Thespesia populnea

A novel antioxidant oxochromen derivative was isolated and characterized from Thespesia populnea stem bark (Linn.) with the evaluation of its in vitro antioxidant activity. The isolated compound was characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectral technique. The spectral data revealed the structure [(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-(5,7-dihydroxy-2-methyl-4-oxochromen-6-yl)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxyl methyl) oxan-3-yl] 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate. Antioxidant activity of the isolated compound was evaluated by DPPH scavenging activity, ABTS scavenging activity and Ferric reducing /antioxidant power assay. Results show that isolated compound from the acetone extract fraction of T. populnea stem bark exhibit better antioxidant activity at lower concentration in all the methods and at higher concentrations they act as prooxidants. In conclusion the present results suggested that the isolated compound could be a potential antioxidant agent for preparing functional foods and nutraceuticals applied in food and pharmaceutical industries.

In the present study, ethanolic and aqueous fruit extracts of Thespesia populnea were tested against the head louse pediculus humanus capitis. A filter paper diffusion method was conducted for determining the potential pediculocidal activity. The results revealed that plant extracts possess excellent anti lice activity. Results were well comparable with benzyl benzoate. Key words: Thespesia populnea, Anti lice activity, Filter paper bioassay, Head louse.