Antihyperglycemic, Antihyperlipidemic and Antiglycation Effects of Byrsonima crassifolia Fruit and Seed in Normal and Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The hypoglycemic effects of hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts from fruits and seeds of Byrsonima crassifolia were evaluated by oral administration to normoglycemic and streptozotocin-induced severe diabetic rats (SD). The anti-diabetic effect was examined by blood glucose, triglycerides, lipid peroxidation, total cholesterol levels in the serum, glycogen content of liver and skeletal muscles, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels. The most active extracts were obtained with hexane. Hexane and chloroform extracts from fruits and seeds of Byrsonima crassifolia increased the levels of SOD, GSH, GSSG and CAT, hepatic glycogen content, glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and the plasma insulin levels. They also decreased glucokinase (GK) and TBAR (thiobarbituric acid assay). In conclusion, Byrsonima crassifolia possesses significant antihyperglycemic properties after 4 h of a single oral dose. It can also improve hyperlipidemia and hyperinsulinemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Both extracts exhibited significant inhibitory activity against AGEs (advanced glycation end products) formation with IC₅₀ values ranging from 94.3 to 138.7 μg/ml. Therefore, B. crassifolia can be considered as a potential safe anti-diabetic agent.     

Antioxidant and Antiglycative Potential of Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Psidium guajava Leaf Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Hyperglycemia causes increased protein glycation and the formation of early glycation products and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which are major factors responsible for the complications associated with diabetes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant as well as antiglycative potential of ethyl acetate fraction of guava leaves. Oral administration of the extract at different doses showed a significant decrease in blood glucose level. It also showed an improved antioxidant potential as evidenced by decreased lipid peroxidation and a significant increase in the activity of various antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. Glycated hemoglobin as well as fructosamine which are indicators of glycation was also reduced significantly in treated groups when compared to diabetic control. In vitro studies also support the antioxidant as well as antiglycative potential of guava leaves.     

Relationship Among Antimutagenic, Antioxidant and Enzymatic Activities of Methanolic Extract from Common Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L)

Common beans are rich in phenolic compounds, which can provide health benefits to the consumer. The objective of this work was to study the relationship among antimutagenicity, antioxidant and enzymatic activities of methanolic extract and trolox by principal components multivariate analysis. Antimutagenicity of phenolic compounds present in methanolic extract from the seed coat of common beans (P. vulgaris, Flor de Mayo Bajío cultivar) and trolox against AFB₁ mutagenicity were evaluated in the Salmonella typhimurium microsuspension assay. Antioxidant capacity of methanolic extract and trolox were evaluated using β-carotene and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) in vitro model assays. Cythrome P450 activity was measured by fluorometric assay. For phenolic extract, trolox and phenolic extract + trolox, the inhibition on AFB₁ mutagenicity in tester strain TA100 was 47, 59 and 69%, respectively. While in TA98 was 39, 48 and 68%. The inhibition of phenolic compounds, trolox and phenolic compounds + trolox on cytochrome P450 (CYP450) activity was 48, 59 and 88%, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that phenolic extract and trolox have high antimutagenic and antioxidant activity and also inhibited enzymatic activity. The results suggest that the primary mechanism of action of phenolic compounds in beans against AFB₁ mutagenicity may be extra-cellular in the microsuspension assay.     

Antioxidant and Antimutagenic Activities of Mexican Oregano (Lippia graveolens Kunth)

Free essential oil methanolic extracts from three different geographical populations of Lippia graveolens in México were screened for antioxidant and antimutagenic properties by the DPPH and Kado microsuspension assay, respectively. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents as well as HPLC identification and quantification of naringenin and rosmarinic acid were also carried out. In addition, a taxonomical phenetic analysis was performed. The L. graveolens extracts showed varying content of phenols and flavonoids. Significant concentration of rosmarinic acid was found for the first time in the species. All the extracts were capable of scavenging DPPH radicals in a concentration dependent fashion; the IC₅₀ values correlate with the phenolic content. None of the extracts was toxic to TA100 and TA98 strains at the concentrations tested; moreover, the extracts at a concentration equivalent to 200 μg of gallic acid inhibited a 39 and 30% the mutagenicity induced by 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine and sodium azide, respectively. The results suggest that the Mexican oregano is a source of polar bioactive ingredients for the food industry.     

