Insulin secretion and cyclooxygenase enzyme inhibition by cabernet sauvignon grape skin compounds

Bioassay-guided isolation and purification of hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of Cabernet Sauvignon grape skin yielded nine compounds (1-9), which were identified as beta-sitosterol-6'-linolenoyl-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), beta-sitosterol (2), beta-sitosterol-3-O-beta-D-glucoside (3), oleanolic acid (4), oleanolic aldehyde (5), resveratrol (6), (+)-epsilon-viniferin (7), (-)-catechin (8), and 1-triacontanol (9). The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic methods. The compounds were assayed for insulin production using an INS-1 cell assay. In a dose-response study, compound 4 stimulated insulin production of INS-1 cells by 20.23, 87.97, 1.13, and 6.38 ng of insulin/mg of protein at 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 microg/mL, respectively. This trend was similar to the dose-dependent insulin production of INS-1 cells by glucose. Compound 5 also showed a dose-dependent insulin production in this assay. The isolated compounds were also assayed for cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX) enzyme inhibitory activities. At 100 microg/mL, compounds 2, 3, and 4 inhibited the COX-2 enzyme by 11, 12, and 10%, respectively, but did not show activities on the COX-1 enzyme. Compounds 6, 7, and 8 at 100 microg/mL inhibited the COX-1 enzyme by 98, 99, and 98%, respectively, and the COX-2 enzyme by 0, 47, and 72%, respectively. This is the first report of beta-sitosterol-6'-linolenoyl-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) from grape skin and insulin secretion activities of compounds 4 and 5.     

Tumor cell proliferation and cyclooxygenase enzyme inhibitory compounds in Amaranthus tricolor

Amaranthus tricolor is consumed as a vegetable in Asia. Bioassay-directed isolation of leaves and stems of A. tricolor yielded three galactosyl diacylglycerols (1-3) with potent cyclooxygenase and human tumor cell growth inhibitory activities. The purified compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods. In addition, the fatty acid moieties in diacyl galactosyl glyerols were characterized by GC-MS analyses. The galactosyl diacylglycerols 1-3 inhibited the cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) enzyme by 78, 63, and 93% and the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme by 87, 74, and 95%, respectively. These compounds were tested for antiproliferative activity using human AGS (gastric), CNS (central nervous system; SF-268), HCT-116 (colon), NCI-H460 (lung), and MCF-7 (breast) cancer cell lines. Compound 1 inhibited the growth of AGS, SF-268, HCT-116, NCI-H460, and MCF-7 tumor cell lines with IC50 values of 49.1, 71.8, 42.8, 62.5, and 39.2 mug/mL, respectively. For AGS, HCT-116, and MCF-7 tumor cell lines, the IC50 values of compounds 2 and 3 were 74.3, 71.3, and 58.7 microg/mL and 83.4, 73.1, and 85.4, respectively. This is the first report of the COX enzyme inhibitory activity for galactosyl glycerols and antiproliferative activities against human colon, breast, lung, stomach, and CNS tumor cell lines.     

Collection of plant genetic resources from Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) group of islands is immensely rich in plant biodiversity. Andaman’s native tribes are hunter-gatherers, sustaining on wild or marine food and practically do not have any cultivation. Diversity in cultivated crops is presently maintained in home gardens by settlers from the mainland and other adjoining countries. The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) through explorations either alone or in association with CARI or with other ICAR institutes has collected 1234 accessions in 48 exploration and collection missions. Variability was collected in rice, cowpea, black gram, green gram, okra, Chinese spinach, ash gourd, taro, cucumber, pumpkin, bottle gourd, ridge gourd, bitter gourd, chilli, greater yam and coconut. Indigenous landraces are absent. The in situ conservation of the wild relatives of crops is well taken care of by a large number of protected forest reserves.     

PVDF/Cu-BTC composite membranes for dye separation

Membranes with high water permeation capability as well as high rejection to dye molecules are very important for dye separation. In this study, a metal organic framework structure (Cu-BTC) was fabricated in situ on a poly(vinyl difluoride) hollow fiber support for nanofiltration of dye solution. In order to protect the Cu-BTC layer, the surface was coated by crosslinking polyvinyl alcohol. The composite membranes showed no rejection to divalent salts and high rejection to Congo Red dye. It was noticed that several Cu-BTC layers could enhance dye rejection of the composite membranes. This novel composite membrane showed promising applications in the separation of dye molecules from aqueous solutions containing dissolved salts.     

