American Herbalists Guild Newsletter 1-24-09

[Rev.Nicole Lendman]

Due to length restrictions on the forums I will have to split this up into sections.

AHG Herbal PubMed
Bioassay-guided fractionation of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) using an in vitro measure of GABA transaminase activity.

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Bioassay-guided fractionation of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) using an in vitro measure of GABA transaminase activity.

Phytother Res. 2009 Jan 22;

Authors: Awad R, Muhammad A, Durst T, Trudeau VL, Arnason JT

A novel pharmacological mechanism of action for the anxiolytic botanical Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) is reported. The methanol extract was identified as a potent in vitro inhibitor of rat brain GABA transaminase (GABA-T), an enzyme target in the therapy of anxiety, epilepsy and related neurological disorders. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the identification and isolation of rosmarinic acid (RA) and the triterpenoids, ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA) as active principles. Phytochemical characterization of the crude extract determined RA as the major compound responsible for activity (40% inhibition at 100 microg/mL) since it represented approximately 1.5% of the dry mass of the leaves. Synergistic effects may also play a role. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID: 19165747 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Near Infrared Spectroscopy in Natural Products Analysis.

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Near Infrared Spectroscopy in Natural Products Analysis.

Planta Med. 2009 Jan 22;

Authors: Cozzolino D

Several medicinal and herbal plants properties are related to individual compounds such as essential oils, terpenoids, flavonoids, which are present in natural products in low concentrations (e. g., ppm or ppb). For many years, the use of classical separation and chromatographic and spectrometric techniques such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC) and mass spectrometry (MS) were initially used for the elucidation of isolated compounds from different plant matrices. Spectroscopic techniques in the infrared (IR) wavelength region of the electromagnetic spectrum have been used in the food industry to monitor and evaluate the composition of foods. Although Herschel discovered light in the near-infrared (NIR) region as early as 1800, most spectroscopists of the first half of the last century ignored it, in the belief that it lacked any analytical interest. However, during the last 40 years NIR spectroscopy has become one of the most attractive and used methods for analysis. This mini-review highlights recent applications of NIR spectroscopy to the qualitative and quantitative analysis of plant natural products. ANN:artificial neural network AOTF:acousto-optic tunable filter ATR:attenuated total reflection CP:crude protein DA:discriminant analysis DM:dry matter DOSC:direct orthogonal signal correction dw:dry weight FT-NIR:Fourier transform near infrared GC:gas chromatography G-G:glycosylated glucose GSL:glucosinolates InGaAs:indium gallium arsenide iPLS:interval partial least squares IR:infrared LC:liquid chromatography LCTF:liquid crystal tunable filters MEMS:micro electro mechanical systems MIR:mid infrared MLR:multiple linear regression MPLS:modified PLS MSC:multiplicative scatter correction MS:mass spectrometry NIR:near infrared reflectance NOCH:NIR on combine harvest PCA:principal component analysis PDA:photodiode array PLS:partial least squares SECV:standard error of cross validation SEP:standard error of prediction Si:silicon siPLS:synergy interval partial least squares SVM:support vector machine SIMCA:soft independent modelling of class analogies R:correlation coefficient R (2):coefficient of determination RPD:residual predictive deviation RMSEC:root mean square error of calibration RMSECV:root mean square error of cross validation RMSEP:root mean square rrror of prediction REAC:trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity TLC:thin layer chromatography THC:tetrahydrocannabinol UV:ultraviolet VIS:visible WT:wavelet transformation.

PMID: 19165716 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

[Rev.Nicole Lendman]

Laboratory study on larvicidal activity of indigenous plant extracts against Anopheles subpictus and Culex tritaeniorhynchus.

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Laboratory study on larvicidal activity of indigenous plant extracts against Anopheles subpictus and Culex tritaeniorhynchus.

Parasitol Res. 2009 Jan 23;

Authors: Elango G, Rahuman AA, Bagavan A, Kamaraj C, Zahir AA, Venkatesan C

Anopheles subpictus and Culex tritaeniorhynchus have developed resistance to various synthetic insecticides, making its control increasingly difficult. Insecticides of botanical origin may serve as suitable alternative biocontrol techniques in the future. The leaf acetone, chloroform, ethyl acetate, hexane, and methanol extracts of Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Correa ex Roxb, Andrographis lineata Wallich ex Nees., Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees., Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels, Eclipta prostrata L., and Tagetes erecta L. were tested against fourth-instar larvae of malaria vector, A. subpictus Grassi and Japanese encephalitis vector, C. tritaeniorhynchus Giles (Diptera: Culicidae). All plant extracts showed moderate larvicidal effects after 24 h of exposure at 1,000 ppm; however, the highest larval mortality was found in leaf ethyl acetate of A. marmelos, E. prostrata, hexane, methanol of A. paniculata and C. hirsutus against the larvae of A. subpictus (LC(50) = 167.00, 78.28, 67.24, 142.83 ppm; LC(90) = 588.31, 360.75, 371.91, and 830.01 ppm) and against the larvae of C. tritaeniorhynchus (LC(50) = 99.03, 119.89, 88.50, 105.19 ppm; LC(90) = 479.23, 564.85, 416.39, and 507.86 ppm), respectively. These results suggest that the leaf hexane extract of A. paniculata and ethyl acetate extract of E. prostrata have the potential to be used as an ideal eco-friendly approach for the control of the A. subpictus and C. tritaeniorhynchus. Therefore, this study provides first report on the mosquito larvicidal activity of plant extracts against vectors from Southern India.

PMID: 19165502 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Increased Mortality Risk for Cancers of the Kidney and Other Urinary Organs among Chinese Herbalists.

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Increased Mortality Risk for Cancers of the Kidney and Other Urinary Organs among Chinese Herbalists.

J Epidemiol. 2009 Jan 22;

Authors: Yang HY, Wang JD, Lo TC, Chen PC

Background: A national survey in Taiwan has shown that Chinese herbal therapy increases the risk of chronic kidney disease. However, it is unknown whether herbal therapy will increase the risk of urological cancers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Chinese herbalists are at higher risk for urological cancers.Methods: We studied all Chinese herbalists in Taiwan that were registered in the Chinese Herbalist Labor Union between 1985 and 2000. We retrospectively followed their survival status and causes of death using the National Mortality Registry Database from 1985 to 2004. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for urological cancers in herbalists were calculated and compared with those of the general population of Taiwan.Results: A total of 6548 Chinese herbalists were enrolled and 88,289 person-years were accrued during the observation period. After adjustment for age and sex, the SMR for urological cancers was significantly higher for Chinese herbalists than for the general population (SMR = 3.10; 95% CI: 1.41-5.87). When further stratified by location, the SMR for kidney cancer and other urinary organ cancers (SMR = 3.81; 95% CI: 1.39-8.28) except bladder cancer (SMR = 2.26; 95% CI: 0.47-6.59) were significantly higher for the Chinese herbalists. The SMR for chronic and unspecified nephritis, renal failure, and renal sclerosis were also significantly higher for herbalists (SMR = 2.40; 95% CI: 1.40-3.84).Conclusions: Chinese herbalists have a significantly higher risk for urological cancers. This increased risk among herbalists highlights the urgent need for safety assessments of Chinese herbs.

PMID: 19164871 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

[Rev.Nicole Lendman]

Taste-guided identification of high potency TRPA1 agonists from Perilla frutescens.

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Taste-guided identification of high potency TRPA1 agonists from Perilla frutescens.

Bioorg Med Chem. 2008 Dec 30;

Authors: Bassoli A, Borgonovo G, Caimi S, Scaglioni L, Morini G, Moriello AS, Marzo VD, Petrocellis LD

Perilla frutescens is a food plant widely used in Asian cuisine. This plant was investigated for its interesting taste and somatosensory properties. Perillaldehyde and perillaketone are among the components of the aromatic extracts from P. Frutescens. These compounds were shown here to activate the cloned TRPA1 channel when expressed in an heterologous cell system and are therefore suggested to be responsible for the chemesthetic properties of this plant.

PMID: 19162486 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Validation of anticonvulsant and sedative activity of six medicinal plants.

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Validation of anticonvulsant and sedative activity of six medicinal plants.

Epilepsy Behav. 2009 Jan 19;

Authors: Bum EN, Taiwe GS, Nkainsa LA, Moto FC, Seke Etet PF, Hiana IR, Bailabar T, Rouyatou , Seyni P, Rakotonirina A, Rakotonirina SV

Acanthus montanus, Alchornea laxiflora, Hyptis spicigera, Microglossa pyrifolia, Piliostigma reticulatum, and Voacanga africana were evaluated with respect to anticonvulsant and sedative activity in mice using animal models (maximal electroshock (MES), N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), isonicotinic hydrazide acid (INH), picrotoxin (PIC), and strychnine (STR)-induced convulsions or turning behavior and diazepam-induced sleep). Acanthus montanus protected 66.6% of mice against MES-, PIC-, and STR-induced convulsions and 83.3% of mice from PTZ-induced convulsions. Alchornea laxiflora protected 75% and 87.5% of mice in the STR and NMDA tests, respectively, at a dose of 120mg/kg. Hyptis spicigera protected 100 and 87.5% of mice against STR- and PTZ-induced convulsions, respectively, at a dose of 160mg/kg. Microglossa pyrifolia protected 50% to 100% of mice against convulsions. Piliostigma reticulatum protected 62.5% to 100% of mice against convulsions and turning behavior. Voacanga africana protected 62.5% to 87.5% of mice against convulsions and turning behavior. All of the plants except A. laxiflora also exerted sedative activity by strongly increasing the total duration of sleep induced by diazepam.

