Alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effect of mulberry (Morus alba) leaves on Caco-2

The effects of brewing time on dry weight content and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory active component released from mulberry (Morus alba) tea were studied. Different tea products showed significant differences in inhibitory activity against both sucrase and maltase. The most effective enzyme inhibition was observed when 3 to 5 min brewing time was applied in tea preparation. In a Caco-2 cell culture experiment the tea reduced the liberated glucose contents in both apical and basal sides of the cell monolayers. It can be concluded that hot water extract of mulberry leaves does have inhibitory effect against alpha-glucosidases, sucrase and maltase enzymes, and has a potential to be consumed as antidiabetic herb tea.     

The inhibitory effects of Gelam honey and its extracts on nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 in inflammatory tissues

We investigated the effects of honey and its methanol and ethyl acetate extracts on inflammation in animal models. Rats’ paws were induced with carrageenan in the non-immune inflammatory and nociceptive model, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the immune inflammatory model. Honey and its extracts were able to inhibit edema and pain in inflammatory tissues as well as showing potent inhibitory activities against NO and PGE₂ in both models. The decrease in edema and pain correlates with the inhibition of NO and PGE₂. Phenolic compounds have been implicated in the inhibitory activities. Honey is potentially useful in the treatment of inflammatory conditions.     

A new 2-arylbenzofuran from the root bark of Chinese Morus cathayana

A new 2-arylbenzofuran, sanggenofuran B (3',5'-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-4'-prenyl-2-arylbenzofuran), from the root bark of Chinese Morus cathayana is reported.     

Phenolics from Leontopodium leontopodioides inhibiting nitric oxide production

Two new compounds, a neolignan (1), and a benzofuran derivative (2), along with 6 known compounds (3-8), were isolated from the aerial parts of Leontopodium leontopodioides. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated as (7R,8S)-3,5'-dimethoxy-4',7-epoxy-8,3'-neolignane-5,9,9'-triol (1) and (2R)-12-hydoxy-4-methoxy-tremeton (2) on the basis of their spectroscopic data, respectively. All of the isolates were evaluated for their effects on the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW264.7 macrophages and compounds 1 and 8 exhibited inhibitory activity with IC(50) values of 35.80 and 24.41 μM, respectively.     

New sesquiterpenoids from the dried flower buds of Tussilago farfara and their inhibition on NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells

Three new sesquiterpenoids, 1α-(3″-ethyl-cis-crotonoyloxy)-8-angeloyloxy-3β,4β-epoxy-bisabola-7(14),10-diene (1), 7β-angeloyloxy-14-hydroxy-notonipetranone (2) and 1α-hydroxy-7β-(4-methylsenecioyloxy)-oplopa-3(14)Z,8(10)-dien-2-one (3) were isolated from ethanolic extract of the dried flower buds of Tussilago farfara L., along with nine known sesquiterpenoids (4-12). All of these compounds were evaluated for their effect on the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide in macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 and exhibited inhibitory activity on NO production in a dose-dependent manner. 7β-(4-Methylsenecioyloxy)-oplopa-3(14)E,8(10)-dien-2-one (8) was proved to be the best among these tested sesquiterpenoids with an IC(50) value of 10.80 μM.     

Hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic activities of the aqueous leaf and seed extract of Phyllanthus amarus in mice

The effect of the aqueous leaf and seed extracts of Phyllanthus amarus at oral dose of 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg was investigated for their antidiabetic and anti-lipidemic potentials. The extract produced a dose-dependent decrease in the fasting plasma glucose and cholesterol, and reduction in weights in treated mice. The results suggest that the extract could be enhancing peripheral utilization of glucose but the mechanisms on how this works remain unclear.     

Evaluation of wound-healing potential of Catharanthus roseus leaf extract in rats

Rats treated with 100 mg /kg/day of the Catharanthus roseus ethanol extract had high rate of wound contraction significantly decreased epithelization period, significant increase in dry weight and hydroxyproline content of the granulation tissue when compared with the controls. Wound contraction together with increased tensile strength and hydroxyproline content support the use of C. roseus in the management of wound healing.     