Antioxidant Activities of Four Edible Seaweeds from the Southern Coast of Thailand

The aqueous extracts of four marine algae, Caulerpa racemosa var. macrophysa, Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. tenuistipitata, Sargassum sp., and Ulva lactuca, from the coastal areas in Southern Thailand, were prepared by boiling dried seaweed powder in water for 3 h, and by autoclaving each sample at 120 °C for 3 h. They were then freeze-dried and evaluated for their antioxidant activities using DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), hydroxyl radical (OH^•) and superoxide anion (O₂^•−) scavenging assays. Boiling extracts of the seaweeds, except C. racemosa, were found to have higher total phenolic contents (TPC) than those obtained from the autoclave method. The antioxidant results also showed that O₂^•− scavenging activity existed only in the boiling extracts of C. racemosa, G. tenuistipitata, and U. lactuca. In DPPH and OH^• assays, however, almost all the boiling extracts were less active than the autoclave ones. Among the four alga species, Sargassum sp. was the most active. Both extracts of this seaweed had the highest TPC and also displayed the strongest DPPH^• and OH^• inhibitory activities. A strong positive-correlation between the antioxidant potency and TPC of the autoclave extracts was found, while for the boiling extracts such relation was very weak. This result thus reflected that in addition to the phenolic compounds, there might be some other active components present in these extracts involved in the antioxidant activity.     

Antioxidant and Antimutagenic Activities of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Randia echinocarpa</Emphasis> Fruit

We report for the first time the antioxidant and antimutagenic activities of fractions from Randia echinocarpa fruit, which is a Rubiaceae plant native to Sinaloa, Mexico. This fruit has been traditionally used in the prevention or treatment of cancer, among other diseases. The pulp of the fruit was sequentially extracted with solvents of different polarity (i.e. hexane, chloroform, methanol and water). A high extraction yield was obtained with methanol (72.17% d.w.). The aqueous extract showed the highest content of phenolics (2.27 mg/g as ferulic acid equivalents) and the highest antioxidant activity based on the β-carotene bleaching method (486.15). The commercial antioxidant BHT was used as control (835.05). Antimutagenic activity of the aqueous extract (0–500 μg/tube) was evaluated using the Salmonella microsuspension assay (YG1024 strain) and 1-NP as the mutagen (50 and 100 ng/tube). The aqueous extract was neither toxic nor mutagenic and the percentage of inhibition on 1-NP mutagenicity was 32 and 53% at doses of 50 and 100 ng/tube, respectively. The results of the double incubation assay suggest that the extract inhibited the mutagenicity of 1-NP by a combination of desmutagenic and bioantimutagenic effects.     

Fatty Acids, Sterols, Phenols and Antioxidant Activity of Phoenix theophrasti Fruits Growing in Crete, Greece

In the present study we report the chemical composition of the Cretan Phoenix theophrasti Gr. fruits, in comparison with dates, from its close relative Phoenix dactylifera L. for their nutritional value and their potential exploitation as a source of bioactive components such as phytosterols, lipids and polyphenols. The non polar dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) extract of the fruits was analysed by several techniques (TLC, CC, GC and GC-MS) and was found to consist mainly from fatty acids, hydrocarbons and phytosterols. Palmitic acid was the most abundant fatty acid, 12.49% of total saponifiables, while β-sitosterol was the most prevalent phytosterol, 29.46% of total unsaponifiable lipid fraction. The polar methanolic extract was examined for its total phenolic content, by the Folin–Ciocalteu assay, as well as for its antioxidant activity through DPPH assay, in comparison with previous studies on the fruits of several Phoenix dactylifera varieties. This fraction was found to possess strong antioxidant activity despite its lower content of phenolic compounds in comparison with previously studied Phoenix dactylifera specimens.     

Antihyperglycemic Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platycodon grandiflorum</Emphasis> (Jacq.) A. DC. Extract on Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Mice

The root of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC has been reported to have a wide range of health benefits in oriental food. This study examined the hypoglycemic effects of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC aqueous-ethanol extract (PGE) in streptozotocin (STZ) -induced diabetic ICR mice (STZ diabetic mice) for the first time. The effects of PGE on blood glucose, plasma insulin levels and body weight were investigated. A significant decrease in blood glucose levels was observed after single administration of PGE. Furthermore, Glibenclamide and PGE significantly suppressed the rise in blood glucose after 30 min in the acute glucose tolerance test. Treatment with glibenclamide and PGE resulted in a reduction in blood glucose levels from the 2nd week, and this reduction was maintained until the 4th week of treatment. The body weight changed slightly in glibenclamide and PGE treated mice in comparison with the STZ control group. Plasma insulin levels were increased with glibenclamide treatment in STZ diabetic mice, whereas such effect was not observed with PGE. These results indicated that PGE could induce hypoglycemic effects without stimulating insulin secretion.     

