Phytochemistry

Phytochemistry is a branch of chemistry that deals with the study of plant secondary metabolites. This includes all aspect of chemistry from extraction and separations of plant constituents to structural elucidations using modern spectroscopic techniques.  Phytochemical methods are applied in routine herbal medicine standardisations as well as modern drug discovery researches. Recent  advances in modern analytical methods such NMR has now enabled us to isolate and characterise even minor constituents  of   purified natural  products.   Our exemplary work on phytochemical analysis is shown below - please see also  our   publication  page for various examples and  useful references.

Phytochemical Analysis of Gravel Root [Eupatorium purpureum - picture above] yielded the following compounds

R=OMe or OCOMe or Tiglate

Some relevant publications in this field....

• Harley, B.K., Dickson, R.A., Amponsah, I.K., Ben, I.O., Adonjo, D.W., Fleischer, T.C., HABTEMARIAM, S. (2020).  Flavanols and triterpenoids from Myrianthus arboreus ameliorate hyperglycaemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats possibly via glucose uptake enhancement and α-amylase inhibition.  Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 132, Published online on 14 October 2020. Full Text

•  Elufioye,  T.O., HABTEMARIAM, S.,   Adejare  A., (2020). Chemistry and pharmacology of alkylamides from natural origin. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia (Brazilian Journal of Pharmacognosy) 30, 622-640.  Full Text or PDF

• Mbatchou, V.C.,   Dickson, R.A., Amponsah, I.K., Mensah, A.Y. HABTEMARIAM, S. (2018). Protection effect of the anthraquinones, cassiatorin and aurantio-obtusin from seeds of Senna tora against cowpea weevil attack. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine   8(2), 98-105.   Full Text or PDF

• HABTEMARIAM, S. (2017). Could we really Use Aloe vera food supplements to treat diabetes? Quality control issues. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (eCAM) 2017: 4856412. Full Text or PDF

•  HABTEMARIAM, S. (2017). Methodology for rapid Isolation of moringin: Potential anticancer compound from the seeds of Moringa stenopetala. Pharmaceutica Analytica Acta 8(8), 558.  Full Text

• Shah, M.R., HABTEMARIAM, S.,  Zarrelli, A., Muhammad, A.,  Collina, S., Khan, I. (2016). Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B inhibitors isolated from Artemisia roxburghiana. Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry 31(4), 563-567. Abstract

• HABTEMARIAM, S., Varghese, G.K. (2015). Extractability of Rutin in Herbal Tea Preparations of Moringa stenopetala Leaves. Beverages, 19(3, 169-182.  Full Text  or PDF

• Armah, F.A., Annan, K, Mensah, A.Y.,   Amponsah, I.K., Tocher, D.A., HABTEMARIAM, S.* (2015). Erythroivorensin A: a novel antiifnlammatory diterpene from the root-bark of Erythrophleum ivorense (A Chev.). Fitoterapia 105, 37-42. Abstract

•  Álvarez, Á.L., HABTEMARIAM, S., Dalton, K.P., Nicieza, I., Parra, F. (2015. A spiroketal-enol ether derivative from Tanacetum vulgare selectively inhibits HSV-1 and HSV-2 glycoprotein accumulation in Vero cells. Antiviral Research 119, 8-18. Abstract

• Jackson N., Annan, K., Mensah, A.Y., Ekuadzi, E., Mensah, M.L.K., HABTEMARIAM, S.* (2015). A novel triterpene from the roots of Paullinia pinnata:  6a-(3’-methoxy-4’-hydroxybenzoyl)-lup-20(29)-ene-3-one. Natural Product Communications 10(4), 563-564.  Abstract PDF-PROOF

•  HABTEMARIAM, S. (2015). Investigation into the antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of Moringa stenopetala: Identification of the active principles. Natural Product Communications 10(3), 475-478. Link

• Álvarez, Á.L., Parra, F., HABTEMARIAM, S. (2015). Inhibitory effects of lupene-derived pentacyclic triterpenoids from Bursera simaruba on HSV-1 and HSV-2 in vitro replication. Natural Product Research 29(24), 2322–2327. Abstract

•  HABTEMARIAM, S., Varghese, G.K. (2015). A Novel Diterpene Skeleton: Identification of a highly aromatic, cytotoxic and antioxidant 5-methyl-10-demethyl-abietane-type diterpene from Premna serratifolia. Phytotherapy Research 29(1), 80-85.  Abstract

• Mireku, E.A., Mensah, A.Y., Mensah, M.L.K., Tocher, D.A., HABTEMARIAM, S.*. (2014). Anti-inflammatory properties of the stem-bark of Anopyxis kalineana and its major constituent, methyl angolensate. Phytotherapy Research 28(12), 1855–1860. Abstract

• HABTEMARIAM, S. (2013). The hidden treasure in Europe’s garden plants: Case examples; Berberis darwinni and Bergenia cordifolia. Medicinal & Aromatic Plants. 2, 4. http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2167-0412.1000130.

