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.     

Gastroprotective potential of frutalin, a D-galactose binding lectin, against ethanol-induced gastric lesions

The present study was designed to verify whether frutalin (FTL) affords gastroprotection against the ethanol-induced gastric damage and to examine the underlying mechanism(s). Gastric damage was induced by intragastric administration of 0.2 ml of ethanol (96%). Mice in groups were pretreated with FTL (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg; i.p.), cimetidine (100 mg/kg; p.o.), or vehicle (0.9% of NaCl, 10 mL/kg; p.o.), 30 min before ethanol administration. They were sacrificed 30 min later, the stomachs excised, and the mucosal lesion area (mm2) measured by planimetry. Gastroprotection was assessed in relation to inhibition of gastric lesion area. To study the gastroprotective mechanism(s), its relations to capsaicin-sensitive fibers, endogenous prostaglandins, nitric oxide, sulphydryls, ATP-sensitive potassium channels, adrenoceptors, opioid receptors and calcium channels were analyzed. Treatments effects on ethanol-associated oxidative stress markers GSH and MDA were measured in gastric tissue. FTL afforded a dose-unrelated gastroprotection against the ethanol damage. However, it failed to prevent the ethanol-induced changes in the levels of GSH and MDA. It was observed that the gastroprotection by FTL was greatly reduced in animals pretreated with capsazepine, indomethacin, L-NAME or glibenclamide. Considering the results, it is suggested that the FTL could probably be a good therapeutic agent for the development of new medicine for the treatment of gastric ulcer.     

Sesquiterpenoids from Lactuca tatarica

A new guaianolide and a new eudesmanolide were isolated from Lactuca tatarica, as well as eight known sesquiterpenoids. The new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods including IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and the known compounds were established by comparing their physical data with those of the corresponding compounds in the literature.     

New cardenolides from the stem bark of Trewia nudiflora

Phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of Trewia nudiflora led to the isolation of two new cardenolides, trewianin (1) and trewioside (2), along with scopoletin (3) and indole-3-carboxylic acid (4). Structures were established by 1D- and 2D NMR spectroscopy, HR-MS analysis, and by comparison with literature data.     

Ursane triterpenoids from the bark of Terminalia arjuna

Five ursane type triterpene glucosyl esters including a new one, 2α,3β-dihydroxyurs-12,18-dien-28-oic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1) were isolated from the bark of Terminalia arjuna, along with two known phenolic compounds. It is the first report of ursane type triterpenoids from this species.     

Phenylpropionic acid derivates from the bark of Cerbera manghas

Two new phenylpropionic acid derivates, cerberic acids A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the bark of Cerbera manghas. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods including IR, ESI-FT-ICR-MS, 1D and 2D NMR. Primary bioassays showed that compound 1 possessed weak cytotoxic activity against HepG2, MCF-7, and HeLa cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 44.7, 52.3, 48.7 μg/ml, respectively.     

Ocotea quixos Lam. essential oil: In vitro and in vivo investigation on its anti-inflammatory properties

Here we investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of Ocotea quixos essential oil and of its main components, trans-cinnamaldehyde and methyl cinnamate, in in vitro and in vivo models. Ocotea essential oil and trans-cinnamaldehyde but not methyl cinnamate significantly reduced LPS-induced NO release from J774 macrophages at non-toxic concentrations, inhibited LPS-induced COX-2 expression and increased forskolin-induced cAMP production. The essential oil (30–100 mg/kg os) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (10 mg/kg os) in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema showed anti-inflammatory effect without damaging gastric mucosa. In conclusion we provide the first evidence of a significant anti-inflammatory gastro-sparing activity of O.quixos essential oil.     

