Suppressive effect of pectic polysaccharides from Cucurbita pepo L. var. Styriaca on citric acid-induced cough reflex in guinea pigs

Several water-soluble pectic polysaccharides were isolated from the pumpkin fruit biomass and characterized by composition, structural features and molecular properties. The pectic polysaccharides were tested for antitussive activity by studying the effects of citric acid-induced cough reflex in guinea pigs and reactivity of the airway smooth muscle in vivo conditions in comparison to the narcotic drug codeine. Oral administration of all pectic polysaccharides from pumpkin inhibited the number of coughs induced by citric acid in guinea pigs, but to various extents. The results indicated that the antitussive activity of the pectic polysaccharides is affected by their molecular and structural properties, whereby a synergistic action between the polysaccharide and non-carbohydrate components on the biological response has been suggested as well. The cough depressive efficacy of most of the tested polysaccharides was comparable and even higher than that of codeine. Moreover, the application of these polysaccharides provoked any side effects what is their advantage towards the conventional opioid-derived antitussive agents.     

Mitogenic and comitogenic activities of polysaccharides from some European herbaceous plants

From the leaves of Plantago lanceolata, the green parts of Rudbeckia fulgida, the aerial parts of Salvia officinalis and the roots of Valeriana officinalis, crude polysaccharides have been isolated by extraction with water and further purified and fractionated by various techniques. The water-soluble polysaccharides obtained were examined for their immunomodulatory activities using the in vitro mitogenic and comitogenic rat thymocyte tests. The results indicate that in spite of the considerable differences in chemical composition and structural properties, the tested polysaccharides exhibited similar significant immunomodulatory properties with a particularly high adjuvans activity in the case of the Rudbeckia and Salvia polysaccharides. The pectic polysaccharide-rich complex from Valeriana was shown to also stimulate the immune function of bone marrow cells.     

Anti-gastric adenocarcinoma activity of 2-Methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone,an anti-Helicobacter pylori compound from Impatiens balsamina L.

2-Methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (MeONQ) from Impatiens balsamina L. exhibited strong anti-H. pylori activity in our previous study. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicity of MeONQ against gastric adenocarcinoma (MKN45 cell line) and propose the relevant mechanisms. MeONQ resulted in serious necrosis via superoxide anion catastrophe when the treatment doses were higher than 50 μM, whereas apoptosis occurred at low treatment doses (25–50 μM) through the caspase-dependent apoptosis pathway. Necrosis is the dominant mode of cell death. MeONQ exhibited high ability to induce gastric adenocarcinoma necrosis, showing good potential as a candidate agent for H. pylori infection related disease therapy.     

A new flavan from Elephantorrhiza goetzei

A new compound, 3,3′,4′,5,6,7,8-heptahydroxyflavan (1), was isolated from the roots of Elephantorrhiza goetzei. The crude extract, and its n-butanol and residual water fractions showed antimicrobial activity. Semi-purified extracts showed higher activity and of the purified compounds only methyl gallate gave activity below 100 μg of sample.     

白蜡虫多糖免疫调节与抑制肿瘤活性

采用环磷酰胺诱导免疫低下小鼠模型,通过测定模型小鼠的炭粒廓清指数、吞噬指数、胸腺指数和脾指数考察白蜡虫多糖的免疫调节能力;对接种S180瘤细胞的小鼠采用口服和注射方式提供白蜡虫多糖,以抑瘤率考察白蜡虫多糖体内抑瘤活性;以生长率为指标考察白蜡虫多糖对人白血病细胞株、人肺癌细胞株、人胃癌细胞株及人肝癌细胞株等4种肿瘤细胞的抑制作用。结果显示:白蜡虫粗多糖(Cwps)和纯化多糖(Pwps)均能明显增加免疫低下小鼠碳粒廓清指数及吞噬指数,但对胸腺指数和脾指数无改善作用;体内抑瘤试验发现,白蜡虫多糖对小鼠体内S180有明显的抑瘤效果,但对离体肿瘤细胞生长却无明显抑制作用。研究结果表明:白蜡虫多糖能增加免疫低下小鼠的非特性免疫能力,具有体内抑制肿瘤作用,但对肿瘤细胞无细胞毒作用,揭示白蜡虫多糖通过提高小鼠免疫能力达到体内抑制肿瘤的功效。     