• Bose, L.V., Varghese, G.K., HABTEMARIASM, S*. (2013). Identification of acteoside as the active antioxidant principle of Premna serratifolia root wood tissues. Phytopharmacology. 4(2), 228–236.  Full Text

•  Varghese, G.K., Bose, L.V., HABTEMARIASM, S*. (2013). Antidiabetic components of Cassia alata leaves: Identification through alpha-glucosidase inhibition studies. Pharmaceutical Biology 51(3), 345-349. Abstract

• HABTEMARIAM, S. (2013). Antihyperlipidemic components of Cassia auriculata aerial parts: Identification through in vitro studies. Phytotherapy Research 27(1), 152–155.  Abstract

•  HABTEMARIAM S. (2012). The anti-obesity potential of sigmoidin A. Pharmaceutical Biology 50(12), 1519-1522. Abstract

•  HABTEMARIAM, S. (2012). Multifunctional small molecular weight compounds from Peltiphyllum peltatum: from antioxidant to neuroprotection and antidiabetic effects. Planta Medica 11(78), 1073. Abstract

• HABTEMARIAM, S. (2012). Identification of the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic principles of Cassia auriculata. Planta Medica 11(78), 1084.  Abstract

•  HABTEMARIAM, S*., Cowley R.A. (2012). Antioxidant and anti-α-glucosidase compounds from the rhizome of Peltiphyllum peltatum (Torr.) Engl.  Phytotherapy Research 26(11), 1656–1660.  Abstract

• Roselli, M., Lentini, G., HABTEMARIAM, S*. (2012). Phytochemical, antioxidant and anti-alpha-glucosidase activity evaluations of Bergenia cordifolia. Phytotherapy Research 26(6), 908–914 Abstract

• HABTEMARIAM, S. (2011). Methyl-3-O-methyl gallate and gallic acid from the leaves of Peltiphyllum peltatum: isolation and comparative antioxidant, prooxidant, and cytotoxic effects in neuronal cells. Journal of Medicinal Food 14(11), 1412–1418. Abstract

• HABTEMARIAM, S. (2011). Targeting intestinal digestive enzymes by natural products: synergistic effects of flavonoids. Planta Medica 177(12), 1404. Abstract

• HABTEMARIAM, S. (2011). The therapeutic potential of Berberis darwinii stem-bark: quantification of berberine and in vitro evidence for Alzheimer’s disease therapy. Natural Product Communications 6(8), 1089–1090. Abstract, PDF-UNCORRECTED-PROOF

• Álvarez, Á.L., HABTEMARIAM., S., Juan-Badaturuge, M., Jackson, C., Parra, F. (2011).  In vitro anti HSV-1 and HSV-2 activity of Tanacetum vulgare extracts and isolated compounds: An approach to their mechanisms of action.  Phytotherapy Research. 25(2), 296–301. Abstract

• Juan-Badaturuge, M.,  HABTEMARIAM, S.,  Thomas, M.J.K. (2011). Antioxidant compounds from a South Asian beverage and medicinal plant, Cassia auriculata. Food Chemistry 125(1), 221-225.   Available online 7 September 2010.

• Motlhanka, D.,  Houghton, P., Miljkovic-Brake A. and  HABTEMARIAM, S. (2010). A novel pentacyclic triterpene glycoside from a resin of Commiphora glandulosa from Botswana. African Journal of  Pharmacy and  Pharmacology 4(8), 549 - 554. Full Text

• Sánchez-Medina, A.,  Stevenson, P.C., HABTEMARIAM, S.,  Peña-Rodríguez, L.M., Corcoran, O., Mallet, A.I.,  Veitch N.C. (2009). Triterpenoid saponins from a cytotoxic root extract of Sideroxylon foetidissimum subsp. gaumeri. Phytochemistry 70(6), 765–772.

• Habtemariam, S. (2008). Activity-guided Isolation and Identification of Free Radical-scavenging Components from Ethanolic Extract of Boneset (Leaves of Eupatorium perfoliatum). Natural Product Communications 3(8), 1317-1320.

