竹叶榕根中的一个新苯丙酸酯

为了研究竹叶榕(Ficus stenophylla Hemsl.)根的化学成分，采用硅胶、Sephadex LH-20柱反复分离纯化，根据理化常数和波谱数据鉴定化合物的结构。从竹叶榕根的95%乙醇提取物中分离得到5个化合物，分别鉴定为竹叶榕素［methyl 3-(6-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzo-furan-5-yl) propanoate，1］、山柰酚(kaemferol，2)、山柰酚3-O-β-D-葡糖苷(kampferol 3-O-β-D-glucoside，3)、槲皮素(quercetin，4)和小麦黄酮(tricin，5)。其中化合物1为新化合物，化合物2～5为首次从该植物中分离得到。     

Glucose lowering efficacy of Ficus racemosa bark extract in normal and alloxan diabetic rats

The glucose-lowering efficacy of a methanol extract of the stem bark of Ficus racemosa Linn. (MEBFR) (Family Moraceae) was evaluated both in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The MEBFR at the doses examined (200 and 400 mg/kg p.o.) exhibited significant hypoglycaemic activity in both experimental animal models when compared with the control group. The activity was also comparable to that of the effect produced by a standard antidiabetic agent, glibenclamide 10 mg/kg. The present investigation established pharmacological evidence to support the folklore claim that it is an antidiabetic agent.     

Phytochemical and pharmacological study of Ficus palmata growing in Saudi Arabia

Phytochemical study of the aerial parts of Ficus palmata utilizing liquid–liquid fractionation and different chromatographic techniques resulted in the isolation of a new isomer of psoralenoside namely, trans-psoralenoside (5) in addition to, one triterpene: germanicol acetate (1), two furanocoumarins: psoralene (2), bergapten (3), one aromatic acid vanillic acid (4) and the flavone glycoside rutin (6). Structures of the isolated compounds were established through physical, 1D- and 2D-NMR and MS data. The total extract and fractions of the plant were examined in vivo for its possible effects as hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, antiulcer and anticoagulant activities in comparison with standard drugs. Hepatoprotective activity was assessed via serum biochemical parameters including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin. Tissue parameters such as non-protein sulfhydryl groups (NP-SH), malonaldehyde (MDA) and total protein (TP) were also measured. In addition to tissue parameters, nephroprotective effect was evaluated by measuring the serum levels of sodium, potassium, creatinine and urea. Histopathological study for both liver and kidney cells was also conducted. Antiulcer activity was explored by observing stomach lesions after treatment with ethanol. Whole blood clotting time (CT) was taken as a measure for the anticoagulant activity of the extract. Antioxidant activity of the total extract and fractions of the plant was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and ascorbic acid as standard.     

无花果叶提取物抗新城疫病毒的实验研究

目的 为研究无花果叶乙醇提取物和无花果叶水提取物体外抗新城疫病毒（NDV）作用。方法 采用组织细胞培养技术，充分利用无花果叶提取物中的有效成分，在人上皮样癌（Hep-2）细胞株、地鼠肾（BHK21）细胞株和鸡胚成纤维细胞（CEF）上研究其抗新城疫病毒的作用。结果 无花果叶提取物在体外对NDV具有明显的抑制和杀灭作用，药物的最小有效浓度（MIC）N0．5mg／ml，无花果叶乙醇提取物和无花果叶水提取物最大无毒浓度（TDO）分别为550mg／ml和50mg／ml。治疗指数（TI）分别为1100和100。结论 无花果叶提取物对NDV具有抑制和杀灭的特异性。在医药食品领域的应用具有广阔的前景。     

Standardized ethanol-water extract of Ficus deltoidea Angustifolia reduces blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Ficus deltoidea is used in Malay traditional medicine for the treatment of a number of disorders, including hypertension. There is, however, no scientific evidence on its anti-hypertensive effects. This study, therefore, investigated the effects of a standardized ethanolic-water extract of Ficus deltoidea Angustifolia (FD-A) on blood pressure (BP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Male SHR with systolic BP of >150 were divided into 4 groups (n = 8) and given either FD-A (800 or 1000 mg kg^?1 day^?1) or losartan (10 mg kg^?1 day^?1) or 0.5 ml of distilled water (control) daily for 28 days. BP, body weight, food and water intake, serum and urinary electrolytes, endothelin-1 (ET-1), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system were measured. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Following treatment, BP, heart rate, and heart weight in FD-A and losartan-treated rats were significantly lower than those in the controls. Serum TAC and urinary calcium excretion were significantly higher, whereas serum ET-1 concentration was significantly lower in FD-A treated rats when compared to those in controls. No significant differences were found in the components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system between controls and FD-A treated rats. In conclusion, FD-A when given daily at doses of either 800 or 1000 mg kg^?1 day^?1 body weight reduces BP in SHR. This effect does not seem to involve the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system but might involve some other mechanisms.

