The synthesis of two [4]-dendralene compounds incorporating thiophene-(p-nitrophenyl) donor–acceptor units is presented. The dendralenes adopt two different conformers in solution and solid state and the transformation between the structures can be controlled by light and heat. The electron-donating components of the dendralenes are represented by bromothienyl (in 13) and ethylenedioxythiophene(EDOT)-thienyl (in 15) end-groups. The most facile transformation involves the isomerisation of donor–acceptor conjugated systems (a conformers) into structures in which only the thiophenes are conjugated (b conformers), and this process is driven by ambient light. The structures of the two conformers of compound 13 are confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies and the structural changes in both compounds have been monitored by 1H NMR spectroscopy and absorption studies. The transformations were found to be first-order processes with rate constants of k = 0.0027 s−1 and k = 0.00022 s−1 for 13 and 15, respectively. Density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G∗ level give credence to the proposed mechanism for the a→b conversion, which involves photoinduced intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) as the key step. The EDOT derivative (15) can be polymerised by electrochemical oxidation and a combination of cyclic voltammetry and UV/Vis spectroelectrochemical experiments indicate that the a conformer can be trapped and stabilised in the solid state.

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Background: Cuscuta reflexa (C. reflexa) is a parasitic climber of medicinal importance. The present study was aimed to evaluate the nutraceutical potential of C. reflexa stems collected from different hosts and to evaluate the role of the herbal formulation in dandruff, hair fall control as well as hair growth promoter. Materials and Methods:Hair formulations of C. reflexa collected from different host plants were prepared in the form of herbal oils (10% w/v). C. reflexa stems were extracted using mustard oil as base oil by using direct boiling technique. Prepared oil was studied as hair tonic. The experimental protocols used were anti-dandruff hair growth activity, as well as hair fall reduction. Herbal hair oils versus mustard oil were evaluated by applying oils on human volunteers with hair fall and dandruff problem whereas promotion of hair growth activity was conducted on rats. The formulated oils were also characterised for proximate analysis, physiochemical composition, as well as antimicrobial activity. Result: The test oils of C. reflexa collected from Azadiracta indica and Zizyphus jujuba were effective in the promotion of hair growth, dandruff control, as well as reduction in hair fall activity. Conclusion: All the formulated oils showed potent antimicrobial activity against all selected strains of bacteria and fungi.

Two new triterpenoid saponins (1, 2) and a known sapogenin (3) were isolated from the dried carpophore of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge. (Sapindaceae), and their structures were established as 3-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl, 28-O-[alpha-l-rhamnosyl (1 --> 2)]-beta-d-glucopyranosyl 16-deoxybarrin-gtogenol C (1), 3-O-[beta-d-glucopyranosyl(1 --> 6)] 3'-angeloyl)-beta-d-glucopyranosyl, 28-O-[alpha-l-rhamnosyl(1 --> 2)]-beta-d-glucopyranosyl 16-deoxybarringtogenol C (2), 16-deoxybarringtogenol C (3), by spectral and chemical methods. Compounds 1 and 2 were found to have activity of inhibiting the proliferation of two human tumour cell lines while compound 3 was inactive.

INTRODUCTION Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) has historically been grown worldwide and this plant has medicinal uses. It was used in the folk medicine of ancient. In Pakistan, this plant is widely grown and it has been used as a leafy vegetable 1 , bioactive forage 2. In recent years, a large number of medicinal functions of chicory have been researched. The extracts have also been known to reduce the level of lipids have hepatoprotective potential 3. Chicory has been validated to exhibit antibacterial 4 and antifungal activity 5. Furthermore, chicory is used as anti-inflammatory agents. Moreover, chicory extracts are commonly observed as safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 6. Cichorium intybus is a potential source of alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, tannins, saponins, fatty acids, volatile oils that make it suitable for use in medicines 7. The volatile component contains octane, n-nanodecane, pentadecanone, hexadecane and penta salicylate 8. The pharmacological studies indicated that chicory holds anticarcinogenic 9. Chicory roots have been in use as a digestive aid, diuretic, laxative and slight sedative 10 .

This study is based on an environmental assessment of acetylsalicylic acid and naproxen in waste and tap water samples of twenty different locations of municipal area of Sukkur city, Sindh, Pakistan. Both drugs belong to the most frequently used Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) group. The specified pharmaceuticals were extracted from the wastewater and tap water samples by Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) method using Waters Oasis hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB) cartridges. Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technique was applied for the detection and quantification of selected drugs. Negative Electron Spray Ionization (ESI) was used along with Multi Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mode. Pharmaceuticals concentration were found 7.38-827 µg/L and 5.47-328.95 µg/L in waste and tap water samples, respectively. The results obtained are comparable with the data reported in literature. Human health risk assessment caused by acetylsalicylic acid and naproxen in aquatic media was observed by applying Risk Quotient (RQ) approach. The calculated RQ values are low enough (order of 10-3 to 10-5) to cause a direct risk for consumers, but their presence in water may pose a danger synergistically.

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