An immunostimulating water insoluble β-glucan of an edible hybrid mushroom: Isolation and characterization

An immunostimulating water-insoluble β-glucan isolated from hot alkaline extract of the fruiting bodies of an edible somatic hybrid mushroom of Pleurotus florida and Calocybe indica var. APK2 showed significant macrophage, splenocyte, and thymocyte activations. On the basis of total hydrolysis, methylation analysis, and NMR experiments (¹H, ¹³C, DQF-COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, DEPT-135, and HSQC), the repeating unit of the polysaccharide is established.     

Bioassay-guided isolation of an anti-ulcer chromene from Eupatorium aschenbornianum: Role of nitric oxide,prostaglandins and sulfydryls

Eupatorium aschenbornianum is considered useful in the treatment of gastric ulcer. In the current study the validity of this practice was tested by using the experimental model of an ethanol induced gastric ulcer in rats. The results show that E. aschenbornianum had gastroprotective activity, that the hexane extract had the highest protective activity (85.65 ± 4.76%), and that encecanescin isolated from this extract was the main active gastroprotective agent. The effect elicited by encecanescin was attenuated by N^G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, N-ethylmaleimide and indomethacin, which suggests that NO, prostaglandins and sulfydryl groups are involved in the mechanisms of gastroprotective action.     

Potential insulin secretagogue effects of isovitexin and swertisin isolated from Wilbrandia ebracteata roots in non-diabetic rats

The antihyperglycemic effect and mechanism of action of extracts, fractions and compounds from Wilbrandia ebracteata was studied. The crude extract reduced the glycemia, increased glycogen content and serum insulin in hyperglycemic rats. Also, a significant effect was observed with the n-butanol and metanol subfraction. However, the antihyperglycemic effect of the n-butanol fraction was not observed in diabetic rats. The C-glycosylflavones isovitexin and swertisin showed a strong antihyperglycemic action compared with the extracts and fractions. These results show that the extracts, fractions, and isolated C-glycosylflavones have an antihyperglycemic action that was reinforced by the stimulation on in vivo insulin secretion.     

A new glucomannan from Bletilla striata: Structural and anti-fibrosis effects

A novel water-soluble polysaccharide, designated Bletilla striata polysaccharide b (BSPb), was isolated from a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, Bletilla striata. The crude polysaccharide was obtained by hot water extraction and purified by ion-exchange chromatography. The molecular weight was 260 kDa as determined by HPGPC (high performance gel permeation chromatography). Monosaccharide analysis showed that BSPb contained glucose and mannose with a molar ratio of 3:1. Methylation and spectroscopic analyses with 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy showed that the backbone of BSPb is mainly composed of (1 → 2)-linked α-d-mannopyranose and (1 → 4)-linked β-d-glucopyranose residues. In this study, BSPb plays an important role in protection against the renal fibrosis effect, which is probably mediated by down-regulated TGF-β RI, TGF-β RII, and α-SMA in vitro.     