PMID: 19162225 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of plants used in Mexican traditional medicine for gastrointestinal disorders.

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Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of plants used in Mexican traditional medicine for gastrointestinal disorders.

J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Dec 27;

Authors: Castillo-Juárez I, González V, Jaime-Aguilar H, Martínez G, Linares E, Bye R, Romero I

INTRODUCTION: Helicobacter pylori is the major etiological agent of chronic active gastritis and peptic ulcer disease and is linked to gastric carcinoma. Treatment to eradicate the bacteria failed in many cases, mainly due to antibiotic resistance, hence the necessity of developing better therapeutic regimens. AIM OF THE STUDY: Mexico has an enormous unexplored potential of medicinal plants. This work evaluates the in vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of 53 plants used in Mexican traditional medicine for gastrointestinal disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To test the in vitro antibacterial activity, agar dilution and broth dilution methods were used for aqueous and methanolic extracts, respectively. RESULTS: Aqueous extracts of Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. mexicana, Cuphea aequipetala, Ludwigia repens, and Menthaxpiperita (MIC 125 to <250mug/ml) as well as methanolic extracts of Persea americana, Annona cherimola, Guaiacum coulteri, and Moussonia deppeana (MIC <7.5 to 15.6mug/ml) showed the highest inhibitory effect. CONCLUSIONS: The results contribute to understanding the mode of action of the studied medicinal plants and for detecting plants with high anti-Helicobacter pylori activity.

PMID: 19162157 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Potentilla-A review of its phytochemical and pharmacological profile.

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Potentilla-A review of its phytochemical and pharmacological profile.

J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Dec 27;

Authors: Tomczyk M, Latté KP

The genus Potentilla is a member of the family Rosaceae, subfamily Rosoideae, which is mainly distributed in temperate, arctic and Alpine zones of the Northern hemisphere. This genus has been known since ancient times for its curative properties. Extracts of the aerial and/or underground parts have been applied in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammations, wounds, certain forms of cancer, infections due to bacteria, fungi and viruses, diarrhoea, diabetes mellitus and other ailments. This comprehensive review provides a botanical description of Potentilla species and their phytochemical constituents in the aerial and underground parts. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies are reviewed and discussed, focussing on antidiarrhoic, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-neoplastic, antiviral and antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, hepatoprotective and antioxidative activities of Potentilla species. Most of the pharmacological effects can be explained by the high amount of tannins and to a lesser extent by triterpenes, present in all plant parts. However, future efforts should concentrate more on in vitro and in vivo studies and also on clinical trials in order to confirm traditional wisdom in the light of a rational phytotherapy. Especially the efficacy of Potentilla erecta rhizome extracts in the treatment of colitis ulcerosa and of viral infections should be further substantiated in clinical studies.

PMID: 19162156 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

[Rev.Nicole Lendman]

Appraisal of scopolamine-induced antiamnesic effect in mice and in vitro antiacetylcholinesterase and antioxidant activities of some traditionally used Lamiaceae plants.

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Appraisal of scopolamine-induced antiamnesic effect in mice and in vitro antiacetylcholinesterase and antioxidant activities of some traditionally used Lamiaceae plants.

J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Dec 27;

Authors: Orhan I, Aslan M

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Salvia species and Melissa officinalis are used for their memory-enhancing effects in European folk medicine. Teucrium polium was reported to be used in Anatolia for memory-enhancement in a very old book written by an Ottoman herbalist-physician. AIM OF THE STUDY: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder mostly affecting the elder population. Currently, there is no cure for the treatment of severe type of AD. Therefore, in this study, the hydroalcoholic extracts of three traditionally used Lamiaceae species for memory-enhancement; Salvia triloba L., Melissa officinalis L., and Teucrium polium L., were assessed for their in vivo antiamnesic activity along with in vitro anticholinesterase and antioxidant activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Scopolamine-induced antiamnesic activity was determined in mice by passive avoidance test, while anticholinesterase effect was measured by spectrophotometric Ellman method at 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, and 2.0mgml(-1) and antioxidant activity was assessed by scavenging effect against 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Total phenol contents of the extracts were determined by Folin-Ciocalteau method. RESULTS: Salvia triloba was the most effective in antiamnesic experiment at 100, 200, and 400mgkg(-1) doses having 22.7, 57.1, and 71.4% of relative effects, respectively. Teucrium polium was also active dose-dependently, whereas Melissa officinalis was completely inactive. In the anticholinesterase assay, the extracts showed similar inhibitions against acetylcholinesterase and Teucrium polium had the highest inhibition (65.8% at 1.0mgml(-1)). Concerning the antioxidant effect, all the extracts exerted the highest activity among all having IC(50) values between 0.227 and 0.428mg/ml. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that Teucrium polium among the screened plants deserves to be examined further as a herbal alternative for AD treatment.

PMID: 19162154 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Knowledge of Florida nurses and dietitians regarding dietary supplements.

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Knowledge of Florida nurses and dietitians regarding dietary supplements.

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2009 Feb;15(1):38-43

Authors: Lederman VG, Huffman FG, Enrione EB

BACKGROUND: Health care professionals should exhibit competency about dietary supplements to support the high number of Americans taking these products. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the knowledge of Florida nurses and dietitians regarding dietary supplements. METHODS: Florida nurses (n=600) and dietitians (n=600) were randomly selected to participate in a self-reported online survey. The actual knowledge of these professionals regarding nutrient-based and herbal supplements was evaluated by a quiz. RESULTS: Data of 89 dietitians and 64 nurses were analyzed using independent sample t-test and Pearson's correlation. The actual knowledge of both professionals revealed a mean correct score of 12.98+/-6.16 (maximum score=30). Dietitians had a significantly greater knowledge of dietary supplements when compared to nurses (P=0.000). Both professionals were more knowledgeable on nutrient-based supplements than herbal. CONCLUSIONS: Both groups had a fairly low knowledge of side effects of dietary supplements and their interactions with common medications, and seem to require additional education in this area. Focused training can be designed to improve professionals' knowledge about dietary supplements.

PMID: 19161954 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

An examination of antibacterial and antifungal properties of constituents of Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) mushrooms.

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An examination of antibacterial and antifungal properties of constituents of Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) mushrooms.

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2009 Feb;15(1):5-7

Authors: Hearst R, Nelson D, McCollum G, Millar BC, Maeda Y, Goldsmith CE, Rooney PJ, Loughrey A, Rao JR, Moore JE

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic agents have been in widespread and largely effective therapeutic use since their discovery in the 20th century. However, the emergence of multi-drug resistant pathogens now presents an increasing global challenge to both human and veterinary medicine. It is now widely acknowledged that there is a need to develop novel antimicrobial agents to minimize the threat of further antimicrobial resistance. With this in mind, a study was undertaken to examine the antimicrobial properties of aqueous extracts of 'exotic' Shiitake and Oyster mushrooms on a range of environmental and clinically important microorganisms. METHOD: Several batches of Shiitake and oyster mushrooms were purchased fresh from a local supermarket and underwent aqueous extraction of potential antimicrobial components. After reconstitution, aqueous extracts were tested qualitatively against a panel of 29 bacterial and 10 fungal pathogens, for the demonstration of microbial inhibition. RESULTS: Our data quantitatively showed that Shiitake mushroom extract had extensive antimicrobial activity against 85% of the organisms it was tested on, including 50% of the yeast and mould species in the trial. This compared favourably with the results from both the Positive control (Ciprofloxacin) and Oyster mushroom, in terms of the number of species inhibited by the activity of the metabolite(s) inherent to the Shiitake mushroom. CONCLUSIONS: This small scale study shows the potential antimicrobial effects of Shitake extracts, however further work to isolate and identify the active compound(s) now requires to be undertaken. Once these have been identified, suitable pharmaceutical delivery systems should be explored to allow concentrated extracts to be prepared and delivered optimally, rather than crude ingestion of raw material, which could promote further bacterial resistance.

PMID: 19161947 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

A Dimeric Sesquiterpenoid from a Malaysian Meiogyne as a New Inhibitor of Bcl-xL/BakBH3 Domain Peptide Interaction ( perpendicular).

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A Dimeric Sesquiterpenoid from a Malaysian Meiogyne as a New Inhibitor of Bcl-xL/BakBH3 Domain Peptide Interaction ( perpendicular).

