Geraniin and amariin,ellagitannins from Phyllanthus amarus, protect liver cells against ethanol induced cytotoxicity

Ethanol mediated free radical generation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver injuries and alcoholic liver diseases. In the present study two ellagitannins namely geraniin and amariin isolated from Phyllanthus amarus were examined for their ability to protect mouse liver slices against ethanol induced toxicity and possible mechanism of its protection. Oxidative stress markers such as, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl formation, amount of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and antioxidant enzymes levels were measured using specific biochemical assays. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), Bax and Bcl2 were checked to assess the induction of apoptosis using western blots. The results showed that geraniin and amariin protected mouse liver slices against ethanol induced cytotoxicity. Both compounds inhibited oxidation of lipid, protein and formation of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, all of which were found to be elevated on exposure to ethanol. These compounds restored the antioxidant enzymes altered on ethanol exposure. Compounds also inhibited the cleavage of PARP and bax and restored Bcl2, induced on exposure to ethanol. In summary, both ellagitannins effectively protected mouse liver slices against ethanol induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis by reducing oxidative damage to biological molecules and modulating Bax/Bcl-2 ratio respectively, thus minimizing liver injury.     

Effect of Mitragyna speciosa aqueous extract on ethanol withdrawal symptoms in mice

Administration of the aqueous extract of Mitragyna speciosa at a dose of 300 mg/kg significantly inhibited ethanol withdrawal-induced behaviors that included rearing, displacement and head weaving. The results also showed that at doses of 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg M. speciosa showed antidepressant activity without effect on the spontaneous motor activity.     

Four new flavonoids from the leaves of Morus mongolica

Four new flavonoids (1–4) were isolated from the leaves of Morus mongolica. The structures were determined on the basis of the spectroscopic methods including UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR.     

A new diterpene from the leaves of Andrographis paniculata Nees

Phytochemical investigation of the ethanol extract of the leaves of Andrographis paniculata yielded one novel diterpene (13R, 14R) 3, 13, 14, 19-tetrahydroxy-ent-labda-8 (17), 11-dien-16, 15-olide 1 which has an uncommon cis-diol groups in the lactone moiety, and 3, 19-isopropylidene-14-deoxy-ent-labda-8 (17), 13-dien-16, 15-olide 2, probably an artifact diterpene, together with eight known diterpenoids 3–10. The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of spectral methods. The structure and stereochemistry of 1 was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analyses.     

Cardiovascular effects of Sida cordifolia leaves extract in rats

The cardiovascular activity of the aqueous fraction of the hydroalcoholic extract of Sida cordifolia leaves (AFSC) was evaluated. In normotensive non-anaesthetized rats was observed that AFSC (5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg/kg, i.v.) induced hypotension (6 +/- 2%; 8 +/- 2%; 11 +/- 2%; 19 +/- 3% and 33 +/- 3%, respectively) and bradycardia (0.3 +/- 3%; 13 +/- 4%; 38 +/- 6%; 64 +/- 7% and 80 +/- 5%, respectively). Hypotensive response was completely abolished after atropine (2 mg/kg; i.v.) but potentialized after hexamethonium (20 mg/kg; i.v.) (12 +/- 2%; 21 +/- 5%; 28 +/- 3%; 32 +/- 2% and 32 +/- 3%, respectively), while bradycardic response was completely abolished after atropine (2 mg/kg; i.v.) and attenuated with hexamethonium (20 mg/kg; i.v.) (1 +/- 0.3%; 5 +/- 1%; 7 +/- 1%; 7 +/- 1% and 10 +/- 1%, respectively). In hexamethonium treated rats, L-NAME significantly attenuated the hypotensive response (9 +/- 2%; 14 +/- 1%; 16 +/- 1%; 16 +/- 2% and 22 +/- 3%, respectively). In normotensive anaesthetized and vagotomized rats, hypotensive and bradycardic responses were significantly attenuated (0.5 +/- 0.2%; 1 +/- 0.4%; 3 +/- 0.6%; 4 +/- 0.8% and 6 +/- 1%, respectively, n = 6, and 7 +/- 2%; 12 +/- 5%; 15 +/- 2%, 17 +/- 2% and 25 +/- 3%, respectively). The anaesthesia with sodium thiopental did not affect the AFSC-induced responses when compared with those induced in non-anaesthetized rats (data not showed). In conclusion, the results obtained so far show that AFSC produce hypotension and bradycardia, mainly due to a direct stimulation of the endothelial vascular muscarinic receptor and indirect cardiac muscarinic activation, respectively.     