Effects of Strobilanthes crispus Tea Aqueous Extracts on Glucose and Lipid Profile in Normal and Streptozotocin-Induced Hyperglycemic Rats

Strobilanthes crispus (Acanthaceae) has been used traditionally as antidiabetic, diuretic, antilytic, and laxative and has been proven scientifically to possess high antioxidant activity, anti-AIDS, and anticancer properties. It is commonly consumed in the form of herbal tea. The ethnopharmacological value of this plant, such as the development of nutraceutical S. crispus herbal tea (fermented and unfermented) and assessment of their antihyperglycemic properties were investigated. The antidiabetic properties of S. crispus fermented and unfermented tea was carried out in normal and streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic rats for 21 days. Glucose and lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol) were determined at day 0 (baseline), day 7, and day 21. The results showed that the hot water extract of both fermented and unfermented S. crispus tea reduced blood glucose in hyperglycaemic rats. S. crispus unfermented tea also reduced glucose level in normal rat. Both fermented and unfermented S. crispus tea also showed to improve lipid profile. Antioxidant and polyphenol content that present in the extracts might contribute to the antihyperglycemic and antilipidemic properties. Further study is needed to be carried out in pre-clinical and clinical environment to prove its efficacy in human.     

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant/Antimicrobial Activities in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Fluid Extract of Gloiopeltis tenax

Gloiopeltis tenax (G. tenax) is widely distributed along the Chinese coastal areas and is commonly used in the treatment of diarrhea and colitis. This study aimed at investigating the bioactivities of the volatile constituents in G. tenax. We extracted the essential constituents of G. tenax by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (CO₂-SFE), then identified and analyzed the constituents by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In total, 30 components were identified in the G. tenax extract. The components showed remarkable antioxidant activity (radical scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)), lipid peroxidation inhibition capacity (in a β-carotene/linoleic acid-coupled oxidation reaction), and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity (by deoxyribose degradation by iron-dependent hydroxyl radical), compared to butylated hydroxytoluene. In microdilution assays, G. tenax extracts showed a moderate inhibitory effects on Staphyloccocus aureus (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 3.9 mg/mL), Enterococcus faecalis (7.8 mg/mL), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.6 mg/mL), and Escherichia coli (3.9 mg/mL). Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of G. tenax were related to the active chemical composition. These results suggest that the CO₂-SFE extract from G. tenax has potential to be used as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent in food processing.     

Variation in Contents of Total Phenolics and Flavonoids and Antioxidant Activities in the Leaves of 11 <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eriobotrya</Emphasis> Species

Eriobotrya plants are known to have significant amounts of phenolics and flavonoids, and exhibit a strong antioxidant activity. Experiments were conducted to examine variation in the contents of total phenolics and flavonoids, and antioxidant activities in the leaves of 11 Eriobotrya species (Tibet loquat, Daduhe loquat, Hengchun loquat, Taiwan loquat, Oak leaf loquat, Bengal loquat, Fragrant loquat, Guangxi loquat, Obovate loquat, Big flower loquat, and common loquat, the last species include two materials, one is a cultivar ‘Zaozhong 6’, another is a wild tree). In these species, ‘Zaozhong 6′ loquat is a cultivar. The leaf extracts of ‘Tibet’, ‘Obovate’, ‘Taiwan’, ‘Bengal’ and ‘Hengchun’ loquats exhibited significantly higher contents of total flavonoids and total phenolics, compared with those of other species. Of these 11 species, the highest contents of total phenolics and total flavonoids were observed in ‘Tibet’ and ‘Obovatae’ loquats, respectively. The significantly stronger antioxidant abilities assessed by the DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power were obtained in the leaf extracts of ‘Taiwan’, ‘Tibet’, ‘Bengal’, ‘Oak leaf’, ‘Hengchun’ and ‘Obovate’ loquats, compared with the other species. In addition, significant correlations were found between the contents of total phenolics or flavonoids and DPPH radical scavenging activity/reducing power. This work indicates that the leaf extracts of the wild Eriobotrya species, ‘Tibet’, ‘Obovatae’, ‘Taiwan’, ‘Bengal’, ‘Oak leaf’ and ‘Hengchun’ loquats, exhibited significantly higher levels of total phenolics and flavonoids, and significantly stronger antioxidant activities, compared with the cultivated species, ‘Zaozhong 6′ loquat, which suggests that these wild species have a better utilization value.     

<Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">In Vitro</Emphasis> Antioxidant and Anti-rhizopus Activities of Lamiaceae Herbal Extracts

Eighty-eight extracts of different polarity obtained from 18 Lamiaceae medicinal and aromatic plants were screened for their antioxidant and antifungal properties. A TLC analysis combined with two bioassays were used to detect these activities. In most cases the highest radical scavenger capacity was detected in methanolic and aqueous extracts and polyphenols may be responsible. The most interesting antioxidant activity was observed in polar extracts obtained from Lycopus europaeus, Melissa officinalis, Origanum vulgare subsp. virens and Lavandula latifolia. On the contrary, the best results for the antifungal test against Rhizopus stolonifer were produced by non-polar herbal extracts. Phlomis lychnitis, Salvia pratensis and Calamintha sylvatica caused the highest inhibition on Rhizopus growth.     

Studies onFusarium wilt of potatoes. 2. Leaf,sprout and tuber infection in artificial inoculations

Summary In artificial inoculations it was found thatFusarium oxysporum f.sp.tuberosi is able to penetrate through potato leaves. The fungus was isolated from the stem of infected plants from all inoculated cultivars. Tubers were completely destroyed if they were inoculated before sprouting. Not any destruction was observed if inoculation was made before young sprouts are longer than 1–3 cm; plants from these sprouts were infected. Lesioned tubers were more sensitive than unlesioned ones, and tuber rot and sprout damage were increased significantly.     

Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Effects of Polyphenols in Brown Alga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ecklonia stolonifera</Emphasis> in Genetically Diabetic KK-A<Superscript>y</Superscript> Mice

The dietary intake and control of blood glucose levels are very important in hyperglycemic patients and α-glucosidase inhibitors are a cost-effective means to preventing the progression of diabetes. In search of a natural inhibitor from food materials, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and the anti-hyperglycemic effects of a brown alga, Ecklonia stolonifera, were investigated using non-insulin dependent diabetic mice. Methanolic extract of E. stolonifera (MEE), which contains a high content of polyphenols, showed strong inhibition of α-glucosidase in vitro. Male KK-A^y mice, a genetically non-insulin dependent diabetic model, showed hyperglycemia with aging, but the ingestion of MEE suppressed the increase in plasma glucose and lipid peroxidation levels in unfasted KK-A^y mice dose dependently. In KK-A^y mice, which were fed the MEE diet for 4 weeks, MEE moderated the elevation of plasma glucose levels after the oral administration of maltose. The polyphenols in MEE were estimated to be phlorotannins by HPLC-PDA and LC/MS analyses. These results demonstrate that E. stolonifera, seaweed typically used as a health food, has strong antidiabetic and antioxidant effects in vivo, thus, it may have beneficial properties in the prevention of diabetes and could be useful in the development of an antidiabetic pharmaceutical and functional food.     

Antioxidant and Immunity Activity of Water Extract and Crude Polysaccharide from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficus carica</Emphasis> L. Fruit

The antioxidative activities of water extract (WE) and crude hot-water soluble polysaccharide (PS) from Ficus carica L. fruit were investigated using various assays in vitro, including scavenging abilities on DPPH, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals and reducing power. The immunity activities of PS were evaluated using the carbon clearance test and serum hemolysin analysis in mice. In addition, total phenolics and flavonoids contents were also determined. Both WE and PS have notable scavenging activities on DPPH with the EC₅₀ values of 0.72 and 0.61 mg/ml, respectively. The PS showed higher scavenging activity than WE on superoxide radical (EC₅₀, 0.95 mg/ml) and hydroxyl anion radical (scavenging rate 43.4% at concentration of 4 mg/ml). The PS (500 mg/kg) also has a significant increase in the clearance rate of carbon particles and serum hemolysin level of normal mice. The results indicate that both WE and PS might be applicable in healthy medicine and food industry.     