J Nat Prod. 2009 Jan 22;

Authors: Litaudon M, Bousserouel H, Awang K, Nosjean O, Martin MT, Dau ME, Hadi HA, Boutin JA, Sévenet T, Guéritte F

In an effort to find potent inhibitors of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL, a systematic in vitro evaluation was undertaken on 1470 Malaysian plant extracts. The ethyl acetate extract obtained from the bark of Meiogyne cylindrocarpa was selected for its interaction with the Bcl-xL/Bak association. Bioassay-guided purification of this species led to the isolation of two new dimeric sesquiterpenoids (1 and 2) possessing an unprecedented substituted cis-decalin carbon skeleton. Meiogynin A (1) showed the strongest activity with a K(i) of 10.8 +/- 3.1 muM.

PMID: 19161318 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

[Rev.Nicole Lendman]

The use of botanicals during pregnancy and lactation.

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The use of botanicals during pregnancy and lactation.

Altern Ther Health Med. 2009 Jan-Feb;15(1):54-8

Authors: Low Dog T

Women are the largest consumers of healthcare, and this extends to their utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Researchers have attempted to uncover the reasons why women turn to CAM in general and to botanical medicine in particular. Desire to have personal control over their health has been cited as the strongest motive for women to use herbal medicine. Second was dissatisfaction with conventional treatment and its disregard for a holistic approach, as well as concerns about the side effects of medications.' These concerns may explain, in part, the fact that many women use herbal remedies during pregnancy. A survey of 578 pregnant women in the eastern United States reported that 45% of respondents had used herbal medicines, and a survey of 588 women in Australia revealed that 36% had used at least 1 herbal product during pregnancy. Women probably feel comfortable using herbal remedies because of their perceived safety, easy access, and the widespread availability of information about them (ie, Internet, magazines, books). While it is true that many botanicals are mild in both treatment effects and side effects, the data regarding safety during pregnancy are very limited. Given the small sample sizes in clinical trials studying botanicals in pregnant women, only large differences in measures of pregnancy outcomes would likely be detected. For example, if an herb were thought to increase the rate of spontaneous abortion from 6% to 7%, a sample size of more than 19000 women would be needed. It is highly unlikely that there will be any studies of a botanical (or drug) with this large a sample size. So when addressing the safety of an herb during pregnancy, we must look at the totality of the evidence, which includes traditional and contemporary use, animal studies, pharmacological studies, and clinical trial data, when available. Survey data tell us that women often do not share their use of herbal remedies with their healthcare providers due to fear of offending providers or to the belief that clinicians will be ignorant about their use. Practitioners should maintain an open and respectful demeanor when counseling pregnant and nursing women about the use of botanical medicines, and they should know how to access unbiased and authoritative information sources, so they may reliably answer questions on inadvertent exposures and provide guidance on herbal products that might be beneficial.

PMID: 19161049 [PubMed - in process]

[Study on HPLC fingerprint of Prunella vulgaris]

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[Study on HPLC fingerprint of Prunella vulgaris]

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2008 Sep;33(18):2090-3

Authors: Sun WG, Ke XH, Li Y, Hua RF, Chen JF

OBJECTIVE: To establish HPLC fingerprint of Prunella vulgarise for quality control of the herbal medicine. METHOD: A sunfire C18 analytical column was used. The mobile phase A was 1% acetic acid, and mobile phase B was methanol. The elution was in gradient mode and detection wavelength was set at 290 nm. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the column temperature at 30 degrees C. The analysis time was 60 min. RESULT: The similarity of 10 batches of P. vulgaris was not lower than 0.810. The fingerprints of the herbal medicine were classified P. vulgaris on the results of cluster analysis. CONCLUSION: This method is available for quality evaluation and control the quality of P. vulgaris.

PMID: 19160791 [PubMed - in process]

[AMWFA method applied to research on changes of essential components and extractive ratioes of herbal pair Cinnamomum cassia and Poria cocos]

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[AMWFA method applied to research on changes of essential components and extractive ratioes of herbal pair Cinnamomum cassia and Poria cocos]

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2008 Sep;33(18):2056-60

Authors: Xiang Z, Wang XQ, Yu XM, Wei T, Li YX

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, chemometric resolution method-Alternative movingwindow factor analysis that were proposed recently and the Kovats retention index were used to analyze the essential components of herbal pair Cinnamomum cassia Presl and Poria cocos (CCP-PC) and compare them with those of single herbal Cinnamomum cassia Presl (CCP). 46 and 42 essential components in essential oil of CCP and CCP-PC have been identified individually. Results shows that the number of essential components of CCP and CCP-PC were almost the same, but extractive ratioes of them have changed significantly, some of them were increased obviously, most of them were declined notably instead and even several ingredients of CCP-PC were disappeared due to CCP PC's interaction probably. The main pharmacodynamic ingredients of CCP-PC, 3-phenyl-2-propenal and Cinnamaldehyde were obviously higher contents than that of single CCP. It suggested that there exist certain interactions of the chemical ingredients in compound medicine rather than their sum effect of single medicines. There is a litter difference in quality and quantity between single medicines and pair medicines, so the application of pair medicines can expand single medicine's adaptive disease and has a good clinical referenced valuation.

PMID: 19160782 [PubMed - in process]

[Statistical analysis of residues of heavy metals in Chinese crude drugs]

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[Statistical analysis of residues of heavy metals in Chinese crude drugs]

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2008 Sep;33(18):2041-8

Authors: Han XL, Zhang XB, Guo LP, Huang LQ, Li MJ, Liu XH, Sun YZ, Lv JR

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the residues of heavy metals in Chinese crude drugs. METHOD: The SPSS 13.0 software was used to analyze the data of Cu, Pb, As, Cd, Hg collected in literatures. And, Green Trade Standards of Importing & Exporting Medicinal Plants & Preparations was used as the standard to evaluate the pollution condition of Cu, Pb, As, Cd, Hg in Chinese crude drugs. RESULT: Chinese crude drugs were contaminated by heavy metals in different levels. The content of Cu, Pb, As, Cd, Hg exceeded the limit of the standard and the percentage was 21.0%, 12.0%, 9.7%, 28.5%, 6.9%, respectively; the phenomena of two, three and four metals exceeding limited standard simultaneity in a drug were also found and the percentage was 4.6%, 1.5%, 0.7%, respectively; the content of heavy metals in Radix Platycodi, Radix Asari and Rhizoma Coptidis was higher among the thirty-six Chinese crude drugs; All of the content of five heavy metals in Barbary Fructus Lycii Rhizoma Anemones Raddeanae, Radix Panacis Quiquefolii and Fructus Aurantii were below the limit; The pollution levels of heavy metals in different locality were different; The content of Cu, Pb in cultivated Chinese crude drugs was higher than that in wild Chinese crude drugs, while the content of As in wild Chinese crude drugs was higher than that in cultivated Chinese crude drugs. CONCLUSION: The pollution levels of heavy metals in Chinese crude drugs were detailed reported in this paper. And it provided ways for the further study of heavy metals in Chinese crude drugs.

PMID: 19160779 [PubMed - in process]

[Rev.Nicole Lendman]

[Progressive studies of paeoniflorin]

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[Progressive studies of paeoniflorin]

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2008 Sep;33(18):2028-32

Authors: Sun LR, Cao X, Hou FQ, Zhu XH, Gao TM

Paeoniflorin is one of the bioactive components of Paeonia lactiflora, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. It is the main monoterpene glucoside isolated from the P. lactiflora in 1963. Since then, researchers have found that paeoniflorin has multifold pharmacological effects. In this review, based on the recent available papers published in PubMed and National Knowledge Infrastructure Data Base, we present the major current approaches in understanding the detection methodology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacology, and toxicology of paeoniflorin.

PMID: 19160776 [PubMed - in process]

[Experiment research on the influence of Yanghe decoction on the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA in osteoarthritis]

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[Experiment research on the influence of Yanghe decoction on the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA in osteoarthritis]

Zhongguo Gu Shang. 2008 Jun;21(6):432-4

Authors: Chen CW, Chen YQ

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of Yanghe decoction on the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA in osteoarthritis (OA), so as to study mechanisms of Yanghe decoction in the improvement of cartilagedegeneration. METHODS: Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (10 rabbits), OA model group (10 rabbits) and Yanghe decoction treatment group (10 rabbits). The OA models were established by using Hulth method. The sections were stained with Safranin O for histological examination. Each sample was evaluated the cartilages histological characteristics according to the method of Mankin. Fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA in each group. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the Mankin score between the control group and the OA model group (P = 0.005), either between the OA model group and the Yanghe decoction treatment group (P = 0.003). Fluorescent quantitative PCR indicated that HIF-1alpha mRNA significantly increased in the OA model group compared to that of the control group (P = 0.035), but that expression was much lower in Yanghe decoction treatment group compared to that of the OA model group (P = 0.039). CONCLUSION: The expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA plays an important role in OA. Yanghe decoction is effective to protect the articular cartilage, which is achieved through regulating the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA.

