Anti-inflammatory, cyclooxygenase inhibitory and antioxidant activities of standardized extracts of Tridax procumbens L.

The standardized EtOAc, MeOH and 70% EtOH extracts of Tridax procumbens aerial parts showed significant inhibition of rat paw edema at a medium dose of 200 mg/kg and the EtOAC extract was the most active. These extracts were standardized by HPLC with the help of chemical markers. Further, the extracts were evaluated for COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory activity and EtOAc extract exhibited the highest inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 at 50 μg/mL. Cent aurein, centaureidin and bergenin were isolated as COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory principles from the EtOAc extract. The extracts also exhibited antioxidant activity against DPPH and ABTS free radicals. The anti-inflammatory activity of T. procumbens aerial parts could be at least in part due to COX-1, COX-2 enzyme inhibition and free radical-scavenging activities which may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids and other polyphenols in the extracts.     

COX-2 and sPLA2 inhibitory activity of aqueous extract and polyphenols of Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove)

The aqueous extract of Rhizophora mangle bark and its polyphenolic fractions showed remarkable in vitro antiinflammatory activity in a preliminary study. The low molecular weight fraction exhibited cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitory activity while the total aqueous extract and the low molecular weight fraction showed secretory phospholipase A(2) inhibitory activity.     

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of iridoid glycosides extract of Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo

Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo is a perennial herb (Labiatae) used as the Tibetan traditional medicine with the effects of alleviating pain, detumescence, hemostasis, promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis and reinforcing marrow. In this study, we investigated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of iridoid glycosides extract of L. rotata (IGLR) in mice. Our results showed that the iridoid glycosides extract could decrease acetic-acid-induced writhings times and formalin-induced lickings times, inhibit carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and xylene-induced ear swelling, and suppress peritoneal capillary permeability and leukocyte infiltration also induced by acetic acid in mice. All of these results suggested that the iridoid glycosides extract possesses the significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities.     

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of cis-mulberroside A from Ramulus mori

This study examined the analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions of cis-mulberroside A isolated from Ramulus mori in several models of inflammatory pain in mice. Cis-mulberroside A (25 and 50 mg/kg) given by p.o. route 30 min before challenge produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the acetic acid-induced pain and Evans blue leakage in mice. In addition, this compound exhibited significant systemic anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema in a concentration-related manner (33.1–68.5% inhibition), and similar results were achieved in formalin test. Suppressive effects of cis-mulberroside A on the production of NO and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages were also assessed. Collectively, cis-mulberroside A showed high analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The above results will be the supporting evidence for the potential anti-rheumatoid activity of R.mori in Chinese traditional medicine.     

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antifungal furanosesquiterpenoids isolated from Commiphora erythraea (Ehrenb.) Engl. resin

The topical anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenging and antifungal activities of essential oils and extracts of Commiphora erythraea (Ehrenb.) Engl. resin were investigated. The hexane extract significantly inhibited oedema when applied topically in Croton oil-induced ear oedema assay in mice. The same extract showed antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging assay. A bioguided separation of the hexane extract led to the isolation of furanosesquiterpenoids 1 and 2 that showed a weak antifungal activity, while compounds 3-5 resulted to be antioxidant (EC₅₀ 4.28, 2.56 and 1.08 mg/mL, respectively) and anti-inflammatory (30, 26 and 32% oedema reduction, respectively).     

日本落叶松体细胞胚胎发生相关基因LaSERK1的克隆与表达分析

本研究克隆了日本落叶松体细胞胚胎发生相关受体类蛋白激酶基因 LaSERK1,并检测了在不同培养条件下LaSERK1的表达情况,发现LaSERK1与已发现的其他物种SERK1 基因有高度相似性,qRT-PCR结果显示： LaSERK1在体胚发生早期高表达。结果表明：LaSERK1可能在落叶松体胚发育早期起重要作用,LaSERK1 也可能成为早期胚性细胞的标记基因。     

Structure and antioxidant activity of polysaccharide POJ-U1a extracted by ultrasound from Ophiopogon japonicus

An ultrasonic technique was employed to extract polysaccharides from Ophiopogon japonicus. The ultrasonic extracted polysaccharides (POJ-U) were purified, and POJ-U1a (a homogeneous fraction) was obtained. The structural characteristics of POJ-U1a were investigated by infrared spectra, gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, methylation analysis, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results indicated that the relative molecular weight of POJ-U1a was 4.02 × 10³ Da. POJ-U1a was an α-configuration polysaccharide with a highly branched structure, and consisted of pyranoside and funanside. The backbone of POJ-U1a consisted of 1,6-α-d-glucopyranose and 1,3,6-α-d-glucofuranose in the molar ratio of 7:3, while the branched chains were mainly composed of 1,3-α-d-glucopyranose and 1-α-d-glucopyranose in the molar ratio of 1:3. The branched structure of POJ-U1a was proved intuitively by AFM. Significant antioxidant activity of POJ-U1a has been proved as shown by its DPPH radical scavenging, hydrogen radical scavenging and superoxide anion scavenging activities, which indicated that POJ-U1a showed strong antioxidant activity.     

