西红花中类胡萝卜素生物合成途径研究进展

以西红花苷为代表的脱辅基类胡萝卜素类化合物是传统中药西红花Crocus sativus的主要药效成分,具有广泛的抗氧化、抗炎、抗粥样动脉硬化、抗癌、抗抑郁等药理活性。西红花中类胡萝卜素的生物合成途径包括以甲羟戊酸起始合成牻牛儿基牻牛儿基焦磷酸至玉米黄质的传统上游路径,以及裂解玉米黄质特异性合成西红花酸及西红花苷的下游途径。对近年来西红花中类胡萝卜素代谢途径相关关键酶基因的研究现状进行综述,为进一步解析合成西红花苷等类胡萝卜素衍生物的下游途径指明方向,更为后续采用代谢工程的手段提高西红花苷等药效物质产量提供理论依据。     

液相色谱-串联质谱法测定辣木及萝卜叶的提取物中所含的槲皮素、芦丁及山柰酚

目的：通过一种快速、敏感的液相色谱-串联质谱法测定辣木（Moringa oleifera Lam.）及萝卜（Raphinus sativus Linn.）叶的提取物中所含的槲皮素、芦丁及山柰酚。方法：使用冷浸法（90%乙醇）对辣木及萝卜叶进行提取。提取物与0.2%甲酸和氰化甲烷混合后以0.4mL/min的速度通过Phenomenex Gemini C18色谱层析柱,通过时间为5.01min。结果：串联质谱法测定的离子转换分别为槲皮素303.03~153.1,芦丁611.1~303.1,山柰酚287.1~153.2,内参180.1~110.1。对槲皮素、芦丁及山柰酚定量测量的最低浓度为5ng/mL,线性分布为5~2000ng/mL。槲皮素、芦丁及山柰酚的线性回归系数分别为0.9946、0.9951及0.9969。结论：本研究的结果证明了液相色谱-串联质谱法具有快速、灵敏的特点,对于同时测定辣木及萝卜叶的提取物中所含的槲皮素、芦丁及山柰酚有较好的特异性。     

Saffron as an antidote or a protective agent against natural or chemical toxicities

Saffron (Crocus sativus) is an extensively used food additive for its color and taste. Since ancient times this plant has been introduced as a marvelous medicine throughout the world. The wide spectrum of saffron pharmacological activities is related to its major constituents including crocin, crocetin and safranal. Based on several studies, saffron and its active ingredients have been used as an antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antinociceptive, antidepressant, antitussive, anticonvulsant, memory enhancer, hypotensive and anticancer. According to the literatures, saffron has remarkable therapeutic effects. The protective effects of saffron and its main constituents in different tissues including brain, heart, liver, kidney and lung have been reported against some toxic materials either natural or chemical toxins in animal studies.In this review article, we have summarized different in vitro and animal studies in scientific databases which investigate the antidotal and protective effects of saffron and its major components against natural toxins and chemical-induced toxicities. Due to the lake of human studies, further investigations are required to ascertain the efficacy of saffron as an antidote or a protective agent in human intoxication.     

白萝卜提取物对小鼠胃排空、肠推进及家兔离体回肠平滑肌的影响

目的:研究白萝卜提取物(Raphanus sativus extract,Ecr)对在体小鼠胃排空及肠推进的影响及对家兔离体回肠平滑肌条收缩活动的影响.方法:通过水煮蒸发的方法,制备得到白萝卜提取物;将48只昆明小鼠随机分为白萝卜提取物高剂量(20 mL/kg)、中剂量(10 mL/kg)、低剂量(5 mL/kg)组及...     

POSSIBLE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF NEUROTOXIN FROM LATHYRUS SATIVUS

The neurotoxin from L. sativus inhibits growth of microorganisms. Dicarboxylic acids like aspartate and glutamate overcome this inhibition. The toxin probably acts as a competitive inhibitor of the permease system for dicarboxylic acids.     

Radical scavenging activity of Crocus sativus L. extract and its bioactive constituents

Radical scavenging activity is involved in aging processes, antiinflammatory, anticancer and wound healing activity. Hence, in the present study the DPPH radical scavenging activity of a natural product that possesses biological properties, an extract of Crocus sativus L. (saffron), grown in Crocos, Kozani (Greece), and some of its bioactive constituents (crocin, safranal) was studied.It was shown that a methanol extract of Crocus sativus exhibited high antioxidant activity, although it contains several active and inactive constituents. In trying to approximate a structure-activity relationship, two bioactive constituents of saffron extract were tested, namely crocin and safranal. Crocin showed high radical scavenging activity (50% and 65% for 500 and 1,000 ppm solution in methanol, respectively), followed by safranal (34% for 500 ppm solution). All the tested samples showed high radical scavenging activity, probably due to the ability to donate a hydrogen atom to the DPPH radical.Thus, saffron grown in Greece can be used promisingly in functional foods, drinks with antioxidant activity, in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations for their antioxidant activity and probably for their antiaging activity. Saffron can also be used internally in the form of powder or other pharmacotechnical formulae as a food supplement with antioxidant properties.     