PMID: 19108427 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Experimental study on the effects of inactivated and un-inactivated pharmaco-serum of diabetic rats fed with Chinese herbs Qianggubao decoction on the proliferation of osteoblast cultured in vitro]

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[Experimental study on the effects of inactivated and un-inactivated pharmaco-serum of diabetic rats fed with Chinese herbs Qianggubao decoction on the proliferation of osteoblast cultured in vitro]

Zhongguo Gu Shang. 2008 Jun;21(6):429-31

Authors: Chen ZN, Su YX, Yang LZ, Zheng LP, Lin JM, Wang PQ

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of inactivated and un-inactivated pharmaco-serum of diabetic rats fed with Chinese herbs Qianggubao decoction on the proliferation of osteoblast cells (OB)cultured in vitro. METHODS: OB was isolated from the skull of newly born SD rats aged 1 to 2 days by means of Trypsin-collagenase digestion and identified by image analysis under inverted microscope, V-G collagen staining, ALP staining, calcification nod staining etc. After the OB was identified, in activated and un-inactivated pharmaco-serum of diabetic rats fed with Qianggubao decoction of ferent phase (rats were fed with medicine 3 days or 5 days after last fed with medicine 1 hour or 3 hours) and concentration (5%, 10%, 20%) were added to the OB and incubated. After determined times, the effects of the proliferation of osteoblasts were detected by MTT analysis. RESULTS: There was significant difference between un-inactivated pharmaco-serum and inactivated pharmaco-serum on the proliferation of osteoblasts, and un-inactivated serum had stronger effects to improve the proliferation of osteoblasts (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Un-inactivated and inactivation pharmaco-serum of diabetic rats fed with Chinese herbs Qianggubao decoction can influence the proliferation of, and the un-inactivated pharmaco-serum has stronger effects.

PMID: 19108426 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[A controlled clinical trial on the therapy of chronic osteomyelitis by perfusing with Corydalis saxicola bunting liquor combined with antibiotics]

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[A controlled clinical trial on the therapy of chronic osteomyelitis by perfusing with Corydalis saxicola bunting liquor combined with antibiotics]

Zhongguo Gu Shang. 2008 Mar;21(3):224-5

Authors: Ou ZX, Jin JC, Huang D, Mo XM, Tang GJ


PMID: 19105450 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Chinese herbs application combined with operation for treating post-traumatic tibial osteomyelitis complicated with bone-skin defects]

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[Chinese herbs application combined with operation for treating post-traumatic tibial osteomyelitis complicated with bone-skin defects]

Zhongguo Gu Shang. 2008 Mar;21(3):218-20

Authors: Liu XT, Zhang CJ, Li Z, Fan QS, Wang CQ, Ding W, Zhao WH

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the method and clinical effects of integration of Chinese herbs and operation for the treatment of post-traumatic tibial osteomyelitis complication with bone-skin defect. METHODS: Among 28 patients with post-traumatic tibial osteomyelitis complicated with bone-skin defects, 18 patients were male and 10 females, ranging in age from 18 to 68 years, with an average of 32.5 years. All the patients were treated with transplantation of free iliac flaps to one-stage repair the bone-skin defects after infection controlled with Chinese herbs dressing. The curative effects were analyzed. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up and ranged from 8 to 56 months, with an average of 30 months. All of the flap survived, and the wounds got primary healing in 26 patients and secondary healing in 2 patients. All the grafted bone united in 2 to 14 months,with a mean time of 4.6 months. The osteomyelitis recurred in 2 patients and got healed by focal debridement. CONCLUSION: Chinese herbs application combined with operation for treating post-traumatic tibial osteomyelitis complicated with hone-skin defects is effective to control infection, one-stage repair the tissue defects, which is worthy popularizing.

PMID: 19105446 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Study on change of metabolism of articular cartilage in ovariectomized rats in the intervention of different drugs]

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[Study on change of metabolism of articular cartilage in ovariectomized rats in the intervention of different drugs]

Zhongguo Gu Shang. 2008 Mar;21(3):196-9

Authors: Gao F, Du N

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of metabolism of articular cartilage in ovariectomized rats in the intervention of different drugs. METHODS: Sixty-six virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly stratified into six groups: sham operation (SHAM) group,ovariectomized (OVX) group, estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) group, estrogen receptor modulator (ERM) group, Xianling Gubao([Chinese characters: see text], XLGB) group,and glucosamine sulfate (GS) group. One group subjected to standard sham operation and the remaining five groups were ovariectomized. The five ovariectomized groups received treatment either with the vehicle or different drugs given as an oral suspension in the vehicle. Urine samples were obtained at initial time and weeks 3, 5 and 7 after ovariectomy. ELISA method was used to measure the concentration of collagen II degradation products (CTX-II) in the urine. At study termination,histological analysis of the knee joint was used to assess the pathological changes of the articular cartilage. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, the concentration of CTX-II at weeks 3 and 5 after ovariectomy were obviously different (P < 0.05). Compared with the OVX group, concentration of CTX-II in the ERT group and ERM group were significant different (P < 0.01). XLGB group also was obviously different with the OVX group at the two points (P < 0.05). And interestingly in the histological examination in the OVX group was different with all the other groups. CONCLUSION: The study indicates that estrogen deficiency accelerates destructive turnover of the collagen II in articular cartilage. The ERT, ERM, XLGB can relieve the effect. And all the drugs can delay the cartilage degradation caused by that effect.

PMID: 19105437 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Experimental study on the effects of pharmaco-serum of diabetic rats fed with Chinese herbs qianggubao decoction ([Chinese characters: see text]) on osteoblast culture in vitro]

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[Experimental study on the effects of pharmaco-serum of diabetic rats fed with Chinese herbs qianggubao decoction ([Chinese characters: see text]) on osteoblast culture in vitro]

Zhongguo Gu Shang. 2008 Mar;21(3):190-3

Authors: Su YX, Zheng LP, Chen ZN, Yang LZ, Wang HM

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the optimum phase and dose of pharmaco-serum of diabetic rats fed with Qianggubao decoction ([Chinese characters: see text]) on the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblast (OB). METHODS (OB) was isolated from the skull of 10 newly born SD rats aged 1 to 2 days by means of Trypsin-collagenase digestion. After the OB was identified, different kinds of pharmaco-serum of diabetic rats fed with inactive Qianggubao decoction ([Chinese characters: see text]) of different phase (rats were fed with medicine three days or five days after last fed with medicine one hour or three hours) and concentration (5%, 10%, 20%) were added to the OB and incubated. After 7 days and 18 days of culture,the effects of the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblast were detected. RESULTS: The secretion of ALP and formation of mineralized nodules of osteoblast in the different doses of pharmaco-serum groups were almost the same as that of normal control group, but were superior to that in the model control group. And the group with concentration of 20% pharmaco-serum was the best in the secretion of ALP and formation of mineralized nodules of osteoblast. As to the phases of pharmaco-serum, the best one on the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblast was the serums from diabetic rat-model fed with Qianggubao decoction ([Chinese characters: see text]) three days or five days, after one hour of last fed with medicine. CONCLUSION: The pharmaco-serum of diabetic rats fed with Qianggubao decoction ([Chinese characters: see text]) can promote the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblast. Allow for time and the cost of experiment,we presume that pharmaco-serum of diabetic rats fed with Qianggubao decoction ([Chinese characters: see text]) three days, after one hour of last fed, with concentration of 20% and not-inactivation is the optimum on the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblast.

PMID: 19105435 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Rev.Nicole Lendman]

[Clinical randomized controlled trial on splint external fixation combined with Chinese herbs in treating distal radius fractures of elderly patients]

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[Clinical randomized controlled trial on splint external fixation combined with Chinese herbs in treating distal radius fractures of elderly patients]

Zhongguo Gu Shang. 2008 Mar;21(3):181-3

Authors: Chen SX, Kang L, Chen HQ, Situ J, Zhao CD, Ding LJ, Liu HG

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Yishen Zhuanggu decoction ([Chinese characters: see text], YSZGD) on the fracture healing and function of wrist joint in osteoporotic distal radius fractures (ODRF) of elderly patients. METHODS: Ninety patients of ODRF were treated with splint external fixation and YSZGD, including 28 males and 62 females, with an average age of 63 years (ranged, 61 to 91 years). According to AO classification, all the patients were classified as type A or B1. Among the patients, 80 patients had a type of Colles fracture,7 patients were with a type of Smith fracture,and 3 patients had a type of Barton fracture. They were randomly divided into three groups included TCM, Western medicine and control group (30 cases each group) after the fractures were fixed manually by splint. Patients in TCM group took YSZGD orally, one potion and two time each day; the patients in Western medicine group treated with Calcitonin (50 units, intramuscular, 2 times each week), Caltrate D (1 tablets, taken orally, one time each day) and Alfacalcidol Soft Capsules (0.5 units, taken orally, one time each day); and the patients in control group took no medicine. X-ray examination on the fractured wrist was taken at the 4, 6, 8, 12th weeks after treating to observe, the fracture healings, the evaluation of wrist function and comparision of curative effects were taken at the 2nd month. RESULTS: The fracture healing time in TCM group was 7.12 +/- 2.32 weeks and that in the Western medicine group was 9.25 +/- 3.05 weeks, showing significant differences between them (PC < 0.05), and that in the control group was 11.57 +/- 1.93 weeks which was longer thant in that in the two medicine groups (P < 0.05); According to Dienst wrist rating system, the excellent and good rates of three groups were 93.3%, 86.7% and 60% respectively which showing significant differences between medicine groups and control group (P < 0.05), and the curative effects of medicine groups were more excellent than that of control group through Ridit analysis. CONCLUSION: YSZGD can promote the fracture healing evidently and shorten the healing time, whose curative effect surpassed Western medicine and promoted the restoration of wrist function.

