升麻葛根汤对四氯化碳致小鼠肝损伤保护作用研究

目的研究升麻葛根汤对CCl4致小鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用。方法用CCl4诱导化学性急性肝损伤模型,测定小鼠血清中谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和谷草转氨酶(AST)活力;肝组织中总超氧化物歧化酶(TSOD)、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)的活性及脂质过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果在CCl4诱导小鼠急性肝损伤模型中,升麻葛根汤可明显降低血清ALT和AST水平,降低肝组织中MDA的含量,明显增加T-SOD,GSH-PX,T-AOC的活性。结论升麻葛根汤对CCl4诱导小鼠急性肝损伤具有保护作用,该作用可能与提高小鼠肝脏抗氧化损伤能力、降低脂质过氧化水平有关。     

“鲜人参膏”对APAP致小鼠肝损伤的保护作用

目的观察"鲜人参膏"(Fresh Ginseng Paste, FGP)对对乙酰氨基酚(APAP)致急性肝损伤小鼠的保护作用,并探讨其潜在的机制。方法 32只雄性ICR小鼠随机分为空白对照组、模型组、FGP低剂量组(400mg·kg-1)和高剂量组(800 mg·kg-1),连续给予FGP 7天,末次给药1h后,除对照组外,各组按250 mg·kg-1一次性腹腔注射对乙酰氨基酚诱导小鼠肝损伤,通过计算脏器指数,检测血清中的丙氨酸转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转移酶(AST)及肝组织匀浆中的丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)水平,评价小鼠肝脏内氧化应激水平,并结合组织切片H&E染色进一步观察病理学变化。结果与模型组相比,FGP低、高剂量明显降低血清中ALT、AST (P<0.05,P<0.01),同时抑制匀浆中MDA水平的升高和GSH水平的降低(P<0.05, P <0.01);由H&E染色可知, FGP能显著改善肝脏内细胞的坏死和凋亡,并明显减少细胞的坏死及炎性浸润,充分表明FGP具有抗氧化和抗炎作用。结论 FGP对APAP诱导的急性肝损伤有一定的保护作用,其机制可能与抑制氧化应激和减少炎症反应有关。     

肝纤胶囊对小鼠肝损伤的初步研究

目的探究肝纤胶囊对(GC)小鼠肝损伤的初步影响。方法取昆明小鼠120只,将其随机均分为Ⅰ组:四氯化碳造模;Ⅱ组:D-氨基半乳糖造模。对Ⅰ、Ⅱ两组分别进行造模后,Ⅰ组小鼠取肝组织制作病理切片、测量血清中的谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和谷草转氨酶(AST)含量、肝组织中SOD及GSH-Px的活性和MDA的含量,以及Ⅱ组小鼠血清中ALT和AST的含量及肝组织中SOD的活性和MDA的含量。结果肝纤胶囊大、中剂量组能够显著抑制四氯化碳组小鼠的肝组织病变程度并增强肝组织中GSH-Px与SOD活性,同时能够降低两种模型小鼠血清中ALT和AST的含量及肝组织中MDA水平。结论肝纤胶囊对四氯化碳及D-氨基半乳糖诱导的小鼠肝损伤起到保护作用。     

人参及灵芝超微粉对四氯化碳所致小鼠急性肝损伤的影响

目的观察人参及灵芝超微粉对四氯化碳(CCl4)所致小鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用。方法将80只小鼠随机分为正常组,模型组,人参超微粉低、高剂量(0.25、0.5g/kg)组,灵芝超微粉低、高剂量(0.25、0.5g/kg)组及人参超微粉联合灵芝超微粉低、高剂量(0.25+0.25 g/kg、0.5+0.5g/kg)组,每组10只。各给药组每天灌胃相应受试物1次,连续给药30天,对照组及模型组灌胃0.5%羧甲基纤维素钠,灌胃体积均为20ml/kg。末次药后1小时,除对照组外,各组均腹腔注射0.1%CCl4橄榄油溶液10ml/kg诱导小鼠急性肝损伤。24小时后,各组小鼠眼球内眦静脉丛取血,分离血清,测定核因子-κB(NF-κB)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、丙二醛(MDA)含量及丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性。取部分肝脏制备匀浆,检测肝组织MDA含量及SOD活性。结果与正常组比较,模型组大鼠血清NF-κB、TNF-α、IL-6含量及AST、ALT活性均明显升高,血清及肝组织MDA含量明显升高,SOD活性明显降低(P0.05或P0.01)。与模型组比较,人参、芝超微粉高剂量组及人参联合灵芝超微粉低、高剂量组均能明显降低小鼠血清NF-κB、TNF-α、IL-6含量及AST、ALT活性,并能明显降低血清及肝组织MDA含量,升高SOD活性(P0.05或P0.01)。结论人参及灵芝超微粉对CCl4所致小鼠急性肝损伤均具有明显的保护作用,二者联合应用具有协同作用。     

