Hemagglutinating activity of Curcuma plants

Crude proteins obtained by Mg/NP-40 extraction from Thai medicinal plants of the Curcuma species exhibited agglutination activity against rabbit erythrocytes. A crude extract from Salingalinthong, a Thai Curcuma specie, exhibited the strongest hemagglutinating activity, 2 x 10(-5) mg/ml.     

Beneficial effects of Zingiber officinale on goldthioglucose induced obesity

Goldthioglucose induces in mice a significant increase in body weight, glucose, insulin and lipid levels. Treatment with 250 mg/kg of methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Zingiber officinale for 8 weeks produces significant reduction in body weight, glucose, insulin and lipid levels as compared to obese control mice. The reduction in elevated glucose along with elevated insulin levels indicates that the treatment with Z. officinale improves insulin sensitivity.     

Compositional analysis and in vivo anti-diabetic activity of wild Algerian Marrubium vulgare L. infusion

Marrubium vulgare (Lamiaceae) is a plant traditionally used for the treatment of diabetes in Algeria. Compositional analysis of the aqueous infusion revealed the presence of fifteen metabolites, all belonging to the class of polyphenols. Particularly, seven flavonoids have been detected, together with 5-caffeoylquinic (chlorogenic) acid in small amounts; the extract is dominated by the presence of a series of complex molecules, characterized as verbascoside (acteoside) derivatives. Concerning the anti-diabetic effectiveness a series of in vivo experiments were carried out on albinos Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced in the animals by intra-peritoneal injection of alloxane; they were treated twice a day with aqueous extract from aerial part infusion (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight) and glibenclamide (5mg/kg body weight) for 15 days. Oral administration of 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract the Marrubium vulgare induced an significant effect antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic (dose-dependent effect). A decrease in blood glucose by 50% for the dose 100 mg/kg and more than 60% for doses 200 and 300 mg/kg, as well as a significant lowering of total lipids, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels in treated animals, compared with diabetic controls group (p<0.001), have been observed. Glibenclamide was used as reference and showed similar effects.     

Effect of Satureja khuzestanica essential oil on male rat fertility

This study was undertaken to study the effect of Satureja khuzestanica essential oil (SKEO) in male rat fertility. SKEO was administered orally at doses of 75, 150, and 225 mg/kg/day for 45 days through drinking water. Treated and control rats were mated with female on day 45 of treatment. SKEO significantly improved all the parameters evaluated such as potency, fecundity, fertility index, and litter size. Moreover, concentrations of FSH and testosterone were significantly increased in SKEO-treated groups. Also the weights of testes, seminal vesicles, and ventral prostate weights were increased by SKEO (225 mg/kg). Histopathological analysis showed that in male rats treated with SKEO (150, 225 mg/kg) the number of spermatogonium, spermatid cords, Leydig cells, and spermatozoids was increased. Also in these groups, the Sertoli cells were hypertrophic.     

Should Anacardium humile St. Hil be used as an antiulcer agent? A scientific approach to the traditional knowledge

The crude methanolic extract (ME) obtained from the leaves of Anacardium humile was evaluated orally at doses of 250-500-1000 mg/kg on gastric lesion on ethanol and piroxicam induced gastric lesions in rodents. All the tested doses significantly inhibited gastric lesions by 56 to 100%. These results seems to support the traditional use of this species in the treatment of gastric diseases.     

Potential effects of lignan-enriched flaxseed powder on bodyweight, visceral fat, lipid profile, and blood pressure in rats

The potential effects of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside lignan-enriched flaxseed powder (LEFP) on bodyweight, visceral fat, lipid profile, adipokines, and blood pressure were investigated using rats, divided into four groups (n=8); a normal control diet (NC), a normal control diet with 0.02% LEFP (NCL), a high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFD), or a high-fat and high-fructose diet with 0.02% LEFP (HFDL). Liver, heart, kidney, adipose tissues, and blood were collected following 12-weeks on the diets. The average body weight of the HFD group was significantly higher than those of the NC, NCL, and the HFDL groups (P<0.05). Also, the average weights of kidneys from the HFD and HFDL groups was higher than those of the NC and NCL groups (P<0.05), although not significantly different in the weights of livers and hearts. The visceral fat weight was significantly higher in rats in the HFD group, but notably reduced in the HFDL fed rats (P<0.05). Accordingly, plasma leptin increased significantly in rats fed the HFD diet, higher than rats fed the HFDL diet. Also, the rats in the HFDL group showed improved lipid profile, compared to the rats in the HFD group (P<0.05). Furthermore, a significant reduction in blood pressure was observed in the rats of the HFDL group compared to the HFD group (P<0.05). These data suggest that the LEFP supplementation may provide beneficial effects such as the reduction of bodyweight and fat accumulation, the lipid profile improvement, and blood pressure control.     

Antidiarrhoeal activity of Cyperus rotundus

The methanol extract of Cyperus rotundus rhizome, given orally at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w., showed significant antidiarrhoeal activity in castor oil induced diarrhoea in mice. Among the fractions, tested at 250 mg/kg, the petroleum ether fraction (PEF) and residual methanol fraction (RMF) were found to retain the activity, the latter being more active as compared to the control. The ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) did not show any antidiarrhoeal activity.     