Aromatic plant-derived essential oil: an alternative larvicide for mosquito control

Five aromatic plants, Carum carvi (caraway), Apium graveolens (celery), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), Zanthoxylum limonella (mullilam) and Curcuma zedoaria (zedoary) were selected for investigating larvicidal potential against mosquito vectors. Two laboratory-reared mosquito species, Anopheles dirus, the major malaria vector in Thailand, and Aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever in urban areas, were used. All of the volatile oils exerted significant larvicidal activity against the two mosquito species after 24-h exposure. Essential oil from mullilam was the most effective against the larvae of A. aegypti, while A. dirus larvae showed the highest susceptibility to zedoary oil.     

Photosynthetic characteristics of Fagus sylvatica and Quercus robur established for stand conversion from Picea abies

Efforts in Europe to convert Norway spruce (Picea abies) plantations to broadleaf or mixed broadleaf-conifer forests could be bolstered by an increased understanding of how artificial regeneration acclimates and functions under a range of Norway spruce stand conditions. We studied foliage characteristics and leaf-level photosynthesis on 7-year-old European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) regeneration established in open patches and shelterwoods of a partially harvested Norway spruce plantation in southwestern Sweden. Both species exhibited morphological plasticity at the leaf level by developing leaf blades in patches with an average mass per unit area (LMA) 54% greater than of those in shelterwoods, and at the plant level by maintaining a leaf area ratio (LAR) in shelterwoods that was 78% greater than in patches. However, we observed interspecific differences in photosynthetic capacity relative to spruce canopy openness. Photosynthetic capacity (A₁₆₀₀, net photosynthesis at a photosynthetic photon flux density of 1600 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) of beech in respect to the canopy gradient was best related to leaf mass, and declined substantially with increasing canopy openness primarily because leaf nitrogen (N) in this species decreased about 0.9 mg g⁻¹ with each 10% rise in canopy openness. In contrast, A₁₆₀₀ of oak showed a weak response to mass-based N, and furthermore the percentage of N remained constant in oak leaf tissues across the canopy gradient. Therefore, oak photosynthetic capacity along the canopy gradient was best related to leaf area, and increased as the spruce canopy thinned primarily because LMA rose 8.6 g m⁻² for each 10% increase in canopy openness. These findings support the premise that spruce stand structure regulates photosynthetic capacity of beech through processes that determine N status of this species; leaf N (mass basis) was greatest under relatively closed spruce canopies where leaves apparently acclimate by enhancing light harvesting mechanisms. Spruce stand structure regulates photosynthetic capacity of oak through processes that control LMA; LMA was greatest under open spruce canopies of high light availability where leaves apparently acclimate by enhancing CO₂ fixation mechanisms.     

Humarain: A new dimeric gallic acid glycoside from Punica granatum L. bark

A new dimeric gallic acid glycoside named Humarain (1) was isolated from stem bark of Punica granatum. The structure of the compound was determined by spectroscopic data including 1D and 2D NMR spectral analysis.     

毛竹PeAP2基因及其启动子的克隆与表达初步分析

APETALA2(AP2)基因在植物生长发育过程中发挥着重要作用.利用RT-PCR和RACE方法,从毛竹中克隆到1个AP2同源基因的全长cDNA序列,命名为PeAP2.序列分析表明:PeAP2基因全长1 750 bp,其中,5′端非编码区106bp,3′端非编码区174 bp,开放阅读框1 470 bp,编码1个489 aa的蛋白,该蛋白含有2个AP2结构域,属于AP2/EREBP家族的AP2亚家族.PeAP2蛋白与来自其它单子叶植物的AP2蛋白均有着较高同源性,其中,与二穗短柄草的AP2蛋白同源性最高,达74.85％.实时定量PCR分析显示:PeAP2基因在毛竹的根、茎、叶、鞘和节5种器官中均有表达,其中,叶片中的表达丰度最高,鞘中次之,而在根、茎、节中的表达丰度接近,均较低.利用hiTAIL-PCR方法克隆获得了PeAP2上游启动子区序列1 359 bp,分析显示其含有光、激素等多种信号应答相关的作用元件.     