细柱五加果实提取物对四氯化碳致小鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用

目的研究细柱五加果实乙醇提取物对四氯化碳致小鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用。方法将60只小鼠随机分成细柱五加果实的高、中、低剂量组以及阳性对照组、模型对照组、空白对照组共6组。6组小鼠ig给药20 mL/(kg.d)。连续14 d。第14 d给药1 h后,除空白对照组外,其余各组均ip 0.1%CCl4 0.2 mL/20g。所有小鼠在ip CCl4 16 h后采用眼球取血并脱颈椎处死。然后离心取血清,剖腹取肝。分别将各组肝脏取出0.1 g,加0.9 mL生理盐水进行匀浆。检测血清中丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转氨酶(AST)活性及肝匀浆中丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性的变化。结果与模型对照组相比,不同剂量的细柱五加果实乙醇提取物均能显著降低血清中丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转氨酶(AST)的活性及肝组织中丙二醛(MDA)的含量,提高超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性。结论细柱五加果实乙醇提取物对四氯化碳致小鼠的急性肝损伤有保护作用。     

单宁酸对脂多糖诱导小鼠肝损伤的保护作用及机制研究

目的探讨单宁酸对脂多糖(LPS)诱导小鼠肝损伤的影响。方法 ICR雄性小鼠预防性给予单宁酸7d后,注射LPS(10 mg·kg-1,i.p)建立急性内毒素肝损伤模型。测定小鼠肝脏系数及脾脏系数;比色法检测血清中谷丙转氨酶(ALT),谷草转氨酶(AST),肝匀浆中丙二醛(MDA),超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平;酶联免疫吸附法(Elisa)检测血清中白细胞介素6(IL-6),肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)和前列腺素E2(PGE2)水平。结果与空白组相比,模型组小鼠肝脏、脾脏系数,MDA,ALT、AST、IL-6、TNF-α、PGE2含量均显著升高(P0.01),SOD含量显著降低(P0.01);与模型组相比,单宁酸高剂量组小鼠肝脏、脾脏系数,MDA、ALT、AST、IL-6、TNF-α、PGE2含量均显著降低(P0.01),SOD含量显著增高(P0.01);与模型组相比,单宁酸低剂量组小鼠肝脏、脾脏系数,MDA、ALT,AST、IL-6、TNF-α、PGE2含量均明显降低(P0.01,P0.05),SOD含量显著增高(P0.01)。结论单宁酸对LPS所致小鼠的肝损伤具有一定的延缓作用,能有效降低肝脏里ALT,AST,MDA,IL-6,TNF-α,PGE2的过量分泌,提高SOD的分泌,具有抗炎护肝、脾脏的功能,其作用机制可能与抑制炎症因子的生成有关。     

环翠楼高丽红参复方制剂对小鼠酒精性肝损伤保护作用的研究

目的研究环翠楼高丽红参复方制剂对小鼠酒精性肝损伤的保护作用。方法通过测定小鼠眼球血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)活性和小鼠肝脏的MDA活性。结果高剂量药物组可降低由酒精性肝损伤引起的血清中ALT活性(P0.01,P0.05),作用相当于阳性药物;各剂量药物组均可降低小鼠血清中的ALT活性,并呈现了一定的量效关系;各剂量药物组和阳性对照组对小鼠酒精性肝损伤引起的AST升高,均有降低作用,且呈现了量效关系;随着药物剂量的增加,酒精性肝损伤小鼠肝组织MDA含量较模型组有下降趋势,其中高剂量组差异显著(P0.01,P0.05)。结论环翠楼高丽红参复方制剂具有较强的对小鼠酒精性肝损伤的保护作用。     