Isolation and structural characterization of rhamnogalacturonan II-borate complex fromPinus densiflora

A boron-containing pectic polysaccharide was isolated from Driselase digests of akamatsu (Pinus densiflora) cell wall. The boron-containing polysaccharide was purified by successive column chromatography of Cosmosil C₁₈ OPN, DEAE Sepharose FF, and Superdex 75. The complex had 0.12% (w/w) boron (B) and¹¹B-NMR spectroscopy showed the complex to be the tetrahedral diester form of boron. The sugar composition and glycosyl linkage analyses showed that the sugar portion of the complex was rhamnogalacturonan-II (RG-11). The boron-attached glycosyl residue was identified to be 2-O-Me-xylose-containing apiosyl side chain in RG-II. These results established that the location of borate in the cell wall is conserved among dicots, gramineous monocots, and coniferous gymnosperm.Part of this study was presented at the 8th Cell Wall Symposium, Norwich, September 3, 1998     

Bioactivity-guided chemical analysis of Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae), displaying antidiabetic activity

One new Euphane-type triterpenoid 3β-hydroxytirucalla-5, 24-dien-21-oic acid (1), and ten known compounds (2–11) were isolated from Melia azedarach L. through bioassay-guided chemical analysis. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by means of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic (¹H, ¹³C, DEPT, COSY, HSQC and HMBC) and MS spectral analyses. All the fractions and isolated pure compounds were evaluated for antidiabetic activity by determining their inhibitory effects on PTP-1B enzyme as well as glucose uptake stimulation in C₂Cl₂ myoblasts cells. Compounds 4 and 7 showed significant in vitro PTP-1B inhibitory activity with 69.2 and 66.8% inhibition at 10 μg/ml concentrations respectively.     

Studies on milled wood lignins from spruce part 1. Composition and molecular properties

Summary Isolation of six milled wood lignins (MWL) from spruce under different conditions resulted in variable yields between 2.2% and 11.8% related to wood lignin. The composition of crude and purified lignins was evaluated with regard to non-hydrolyzable residue, acid-soluble lignin and polysaccharide content, which varied from 0.9 to 2.5%, depending on isolation conditions. The polysaccharide moiety of the crude and purified lignins contained a high percentage of glucose, probably derived from cellulose. The molecular size distributions determined by gel chromatography on different gels showed a broad distribution for all isolated lignins. A probable maximum of 40,000 for the molecular weight of milled wood lignins was determined by ultracentrifugation. Some of the lignin fractions were examined in the electron microscope.The authors are indepted to Prof. E. Killmann and Mrs. M. Bäumle (Institute for Technical Chemistry, Technical University of Munich) for assistance with the ultracentrifuge measurements and Dr. M. Stoll for precious suggestions and discussions. Submitted by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG).     

白灵菇菌丝体胞内与胞外多糖体外抗氧化活性研究

采用Fenton法、邻苯三酚自氧化法、还原力的测定以及盐酸萘乙二胺比色法等几种实验方法研究了白灵菇菌丝体胞内与胞外多糖体外抗氧化活性。结果表明：白灵菇菌丝体胞内与胞外多糖提取物均具有较强的体外抗氧化性能,且随着多糖浓度的增大其抗氧化活性逐渐增强。对羟基自由基（·OH）的清除能力,胞内多糖优于胞外多糖;对超氧阴离子自由基（O2^-）的清除能力,当多糖浓度低于55μg／ml时,胞内多糖优于胞外多糖,当多糖浓度高于55μg／ml时,胞外多糖优于胞内多糖;在还原力抑制方面,胞内多糖优于胞外多糖;在对NO2^-清除方面,胞外多糖表现为最强。     

Characterization of a cinnamoyl derivative from broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) florets

A new intact glucosinolate Cinnamoyl derivative [6'-O-trans-(4″- hydroxy cinnamoyl)-4-(methylsulphinyl) butyl glucosinolate] (A) has been isolated from Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) florets. The compound was isolated and characterized by LC, MS-ESI, FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR as well as ¹H-¹H COSY, DEPT 135° spectrometric experiments.     