草果花期喷施激素对其坐果率与产量的影响

通过对草果花期分别采用NAA(50 mg/L)、2,4-D(20 mg/L)、GA(100 mg/L)、6-BA(100 mg/L)、爱多收(水剂,0.67 mL/L)、矮壮素(水剂,670 mL/L)、芸苔素(2000 mg/L)和2,4-D钠盐(250 mg/L)喷施,以清水为对照,分析了不同激素处理对草果坐果率及产量的影响。结果表明,(1)激素(含对照)对坐果率、单果重、单花序轴产量均具有极显著的差异影响,草果花期喷施激素后坐果率、单花序轴产量和单位面积产量都高于对照;(2)喷施2,4-D、2,4-D钠盐、6-BA和矮壮素后单位面积产量达4909.05 kg/hm2、4723.20 kg/hm2、4127.40 kg/hm2和4038.30 kg/hm2,分别比对照(239.25 kg/hm2)提高了1951.74%、1874.03%、1625.04%和1 587.78%,其中喷施2,4-D为生产中提高草果产量的最适激素。     

3种南方防火树种理化性质的试验研究

以火力楠、木荷、油茶3种防火树种为研究对象,对各季节3种防火树种树枝、树皮、树叶的含水率、燃点、热值、灰分含量、粗脂肪含量、木质素含量、粗纤维含量等理化性质进行测定分析,以评估不同树种在不同季节的燃烧性。结果表明:各季节3种防火树种树枝、树皮、树叶的含水率、燃点、灰分含量和木质素含量总体为木荷>油茶>火力楠;热值春季为油茶>木荷>火力楠,秋冬两季为火力楠>油茶>木荷;粗脂肪含量各季节均为火力楠>油茶>木荷;粗纤维含量各季节均为油茶>火力楠>木荷。研究结果为3种防火树种的防火效能分析提供数据支持。     

Antiinflammatory activity of Sambucus ebulus hexane extracts

Hexane extracts of aerial parts (flowered browes), leaves and roots of Sambucus ebulus were investigated for their antiinflammatory activity in rats. Aerial parts and roots extracts produced statistically significant and dose dependent inhibition of edema induced by carrageenan at all doses when compared to the control groups. On the contrary, hexane extract of leaves did not show any activity up to 600 mg/kg i.p. The highest activity was showed in the aerial parts and roots that at 600 mg/kg i.p. inhibited inflammation by ca. 80% (78% for diclofenac at 100 mg /kg i.p.). No extracts exhibit toxicity when injected up to 2 g/ kg intraperitoneally in mice.     

Inhibitory effects of selected Thai medicinal plants on Na+,K+-ATPase

Extracts of ten Thai indigenous medicinal plants having ethnomedical application in the treatment of dysuria were tested for their Na(+),K(+)-ATPase inhibitory activity. The hexane extracts of Cyperus rotundus and Orthosiphon aristatus showed high potent inhibitory activity on crude enzyme Na(+),K(+)-ATPase from rat brain.     

Hepatoprotective activity of Vitex negundo leaf extract against anti-tubercular drugs induced hepatotoxicity

Hepatoprotective (HP) activity of Vitex negundo (VN) leaf ethanolic extract was investigated against hepatotoxicity (HT) produced by administering a combination of three anti-tubercular drugs isoniazid (INH)-7.5 mg/kg, rifampin (RMP)-10 mg/kg and pyrazinamide (PZA)-35 mg/kg for 35 35 days by oral route in rats. V. negundo leaf ethanolic extract was administered in three graded doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg orally, 45 min prior to anti-tubercular challenge for 35 days. HP effect of V. negundo leaf ethanolic extract was evident in the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg as there was a significant decrease in TB, AST, ALT and ALP levels in comparison to control. Histology of the liver section of the animals treated with the V. negundo leaf ethanolic extract in the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg further confirms the HP activity.     

Effects of the exopolysaccharide fraction (EPSF) from a cultivated Cordyceps sinensis on immunocytes of H22 tumor bearing mice

In order to explore the effects of exopolysaccharide fraction (EPSF) from one of the anamorph strains of Cordyceps sinensis on immunocyte activity of H22 tumor bearing mice, ICR mice were treated with EPSF for 7 days by intraperitoneal injection at doses of 15 mg/kg (low-dose), 30 mg/kg (mid-dose) and 60 mg/kg (high-dose) after H22 tumor cells were implanted. At the end of the experiments, the tumor weight of each mouse was measured. Phagocytosis of mouse peritoneal macrophages was tested by neutral red uptake. The TNF-alpha expression of macrophages was assayed by ELISA. Proliferation ability and cytotoxicity of spleen lymphocytes were determined by MTT methods. The mRNA levels of cytokine TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma mRNA of spleen lymphocytes were detected by RT-PCR. The results indicated that EPSF not only significantly inhibited the H22 tumor growth, but also significantly elevated immunocytes' activity. It significantly enhanced the phagocytosis capacity of peritoneal macrophages and proliferation ability of spleen lymphocytes at all the three doses; it significantly promoted macrophages' TNF-alpha expression and spleen lymphocytes' cytotoxicity. EPSF also significantly elevated TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma mRNA expression of splenic lymphocytes. This experimental finding suggests that EPSF could elevate the immunocytes' activity in H22 tumor bearing mice.     

