Novel trypanocide from an extract of Pleurotus sajor-caju against Trypanosoma congolense

Context: Control of African trypanosomiasis relies on chemotherapy, but the development of resistance and the problem of drug residues require research for alternatives. Triterpenes and phenolics, the major constituents of Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer (Pleurotaceae), are reported to be effective against trypanosomiasis.

Objective: Trypanocidal effect of whole Pleurotus sajor-caju aqueous extract was investigated in vivo against Trypanosoma congolense.

Materials and methods: Mice (25–32?g) were divided into seven groups of six animals. Mice in groups A–F received 2.5?×?10⁴ trypanosomes, while group G was uninfected. Extracts (100–250?mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally for 5 days to groups A–D while diminazine aceturate (group E) and normal saline (group F) served as positive and negative controls, respectively. Parasitemia, survival time, body weight and haematological parameters were monitored for 60 days post-treatment.

Results: Parasitemia decreased significantly (p?50 was 221.5?mg/kg. The packed cell volume (PCV) and the weight of mice treated with 250?mg/kg extract were 46.20?±?2.6% and 32.05?±?3.63?g, respectively, which is higher than the group treated with diminazine aceturate. The mean survival time of animals in groups D and E was >60 days, while that of group F was <4 days. Differential leucocyte count on day 68 post-infection in groups C, D and E were not significantly different.

Conclusion: Pleurotus sajor-caju therefore could be a potential source of new trypanocidal drugs.     

Griflola frondosa (GF) produces significant antidepressant effects involving AMPA receptor activation in mice

Context: Griflola frondosa (Fr) S.F. Gray (Meripilaceae) (GF) is a medical mushroom, and its regulation of the immune system is of interest for the treatment of mood disorders. α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors are the central mediator for the treatment of depression.

Objective: This study examines the antidepressant effects of GF and the role of AMPA in these antidepressant effects.

Materials and methods: The CD-1 mice were fed with GF- or Pleurotus ostreatus [(Jacq.: Fr) Kumm (Pleurotaceae)] (PO)-containing food for 1?day or 5 days. The antidepressant effects was determined in the tail suspension test (TST), forced swim test (FST), and open field test (OFT). The involvement of AMPA receptors was determined by the application of the AMPA-specific blocker GYKI 52466.

Results: Treatments with 20%, 33% or 50% of GF-containing food significantly decreased the immobility time (63.6, 56.9, and 52.0% in TST; and 50.8, 43.2, and 38.2% in FST) after 1?day and (62.3, 51.8, and 52.8% in TST; and 49.5, 45.1, and 40.3% in FST) after 5 days. GF-containing food did not cause hyperactive effects in the OFT. The antidepressant effects of the 33% of GF-containing food (down-to 51.3% in 1-day TST and 46.8% in 5-day FST) were significantly stronger than that of the 33% of PO-containing food (down-to 85.5% in 1-day TST and 82.0% in 5-day FST). AMPA-specific blocker GYKI 52466 was able to block the antidepressant effects of the GF-containing food.

Conclusion: GF demonstrated the potential as a safe medical food supplement for the patient with depression.     

全脂米糠的挤压稳定性

以游离脂肪酸及过氧化值为指标 ,研究了不同挤压工艺条件对米糠稳定性的影响 .结果表明 ,适宜的全脂米糠稳定条件是挤压温度为 12 5～ 135℃、原料水分为 16%～ 18%、螺杆转速为 180r/min ,稳定化的米糠更适合下一步的提取工艺 .     

Occupational asthma caused by champignon flies

BACKGROUND: Occupational bronchial asthma in mushroom (champignon) workers is unusual, although reports on it appeared in 1938 and 1951; we have not found any others since those dates. Here we report the case of a 52-year-old man who works as a champignon cultivator. He suffered rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma attacks whenever he entered the champignon culture caves. We studied flies as a possible antigen source. We collected these insects from the growing sites in order to identify them, and then prepare an extract; the samples turned out to be of two families of insects of the order Diptera, 98% from the Phoridae family (Brachycera suborder) and 2% from the Sciaridae (Nematocera suborder). METHODS: Skin prick tests, conjunctival provocation tests, serum specific IgE, specific IgE-binding fractions in immunoblotting, and monitoring of PEFR (at work and off work) were performed. RESULTS: IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to these flies was demonstrated by skin prick test, conjunctival provocation test, serum specific IgE, and IgE-binding fractions in immunoblotting. Monitoring of PEFR both at work and off work showed a clear relationship between symptoms, or fall in PEFR, and the workplace. CONCLUSIONS: We report the case of a patient suffering from asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis caused by hypersensitivity to fly proteins.     