PMID: 19105432 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Determination of betulinic acid from Orthosiphon stamineus leaf extract in rat plasma.

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Determination of betulinic acid from Orthosiphon stamineus leaf extract in rat plasma.

Pharmazie. 2008 Nov;63(11):788-90

Authors: Akowuah GA, Zhari I

A simple high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to determine the content of betulinic acid (BA) in rat plasma collected at different times (0-8 h) after oral administration of Orthosiphon stamineus leaf extract was developed. The features of the assay include protein precipitation using acetonitrile and isocratic elution using reverse phase C-18 column with ultraviolet (UV) detection. The recovery of BA from plasma varied from 98.4 to 102.5%. The R.S.D of intra- and inter-day precision from rat plasma ranged from 4.2 to 9.8%. The maximum concentration of BA in the plasma was 1.2 +/- 0.3 microg/ml at 1 h after oral administration of the extract.

PMID: 19069237 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[From Salerne to Al-Andalus: practitioners of Kairouan's mark]

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[From Salerne to Al-Andalus: practitioners of Kairouan's mark]

Rev Hist Pharm (Paris). 2008 Jul;56(358):189-202

Authors: Ricordel J

Ishak ibn imran, Ishak al-Isrâ'îlî and Ibn al-Djazzâr are famous practitioners of Kairouan of the ninth and tenth centuries. They are quoted among sources of their successors, practitioners and agronomists in Al-Andalus. We will study the uses of their treatises by means of examples and will conclude that these successors selected the contributions which characterize the medicinal herbs and describe their properties. It confirms the pharmacological orientation of the Andalusian medicine. The influence of the practitioners of Kairouan is not limited to the West Arabic world and spreads over the Latin world. We will remind that, in Salern and in the European Universities, their medical and pharmacological treatises are studied and used thanks to the Constantins' Latin traductions, although these were not totally accurate.

PMID: 19069214 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Microwave-assisted extraction and ultrasonic extraction to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in needles and bark of Pinus pinaster Ait. and Pinus pinea L. by GC-MS.

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Microwave-assisted extraction and ultrasonic extraction to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in needles and bark of Pinus pinaster Ait. and Pinus pinea L. by GC-MS.

Talanta. 2009 Jan 15;77(3):1120-8

Authors: Ratola N, Lacorte S, Barceló D, Alves A

Two different extraction strategies (microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasonic extraction (USE)) were tested in the extraction of the 16 US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from pine trees. Extraction of needles and bark from two pine species common in the Iberian Peninsula (Pinus pinaster Ait. and Pinus pinea L.) was optimized using two amounts of sample (1g and 5 g) and two PAHs spiking levels (20 ng/g and 100 ng/g). In all cases, the clean-up procedure following extraction consisted in solid-phase extraction (SPE) with alumina cartridges. Quantification was done by gas chromatography (GC) with mass spectrometry (MS), using five deuterated PAH surrogate standards as internal standards. Limits of detection were globally below 0.2 ng/g. The method was robust for the matrices studied regardless of the extraction procedures. Recovery values between 70 and 130% were reached in most cases, except for high molecular weight PAHs (indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene and benzo[ghi]perylene). A field study with naturally contaminated samples from eight sites (four in Portugal and four in Catalonia, Spain) showed that needles are more suitable biomonitors for PAHs, yielding concentrations from 2 to 17 times higher than those found in bark. The levels varied according to the sampling site, with the sum of the individual PAH concentrations between 213 and 1773 ng/g (dry weight). Phenanthrene was the most abundant PAH, followed by fluoranthene, naphthalene and pyrene.

PMID: 19064100 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Utilization of the chicken embryo model for assessment of biological activity of different oligosaccharides.

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Utilization of the chicken embryo model for assessment of biological activity of different oligosaccharides.

Folia Biol (Krakow). 2004;52(3-4):135-42

Authors: Villaluenga CM, Wardeńska M, Pilarski R, Bednarczyk M, Gulewicz K

The effect of different oligosaccharides--alpha-galactoside preparations from Lupinus albus seeds differing in sucrose content, raffinose and fructooligosaccharides on the growth of chicken intestine microflora and the hatchability and weight of the treated embryos were studied. The assessment of biological activity of these oligosaccharides was done in ovo on the chicken embryo model. The eggs of experimental groups containing twelve days old embryos were injected into the air cell with 0.2 ml of Ringer water solution containing 0.1763; 0.8815 and 1.763 mg/egg of an oligosaccharide preparation, while the control group was injected with 0.2 ml of Ringer water solution only. All oligosaccharide preparations in higher doses had an influence on chicken hatchability and increased bifidobacteria in the colon of two day old chicken. The number of bifidobacteria depends significantly on the kind of oligosaccharide preparation used and its dose. For all experimental groups, the number of bifidobacteria was significantly higher in comparison to the control.

PMID: 19058551 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Tyrosinase inhibitory effects of 1,3-diphenylpropanes from Broussonetia kazinoki.

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Tyrosinase inhibitory effects of 1,3-diphenylpropanes from Broussonetia kazinoki.

Bioorg Med Chem. 2009 Jan 1;17(1):35-41

Authors: Baek YS, Ryu YB, Curtis-Long MJ, Ha TJ, Rengasamy R, Yang MS, Park KH

Six 1,3-diphenylpropanes exhibiting inhibitory activities against both the monophenolase and diphenolase actions of tyrosinase were isolated from the methanol (95%) extract of Broussonetia kazinoki. These compounds, 1-6, were identified as kazinol C (1), D (2), F (3), broussonin C (4), kazinol S (5) and kazinol T (6). The latter two species (5 and 6) emerged to be new 1,3-diphenylpropanes which we fully spectroscopically characterized. The IC(50) values of compounds (1, 3-5) for monophenolase inhibition were determined to range between 0.43 and 17.9 microM. Compounds 1 and 3-5 also inhibited diphenolase significantly with IC(50) values of 22.8, 1.7, 0.57, and 26.9 microM, respectively. All four active tyrosinase inhibitors (1, 3-5) were competitive inhibitors. Interestigly they all mainfested simple reversible slow-binding inhibition against diphenolase. The most potent inhibitor, compound 4 diplayed the following kinetic parameters k(3)=0.0993 microM(-1)min(-1), k(4)=0.0048 min(-1), and K(i)(app)=0.0485 microM.

PMID: 19046886 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Protective efficacy of Emblica officinalis against Klebsiella pneumoniae induced pneumonia in mice.

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Protective efficacy of Emblica officinalis against Klebsiella pneumoniae induced pneumonia in mice.

Indian J Med Res. 2008 Aug;128(2):188-93

Authors: Saini A, Sharma S, Chhibber S

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Emblica officinalis (amla), which is a good source of vitamin C, has been shown to be beneficial due to its immune system enhancing property coupled with its tonifying and antiageing effect. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of E. officinalis feeding on the susceptibility of experimental mice to respiratory tract infection induced by Klebsiella pneumoniae. METHODS: The effect of short- (15 days) and long (30 days)-term feeding of amla in mice on the course of K. pneumoniae ATCC43816 infection in lungs was studied, in terms of bacterial colonization, macrophage activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite production in broncheoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha level in serum was also assessed. RESULTS: Though there was a decrease in bacterial colonization after short-term feeding, it was not significant. On the contrary, the decrease in bacterial load was significant (P < 0.05) on long-term feeding. The operative mechanisms in terms of lipid peroxidation, phagocytosis and nitrite production were studied by estimating their levels in broncheoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Maximum decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increase in phagocytic activity and nitrite levels on long-term feeding was seen. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: These results suggest that dietary supplementation with amla protects against bacterial colonization of lungs on long-term feeding in experimental model. Further studies need to be conducted to understand the actual mechanism.

PMID: 19001683 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Indian childhood cirrhosis: several dilemmas resolved.

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Indian childhood cirrhosis: several dilemmas resolved.

Indian J Med Res. 2008 Aug;128(2):93-6

Authors: Sriramachari S, Nayak NC

PMID: 19001668 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Rev.Nicole Lendman]

Synthesis and cannabinoid receptor activity of ketoalkenes from Echinacea pallida and nonnatural analogues.

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Synthesis and cannabinoid receptor activity of ketoalkenes from Echinacea pallida and nonnatural analogues.