BACE inhibitory flavanones from Balanophora involucrata Hook. f.

One new flavanone (S)-5,7,3′,5′-tetrahydroxy-flavanone-7-O-(6″-galloyl)-β-D-glucopyranose (1), together with one known flavanone and four known dihydrochalcones were isolated from the ethyl acetate partitions from an alcoholic extract of the whole plant of Balanophora involucrata Hook. f. All of the compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods. Their in vitro BACE inhibitory effects were evaluated. Compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 were found to be a little more active than the positive control, although all of which are below 50% inhibition at 10 μM.     

New flavonol glycosides from Aconitum burnatii Gáyer and Aconitum variegatum L.

Six flavonol glycosides, compounds 1-3 from A. burnatii Gáyer and 4-6 from A. variegatum L., were obtained from their methanol extracts of aerial parts. The identified structures were quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside-7-O-(6-E-p-coumaroyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (1), quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside-7-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (2), quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside-7-O-(6-E-caffeoyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (3), kaempferol 3-O-β-d-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-l-arabinopyranoside (4), quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), and kaempferol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6). Compounds 1, 2 and 4 were isolated for the first time. The antioxidant potential of the methanol extracts and pure compounds was tested with different assays.     

Regeneration, in vitro glycoalkaloids production and evaluation of bioactivity of callus methanolic extract of Solanum tuberosum L.

Callus and differentiated shoots initiated from Solanum tuberosum L. on MS media containing BA, IAA, and Kin. Glycoalkaloids are produced in callus and shoots in concentrations higher than original tubers using HPLC. Callus methanolic extract had promising anticancer activity with low IC₅₀ values against human carcinoma cell lines of breast, lymphoplastic leukemia, larynx, liver, cervix, colon, and brain, IC₅₀ (µg/mL) were 2.7, 3.7, 6, 6.7, 10, 13.6, and 22.3 respectively. Antioxidant capacity of the extract (76.4%) performed using ESR. Preliminary screening showed that the extract exhibited in vitro virucidal activity against Herpes simplex. The extract possessed in vitro schistomicidal and fasciolicidal activity.     

Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of constituents from Millettia pachycarpa Benth

The aim of this study is to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of constituents from the seeds of Millettia pachycarpa Benth. Fourteen compounds (1–14) including one novel chalcone (10) were isolated as active principles from Chinese herbal medicine M. pachycarpa Benth. Their structures were identified by using spectroscopic methods. All isolates were then evaluated for their cytotoxic effects against several cancer cell lines (HepG2, C26, LL2 and B16) with cisplatin as a positive control. And their apoptosis-inducing effects were tested against HeLa-C3 cells with taxol as a positive control. Both studies showed that compounds 1, 2, 7 and 10 demonstrated significant cytotoxic and apoptotic effects against cancer cells. Moreover, in the apoptosis assay the novel chalcone (10) showed strong apoptosis inducing effects at a concentration of 2 μM within 36 h. It was found to be the most potent apoptotic inducer of the compounds isolated from M. pachycarpa Benth.     

(-)-Veranigrine, a new steroidal alkaloid from Veratrum nigrum L

A new steroidal alkaloid, (-)-veranigrine (1) was isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Veratrum nigrum L. By means of spectroscopic methods its structure was established as (20S, 25S)-iminocholesta-5,22(N)-diene-1beta,3beta-diol.     

杨树生物钟节律基因PtCCA1的克隆及表达模式研究

生物钟节律基因CCA1在植物的光周期反应中起着重要的调控作用.利用RT-PCR方法克隆获得了一条包含1902 bp开放阅读框的杨树CCA1基因cDNA序列,其编码633个氨基酸残基,蛋白的分子量约为68.90 kDa,等电点为6.33.分析显示含有1个Myb-like DNA结合域及2个蛋白跨膜结合域.实时荧光定量PCR分析发现,PtCCA1基因主要在杨树叶组织中表达;随着光照时间的变化,该基因在杨树中的表达量呈现白昼不断降低而夜晚逐渐升高的昼夜变化趋势.研究结果为进一步探索PtCCA1基因在调控杨树光周期响应途径中的功能以及杨树光周期敏感机制提供了科学基础.     