松墨天牛对云南松的分解作用分析

为探索松墨天牛取食对林木的分解作用,本文通过对松墨天牛幼虫及成虫取食量的测定,寄主云南松韧皮组织及松墨天牛幼虫排泄物成分对比分析,并与资源利用相同的木材微生物分解能力进行对比,阐明了松墨天牛作为分解者的重要分解作用。研究表明,松墨天牛幼虫期(约为55 d)取食分解林木生物量平均为12.42 g(24.40 cm3),成虫期取食分解林木生物量平均为12.87 g(25.28 cm3);松墨天牛幼虫对糖类物质的利用度很高,具有较强的纤维分解利用能力,取食分解后总糖减少83.58%,粗纤维减少23.87%,1头松墨天牛幼虫期分解的林木粗纤维质量为1.93 g,分解利用率为0.008 g.d-1。松墨天牛对林木的分解证明,天牛作为一种重要的林木分解的先驱者,可以分解林木,更重要的是松墨天牛攻击亚健康林木,为微生物分解林木提供了容易入侵的途径,加速了亚健康林木的分解与循环,在森林生态系统物质分解与循环中具有重要的促进作用。     

Effects of a bio-assay guided fraction from Polygonum cuspidatum root on the viability,acid production and glucosyltranferase of mutans streptococci

Polygonum cuspidatum root has been traditionally used for the treatment of dental diseases in Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of P. cuspidatum root on the development of dental caries, especially its effects against bacterial viability and caries-inducing factors of Strptococcus mutans and Strptococcus sobrinus. Among methanol extract of P. cuspidatum root and its fraction tested, ethyl acetate fraction, composed of polydatin, resveratrol, anthraglycoside B, and emodin, showed inhibitory effects on glycolytic acid production and glucosyltransferase activity of S. mutans and S. sobrinus in addition to antibacterial activities.     

银杏过氧化氢酶基因CAT1的克隆及表达分析

利用RACE技术从银杏中克隆到过氧化氢酶基因(GbCAT1)的cDNA全长。进化树分析结果表明:GbCAT1和其他物种的CAT源自于相同的祖先。Southern杂交显示:GbCAT1属于1个小的多基因家族。实时定量RT-PCR分析表明:GbCAT1在银杏的根、茎、叶和果中都有表达,在叶中的相对表达量最高,其次为果、茎和根。GbCAT1的转录受到ABA、渗透压、紫外、低温和高温胁迫的诱导。水杨酸处理下,GbCAT1相对表达量迅速降低。CAT1基因在逆境条件下的相对表达变化与环境胁迫有关。     

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.     

New flavane gallates isolated from the leaves of Plicosepalus curviflorus and their hypoglycemic activity

Two new flavane gallates were isolated from the leaves of Plicosepalus curviflorus. The structure of the new compounds was established as 2S,3R-3,3′,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavane-5-O-gallate (1) and 2S,3R-3,3′,4′,5,5′,7-hexahydroxyflavane-4′,5-di-O-gallate (2), respectively. In addition, seven known compounds (−)-catechin (3), quercetin (4), lupeol (5), β-sitosterol (6), pomolic acid (7), β-sitosterol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (8) and 4-methoxycinnamic acid (9) were reported for the first time from the genus Plicosepalus. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 were investigated for their hypoglycemic activity and showed significant hypoglycemic activity in Swiss Albino mice.     

马尾松谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶PmGPX6基因cDNA克隆及转化拟南芥耐旱性初步研究

[目的]克隆马尾松谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶基因,并对其进行功能研究。[方法]采用RACE技术克隆基因c DNA序列,实时荧光定量PCR检测基因在马尾松干旱胁迫下的表达模式,花序浸泡法转化拟南芥,并对转基因与野生型拟南芥的生长表型和根系生长进行分析。利用荧光显微镜技术对转基因拟南芥不定根进行GFP荧光检测。[结果]克隆到1个871 bp的GPX基因全长c DNA序列,命名为Pm GPX6。Pm GPX6包括513 bp的完整开放阅读框,编码170个氨基酸残基。Pm GPX6蛋白与油松Pt GPX蛋白同源性达95%。Pm GPX6在马尾松根中高表达,茎、叶中表达量低。在干旱胁迫下,Pm GPX6在根、茎、叶中的表达量均在第15天达到最大,随后出现下降趋势。过表达Pm GPX6与野生型拟南芥植株在正常水分条件下表型与根长差异不大,但在干旱胁迫下,转基因植株根系更长。转基因拟南芥根在蓝色光激发下能发出强烈的绿色荧光,表明Pm GPX6基因能高效表达。[结论]推测Pm GPX6可能参与马尾松干旱胁迫应答。     

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...     