Chemistry. 2008;14(35):10978-84

Authors: Egger M, Pellett P, Nickl K, Geiger S, Graetz S, Seifert R, Heilmann J, König B

Despite its popularity and widespread use, the efficacy of Echinacea products remains unclear and controversial. Among the various compounds isolated from Echinacea, ketoalkenes and ketoalkenynes exclusively found in the pale purple coneflower (E. pallida) are major components of the extracts. In contrast to E. purpurea alkamides, these compounds have not been synthesized and studied for immunostimulatory effects. We present a practical and useful synthetic approach to the ketoalkenes using palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions and the pharmaceutical results at the human cannabinoid receptors. The synthetic route developed provides overall good yields for the ketoalkenes and is applicable to other natural products with similar 1,4-diene motifs. No significant activity was observed at either receptor, indicating that the ketoalkenes from E. pallida are not responsible for immunomodulatory effects mediated via the cannabinergic system. However, newly synthesized non-natural analogues showed micro-molar potency at both cannabinoid receptors.

PMID: 18979494 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Dose-response effect of arabinoxylooligosaccharides on gastrointestinal motility and on colonic bacterial metabolism in healthy volunteers.

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Dose-response effect of arabinoxylooligosaccharides on gastrointestinal motility and on colonic bacterial metabolism in healthy volunteers.

J Am Coll Nutr. 2008 Aug;27(4):512-8

Authors: Cloetens L, De Preter V, Swennen K, Broekaert WF, Courtin CM, Delcour JA, Rutgeerts P, Verbeke K

OBJECTIVE: Arabinoxylooligosaccharides (AXOS) are non-digestible in the upper gastrointestinal tract and have been shown to exert prebiotic effects in animals. The aim of this study was to characterize the influence of AXOS with an average degree of polymerization of 15 and an average degree of arabinose substitution of 0.26 (AXOS-15-0.26) on gastrointestinal motility and colonic bacterial metabolism in healthy human volunteers. METHODS: Twelve healthy volunteers received five test meals, containing different amounts of AXOS-15-0.26, with one week intervals between each test meal. Breath tests were used to measure gastric emptying rate, oro-cecal transit time (OCTT) and hydrogen excretion. Colonic bacterial metabolism was estimated using the biomarkers lactose-[(15)N, (15)N']-ureide ((15)N-LU) and p-cresol. RESULTS: Gastric emptying and OCTT were not influenced by addition of varying amounts of AXOS-15-0.26. Administration of 2.2g or 4.9 g AXOS-15-0.26 significantly decreased the urinary (15)N-excretion (respectively p = 0.008 and p = 0.035) as compared to the baseline, whereas fecal (15)N-excretion was significantly increased (respectively p = 0.034 and p = 0.019). This shift from urinary to fecal (15)N-excretion suggests a higher uptake or incorporation by bacteria due to the stimulation of colonic bacterial growth and/or metabolic activity. Furthermore, a significant increase in hydrogen excretion after administration of 2.2g (p = 0.002) and 4.9 g (p = 0.004) AXOS-15-0.26 was observed. No influence on urinary p-cresol excretion was observed. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that a minimal dose of 2.2g AXOS-15-0.26 favorably modulates the colonic bacterial metabolism in healthy humans. However, long term studies are required to confirm a possible prebiotic effect.

PMID: 18978172 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Antimicrobial activity of endemic Crataegus tanacetifolia (Lam.) Pers and observation of the inhibition effect on bacterial cells.

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Antimicrobial activity of endemic Crataegus tanacetifolia (Lam.) Pers and observation of the inhibition effect on bacterial cells.

Cell Biochem Funct. 2008 Dec;26(8):844-51

Authors: Benli M, Yiğit N, Geven F, Güney K, Bingöl U

Up to now an increasing number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been reported and thus new natural therapeutic agents are needed in order to eradicate these pathogens. Through the discovery of plants such as Crataegus tanacetifolia (Lam.) Pers that have antimicrobial activity, it will be possible to discover new natural drugs serving as chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of nosocomial pathogens and take these antibiotic-resistant bacteria under control. The objective of the present study was to determine antimicrobial activity and the activity mechanism of C. tanacetifolia plant extract. The leaves of C. tanacetifolia, which is an endemic plant, were extracted using methanol and tested against 10 bacterial and 4 yeast strains by using a drop method. It was observed that the plant extract had antibacterial effects on Bacillus subtilis, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes among the microorganisms that were tested. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results obtained at the end of an incubation of 24 h were found to be > or =6.16 mg ml(-1) for B. subtilis, < 394 mg ml(-1) for Shigella, and > or =3.08 mg ml(-1) for L. monocytogenes and S. aureus and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were found as > or =24.63 mg ml(-1) for B. subtilis, > or =394 mg ml(-1) for Shigella, > or =6.16 mg ml(-1) for L. monocytogenes, and > or =98.5 mg ml(-1) for S. aureus. According to the MBC results, it was found that the plant extract had bactericidal effects and in order to explain the activity mechanism and cell deformation of bacterial strains treated with plant extract, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used. The results of SEM showed that the treated cells appeared shrunken and there was degradation of the cell walls. This study, in which the antibacterial effect of C. tanacetifolia was demonstrated, will be a base for further investigations on advanced purification and effect mechanism of action of its active compounds.

PMID: 18946875 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Soy lecithin supplementation alters macrophage phagocytosis and lymphocyte response to concanavalin A: a study in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

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Soy lecithin supplementation alters macrophage phagocytosis and lymphocyte response to concanavalin A: a study in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Cell Biochem Funct. 2008 Dec;26(8):859-65

Authors: Miranda DT, Batista VG, Grando FC, Paula FM, Felício CA, Rubbo GF, Fernandes LC, Curi R, Nishiyama A

Dietary soy lecithin supplementation decreases hyperlipidemia and influences lipid metabolism. Although this product is used by diabetic patients, there are no data about the effect of soy lecithin supplementation on the immune system. The addition of phosphatidylcholine, the main component of lecithin, to a culture of lymphocytes has been reported to alter their function. If phosphatidylcholine changes lymphocyte functions in vitro as previously shown, then it could also affect immune cells in vivo. In the present study, the effect of dietary soy lecithin on macrophage phagocytic capacity and on lymphocyte number in response to concanavalin A (ConA) stimulation was investigated in non-diabetic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Supplementation was carried out daily with 2 g kg(-1) b.w. lecithin during 7 days. After that, blood was drawn from fasting rats and peritoneal macrophages and mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes were collected to determine the phospholipid content. Plasma triacylglycerol (TAG), total and HDL cholesterol and glucose levels were also determined. Lymphocytes were stimulated by ConA. The MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) dye reduction method and flow cytometry were employed to evaluate lymphocyte metabolism and cell number, respectively. Soy lecithin supplementation significantly increased both macrophage phagocytic capacity (+29%) in non-diabetic rats and the lymphocyte number in diabetic rats (+92%). It is unlikely that plasma lipid levels indirectly affect immune cells, since plasma cholesterol, TAG, or phospholipid content was not modified by lecithin supplementation. In conclusion, lymphocyte and macrophage function were altered by lecithin supplementation, indicating an immunomodulatory effect of phosphatidylcholine.

PMID: 18846580 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Population genetic structure of the medicinal plant Vitex rotundifolia in China: implications for its use and conservation.

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Population genetic structure of the medicinal plant Vitex rotundifolia in China: implications for its use and conservation.

J Integr Plant Biol. 2008 Sep;50(9):1118-29

Authors: Hu Y, Zhu Y, Zhang QY, Xin HL, Qin LP, Lu BR, Rahman K, Zheng HC

Vitex rotundifolia L. is an important plant species used in traditional Chinese medicine. For its efficient use and conservation, genetic diversity and clonal variation of V. rotundifolia populations in China were investigated using inter-simple sequence repeat markers. Fourteen natural populations were included to estimate genetic diversity, and a large population with 135 individuals was used to analyze clonal variation and fine-scale spatial genetic structure. The overall genetic diversity (GD) of V. rotundifolia populations in China was moderate (GD = 0.190), with about 40% within-population variation. Across all populations surveyed, the average within-population diversity was moderate (P = 22.6%; GD = 0.086). A relatively high genetic differentiation (G(st) = 0.587) among populations was detected based on the analysis of molecular variance data. Such characteristics of V. rotundifolia are likely attributed to its sexual/asexual reproduction and limited gene flow. The genotypic diversity (D = 0.992) was greater than the average values of a clonal plant, indicating its significant reproduction through seedlings. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed a clear within-population structure with gene clusters of approximately 20 m. Genetic diversity patterns of V. rotundifolia in China provide a useful guide for its efficient use and conservation by selecting particular populations displaying greater variation that may contain required medicinal compounds, and by sampling individuals in a population at >20 m spatial intervals to avoid collecting individuals with identical or similar genotypes.

PMID: 18844780 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Rev.Nicole Lendman]

Synthesis and cannabinoid receptor activity of ketoalkenes from Echinacea pallida and nonnatural analogues.

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Synthesis and cannabinoid receptor activity of ketoalkenes from Echinacea pallida and nonnatural analogues.