Antinephritis and radical scavenging activity of prenylflavonoids

Antinephritis activity of 5 prenylflavonoids similar to glabridin (1-5), isolated from Morus alba, Artocarpus communis, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and G. inflata, was evaluated in mice with glomerular disease (Masugi-nephritis). Oral administrations of artonin E (2) or licochalcone A (4) for 10 days (30 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) reduced the amount of urinary protein excretion compared to nephritic mice. ESR spectroscopy demonstrated that morusin (1) and licorisoflavan A (5) increased the radical intensity of sodium ascorbate by about two times. Morusin, licoricidin (3), licochalcone A and licorisoflavan A showed weak scavenging activity against superoxide anion radical.     

Parasitic Ichneumonoidea on the horse chestnut leaf miner, Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in Slovakia

Parasitic Hymenoptera from the suprafamily Ichneumonoidea attacking the horse chestnut leafminer Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimic (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) were studied in southwest Slovakia during 2000 and 2001. The search for such species resulted in the determination of eight ichneumonid species, Gelis agilis (Fabricius), Itoplectis alternans (Gravenhorst), I. clavicornis (Thompson), I. maculator (Fabricius), Scambus annulatus (Kiss), S. brevicornis (Gravenhorst), Zatypota percontatoria (Müller), Adelognathus sp. and a braconid Colastes braconius Haliday. The most abundant species was S. annulatus. All these species recorded are polyphagous and often facultative hyperparasitoids, except C. braconius, which departs from this norm in not being hyperparasitic. The presence of more diversified native parasitoids and hyperparasitoids from the Ichneumonoidea predicate a slow successive adaptation of the parasitoid fauna to the invasive host, Cameraria ohridella.     

The relationships between the number of seeds in the cones of Abies alba Mill. and their damage by spermatophagous insects

A study was conducted on the relationships between the total number of seeds in cones of Abies alba Mill. and the number of seeds that were viable, infertile, infested with the larvae of Megastigmus suspectus Borr. or damaged by Resseliella piceae Seitn. The seeds were obtained from cones collected in southern Poland in the Gorce National Park in both partial and strict reserves during 1996–1998. A total of 54,958 seeds extracted from 217 cones were used in the study. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Spearman rank correlation coefficient was computed. A correlation was found between the total number of seeds and each of the groups mentioned above except seeds infested with M. suspectus. An appropriate test was also used to compare the proportions of each of the groups. It was found that the proportions differ from year to year, and for the different sites, except the proportion of viable seeds. No correlation was found between the numbers of seeds infested with M. suspectus and the number of seeds damaged by R. piceae.     

Effects of methanolic extract and fractions from Litsea cubeba bark on the production of inflammatory mediators in RAW264.7 cells

Both the methanolic extract and its fractions (0.01 mg/ml) from Litsea cubeba bark were found to inhibit NO and PGE2 production in LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophages without significant cytotoxicity at less than 0.01 mg/ml concentration. Moreover, L. cubeba bark extract and its fractions significantly decreased the activity of myeloperoxidase catalyzing oxidation of chloride to HOCl and O2- production was reduced by methanol extract (0.05 mg/ml), chloroform fraction (0.025-0.05 mg/ml) and butanol fraction (0.005 mg/ml). These findings suggest that L. cubeba is beneficial for inflammatory conditions and may contain compound(s) with anti-inflammatory properties.     

Laboratory and field evaluation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Beauveria bassiana</Emphasis> for controlling Mulberry whitefly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pealius mori</Emphasis> Takahashi (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in mulberry (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Morus alba</Emphasis> Linn)

In a laboratory screening of 12 isolates of entomopathogenic fungi against nymphs of the mulberry whitefly (Pealius mori Takahashi), Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo-Crivelli) Vuillemin CKB-048 was the most virulent, causing 87 ± 3% mortality at 1 × 10⁶ conidia/ml. Infection was confirmed by growth of the fungus from cadavers and by scanning electron microscopy of treated nymphs. Beauveria bassiana CKB-048 was formulated as a wettable powder (1 × 10⁹ conidia/g) and tested in two mulberry (Morus alba Linn) plantations in central and northeastern Thailand. In both locations, two spray applications of B. bassiana CKB-048 at 3.75 × 10¹² to 6.25 × 10¹² conidia/ha and at 14 day intervals provided good control of whitefly nymphs; control with B. bassiana CKB-048 was comparable to that with the pesticide buprofezin at 250 g of active ingredient/ha. In addition, no mortality of silkworm larvae occurred when the larvae were fed with mulberry leaves sprayed with B. bassiana CKB-048 7, 14, or 21 days earlier.     

