Extraction, purification and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from bamboo leaves

Ultrasonic extraction (UE) was employed for the extraction of bamboo leaf polysaccharides (BLP). The influential parameters of UE procedure including extraction time, ultrasonic power and solid/liquid ratio were optimized by orthogonal experiments. DEAE-cellulose col- umn chromatography was applied to purify BLP and then the radical scavenging activity of BLP was also evaluated. Optimal extraction conditions were: extraction time of 15 min, ultrasonic power of 300 W, and solid/liquid ratio of 1:15. Four kinds of polysaccharides were obtained by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography; the maximum superoxide radical scavenging rate (20.4%) of BLP was inferior to that of vitamin C (VC, the control) and the hydroxyl radical scavenging rate (50%) was equivalent to that of VC.     

白千层油生化类型的研究

通过对连续2 a以上未经砍伐的243株从澳大利亚引进的白千层枝叶进行精油含量和成分测定,结果表明澳洲白千层油有4-松油醇型、1,8-桉叶素型和4-松油醇-1,8-桉叶素混合型3种生化类型,同时也得到了白千层初选优株的依据.其中4-松油醇型初选依据为:小于1 cm的枝叶含油率大于1.60％,精油中4-松油醇含量大于38.8％,1,8-桉叶素含量小于3.0％;1,8-按叶素型初选依据为:小于1 cm的枝叶含油率大于2.60％,精油中1,8-桉叶素含量大于66.6％.     

Structure of small lignin fragments retained in water-soluble polysaccharides extracted from birch MWL isolation residue

To analyze the structural features of lignin in the vicinity of lignin–carbohydrate linkages, water-soluble lignin–carbohydrate complex (LCC) with low lignin content was prepared from residual birch wood meal after the extraction of milled wood lignin (MWL). The molecular weight distribution of lignin in this LCC appeared together with carbohydrate in the relatively high molecular weight region of the gel permeation chromatogram. This result was consistent with our previous results obtained for the same fraction of Japanese cedar (sugi); however, after treatment with polysaccharide-degrading enzyme, the molecular weight distribution of carbohydrate and that of lignin shifted significantly to the lower region. These results demonstrated that molecular size of this LCC is determined by carbohydrates while lignin is present as a minor fragment in this fraction. The syringyl/guaiacyl (S/V) ratio of this LCC was higher than other lignin fractions. Ozonation analysis implied that this LCC has a relatively high number of β-1 structures. It is likely that lignin that exists near lignin–carbohydrate linkages has more endwise-type features than other lignin fractions.This paper was presented in part at the 48th Lignin Symposium, Fukui, Japan, October 2003 and at the 12th International Symposium on Wood and Pulping Chemistry, Madison, USA, June 2003     

川桂叶总黄酮清除DPPH·自由基作用的研究

用DPPH.自由基检测法测定了川桂叶总黄酮清除自由基的生物活性。在波长为517 nm,反应时间45min的条件下测定了川桂叶总黄酮、芦丁和二丁基羟基甲苯(BHT)清除DPPH自由基的EC50值。结果表明,川桂叶总黄酮对DPPH.自由基具有明显的清除作用,川桂叶总黄酮、芦丁和BHT清除DPPH.自由基的EC50值分别为4.145 mg/L、9.650 mg/L、37.91 mg/L,清除DPPH.自由基能力的大小顺序为川桂叶总黄酮芦丁BHT。     

CNS pharmacological effects of the total alkaloidal fraction from Albizia inopinata leaves

The total alkaloidal fraction of Albizia inopinata leaves (FLA) was investigated for its central nervous system (CNS) effects. FLA (10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced (45%) the locomotor activity in mice. In addition, it inhibited the conditioned avoidance response behavior and induced ptosis in rats. On the other hand, FLA did not exert significant effect on catalepsy, but potentiated the haloperidol-induced catalepsy. No effect was observed on sleep induced by sodium pentobarbital or apomorphine-induced stereotypes.     

Antiviral activity of Inonotus hispidus

The antiviral activity of two phenolic compounds, hispolon and hispidin, isolated from the fruit bodies of the basidiomycete Inonotus hispidus as well as of some extracts prepared from fruit bodies and mycelial cultures of this fungus was investigated in allantois on the shell-test system. Ethanolic extracts, hispidin and hispolon showed considerable antiviral activity against influenza viruses type A and B.     

Antimicrobial activity of alkaloidal fraction from barks of Himatanthus lancifolius

The alkaloidal fraction from Himatanthus lancifolius barks demonstrated a broad-spectrum in vitro antimicrobial activity for most of the Gram (+) and Gram (-) tested microorganisms.     