低温和UV-B复合胁迫对小麦幼苗抗氧化酶和渗透调节物质的影响

为揭示UV-B辐射与早春低温复合环境对小麦生理生化的影响,以小麦品种龙麦26为材料,分析了低温、UV-B及二者复合胁迫下小麦幼苗抗氧化酶活性和渗透调节物质含量。结果表明,与对照(正常生长条件)相比,低温下小麦丙二醛(MDA)和可溶性糖含量及过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活性显著升高,过氧化物酶(POD)活性显著降低,原初光能转化效率(F_v/F_m)、脯氨酸含量未发生显著性变化;UV-B处理诱导MDA和脯氨酸含量及POD、PAL活性显著增加,但显著降低F_v/F_m和可溶性糖含量,CAT和SOD活性没有发生显著的变化;低温和UV-B复合处理后SOD和PAL活性显著增加,而F_v/F_m、CAT和POD活性及可溶性糖含量显著下降,MDA和脯氨酸含量却没有显著变化。以上结果说明,小麦幼苗不同代谢生理指标对低温、UV-B及二者复合胁迫响应程度和方式不同。     

小麦抗叶锈病中间材料的Lr24、Lr38分子标记辅助选择

为加速小麦抗叶锈优质品种的培育,利用Lr24、Lr38的分子标记对优质品种豫麦34、中优9507和高抗叶锈品系1R17的杂交F3:4代的优质材料进行了目的基因的鉴定。结果从150份杂交后代F3:4中筛选出了70份聚合Lr24和Lr38的高抗优质材料,其余80份材料表型为抗叶锈病,但不含Lr24和Lr38或仅含二者之一。本研究避免了小麦抗叶锈病育种的盲目性,提高了抗叶锈基因选择的准确度。     

Antioxidant activity and phenolic content of chestnut (Castanea sativa) shell and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) bark extracts

Chestnut (Castanea sativa) shell and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) bark, waste products of the food and wood industries, respectively, were analysed as potential sources of antioxidant compounds. The extraction yield, the antioxidant activity and total phenols content of the extracts were greater in chestnut shell than in eucalyptus bark for most of the extraction conditions essayed. Extraction of chestnut shell with a 2.5% Na₂SO₃ aqueous solution led to the highest extraction yield, 25.6%, total phenols, 13.4 g gallic acid equivalent/100 g oven-dried shell, and FRAP antioxidant activity, 80.7 mmol ascorbic acid equivalent/100 g oven-dried shell. Extraction with methanol:water (50:50, v/v) provided the best results for eucalyptus bark. The antioxidant activity and the total phenols content of the extracts had a positive linear correlation. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the higher content of phenolic compounds in chestnut shell extracts compared to eucalyptus bark extracts. Chestnut shell extracts were characterized by the presence of high molecular weight species whereas lower molecular weight species were predominant in eucalyptus bark extracts.     

玉米弯孢叶斑病菌PG基因家族鉴定与表达分析

采用生物信息学鉴定Clpg基因家族成员,利用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析玉米弯孢叶斑病菌多聚半乳糖醛酸酶基因(Clpg)在病原菌-寄主植物互作时期的表达情况,鉴定Clpg基因的家族成员,研究每个成员在侵染过程的表达水平,明确Clpg基因在玉米弯孢叶斑病菌致病性中的作用。结果表明,玉米弯孢叶斑病菌Clpg基因家族有4个成员,分别命名为Clpg1、Clpg2、Clpg3和Clpg4,均含有3个内含子和2个外显子,与其他真菌PG基因具有相同的NTD、DD、GHG、RIK保守结构域。Clpg1基因的表达趋势为先升高后下降,在3 h达最高值;Clpg2、Clpg3和Clpg4基因的表达趋势为逐渐上升,结果暗示Clpg基因可能参与病原菌与寄主植物的互作过程。     

抗叶锈基因Lr34在46个小麦育种资源中的分布及其抗性表现

Lr34是目前应用最广泛的慢锈基因,慢锈基因的利用是实现持久抗病性的方法之一。为明确我国小麦品种含有Lr34的信息,利用csLv34标记检测了46个小麦育种资源中Lr34的分布情况,并对46个小麦育种资源进行了田间成株期抗叶锈性鉴定。分子检测表明,在46个小麦品种中有7个品种含有Lr34基因(分布率为15.2%),含有Lr34基因的品种成株期抗叶锈性较强,虽然有些品种的侵染型为3~4,但严重程度较低。