Abbreviations: FD-A: Ficus deltoidea Angustifolia; ACE: Angiotensin-converting enzyme; SHR: Spontaneously hypertensive rats; SBP: Systolic blood pressure; DBP: Diastolic blood pressure; AUC: Area under curve; RAAS: Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System     

Genotoxicity and acute and subchronic toxicity studies of a standardized methanolic extract of Ficus deltoidea leaves

OBJECTIVE:

Ficus deltoidea leaves have been used in traditional medicine in Southeast Asia to treat diabetes, inflammation, diarrhea, and infections. The present study was conducted to assess the genotoxicity and acute and subchronic toxicity of a standardized methanol extract of F. deltoidea leaves.

METHODS:

Sprague Dawley rats were orally treated with five different single doses of the extract and screened for signs of toxicity for two weeks after administration. In the subchronic study, three different doses of the extract were administered for 28 days. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, hematological and biochemical parameters, gross findings, organ weights, and histological parameters were monitored during the study. Genotoxicity was assessed using the Ames test with the TA98 and TA100 Salmonella typhimurium strains. Phytochemical standardization was performed using a colorimeter and high-performance liquid chromatography. Heavy metal detection was performed using an atomic absorption spectrometer.

RESULTS:

The acute toxicity study showed that the LD₅₀ of the extract was greater than 5000 mg/kg. In the subchronic toxicity study, there were no significant adverse effects on food consumption, body weight, organ weights, mortality, clinical chemistry, hematology, gross pathology, or histopathology. However, a dose-dependent increase in the serum urea level was observed. The Ames test revealed that the extract did not have any potential to induce gene mutations in S. typhimurium, either in the presence or absence of S9 activation. Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed high contents of phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed high levels of vitexin and isovitexin in the extract, and the levels of heavy metals were below the toxic levels.

CONCLUSION:

The no-observed adverse effect level of F. deltoidea in rats was determined to be 2500 mg/kg.     

Effects of Ficus thonningii (Blume) [Morarceae] Stem-Bark Ethanolic Extract on Blood Glucose,Cardiovascular and Kidney Functions of Rats,and on Kidney Cell Lines of the Proximal (LLC-PK1) and Distal Tubules (MDBK)

Previous observations indicate that Ficus thonningii (Blume) [Moraceae] stem-bark extracts may be useful in the control of diabetes mellitus. Accordingly, we investigated in some experimental animal paradigms the effects of F. thonningii stem-bark ethanolic extract (FTE) on renal and cardiovascular functions as complications of diabetes. Oral glucose tolerance tests were conducted in separate groups of non-diabetic and STZ-treated diabetic rats given glucose load (0.86 g.kg^?1, p.o.) after 18-h fast, followed by various FTE doses (60, 120, and 240 mg.kg^?1). Rats treated with deionized water (3 mL.kg^?1 p.o.), or metformin (500 mg.kg^?1 p.o.) acted as untreated and treated positive controls, respectively. Blood glucose was monitored at 15-min intervals for the first hour, and hourly thereafter for 3 h. Acute effects of FTE on kidney function and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were investigated in anaesthetized rats challenged with hypotonic saline after a 3.5-h equilibration for 4 h of 1 h control, 1.5 h treatment, and 1.5 h recovery periods. FTE was added to the infusate during the treatment period. Chronic effects of FTE were studied in individually caged rats treated daily with FTE (120 mg.kg^?1, p.o.) for five weeks. Cytotoxicity of FTE was assessed by dye-reduction colorimetric (MTT) assay on MDBK and LLCPK1 kidney cell lines exposed for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h to graded concentrations of the extract. Myocardial contractile performance was evaluated on rat isolated atrial muscle strips. FTE, like metformin, decreased blood glucose levels in non-diabetic and STZ-diabetic rats. Both acute and chronic FTE treatments did not affect renal function. In vitro studies demonstrated that FTE increased MDBK cell metabolic activity by an average of 15% (72 h), and LLCPK1 mirrored the controls. Acute intravenous infusion of FTE reduced the MAP from 119 ± 1 mmHg to 98 ± 4 mmHg. The MAP also was reduced throughout the five-week experimental study period. FTE also produced concentration-dependent, negative inotropic and chronotropic effects on rat isolated, electrically driven left-, and spontaneously beating right-, atrial muscle preparations. Our experimental findings suggest that FTE possesses reno- and cardio-protective effects in diabetes mellitus.     

Bilateral luxatio erecta with greater tuberosity fracture: a case report

Bilateral shoulder dislocation with greater tuberosity fracture and luxatio erecta, both are rare by themselves, with only few reports of each. We report an unusual case of posttraumatic bilateral symmetrical shoulder dislocation involving luxatio erecta with greater tuberosity fracture in a young male. To our knowledge, this is the first case of symmetrical bilateral shoulder dislocation with greater tuberosity fracture involving luxatio erecta dislocation from Indian subcontinent.