Abstract: 2,4,5-trimethoxy banzaldehyde was isolated from the petroleum ether extract of Acorus calamus rhizomes. The structure of the compound was confirmed by chemical and spectroscopic techniques including high resolution 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, H-H Cosy and HMBC. Based on toxicity data on percentage mortality and corrected mortality due to the effect of Acorus calamus rhizome extract with petroleum ether, acetone and methanol against the adults of Tribolium confusum (flour beetle) and Sitophilus oryzae (Rice weevil), it was observed that petroleum ether extract of the rhizome was more toxic than that of other extracts in the insect species. From the repellency class it was observed that the petroleum ether extract was more effective against Tribolium castaneum than Tribolium confusum.

Abstract: Hepatoprotective effect of turmeric together with its sesquiterpenes and curcuminoids fractions were examined on D-galactosamine induced liver injury in rats. All the diets individually contained the turmeric extract, the curcuminoids fraction, and the sesquiterpenes fraction suppressed the increase of LDH, ALT, and AST levels caused by D-GalN treatment. Since few anti-oxidative activities are expected in the sesquiterpenes fraction, it is presumed that hepatoprotective mechanism of sesquiterpenes in turmeric is different from that of curuminoids.

Abstract: Biologically important polyphenol (+)-catechin was isolated from catechu, the extract of the red heartwood of Acacia Catechu tree (Khoiyer tree). The isolation procedure was developed to get better yield (25%) and to reduce the isolation cost and time. The structure of the isolated (+)-catechin was confirmed with several spectral analyses and chemical studies.