Aims: The aim of this study was to analyse the antimicrobial properties extracts of Aquilegia vulgaris, and their principial flavonoid component and to compare the obtained results with the activity of gentamicin and nystatin. Methods and Results: The ethanol, acetone and isopropanol extracts as well as the subextracts isolated from the methanol extract together with the main flavonoid: 4¢-methoxy-5,7-dihydroxyflavone 6-C-glucoside (isocytisoside) were obtained from the leaves with stems of Aquilegia vulgaris L. All the extracts were analysed by TLC to confirm flavonoids and phenolic acids occurrence. The antimicrobial activity was tested by the method of series dilutions against different Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and also fungi. The results have shown that the extracts, subextracts and isocytisoside inhibit growth of all studied micro-organisms, revealing the greatest activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Staph. epidermidis and the mould Aspergillus niger. Conclusions:The antimicrobial activity of the tested materials it is possibly related to the content of isocytisoside. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study has determined new activity of A. vulgaris and suggested the necessity of further studies.

The occurence of alkaloids, witanolides, saponosides and flavonoids was investigated in the fruits of tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa Brot.) cv. Bujna and Rendidora. The tomatillo is commonly cultivated in Mexico and has been introduced on a small scale in Poland. The chromatographic analysis of alkaloids showed only trace amounts of compounds reacting with the Dragendorff reagent. In the fraction of quaternary alkaloids soluble in water, only choline was found. Witanolides were not detected in tomatillo fruits. The saponosides were found only in trace amounts and their hemolytic indexes as well as saponification numbers were very low. Flavonoids were represented by the derivatives of quercetine differring with their sugar moieties attached to the hydroxyl group at C-3. It is concluded that the toxic compounds which would be harmful to human health were not found in tomatillo fruits. The presence of choline in them, as well as of flavonoids belonging to the vitamin P group is advantageous for health

Introduction:The ethyl ether extract from Aquilegia vulgaris (L.) (Ranunculaceae) contains a lot of phenolic acids. Their hydroxyl groups are capable of donating hydrogen atoms at the initial stage of lipid peroxidation (LPO), which inactivates hydroxyperoxides formed from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and leads to breakdown of the propagation chain. Material and methods: Rats pretreated with acetaminophen (APAP) (600 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) were given ethyl ether extract (100 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) obtained from A. vulgaris herb. The study parameters measured were microsomal lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, and the activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes and some drug metabolizing enzymes. Results:The treatment with ethyl ether extract of the herb produced a 87-95% decrease in uninduced and Fe 2+ /ascorbate-stimulated microsomal lipid peroxidation in the liver of rats receiving APAP. Hepatic glutathione level depleted by APAP increased significantly (by 18%) after the extract treatment. Antioxidant enzyme activity in the liver, inhibited by APAP, was found to increase after administration of the extract: catalase by about 36%, glutathione reductase by 27% and glutathione S-transferase by 29%. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, which decreased after APAP administration, increased again by 26% after extract treatment. The extract tested did not affect the activity of DT-diaphorase. The cytochrome P450 content, depleted by APAP, increased as much as by 100% after the treatment. The activities of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, aniline hydroxylase and aminopyrine N-demethylase were not affected. Conclusions: The protective effect of the Aquilegia vulgaris extract in APAP-induced liver injury was mediated by its antioxidant activity. The extract did not inhibit the formation of reactive intermediate metabolites of APAP.

Densitometric HPTLC and HPLC have been used for quantification of p-coumaric and protocatechuic acids in an ethereal fraction from a methanolic extract of Aquilegia vulgaris L. HPLC analysis was performed on an RP-18 column with methanolwater-formic acid 25:75:0.5 (v/v) as mobile phase. Thin layer chromatography was performed on Si60 F 254 HPTLC plates with mixtures of heptane, dichloromethane, diisopropyl ether, formic acid, and water as mobile phases. Satisfactory separation of the phenolic acids was achieved by use of the multiple gradient development technique. The quantities of p-coumaric and protocatechuic acids determined by HPLC were 0.374 and 2.283 mg g −1 dry plant material, respectively; HPTLC results were somewhat higher -0.396 and 2.584 mg g −1 , respectively. The precision of both methods, expressed as relative standard deviation, was satisfactory. The methods are useful for quality control of Aquilegia vulgaris extracts.