Effects of cereal fiber on bowel function: A systematic review of intervention trials

AIM: To comprehensively review and quantitatively summarize results from intervention studies that examined the effects of intact cereal dietary fiber on parameters of bowel function. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using Pub Med and EMBASE. Supplementary literature searches included screening reference lists from relevant studies and reviews. Eligible outcomes were stool wet and dry weight, percentage water in stools, stool frequency and consistency, and total transit time. Weighted regression analyses generated mean change(± SD) in these measures per g/d of dietary fiber. RESULTS: Sixty-five intervention studies among generally healthy populations were identified. A quantitative examination of the effects of non-wheat sources of intact cereal dietary fibers was not possible due to an insufficient number of studies. Weighted regression analyses demonstrated that each extra g/d of wheat fiber increased total stool weight by 3.7 ± 0.09 g/d(P 0.0001; 95%CI: 3.50-3.84), dry stool weight by 0.75 ± 0.03 g/d(P 0.0001; 95%CI: 0.69-0.82), and stool frequency by 0.004 ± 0.002 times/d(P = 0.0346; 95%CI: 0.0003-0.0078). Transittime decreased by 0.78 ± 0.13 h per additional g/d(P 0.0001; 95%CI: 0.53-1.04) of wheat fiber among those with an initial transit time greater than 48 h.CONCLUSION: Wheat dietary fiber, and predominately wheat bran dietary fiber, improves measures of bowel function.     

Variation in fatty acid distribution of different acyl lipids in rice (Oryza sativa L.) brans

The lipids extracted from rice brans were classified by thin-layer chromatography into eight fractions, and their fatty acid (FA) compositions were investigated among five different Japanese cultivars. The lipids of these rice brans comprised mainly triacylglycerols (TAG; 84.9-86.0 wt%), free FA (4.2-4.6 wt%), and phospholipids (PL; 6.5-6.7 wt%), whilst other components were also detected in minor proportions (0.2-2.1 wt%). The PL components included phosphatidyl choline (43.3-46.8 wt%) phosphatidyl ethanolamine (25.0-27.3 wt%) and phosphatidyl inositol (20.2-23.2 wt%). Comparison of the different cultivars showed, with a few exceptions, no substantial difference (P > 0.05) in FA distribution. FA distribution of TAG among the five cultivars was characterized as: unsaturated FA predominantly concentrated at the sn-2 position and saturated FA primarily occupying the sn-1 or sn-3 position in these lipids. These results suggest that the rice bran lipids may be well incorporated into our daily diet to improve nutritional value of the Japanese diet.     

气质联用法分析麸炒对枳实生、鲜品挥发油成分的影响

目的:比较研究枳实生、鲜品及其麸炒品挥发油化学成分及含量的变化.方法:采用GC-MS联用技术分析样品的挥发油化学成分,归一法分析挥发油各成分的相对含量.结果:枳实生、鲜品经麸炒后,挥发油含量及主要组分含量均有一定变化,其中柠檬烯的含量较生品增加了10.4%.共鉴定出26个化合物,各样品主要成分均为柠檬烯,β-芳樟醇,β-蒎烯,1R-α-蒎烯,左旋-β-蒎烯.结论:枳实生、鲜品麸炒前后挥发油化学成分大部分相似,由于加热及辅料影响,挥发油部分组分消失.     

枳壳麸炒前、后主要活性成分的含量变化

目的: 考察枳壳饮片麸炒前、后主要活性成分的含量变化。方法: 采用RP-HPLC测定柚皮苷、新橙皮苷、辛弗林、川陈皮素、橘皮素、水合橘皮内酯、橘皮内酯、马尔敏和葡萄内酯的含量,考察10批枳壳饮片麸炒前、后主要活性成分的含量变化。结果: 麸炒后枳壳饮片中柚皮苷、新橙皮苷、辛弗林、川陈皮素、橘皮素、水合橘皮内酯、橘皮内酯和马尔敏含量均略微下降,而葡萄内酯含量明显上升。葡萄内酯小剂量(0.6 mg·kg^-1)对正常小鼠小肠运动具有促进作用,高剂量(9 mg·kg^-1)则具有抑制作用。结论: 麸炒后葡萄内酯含量的升高是枳壳炮制的目的,可通过主要活性成分的变化规律阐述枳壳饮片的炮制机制。