Anti-diabetic activity of flowers of Hibiscus rosasinensis

The ethanol extract of flowers of Hibiscus rosasinensis at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg significantly reduced the blood glucose level in both acute (1, 3, 5 h) and sub acute (1, 3, 5, 7 days) treatments.     

Passiflora alata and Passiflora edulis spray-dried aqueous extracts inhibit inflammation in mouse model of pleurisy

The aqueous leaves extracts of Passiflora alata (100-300 mg/kg, i.p.) and Passiflora edulis (100-1000 mg/kg, i.p.) possess a significant antiinflammatory activity on carrageenan-induced pleurisy in mice. Treatment with the extracts inhibited leukocyte migration and reduced the formation of exudate. Moreover, a significant inhibition of myeloperoxidase and adenosine-deaminase activities was observed at the doses tested (100 or 250 mg/kg, i.p.). At the same doses, a significant decrease of serum C-reactive protein was observed.     

马尾松与5种乡土树种混交的叶片超微弱发光特征研究

以马尾松 Pinus massoniana 与乡土树种荷木 Schima superba、黧蒴 Castanopsis fissa、红锥 Castanopsis hystrix、枫香 Liquidambar formosana 和假苹婆 Sterculia lanceolata 为研究对象进行混交试验,研 究苗木叶片超微弱发光特征的差异。结果表明,各树种的超微弱发光特征值大小总体表现为对照组＜单混 种组＜双混种组,各树种混种后树种的超微弱发光特征值均有不同程度提高,所有组合中,马尾松 + 黧蒴 + 枫香组合超微弱发光特征值最高。从聚类分析结果来看,马尾松 + 黧蒴 + 荷木、马尾松 + 枫香 + 荷木、马 尾松 + 红锥 + 荷木、马尾松 + 红锥 + 黧蒴以及马尾松 + 红锥 + 枫香等组合,各树种内部相互联系程度高, 代谢旺盛,树种组合抗性好,生命力强,是马尾松纯林林分改造的理想树种搭配选择。     

“中益健长宝”饲喂生长豪猪的效果

为了研究“中益健长宝”对提高仔豪猪的生长速度和抗病作用。选用18头日龄相近。体重3．0kg左右的生长豪猪随机分成试验组和对照组，每组3个重复，每个重复3头。对照组饲喂基础日粮，试验组饲喂基础日粮加0．5％中益健长宝，预试期为7d，试验期28d。试验结果表明：“中益健长宝”可将豪猪头平日增重提高58．78％，料重比降低34．06％，经济效益提高了41．67％，效果极为显著。同时，试验组较对照组表现出抗病力更强，皮毛光泽度更好。     

轻馏分生物油催化酯化脱水提质研究

为了得到稳定的含氧液体燃料及较好分离糖类及其衍生物,以Amberlyst-36离子交换树脂为催化剂在100℃下对粗生物油进行酯化脱水提质工艺优化,考察了反应时间、催化剂用量以及正丁醇和生物油质量比(醇油比)对提质的影响,得到最佳提质条件为醇油比1.5∶1.0、15%的催化剂用量、反应时间4 h,此条件下提质油酸值从72.23 mg/g降为3.98 mg/g,水分从53.06%降为3.34%,热值由8.75 MJ/kg升高至31.50 MJ/kg。GC-MS分析显示生物油中不稳定酸、醛、酮转化为稳定含氧化合物,稳定目标产物酯、醇、醚GC含量占74.70%。接着进行老化实验,保存3个月,粗生物油黏度从3.21 mm2/s增加到48.24 mm2/s,极不稳定,提质油理化性质显著提高并保持稳定。最后将20.00 g提质油、30.00 g蒸馏水和30.00 g二氯甲烷进行充分混合,萃取分液,可以基本将糖类及其衍生物从提质油中分离出来,得到粗糖质量为1.24 g,糖类物质总GC含量为87.92%,其中丁基-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷占到75.28%。     

Antinociceptive activity of Derris uliginosa

The ethanol extract of leaves of Derris uliginosa given by oral route at dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg produced a significant inhibition on acetic acid-induced writhing in mice.     

Puerarin exhibits weak estrogenic activity in female rats

A weak estrogenicity of puerarin on reproductive organs was addressed in female rats. In short-term treatment, immature ovariectomized rats were injected with 0.7 mg/kg BW/day of puerarin, for 14 days. Puerarin did not increase uterus weights, endometrium and myometrium areas, and the percent of cornified cells (%Co), but it increased the number of uterine glands. In long-term treatment, mature rats were injected with 7.0 mg/kg BW/day of puerarin for 140 days. Puerarin did not increase uterus weights, endometrium and myometrium areas, and the number of uterine glands, but a significant increase in the %Co was observed from day 98 onwards.