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BackgroundSesquiterpene lactones (STLs) make a diverse and huge group of bio-active constituents that have been isolated from several plant families. However, the greatest numbers are present in Asteraceae family having more than 3000 different reported structures. Recently several researchers have reported that STLs have significant antioxidant and anticancer potentials.MethodsTo investigate the antioxidant, anticancer and antinociceptive potentials of STLs, gravity column chromatography technique was used for isolation from the biologically rich chloroform fraction of Artemisia macrocephala Jacquem. The antioxidant activity of the isolated STLs was determined by DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity, anticancer activity was determined on 3 T3, HeLa and MCF-7 cells by MTT assay while the antinociceptive activity was determined through acetic acid induced writhings, tail immersion method and formalin induced nociception method.ResultsThe results showed that the STLs of Artemisia macrocephala possesses promising antioxidant activity and also it decreased the viability of 3 T3, HeLa and MCF-7 cells and mild to moderate antinociceptive activity.ConclusionSesquiterpenes lactones (STLs) are widely present in numerous genera of the family Asteraceae (compositae). They are described as the active constituents used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. The present study reveals the significant potentials of STL and may be used as an alternative for the management of cancer. Anyhow, the isolated compound is having no prominent antinociceptive potentials.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1517-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

In the present study, a series of 2,3-dihydro-1,5-benzothiazepine derivatives 1B – 14B has been synthesized sand characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. The enzyme inhibitory activities of the target analogues were assessed using in vitro and in vivo mechanism-based assays. The tested compounds 1B – 14B exhibited in vitro inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase with IC 50 = 2.62 ± 0.16 to 10.11 ± 0.32 μM as compared to the standard drug acarbose (IC 50 = 37.38 ± 1.37 μM). Kinetic studies of the most active derivatives 2B and 3B illustrated competitive inhibitions. Based on the α-glucosidase inhibitory effect, the compounds 2B , 3B , 6B , 7B , 12B , 13B , and 14B were chosen in vivo for further evaluation of antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. All these evaluated compounds demonstrated significant antidiabetic activity and were found to be nontoxic in nature. Moreover, the molecular docking study was performed to elucidate the binding interactions of most active analogues with the various sites of the α-glucosidase enzyme (PDB ID 3AJ7 ). Additionally, quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) studies were performed based on the α-glucosidase inhibitory assay. The value of correlation coefficient ( r ) 0.9553 shows that there was a good correlation between the 1B – 14B structures and selected properties. There is a correlation between the experimental and theoretical results. Thus, these novel compounds could serve as potential candidates to become leads for the development of new drugs provoking an anti-hyperglycemic effect.

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BackgroundSaponins isolated from plant sources have a number of traditional and industrial applications. Saponins have pharmacological effects like anti-inflammatory, molluscicidal, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, antidiabetic, anticancer, anticonvulsant, anthelmintic, antitussive and cytotoxic activities. The current work describes the anthelmintic and cytotoxic activities of crude saponins of Achillea Wilhelmsii and Teucrium Stocksianum as these plants are rich with saponins.MethodsBrine shrimp cytotoxic activity of crude saponins was determined by Meyer et al. (1982) at test concentrations of 1000 μg/ml, 100 μg/ml, 10 μg/ml, 7.5 μg/ml, 5.0 μg/ml, 2.5 μg/ml and 1.25 μg/ml. Percentage mortality of test concentrations was determined. Similarly, in vitro anthelmintic activity was determined against roundworms, tapeworms and earthworms. Albendazole and piperazine citrate at concentration 10 mg/ml were used as standard anthelmintic drugs.ResultsCrude saponins of Achillea wilhelmsii (CSA) and Teucrium stocksianum (CST) had, respectively, cytotoxic activity with LC50 values 2.3 ± 0.16 and 5.23 ± 0. 34 μg/ml. For in vitro anthelmintic activity, time for paralysis and death of parasites (parasiticidal activity) was noted. At concentration 40 mg/ml, crude saponins of Achillea wilhelmsii are 1.96 and 2.12 times more potent than albendazole against Pheretima posthuma and Raillietina spiralis, respectively. Similarly, at concentration 40 mg/ml, crude saponins of Teucrium stocksianum (CST) has 1.89, 1.96 and 1.37 times more parasiticidal activity than albendazole against Pheretima posthuma, Raillietina spiralis and Ascardia galli, respectively.ConclusionCrude saponins of Achillea wilhelmsii and Teucrium stocksianum have cytotoxic and anthelmintic activity. The crude saponins may be excellent sources of cytotoxic and anthelmintic constituents that warrant its isolation and purification for new drug development.