A new triterpenoid from Azadirachta indica

A new triterpenoid, 1α,7α-diacetoxyapotirucall-14-ene-3α,21,22,24,25-pentaol (1), and the two known compounds odoratone (2) and 2β,3β,4β-trihydroxypregnan-16-one (3) were isolated from a methanolic extract of the seed kernels of Azadirachta indica. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral methods.     

Effects of leaf area and auxin on rooting and growth of rooted stem cuttings of neem

Green stem cuttings, obtained from 2-year old managed stockplants, with 30, 50 or 100% leaf area were rooted in a non-mist propagator following treatment with 0, 0.2, 0.4 or 0.8% IBA solution. The rooted cuttings were transferred to polythene pots and grown in a nursery for 12 weeks. Rooting percentages of IBA treated cuttings did not significantly differ from those of control cuttings. Likewise leaf area did not significantly influence the percentage of cuttings that rooted. The effects of leaf area and/or IBA treatment in the propagation unit were manifested on the growth of rooted cuttings in polythene pots. Number of roots increased with the increase in IBA concentration and this response was enhanced by increasing leaf area. Root biomass increased with the increase in leaf area even in the control cuttings. Root development was highly influenced by the leaf area and IBA, and hence the growth of rooted cuttings. Cuttings treated with 0.2 or 0.4% IBA at 100% leaf area yielded the best performing rooted cuttings.     

Analgesic properties of Capraria biflora leaves aqueous extract

The analgesic properties of dried leaves of Capraria biflora were investigated. The aqueous extract (50-200 mg kg(-1)) produced moderate inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. At the same doses, a better analgesic effect was observed on the hot plate test.     

Components of the essential oils of Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Azadirachta siamensis Velton, and Azadirachta excelsa (Jack) Jacobs and their comparison

The components of the essential oils from seeds of Azadirachta indica, Azadirachta siamensis, and Azadi-rachta excelsa were studied by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main components of A. indica oil were hexadecanoic acid (34.0%), oleic acid (15.7%), 5,6-dihydro-2,4,6-triethyl-(4H)-1,3,5-dithiazine (11.7%), methyl oleate (3.8%), and eudesm-7(11)-en-4-ol (2.7%). The major components of A. siamensis oil were hexadecanoic acid (52.2%), tricosane (10.5%), tetradecanoic acid (6.8%), oleic acid (4.9%), and pentacosane (4.9%). Azadirachta excelsa oil contained oleic acid (31.3%), hexadecanoic acid (14.2%), octadecanoic acid (13.0%), 4-octylphenol (9.7%), and O-methyloximedecanal (6.8%) as the main constituents. The essential oils from A. indica, A. siamensis, and A. excelsa were found to contain fatty acids (52.6%–72.3%) as major components. The minor components of the oils were n-alkanes, aromatics, esters, sulfur and nitrogen compounds, and terpenoids. Differences in oil composition were observed between the three species.     

印楝种子品质性状的遗传多样性及稳定性分析

在云南印楝资源全面调查的基础上,以实生株系的种子为研究对象,运用HPLC技术分析种子印楝素组分含量,采用描述统计、方差分析、系统聚类和重复力估计,定性、定量分析印楝实生株系种子品质的遗传多样性及稳定性。结果表明:云南引种栽培印楝实生株系的种子品质存在广泛变异,种子印楝素A、B、AB含量和印楝素A与印楝素B含量比的变异幅度分别为0.28% 0.85%、0.04% 0.39%、0.37% 1.15%和1.698.25;种子印楝素A、B、AB含量分为3个类型:高含量型(azA ≥ 0.69%、azB ≥ 0.25%、azAB ≥ 0.92%)、低含量型(azA ≤ 0.44%、azB ≤ 0.10%、azAB ≤ 0.51%)和中等含量型(azA=0.68% 0.45%、azB=0.24% 0.11%、azAB=0.91% 0.52%);按此标准将高印楝素AB含量型分为"印楝素AB优异型(azAB ≥ 1.15%)"、"印楝素A优、B劣型"(azA ≥ 0.85%、azB ≤ 0.21%)、"印楝素A劣、B优型"(azA ≤ 0.67%、azB ≥ 0.39%)和"印楝素AB含量高型"(azAB=1.05% 0.92%);反映在重复力上,印楝实生株系种子印楝素A、AB的重复力分别为0.2063、0.3252,都属于"中"重复力性状。"印楝素AB优异型"即具有优异种子品质性状的植株是印楝药用原料林培育的繁殖材料;"印楝素A优、B劣型"和"印楝素A劣、B优型"即种子品质性状优缺点互补的植株是药用印楝品质育种的杂交亲本。     

Effect of Azadirachta indica leaf methanol extracts on stem cell reproduction

Methanol extracts of Azadirachta indica leaves at concentration from 0.1 to 40 microg/ml showed in vitro an stimulatory activity in stem cell reproduction. These results suggest that the effect of methanol leaf extracts on stem cell reproduction could be of benefit to improve health.     

