Publisher Summary The polymers are embedded in or associated with a complex mixture of relatively nonpolar lipids that are collectively called wax because of the similarity of their physical properties to those of the honeycomb material. In most plants, wax can be found on the surface and the crystalline structure of this wax is a rather unique characteristic of each species. The most widespread site of occurrence of wax is the cuticle, and the abundance of production of cuticular waxes by some aerial parts of plants allows easy removal of the most familiar and widely utilized plant waxes such as carnauba wax. Internal organs usually contain little wax, except in rare plants such as jojoba in which large amounts of wax esters are stored as the major energy reserve. This chapter presents a methodology that is useful for examining waxes and polymerized lipids. It discusses the types of compounds found in plant waxes and in lipid-derived polymers and explains their biosynthesis, degradation, and possible functions.

Cutin, suberin, and waxes

Plants used in traditional medicine in Eastern Tanzania. IV. Angiosperms (Mimosaceae to Papilionaceae)

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a serious gastrointestinal disorder that requires a well targeted therapeutic strategy. A number of drugs including proton pump inhibitors and H2 receptor antagonists are available for the treatment of peptic ulcer, but clinical evaluation of these drugs has shown incidence of relapses, side effects, and drug interactions. This has been the rationale for the development of new antiulcer drugs and the search for novel molecules has been extended to herbal drugs that offer better protection and decreased relapse. Drugs of plant origin are gaining popularity and are being investigated for a number of disorders, including peptic ulcer. The present article reviews the antiulcerogenic and ulcer healing property of Ocimum sanctum , Allophylus serratus , Desmodium gagenticum, Azadirachta indica , Hemidesmus racemosus , Asparagus racemosus, and Musa sapientum. We have highlighted some of the important plants reported for their anti-ulcer and ulcer healing properties, in our laboratory and elsewhere during the last few years. Ayurvedic knowledge supported by modern science is necessary to isolate, characterise, and standardise the active constituents from herbal sources for antiulcer activity.

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Exploring Indian medicinal plants for antiulcer activity

The genus Desmodium (Fabaceae)-traditional uses in Chinese medicine, phytochemistry and pharmacology.

An ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. and Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC.

Several phytochemical componeats have been isolated from Desmodium gangeticum. The isolation of these principles has been described and a preliminary study of their physical and chemical properties is reported.

A preliminary phytochemical investigation of Desmodium gangeticum DC, I

In continuation of our work described in the previous communication (1), we have discovered the provisional structural formula for the lactone isolated by us from the plant Desmodium gangeticum DC. All the experiments in connection with the elucidation of its structure have been reported.

B.K. Avasthi

Papers

A preliminary phytochemical investigation of Desmodium gangeticum DC, I

Chemical investigation of Desmodium gangeticum. II. Chemical constitution of the lactone.