Gastrointestinal stimulatory and uterotonic activities of dietary radish leaves extract are mediated through multiple pathways

Raphanus sativus, commonly known as radish, is a food plant known worldwide for its culinary and medicinal properties especially as a laxative and abortifacient. This study reports the gastrointestinal and uterine tone modulatory activities of the crude extract (Rl.Cr) of radish leaves. Rl.Cr, showing the presence of saponins and alkaloids, exhibited a spasmogenic effect (0.03-10 mg/mL) in isolated rabbit jejunum, rat stomach fundus and uterus which was partially blocked by atropine. In contrast, Rl.Cr was found to be devoid of any stimulatory effect in rat ileum, instead showed an inhibitory effect (0.1 mg/mL) on the ACh dose-response curves. A mild relaxant effect was also observed in rabbit jejunum at the lower doses (0.1-0.3 mg/mL) but not against K(+)-induced contractions, ruling out a calcium channel blocking effect. In guinea-pig ileum, Rl.Cr exhibited a stimulant effect resistant to atropine while sensitive to pyrilamine pretreatment. The aqueous fraction, showing a strong presence of saponins, was found to be more efficacious than the non-polar fractions in its spasmogenic effect. This study shows the presence of species-dependent gastrointestinal effects of radish mediated partially through cholinergic receptors in rabbit and rat tissues, but through histaminergic activation in the guinea-pig, providing a scientific basis for its use in gut and uterine affections while also giving a wider picture of the activity profile of radish by using different species of animals.     

西红花酸药理作用的研究进展

西红花的化学成分包括类胡萝卜素类及其糖苷类、黄酮苷类、氨基酸等.西红花酸是主要有效成分之一,本文对西红花酸的药理作用进行了较全面的综述,为合理开发利用西红花提供参考.     

西红花特征图谱研究及真伪鉴别

目的建立一种西红花Crocus sativus特征图谱分析方法,并用以鉴别西红花中掺假栀子Gardenia jasminoides。方法采用HPLC法,色谱柱为ZorBax XDB-C_(18)(250 mm×4.6 mm,5μm),流动相为0.5%醋酸水溶液-0.5%醋酸甲醇溶液梯度洗脱,检测波长为254 nm,分析时间为45 min,体积流量为1.0 mL/min。结果通过多批样品的检测,共标出8个特征峰,建立的分析方法有较好的重复性,能够显著区分西红花和栀子。结论方法稳定、可靠、简便,为西红花质量控制和真伪鉴别提供参考。     

The effect of the extract of Crocus sativus on tracheal responsiveness and plasma levels of IL-4, IFN-γ, total NO and nitrite in ovalbumin sensitized Guinea-pigs

Ethnomedical relevance

Anti-inflammatory, anti oxidant and effect of Crocus sativus (C. sativus) on Th₁/Th₂ balance were described previously.

Aim of the study

The preventive effects of the extract of Crocus sativus on tracheal responsiveness and plasma levels of IL-4, IFN-γ, total NO and nitrite were examined on sensitized guinea pigs.

Materials and methods

Five groups of sensitized guinea pigs to ovalbumin (OVA), were given drinking water containing three concentrations of the extract of Crocus sativus, dexamethasone (S+D) or alone (group S). Tracheal responses (TR) of control animals (group C) and sensitized guinea pigs (n=6, for each group) to methacholine, OVA and the levels of IL-4, IFN-γ, total NO and nitrite in serum were examined.

Results

The TR to both methacholine and OVA, the levels of serum IL-4, total NO and nitrite in S guinea pigs were significantly increased but that of IFN-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio (Th₁/Th₂ balance) were decreased compared to the controls (p<0.05 to p<0.001). In the treated animals with dexamethasone and all concentrations of the extract, TR to both methacholine and OVA, IL-4, total NO and nitrite were significantly decreased but IFN-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio increased compared to S group (p<0.05 to p<0.001). The effects of the highest concentration of the extract was greater than those of other concentrations and the effect of dexamethasone (p<0.05 to p<0.01).

Conclusions

These results not only showed a preventive effect of C. sativus extract on tracheal responses and serum levels of inflammatory mediators in sensitized guinea pigs but also showed increased Th₁/Th₂ balance.