Phytochemical investigation of the above-ground biomass of Asclepias sullivantii L. (Asclepiadaceae) afforded six new pregnane glycosides, named sullivantosides A-F (1–6). The structures of 1–6 were elucidated through a variety of spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques (1D and 2D NMR; HRESIMS). To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the first phytochemical study of this species....

The present study aims to evaluate the topical anti-inflammatory activity of "Pinda thailam", a herbal gel formulation containing aqueous extract of roots of Rubia cordifolia (Rubiaceae) and Hemidesmus indicus (Asclepiadaceae) which are known for their anti-inflammatory activity using the technique of carrageenin induced paw oedema in albino rats. The herbal gel formulation showed significant a...

Twenty-nine new oxypregnane glycosides were obtained along with two known cardenolides, frugoside and gofruside, and three known 12-O-acylated pregnane glycosides from the roots of Asclepias incarnata L. (Asclepiadaceae). By detailed studies of the 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra, the structures were determined to be tri- to penta glycosides of isolineolon, 12-O-acetyllineolon, ikemagenin, 12-O-benzoyl...

The milkweed, Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T. Aiton (Gentianales: Asclepiadaceae) locally known as Akond, is an evergreen, perennial shrub, and is widely distributed in sub-tropical and tropical countries. It has been reported that latices of the milkweeds including C. gigantea contain cardiac glycosides that vary in amount and type between species, between various plant parts of the same species...

Most of the species belonging to Asclepiadaceae family usually secrete an endogenous milk-like fluid in a network of laticifer cells in which sub-cellular organelles intensively synthesize proteins and secondary metabolites. A new papain-like endopeptidase (asclepain c-II) has been isolated and characterized from the latex extracted from petioles of Asclepias curassavica L. (Asclepiadaceae). As...

The genus Stapelia belongs to the family Asclepiadaceae, which comprises a group of some 50 species, which have been used in medicine for their anti-inflammatory and antiarithritic properties . The presence of alkaloids in the genus Stapelia was first reported by Keller , where hordenine was isolated from the aerial part of S. gigantea. In addition, Meyer et al. reported the detection of N -met...

An ethno-botanical survey of some threatened & endangered medicinal plants of milkweed family was undertaken by means of oral questionnaire. The aim of present survey is to collect information about these valuable plants of Asclepiadaceae used in the treatments of various ailments and to spot the knowledgeable traditional healers among different communities in rural areas of Bhilwara, Ajmer, Ud...