Lignin characteristics of bast fiber and core in kenaf, bark and wood of paper mulberry and mulberry

The structural features of bast fiber and core lignins in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), bark and wood lignin of paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent × Broussonetia kazinoki Sieb.) and mulberry (Morus bombycis) were characterized by alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation, ozonation and methoxyl group determination. Bj?rkman lignins were isolated from bast fiber and core, and bark and wood fractions of the plant samples, and structural characteristics were investigated by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. Kenaf bast fiber gave very high molar ratio of syringaldehyde to vanillin (S/V) of alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation products, while methoxyl content was about the same as that of the core fraction. Results of ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR of Bj?rkman lignin suggested the presence of aliphatic fragments in lignins isolated from paper mulberry and mulberry bark, but not in kenaf bast fiber. The lower yield of alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation products from bast fiber and bark might be due to the higher content of condensed structure of lignin compared to core fraction. Total yield of erythronic (E) and threonic (T) acids of ozonation products and the molar ratio of erythronic acid to threonic acid (E/T) of the bast fibers and bark were lower than the corresponding core and wood fractions, suggesting that the contents of arylglycerol-β-aryl ether intermonomer linkages in the bast fiber and bark lignin were lower than those of the core and wood fractions. Methoxyl content of bark lignin was lower than the corresponding wood lignin. The methoxyl content of the extract-free kenaf bast fiber was similar to that of the core fraction, while the values of paper mulberry and mulberry bark were about one-half of the corresponding wood fractions, respectively. In bark lignins, the methoxyl contents of Klason lignin and Bj?rkman lignin from bark were lower than those of the extract-free barks. This result suggests that the purity of Klason lignin and Bj?rkman lignins of bark may be rather low.     

Antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities and chemical profiles of Polygonum sachalinensis F.Schmidt ex Maxim (Polygonaceae)

Polygonum sachalinensis is a widespread invasive plant in Europe. Chemical profiles of its different organs were studied by HPLC-UV-ESI/MS. Seven major constituents quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-arabinopyranoside, lapathoside D, N-trans-feruloyltyramine, lapathoside C, hydropiperoside, and vanicoside B were isolated and identified. The free radical-scavenging, α/β-glucosidase, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of crude MeOH extracts and isolated compounds were studied. The structure–activity relationships were discussed. The chemical profiles revealed flavonoids and phenylpropanoids are the major compounds of all the organs of this plant. Quercetin-3-O-arabinopyranoside, lapathoside D, N-trans-feruloyltyramine, lapathoside C and hydropiperoside were isolated from this species for the first time. In the α-glucosidase bioassay, quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside, lapathoside D and N-trans-feruloyltyramine demonstrated stronger activities than the positive reference acarbose. The trend in scavenging power showed no relation to enzyme inhibition in the test models.     

Bioactivities of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cocos nucifera</Emphasis> L. (Arecales: Arecaceae) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Terminalia catappa</Emphasis> L. (Myrtales: Combretaceae) leaf extracts as post-harvest grain protectants against four major stored product pests

Compounds extracted from the leaves of coconut palm, Cocos nucifera L. (Arecales: Arecaceae) and the Indian almond, Terminalia catappa L. (Myrtales: Combretaceae) were assessed as potential grain protectants against four major pests of stored grains, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), and Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). The crude leaf extracts and their fractions were obtained by solvent elution and bioassayed in the laboratory, focusing on (a) the duration of protection and (b) their effects on progeny production. Results showed that adults of C. chinensis, S. oryzae, and T. castaneum were equally susceptible to the fumigant toxicity of C. nucifera and T. catappa crude extracts as well as their column eluted fractions. On the contrary, adults of R. dominica showed tolerance to all the extracts tested in both fumigation and contact mode bioassays. Cocos nucifera crude extracts were highly effective in offering long-term protection in residual toxicity trials and along with the crude extracts of T. catappa showed strong repellent properties against the tested species except for R. dominica in a Y-tube olfactometer. Generally, the chromatographic fractions of crude leaf extracts eluted with ethyl acetate were significantly more effective than methanol, chloroform or hexane-eluted fractions. Further, all the tested plant extracts demonstrated a negative impact on several biological parameters such as feeding activity and progeny production of the tested species. These results highlight the potential of C. nucifera and T. catapa extracts as potent insecticides, feeding deterrents and progeny production inhibitors and consequently are suitable for the control of pests in stored commodities.     