A new coumarin from Sarcandra glabra

Sarcandracoumarin (1), the first coumarin having a 1-phenylethyl substituent at the C-3 position, was isolated along with eleven known phenolic compounds from the water extract of Sarcandra glabra. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Compound 1 exhibited moderate or weak cytotoxicity against several tumor cell lines.     

Triterpenes and steroids from the leaves of Aglaia exima (Meliaceae)

A study on the leaves of Aglaia exima led to the isolation of one new and seven known compounds: six triterpenoids and two steroids. Their structures were elucidated and analyzed mainly by using spectroscopic methods; 1D and 2D NMR, mass spectrometry, UV spectrometry and X-ray. All the triterpenoids and steroids were measured in vitro for their cytotoxic activities against eight cancer cell lines; lung (A549), prostate (DU-145), skin (SK-MEL-5), pancreatic (BxPC-3), liver (Hep G2), colon (HT-29), breast (MCF-7) and (MDA-MB-231). The new cycloartane triterpenoid, 24(E)-cycloart-24-ene-26-ol-3-one 1, showed potent cytotoxic activity against colon (HT-29) cancer cell line (IC₅₀ 11.5 μM).     

Hypoglycemic activity of Nymphaea stellata leaves ethanolic extract in alloxan induced diabetic rats

The ethanolic extract of leaves of Nymphaea stellata given by oral route to diabetic rats at dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day for seven days reduced significantly by 31.6 and 42.6 % the plasma glucose level increased by intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/day of alloxan. Moreover, the treatment significantly affected the plasma level of cholesterol and triglyceride.     

赤桉GAPDH家族基因的克隆及其序列分析

GAPDH is a typical structural protein in eukaryote organism, which plays an important role involved in the biosynthesis of cell composition and the expression of genetic information. In order to reveal the biological function of GAPDH in the growth and development of Eucalyptus, 3 genes were obtained and named as EC-GAP1, EC-GAP2 and EC-GAP3 by amplification with primers for GAPDH genes conserved regions and RACE method from the young leaf of Eucalyptus camaldulensis. The bioinformatics analysis suggested that the proteins encoded by corresponding genes owned the typical conserved domains of GAPDH and showed high homology with those of other plant species.     

New withanolides from Mandragora officinarum: First report of withanolides from the Genus Mandragora

Two new withanolides named mandragorolide A (1) and mandragorolide B (2) were isolated from the MeOH extract of the whole plant of Mandragora officinarum of Jordanian origin, along with five known withanolides namely larnaxolide A (3), withanolide B (4), datura lactone 2 (5), withanicandrin (6) and salpichrolide C (7). Compound 3 has been reported only once before, from the leaves of Larnax glabra. This is the first report of withanolides of different biogenetic types from the genus Mandragora. Isolation of known fatty compounds, coumarins, sterols and tropane alkaloids was also achieved in this study.     

杜仲1-脱氧-D-木酮糖-5-磷酸还原异构酶基因cDNA全长克隆与序列分析

以杜仲叶片cDNA为模板,采用反转录RCR及RACE技术分离出DXR基因cDNA全长。序列分析结果表明该基因序列全长1 814 bp,共编码478个氨基酸,推导的蛋白质分子量为51.71 kD,理论等电点5.79,命名为EuDXR。推导的EuDXR蛋白质序列具有植物DXR酶的5个典型基序,并预测出26个潜在的功能位点。系统进化树分析表明EuDXR蛋白与玉米、水稻亲缘关系最近,其次为橡胶、拟南芥、烟草。     

Increased excitability and metabolism in pilocarpine induced epileptic rats: Effect of Bacopa monnieri

We have evaluated the acetylcholine esterase and malate dehydrogenase activity in the muscle, epinephrine, norepinephrine, insulin and T3 content in the serum of epileptic rats. Acetylcholine esterase and malate dehydrogenase activity increased in the muscle and decreased in the heart of the epileptic rats compared to control. Insulin and T3 content were increased significantly in the serum of the epileptic rats. Our results suggest that repetitive seizures resulted in increased metabolism and excitability in epileptic rats. Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A treatment prevents the occurrence of seizures there by reducing the impairment on peripheral nervous system.     

New coumarin glycosides from the leaves of Diospyros crassiflora (Hiern)

Two new 5-methylcoumarin glycosides named diosfeboside A (1) and B (2) and five known compounds namely kaempferol 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), ursolic acid (4), betulinic acid (5), stigmasterol (6) and stigmasterol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (7) were isolated from the leaves of Diospyros crassiflora (Hiern). Their structures were established through interpretation of 1 and 2D NMR, mass spectra analysis and comparison with reported data. In vitro cytotoxic activity of the new compounds against human carcinoma cell lines (HL-60, Bel-7402, BGC-823, and KB) was evaluated and no cytotoxicity was observed for each of them.