneous and it is possible to distinguish several chemotypes whose differences rely on the complementarities between the metabolic pathways involved in the biosynthesis of glycosides of quercetin and kaempferol.