Antifeedant and mosquitocidal compounds from Delphinium x cultorum cv. Magic fountains flowers

Six volatile compounds, ethylmethylbenzene (1), 1-isopentyl-2,4, 5-trimethylbenzene (2), 2-(hex-3-ene-2-one)phenylmethyl ketone (3), E and Z isomers of 3-butylidene-3H-isobenzofuran-1-one (4 and 5), and 2-penten-1-ylbenzoic acid (6), were isolated from the mosquitocidal hexane extract of Delphinium x cultorum cv. Magic Fountains flowers. In addition, the ethyl acetate extract, which displayed corn earworm antifeedant activity, yielded 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (7) and bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methanol (8). However, compounds 7 and 8 were not biologically active.     

Evaluation of metal and microbial contamination in botanical supplements

The sale of botanical dietary supplements in the United States is on the rise. However, limited studies have been conducted on the safety of these supplements. There are reports on the presence of undesired metals in some of the botanical dietary supplements. In this study, echinacea, garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, grape seed extract, kava kava, saw palmetto, and St. John's wort supplements manufactured by Nature's Way, Meijer, GNC, Nutrilite, Solaray, Sundown and Natrol, have been analyzed for lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, uranium, chromium, vanadium, copper, zinc, molybdenum, palladium, tin, antimony, thallium, and tungsten using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. All samples were devoid of mercury contamination. Results indicated that the botanical supplements analyzed did not contain unacceptable concentrations of these metals. These supplements were also evaluated for microbial contamination, and most samples analyzed showed the presence of bacteria or fungi or both. Microbes were not counted nor were microbial counts determined in these samples.     

Insulin secretion by bioactive anthocyanins and anthocyanidins present in fruits

Anthocyanins are responsible for a variety of bright colors including red, blue, and purple in fruits, vegetables, and flowers and are consumed as dietary polyphenols. Anthocyanin-containing fruits are implicated in a decrease in coronary heart disease and are used in antidiabetic preparations. In the present study, we have determined the ability of anthocyanins, cyanidin-3-glucoside (1), delphinidin-3-glucoside (2), cyanidin-3-galactoside (3), and pelargonidin-3-galactoside (4), and anthocyanidins, cyanidin (5), delphinidin (6), pelargonidin (7), malvidin (8), and petunidin (9), to stimulate insulin secretion from rodent pancreatic beta-cells (INS-1 832/13) in vitro. The compounds were tested in the presence of 4 and 10 mM glucose concentrations. Our results indicated that 1 and 2 were the most effective insulin secretagogues among the anthocyanins and anthocyanidins tested at 4 and 10 mM glucose concentrations. Pelargonidin-3-galactoside is one of the major anthocyanins, and its aglycone, pelargonidin, caused a 1.4-fold increase in insulin secretion at 4 mM glucose concentration. The rest of the anthocyanins and anthocyanidins tested in our assay had only marginal effects on insulin at 4 and 10 mM glucose concentrations.     

Density, biomass and vertical distribution ofAporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny 1826) (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae) in Benghazi, Libya

Studies were conducted during the period May 1993 to April 1994 on the density, biomass and vertical distribution ofAporrectodea caliginosa, a common species of earthworm found in the Benena farms in Benghazi, Libya. The soil of the farm was a clay loam, pH 7.3, and the organic matter averaged 4.2%. Maximum density and biomass ofA. caliginosa were recorded from October to December 1993 and again during March and April 1994, and minimum values were recorded from May to July 1993. A juvenile dominant population was observed during the summer. This was followed by an increase in subadults and adults during the autumn, winter and spring seasons. A positive correlation of the moisture and an inverse correlation of soil temperature on the density and biomass of these animals were discernible. A. caliginosa mainly confined their activities to the surface organic zone (0–10 cm depth) of the soil for most of the months studied.     

Genetic diversity and relationship between Bradyrhizobium strains isolated from blackgram and cowpea

The genetic diversity of bradyrhizobial strains associated with blackgram and cowpea grown in two different agricultural soils (non-saline and saline) along the coastline of Tamil Nadu has been analysed. Phenotypically indistinguishable isolates were analysed for DNA polymorphism using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of 16S rDNA and nifD. Although these bacteria belong to a group with a broad host range, RAPD analysis showed a considerable level of genetic diversity among the strains isolated from different host plants. Soil pH and salinity seem to have an effect on the selection of natural populations as revealed by PCR-RFLP of 16S rDNA. A combination of PCR-RFLP genotyping with nodulation studies indicates that monocropping of blackgram and the salinity of the soil have made ineffective rhizobia the dominant genotype, thereby creating an ecological burden on their other compatible hosts. A group of strains and a type strain sharing three different 16S PCR-RFLP types were shown to have the same set of symbiotic genes as inferred from the PCR-RFLP pattern of nifD. Another group of cowpea rhizobia that were found to be effective nitrogen fixers and sharing distinct 16S profiles were found to have a different set of symbiotic genes.     