Protection of spruce from colonization by the bark beetle, Ips perturbatus, in Alaska

Field bioassays were conducted in south-central Alaska in a stand of Lutz spruce, Picea × lutzii, to determine whether a semiochemical interruptant (verbenone and trans-conophthorin) and/or a defense-inducing plant hormone (methyl jasmonate, MJ) could be used to protect individual standing trees from bark beetle attack. During two experiments (initiated in May 2004 and 2005, respectively), attacks by Ips perturbatus on standing trees were induced by using a three-component aggregation pheromone (ipsenol, cis-verbenol, and ipsdienol) and prevented by using the interruptant. In 2005, treatments from 2004 were repeated and additional treatments were evaluated by using MJ spray or injection with and without the interruptant. Aggregation began before 3 or 7 June, and attack density was monitored through 3 or 16 August. During both years, tree mortality caused by I. perturbatus was recorded twice (in August, and in May of the following year). In both experiments, attack density was greatest on trees baited with the three-component attractive pheromone, but was significantly reduced by addition of the semiochemical interruptant to trees baited with the attractant. There were no significant differences in attack density between attractant + interruptant-treated trees and unbaited trees. In 2004, mortality was highest among attractant-baited trees, whereas addition of the interruptant significantly reduced the level of initial (10 week post-treatment) and final (54 week post-treatment) mortality. In 2005, no significant reduction in attack density occurred on trees baited with the attractant when MJ was sprayed or injected. The highest initial (10.6 week post-treatment) and final (49.4 week post-treatment) mortality was observed among trees that had been injected with MJ and baited with the attractant. Mortality at the final assessment was significantly lower in all other treatment groups. As in 2004, addition of the interruptant to attractant-baited trees significantly reduced the level of final mortality compared to attractant-baited trees. MJ was not attractive or interruptive to I. perturbatus or associated bark beetles in a flight trapping study. However, MJ-treated trees (sprayed or injected) exuded copious amounts of resin on the bark surface. Anatomical analyses of felled trees from four treatment groups [Tween (solvent)-sprayed, MJ-sprayed, Tween-injected, and MJ-injected + attractant baited] showed that treatment with MJ increased the number and size of resin ducts produced following treatment. These analyses also revealed a reduction in radial growth in MJ-treated trees. Our results show that during both years, treatment with a simple, two-component interruptant system of verbenone and trans-conophthorin significantly reduced I. perturbatus attack density and tree mortality on attractant-baited trees and provided a full year of protection from bark beetle attack.     

普通油茶无性系花粉离体萌发特性

以6个普通油茶无性系花粉为试验材料,采用正交试验研究了不同温度、硼元素用量、蔗糖浓度、琼脂用量对花粉萌发的影响,以揭示普通油茶花粉在离体条件下的萌发特性。结果表明:4个影响花粉萌发率的试验因素中,温度是极显著影响因素,以25 ℃最优;蔗糖浓度也能显著影响多数无性系,以10%最优;硼元素用量和琼脂用量仅对个别无性系有显著影响,分别以100 mg·kg^-1和0.5%最优。结合多重比较,处理T9为试验优选组合;花粉管的生长从开始到停止略呈"慢—快—慢"的抛物线趋势;稍高的钙离子浓度显著抑制花粉萌发,低浓度锌、钼离子对花粉萌发略有促进,高浓度则效应为负。     

Antibacterial Activity of Thai Medicinal Plants against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major nosocomial pathogen which causes severe morbidity and mortality worldwide. Seventeen Thai medicinal plants were investigated for their activity against MRSA. Garcinia mangostana was identified as the most potent plant, and its activity was traced to the prenylated xanthone, α-mangostin (MIC and MBC values of 1.95 and 3.91 µg/ml, respectively).     

一种新的白蜡虫寄生蜂体内Wolbachia的wsp基因分子检测及序列分析

采用Wolbachia的通用引物、A大组和B大组的特异性引物对一种新的白蜡虫寄生蜂--长尾啮小蜂(Aprostocetus sp.)体内Wolbachia的wsp基因进行分子检测,所获得的基因片段分别命名为wApr、wAprB和wAprB,长度分别为620、566和463bp;基因序列分析表明:wApA、wAprB与w...     

