Two new steroidal saponins were isolated from the rhizomes of Costus spiralis Rosc. Their structures were established as (3beta,25R)-26-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-hydroxyfurost-5-en-3-yl O-D-apio-beta-D-furanosyl-(1-->2)-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) and (3beta,25R)-26-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-hydroxyfurost-5-en-3-yl O-D-apio-beta-D-furanosyl-(1-->4)-O-[...

This review provides a historical overview of the research on plant ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), starting from the first studies at the end of eighteenth century involving the purification of abrin and ricin, as well as the immunological experiments of Paul Erlich. Interest in these plant toxins was revived in 1970 by the observation of their anticancer activity, which has given rise ...

Using analogues of some marine steroidal oximes as precursors, a series of aza-B-homocholestane derivatives possessing different substituted groups at the 3-position of the steroidal nucleus were synthesized. Their biological activity against cancer cell proliferation was determined with multiple cancer cell lines. Aza-B-homocholestane derivatives possessing 3-hydroxyl, 3-hydroximino and 3-thio...

The preparation and reactivity of steroidal vinyldiazo compounds is reported, providing a convenient, substituent tolerant, chemo- and stereoselective entry into 4- and 6-substituted androgen analogues from a common precursor. Under dirhodium catalysis, O-H insertion occurs at the carbenoid site, leading to 4-substituted steroids, but under silver catalysis, O-H insertion occurs at the vinylogo...

A careful scrutiny of the ancient literature reveals the varied well thought of and time tested measures at population control through local and oral contraceptives, abortifacients and other methods of antifertility and birth controls. This has been based on the wise knowledge of the physiology of conception, healthy methods of fertilization and conception, stressing on quality of the progeny a...

Despite broad grounds for legal abortion in Zambia, access to abortion services remains limited. Pharmacy workers, a primary source of health care for communities, present an opportunity to bridge the gap between policy and practice. As part of a larger operations study, 80 pharmacy workers, both registered pharmacists and their assistants, participated in a training on medical abortion in 2009...

An extract of the edible parts of Hosta sieboldiana suppressed the growth of P388 mouse leukemic cells. A new steroidal saponin was isolated from Hosta sieboldiana in this study, and the structure was determined by a spectroscopic analysis to be (25R)-3beta-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-galacto...

Humans have attempted to disrupt the progression of pregnancy for a very long time. This dates back to the realization that it was a sexual activity which started the reproductive cycle. Folk methods for preventing pregnancy after unprotected sexual activity are physiologically unable to be effective and we now have chemical, mainly hormonal methods, and a mechanical method the intrauterine dev...