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The hydroethanolic extract of Crataegus monogyna was studied for its chemical constitution and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. The extract contained triterpenic acids, flavonoids and coumarins. The ACE inhibitory activity was studied using captropril, as a control drug, and oleanolic acid, as a constituent of the hydroethanolic extract and a member of the triterpenic acid group. The hydroethanolic extract and oleanolic acid showed higher IC 50 values (335.00 µg/mL and 3.61 µM, respectively) in comparison to captopril (46.9 nM). However, these results indicate the anti-ACE activity of oleanolic acid and the triterpenic acids, which has not been demonstrated earlier for hawthorn extracts. In previous studies, the ACE inhibitory activity of C. monogyna extracts was always attributed to flavonoids and proanthocyanidins.

Malva sylvestris L. or as it is widely known, the common mallow, is a renowned medicinal plant which can be found growing in abundance in Europe, North Africa and Asia. The percentage crude fibre content present in M. sylvestris samples collected from Malta was studied. Variation in crude fibre content with time and location was also considered in this study. Results showed that the percentage stem fibre content (27.61%) significantly (p<0.001) supersedes the percentage content in leaves (6.49%). These values confirm results attained by various authors in similar studies. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the down trending in percentage leaf fibre content observed over the 3-month study period was only statistically significant (p<0.01) for one locality (N=4). In the latter, a significant (p<0.01) dip in fibre content was noted for samples collected in April. Conversely, the percentage stem fibre content increased as the plant matured. This observed increase in stem fibre was statistically significant (p<0.05) for two of the localities (N=4) studied.The faecal bulking competency of this fibrous plant was studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Throughout the study, the control group was fed fibre-free pellets. Whilst the test group, was fed pellets containing 100 g/kg M. sylvestris ground stems. An increase in faecal weight by 105% and 86% was observed in the test group when compared to the fresh and dry faecal weights of the control group. These findings confirm faecal bulking properties and support the potential use of this plant species as a complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of constipation.

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The total cucurbitacin content produced in the different parts of T. cucumerina L. var. cucumerina viz., fruit, stem and leaves with time and temperature was studied during the year 2007-08. The highest amount of cucurbitacins was produced in the month of February, i.e., 0.8, 1.7 and 3.7 w/w % and lowest was in the month of July 1.9, 0.5 and 0.17 w/w % in fruit, stem and leaves respectively. Present study reviles that, Production of cucurbitacin is temperature dependent as the temperature increases cucurbitacins production increased; decrease in the temperature production of cucurbitacins was found decrease. Due to high content of cucurbitacins, this plant may prove itself as a potent hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic agent, antifeedant and antimicrobial properties of the plants.