Antipruritic activity of extracts of Humulus scandens, the combinations of bioactive flavonoids

The antipruritic effects of the ethanol fractions of Humulus scandens on the 4-AP (4-aminopyridine)-induced and chloroquine-induced scratching in ICR mice were examined. The 40% ethanol fractions of H. scandens suppressed both the 4-AP- and chloroquine-induced scratching behavior, which significantly inhibited degranulation of rat peritoneal mast cell and antigen-stimulated histamine release. Further studies proved that the 40% ethanol fractions of H. scandens decreased the content of IL4 in serum of chloroquine-induced scratching ICR mice. The results suggest that the 40% ethanol fractions of H. scandens has antipruritic effects on both antihistamine-resistant and -sensitive pruritus.     

Verbascoside isolated from Tectona grandis mediates gastric protection in rats via inhibiting proton pump activity

Evidences have suggested that Tectona grandis (TG) attenuates gastric mucosal injury; however its mechanism has not yet been established. The aim of present study was to evaluate the gastroprotective mechanism of ethanolic extract of TG (E-EtOH), butanolic fraction (Fr-Bu) and to identify its active constituents. Anti-ulcer activities were evaluated against cold restraint (CRU) and pyloric ligation (PL) induced gastric ulcer models and further confirmed through H⁺ K⁺-ATPase inhibitory activity. Cytoprotective activity was evaluated in alcohol (AL) induced gastric ulcer model and further through PGE₂ level. E-EtOH and Fr-Bu attenuated ulcer formation in CRU. Moreover E-EtOH and Fr-Bu displayed potent anti-secretory activity as evident through reduced free acidity and pepsin activity in PL, confirmed further by in vitro inhibition of H⁺ K⁺-ATPase activity. In addition cytoprotective potential of E-EtOH and Fr-Bu were apparent with protection in AL model, increased PGE₂ content and enhanced mucin level in PL. Phytochemical investigations of Fr-Bu yielded terpenoides and a phenolic glycoside, verbascoside. The anti-secretory mechanism of verbascoside mediated apparently through inhibition of H⁺ K⁺-ATPase with corresponding decrease in plasma gastrin level, is novel to our finding. Gastroprotection elicited by TG might be through proton pump inhibition and consequent augmentation of the defensive mechanism.     

Functional response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus robur</Emphasis> L. to taproot pruning: a 5-year case study

Key message

Quercus robur seedling mass was affected more by planting density than by taproot pruning. Root pruning enhanced stem biomass at the expense of roots in later growth stages. Alteration of biomass allocation due to nursery practices may result in greater susceptibility to injury and death of the seedlings under unfavorable environmental conditions.

Context

Plants adjust their growth and modulate the resource allocation in response to applied treatments and environmental conditions.

Aims

The aim was to examine how taproot pruning in seedlings grown at different densities affected long-term growth of Quercus robur.

Methods

Seedlings, sown as acorns at two planting densities, with or without pruned roots were harvested in the second, fourth, and fifth years of growth. The effect of root pruning on biomass allocation was determined by measuring leaf, stem, and root mass fractions; carbohydrate concentrations in the roots; and C/N ratios. Specific leaf area and root length were also determined to assess morphological adaptations to growth conditions.

Results

Total seedling mass was affected more by planting density than by taproot pruning. After 4 years of growth, root mass fractions were lower and stem mass fractions were greater in seedlings planted at a higher density. Five-year old root-pruned seedlings also had a lower root mass fraction and higher stem mass fractions than unpruned seedlings. Specific root length was not affected by root pruning or planting density.

Conclusion

Decrease of relative root biomass with simultaneous increase of stem biomass may be a long-term consequence of taproot pruning of Q. robur, and the effects may manifest years after the seedling stage.