L-茶氨酸对产肠毒性大肠杆菌引起的免疫应激小鼠肝脏的保护作用研究

以SPF级Balb/c雌性小鼠为实验动物,对其适应性饲养3 d后连续30 d灌喂不同剂量L-茶氨酸,然后腹腔注射产肠毒性大肠杆菌E44813诱导免疫应激,5 h后取样,分析研究了各组小鼠肝脏与脾脏系数,血清谷丙转氨酶(Alanine aminotranferease,ALT)与谷草转氨酶(Aspartate aminotransferase,AST)含量,肝组织匀浆丙二醛(Malondialdehyde,MDA)水平与谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(Glutathione peroxidase,GSH-PX)、过氧化氢酶(Catalase,CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(Superoxide Dismutase,SOD)活性,肝组织病理学变化,以及血清中γ-干扰素(γ-Interferon,IFN-γ)、白细胞介素-4(Interleukin-4,IL-4)的表达量,以探明L-茶氨酸对产肠毒性大肠杆菌免疫应激小鼠肝脏的保护作用。结果表明,不同剂量的茶氨酸干预处理均能明显降低由大肠杆菌E44813感染引起的肝脏、脾脏系数的升高,降低血清ALT、AST及肝组织匀浆MDA水平,提高肝组织匀浆SOD、CAT、GSH-PX活性,减少IFN-γ、IL-4表达量,改善肝脏组织病理损伤,其中以300 mg·kg-1剂量组效果最好,说明茶氨酸干预对产肠毒性大肠杆菌诱导的免疫应激小鼠肝损伤具有保护作用,而且可能是通过减少IFN-γ与IL-4的表达、降低炎症反应、提高抗氧化能力等途径达到保护肝脏的作用。     

狭叶茶提取物对小鼠氧化应激性肝损伤的保护作用

研究狭叶茶(Camellia angustifolia Chang)提取物对拘束负荷诱发小鼠应激性肝损伤的保护作用。采用拘束负荷小鼠应激性肝损伤模型,18h拘束负荷诱发小鼠应激性肝损伤,分别用赖氏法测定小鼠血浆和肝组织丙氨酸转移酶(ALT)活性、硫代巴比妥酸法测定丙二醛(MDA)含量、HPLC法测定谷胱甘肽(GSH)水平、比色法测定黄嘌呤氧化酶(XOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)和谷胱甘肽S转移酶(GST)活性,荧光酶标仪测定血浆、肝组织及狭叶茶提取物体外抗氧化能力指数(ORAC)。与拘束模型组相比,狭叶茶提取物可以明显提高拘束负荷小鼠血浆与肝组织匀浆的ALT活性和抗氧化能力指数,提高GSH水平,增强GPX和GST活性,有效降低肝组织中MDA含量和XOD活性,并在体外显示出较强的抗氧化能力。说明狭叶茶提取物对拘束应激引起的小鼠肝损伤具有一定的保护作用,其作用机制可能部分来自于减少拘束负荷小鼠氧化应激水平,清除自由基和抑制脂质过氧化过程。     

参芝片对酒精所致大鼠实验性肝损伤的影响

目的观察参芝片对酒精所致大鼠实验性肝损伤的保护作用。方法 60只雄性Wistar大鼠,取10只为正常组,其余大鼠制备酒精性肝损伤模型:1~4周灌胃给予40%白酒8 g/kg,5~8周给予50%白酒9 g/kg,9~16周给予50%白酒10 g/kg。第9周模型大鼠根据体重随机分5组:模型组,参芝片400、800、1600 mg/kg组及阳性药水飞蓟宾80 mg/kg组,药物组分别灌胃相应药物,正常及模型组给予同体积0.5%羧甲基纤维素钠。连续给药8周后,各组大鼠水合氯醛麻醉,腹主动脉取血,检测血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三脂(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-c)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-c)、丙二醛(MDA)含量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)活性。取部分肝脏制备匀浆,检测肝组织MDA含量及SOD活性。结果与正常组比较,模型组大鼠血清TC、TG、LDL-c、MDA含量及AST、ALT活性均明显升高,HDL-c含量及SOD活性降低,肝组织TC、TG及MDA含量亦明显升高,SOD活性降低(P0.05或P0.01)。与模型组比较,参芝片800、1600 mg/kg组均能明显降低大鼠血清TC、TG、LDL-c、MDA含量及AST、ALT活性,升高HDL-c含量及SOD活性,并能明显降低大鼠肝组织MDA含量,升高SOD活性(P0.05或P0.01)。结论参芝片对酒精所致大鼠实验性肝损伤具有保护作用,其机制可能与调节脂质代谢,对抗脂质过氧化损伤及改善肝功能有关。     

Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of Various Nitrogen Fertilizers

Summary

The efficiency of N fertilizers is usually poor; often less than 50% of the applied N is taken up by the crop. This review focuses on various N fertilizers with respect to the significance of different N loss pathways, namely (i) ammonia volatilization, (ii) dinitrogen and nitrogen oxide emissions, and (iii) nitrate leaching. Further, the significance of biological N immobilization, ammonium fixation and, finally, the impact of nitrate vs. ammonium uptake on crop yield are also discussed. The reviewed literature shows that N fertilizers may differ markedly in their susceptibility to losses. There is, however, considerable scope to improve N efficiency of each N source by proper N management practices.     

Studies on natural repellents against potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) in country stores

Summary The effects of the leaves of five plant species, one from each of the generaAmbrosia, Anemone, Eupatorium, Eucalyptus andLantana, on potato tuber moth were investigated under indigenous storage conditions at the Central Potato Research Station, Shillong (1800 m above sea level). Their action was compared with that of a biological insecticide (spores ofBacillus thuringiensis), a chemical insecticide (carbaryl), and an untreated control. The data collected after six months storage on tuber damage, sprout damage and the rotting indicated that the leaves ofLantana aculeata provided most protection to the tubers, reducing damage from over 70% in the check to below 5%, and sprout damage from over 45% to below 3%. Next best wasEucalyptus globulus followed byB. thuringiensis. They may be used on tubers stored for table use or for seed as they had no adverse effect on germination or on the yield of a subsequent crop.     

Mineral composition of some traditional Mexican teas

Teas of plant origin traditionally consumed by the Mountain Pima of Chihuahua, Mexico, were analyzed for mineral nutritional content. Fe, Cu, Zn, Ca, and Mg composition was determined for native teas made from shoots ofTagetes lucida, T. filifolia, Elytraria imbricata, andHolodiscus dumosus, and from root xylem ofCeanothus depressus andPhaseolus ritensis. Native uses of these teas are also described.     

Novel food and non-food uses for sorghum and millets

Sorghum and millets have considerable potential in foods and beverages. As they are gluten-free they are suitable for coeliacs. Sorghum is also a potentially important source of nutraceuticals such antioxidant phenolics and cholesterol-lowering waxes. Cakes, cookies, pasta, a parboiled rice-like product and snack foods have been successfully produced from sorghum and, in some cases, millets. Wheat-free sorghum or millet bread remains the main challenge. Additives such as native and pre-gelatinised starches, hydrocolloids, fat, egg and rye pentosans improve bread quality. However, specific volumes are lower than those for wheat bread or gluten-free breads based on pure starches, and in many cases, breads tend to stale faster. Lager and stout beers with sorghum are brewed commercially. Sorghum's high-starch gelatinisation temperature and low beta-amylase activity remain problems with regard to complete substitution of barley malt with sorghum malt . The role of the sorghum endosperm matrix protein and cell wall components in limiting extract is a research focus. Brewing with millets is still at an experimental stage. Sorghum could be important for bioethanol and other bio-industrial products. Bioethanol research has focused on improving the economics of the process through cultivar selection, method development for low-quality grain and pre-processing to recover valuable by-products. Potential by-products such as the kafirin prolamin proteins and the pericarp wax have potential as bioplastic films and coatings for foods, primarily due to their hydrophobicity.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of different accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. from Uruguay

Summary The in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. collected in the south of Uruguay was investigated against five microorganisms including the pathogenRalstonia solanacearum. A total of 30 extracts corresponding to organic and aqueous extracts were studied. Interestingly, most of the positive results for growth inhibition were againstR. solanacearum. The extracts were also analyzed for the presence of glycoalkaloids and lectins. Six of the ten aqueous extracts showed lectin presence and a wide variation in the type and amounts of glycoalkaloids, was found. Results indicate that there is no clear relationship between the antimicrobial activity against the five microorganisms screened and the presence or amounts of lectins and glycoalkaloids, traditionally regarded as possible antimicrobial metabolites in theSolanum genus, which indicates the presence of as yet unidentified antimicrobial compounds.     