Multi-level characterization of perennial cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. race marie-galante Hutch.) populations from the northeastern Brazil to the breeding and conservation of this germplasm

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - The remaining populations of perennial cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. r. marie-galante Hutch.) that occur in northeastern Brazil are part of the primary gene...     

Bioactive compounds and 1,3-Di[(cis)-9-octadecenoyl]-2-[(cis,cis)-9, 12-octadecadienoyl]glycerol from Apium graveolens L. seeds

Bioassay-directed isolation and purification of the hexane extract of Apium graveolens L. seeds led to the characterization of three compounds: beta-selinene (1), 3-n-butyl-4,5-dihydrophthalide (2) and 5-allyl-2-methoxyphenol (3). The structures of these compounds were established by using (1)H and (13)C NMR spectral methods. Compounds, 1-3 demonstrated 100% mortality on fourth-instar Aedes aegyptii larvae at 50, 25, and 200 microg mL(-)(1), respectively, in 24 h. Also, 2 inhibited the growth of Candida albicans and Candida kruseii at 100 microg mL(-)(1). It inhibited both topoisomerase-I and -II enzyme activities at 100 microg mL(-)(1). Compound 2 displayed 100% mortality at 12.5 and 50 microg mL(-)(1), respectively, when tested on nematodes, Panagrellus redivivus and Caenorhabditis elegans. The triglyceride, 1,3-di[(cis)-9-octadecenoyl]-2-[(cis,cis)-9, 12-octadecadienoyl]glycerol (4) and 3 were isolated for the first time from A. graveolens seeds, although 4 was not biologically active.     

Coconut kernel protein modifies the effect of coconut oil on serum lipids.

Feeding coconut kernel along with coconut oil in human volunteers has been found to reduce serum total and LDL cholesterol when compared to feeding coconut oil alone. This effect of the kernel was also observed in rats. Since many plant proteins have been reported to exert a cholesterol lowering effect, a study was carried out on the effect of isolated kernel protein in rats. Feeding kernel protein resulted in lower levels of cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides in the serum and most tissues when compared to casein fed animals. Rats fed kernel protein had (1) increased hepatic degradation of cholesterol to bile acids, (2) increased hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis, and (3) decreased esterification of free cholesterol. In the intestine, however, cholesterogenesis was decreased. The kernel protein also caused decreased lipogenesis in the liver and intestine. This beneficial effect of the kernel protein is attributed to its very low lysine/arginine ratio 2.13% lysine and 24.5% arginine.     

Butterfly distribution in fragmented landscapes containing agroforestry practices in Southeastern Brazil

Agroforestry practices, such as Shaded Coffee and Homegardens, may provide habitat for forest butterflies and contribute to their conservation in fragmented agricultural landscapes. To determine the influence of agroforestry practices in an agricultural mosaic, the distribution of fruit-feeding butterflies was studied using a systematic approach that compared butterfly species richness in six land-use practices (Eucalyptus [Eucalyptus spp.], Shaded Coffee, Homegardens, Secondary Growth, Pastures, and monocultures of Cassava [Manihot esculenta] and Sugarcane [Saccharum officinarum]), and in natural habitat (secondary Forest Edge and Interior) in two study areas (agricultural landscapes). In each study area, Van Someren-Rydon butterfly traps were placed as a grid every 150 m, creating quadrants of 2.2 and 2.4 km² that encompassed the different land-use practices. Land-use, plot area, number of traps and distance to the forest were set as covariates to compare species richness values. Butterfly species composition was compared using linear discriminant analysis (LDA). With the exception of Pastures, Cassava and Sugarcane, significant differences were not identified between the rest of the agricultural land-use practices and the forest habitats (edge and interior). The species composition in the agricultural practices was however, different to that found in forest habitats. Overall, Shaded Coffee practices that represent long-term mixed tree and crop stands have a better potential of conserving forest butterfly species compared to monoculture practices.     

L- -methyl- -hydrazino- -(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid: relative lack of antidecarboxylase activity in adrenals

In rats previously treated with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, the administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan results in increases in concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine in kidney, brain, and adrenal glands. When the peripheral L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor, L-alpha-methyl-alpha-hydrazino-beta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (HMD) is administered prior to 5-hydroxytryptophan, the concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine in kidneys does not rise, that of the brain increases slightly, and that of the adrenal rises markedly. This indicates that although the adrenal gland is a peripheral organ, it does not respond in the typical manner to the antidecarboxylase action of HMD. These results suggest that HMD does not gain free access into the adrenal medulla and that a possible "blood-adrenal barrier" may exist to this compound.