Chemistry. 2008;14(35):10978-84

Authors: Egger M, Pellett P, Nickl K, Geiger S, Graetz S, Seifert R, Heilmann J, König B

Despite its popularity and widespread use, the efficacy of Echinacea products remains unclear and controversial. Among the various compounds isolated from Echinacea, ketoalkenes and ketoalkenynes exclusively found in the pale purple coneflower (E. pallida) are major components of the extracts. In contrast to E. purpurea alkamides, these compounds have not been synthesized and studied for immunostimulatory effects. We present a practical and useful synthetic approach to the ketoalkenes using palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions and the pharmaceutical results at the human cannabinoid receptors. The synthetic route developed provides overall good yields for the ketoalkenes and is applicable to other natural products with similar 1,4-diene motifs. No significant activity was observed at either receptor, indicating that the ketoalkenes from E. pallida are not responsible for immunomodulatory effects mediated via the cannabinergic system. However, newly synthesized non-natural analogues showed micro-molar potency at both cannabinoid receptors.

PMID: 18979494 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Dose-response effect of arabinoxylooligosaccharides on gastrointestinal motility and on colonic bacterial metabolism in healthy volunteers.

Posted:

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Dose-response effect of arabinoxylooligosaccharides on gastrointestinal motility and on colonic bacterial metabolism in healthy volunteers.

J Am Coll Nutr. 2008 Aug;27(4):512-8

Authors: Cloetens L, De Preter V, Swennen K, Broekaert WF, Courtin CM, Delcour JA, Rutgeerts P, Verbeke K

OBJECTIVE: Arabinoxylooligosaccharides (AXOS) are non-digestible in the upper gastrointestinal tract and have been shown to exert prebiotic effects in animals. The aim of this study was to characterize the influence of AXOS with an average degree of polymerization of 15 and an average degree of arabinose substitution of 0.26 (AXOS-15-0.26) on gastrointestinal motility and colonic bacterial metabolism in healthy human volunteers. METHODS: Twelve healthy volunteers received five test meals, containing different amounts of AXOS-15-0.26, with one week intervals between each test meal. Breath tests were used to measure gastric emptying rate, oro-cecal transit time (OCTT) and hydrogen excretion. Colonic bacterial metabolism was estimated using the biomarkers lactose-[(15)N, (15)N']-ureide ((15)N-LU) and p-cresol. RESULTS: Gastric emptying and OCTT were not influenced by addition of varying amounts of AXOS-15-0.26. Administration of 2.2g or 4.9 g AXOS-15-0.26 significantly decreased the urinary (15)N-excretion (respectively p = 0.008 and p = 0.035) as compared to the baseline, whereas fecal (15)N-excretion was significantly increased (respectively p = 0.034 and p = 0.019). This shift from urinary to fecal (15)N-excretion suggests a higher uptake or incorporation by bacteria due to the stimulation of colonic bacterial growth and/or metabolic activity. Furthermore, a significant increase in hydrogen excretion after administration of 2.2g (p = 0.002) and 4.9 g (p = 0.004) AXOS-15-0.26 was observed. No influence on urinary p-cresol excretion was observed. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that a minimal dose of 2.2g AXOS-15-0.26 favorably modulates the colonic bacterial metabolism in healthy humans. However, long term studies are required to confirm a possible prebiotic effect.

PMID: 18978172 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Antimicrobial activity of endemic Crataegus tanacetifolia (Lam.) Pers and observation of the inhibition effect on bacterial cells.

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Antimicrobial activity of endemic Crataegus tanacetifolia (Lam.) Pers and observation of the inhibition effect on bacterial cells.

Cell Biochem Funct. 2008 Dec;26(8):844-51

Authors: Benli M, Yiğit N, Geven F, Güney K, Bingöl U

Up to now an increasing number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been reported and thus new natural therapeutic agents are needed in order to eradicate these pathogens. Through the discovery of plants such as Crataegus tanacetifolia (Lam.) Pers that have antimicrobial activity, it will be possible to discover new natural drugs serving as chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of nosocomial pathogens and take these antibiotic-resistant bacteria under control. The objective of the present study was to determine antimicrobial activity and the activity mechanism of C. tanacetifolia plant extract. The leaves of C. tanacetifolia, which is an endemic plant, were extracted using methanol and tested against 10 bacterial and 4 yeast strains by using a drop method. It was observed that the plant extract had antibacterial effects on Bacillus subtilis, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes among the microorganisms that were tested. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results obtained at the end of an incubation of 24 h were found to be > or =6.16 mg ml(-1) for B. subtilis, < 394 mg ml(-1) for Shigella, and > or =3.08 mg ml(-1) for L. monocytogenes and S. aureus and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were found as > or =24.63 mg ml(-1) for B. subtilis, > or =394 mg ml(-1) for Shigella, > or =6.16 mg ml(-1) for L. monocytogenes, and > or =98.5 mg ml(-1) for S. aureus. According to the MBC results, it was found that the plant extract had bactericidal effects and in order to explain the activity mechanism and cell deformation of bacterial strains treated with plant extract, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used. The results of SEM showed that the treated cells appeared shrunken and there was degradation of the cell walls. This study, in which the antibacterial effect of C. tanacetifolia was demonstrated, will be a base for further investigations on advanced purification and effect mechanism of action of its active compounds.

PMID: 18946875 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Soy lecithin supplementation alters macrophage phagocytosis and lymphocyte response to concanavalin A: a study in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

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Soy lecithin supplementation alters macrophage phagocytosis and lymphocyte response to concanavalin A: a study in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Cell Biochem Funct. 2008 Dec;26(8):859-65

Authors: Miranda DT, Batista VG, Grando FC, Paula FM, Felício CA, Rubbo GF, Fernandes LC, Curi R, Nishiyama A

Dietary soy lecithin supplementation decreases hyperlipidemia and influences lipid metabolism. Although this product is used by diabetic patients, there are no data about the effect of soy lecithin supplementation on the immune system. The addition of phosphatidylcholine, the main component of lecithin, to a culture of lymphocytes has been reported to alter their function. If phosphatidylcholine changes lymphocyte functions in vitro as previously shown, then it could also affect immune cells in vivo. In the present study, the effect of dietary soy lecithin on macrophage phagocytic capacity and on lymphocyte number in response to concanavalin A (ConA) stimulation was investigated in non-diabetic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Supplementation was carried out daily with 2 g kg(-1) b.w. lecithin during 7 days. After that, blood was drawn from fasting rats and peritoneal macrophages and mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes were collected to determine the phospholipid content. Plasma triacylglycerol (TAG), total and HDL cholesterol and glucose levels were also determined. Lymphocytes were stimulated by ConA. The MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) dye reduction method and flow cytometry were employed to evaluate lymphocyte metabolism and cell number, respectively. Soy lecithin supplementation significantly increased both macrophage phagocytic capacity (+29%) in non-diabetic rats and the lymphocyte number in diabetic rats (+92%). It is unlikely that plasma lipid levels indirectly affect immune cells, since plasma cholesterol, TAG, or phospholipid content was not modified by lecithin supplementation. In conclusion, lymphocyte and macrophage function were altered by lecithin supplementation, indicating an immunomodulatory effect of phosphatidylcholine.

PMID: 18846580 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Population genetic structure of the medicinal plant Vitex rotundifolia in China: implications for its use and conservation.

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Population genetic structure of the medicinal plant Vitex rotundifolia in China: implications for its use and conservation.

J Integr Plant Biol. 2008 Sep;50(9):1118-29

Authors: Hu Y, Zhu Y, Zhang QY, Xin HL, Qin LP, Lu BR, Rahman K, Zheng HC

Vitex rotundifolia L. is an important plant species used in traditional Chinese medicine. For its efficient use and conservation, genetic diversity and clonal variation of V. rotundifolia populations in China were investigated using inter-simple sequence repeat markers. Fourteen natural populations were included to estimate genetic diversity, and a large population with 135 individuals was used to analyze clonal variation and fine-scale spatial genetic structure. The overall genetic diversity (GD) of V. rotundifolia populations in China was moderate (GD = 0.190), with about 40% within-population variation. Across all populations surveyed, the average within-population diversity was moderate (P = 22.6%; GD = 0.086). A relatively high genetic differentiation (G(st) = 0.587) among populations was detected based on the analysis of molecular variance data. Such characteristics of V. rotundifolia are likely attributed to its sexual/asexual reproduction and limited gene flow. The genotypic diversity (D = 0.992) was greater than the average values of a clonal plant, indicating its significant reproduction through seedlings. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed a clear within-population structure with gene clusters of approximately 20 m. Genetic diversity patterns of V. rotundifolia in China provide a useful guide for its efficient use and conservation by selecting particular populations displaying greater variation that may contain required medicinal compounds, and by sampling individuals in a population at >20 m spatial intervals to avoid collecting individuals with identical or similar genotypes.

PMID: 18844780 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Rev.Nicole Lendman]

Synthesis and cannabinoid receptor activity of ketoalkenes from Echinacea pallida and nonnatural analogues.