Extreme resistance to infection by potato virus X in genotypes of wild tuber-bearingSolanum species

Summary Clones derived from thirty-one different accessions (nineteen of Argentine origin) belonging to eightSolanum species were screened for resistance to infection by potato virus X strain cp (PVX cp) by mechanical inoculation of plantlets that had been micropropagated in vitro. Estimates of PVX multiplication obtained by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and slot blot nucleic acid hybridization allowed the identification of resistant clones derived from five accessions belonging toS. commersonii S. oplocense, S. sparsipilum andS. tuberosum andigena. Resistant genotypes supported PVX concentrations 5 to 15 times smaller than did the susceptible control cultivar Spunta. Graft inoculation test confirmed the presence of extreme resistance similar to that conferred by the ‘immunity’ gene X¹ (also called RX_act).     

Cyanobacteria Secondary Metabolites as Biotechnological Ingredients in Natural Anti-Aging Cosmetics: Potential to Overcome Hyperpigmentation,Loss of Skin Density and UV Radiation-Deleterious Effects

The loss of density and elasticity, the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation are among the first noticeable signs of skin aging. Beyond UV radiation and oxidative stress, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) assume a preponderant role in the process, since their deregulation results in the degradation of most extracellular matrix components. In this survey, four cyanobacteria strains were explored for their capacity to produce secondary metabolites with biotechnological potential for use in anti-aging formulations. Leptolyngbya boryana LEGE 15486 and Cephalothrix lacustris LEGE 15493 from freshwater ecosystems, and Leptolyngbya cf. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 and Nodosilinea nodulosa LEGE 06104 from marine habitats were sequentially extracted with acetone and water, and extracts were analyzed for their toxicity in cell lines with key roles in the skin context (HaCAT, 3T3L1, and hCMEC). The non-toxic extracts were chemically characterized in terms of proteins, carotenoids, phenols, and chlorophyll a, and their anti-aging potential was explored through their ability to scavenge the physiological free radical superoxide anion radical (O₂^•−), to reduce the activity of the MMPs elastase and hyaluronidase, to inhibit tyrosinase and thus avoid melanin production, and to block UV-B radiation (sun protection factor, SPF). Leptolyngbya species stood out for anti-aging purposes: L. boryana LEGE 15486 presented a remarkable SPF of 19 (at 200 µg/mL), being among the best species regarding O₂^•− scavenging, (IC₅₀ = 99.50 µg/mL) and also being able to inhibit tyrosinase (IC₂₅ = 784 µg/mL), proving to be promising against UV-induced skin-aging; L. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 was more efficient in inhibiting MMPs (hyaluronidase, IC₅₀ = 863 µg/mL; elastase, IC₅₀ = 391 µg/mL), thus being the choice to retard dermal density loss. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the data allowed the grouping of extracts into three groups, according to their chemical composition; the correlation of carotenoids and chlorophyll a with MMPs activity (p < 0.01), O₂^•− scavenging with phenolic compounds (p < 0.01), and phycocyanin and allophycocyanin with SPF, pointing to these compounds in particular as responsible for UV-B blockage. This original survey explores, for the first time, the biotechnological potential of these cyanobacteria strains in the field of skin aging, demonstrating the promising, innovative, and multifactorial nature of these microorganisms.     

Marine Pharmacology in 2009–2011: Marine Compounds with Antibacterial,Antidiabetic, Antifungal,Anti-Inflammatory,Antiprotozoal, Antituberculosis,and Antiviral Activities; Affecting the Immune and Nervous Systems,and other Miscellaneous Mechanisms of Action ?

The peer-reviewed marine pharmacology literature from 2009 to 2011 is presented in this review, following the format used in the 1998–2008 reviews of this series. The pharmacology of structurally-characterized compounds isolated from marine animals, algae, fungi and bacteria is discussed in a comprehensive manner. Antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, and antiviral pharmacological activities were reported for 102 marine natural products. Additionally, 60 marine compounds were observed to affect the immune and nervous system as well as possess antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Finally, 68 marine metabolites were shown to interact with a variety of receptors and molecular targets, and thus will probably contribute to multiple pharmacological classes upon further mechanism of action studies. Marine pharmacology during 2009–2011 remained a global enterprise, with researchers from 35 countries, and the United States, contributing to the preclinical pharmacology of 262 marine compounds which are part of the preclinical pharmaceutical pipeline. Continued pharmacological research with marine natural products will contribute to enhance the marine pharmaceutical clinical pipeline, which in 2013 consisted of 17 marine natural products, analogs or derivatives targeting a limited number of disease categories.