Degradation products of cyanidin glycosides from tart cherries and their bioactivities

The bioactive anthocyanins present in tart cherries, Prunus cerasus L. (Rosaceae) cv. Balaton, are cyanidin 3-glucosylrutinoside (1), cyanidin 3-rutinoside (2), and cyanidin 3-glucoside (3). Cyanidin (4) is the major anthocyanidin in tart cherries. In our continued evaluation of the in vivo and in vitro efficacy of these anthocyanins to prevent inflammation and colon cancer, we have added these compounds to McCoy's 5A medium in an effort to identify their degradation products during in vitro cell culture studies. This resulted in the isolation and characterization of protocatechuic acid (5), the predominant degradation product. In addition, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (6) and 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzoic acid (7) were identified as degradation products. However, these degradation products were not quantified. Compounds 5-7 were also identified as degradation products when anthocyanins were subjected to varying pH and thermal conditions. In cyclooxygenase (COX)-I and -II enzyme inhibitory assays, compounds 5-7 did not show significant activities when compared to the NSAIDs Naproxen, Celebrex, and Vioxx, or Ibuprofen, at 50 microM concentrations. However, at a test concentration of 50 microM, the antioxidant activity of protocatechuic acid (5) was comparable to those of the commercial antioxidants tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and superior to that of vitamin E at 10 microM concentrations.     

Cyclooxygenase inhibitory and antioxidant compounds from the mycelia of the edible mushroom Grifola frondosa

The bioassay-guided isolation and purification of the hexane extract of the cultured mycelia of Grifola frondosa led to the characterization of a fatty acid fraction and three compounds, ergosterol (1), ergostra-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one (2), and 1-oleoyl-2-linoleoyl-3-palmitoylglycerol (3). The composition of fatty acid fraction was confirmed as palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids by GC-MS and by comparison with the retention values of authentic samples. The structures of compounds 1-3 were established by spectroscopic methods. The fatty acid fraction and compounds 1-3 showed cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activities. The inhibition of COX-1 enzyme by the fatty acid fraction and compounds 1-3 at 250 microg/mL were 98, 37, 55, and 67%, respectively. Similarly, COX-2 enzyme activity was reduced by fatty acid fraction and compounds 1-3 at 250 microg/mL by 99, 37, 70, and 4%, respectively. The inhibitions of liposome peroxidation by the fatty acid fraction and compounds 1 and 2 at 100 microg/mL were 79, 48, and 42%, respectively. This is the first report of compounds 2 and 3 from the cultured mycelia of G. frondosa. The COX inhibitory activities of compounds 1-3 are reported here for the first time.     

Eclosion blocking effect of ethanolic extract of Leucas aspera (Lamiaceae) on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus

The crude ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Leucas aspera was tested for its acaricidal properties against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus. The per cent adult mortality, inhibition of fecundity and hatching of laid ova were studied at concentrations of 1.56, 3.13, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100mg/ml. Adult tick mortality was significant at the highest concentration tested. Inhibition of fecundity of treated groups differed significantly from control and was concentration dependent. L. aspera extract also produced complete failure of eclosion of eggs from the treated ticks even at lower dilutions of the extract.     

“Bracatinga” (Mimosa scabrella Bentham), a multipurpose tree growing in Southern Brazil: chromosome number and genetic variation

Mimosa scabrella Bentham, popularly known as “bracatinga” in Brazil, is a very important multipurpose tree especially in the southern region of the country, where it occurs naturally in plant associations called “bracatingais”. The species is presently in danger of losing genetic variability as it normally occurs in regions subjected to intense urbanization, industrialization, agriculture and cattle raising. Aiming at broadening the knowledge about the species we have investigated cytogenetic characteristics and genetic diversity among natural populations. The results show that all populations are tetraploid (2n = 4× = 52) and that there is a high genetic diversity among the populations. There is still time to avoid genetic erosion of M. scabrella if the areas where the species occurs are protected.     

EVALUATION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING GUIDELINES FOR DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN THORACOLUMBAR INTERVERTEBRAL DISK EXTRUSIONS AND INTERVERTEBRAL DISK PROTRUSIONS IN DOGS

Four MRI variables have recently been suggested to be independently associated with a diagnosis of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion or protrusion. Midline intervertebral disk herniation, and partial intervertebral disk degeneration were associated with intervertebral disk protrusion, while presence of a single intervertebral disk herniation and disk material dispersed beyond the boundaries of the intervertebral disk space were associated with intervertebral disk extrusion. The aim of this retrospective, cross‐sectional study was to determine whether using these MRI variables improves differentiation between thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusions and protrusions. Eighty large breed dogs with surgically confirmed thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusions or protrusions were included. Randomized MRI studies were presented on two occasions to six blinded observers, which were divided into three experience categories. During the first assessment, observers made a presumptive diagnosis of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion or protrusion without guidelines. During the second assessment they were asked to make a presumptive diagnosis with the aid of guidelines. Agreement was evaluated by Kappa‐statistics. Diagnostic accuracy significantly improved from 70.8 to 79.6% and interobserver agreement for making a diagnosis of intervertebral disk extrusion or intervertebral disk protrusion improved from fair (κ = 0.27) to moderate (κ = 0.41) after using the proposed guidelines. Diagnostic accuracy was significantly influenced by degree of observer experience. Intraobserver agreement for the assessed variables ranged from fair to excellent and interobserver agreement ranged from fair to moderate. The results of this study suggest that the proposed imaging guidelines can aid in differentiating thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusions from protrusions.