Antioxidant activity of medicinal plant polysaccharides

Eleven polysaccharides have been isolated from the leaves of Arctium lappa var. herkules, Aloe barbadensis, Althaea officinalis var. robusta, Plantago lanceolata var. libor, aerial parts and roots of Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii, stems of Mahonia aquifolium, and peach-tree (Prunus persica) gum exudates. The polysaccharides were investigated for their ability to inhibit peroxidation of soyabean lecithin liposomes by OH radicals. The highest inhibition was found with glucuronoxylans of A. officinalis var. robusta and P. lanceolata var. libor, aerial parts. Their antioxidant activity accounted for approximately 69% of the activity of the reference compound alpha-tocopherol. The activity of eight polysaccharides ranged from 20 to 45%, while the fructofuranan from P. lanceolata var. libor roots was practically inactive.     

Antibacterial and allelopathic activity of extract from Castanea sativa leaves

Following the extraction of Castanea sativa with an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid (pH 3.0), the ethyl acetate soluble fraction was tested for its antibacterial and allelopathic activity. The extract was shown to have pronounced antibacterial effects against seven of the eight strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria used (MIC in the range of 64-256 microg/ml and MBC in the range of 256-512 microg/ml). The active fraction was analyzed by TLC and HPLC showing the presence of rutin, hesperidin, quercetin, apigenin, morin, naringin, galangin and kaempferol. Standards of the identified flavonoids were tested against the same bacterial strains. The highest activity was shown by quercetin, rutin and apigenin. The allelopathic effect was tested against Raphanus sativus seed germination. The extract, quercetin, rutin and apigenin caused a decrease in the percentage of seed germination and root and epicotyl growth.     

Antiviral and antituberculous activity of Helichrysum melanacme constituents

Bioassay guided fractionation of the acetonic extract of Helichrysum melanacme using human Influenza virus type A and a drug-sensitive strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro resulted in the isolation of 2 4',6'-trihydroxy-3'-prenylchalcone (1) and 4',6',5'-trihydroxy-6',6'-dimethyldihydropyrano[2',3'-2',3'] chalcone (2) as active constituents. 3-O-methylquercetin and quercetin were also isolated but were inactive against the microorganisms tested in this study.     

The pharmacological activity of wheat bran polysaccharides

(Glucurono)arabinoxylans were extracted from the wheat bran with acetate buffer in the first step (WBH1) and with dilute alkali in the second step (WBH2). In both samples xylose and arabinose dominated, accompanied with smaller amounts of galactose, glucose, mannose and uronic acids mainly in WBH1. WBH1 was free of protein and with low content of phenolic compounds. Fraction WBH2 contained relatively low levels of proteins and about 4.5% of the total phenolic. When tested for antitussive activity, the (glucurono)arabinoxylans exhibited comparable cough-suppressing effect with centrally acting codeine. The observed effects of bronchoconstriction are limiting practical application of WBH2.     

Linalool production from the leaves of Bursera aloexylon and its antimicrobial activity

The oil of the leaves of Bursera aloexylon was found to contain a high linalool level (96.7 %). The antimicrobial activity tests indicated that the oil was effective against Rhodococcus equi (0.60 mg/ml) and Staphylococcus epidermides (0.15 mg/ml).     

Anti-inflammatory activity of Butea frondosa leaves

In the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, the aqueous extract of Butea frondosa leaves showed dose-dependent (25–100 mg/kg, p.o.) anti-inflammatory activity which at the highest dose was almost comparable to ibuprofen (25 mg/kg, p.o.).The LD₅₀ was higher than 5 g/kg, p.o. in rats.     

Antioxidant activity of Arbutus unedo leaves

The ethanol and methanol extracts of Arbutus unedo leaves were screened for antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity was determined by an improved assay based on the decolorization of the radical monocation of [2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] (ABTS). The ethanol and methanol extract of A. unedo leaves displayed potent antioxidant activity.     

Antimicrobial activity of Rubus chamaemorus leaves

The antibacterial activity of Rubus chamaemorus leaf butanolic fraction of the methanol extract and ellagic acid was evaluated against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Antimycotic activity was assayed against Candida albicans. MICs and MBCs were determined by broth dilution test and by disc diffusion method.     

Antimicrobial activity of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaves

Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf 60% methanolic extract was found to inhibit the growth of five out of eight bacteria used, at a concentration of 25 mg/ml.     

Antibacterial activity of Nicotiana tabacum leaves

Nicotiana tabacum leaf 60% methanolic extract exhibited antibacterial activity against six out of nine bacterial isolates at a concentration of 25 mg/ml.     

Antifungal activity of Aloe vera leaves

Aloe vera fresh leaves hydroalcoholic plant extract was tested against the mycelial growth of Botrytis gladiolorum, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. gladioli, Heterosporium pruneti and Penicillium gladioli on Czapek-agar medium. The minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) varied between 80 and 100 microl/ml, depending on the fungal species.     

Antimicrobial activity of Trichilia heudelotti leaves

Diterpenes and phenolic acids, including the new compounds 12 beta-hydroxysandaracopimar-15-ene (4) and 2-propionoxy-beta-resorcylic acid (8) have been isolated from Trichilia heudelotti leaves. The methanol extract showed antimicrobial activity concentrated in the ethyl acetate fraction and some of its constituents.