Anti-diabetic effect of American ginseng may not be linked to antioxidant activity: Comparison between American ginseng and Scutellaria baicalensis using an ob/ob mice model

Antioxidants have been considered as a useful remedy in diabetes therapeutics, and thus, herbal medicines with antioxidant properties may play major role in treating diabetes. In this report, we performed a comparative study using American ginseng and Scutellaria baicalensis to test whether the anti-diabetic effect of American ginseng is associated with its antioxidant activity. We used a simple water extraction procedure to prepare American ginseng root extract (AGE) and S. baicalensis extract (SbE), and utilized these two antioxidant herbs to evaluate their anti-diabetic effect in obese diabetic ob/ob mice. HPLC analysis was used to identify major constituents in the AGE and SbE. After 12 days of daily intraperitoneal injection, AGE at 300 mg/kg showed significant effects on fasting blood glucose levels (P < 0.01) and glucose tolerance test (P < 0.01) compared to vehicle-treated mice. Animal body weights also reduced significantly after 12-day treatment (P < 0.01). However, SbE, a very strong antioxidant extract, administered at 5–50 mg/kg (based on our previous studies without adverse events) for 12 days did not show any significant effects on blood glucose and body weight changes. No effects were shown when baicalein, an effective antioxidant constituent in SbE, was administered at 1–5 mg/kg. It appears that the anti-diabetic effect of American ginseng may not be linked to its antioxidant actions. The mechanisms of American ginseng's effects on reducing high blood glucose levels and body weight remain to be investigated in future experiments.     

Pluchea lanceolata (Rasana): Chemical and biological potential of Rasayana herb used in traditional system of medicine

Pluchea lanceolata (DC.) Oliv. & Hiern, (Family: Asteraceae) is a rapidly spreading perennial herb, considered valuable for the management of anti-inflammatory disease. Scientific reports dealing with phytochemical and pharmacological research and its traditional have been reviewed. Reports have also suggested that its prominent constituents viz. triterpenoids, sterols, flavonoids and lactones originate from this plant arbitrate their effects by modulating several therapeutic targets.Out of about 80 species of Pluchea, some of them are on extinct and only 16 have traditional uses in several countries of Asian, Middle East and North American region. The present review covers the period 1935–2011.     

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.     

重金属Pb2+和Cd2+对毛竹种子萌发及幼苗早期生长的影响

以毛竹种子为试材,研究不同浓度铅离子(Pb2+)、镉离子(Cd2+)对毛竹种子萌发和幼苗早期生长的影响。结果表明:随着Pb2+和Cd2+浓度的增加,毛竹种子的发芽率呈现出先升高后降低的趋势,发芽指数、活力指数均与浓度呈负相关关系;同时,Pb2+和Cd2+对幼苗根伸长、芽伸长及生物量积累等指标具有显著的抑制作用,并且这种抑制作用随着浓度的升高而增强,尤其是根部,根伸长抑制率最高分别达到96.20%和94.00%;幼苗地上部分与地下部分对Pb2+、Cd2+的积累随着胁迫强度的增加而升高,但地下部分的积累量要显著高于前者,相同浓度下最高差距分别达到地上部分的27.21、6.25倍。     

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。     

重瓣山茶花器官发育相关基因CjAPL1的全长克隆与表达分析

为研究A功能基因在山茶花重瓣形成过程中所发挥的功能,利用同源克隆和RACE扩增方法,从重瓣山茶花品种‘金盘荔枝’发育早期的花芽中获得了山茶花AP基因全长cDNA,命名为CjAPL1,GenBank登录号JX657332。该基因全长1 149 bp,其中,开放阅读框(ORF)长度为741 bp,5’非编码区长度206 bp,3’非编码区长度202 bp。经氨基酸序列分析表明:CjAPL1基因编码一条含有246个氨基酸的蛋白质,与猕猴桃、八仙花等植物的Ap1蛋白同源性均在75%以上。Rea-time PCR结果显示,CjAPL1基因在‘金盘荔枝’不同发育时期花芽中的表达量为:花芽发育早III期>花芽发育早II期>花芽发育早I期>现蕾期,表达趋势表现为先逐渐升高而后急剧降低;花器官不同部位中的表达量为花柱最高,其次为子房和萼片,在雄蕊下部和外轮花上部中的表达量最低。这些差异表明,CjAPL1基因可能在‘金盘荔枝’重瓣花形成中发挥作用。     

库尔勒香梨优斑螟触角感受器超微结构观察

为研究香梨优斑螟触角感器的种类、分布和形态特征,利用电子扫描显微镜,对香梨优斑螟成虫触角感器进行观察。结果表明:成虫触角上存在着6种化学感器,即毛形感器、刺形感器、柱形感器、耳形感器、腔锥形感器和鳞形感器,其中,毛形感器数目最多,柱形感器雄虫特有,柄节和梗节上没有发现感器。研究香梨优斑螟触角感器为其形态学、行为学和电生理学等方面的研究提供基础资料,同时对香梨优斑螟触角与其相近种昆虫触角间的差异及部分感器可能具有的生理功能进行了分析。