Anti-nociceptive activity of the aqueous extract of Erythrina velutina leaves

Anti-nociceptive and anti-oedematogenic effects of the aqueous extract from the leaves of Erythrina velutina were tested through experimental models of nociception in mice and paw oedema induced by carrageenin in rats. The extract (300 and 600 mg/kg) did not change the carrageenin-induced paw oedema. In the hot plate test the extract also did not alter the latency time for mice liking the rear paws. Moreover, the extract (600 mg/kg) decreased by 96.5% the paw liking time in the second phase of the formalin test. This effect was antagonized by naloxone (5 mg/kg). In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, the extract (300 and 600 mg/kg) reduced the number of writhing by 88.8% and 96.4%, respectively. Our present results demonstrated that the crude extract from the leaves of E. velutina has anti-nociceptive but not anti-oedematogenic properties.     

Antihyperglycemic activity of the aqueous extract of Urtica dioica

When administered 30 min before glucose loading, the aqueous extract of Urtica dioica (nettle) (250 mg/kg) showed a strong glucose lowering effect. The decrease of glycemia has reached to 33+/-3.4% of the control value 1 h after glucose loading. This effect was persistent during 3 h. In contrast, nettle did not show hypoglycemic effect in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The amount of glucose absorbed in a segment jejunum in situ was 8.05+/-0.68 mg in presence of nettle extract vs. 11.11+/-0.75 mg in control rats during 2 h (P<0.05). The results indicate that nettle has a significant antihyperglycemic effect in OGTT model. This effect may be caused in part by the reduction of intestinal glucose absorption. LD(50) is 3.5 g/kg (i.p.).     

Cytotoxic constituents from Anagyris foetida leaves

Anagyris foetida extracts were investigated in preliminary cytotoxic tests against two tumour cell lines. Chromatographic separations on active extracts led to the isolation of two alkaloids, anagyrine (1) and baptifoline (2), as well of isorhamnetin (3) and syringin 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4). In vitro cytotoxicity of compounds 1-3 was also evaluated.     

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.     

Efficiency of neem and groundnut oils in protecting leguminous tree seeds against seed beetles in the Sahel

The objective of our study was to test the comparative efficiency of neem (Azadirachta indica) kernel oil, groundnut oil and a synthetic insecticide, K-Othrine®, in protecting stocks of leguminous tree seeds against seed beetles under Sahelian conditions. The following insect/seed combinations were used as models: Caryedon acaciae/Acacia nilotica, C. longispinosus/A. raddiana and C. serratus/Tamarindus indica. Neem oil, when used at concentrations of 5 to 20 ml per kg of seeds, had pronounced adulticidal and ovicidal effects which were maintained for five months. No significant fall in seed viability was observed except in the case of C. acaciae/A. nilotica. Groundnut oil, when used at concentrations of 5 to 20 ml per kg of seeds, had pronounced adulticidal and ovicidal effects which were relatively short-lived. A significant fall in seed viability was observed over five months. K-Othrine®, when used at concentrations ranging from 25 to 100 mg per kg, had high adulticidal effects which were maintained for five months. However, K-Othrine® was found to have no ovicide properties. No significant fall in seed viability was observed. This study concluded that it is possible to use neem oil, a product that can be obtained locally at low cost, to efficiently protect tree seed stocks in the Sahel.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effort on planting and product development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Azadirachta indica</Emphasis> in Southwest China

Twenty-four provenances of two species （Azadirachta siamensis and Azadirachta indica） have been introduced to China from South Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa Since 1995. This paper summarizes the researches on the introduction and planting of Azadirachta indica and analyzes the morphological, phenological characteristics, the growth rhythm, pollinating and seed yielding features of the intro- duced 24 provenances of the two species as well as the variations of filial generation plants. The experiments showed that most of the prove- nances of,4. indica have normal growth and can blossom and fruit in the dry-hot valleys with tropical climate conditions in Yunnan Province, China. The normal regions for A. indica were classified and the selection criteria for superior plants were put forward in this paper, more- over, the major contents of industry planning and technical approaches for A. indica plantation establishment were discussed and the countermeasures to reduce the neem-based pesticide products were also proposed.     