Vasorelaxation and antispasmodic effects of Kaempferia parviflora ethanolic extract in isolated rat organ studies

The ethanolic extract of Kaempferia parviflora (KP) rhizomes dose-dependently relaxed both aortic rings and ileum precontracted with phenylephrine and acethylcholine, respectively.     

Gelam honey inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia in rats through the induction of heme oxygenase-1 and the inhibition of cytokines, nitric oxide, and high-mobility group protein B1

Malaysian Gelam honey has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, a high antioxidant capacity, and free radical-scavenging activity. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates immune cells to sequentially release early pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and induces the synthesis of several related enzymes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the intravenous injection of honey in rats with LPS-induced endotoxemia. The results showed that after 4h of treatment, honey reduced cytokine (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukins 1β, and 10) and NO levels and increased heme oxygenase-1 levels. After 24h, a decrease in cytokines and NO and an increase in HO-1 were seen in all groups, whereas a reduction in HMGB1 occurred only in the honey-treated groups. These results support the further examination of honey as a natural compound for the treatment of a wide range of inflammatory diseases.     

Response of two oak species to extensive defoliation: Tree growth and vigor, phytochemistry, and herbivore suitability

This study was developed to experimentally determine whether the differential mortality of white oak versus black oak observed following defoliation events in the oak-dominated forests of the central hardwoods region of the eastern USA may be due to differences in carbon allocation between the two species. Black oak and white oak growing in a common garden were artificially defoliated (90%) using scissors in two consecutive years. Concurrent with the second defoliation event, herbivore performance and phytochemical characteristics were measured, followed immediately by measures of tree growth. In the dormant season following the second defoliation event, roots were sampled to assess tree vigor. Species-specific differences in foliar chemistry and herbivory were evident, regardless of defoliation. Defoliation-induced changes in above-ground biomass were evident in white oak, but not black oak. Defoliation-induced changes in foliar chemistry were more evident in black oak; these were reflected in greater differences in herbivore suitability. Herbivore consumption was correlated with depressed foliar C:N ratios and elevated foliar nitrogen. White oak root starch concentrations were markedly lower in defoliated trees, suggesting that white oak vigor is especially sensitive to resource limitations in the form of photosynthate loss. The implications of these results with respect to defoliation events and white oak mortality, as well as potential phylogenetic differences in response to severe defoliation between the red and white oak groups, are discussed.     

Effects of Erigeron breviscapus ethanol extract on neuronal oxidative injury induced by superoxide radical

Antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract of Erigeron breviscapus (EEEB) were studied by using neuron oxidative injury model induced by superoxide radical. EEEB at the dose of 10-140 mug/ml reduced significantly the lipid peroxidation levels and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release from neuron exposed to superoxide radical (generated by xanthine and xanthine oxidase). These results suggest that neuroprotective actions of EEEB may be due to its antioxidant or radical scavenging activity.     

Effects of chelerythrine, a specific inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2, on acute inflammation in mice

Chelerythrine (CHE), a quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloid, which is an agent in traditional Chinese medicine exhibits a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects. In this study, we examined the anti-inflammatory activities and mechanism of CHE in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Further, in the analgesic test, CHE also showed pronounced inhibition of the acetic acid-induced writhing response. These results clearly suggested that CHE is a bioactive agent which has a significant anti-inflammatory action, which may be relevant to the inhibition of the release/production of exudates and prostaglandin E₂ mediated through cyclooxygenase-2 regulation.     