• Habtemariam, S. (2008). Activity-guided Isolation and Identification of Antioxidant Components from Ethanolic Extract of Peltiphyllum peltatum (Torr.) Engl. Natural Product Communications 3(8),  1321-1324.

• Motlhanka, D.M.T., Habtemariam, S., Houghton, P (2008).  Free radical  scavenging activity of crude extracts and 4’-O-Methyl-(-) epigallocatechin  isolated from roots of Cassine transvaalensis from Botswana. African  Journal of Biomedical Research 11, 55-63 FULL TEXT

• HABTEMARIAM, S. (2003). Cytotoxic and cytostatic activity of erlangerins from Commiphora erlangeriana. Toxicon, 41, 723-727.

•  HABTEMARIAM, S. (2002). Hamamelitannin from Hamamelis virginiana inhibits the tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF)-induced endothelial cell death in vitro. Toxicon 40, 83-88.

•  HABTEMARIAM, S. (2001). Antiinflammatory activity of the antirheumatic herbal drug, gravel root (Eupatorium purpureum): further biological activities and constituents. Phytotherapy Res. 15, 697-690.

•  HABTEMARIAM, S., Skelton, B.W., Waterman, P.G. and White, A.  (2000). 17-Epi-acnistin-A, a further withanolide from the leaves of Discopodium penninervium.  J. Nat. Prod. 63, 512-513.

• HABTEMARIAM, S., MacPherson, A.M. (2000). Cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of ethanolic axtract from leaves of a herbal drug, Bonset (Eupatorium perfoliatum). Phytotherapy Res. 14, 575-577.

• HABTEMARIAM, S. (1998). Cistifolin, an integrin-dependent cell adhesion blocker from the anti-rheumatic herbal drug, gravel root (rhyzome of Eupatorium purpureum). Planta Med. 683-685.

• HABTEMARIAM, S. and Gray, A.I. (1998). Withanolides from the roots of Discopodium penninervium. Planta Med. 64, 275-276.

• Habtemariam S. (1997). Cytotoxicity and immunosuppressive activity of withanolides from Discopodium penninervium. Planta Med., 63, 15-17.

• Habtemariam S. and P.G. Waterman (1996). Fareanine and Fareanol from the leaves of Medicosma fareana. Phytochemistry 43, 291-294.

• Habtemariam, S., Gray, A.I., and Waterman, P.G. (1995).  Lignans from the leaves of Premna recinosa. Biochem. Ecol. Syst. 23, 109.

• Habtemariam, S., Gray, A.I., and Waterman, P.G. (1994).  Diterpenes from the leaves of Leonotis ocymifolia var raineriana. J. Nat. Prod. 57, 1570-1574.

• Habtemariam S., Gray, A.I. and Waterman, P.G. (1993). 16-oxygenated withanolides from the leaves of Discopodium penninervium. Phytochemistry 34, 807-811.

• Habtemariam, S., Harvey, A.L. and Waterman, P.G. (1993). The muscle relaxant properties of Portulaca oleracea are associated with high concentrations of potassium ions. J. Ethnopharmacol. 40, 195-200.

• Habtemariam, S., Gray, A.I., and Waterman, P.G. (1992). A novel antibacterial sesquiterpene from Premna oligotricha J. Nat. Prod. 56, 140-143.

• Habtemariam, S., Gray, A.I. and Waterman, P.G.(1992). Antibacterial diterpenes from the aerial parts of Premna oligotricha. Planta Med.  58, 109-110.

• Habtemariam, S., Gray, A.I. and Waterman, P.G. (1991). Flavonoids from three Ethiopian species of  Premna. Z. Naturforsch., 47b, 144-147

• Habtemariam, S., Gray, A.I., Lavaud, C., Massiot, G., Skelton, B.W., Waterman, P.G. and White, A.H. (1991).  ent-12-Oxolabda-8,13(16)-dien-15-oic acid and  ent-8b,12a-epidioxy-12b-hydroxylabda-9(11),13-dien-15-oic acid g-lactone: Two new diterpenes from the aerial parts of  Premna oligotricha. J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. I , 893-896.

• Habtemariam, S., Gray, A.I., Halbert, G.W. and Waterman, P.G. (1990). A novel antibacterial diterpene from Premna schimperi.  Planta Med. 56, 187-189. 

 ....please also visit our publications' page for more references or

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