Isolation of two anti-inflammatory and one pro-inflammatory polyunsaturated fatty acids from the brown seaweed Undaria pinnatifida

Two anti-inflammatory omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of stearidonic acid (SA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and one pro-inflammatory omega-6 PUFA of arachidonic acid (AA) were isolated from the edible brown seaweed Undaria pinnatifida. SA was active against mouse ear inflammation induced by phorbol myristate acetate, with IC50 values of 160, 314, and 235 microg per ear for edema, erythema, and blood flow, respectively. EPA was also active against edema, erythema, and blood flow, with IC50 values of 230, 462, and 236 microg per ear, respectively. Although AA at low concentrations showed anti-inflammatory activities when measured 10 h later, AA doses of more than 243 microg per ear induced inflammatory symptoms 1 h later. Mature thalli generally had larger amounts of PUFAs than young thalli. The algal blade contained more omega-3 PUFAs than were found in other parts, while the holdfast contained extremely high amounts of AA. Late-season thalli showed increased amounts of PUFAs, especially AA.     

Properties of polyclonal, monoclonal, and recombinant antibodies recognizing the organophosphorus pesticide chlorpyrifos-ethyl

A rabbit polyclonal antiserum and two murine monoclonal antibodies recognizing the organophosphorus pesticide chlorpyrifos-ethyl were produced. The two hybridoma cell lines were then used as sources of immunoglobulin genes for the generation of recombinant scFv antibodies in Escherichia coli. The two scFvs showed either similar or improved limits of detection in an ELISA when compared with the monoclonal antibodies. Cross-reactivity studies showed that all of the antibodies were specific toward the chlorinated aromatic ring. Furthermore, scFv gene sequences were linked directly to sequences coding for either a c-Myc tag, a His-tag, or alkaline phosphatase. The fusion products generated were functional, and their properties were determined. The problems associated with producing scFvs and scFv derivatives for detection of pesticide residues from hybridoma are addressed and discussed.     

New dammarane-type saponins from the galls of Sapindus mukorossi

Five new dammarane-type saponins, 3beta,7beta,20(S),22-tetrahydroxydammar-24-ene-3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3beta,7beta,20(S),22,23-pentahydroxydammar-24-ene-3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3beta,7beta,20(S),22,25-pentahydroxydammar-23-ene-3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 25-methoxy-3beta,7beta,20(S),22-tetrahydroxydammar-23-ene-3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and 25-methoxy-3beta,7beta,20(R)-trihydroxydammar-23-ene-3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, named sapinmusaponins A (1), B (2), C (3), D (4), and E (5), respectively, together with three known phenylpropanoid glycosides (6-8), were isolated from the galls of Sapindus mukorossi. The structures of these saponins were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods. Preliminary bioassay data revealed that saponins 1 and 3-5 showed moderate cytotoxic activity (ED50 approximately 9-18 microg/mL) against human tumor cell lines (Hepa59T/VGH, NCI, HeLa, and Med) and that 1-5 were inactive in vitro against HIV replication in H9 lymphocytes.     

Induced resistance against a bacterial disease by orysastrobin,a chemical fungicide

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Certain chemical pesticides control plant diseases through induction of systemic resistance mechanisms. In this study, orysastrobin, a “quinone outside...