Influence of leaf portion and plant species on the egg-laying behaviour of the predatory ladybird Serangium parcesetosum Sicard (Col., Coccinellidae) in the presence of a natural enemy

The effectiveness of natural enemies against arthropod herbivores can depend on the characteristics of the plant on which they are found. The influence of the plant on the egg-laying behaviour of the promising whitefly predator, Serangium parcesetosum Sicard (Col., Coccinellidae) was examined in order to be able to use it effectively in biological control programs. The present work investigated the possible influence of the portion of the leaf on the number of eggs laid as well as the effect of plant species on the way in which eggs are deposited by S. parcesetosum. The experiments were conducted on cucumber and cotton leaves with Bemisia tabaci (Genn .) (Hom., Aleyrodidae) as prey in the absence and presence of a natural enemy, the lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neur., Chrysopidae) at two different temperatures. The results showed that at 18°C, S. parcesetosum females significantly preferred to lay their eggs between the veins and close to the veins of cucumber leaves, mean of 10.1 and 7.5 eggs, in the absence of C. carnea, respectively, while in its presence significantly more eggs were deposited close to the veins and close to the petiole. On cotton leaves, close to the petiole, a mean of 8.4 eggs in the absence of the lacewing, as well as close to the veins, mean of 6.3 eggs in the presence of the lacewing, were found to be the most suitable leaf portions for egg-laying. At 30° C, the females laid their eggs preferentially close to the veins of cucumber leaves in the absence and presence of C. carnea. On cotton leaves, S. parcesetosum females significantly preferred to lay their eggs close to the petiole, mean of 7.6 and 6.1 eggs, as well as close to the veins, mean of 6.2 and 8.7 eggs, in the absence and presence of the lacewing, respectively. At both temperatures, the ladybird females laid their eggs singly on cucumber leaves in the absence and presence of C. carnea. While on cotton leaves, the females had a tendency to deposit their eggs together in the absence and presence of the lacewing, except at 30°C in its absence. Within the same plant species, significant differences were found in the total number of eggs laid by S. parcesetosum females on cotton leaves at 18°C as well as on cucumber leaves at 30°C in the absence and presence of the natural enemy. In addition to the effects of presence and absence of C. carnea, and where eggs were laid, some significant differences due to plant species was found at both temperatures.This article is dedicated to Prof. Dr Wolfgang Schwenke on his 84th birthday.     

Crop yields of rice and wheat grown in rotation as intercrops with three tree species in the outer hills of Western Himalaya

Studies on tree crop interaction under rainfed condition in Dehradun valley were conducted for 13 years during 1977 to 1990. Grewia optiva (Bhimal), Morus alba (Mulbery) and Eucalyptus hybrid were tried along with rice (CV: Akashi) — wheat (CV: RR-21) rotation. One-year-old tree seedlings of the above tree species were planted in line, 5 m apart in N-S direction, in July 1977, in the middle of the plot (size 20 m × 20 m). Eucalyptus was first harvested in 1987. Grewia optiva, Morus alba and coppice of Eucalyptus were harvested in 1990. All tree species had depressing effect on crop yields. Eucalyptus had maximum effect in depressing crop yield till the first harvest and had least effect thereafter. From 1987 onwards, Morus alba affected rice most, while wheat was mostly affected by Grewia optiva. The depressing effect on an average varied from 28 to 34% depending upon the species.Distance of tree line from the crop significantly affected the crop yield upto a distance of 5 m and there was 39% decrease in crop yield upto 1 m, 33% from 1–2 m, 25% from 2–3 m and 12% from 3–5 m distance. Annual removal of lops and tops from trees partly compensated the deficit. Grewia optiva could produce 1.08 t ha^–1 yr^–1 of branches and 0.26 t ha^–1 yr^–1 of leaves (air dry) and 1.28 t ha^–1 yr^–1 of branches and 0.28 t ha^–1 yr^–1 of leaves were obtained from Morus alba. Wood (ADT) produced by the trees was 33.6 t ha^–1 from Eucalyptus, 9.5 t ha^–1 from Grewia optiva and 11.6 t ha^–1 from Morus alba.     

Sesquiterpenes from Ulmus davidiana var. japonica with the inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production

Investigation of antiinflammatory constituents of the stem and root barks of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica resulted in the isolation of three guaiane type sesquiterpenes, torilin, 1-hydroxytorilin, together with a new derivative, (1beta, 7beta, 8beta, 10beta)-1,8,11-trihydroxy-4-guaien-8-angeloyl-3-one named 1-hydroxytorilin A. All the three sesquiterpenes inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in murine microglial BV2 cells.