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Synthesis and cannabinoid receptor activity of ketoalkenes from Echinacea pallida and nonnatural analogues.

Chemistry. 2008;14(35):10978-84

Authors: Egger M, Pellett P, Nickl K, Geiger S, Graetz S, Seifert R, Heilmann J, König B

Despite its popularity and widespread use, the efficacy of Echinacea products remains unclear and controversial. Among the various compounds isolated from Echinacea, ketoalkenes and ketoalkenynes exclusively found in the pale purple coneflower (E. pallida) are major components of the extracts. In contrast to E. purpurea alkamides, these compounds have not been synthesized and studied for immunostimulatory effects. We present a practical and useful synthetic approach to the ketoalkenes using palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions and the pharmaceutical results at the human cannabinoid receptors. The synthetic route developed provides overall good yields for the ketoalkenes and is applicable to other natural products with similar 1,4-diene motifs. No significant activity was observed at either receptor, indicating that the ketoalkenes from E. pallida are not responsible for immunomodulatory effects mediated via the cannabinergic system. However, newly synthesized non-natural analogues showed micro-molar potency at both cannabinoid receptors.

PMID: 18979494 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Dose-response effect of arabinoxylooligosaccharides on gastrointestinal motility and on colonic bacterial metabolism in healthy volunteers.

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Dose-response effect of arabinoxylooligosaccharides on gastrointestinal motility and on colonic bacterial metabolism in healthy volunteers.

J Am Coll Nutr. 2008 Aug;27(4):512-8

Authors: Cloetens L, De Preter V, Swennen K, Broekaert WF, Courtin CM, Delcour JA, Rutgeerts P, Verbeke K

OBJECTIVE: Arabinoxylooligosaccharides (AXOS) are non-digestible in the upper gastrointestinal tract and have been shown to exert prebiotic effects in animals. The aim of this study was to characterize the influence of AXOS with an average degree of polymerization of 15 and an average degree of arabinose substitution of 0.26 (AXOS-15-0.26) on gastrointestinal motility and colonic bacterial metabolism in healthy human volunteers. METHODS: Twelve healthy volunteers received five test meals, containing different amounts of AXOS-15-0.26, with one week intervals between each test meal. Breath tests were used to measure gastric emptying rate, oro-cecal transit time (OCTT) and hydrogen excretion. Colonic bacterial metabolism was estimated using the biomarkers lactose-[(15)N, (15)N']-ureide ((15)N-LU) and p-cresol. RESULTS: Gastric emptying and OCTT were not influenced by addition of varying amounts of AXOS-15-0.26. Administration of 2.2g or 4.9 g AXOS-15-0.26 significantly decreased the urinary (15)N-excretion (respectively p = 0.008 and p = 0.035) as compared to the baseline, whereas fecal (15)N-excretion was significantly increased (respectively p = 0.034 and p = 0.019). This shift from urinary to fecal (15)N-excretion suggests a higher uptake or incorporation by bacteria due to the stimulation of colonic bacterial growth and/or metabolic activity. Furthermore, a significant increase in hydrogen excretion after administration of 2.2g (p = 0.002) and 4.9 g (p = 0.004) AXOS-15-0.26 was observed. No influence on urinary p-cresol excretion was observed. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that a minimal dose of 2.2g AXOS-15-0.26 favorably modulates the colonic bacterial metabolism in healthy humans. However, long term studies are required to confirm a possible prebiotic effect.

PMID: 18978172 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Antimicrobial activity of endemic Crataegus tanacetifolia (Lam.) Pers and observation of the inhibition effect on bacterial cells.

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Antimicrobial activity of endemic Crataegus tanacetifolia (Lam.) Pers and observation of the inhibition effect on bacterial cells.

Cell Biochem Funct. 2008 Dec;26(8):844-51

Authors: Benli M, Yiğit N, Geven F, Güney K, Bingöl U

Up to now an increasing number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been reported and thus new natural therapeutic agents are needed in order to eradicate these pathogens. Through the discovery of plants such as Crataegus tanacetifolia (Lam.) Pers that have antimicrobial activity, it will be possible to discover new natural drugs serving as chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of nosocomial pathogens and take these antibiotic-resistant bacteria under control. The objective of the present study was to determine antimicrobial activity and the activity mechanism of C. tanacetifolia plant extract. The leaves of C. tanacetifolia, which is an endemic plant, were extracted using methanol and tested against 10 bacterial and 4 yeast strains by using a drop method. It was observed that the plant extract had antibacterial effects on Bacillus subtilis, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes among the microorganisms that were tested. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results obtained at the end of an incubation of 24 h were found to be > or =6.16 mg ml(-1) for B. subtilis, < 394 mg ml(-1) for Shigella, and > or =3.08 mg ml(-1) for L. monocytogenes and S. aureus and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were found as > or =24.63 mg ml(-1) for B. subtilis, > or =394 mg ml(-1) for Shigella, > or =6.16 mg ml(-1) for L. monocytogenes, and > or =98.5 mg ml(-1) for S. aureus. According to the MBC results, it was found that the plant extract had bactericidal effects and in order to explain the activity mechanism and cell deformation of bacterial strains treated with plant extract, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used. The results of SEM showed that the treated cells appeared shrunken and there was degradation of the cell walls. This study, in which the antibacterial effect of C. tanacetifolia was demonstrated, will be a base for further investigations on advanced purification and effect mechanism of action of its active compounds.

PMID: 18946875 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Soy lecithin supplementation alters macrophage phagocytosis and lymphocyte response to concanavalin A: a study in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Posted:

Related Articles

Soy lecithin supplementation alters macrophage phagocytosis and lymphocyte response to concanavalin A: a study in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Cell Biochem Funct. 2008 Dec;26(8):859-65

Authors: Miranda DT, Batista VG, Grando FC, Paula FM, Felício CA, Rubbo GF, Fernandes LC, Curi R, Nishiyama A

Dietary soy lecithin supplementation decreases hyperlipidemia and influences lipid metabolism. Although this product is used by diabetic patients, there are no data about the effect of soy lecithin supplementation on the immune system. The addition of phosphatidylcholine, the main component of lecithin, to a culture of lymphocytes has been reported to alter their function. If phosphatidylcholine changes lymphocyte functions in vitro as previously shown, then it could also affect immune cells in vivo. In the present study, the effect of dietary soy lecithin on macrophage phagocytic capacity and on lymphocyte number in response to concanavalin A (ConA) stimulation was investigated in non-diabetic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Supplementation was carried out daily with 2 g kg(-1) b.w. lecithin during 7 days. After that, blood was drawn from fasting rats and peritoneal macrophages and mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes were collected to determine the phospholipid content. Plasma triacylglycerol (TAG), total and HDL cholesterol and glucose levels were also determined. Lymphocytes were stimulated by ConA. The MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) dye reduction method and flow cytometry were employed to evaluate lymphocyte metabolism and cell number, respectively. Soy lecithin supplementation significantly increased both macrophage phagocytic capacity (+29%) in non-diabetic rats and the lymphocyte number in diabetic rats (+92%). It is unlikely that plasma lipid levels indirectly affect immune cells, since plasma cholesterol, TAG, or phospholipid content was not modified by lecithin supplementation. In conclusion, lymphocyte and macrophage function were altered by lecithin supplementation, indicating an immunomodulatory effect of phosphatidylcholine.

PMID: 18846580 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Population genetic structure of the medicinal plant Vitex rotundifolia in China: implications for its use and conservation.

Posted:

Related Articles

Population genetic structure of the medicinal plant Vitex rotundifolia in China: implications for its use and conservation.

J Integr Plant Biol. 2008 Sep;50(9):1118-29

Authors: Hu Y, Zhu Y, Zhang QY, Xin HL, Qin LP, Lu BR, Rahman K, Zheng HC

Vitex rotundifolia L. is an important plant species used in traditional Chinese medicine. For its efficient use and conservation, genetic diversity and clonal variation of V. rotundifolia populations in China were investigated using inter-simple sequence repeat markers. Fourteen natural populations were included to estimate genetic diversity, and a large population with 135 individuals was used to analyze clonal variation and fine-scale spatial genetic structure. The overall genetic diversity (GD) of V. rotundifolia populations in China was moderate (GD = 0.190), with about 40% within-population variation. Across all populations surveyed, the average within-population diversity was moderate (P = 22.6%; GD = 0.086). A relatively high genetic differentiation (G(st) = 0.587) among populations was detected based on the analysis of molecular variance data. Such characteristics of V. rotundifolia are likely attributed to its sexual/asexual reproduction and limited gene flow. The genotypic diversity (D = 0.992) was greater than the average values of a clonal plant, indicating its significant reproduction through seedlings. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed a clear within-population structure with gene clusters of approximately 20 m. Genetic diversity patterns of V. rotundifolia in China provide a useful guide for its efficient use and conservation by selecting particular populations displaying greater variation that may contain required medicinal compounds, and by sampling individuals in a population at >20 m spatial intervals to avoid collecting individuals with identical or similar genotypes.

PMID: 18844780 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]