根癌农杆菌介导的反义VeFAD2基因对少根根霉的遗传转化及其影响因子

Agrobacteriurn tumefaciens-mediated transformation (AtMT) method was used to study the genetic transformation in Rhizopus arrhizus of antisense expression vector pBI121-fad2 of VeFAD₂ gene. We studied the key factors influencing transformation, such as A.tumefaciens strains,bacterial cell volume initially used, co-cultivation time, effective period and concentration of AS. The results shows that the ideal A.tumefaciens strain is AGL-1, the optimum bacterial cell volume initially used is 50-100 μL and co-culture 24 hours will get the most transformants. At co-culture period, AS induction is indispensable. It is beneficial to improve transformation ratio by adding to 200 μmol·L^-1 AS at preincubate period and increasing AS concentration to 400-600 μmol·L^-1 at co-culture period. It determined that antisense VeFAD₂ gene has been integrated into the genome of R. arrhizus by PCR-Southern detection.     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Momordica charantia seed essential oil

The essential oil obtained from the seeds of Momordica charantia was analyzed by GC/MS. Twenty-five components, representing 90.9% of the oil, were identified. The main constituents were trans-nerolidol, apiole, cis-dihydrocarveol and germacrene D. Furthermore, the oil was tested for its antibacterial and antifungal activities. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be the most sensitive microorganism with MIC values <500 microg/ml.     

三年桐、千年桐感染枯萎病病原菌后的生理反应

枯萎病是油桐毁灭性病害。中国广泛种植的油桐有三年桐和千年桐,三年桐易感枯萎病,千年桐抗枯萎病。为探讨三年桐与千年桐在枯萎病应答过程中的差异,在对油桐枯萎病灾区调研的基础上,进行枯萎病病原菌的分离、鉴定,并进一步探讨三年桐、千年桐接种枯萎病病原菌后超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量的变化。结果表明:油桐枯萎病病原菌为尖孢镰刀菌,接种试验显示千年桐在接种尖孢镰刀菌后SOD、POD、CAT较三年桐均呈现较高活性,在接种后SOD、POD活性先升高后降低,CAT活性升高并维持高活性,MDA含量变化不明显;三年桐SOD活性和MDA含量均先升高后降低,POD活性先降低再升高,CAT活性先降低后升高又降低。千年桐作为抗病种,其抗病性可能与其本身具有较高的SOD、POD、CAT活性有关,并且和病原菌感染后酶活上升有关;三年桐为易感病种,接种后SOD、POD、CAT活性有变化,但仍不能抵御病原菌的危害。     

Pistagremic acid,a glucosidase inhibitor from Pistacia integerrima

Pistacia integerrima Stewart in traditionally used as folk remedy for various pathological conditions including diabetes. In order to identify the bioactive compound responsible for its folk use in diabetes, a phytochemical and biological study was conducted. Pistagremic acid (PA) was isolated from the dried galls extract of P. integerrima. Strong α-glucosidase inhibitory potential of PA was predicted using its molecular docking simulations against yeast α-glucosidase as a therapeutic target. Significant experimental α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of PA confirmed the computational predictions. PA showed potent enzyme inhibitory activity both against yeast (IC₅₀: 89.12 ± 0.12 μM) and rat intestinal (IC₅₀: 62.47 ± 0.09 μM) α-glucosidases. Interestingly, acarbose was found to be more than 12 times more potent an inhibitor against mammalian (rat intestinal) enzyme (having IC₅₀ value 62.47 ± 0.09 μM), as compared to the microbial (yeast) enzyme (with IC₅₀ value 780.21 μM). Molecular binding mode was explored via molecular docking simulations, which revealed hydrogen bonding interactions between PA and important amino acid residues (Asp60, Arg69 and Asp 70 (3.11 Å)), surrounding the catalytic site of the α-glucosidase. These interactions could be mainly responsible for their role in potent inhibitory activity of PA. PA has a strong potential to be further investigated as a new lead compound for better management of diabetes.