Antihypertensive effect of an aqueous extract of the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa

The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of an aqueous calyx extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) in two forms of experimental hypertension: salt-induced and L-NAME (N(omega)-L-arginine methyl ester)-induced and in normotensive controls. The blood pressure and heart rate fell dose-dependently in both the hypertensive and normotensive rats after intravenous injection of 1-125 mg/kg of HS, suggesting that HS possesses anti-hypertensive, hypotensive and negative chronotropic effects. The fall in mean arterial pressure was significantly pronounced in the hypertensive rats (salt-induced: 94.4+/-8.6 mm Hg; L-NAME-induced: 136.5+/-10.3 mm Hg) than in the normotensive controls (50.2+/-5.1 mm Hg; P<0.05).     

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of aqueous extract of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) seeds

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) seeds aqueous extract was screened for antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The antioxidant activities (reducing power, DPPH and liposome model system) showed a good antioxidant activity. The extract was also found to possess antibacterial activity with a MIC values with respect to Listeria monocytogenes and Yersinia enterocolitica found to be 750 and 1000 ppm, respectively. The antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of the extract implicate its potential for natural preservation.     

Two new diterpenoids and other constituents from Isodon rubescens

Two new ent-kaurene diterpenoids, 15α-acetoxyl-6,11α-epoxy-6α-hydroxy-20-oxo-6,7-seco-ent-kaur-16-en-1,7-olide (1), 15α-hydroxy-20-oxo-6,7-seco-ent-kaur-16-en-1,7α(6,11α)-diolide (2), together with ten known compounds (5-14) were isolated from the leaves of Isodon rubescens. Their structures were elucidated mainly by various spectroscopic techniques and finally confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1, 2, 8 and 12 were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against EC-1, U87, A549, MCF-7 and Hela cell lines.     

Chemical constituents of Pithecellobium albicans

A new ent-kaurane diterpene glycoside identified as (-)19-beta-D-glucopyranosyl 6,7-dihydroxy kaurenoate, was isolated from the seeds of Pithecellobium albicans. The structure of the new compound was established by spectral data.     

The effects of ganoderma alcohols isolated from Ganoderma lucidum on the androgen receptor binding and the growth of LNCaP cells

The effects of ganoderma alcohols isolated from ethanol extracts of Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Krast (Ganodermataceae) on the androgen receptor binding and the growth of LNCaP cells have been investigated. Less than two hydroxyl groups in 17β-side chain are needed for binding to androgen receptor. In the case of the ganoderma alcohols with the same number of hydroxyl groups in 17β-side chain, the one which has C-3 carbonyl group showed better binding activity to androgen receptor than that which has C-3 hydroxyl group. The unsaturation in 17β-side chain is needed for the inhibition of the cell proliferation of androgen-induced LNCaP cells growth.     

Cytotoxicity of chemical constituents from the stems of Dalbergia parviflora

Three new compounds, dalberpene (1), dalparvinene B (2) and dalparvone B (3), as well as 12 known compounds were isolated from the heartwood of Dalbergia parviflora. Isoflavanone 13 showed strong cytotoxicity against KB, MCF-7 and NCI-H187 cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 3.5 to 5.4 μg/mL and it was inactive against normal cells.     

Bioactive constituents from the stems of Dalbergia parviflora

From the stems of Dalbergia parviflora, three known flavonoids, six known isoflavonoids, a new isoflavone, dalparvone (2) and a new cinnamyl derivative, dalparvinene (6) were isolated and characterized. Isoflavan 3 exhibited strong cytotoxicity against KB and NCI-H187 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 0.53 and 2.04 μg/ml, respectively. Compound 6 demonstrated strong cytotoxicity against NCI-H187 with an IC₅₀ value of 1.46 μg/ml. Compounds 4 and 6 possessed moderate cytotoxicity against KB cells with IC₅₀ values of 6.78 and 9.89 μg/ml, respectively. In addition, 2 exhibited moderate antiplasmodial activity with an IC₅₀ value of 8.19 μg/ml.     

Antimicrobial activity of aqueous extracts and of berberine isolated from Berberis heterophylla

The antimicrobial activity of Berberis heterophylla leaves, stems and root aqueous extracts was studied in vitro on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The in vitro antifungal activity of berberine isolated from the same source against different Candida species was also investigated.