Investigation of Grewia bicolor Juss.
Grewia bicolor is a small tree, parts of which are used in Sudanese traditional medicine for treating pustulent skin lesions, internally on indication of a delayed afterbirth and sometimes as a tranquilizer. A phytochemical investigation of Grewia bicolor gave the following results: the petroleum ether extract afforded beta-sitosterol and beta-sitosterol- and triterpene esters, and the triterpenes lupeol and betulin. The methanol extract afforded: beta-sitosterol-glucoside and three alkaloids, harman, 6-methoxyharman and 6-hydroxyharman. The latter is the main alkaloid. The methanol extract shows activity against gram-positive and gram-negative organisms and causes a strong contraction of the isolated rat uterus which can be blocked by methysergide.
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006247:Harmine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000032:analysis; D013261:Sterols / Q000032:analysis; D013397:Sudan; D013729:Terpenes / Q000032:analysis; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012855:Sitosterols; D013261:Sterols; D013729:Terpenes; D006247:Harmine; C005010:harman; C011015:lyoniside