Phytochemical Studies of Egyptian Plantago Species

Abstract

Z. F. A h m e d , F. M. H a m m o u d a , A. M. R i z k and G. M. W a s s e l T h e authentication as well as the chemical investigation (glucides and alkaloids) of the Egyptian Plantago species have been previously reported by the authors (A h m e d et al., 1965). The study of the lipids of plantain seeds has been a subject of interest to some investigators (P e n d s e and S i k i b h u s h a n , 1935; P e n d s e , 1937; K a s h i m o t o , 1955). T h e fixed oil of Plantago ovata has been used in the form of sodium psylliate injection (N.F. 1955; Extra Pharmacopoeia 1958), as a sclerosing agent in the treatment of varicose veins and of internal hoemoroids that are not prolapsed o r thrombosed. T h e present work deals with the investigation of the fixed oils of the most common Egyptian Plantago species. Experimental and Results Material 'The seeds of the following species1 viz. P. notata, P. crypsoides, P. coronoprrs, P. cylindricn, P. albicnns and P. ovatn, were collected by the end of the flowering season in April, while thc seeds of the other two species viz. P. crassijolin and P, major were collected during the early srlnimer in June. Preparation of the Oil The seeds were, separately, dried at 60' C, powdered and exhausred with redistilled petroleum cther (b. p. 70-80' C) in a continuous extraction apparatus and the oil, in petroleum ether, was treated with Fuller's earth. The latter was removed by filtration and the solvent was removed by distillation. The residual oil was heated at 70' C in a vacuum oven to remove the last traces of solvent. The percentages of the oil, as well as the unsaponifiable matter and the total fatty acids were determined and the results obtained are listed in Table 1. A. Fatty Acids Gas-liquid chro~natography as well as the permanganate oxidation and spectrophotometric techniques were applied in the study of the fatty acids. The systematic identification o f the plants was carried out by Dr. K. H. B a t a n o u n y ,

The composition of Australian Plantago seeds highlights their potential as nutritionally-rich functional food ingredients

“…In addition to the abundant endosperm polysaccharides, soluble sugars are also abundant in the Plantago seeds studied here (Fig. 6 ), in agreeance with previous reports 79 . Planteose (originally isolated from Plantago and named for the genus 80 ) is the major soluble sugar in seeds of all Plantago species studied here except P. lanceolata where only sucrose is higher.…”

The traditional uses, chemical constituents and biological activities of Plantago major L. A review

“…Fatty acids, both free and after hydrolysis of triglycerides, have been isolated from the seeds and are listed in Table 3. According to Ahmed et al (1968) 64.8% of the fatty acids are unsaturated.…”

Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of Plantago ovata Forssk. leaves and seeds against periodontal pathogens: An in vitro study

“…Recent ethnopharmacological studies reported that Plantago Ovata is used in many parts of the world, in the treatment of a number of diseases. [6] Plantago leaves and seeds contain carbhohydrates, [7-10] lipids,[11] alkaloids,[12] caffeic acid derivatives,[1314] flavonoids,[15] iridoid glycosides,[16] vitamins and other organic substances owing to its diverse medicinal properties. Each of the constituents has unique medicinal property.…”