In this study, six extracts of Arabis carduchorum prepared from solvents of varying polarity (water, methanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and n-hexane) were investigated for their chemical profiles and total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC/TFC) using HPLC–MS/MS and spectrophotometric/colorimetric assays, respectively, along with the assessment of their antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory effects. In general, the polar extracts (methanol, water, and infusion) showed higher TPC/TFC than the other extracts (range: 13.73–26.62 mg GAE/g; 2.66–52.95 mg RE/g, respectively). The total antioxidant capacity of the polar extracts ranged from 0.90–1.85 mmol TE/g in phosphomolybdenum assay, while the free radical scavenging potential ranged from 4.36–32.13 mg TE/g and 12.58–67.73 mg TE/g in DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. While the water and infuse extract inhibited only butyrylcholinesterase (2.68 and 2.39 mg GALAE/g, respectively), the other extracts were found to inhibit both acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterases (0.96–2.73 mg GALAE/g and 1.86–5.11 mg GALAE/g, respectively). On the contrary, all extracts exhibited anti-tyrosinase (40.24–59.22 mg KAE/g) and anti-amylase (0.09–0.63 mmol ACAE/g) activities. Overall, this study highlighted the effect of solvent polarity on the extraction of bioactive compounds and the biological properties of the extracts of A. carduchorum; hence, the results obtained could be used to guide optimum extraction in future studies.

Fractal dimensions of leaves from Cercis canadensis L., Robinia pseudoacacia L., Amelanchier arborea (F.Michx.) Fernald, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, Quercus alba L., Carpinus caroliniana Walter, Ficus carica L., Morus rubra L., Platanus orientalis L., and Ulmus rubra Muhl. were calculated. The values were then confirmed and compared by those obtained from box-counting method and the exponent values of densitydensity correlation function (first time in the literature). It is now proposed for the first time that there is a relationship between a fractal dimension of the leaf and a surface density of the image and was concluded that together with other measures, the fractal dimensions with surface density function could be used as a new approach to taxonomical study of plants. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v43i3.21593 Bangladesh J. Bot. 43(3): 267-275, 2014 (December)